I got my Swagger Back

When I think of a person that has swagger, or swag, I think of people like Errol Flynn, Sydney Poitier, Anthony Perkins, Katherine Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Ingrid Bergman, Clark Gable, and of course James Dean. These celebrities had swagger, to the mmph-teen-th degree. I try not to overuse the term, because I don’t want to cheapen it.

Once upon a time, I lost my swagger. After some time and effort, I got it back and now I’m ready to pick up where I left off.

Y’all can use “swag” anyway you like, I’m not mad at it, but Ingrid Bergman helped remind me get back on track!

“Be yourself. The world worships the original.” - Ingrid Bergman

Happy Stay Sexy Thursday!

Take Five!

Happy stay sexy Thursday! 

People claim to be "too busy" to do the "little" things in life and then complain that they feel unfulfilled. The little things, the simple tasks, tend to be the most crucial to fulfilment. There is always time to seek after our own happiness. Choose to make it a priority. 

Remember to take time for yourself first. If you're not happy, those around you won't be happy when you're around. I call it the "take five" approach.

1. Take five minutes a day to appreciate your reflection
2. Take five of your favourite physical attributes, feel good about it, and list them out loud to yourself.
3. Take a look around you and find five people you appreciate in your life and meditate on why.
4. Take those five people and tell them you appreciate them.
5. Take five minutes out of the day (or more) to find good in others you encounter and let them know it.

The "stay sexy attitude" starts first in the head, then with the heart.

Making Changes

During winter break, I started to focus my "learning new things" time on less physically demanding activities:  sewing, knitting, crocheting, and cake decorating.  It's been a great experience.  I feel like I am becoming more a well-rounded individual.  Next weekend, I am heading to an area without mobile coverage and couldn't be more excited!

Sometimes, life throws us opportunities and you just need to reach out and grab onto them with both hands, close your eyes, smile, and enjoy the ride.  I have that feeling very strongly today and it makes my whole body tingle with excitement.
Today's thoughts for Stay Sexy Thursday revolve around Change and the impact it can have on our lives.  Even when the change is challenging to us, embracing and accepting that it's inevitable will help us make sound decisions on how we respond to it.

The 'Stay Sexy' mentality starts first in the head, then with the heart.  Follow both and you will rarely be lead astray.

jjf

Pumping Iron

Today at the gym I pumped some iron. I do it regularly. Conditioning my body and keeping fit improves my emotional well being. This past week, I've neglected my emotional well being by not keeping my mental conditioning regiment up, and decided that today is stay sexy Thursday and I need to refocus some of my energy towards fueling my body and my mind. Pathetically and unashamedly that started with appreciating my reflection in the mirror while exercising. The guys next to me didn't seem to mind my foolish grins at myself and the kissing of my biceps. The ladies off to the side seemed to be confused though. It is what it is and what it is is sexy. Can't fault a sexy beast from appreciating their assets. Happy stay sexy Thursday.

Awkward Week

It's been an awkward week, but it's Stay Sexy Thursday so it's helped refocus my thoughts. As I've been processing all that has transpired this week, I can't help but feel love. Love and gratitude for the things I have. Love for the life I am blessed with. I have had many opportunities to learn to build trust in the good of others, patience to endure difficult times, and to have confidence in who I am and what I stand for.

"Don't allow fear to hold you back when you should go forward."

Happy stay sexy Thursday.

Feelin' It

As a general rule, I am quite happy when I rise in the mornings.  Every once in a while, I wake up feeling amazing!  That was yesterday for me.  There was an extra bounce to my step, my head was held a little higher, my reflection was even more adorable to admire as I prepared for my day.  I love days like that.

Sometimes when we feel sorrow and pain, we lose sight of the good that’s in front of us and it takes the unexpected to shed some light into our lives.  I’ve had a few days this last week where I wasn’t 100% on my game, and the unexpected compliment, or act of small kindness brought me back into the present.  I’m grateful for those moments, and for the people with whom I cross paths.

It was a gorgeous day in Anchorage, Alaska, today, and I hope that you had a chance to appreciate your surroundings, even if you found it different than the norm.  Change can appear difficult, but seek out the good and you’ll be surprised that you’ll actually find it.  Stay sexy. 

Highs and Lows

Happy Stay Sexy Thursday!  Highs and Lows post today.

Let's start with a low...my phone died tonight and it took awhile to get it charged enough to function again.  Missed out on returning an important phone call.  :(  Hope my friend forgives me...

High, an interaction at work today brought a huge smile to my face and brightened my day, and possibly the rest of the week.  As we strive to improve ourselves both spiritually and emotionally, let's not forget to appreciate those little moments that give us a boost when needed, and sometimes forget how nice it feels to be noticed for the little things we do.

High:  cake decorating class was super fun tonight and our cupcakes got out of hand.  It was dope!

Low:  the cupcakes did not survive the drive home.

Flower Training

Learning to make shells

I believe this was the pom pom flower?

Learning to make different leaf patterns

Some sort of flower?

Hawaiian Themed Cupcake

Experimenting and not sure how I felt about this one...

Attempting to use every skill taught in one class on one cupcake

We felt proud and accomplished

The combined effort

The Remnants :(