cleanse [klɛnz] : to remove dirt, filth, etc from

Cleansing is everywhere. As someone who considers themself to be somewhat of a health conscience individual I am always intrigued regarding whole cleansing process. There are so many to choose from. There are overnight cleanses,7 day cleanses even cleanses that last a month.They can be in the form of liquids or pills, even teas. I mean the variety is endless. The demand for it is great, and of course it is. We are all filled with toxins, things that we have obtained from what we ingest. Yes hidden in some of our favorite foods are these toxins, and they've built homes in our bodies without us even knowing. Sadly whether we know it or not they ARE there and slowly they attack us and our health. The problem is that not many of us, including me are fully aware of what optimal health looks like so it is hard to distinguish or recognize that anything is wrong at all.Yet each organ of our system when taken care of and maintained has an ability to perform and operate at it's best. But let's face it, we all have a tendency to ignore the silent inward symptoms until they become outwardly loud. Then we treat the outward sign instead of the actual cause with a quick remedy. So if we have a pimple we reach for something topical but Noxcema will not be able to help cystic acne and if we have a stomach issue we reach for some Pepto and maybe we experience relief and maybe the symptoms go away for some time but then a few months later we are reaching for the Pepto again. No I am not having a health seminar but the correlation between physical and the spiritual cleanse was too great to ignore. Just like the physical toxins that attach themselves to our bodies, everyday we allow spirual toxins to attach themselves to us. As Christians, or should I say "followers of Jesus" (because let's face it we as christians have done such a poor job of representing Christ that many of "us" don't want to be associated with that terminology anymore) we are targets thwarting darts we can't even see because they are hidden so deeply in the mundane activities  of life that we have become immune to the damage that they do. It's not until we experience some sort of problematic situation or pain that we even begin to take a look. We wonder why we lack passion with God. Why our lives while they seem to be functioning from the outside are just existing on  the inside. Yes we have a pulse, we are still breathing but are we operating at our best? I know I haven't been and the reality is it's been longer than I'd like to say because mearly existing becomes a place of comfort. That is until the crap hits the fan, but even then we want to reach for a band aid, maybe look through the countless inspirational tweets lol, listen to a sermon or put on a worship cd. But sometimes that just won't do. That's where I am. I read the tweets, heard the sermons, popped in a lil Michael W. Smith but it wasn't enough.A cleanse is necessary.  I think we can all use to purge ourselves of all of the silent toxins we have allowed to attach to us or maybe at this point we have become attached to.That's where I'm at right now. I'm going through a
total cleanse well I'm trying. The operative word is trying. Anyone can start a cleanse but finishing is the hard part. The stuff that comes to the surface isn't pretty it's downright ugly and we can say hey is it worth the pain? Or should I just go back to existing and treating the surface...I'm in the middle somewhere but I'm hopeful and excited to allow God to get me to being the best me I can be for his glory. If you happen to read this prayers are appreciated :)
WARNING: most of the time these TOXINS  do not come in black bottles marked with a skull and crossbones labeled POISON, most of the time they're things we have come to know and love. They're easy to digest but hard to get rid of.
>>>one more thing, you can't do it alone. I'm so thankful for some very special people that have been everything they need to be and more ;) xxoo

Seasons

To say I've been gone a while would be a complete lie. I abandoned this blog completely. I never deleted it though just because I love the name of it so much. The title of this post is seasons because i'm going through a season in my life that has inspired me to write again. Initially I started the blog to focus on my passion for fashion but let's face it, what's new about that. If you google fashion blogs there is definitely not a shortage there. Is my love of fashion dead? Nah that's as much a part of me as anything else, but instead of soley focusing on things that fulfill the outer man, I want to direct this in a way that touches and reaches to a deeper place. If we were all honest with ourselves and each other it would be safe to say that many of us are in places with more questions than answers. At crossroads, the road runs straight for a while but sooner or late in all of our lives we find ourselves at forks in the road. There is never one fork in the road either. Life is filled with them and for some reason I find that the older I get the more challenging and difficult the forks become. A lot of times instead of making any move at all, we stand still. Maybe it's fear holding us back. Too afraid to make a turn. Fear of failure, fear of succeeding, just plain fear. So we and when I say we maybe I just mean ME stay silent. Hold it in. Live through the experiences of others, and while we certainly can learn a thing or two from the stories of others it's through our own life that we truly learn. I can listen to songs and the passion can be felt through the music because the person singing it felt the pain of the journey and decided to make a move at the fork in the road. And it can be so real to someone who has gone through it as well but if it hasn't then it's just another pretty song. How could you be truly healed if you have never felt pain? Well that;s where I am at right now. But hey this isn't about wallowing in self pity, or anything like that. It's about coming to the realization that we can only truly be healed when we recognize the need to be. So I hope whoever reads this will join me in my healing process and maybe be inspired to not stand still, to make a move and ultimately allow the Lord to see you through. but you have to be willing, and that's the hard part.

Long Time No Blog!!

After a long hiatus I am back..I must say blogging is not as easy as it seems. Yea sure you think all it is, is someone sharing their thoughts and that's it but what about when you have 2 kids and your hubby always works? ( me) it aint so easy. The holidays drained me physically, emotionally, and FINANCIALLY!! But now as we move to the end of january I am getting some spring back in my step thanks to the milder weather that we've had the past week or so. Never mind the endless spring collections and february mags showcasing all of the must haves for spring. Bazaar"s Feb. 2010 edition was my fave. See while many are still out buying winter things..the fashion world is actually getting ready for fall 2010. Yes that's right but we are not all living in Bryant Park so don't worry, there is still hope!! lol By february I am soo sick of the blah colors so there is no better time than now to add some pop to your wardrobe. FYI turquoise is going to be huge for spring. On nails..eyes, shoes you name it, designers have taken a liking to this shade for the spring 2010 season. I myself pick up a really cute pair of Joan & David turquoise pumps that I just love. If turquoise isn't fave of yours rest easy, there is a spring trend for everyone. Blushes and natural colors are in full swing. I LOVE anything blush colored. If any of you follow rachel Zoe of which I am a huge fan, you must pick up or thumb through her new book of 20 NOT so basic basics. She lists a pair of Nude pumps as being equally important to your classic black pump. I am in total agreement here. Nude pumps elongate the leg and add such a classy feel to any outfit. while she lists a pair by LAMB I myself saw a stunning pair at Aldo believe it or not. There certainly is a way to achieve an on trend look without spending mega bucks. Aldo usually follows all the key trends in shoes so def check them out. After a long season of being bundled up and being stiff it will soon be time to loosen up. Florals and feminine details are what make Spring... well spring! Sequins are still huge so don't go packing them away!! That's just a little taste of what's ahead for spring 2010 fashion. Over the next few weeks I will try and update you on some of my fave pieces that I have purchased or will purchase and keep you posted on my latest nail obsessions! I'm still feeling the grays and am currently wearing Chinchilla by Essie. It's just a pure cream gray and it's lovely. Particuliere by Chanel is also in heavy rotation. It's a taupey grey lighter than You Don't Know Jacques by OPI, and well it's Chanel and Chanel is my major obsession! OMG how could I forget...SUNNIES!! The cat's eye frame is a spring must have. There are so many variations on the cat's eye, from full on to subtle to metal rimmed. Def find a pair that's right for you. I myself purchased the Chanel style 5169 in Blue. They are an oversized Cat's eye frame that has such a vintage feel and I'm totally diggin it! And while the cat's eye is making a huge comeback this season , it is a classic shape so don;t be afraid to invest if you find a pair you love! That's all for now..gotta put my kiddies to bed :)