What motivates you to keep going? Here are a few simple tips to develop inner strength to soar through life. As you incorporate these into your daily routine, you’ll begin to notice how one area overlaps into another.

• Hydrate: Sip water throughout the day.
• Meditate: Pause what you’re doing and take 3-5 deep breaths multiple times a day.
• Sleep: Rest your body at least 6-8 hours per night to ensure high energy levels.
• Focus: Finish one task before moving on to another.
• Exercise: Take care of your body by lifting weights, doing cardio, Pilates, yoga, dancing…whatever – just move!
• Read: Expand your thinking and expose your mind to something new.
• Connect: Define and recognize what your higher purpose is and move towards that each day.

Set an intention for the day and do whatever is necessary to accomplish those goals. Work on being the person you want to be and know that it’s never too late. Remember to push past that fear of failure, get out of your own way and stop sabotaging yourself!

Now that’s dripping sexy…

Dating has its own behavioral codes, its own unwritten rules about how things should be done. Infuse seeing someone more than 15 years your junior and a lot of no-no’s are met.

Although one becomes a bit carefree when venturing into this erotic sub-culture of May/December romance, much discretion is expected and any transgression will get you ousted from the club. When dating someone considerably younger, there’s a delicate dance that is executed but not always perfectly done. The constant en pointe and referencing of years between the two make it difficult to let one’s guard down because there’s an internal battle of mentor, mother and lover. Rather perverse. Extremely arousing. Mentally exhausting.

Being the lusted object of a young one’s desires is almost parallel to having been selected as centerfold material – Playboy, of course. But when life is artistically sketched on the body, a woman typically seeks refuge and comfort in a mate more suitable to her age because there’s a camaraderie, an understanding that life has told a story and my body was the canvas. Yes, I took care of it like a Lamborghini Veneno but new models come out annually. One day the Universe will bring me someone who appreciates the labor and the interior and exterior craftsmanship.

When coupled with a younger person, the point of relaxation takes forever, if ever, to set in – especially when their eyes and hands wander elsewhere. Dealbreakers start to surface and it becomes less chic to have a cub on your arm. Every indication of the aging process is magnified and pondered in ways that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. especially if they boldly remind you that you’re getting up there in dog years.

It’s a different dynamic when paired up with someone your age and wondering if another, any other, woman will catch that mate’s eye versus sleeping with a person that is close in age to your own children. The world is unfiltered to them, so fresh and undiscovered. Your stories and Louis Vuitton baggage are a burden and unwelcome but most importantly, not understood.

As the reminders of life stare back at us each day in the mirror, who we are becomes a hell of a lot more important than what we see. Find a partner who will see the beauty in you when looking in your eyes. Although we can maintain, fine tune, and refurbish the outer shell like a classic auto, it takes constant work and it’s tiring so snuggle up to someone who won’t point out the parts that need to overhauled and brought in for maintenance work.

When someone looks at you, deep within your soul, every wrinkle is memorized and every stretch mark is known, if that person thinks the sun rises and sets with you, they are a keeper.

Now that’s dripping sexy…

We are obsessed with ‘new’. Anyone with a sense of history knows that new is just a refreshed version of old. Very rarely does someone come forth with undiscovered goods like Columbus “finding” unchartered lands.

Artists and designers are usually exploited for their sweat equity by replacing and rebranding the tried and true with a sexy twist. Don’t fall victim to it. Define what is new to you. Mix classic with edgy and add a little movie star glamour to it. Throw on some aviators or oversized glasses and design your own sophisticated existence. What’s your signature style? It doesn’t matter if it fluctuates day-to-day. It’s like perfume – it fits whatever mood you’re in. Throw on jeans and a t-shirt with fabulous shoes and killer accessories. Make sure your clothes fit as well as enhance any assets and always be mindful of undergarments! Ladies, release your inner sex kitten and take it up a notch with lace. Men, ditch the old tighty whities and pull on some briefs that hug your buns of steel.

