ReVamped Boutique

Half Past Now

2013-01-19T10:14:00.000-08:00

     As we enter the new year, many of us are still running around dazed, confused, and anxious for the world to reveal its plans. We are constantly checking our watches, clocks, phones, etc in search of the time.
     So many of us forget to stop counting the moments so that we can start making the moments count. Many of us have lost sight of our purpose. Every minute of every day is something to be cherished, not counted, like marbles in a jar. Smell the roses, read a book, plant a garden, visit a museum, write a book, start your business, finish a college course, hug your child, kiss your spouse, watch a movie, start a journal, read the bible, run a mile.

"I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I have just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well." --Diane Ackerman The next time you feel the urge to check the time, tell yourself it is half past now! Half past time to bring glory to GOD by using the many talents and gifts that he has given you to use and enjoy.

Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

2012-04-29T18:27:00.002-07:00

Mediocrity is bread for the average. - Pastor Sarah Connor
     Lately, the actions of someone that I love have been tormeting me. Thus, my life slipped into cruise control. I have barely been eating. I barely put any effort into getting dressed (and those that know me know that once I get up, I dress up and I show up and show off). I barely clean up. I don't blog.
     My smile is still there, but behind it there is an overwhelming sadness. I have been doing the minimum as a measure of prevention. If I don't give my all at work, at home, at church, etc., then I can't get hurt if someone thinks it is not good enough.
     What I learned today is that I was created in HIS image and he is EXCELLENT so EVERYTHING I do should be done in EXCELLENCE even if it is not appreciated. Even if it is never enough. Even if it is not deserved. Even if it is not reciprocated. I was made excellent AND the one for me will acknowledge and appreciate that fact.

Forgiveness

2012-04-08T19:36:00.000-07:00

New Beginnings....

2012-04-08T19:20:00.000-07:00

Tomb, thou shalt not hold Him longer;
Death is strong, but Life is stronger;
Stronger than the dark, the light;
Stronger than the wrong, the right...
~Phillips Brooks, "An Easter Carol"

Today is Easter/Resurrection Day. I hope that everyone spent it enjoying HIS grace and mercy. I was reminded that HE died so that we may live. And not just live, but live in abundance. We should seize every opportunity that HE sends our way. He did not die so that we could live in mediocrity. He did not rise so that we could continue to live our lives in the dark. Walk in the light...HIS light. This is a year of acceleration. So what that the year so far has brought nothing but darkness and despair. Today is a new day. A new beginning. Start where you are and take HIM with you and enjoy the many ways your life will prosper.
I was blessed with the opportunity to open for Mrs. Cece Winans with my DWOC choir, in front of at least 6000 people. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. I hope everyone was able to experience His grace today.
Until next time...be blessed.

You da ONE so I make sure I behave.....

2012-03-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

You da one that I dream about all day....
You da one that I think about always...
My love is your love, your love is mine......
SDS :)

Things I'm feelin' right now.........

2012-03-10T20:15:00.000-08:00

Loyalty....

2012-03-06T19:21:00.000-08:00

Wanna "B" blue??????

2012-03-03T15:36:00.000-08:00

Looking for an affordable replica of the polish worn by "B" to represent Blue Ivy? Look no further than Wet-nWild Saved by the Blue. It's a steal at $1.99.

Star gazing..........

2012-03-03T15:03:00.000-08:00

"Never ignore a person that loves you, cares for you and misses you. One day, you might wake up from your sleep and realize that you LOST the moon because you were counting the stars."

A fallen star.....

2012-02-19T10:17:00.001-08:00

The Sequel........

2012-02-19T09:44:00.000-08:00

By definition a sequel can't be original.

God never creates mistakes so we were all created to be a masterpiece in our own way. While imitation is the purest form of flattery, it is also annoying. I don't want to see someone walking around with the same style that I have, speaking the same way I do, acting the way I do, wearing their hair the same, etc. Who would I be then? Who would you be then?

Embrace what HE gave you. Stop trying to be someone you are not.

Love is.....Part 2

2012-02-14T18:23:00.000-08:00

My VDay Cake :)

Love is waking up to your to your beautiful face every morning.

Love is kissing your beautiful face every night.

Love is saying I love you most.

Love is eating pepperoni and pineapple pizza at midnight.

Love is holding your hand.

Love is listening to your problems.

Love is watching you face your fears.

Love is missing you.

Love is watching you grow.

Love is laughing with you.

Love is having you wipe my tears.

Love is loving you.

Love is knowing unconditionally, you love me too.

