12 days into it....

So, I have been on the Arbonne 30 day Boot Camp plan for 13 days now and let me tell you that i feel pretty GREAT!  As i said last time though, I am a pretty conscious eater as it is so the sugar cravings haven't been an issue for me but even the slightest of cravings have been subsided during this program.

I am not one to weigh myself or be obsessed with body mass index and all BUT, I am going to the doctor today where I'm sure I will be weighed and will know for sure what I've lost thus far.  I do know that my pants fill a little looser and sleep has been a little better as well so that alone is worth every day of healthy eating!  

Just wanted to jump over here this morning and share THIS VIDEO {click on those words for the feed} that my sweet Arbonne mentor shared on our facebook page this week!!!  TRUTH!!!  

HELLOOO HEALTHY!

Hey there, healthy!

So, I have to confess before any of this info that I was raised to be a fairly healthy eater.  As a child of the 80s and a very "good food" conscious mother, there was no hope for me being hooked on bi-product chicken nugget happy meals or mashed potatoes from an Ore-Ida box.  Nope, never, not happening at the Ruff family crib.  The only time we ever "went out to eat" was on cross country trips in the family station wagon with wood grain siding and even then we were LUCKY to do that because my mother had totally thought ahead of us.  She had packed sandwiches the night before, complete with lettuce in a separate bag {so it didn't dare get soggy} and chips distributed in "baggies", not the easy pre packaged kind we snatch today.  We may get lucky and stop at a SERVICE station for a fun drink but that was only, and I mean only, if one of us had to use the restroom or my dad was so desperate for gas that he was already considering who would help push had he waited until the next exit.

i know it's hard but please don't be jealous!  and who needed to be facing forward when you could sit backwards....or on the floorboard to sleep?!?

With all that prefaced, life does happen and college does take a toll on our bodies....or it did in the 90s.  {I'm still not sure why these skinny little college co-eds don't take advantage of the freshmen 40 like we all did.  It truly was some fun times and we were all in it together!}  Looking back I'm pretty sure that my body was NOT a wonderland and the inside was screaming for some sort of cleansing that Jesus just didn't provide!

Fast forward to TODAY!  Today, I am super conscious of what I ingest, slather on my face and even feed my own children {like mother like daughter whether you like it or not, gals!}.  I'm thankful that I don't struggle with food battles because I had a mother and grandmothers that instilled upon me that true beauty was in an Oil of Olay bottle!  HA!!!  No, they raised me to believe that Jesus gave me self worth; not the size of my jeans, the color of my hair or the trophies that gather dust.  So, when I was asked by my precious friends at Arbonne to participate in the 30 day Clean Eating Boot Camp I jumped at the opportunity for several reasons.

First, Arbonne has been around for more than 35 years.  It is a company that I know a lot about and trust every ingredient they put into their products.  Second, getting healthy from the inside out is always a good idea and I will talk more on that as this challenge goes on.  And third, I have a daughter.  Silly reason maybe but I want her to grow with the same understanding that her outward appearance or size makes no difference in the end if her 'insides' are full of toxic ideas and negative perception of herself.  AND.....the metaphor for the win!  hee hee!

So, I will be blogging about my results, good and bad, as much as possible during the next 30 days.  I am not getting any endorsement for this.  It's more to keep myself accountable than anything else honestly.  I love the reps in MS for Arbonne and will support them til I die {but healthy though of course!}

Follow along for some good recipe ideas, honesty of sugar depravation and obviously the honesty of where I am these days when it comes to our image and how we need to turn the emphasis back to the heart instead of what fades away.

***ask me any questions you have too***

with joy ~

these are a few of my FAVE things...

Hey there, Friday!

i have had quite a few comments on Instagram lately about my lashes and what mascara I use.  Soooo, even though i am NO fashion/makeup guru or even a pro at applying the stuff, I wanted to share a few of my favorite things when it comes to this category!

