My new home : Kansas City!

So, this post is going to get a little personal...

Kansas City. It's hard to believe this is where I call home, now.

I must admit - before I mention anything else - is that moving away from your hometown (in my case) has been super healthy & rewarding. (However, I do miss you, Chester!!!)

So, this past Christmas - Tyler & I were given the option to move to Kansas City for a WAY better job opportunity (on his part) - but, we had to decide in THREE DAYS.

We had nothing to lose (& being a Pilates Instructor {as much as it hurt to let my current clients go} I could find work anywhere) - so we made the huge leap and moved to Kansas City.

And, wow - it is more beautiful than we ever could imagine. I literally thought Kansas City would be like the Wizard of Oz (farms, dust & nothing sparkly). Holy hell... I was so wrong.

For ALL my friends who are from South Florida - Kansas City is a hidden gem (kinda how Nashville, TN used to be...) - it's like a Palm Beach of the MidWest. Seriously - all my stores are a ONE MILE radius from my house : Lululemon, Trader Joe's, Anthropologie, The Fresh Market, Whole Foods & so much more. Plus, the food here is WAY BETTER. (That will be a whole different post.) And, the homes are right out of magazines & Pinterest. SO BEAUTIFUL.

Kansas City is known as the City of Fountains. Did you know that Kansas City is #2 IN THE WORLD for the most fountains? Do you know who is #1? ROME! Pretty amazing.

So far - all of Spring - Tyler & I have been like 6 year olds on Christmas morning. Every day, there are new flowers blooming & something new that we are finding out about our house.

Another thing that I found really surprising here - EVERYONE IS MORE FIT! I took a barre class the first week I was here and thought I was going to die. And for those of you who know me - I'm a pretty fit person - with my Pilates & long runs. We are dealing with a whole new kind of fitness animal here. And, did I mention everyone here is BEAUTIFUL!? Everyone really takes care of themselves here!

Here are some fun pictures I have captured around my runs:

KC Dogwood!

Beautiful KC Tulips!

One of our parks has an Oriental Theme! Lots of running trails here :)

I will post more soon.

..xox...

Liz

Run

"Run with your heart instead of your mind."

I found an awesome quote the other day!

I wanted to share it with ya'll!

::::

Happy Friday!

..xox..

Liz

Twenty-Something's

What is it about our twenty-something's? By far, my twenties has been the hardest, craziest & most incredible decade (so far).

Some may have experienced:

Engagements. Weddings. More "Education". "Big Girl" Jobs. Living on your own (not attached to your parents' gas card). And so much more!

I think I can say that most twenty-something's are still looking for that purpose... what you really want to be when you grow up (not the office assistant job you got directly out of college). Or maybe you are doing some soul-searching... why did God put you on this earth?

The best advice I can give you - is do what you love. And more importantly - do what you're good at (you'll probably make more money :: if that's important to you). 

I've learned pretty early that you limit your own self - and the choices you make, prove that. 

I'm scared to make that leap of faith from a corporate job into being "my own business" - but, it's going to be totally worth it. And, I'm almost at the finish line.

I'll leave you with this last thought for tonight ::: don't ever wait - because a year from now, you will wish you have started then. There's never going to be a perfect time. 

Happy Tuesday!

..xox..

Liz

Watch Out Pilates World!

Well - I've been thinking about this for a long time. What's a long time? Since 2010 - so about two years.

I've made the decision to become a Pilates Instructor!

I have been enrolled into the Power Pilates Training Program, which starts the second weekend of September. 

Training takes about 6-9 months - then, I'll be fully certified.

I. CAN'T. WAIT.

And, I'm looking forward to educating everyone about Pilates and the amazing affects it has on your body & mind. 

My Official Enrollment Email!

 Let me know if you ever want me to train you - it won't be long before I am able. ;)

...xox...

Liz

Let Go

So - I know I'm supposed to be mostly writing about fitness tips, but I've been feeling "advice-y" lately. (Is that even a word... advice-y?)

Anyways, I feel like I've had a lot to share!

Recently, I've caught myself looking back and reminiscing over all the amazing memories I've had over the past 24 years of my life. 

I'll share some highlights:

• Being privileged enough to ride & show horses competitively in the most prestigious show circuit in the world & having the best trainer in the process (along with meeting & making friends with unforgettable people). 
• Meeting my 9 best friends in high school.
• Having a best friend since I was 6 - and be able to pick back up like yesterday. 
• Moving to Nashville and working at the best company (CMT) and meeting my soulmates. 
• Joining the BEST sorority at FSU... Zeta Tau Alpha!
• Marrying the man of my dreams... Tyler. I wish I could relive my Wedding Day... over and over.

But, really - what I want to tell you - is that sometimes you just have to let go. Not "let go" as in forget about. What I mean is to remember to live in the moment. Those memories - you will always have. So, hopefully you learn from them - and always cherish the people in those memories, too.

Besides reminiscing - which I'm very good at - I've been thinking about ALL the dreams I've ever had. I'm a HUGE believer in following your dreams. I always have & always will. 

But, there are some dreams in your life that will never happen. 

"Life can pass you by while you are clinging on to a wish that can never be - or ought never to be - fulfilled."