Love all over me......

2012-02-13T19:26:00.000-08:00

I don’t think Valentine’s Day should be celebrated on February 14th. It should be celebrated every day. We should make an effort to show people love, affection and gratitude whenever possible. The more you give the more you will receive. So, this Tuesday show as much love possible, and remember to do it the next day and the next, and the….
Here are 8 special things you can do for your special someone or anyone to make their day better. Don’t worry if you happen to be single on Valentine’s Day, these tips are for you too. Share this day with anyone you love and celebrate being happy.

Make a handmade card.

On nice paper, write a love note, telling them how much they mean to you, today and everyday. Include a gift with the love note: a gift card to their favorite store, tickets to a play or a sporting event, or a gift certificate for a massage by you . Tuck inside of a decorated envelope. Hide the love note in a secret place, where they will find later on-in a purse, briefcase, coat pocket, or on the dashboard of their car.

Serve breakfast in bed.

Normally a weekend treat, this will be an unexpected delight. Plan ahead and make this delicious Gluten-free Crustless Quiche from Elana’s Pantry.
Gluten-free Quiche
Crust:

1 1/2 cup blanched almond flour
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 T minced scallions
1/4 cup grapeseed oil
1 T water

Filling:

2 T grapeseed oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 cup broccoli, sliced into small spears
1 clove garlic, minced (I used 3)
1 cup thinly sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes (dry packed)
3 large eggs, whisked
4 oz goat cheese
1/2 tsp sea salt

Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt, baking soda, and scallions. In a smaller bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the grapeseed oil and water. Stir wet ingredients into dry until thoroughly mixed. Press the dough into a 9 1/2-inch or deep dish pie pan. Bake for 12 – 15 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely before filling.
Quiche: Heat grapeseed oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute the onion for 8 – 10 minutes, until soft. While onion cooks, steam broccoli until bright green. Add broccoli, garlic, mushrooms, and tomatoes to the onion, and saute for 15 – 20 minutes, until broccoli is tender. In a large bowl, combine eggs, cheese, and salt. Stir in the sauteed vegetables, then pour the mixture into the pre-baked crust.
Bake for 30 – 35 minutes at 350 degrees until browned around the edges and cooked through. Let the quiche cool in the pan for 30 minutes before serving.
Or rise and shine a little early, and whip up this Homemade Granola Bowl.
Homemade Granola Bowl

1 cup of gluten-free granola- can use plain granola or oat clusters from Love Grown Foods
1 cup fresh berries
1/2 cup Greek yogurt

Add all ingredients in a bowl and serve.

* Make sure to also include a fresh brewed cup of coffee*

Create a playlist.

Put on their iPod (or burn a CD) of songs that are special to the two of you. They will be thinking of you all day long. Here are a few that I really like.

Instead of flowers, buy a beautiful plant.

Roses are nice, but plants are a special touch and will last a whole lot longer.

Orchids are a great choice and available in many beautiful colors.
I love plumeria. These gorgeous tropical plants are very low maintenance.
The lucky bamboo is a perfect desk plant for your man’s office.

Make them laugh out loud.

Send a Jib Jab card to them at work. I LOVE these animated cards starring YOU! Jib Jab offers a bunch of videos and cards to choose from- all you have to do is add pictures of you and your honey and hit send. I promise you will not stop laughing!

Make a gourmet meal at home.

There is nothing better than a home cooked meal, especially on Valentine’s Day ( I would rather avoid the crowds and prix fixe menus). Set the table with pretty place settings and candles. This Roasted Chicken with Organic Fingerling Potatoes and Sauteed Kale is a simple, delicious, and healthy meal. It is sure to please the hungry stomach of your loved one.
Roasted Chicken with Organic Fingerling Potatoes & Sauteed Kale
Roasted Chicken

One organic roasting chicken (5 or so lbs)
2 small lemons, quartered
1 large brown onion, quartered
2 cups organic chicken stock
1 pkg of poultry herbs
2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rinse and pat chicken dry. Rub inside cavity with sea salt and pepper. Stuff chicken with quartered lemons, onions and herbs. Put extra lemons and onions in roasting pan. Tie the legs of chicken tightly together with twine. Pour 1 cup of stock and olive oil over chicken. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper.
Place in 350 degree oven for about 2.5 hours or until cooked. Add other cup of stock 1/2 way thru cooking, and more, if needed . It is 20 mins per pound for cooking time. Be sure to take a temperature to make sure cooked completely. Baste as needed every 30 or so minutes. Let rest 10 mins before serving.
Fingeling Potatoes:

2 lbs fingerling potatoes
2-3TBS extra-virgin olive oil
Sea Salt & Pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Rinse and pat dry potatoes. Slice in half length-wise. Put in large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt & pepper. Arrange on baking sheet and bake 35 mins, until crispy. Toss occassionally while cooking.
Sauteed Kale

1 bunch organic kale, rinsed and dried
1 TBS extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloved garlic, minced
1/8 cup organic chicken stock, Sea salt & pepper.

