Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, from our family to yours! 

May your day be filled with family, food, friends and lots of fun! 

I’m Dreaming of a LUSH Christmas…

Along with dollar-store jingle bell collars for the kitties, plus a couple secret Santa surprises for Stephen, another fun discovery I made during last week's trip out to California was the existence of LUSH, an innovative beauty brand that specializes in handmade cosmetics. From the decadent bubble bath bars to the freshly mixed masks made with natural oils, fruits and vegetables, my Christmas list definitely got a mile longer the minute I set foot inside their store!

LUSH's acne-fighting Cupcake facial mask. Image Source: LUSH

Even though LUSH does sell a variety of its products online, visiting the store in person was actually half the fun, since the workers were incredibly friendly and quick to offer samples, demonstrations and advice about the best products to suit my skin type and beauty goals. While I definitely couldn’t squeeze everything I wanted inside my carry-on bag, you can bet I’ll be paying a visit to the LUSH nearest me just as soon as the holiday traffic has cleared! 

Are you a fan of LUSH? Which beauty products are at the top of your holiday gift list this year? 

Not Silence, But Action

Many of my fellow bloggers participated in a day of silence yesterday in honor of the Sandy Hook victims, and while I too am keeping them in my heart and thoughts this week, it is also my personal choice not to be silent. This is because I believe that what we need in the wake of this tragedy, like so many others that have come before, is not merely remembrances, thoughts, words and prayers, but genuine action.

I strongly believe that the increasing prevalence of events like this one is a multi-faceted crisis that needs to be addressed in a comprehensive manner. Easy access to guns, the state of our mental health system, exposure to violence within our culture and the way some young men are socialized surely all play a role in contributing to these types of atrocities. No one factor acts alone, and therefore, there is no "easy fix."

So, while I do think that tougher gun control laws and an improved mental health support system would be positive steps in the right direction, I also think that until we get serious about examining all of the interlinked causes and committing as many resources to solving this epidemic as we do to fighting other evils in the world, nothing will change.

Thoughts and memorials are beautiful things, but only action has the power to save lives. 

Staying Fit During the Holidays

Greetings from California, where I’m celebrating Christmas with my family a couple weeks early! So far, I’m having a great time catching up with relatives and friends, and it’s even kind of nice to be here ahead of schedule for a change, especially because it means that more people are still in town for dinners, parties and get-togethers before heading off on their own holiday travels.

Speaking of dinners and parties, if I have one key goal for this trip, it’s to maintain the hard-fought health and fitness progress I’ve made throughout the past month. The summer months were definitely a low-point for me, not only in terms of dealing with a lot of stress and tough family issues, but also because my weight shot up and my confidence took a major nosedive.

Image Source: MyFitnessPal

But no more! I’m happy to say that over the past several weeks, I’ve been working hard to get back on track by eating right and working out for 30 minutes at least five days a week. One tool that has definitely helped me stay motivated and on top of things is the MyFitnessPal program, available both online and as a free app.

Tracking my daily calorie intake and exercise sessions has already helped me drop a few pounds, and even though I still have a decent way to go before reaching my goal, seeing the forward progress I’ve made helps give me the push I need to keep trying. Here’s hoping that by the time my sister-in-law’s wedding rolls around next July, I’ll be back down to the weight I was on my own wedding day two and a half years ago!

How do you stay fit during the holiday season? Are there any apps or online tools that help keep you on track? If you’re using MyFitnessPal, feel free to come link up with me @ htsapphire28. 

Blogger Linkup: 10 Things About Me

Instead of participating in today's Throwback Thursday, I’m linking up with Sunshine from Such Life in the Tropics for something a little bit different – answering a series of “getting to know you” questions she posed to her readers last Wednesday. I always love writing and reading these types of posts, and because it's been a while since I've done one, I figured this would be as good a time as any to jump back on board. 

#1 – What is your favorite part of the day, and why?

I just love the evening hours. There’s something so calming to me about the day coming to a close, the fading of the colors against the horizon, and the promise of a tasty meal alongside a refreshing glass of wine.

#2 – If you could meet anybody, dead or alive, who would that be?

Abigail Adams, wife of one former president, mother of another, and an all-around smart, inspiring woman who was far ahead of her time intellectually.

Image Source: Wikipedia

#3 – Are you a "half full" or "half empty" kind of person?

I try to be a “half full” girl, but it honestly depends upon my mood at any given time. I can start feeling pretty down pretty fast when my stars don't align as I'd hoped!

#4 – If you could ask me any question, what would that be?

What was the happiest moment of your life?

#5 – Have you ever been to place you feel as if you've been to before, but haven't?

Maybe I will someday, but there are none I can think of at the moment!

#6 – What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?

Less focus on power, competition and violence, and more focus on supporting one another.

#7 – What are you most grateful for?

My good health, my family, husband and friends, my beautiful kitties, and the freedom to pursue my goals and dreams.

#8 – If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job, and if so, what would you do?

I don't currently have a traditional 9-to-5 job to quit, and I definitely wouldn't give up any of my writing endeavors. I would, however, take more of an opportunity to travel, assist those in need and help support my family. 

#9 – Who do you consider to be your best friend?

My mom, sister, husband and the amazing girls I’ve known since elementary and middle school.

#10 – What would you like me to blog about someday?

Sunshine is a huge animal lover, and I always enjoy hearing more about her fun experiences with her own pets and other creatures! 

Have a great rest of the week, everyone! This weekend, I'll be off to spend another few days with my family out West for an early holiday celebration. Plane tickets for the actual week of Dec. 25 were astronomically high this year, so I'm saving a bundle by traveling right at the midpoint between Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

I'm hoping I'll be able to share a quick post or two while I'm there, but if not, I'll check in again as soon as I get back. As always, feel free to follow along on Instagram @heather_28 for updates. Happy holidays!