Play a character, create a role, and always edit accordingly. Channel your inner Marilyn Monroe and James Dean and get ready for the lead – lights, camera, ACTION!

Now that’s dripping sexy…

Achieving financial fitness can require some work. Define what it means to you and then craft your action plan to get you there.

Is being debt free the focus or having peace of mind? Do you forsake following your heart because you connect money with the ability to do so?

Create a map to streamline your life. Write things down. I think better when I see it in black and white. If you’re overwhelmed with bills and activities, eliminate what you can. Begin paying the smaller debts to check line items off the “owe money” column. How are things coming along? In week 1, we took an assessment of the debt master plan – have you paid anything off yet?

Think about the luxury of living. It’s a mindset that we can all implement now. So, today you won’t (not can’t…ban that word from your vocabulary) be able to splurge on that must have “it” bag or pair of Tom Ford shoes. That’s okay because next time, you will if certain behaviors and spending habits are halted. Funny thing is that once you have the money set aside and your savings balance is increasing (ching, ching, ching – net worth column is growing) you’ll probably pass on being a mass consumer. Pay attention to something when you’re out and about – if you’re transitioning from a life of consumerism to a life of glamorous minimalism, look around you. How many folks are carrying the bags you thought you needed in your wardrobe? The price point is set for the average person to BUY, BUY, BUY! There is no “it” bag because IT changes every season…heck, almost every month!! The latest polish by OPI or Essie, the newest pair of chic aviators, accessories that will change your life – my gosh, aren’t you overwhelmed just thinking of it all? If you stick with the classics and occasionally purchase quality items, you will remain fashion forward instead of a fashion faux pas. We don’t need 10 shades of blue or green eyeshadow from MAC, Chanel, Bobbi Brown and Tom Ford to enhance our eye lids. (Oops, that might be me and my problem).

Try creating memories and finding pockets of joy. As you know, this is extremely important to me.  One of my favorites is to find a new café and try their soy chai tea latte. You’re claiming an hour of time to pause, inhale the spices of the drink, and relax. It’s rejuvenating. Also keep in mind that it’s relative – what fits in my budget and lifestyle won’t be the same as yours and we should never fall victim to the comparison game. I mentioned a few blogs ago another escape during the day – a couples massage. I was pleasantly surprised with a quick getaway to a Heights area retreat for a deep tissue massage and lots of laughs. It was just what I needed to unwind, throw on my stilettos and toss on my mommy beret to stroll the catwalk of my life. I’m learning that living a simple and moderately frugal life brings me much happiness. As the clutter clears, what matters is the amount of love in my life and the people around me.

Don’t give up everything. Decide how you want to spend your money and time and do what you love.

Now that’s dripping sexy…

There is nothing sexier than a person who has his or her finances in order. Last week, we chartered the choppy waters of determining how much money we owed to others. We also took a hard look at the fact that a great deal of us work to pay the bills instead of enjoying life but that will soon change. With our new mindset, we are prioritizing our wants and needs and this carries over into every aspect of our lives…especially eating. Together we will shed the weight of debt and work our way towards healthy financial fitness.

Here are a few tips for the upcoming week:

1. Cancel the restaurant reservation! Instead of going out, dine in at home. Eating out all week adds up and it shows in your bank account and on your expanding waistline.

2. Subscribe to a fan page. If you have a favorite place to frequent, add yourself to their email list or follow them on social medias. You might receive coupons and invites to special events.

3. Stick to the plan. When shopping, make a list and check it twice. I fall victim to this at Target and Central Market – especially when the sample tables are out on the weekends. Now I find that getting my groceries and household items sans my daughter allows me to avoid the unnecessary junk food and “oh, I need this t-shirt” blues. I also avoid the crowds and can enjoy my Saturday and Sunday without chores.