Heat olive oil over medium heat in a saucepan. Add garlic, continuouly stirring, so garlic doesn’t burn, just browns. Cut or tear kale into pieces, dicarding the thick vein. Put kale into heated saucepan and pour chicken stock over kale. Cover pan and saute for 15 minutes, until kale is softened. Stir often. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Spend quality, uninterrupted time together.

Turn off the TV, your cell phones, and the computer. Turn on some music and enjoy each others company. Play a game, plan a trip, or just talk.

Copied from flow life aspen.

Love is.......Part 1

2012-02-12T08:49:00.000-08:00

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
I Corinthians 13: 4-8

1. Love is patient and kind. Love will hold my hand, love will teach me how it wants to be loved. Love will NEVER give up on me. Love will take time to MAKE TIME for me and only me. Love will ALWAYS be gentle.
2. Love does not envy or boast. Love is secure in knowing that there is no other for me. Love does not boast about the things that I have done in its name, no matter how great. Instead it will SHOW ME its appreciation.
3. It is not arrogant or rude. Period. Love is not disrespectful. Period. Love will treat me how it wants to be treated. Love will not hide things from me because what is done in the dark will come to the light. Love will speak with love. Love will act with love. Period.
4. It does not insist on its on way, it is not irritable or resentful. Love is sharing. Love is compromising. Love is being in agreement, even if it means to agree to disagree. Love does not get easily agitated. Love is NEVER resentful. It will rejoice at all times. Love will NEVER let the sun set with an angry heart.
5. It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Period. Love will walk a righteous path, even if it stumbles along the way.
6. Love bears ALL things, BELIEVES ALL things, HOPES all things, ENDURES all things. Period.

LOVE NEVER ENDS.

Flower Bouquet......

2012-02-05T08:27:00.000-08:00

Lost and Found.......

2012-02-05T07:57:00.000-08:00

You are exactly where you want to be, doing exactly what you want to be doing, with exactly whom you want to be doing it with.
Right?

If not then why aren't you using your G.P.S.? Not the Global Positioning System, but God's Protection System. As in rejection is God's protection, so step out on faith. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Leave that job and do something you love. Leave that relationship that keeps you broken and confused and wait for the person that we designed specifically for you. Let go of the things that do not serve any purpose to you. Start building your assets and dropping your liabilities. When you use your personal GPS, anyone and anything that you have in your life should serve to benefit you while you are serving HIM. You were not designed to accept anything less. Stop wandering around in the desert of desolation and despair. Use your GPS and be blessed!

More powerful than a speeding bullet.....

2012-01-20T18:05:00.000-08:00

There is nothing more powerful than the things you say. So be careful of the words that come out of your mouth. They can be forgiven but not forgotten. Thoughts manifest through words, and words manifest through actions. When you speak words, you give them life. So speak positively. Think positively. Do not let the ignorance and arrogance of others' opinions break you, or cause you to question yourself, your decisions or your abilities. You were designed for greatness. Speak it, think it and believe it!

Same old ish........

2012-01-01T08:12:00.000-08:00

     It is January 1, 2012. Many of you woke up the this morning the same way, doing the same thing and expected a change. Isn't that the definition of insanity, doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result. So by definition, that would make you crazy.
     In order to see a change you must be the change. When you wake up, the first thing you must do is give thanks. You were able to take a breath, open your eyes and move your feet. Someone else was not blessed to see another day.
     When drama comes (and if you walk with HIM it will), accept it, address it and move on. Do not dwell in a place of negativity and emptiness.
     Accept that you may not be where you want to be, figure out how to change it, do it, and move on. Stop dwelling on what you don't have. Give thanks you are not where you used to be.
     Accept that your mate is not perfect, address any issues that you may have, agree to fix them, or move on.  Be with someone who can value, respect, trust, appreciate and love you unconditionally.        You deserve the best, not the rest. You should never be someone's option.
     Accept that your true friends can offer a solution, not become part of the problem. True friends will not allow you to fail, nor will they set you up for failure. They catch you when you fall so you never hit the ground. If your friends are not assets, accept it, address it and find new friends.
     It may be a new year, but if you don't make changes, it will be the same year you just left. Celebrate every day as if its the last. Be the change you want to see.

