A is for Ambition

There are some things that I truly want in life! I've been reading a lot about tapping into and unlocking those deep seeded gifts God planted into us that we sometimes bury because they seem too outlandish to achieve. I know we're wrapping up the end of the year and we always look ahead to the new year to make New Year's resolutions. But, this year I want to do things a little differently. I want to focus on maximizing each day, hour, and moment I am given to the fullest! We always hear that tomorrow is NOT promised but sometimes we plan, dream, and fantasize about tomorrow so much that we forget to think about, enjoy, and take in today! I am totally guilty of it. I'm all about a plan, but A is not only for AMBITION...it also stands for ACTION!

It's time to let all those inner gifts loose! It's our time to shine! It's time to walk into our purpose! It's time to throw fear to the wayside and pick up fearlessness! There are sooo many things I want to accomplish and I will no longer stifle myself because it's unconventional, different from the norm, or goes against the things people "think" I should be doing. I will use my ambition, my persistence, my work ethic, and my faith in God to move to higher heights, and levels I'm can't even fathom yet. 

BLACK DENIM// via Gap (similar) - "A" SWEATSHIRT// via Forever 21: old (similar) - CROPPED LEATHER JACKET// via H&M (similar) - TAN FEDORA// via Forever 21 (similar)  - CHUNKY BOOTS// via online boutique: old (similar) - YELLOW TINTED SUNGLASSES// via Windsor (similar) - QUILTED CHAIN BAG// via Forever 21: old (similar) - FURRY BAG CHARM// via Beauty Supply Store (similar)

My prayer for you and I is that we begin to live out the lives and blueprints that God created for us while we were in our mother's wombs! I'll end with this scripture: 

13 

13 "For you created my inmost being;

    

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

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14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    

I know that full well."

- Psalm 139:13-14New International Version (NIV)

Let your ambition take you to new heights starting today! Happy friday luvs,

-Ali

Loving the Me I See

One thing I constantly tried to tell myself throughout my pregnancy and before Grayson's arrival was to not lose myself - my sense of style, my personality, my social life, my relationship with my husband etc. - or my identity because I added the new title of mommy to my resume. Because I've always prided myself on looking nice before Gray arrived I told myself I would try to maintain some sort of upkeep so I wouldn't let myself go (physically, mentally, spiritually, or through my fashion sense - you see what I did there lol).

Let me be candid: Dressing up makes me feel good. That is why I go through all the effort to look nice no matter if I'm having solo mommy - time, if I'm on date night with my hubby, or if I've got my main man Gray in my arms. I like to look my best. When I look my best, I feel my best! While looking nice is high on my priority list, I never want my outer appearance to overshadow my inner. I think it's equally important to beautify our inner woman as well. I try to do that by spending time with God, reading my word and other inspirational messages, speaking daily affirmations over my life, being inspired by researching positive influences, and listening to encouraging music. Bottom line, I try to make sure my inner [wo]man and outer [wo]man are both in tip top shape!! Because no amount of nice clothing can make up for a terrible attitude or negative mindset! 

VEST// via Forever 21 (similar) - DISTRESSED JEANS// via Charlotte Russe (similar) - WHITE TEE// via Target (similar) - LACE UP BOOTIES// via Charlotte Russe (similar), SUNGLASSES// via Windsor (similar)

Being confident in who I am and who I am becoming from the inside out is what allows me to "love the me I see!" No matter my job title (at the moment it is stay at home mommy), no matter what my bank account may read, no matter how many likes, comments, or subscribers I have on my various social media platforms...as long as the reflection of the girl staring back at me in the mirror can accept her imperfect imperfections that is what matters. 

Do you love the me you see everyday in the mirror? Self - love is the key to creating the life you've always wanted. When you know who and whose you are (I am a child of the King, created in the image of the Most High God), you can confidently hold your head up high and fearlessly conquer your day *cues I'm Every Woman Whitney Houston's version!* So on this Friday as we prep to kick off the weekend, it is my prayer that you practice the art of "loving the me you see!" Be kind to yourself this weekend. Be bold! Be fearless! Be unapologetic! BE YOU beautiful. 

Enjoy your weekend luvs! I'll see you bright and early Monday morning.

-Ali

How to Maintain Rockmom Status

Rockmom - A woman who seemingly has it all together on the outside; Well mannered children, a supportive partner, self - love, style, intelligence, a bomb social life, and total life balance. 

This is my personal definition of what most would think a rockmom should be. However, all  true rockmoms know that appearing to have it all together and truly having it all together are two different sentiments. While it is great to appear to have it all in a social media driven world, the truth is, if we are honest with ourselves and each other, we don't always have it all together! We don't always have the picture perfect lifestyle we try to convey (the great spouse, perfect children, amazing house, top of the line car, a satisfying career, amazing friendships, an endless budget to shop, dine out, and travel, debt - free, healthy lifestyle accompanied with a six pack - this may be wishful thinking lol). Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with striving to get to this place but a lot of us are faking the funk to our detriment. 

Truth is, sometimes we carry a load of self - doubt and fear, we are searching for the right partner to spend the rest of our lives with, our children are not perfect (they make messes, they cry, they don't behave all the time), we sometimes compare ourselves to our peers because we don't feel like we're making the necessary strides to be successful, or maybe we are in dead - end job that we hate while our dreams are festering inside of us. I want to ensure you, you are not alone in feeling this way! But the true testament comes from recognizing that you may not be who God truly wants you to be yet but you are constantly working towards being the woman that you picture so vividly in your dreams. 

I'm beginning to learn that a true rockmom is:

True Rockmom - One who is unapologetic for the person she truly is (underneath all the expectations and weights of the world), one who follows her heart no matter what, a woman who has self - love, one who acknowledges her faults and learns from each lesson thrown at her, one who has inner peace, who does the best she can with what she is given, and makes the best out of every situation, and cultivates every relationship she is in (marriage, partnership, motherhood, friendship etc.)

ROCKMOM SWEATSHIRT// via June Ambrose - COLLARD SHIRT// via H&M (similar) - FAUX LEATHER PANTS// via JC PENNEY (similar) - SNEAKER WEDGES// via Target: old (similar) - MICKEY MOUSE EARS// via Choies (similar)

I don't always exemplify the entire definition of a true rockmom on a daily basis, but I promise you this, I am continuously striving to be her in totality one day! Until then, as they say....[perfect] practice, makes perfect! So here is a salute to all my rockmoms - those of you who are entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, teachers, stay - at - home moms, engineers, artists, business women, and beyond! Shine on, no matter what your situation may look like. Just know I see your [invisible] crown queen! From one rockmom to another: Happy Hump Day!

Rock on,

-Ali