4. Brown bag it! Bringing snacks, such as carrots and hummus, tuna and avocado, rice cakes and almonds, will save you a small fortune during the week. Prepare your items the night before to avoid the morning rush around la maison. It’s one less thing to worry about in the a.m.

5. Purchase off-brand. I admit…there are times when I struggle with this because I like packaging. It took awhile but I realized as long as it feels or tastes the same and performs as needed, I’m happy to be saving my l’argent. Who cares what the brand is for the whole wheat pasta and brown rice? Organize your pantry with lovely containers and it all looks the same anyway!

6. Scale back on the treats. There’s no need to eliminate them completely but switch up the frequency. That daily dose of Starbucks will put a huge dent in your wallet and those weekly mani/pedis do too. Make it a pocket of joy, not a habit.

7. Return the goodies! If mama ain’t happy, nobody is happy so look around the house and see what you’re not wearing or using. Maybe you can return the items, use the cash towards a debt and de-clutter your space meanwhile streamlining your life.

Managing your finances and taking control of your emotional health is one way to eliminate stress. Move past your fear of number crunching, stop keeping up with the Joneses cause they are probably broke as hell, and create the map towards your financial freedom.

Now that’s dripping sexy…

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Disclaimer: I am not a licensed financial professional. I provide information to be used at the reader’s discretion.

Are you having trouble remaining committed to your cause? Sometimes we don’t have it all together but we keep trying and that’s the important piece we should focus on. Don’t quit before giving yourself enough time to reach the goal so stay dedicated because transformation does and will take time.

Sometimes we need to take a step back and observe for a while. Tap into the creative side and make something happen. Sit in a different place, stand next to a good looking stranger (check for wedding rings before making this move), and strike up a conversation. My daughter is always complaining that I talk to everyone. I do…I find myself chatting it up with folks everywhere and I have met some truly interesting people.

Ask a co-worker to lunch and try a new place. If a solo venture is more your cup of tea, find the latest coffee house and make it an experience. I enjoy pretending I’m in a real city (Houston is a big town) and I find places that I can people watch. Last Saturday, I spent a few hours watching Le Week-end at the River Oaks Theater and strolled next door to the French café pre-show to have a glass of wine. As I sat at my table staring longingly out the window, I pretended West Gray was the Seine and the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and I was immediately transported to the romantic streets of Paris. Life is full of joy no matter what we face or where we are.

Find your red carpet and discover your raison d’être. It doesn’t matter whether people like it or not so feel free to flourish in your creative world.

Now that’s dripping sexy…

Are you pleased with your level of fitness? Can you work on a few things?

Sit down tonight with your favorite INEXPENSIVE bottle of wine (insert beverage of choice) and go over your finances. Friday is the perfect day because any information learned during your power session will help you kickstart the weekend. You will have a clear snapshot of where you stand financially.

No big splurges, no ridiculous spending and no blowing the budget at Target. Once you assess your level of financial fitness, can you send additional money towards a debt? If so, do it! Once it clears the account, you’ll start your Monday feeling awesome. Can you pump up your savings? Do that too!! Try not to spend any money this weekend unless it’s for mandatory household items. Make a list and check it twice. Can you do some spring cleaning on the budget? De-clutter your finances and feel the burden begin to lift.

When you have those moments comparable to a runner’s high, the last thing you want to do is spend money on a Friday night out, Saturday shopping, or Sunday Funday. What’s the return on that meaningless investment? You wasted time and hard-earned cash.

It’s the end of the first quarter. You might not have been fiscally prudent or a sound steward of your money but it’s not too late for a paradigm shift. Are you taking care of your financial health? What can you do today to lose the weight of debt and build the savings muscle? Be realistic – it’s like cellulite and muffin tops – your debt won’t melt away unless you take action! Approach it with the mindset to win and you will be better off in 2014 than ever before.

Now that’s dripping sexy…

You are strong because of your mindset. Don’t ever doubt it.

