Shon Gables

The right clothes (and undergarments) can hide quite a few things…

Shon Gables On Location

But pictures don’t lie…and thank God they don’t.

I decided to take one of my gut, because I wanted to eat one of my 5 year old’s zingers.

No photoshop here!

This photo changed my mind quickly, I have a GOOD INCH I must knock out around the waist line before I even THINK about cheating!

I jumped on the scale as a joke recently.  I knew I was gaining weight, but had no idea it had balloned to 170!  I am 5 pounds from my top weight pregnant with my daughter.  It has been 5 years since I did NutriSystem for the first time and shed 15 pounds.

Here we go again.. this time its 30!  HELP ME JESUS!

I have always loved working out, BUT it’s these Texas sized portions that are out of control.  I’ll be doing NutriSystem is to help reign in portion control.  The exercise to tone it up and praying to remind me, this profits nothing if I am not doing it without a purpose.

So the purpose is to encourage others…your body is a temple…

Respect it.

Honor it.

Take care of it.  It profits you nothing to have a great family, great job and great purpose if you don’t have the health and energy needed to sustain it.

Here we go.  30 lbs in 3 months.  Let the fun begin!

Tonya Mosley

I don’t even take full body pictures anymore.

Even still, I can see the weight gain in my face. I’ve been playing the up and down game all of my adult life – but I hit an all time high after my daughter was born. The problem is, she was BORN 5 years ago. I can’t use the baby excuse anymore – really I have NO excuse.

I’m a pretty healthy person – fruits, veggies and water are daily staples – I also exercise at least two to three times a week. The problem is I don’t push myself hard enough. I’ve got to push myself beyond my comfort zone – no more leisurely runs – I’ve got to boot camp it!

I’ll be pumping up my exercise to 5 times a week – cutting down my portions of “the good stuff” – and remembering the mantra “You either do or do not, there is no try.”

Here we go. 30 pounds in 5 months. Let the fun begin!

Are you on a mission to lose a few in 2012? Join Shon AND Tonya as they both aim to lose 30 pounds by summer.

What are your goals, and how do you plan to do it?

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is taking a bold approach to fight childhood obesity. The children’s hospital has put together a billboard and YouTube campaign called Strong4Life. Here’s a description:

“We can’t continue to ignore the fact that Georgia has the second highest rate of childhood obesity in the country. Kids are now suffering from diseases once seen only in adults. Start by joining the community. It’s a small step in a long journey, but together we can get there. Now is the time to fight back.”

Here’s a look at a few of the ads running in Georgia:

Childhood obesity is certainly an issue. Are these ads an a effective way to tackle it?

I was browsing through the natural beauty isle in Target, when a young lady dressed in black approached. “Hi my name is Dana, let me know if you need anything.”

“Uhm, ok,” I mumbled as I stared into the bright display of creams, lotions and other potions. She continued to talk. “Are you an organic girl? You look like it,” she said as she picked up a few items to show off. As Dana continued to talk, I noticed she was wearing a shirt with the same logo as the product she was showing me. “Wait a minute?” I thought. Am I in Target or a department store?

I was so taken aback I walked away with two products!

Boots Botanics

Boots is a cosmetic and skin care line based out of the UK. There are 6 brands. I decided to try two from The Power of Plants Botanics.

The Power of Plants Botanics

Face Smoothing Polish ($8.99)

Key Ingredients: Almond oil, cranberry, cupuacu, olive oil

Promises to: Gently exfoliate. Safe enough to use everyday.

Smells like: Banana bread

Boots Face Smoothing Polish 87% Organic

Results: The first word that comes to mind is mild. I’m so used to products that assault the senses – that tingle and sometimes burn. This wash was pleasant (I love the smell of banana bread and almonds and my face felt smooth afterward. I like it, although I am intrigued by the 13% that’s not organic.

Conditioning Clay Mask ($8.99)

Key Ingredients: Burdock, Sea Salt, Clay

Promises To: Purify, clarify and draw out impurities

Smells like: Clay

A face that will scare small children!

Results: I’ve been using bentonite clay for the last year – and if you’ve ever experienced it you know all about the stinging and the tightening. It’s the kind of pain that feels good because you know it’s working! (Ok that sounded scary.) Well this mask is the opposite of that. It goes on smooth and it really doesn’t feel like much of anything. I had to shake it a lot and be careful – a little goes a long way! I kept it on for 20 minutes. It rinses off easily and felt soothing.

The jury is out on whether it works.

Last spring I spotted celebrity stylist Felicia Leatherwood rocking the most adorable fabric button earrings. I searched high and low for them – I’m so happy to say my search is over!

