Archives for 2016

20 Ways To Make 2017 The Best Year Ever

December 28, 2016 · 14 Comments

Hey everyone, I know I been a little MIA with the Holidays around things get a little cray cray. But hey I’m back and today we are discussing 20 ways to jump-start 2017. So as we all know it’s that time of the month you start hearing folks say “New Year New Me” well… we not doing that over in these parts. Now I don’t really believe in making New Year’s resolutions. Most of the time we never end up keeping them, and then when we don’t stick with it we feel like a failure .Resolutions should be about embracing a different way of thinking. I feel like the real key to making your life amazing this next year is to find what makes you happy and do whatever it takes to get it and keep it. Here’s are some ways to make this the best year of your whole life.

1.Do something that scares the crap out of you.(maybe I’ll touch a spider lol)

2.Spend time with people who make life better.

3.Take a day off just because you want to.

4.Pick up a new hobby that makes you happy.

5.Read a book that will change your life.

6.Eat healthier.(or at least try)

7.TRAVEL! Theres simply so much to see in the world.

8.Get rid of things (and people!) you don’t need, positive vibes only.

9.Find a productive way to channel stress instead of letting it get you.

10.Don’t take everything too seriously. SMILE

11.Make time just for yourself sometimes you need to just zen out

12.Eat something you’ve never tried there’s such an abundance of food in the world

13.Finish something you started.

14.Work toward reaching a career goal you always thought of.

15.Forgive someone.

16.Start or even add to a savings account.

17.Treat yourself to something you’ve been wanting forever.

18. Volunteer for a cause you’re passionate about.

19.Organize ( Room, House, Shoes anything get it in formation)

20.Most of all just live life you only get one so enjoy it

Here’s some recaps of fun times that made my 2016 so fun!!!!

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Hope you all enjoyed my list of 20 Ways To Make This The Best Year Ever. I’m sad that 2016 is over, but I’m sure 2017 will be just as epic. Do any of you all have certain things you do to start the new year let me know. As always until next time thanks for stopping by and Owl see you later!!!!

Love
VANA

You Wont Believe How Much I spent On MY Nails!!!!!

December 19, 2016 · 1 Comment

Most who know me know I’m girly girl only for some things. One thing I’m not so girly with is getting my nails done (hey don’t get me wrong my nails are always clean just not cutesy like most). I’m just not into spending money every two weeks to tame my nails

Well, all that changed when a friend of mine suggested they like to see what I look like with done up nails. I figured meh.. why not give it a go and fancy up my little fingers. I mean there has got to be more to life than spending $50 plus dollars at a nail salon. So being a huge Youtube junkie, I started searching DIY NAILS. I found a ton of videos on how to DIY acrylic nails. Feeling all super inspired, I headed over to good ole wally world. While browsing the beauty aisle, I found a brand of acrylic nails by Kiss for $6.89. I grabbed the nail package picked a cute blue nail color for $2.00 and went home ready to conduct my own spa

Heres the brand I used for this DIY

Now after watching a few videos before starting, I learned that doing your own nails is actually much healthier for your natural nails and pretty easy. The Kiss brand nails are amazing because for the price you get over 200 nails and nail glue. The directions are all pretty self-explanatory making it easy for simpletons like me ha ha. All one has to do is simply size the nails, file, glue then paint and voila you have fresh full set. Now for a first timer doing my own nails, I must say I’m pretty impressed. For less, then $10.00 bucks my nails look like I spent some money at the salon. The best thing was I did it all in the relaxation of my home no waiting or noise. Next time someone says let’s get our nails tell them the secret of the ten dollar Diy Nails

Do any of y’all have something your not into that you gave a try.. Let me know I’m always
looking for new things to give a go. As always thanks for stopping by and until next time Owl see you Later!!!!!

Love

Vana

Why Weight PT.2

December 13, 2016 · 3 Comments

Guess who’s back……back again Vana’s back tell a friend… That was my quick slim shady reference if any of you all are former Eminem fans. Can I take a moment to say THANK YOU to all my followers who read my last blog post you all are AMAZING!!

Anway, lets get into the nitty gritty of my life after weight loss surgery (wls) and the maintenance phase. Remember how I stated many think it’s the easy way out. Man, do I have news for you. It’s far from easy. It’s ten times harder than regular weight loss.