The weak will try to tear you down with words and they hurt. There are times when the words hurt more than the physical or sexual abuse especially from those you care about. You are resilient and beautiful. Strive to take care of yourself even when you feel the darkness overwhelming you. Whatever vices you have to numb the pain, know they are brief. Who are you kidding?

The food tastes good for a few bites but you feel like shit afterwards. Those glasses of wine are just what you needed after a long day but you’re affected by the brain fog and energy drain. The drugs, whether legal or not, take you on a mental vacation but you have to come back to your every day world at some point. Those clothes look great, the bags are cute, and the shoes make you feel invincible but the debt is a constant reminder of the battles within. Do you fall into one of these categories? All of them?

When they call you pathetic, break out your shield. If you’re told that you are delusional because you won’t meet their unrealistic demands or you refuse to live life as they prescribe, put on your stilettos and stroll in the opposite direction. I recently heard that one should be a bucket filler, not a bucket dipper. Have people walk away from you feeling good about themselves. It was such a simple light bulb phrase.

When one is healing from pain or heartache, sometimes the best thing you can do is stop talking and take action. Get to the gym, go for a run, take a stroll at the museum. Put things on pause and reflect. Getting healthy is part of the recovery journey. If the people who surround you aren’t willing to cheer you on, let them go IMMEDIATELY!

Find the lesson in all that occurs. Learn from it and understand that you are on the way to being your authentic self.

Now that’s dripping sexy…

I have watched my 14-year-old daughter become an emotional eater.

Not a depressed “oh, the world is against me, you don’t understand my teenage blues” kind of eater but the kind that desires the satisfying taste of a juicy cheeseburger and salty fries on her palate followed by a thick milkshake made with Häagen-Dazs. I don’t think I pieced it together until the pediatrician diagnosed her as prediabetic a few weeks ago.

This is hard for me because I am anti-obesity. Now don’t misinterpret this as fat shaming because it isn’t about you. I do see being large as a character flaw; it says you have no self-control. It loudly shouts from the hips and thighs that there is a dis-ease that rests within you and now I’m face to face with this in my personal life. My beautiful mini-me likes to eat and her body is fighting the high levels of blood glucose. Ever since she can recall a memory, she has watched me fast on vegetable juice for days, exercise religiously, and obsess over my size for the sake of fashion. She gets it – this I know for sure because she loves clothes and the art of wearing them. She understands the fit and the fall of layering and the beauty in an outfit effortlessly executed. She has a working knowledge of proper combinations of food and the effects of too many simple carbs.

Her life is not one of disadvantage. She’s been raised on organic foods void of cow’s milk, partially hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup. Since birth, my crew of three have accompanied me to Whole Foods and Central Market. So what happened? Have her standards of health and beauty become too lax due to being enrolled in an all girl’s school rich with cultural diversity? As she learns dance moves that make me cringe and snacks on hot Cheetos, leaving evidence of red stained fingertips, is the need to assimilate so powerful? Lunches used to consist of organic meats, fruits, Greek yogurt, Fiji water bottles and San Pellegrino. Now she craves and attempts to fill my cart with inferior products peddled to the masses. Memo to others – you are not immune to diabetes or other issues just because you spent more for groceries at the premium “healthy” stores.

Over the past two weeks, we have had much dialogue regarding the dangers of her medical results. It’s mind-boggling to me that it hasn’t halted the consumption of foods which send her body into a state of unbalance. When you eat crap, crap happens!! By proxy, she is a member of the fitfam lifestyle. I now need her to keep card-carrying privileges current. A major overhaul has to occur and it’s being met with resistance. I have even dangled a new wardrobe from Lululemon as the inspirational carrot. She wants her own 0-2 size yoga pants (not borrow mine). Exercise, portion control, and a 10-15 pound weight loss are on my agenda of defying science. I want this eradicated from her system – leaving no traces behind.

Heaven help me…this is going to be a journey! When you see us running around Memorial Park, stop and give her a high-five. Offer her a few words of encouragement and join us for a lap.