Fit Friday! - Challenge Update.

Adrien from Freckled & Free started hosting the Fit Fabulous Fall Challenge on October 2nd.

I forgot to take a beginning photo... but I did take one at the halfway mark and today (technically day 28 for me). I don't know if they show much change, but my legs are definitely feeling it and looking WAY more defined!  

If you're on Instagram remember to hashtag #fitfriday #fffsquatchallenge and tag @thedaringdandelion @active_freckals. Thanks for taking this journey with us!
-Tay

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Fit Fabulous Fall Challenge - Update

So did you do it?

Did you complete the Fit Fabulous Fall Challenge?

I’ll be honest - I got behind and then got my butt kicked with a super duper sucky cold. Eek. So I am only on Day 17 but I will finish this challenge even if it is later than everyone else.

That is the nice thing about exercise, as long as you keep trying everyday to get closer to your goals and never give up, you will eventually reach them.

Here are a list of things I have learned since beginning this challenge…

• My legs, my body are stronger than I imagined.
• I am capable of doing 100 squats in under 5 minutes.
• My daughter loves to watch me workout. Sometimes I hold her while squatting, other times she is on the floor playing but no matter what she is doing, once I begin squatting she squeals and laughs the whole time. She is my favorite little cheerleader! 

I hope you were also able to learn some new things about yourself while completing this challenge. If you have not finished the challenge yet, keep going!
~Adrien

Below is my “Before” picture and me today:

Halfway and almost Done!

Cullipher Farm - Pumpkin Patch.

If you follow me on Instagram, I've been posting teaser photos from our trip out to the farm...

This past weekend we headed down to Pungo and hit up Cullipher Farm. We searched and searched for a pumpkin patch that didn't have an entrance fee, because honestly little man is way too young for all of the kids activities and we really didn't feel like spending an hour or so in a cornfield trying to find our way out of a maze. Our second desire was a patch that you actually PICKED them, aka: off the vine. Cullipher Farm fit the bill!

We arrived and instantly got a laugh at the parking situation, because well you know "there's something 'bout a truck, in a farmer's field..."

We headed to the main area for the "low-down," it was decorated with cute crates, mums, and an assortment of pumpkins and goards (I never knew there were SO many different kinds). They also had a small "market" under the tent offering ciders, fall flavored baked treats, butters, and jams.

We waited until after we got our pumpkins ($8 for all three! We got a traditional Jack, a blue Haikido, and a white Cotton Candy, so fun...) to shop at the market and came away with a 1/2 gallon of apple cider, a small jar of apple butter, as well as the most delicious pumpkin ice cream!

The farm is open through November 1st, so if you're still looking to go you have THREE days! Check out their website for full information.
-Tay

Fresh Face.

My friend Rachel, over at Cozy Chic Mommy, recently blogged about "Less is More." I commented on the Instagram photo linking the post - saying that on busy days I slap on some spf moisturizer, a little mascara, chapstick, and call it good.

I completely agree with her sentiments about contouring, fake lashes, and hair extensions... I don't see the point. I personally can't imagine waking up in the morning and taking that much time before I went out the door... I am in my late 20s. I am a mom. I still get acne. My face is not some "flawless" super model... I am just me and I am okay with that. I had a friend in high school who had never seen her step mom without make-up on?! She would wake up before anyone else in the house and cake the stuff on, I used to wonder if her husband even knew what she looked like under all of it... I never got the nerve to ask, which is probably good, I don't think a 15yr old asking their carpool driver a question like that would go over very well.

I don't have a younger brother like Rachel does, but I do have a son. A son I want to raise watching me put on make-up. I am a woman and it is nice to have a fresh face, but I am not about caking it on, or using "tricks" to completely change my look. I want him to respect a woman for who she is, what she believes in, and what she is working towards. NOT solely on her looks! I also want him to see me at night and in the mornings with no make-up on. To take him camping and to the beach where its completely unnecessary and silly to even think of bringing make-up. To let him know that women are beautiful because God created them in his image, just like he was created in God's image. The media, advertisers, and socialites want us to think that "flawless" is perfection. I want my son to think that each woman is unique, beautiful in her own way, and doesn't need to look like the photo-shopped women in magazines, posters, and billboards.

The picture below is my non-rushed day time make-up. This is a completely un-edited photo, snapped with my phone right before heading out to get groceries:

The only think I add for evening (aka: date night or special events) is a bit more under-eye concealer (eek) and some pretty eye shadow.

Here's what I used:

1. Moisturizer (earlier in the morning right after I washed my face)- Olay
2. Primer- BareMinerals
3. Foundation- BareMinerals
4. Blush- Ulta (similar item)
5. Eyeliner- Revlon (similar item)
6. Mascara- Gabriel
7. Lipstick- Ulta

This entire "look" takes me maybe 10min on a good day. Its natural looking, but covers any zits/redness, however I like the mineral powder because it still shows my freckles.

How long does it take you to have a "fresh face" in the mornings?
-Tay

Fit Friday! - Fit Fabulous Fall Challenge

Sorry for the late post, little man and I hit the ground running once we arrived here in Arizona to visit my family... but here it is! Adrien from Freckled & Free is hosting a CHALLENGE, will you ACCEPT and JOIN?

Time to reshape my booty! 

-Tay

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Fit Fabulous Fall Challenge

Tay and I thought it would be fun to change things up this Fit Friday. With the season changing, the air getting crisp, and the weather getting colder (depending on where you live!) it is time for a Squat Challenge. Pretty simple - follow the squat series below and let’s see how many people we can get to go on this squat challenge with us! Share with your friends.

Use #fffsquatchallenge on Instagram to let us you are doing this challenge with us, don't forget #fitfriday and tagging @thedaringdandelion & @active_freckals. Take before and after pictures (promise it's worth it!), also take your measurements. Let’s see how much change we can get just from squatting it out!
~Adrien

Links:

• Morning Stretch Flow

*I apologize for graphic quality and the spell check lines below the hashtags in the challenge photo, I am blogging via my iPad and can't fixed everything...


Disclaimer: Adrien is a Beach Body Coach, however all the moves listed are done at your own risk. Please ensure that your baby can hold their head up on their own before attempting any of these moves. Be sure to consult a doctor before starting any exercise program. The Daring Dandelion along with Freckled & Free assume no responsibility for injuries that may occur while completing the moves utilized in this workout.

2015 Neptune Festival - International Sandsculpting Championship.

The weather has been CRAZY here! Super windy, an intense amount of rain, coastal flooding, ocean safety warnings, etc etc. However, I have wanted to attend an event like this for a very long time, so we threw on some warm clothes and braved the boardwalk...

I am SO glad we went. It blows my mind that people can make such amazing things out of sand. The tent spanned an entire block and was sectioned off into two rows. Each of the artists (or duo) had a square of sand to create their masterpiece. It was really hard to pick a favorite... they were all so unique and beautiful in their own way.

Scripture is Mark 8:36

If you are in the Hampton Roads area the tent will be set-up until October 4th, it costs $5/per, kids 12 and under are free with an adult. The tent is stroller accessible. Check out the website for more information, especially with the pending hurricane!!!

"all you need is aloha" - Wimini Hawaii

Have you ever attended a sandsculpting event? 
-Tay