Amber Button Handmade Earrings $9

My new button earrings!

Love them!

Meosha Tall is the artist behind these beautiful handmade creations. Her Etsy shop  1MeNaturally showcases an array of fabric earrings with great attention to detail.

I’m a fan – and I’ll definitely be purchasing more!

$9

$9

$9

For more info check out her Etsy page here

Seattle area naturalistas, join NewNaturalista for an evening of beauty with the leaders of eco-glam!

NewNaturalista Tonya Mosley, Natural Beauty Expert Sherrell Dorsey and Celebrity Makeup Artist Kim Roxie team up to host this eco-glam event showing you how to green up your beauty routine.

With special guests Good Hair Salon & AloeForMocha Skin care

Purchase tickets before October 31st at the discounted price of $10. Click here!

Naturalista Sophia Johnson contacted us about her newest venture “Pretty Young Naturals” – a YouTube channel geared towards natural preteens and teenagers. Here’s what Sophia has to say about it:

“I felt like they deserved a platform where they could support each other…I highly agree that it takes a village to raise a child and hopefully this show adds to that belief.”

Check it out!

Navajo inspired fabrics and prints are a key trend for fall. The earthy, comfort inspired looks are appearing in everything from clothing to shoes and accessories.

Image description clockwise from upper left: 1. Sandro grey wool-blend sweater $215 www.stylebop.com 2. Proenza Schouler PS1 Leather and Jacquard Satchel $2,290 www.net-a-porter.com 3. Theodora & Callum Blanket Navajo Scarf $175 www.bloomingdales.com 4. House of Harlow 1960 Maddie Boot $113 www.nationaljeanco.com 5. Lamb Navajo Cheyenne tote $328 www.macys.com 6. Vera Moda Navajo Patten Blanket Cape $96.03 www.asos.com 7. No.6 Blanket Boot $390 www.lagarconne.com 8. Warehouse Navajo Cardigan $96.03 www.asos.com

Designers are experimenting with new styles accented by the familiar prints. The heavy fabrications usually associated with Navajo prints are perfect for transitioning into colder weather.

Try a Navajo print on for size – it’s an easy trend to add to your current wardrobe. There are many options available to work into an outfit and a wide variety of price points which should make choosing your walk on the “Native” side a snap.

Sarah Davis is a fashion designer in NYC. Catch her musings here each week.

Somewhere along the way I got caught up in all of the fancy (and costly) astringents and exfoliants – until recently, when I rediscovered witch hazel. Now there’s no going back!

What is witch hazel?

Witch Hazel Shrub

Witch hazel, also known as winterbloom or spotted alder, is a flowering shrub that grows in North America. It’s rich in tannins (a type of biomolecule) found in natural astringents. The traditional witch hazel found in drugstores is made up of distilled bark, twigs, and leaves from the witch hazel shrub. Native Americans have used witch hazel as a medical astringent for centuries.

Uses for Witch Hazel

I use it as an astringent (T.N. Dickinsons is my favorite.) It’s great for tightening pores and removing excess oil. Here are some other great uses:

• Soothes aching varicose veins
• Reduces inflammation
• Cloth soaked in strong witch hazel tea reduces swelling and can relieve the pain of hemorrhoids and bruises
• Used as a gargle to treat laryngitis or a sore throat
• Can heal infected gums
• A cotton swab dipped in witch hazel and applied to the outer ear can treat swimmer’s ear. (Often mixed with goldenseal and calendula to fight infection)
• Can reduce bleeding if applied topically to a wound

I’m loving my $3 bottle of witch hazel!

I’m not sure when wearing an afro wig for Halloween was considered funny but I’m here to say I’m no longer laughing.

My hair grows out of my head this way. It is curiously complex but by no means is my hair a joke.

So frat dudes or clueless dudettes – find a zombie or super hero costume (I hear Charlie Sheen is popular this year) and retire the afro wig.

Thanks to my mentor Louise Reid Ritchie for introducing me to this e-book by Linda Jones called, “Snap Backs! Verbal ammunition for those who ‘dis your do!”

Total worth the 99 cents!

Description:

“Those who have naturally kinky hair textures and wear African-inspired styles, will enjoy this arsenal of witty little retorts to be used when anyone makes ignorant comments about their hairstyle choice. Neutralize verbal attacks with a clever snap back!”

Here are some clever come backs:

Insult: What happened to your ‘good’ hair?

Snap back: It got better.

Insult: You are not going out with me with your hair looking like that?!

Snap back: Does beauty bother you?

Click here to purchase “Snap Backs! Verbal Ammunition for those who ‘dis your do.”

Headline photo courtesy: Nastassia Davis