Life with a new stomach was like being a baby again and being introduced to food. I had to experiment with different foods and recipes to see what agreed with my new tummy. For example, I use to LOVEEEE eggs. I mean love! Afer WLS my taste buds did a huge 180 on me. When I saw eggs I couldn’t stand the look, smell or taste. Thank God years later that passed cause I love me a good egg white veggie omelet yummy!!! Some foods I could eat pre-surgery now gets me sick. For example (oranges and ice cream my tummy does not like it). Along with changing my eating, I had to introduce daily vitamins into my everyday life to make up for any lost nutrients; I wasn’t getting due to eating less. Taking vitamins honestly isn’t so bad because some vitamins gives you energy like B12 and others help with stronger bones like the calcium.

Now here’s where the struggle comes in. Staying active and sticking with it all… My has that been a struggle. I have stopped and restarted my workouts so many times I’ve lost count. What you have to remember is keep pushing. You’ll have days you don’t want to be bothered but always push through because you’ve come way too far. I mean we are only human. I always tell folks trying to stay consistent with choosing the right food and working out is a major challenge. Yes, I have my bad days, and I have my good. We got to to be like the little engine that could and keep saying I think I can I think can CHOO CHOO ha ha. So for the year of 2017, I’m committing fully back to my works outs and taking more time to take better care of me!!!!

Again thanks so much for being so supportive, liking and sharing my story I so appreciate it. You all motivate me to be a better person.

Do any of you all have stuff you want to accomplish let me know, and we can chat. Till next time Owl see ya later!!!
Love Vana

Why Weight!!!!!

December 1, 2016 · 18 Comments

On December 1, 2010, I made the biggest decision that would affect me for the rest of my life. I decided to take charge of my health and have weight loss surgery(WLS). Most of my childhood and some of my adult life I battled with being overweight. My weight never really bothered me because I was pretty active doing dance, gymnastics, and cheerleading. I also didn’t suffer from any health issues. It wasn’t until one day I went to the store to try on some pants and I had to keep going up a size. I had to try on a size 26. It was at this point that I had to stop and ask myself “Girl when in the world did you lose control.”

Being only 5’1 carrying 300 pounds of excess weight was a lot for my body frame not to mention for my joints and bones. I knew then a change had to be made. I began researching different diets and exercise programs. While scrolling online, I came across a few videos and testimonies of people who had WLS and their amazing results. It was at that moment I knew this was the route I wanted to take…. I didn’t need a diet, I needed a total lifestyle change. After months researching weight loss surgery, I presented to my doctor the reasons why I felt I would be a good candidate. My doctor agreed with my choice and we started the discussion of the various types of weight loss surgeries. I chose to have Gastric Bypass. A surgical procedure in which the stomach is divided into a small upper pouch and a much larger lower pouch. The small intestine is rearranged to connect to both causing one to eat very little amounts of food.
I can honestly say if I didn’t have my surgery I wouldn’t be the person who I am today. I had to change the way I thought about food and the food I consumed. It really was a new lifestyle of eating and way of life. I learned about so many foods and different workouts that would help me succeed in life. I can now say I am more aware of what I eat and I try to make healthier choices with my food. There is a misconception that WLS is the easy out for overweight people. Which is not accurate. In order to be considered a candidate, you need to go through various evaluations/screenings. (to be discussed further in part 2 of my blog) Eating healthy is always a battle for anyone thin or overweight. I like to tell myself as long as I don’t give up on my journey all the lessons I have learned thus far weren’t done in vain.

This is a topic I am very passionate about so I’ll most likely make this a three part series as there is so much more to share. However, I just wanted to share this with my readers on my eight year anniversary in hopes that you may be that one person who needs some motivation. Life is about taking risks. However “The biggest risk you take is not taking one at all.

Have you or anyone you know made a major life change for better let me know . Thanks so much for stopping by and stay tuned for Part 2 to this topic where I dicuss life after a major change . as always Owl see you all later!!!

Love

Vana Black

Hot Ginger LA

November 23, 2016 · 3 Comments

The excellent team of people at Hot Ginger LA contacted me and asked if I would like to do a Collaboration with them on their new curvy subscription boxes. Hot Ginger La who just recently launched their website *throws confetti* sent me over a few goodies currently available in the fall curvy box. The way the curvy box works is every month they send you some new pieces that go with the theme of the season. Now how fun is that!

I received six pieces, but out of all of them, this one olive green dress stood out to me. Olive green is a favorite color of mine in the fall months. I loved how I could take this dress and make it my own style. With the fall season here and winter right around the corner, this was perfect for the fall/winter vibe.

Photo credit to the wonderful and talented Alex Joachim

Make sure to go follow @hotginger on Instagram and checkout the new Hot Ginger La website for all the latest updates on the clothing line . As always thanks so much for stopping by and Owl see you all real soon

Love

Vana