Doing me.....

2011-12-31T18:44:00.000-08:00

     Every year, the world enters a new season. And every year, when the season changes, people feel the need to change with it. My question is why wait?
     Why wait for a New Year's celebration to make a commitment to have more, do more, and be more? Why wait for that one time per year to start exercising, to start eating right, to start loving harder, to start working smarter? Why wait for the first day of the year to give more, to learn more, to earn more? You have 364 other days to bless not only your life, but the life of those around you. Why wait? Start the celebration NOW! If you mess up...start again! Be in a constant celebration for the positive changes in your life!
     I started on my mission months ago, and I wouldn't trade anything for my journey in this life thus far. This year I resolve to continue to do me....only better.
     I wish you all a safe, blessed, and prosperous new year!

SN: SDS I love you babe :)

ALL I DO IS WIN!!!!!

2011-12-28T19:44:00.000-08:00

               If you didn't get that "thing" that you have been wanting, wishing for and praying for, its okay. Good things come to those who wait. It is not your  my time to have those things. The fact that they elude you just means that they really aren't for you . Give thanks. There is something better out there for you.
     There are people in life that feel as if a half truth is not a whole lie. Newsflash....IT IS! Learn to see them and the lies they tell for what they are worth....aboslutely nothing. Your time, your love and your energy however, are priceless... and the fact someone felt as if they could lie to you, means they no longer deserve them. Give thanks. There is someone better out there for you.
     You may lose your job, your home, your spouse, and even your mind, but be grateful for it all. You are a BORN WINNER!
     I can't speak for anyone else, but even when I lose I win!

It's a small world after all......

2011-12-24T07:44:00.000-08:00

Lately, everywhere I go, someone seems to think that they know me, or have met me somewhere before... and the evil side of me wants to say that they have only seen me in their dreams. However, I smile politley when they ask do I know such and such, or have I been to such and such. The answer is always no, and they walk away determined to figure out why I look so familiar.
     Recently, someone came in ranting and raving about the terrible day that they had at work. She even went into vivid details, not caring about who was listening. She even went so far as to threaten killing the other person. What she didn't know however, was that there was someone in the room that could ruin her career from the words she spoke.
     Furthermore, it amazes me the lengths that some will go to to hide messages, posts, etc...from others when using social media (i.e. facebook, twitter..). If there is nothing to hide, then why are you hiding? I understand that everything is not FOR everybody, but the things done in the dark ALWAYS come to the light.
     Say what you mean and mean what you say! A person is only as good as their word. Why waste energy on words that have no true meaning. Why waste energy on words or actions that generate negative energy?
     You never know who is listening. And if there are six degrees of separation, you never know who may know someone that you know. The things you do, come back to you.
     It's a small world after all....

Shake your booties....

2011-12-18T08:30:00.000-08:00

Beast Mode til they take me...

2011-12-17T18:53:00.000-08:00

     Face your fears and they disappear.
     I am currently taking a class designed to empower not only the rest of my year, but the rest of my life. It is the Ignite Your G-Spot Gratitude Challenge with Shanel Cooper-Sykes. Yes the G is for gratitude. Anywho, one of the things that the class is teaching me, is that the things I resist persist. The things that I am afraid of will continue to haunt me if I don't address them. If I keep running FROM love instead of running TO it at top speed, it will continue to alude me. If I never start my business, I will never start my business. If I never ask a question, I will never get an answer.
     I will start using my voice, even if it shakes, to voice my thoughts.
     With that being said, I am blessed, I am loved, and I always win!
     I am great and I expect nothing but greatness in all areas of life!
     Game on!

Transformations....

2011-11-29T17:26:00.000-08:00

“Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door. ” - Coco Chanel

     I am going through alot of learning how to accept the things I can not change. It is not easy but it alleviates so much stress from my heart. People will be who they are, and I am not able to change them. I can either accept them or eliminate them and their foolishness from my life.
     Many times, I find myself asking why. Why is this person so rude? Why did this person make a specific decision without thinking about the consequences? I am slowly learning that the "why" doesn't matter. It is draining trying to figure out why people choose to do the things they do. Instead, I am learning to let go and let God. Only HE knows the reason to they why, and only HE can fix it.
     You can not change a zebra's stripes. So learn to quit trying.

Finger lickin' good.......

2011-11-28T17:03:00.000-08:00