Don't let your dreams be tantalizing - they should bring you happiness. 

This doesn't mean that you can't accomplish the impossible. 

Because I believe you can.

Me!

...xox...

Liz

What Are You Worth?

I've always been told to be well aware of my self worth. So, what does that mean?

I'm going to explain.

Let me introduce to you: Kim Kardashian. I bet many of you are already rolling your eyes. She is a reality super star who is no stranger to conflict. But, I actually admire her in certain ways - because she knows her self worth.

There has been a big "to-do" with Kim because there were rumors that she won't do anything for free, whether it's tweeting, making an appearance, modeling or wearing designers' clothes. Anything she does or is associated with is worth a lot - and she knows it. 

She knows her value to society... do you?

Think about it.

• Do you have a job where you feel underpaid? Do something about it. Let your boss know how much you're worth. 
• Do you have family or friends that take you for granted? Stand up for yourself.
• Do you doubt yourself in what you ultimately want to achieve in life? Re-evaluate and know what you are worth. And know that only you can make a difference. 

Don't be afraid to shine! If you don't believe you have a high self worth - then others won't see you as valuable.

My Husband & I :)

...xox...

Liz

The Seed

My Boss forwarded me an excerpt from the book called The Seed - and I want to share it with you. Read what he sent me below - it will shed some light on those who are struggling in their current career OR who are just getting started.

 

For me - I find it that I want everything in my career RIGHT NOW. I want to already be the "Top Dog". I know it doesn't happen overnight - and reading this helped validate that I am on the right track.

 

Read below:

 

"

1. You are here for a reason and the most important thing you can do in life is to find, live and share your purpose. It’s the one thing in life that truly matters and if you don’t pursue it, everything else is meaningless.

 

2. Follow your passion. It so often leads you to your purpose. You may not know what your passion is right now. That’s ok. The important thing is to make it your life mission to find it, live it and share it. To help find your passion, seek out jobs and experiences that allow you to use your strengths and gifts. Do what energizes you.

 

3. Beware of hobbies. Just because you love spending time on Facebook doesn't mean you would enjoy working for the company. And just because you love to cook doesn't mean you would enjoy owning a restaurant. For example, I owned restaurants but I realized I didn't love the food business. I loved the service and marketing aspect of the business.

 

4. Quit for the right reasons. Don't quit because work is hard or you're experiencing challenges. Quit because in your heart you know there is something else for you to do. Quit because you are not benefitting yourself or the organization you work for. Quit because you are absolutely certain you are no longer supposed to be there.

 

5. Learn from every job and experience. Every job, good or bad, prepares you for the work you were ultimately born to do.

 

6.Your current job may not be your ultimate purpose but it can serve as a vehicle to live and share your purpose.

 

7. Whatever job(s) you take after graduation simply decide to serve. When you serve in small ways you'll get more opportunities to serve in bigger ways.

 

8. Your dream job is likely not the one you dreamed about. So often we end up in amazing careers that have nothing to do with our college degree or childhood dreams.

 

9. The quest for your purpose is not a straight line. It is filled with mystery, signs, obstacles, victories, dead ends, delays and detours. Your job is to stay optimistic and faithful on your quest.

 

10. Don't rush the future. There is a process that seeds must go through in order to become all they are destined to become, and you must go through this same process to become the person you are meant to be and do the work you are meant to do. You may want things to happen NOW but more than likely if you got what you wanted NOW you wouldn't be ready for it. The purpose process prepares you, strengthens you, shapes you and grows you to be successful, not in your time, but in the right time.

 

11. Be the Seed. Seeds surrender themselves to the ground so they can be used for a greater purpose. Wherever you work, decide to plant yourself where you are and allow yourself to be used for a greater purpose. When you plant yourself and make a difference you grow into the person you were born to be and produce a harvest that will benefit others and change the world.

"

 

I hope you got as much out of this as I did! :)

 

...xox...

 

Liz

Life Lately

I've decided that blogging is a great way to share your ideas, feelings, life experiences & so much more. It's a way to connect to the people you know (and people you don't know) on a different level.

So... what about me? As most people know - I have an unhealthy obsession with pink and sparkles. Nashville is my "home". I absolutely LOVE animals, especially horses. I have been riding horses since the age of 3 (although, I haven't shown competitively in 2 years). I just married the love of my life (about 3 weeks ago). We have been together 8 years (next week!). I just started a new job at CBS Radio, and I am so grateful that I love where I work. And, I'm always at the gym.

Chester & I at Devon, PA in 2005

Now... what is this blog going to be about? EVERYTHING. 

--> I'm going to share with you my life as a married woman (I promise this won't be boring).

--> Fashion : What I would wear (I think I have great taste).

--> Work Out Tips : I think I've done a damn good job at staying in shape! I'm proud of what I got!

--> Recipes : Am I a good cook? Nah - but I will share some great ones that I find. :)

--> Life Lessons : These past 3 years have taught me more than most people would learn in a lifetime. I hope to connect with others out there who may have gone through the same experience!

I'm so excited to join the blogging world - and I look forward to keeping all of you updated about "me" on a daily basis.