I used to be a product junkie {and still am slightly in recovery} until I discovered products that are good for your body, face AND happen to be pretty too.  I discovered  arbonne  through a friend several years ago and was blown away by the purity of its product ingredients and by far, this is my favorite product they have ever formulated!!  

100% organic . formulated in switzerland . made in the USA . i call it my "walmart makeup" bc it has a tiny bit of coverage while minimizing pores too!

Arbonne also makes amazing liquid foundation.  This is my favorite and it's got SPF so that's just an added bonus!

Now, when it comes to eye makeup I have a serious obsession....but its totally ok, i promise.  So, I couldn't post just one fave.  But, the one makeup item that I rarely leave the house without wearing is my mascara!  I have tried them ALL and go back to the same 2 or 3 every time,  My tried and true is by BeneFit Costmetics called 'They're Real'.  I usually buy the travel size offered at the checkout line for $12 when I'm in Sephora or Ulta.  The regular sized tube is just $24.

I get asked SO often about my mascara and each time this is the one I am wearing.  

Then there is the AMAZING joy of seeing your lashes grow and thicken literally overnight!!  Rodan + Fields is known for amazing skincare but this Lash Boost takes the cake for FAB!!!  I was blessed with longer lashes BUT, I have noticed such a difference with the thickness and darkening this product creates.  It doesn't irritate my eyes and is a simple one swipe, once a night application....i'm all over that ease!

Lash Boost by Rodan + Fields . Ashley Schloegel is the BEST rep out there!!  I am a little partial to coast peeps though:)

And last but definitely NOT least.....DRY SHAMPOO!!!  It is a necessity in my life and used almost as much as a stick of deodorant or tube of toothpaste!  I do not wash my hair every day, much to my husband's disgust.  This powder by Stranded Shop has been AMAZE!!  It too is completely natural and comes in 3 different shades.  I mean, the majority of this world does not have baby powder white hair so why do they all seem to spray out that way???  

I have tried other "brunette" colored sprays and they were fine.  But I love that this is a powder and soaks up oil so much more efficiently.  It also doesn't stain your fingers {because it's all natural} when you rub/blend it in! 

Stranded was created by Lauren Scruggs Kennedy and a portion of proceeds goes to her LSK Foundation.  She has a heart for the Lord and displays that by bringing hope, restoring dignity and igniting faith in girls and women through beautiful cosmetic coverings for prostheses.  Read her story, you will NOT regret it {She is also married to Jason Kennedy, host on E! News}!!  The branding for Stranded was done by the HOLY COW AWESOME Ashlee Proffitt.  I have had the pleasure of doing one of her coaching sessions and you need to check her out too!!

So, there you have it friends!  This is sure to NOT be a mind blowing wealth of information but, i have had a lot of Instagram Story messages about these things and wanted to share. 

But, as always, beauty is what is in your heart FIRST.  God created us each to be a vessel of His love, beauty and grace.  Without Him, i am nothing.  Beauty fades but the soul of man is eternal!

With Joy ~ em

hand lettering LOVE!

i have to admit that I have been just terrible when it comes to keeping up with my blog skills!  Life gets 'in the way', creativity gets the best of me and these little people that call me 'mama' seem to always want me to be present {i mean , who do they think I am, their mother or something?}

I have a lot going on in this little world of mine and could not be happier about the orders flying in every day.....THANK YOU!!!

Custom stationery, napkins and cups seem to be a huge hit these days and I totally agree with the obsession!!  Some of our latest designs are completely hand lettered by MOI and add the perfect touch to snail mail or a gift.  

the LUCY notecard set complete with envelope liners and hand lettering makes this set one of a kind!

Gold foil is never a bad idea!  And when it's hand lettered on a napkin, you're sure to be the hostess with the mostess!

RDP offers custom hand lettering for almost any design, occasion or gift so be sure to check back for our newest custom line coming in february!!!  The fresh new year has us dreaming of fresh ideas that you will not want to miss!

with joy ~ emily

Let's get this party started!

I am THRILLED you stopped by today!  Just know that I am sitting with a huge smile on my face and praying that you find JOY on our site.  We wanted the new store to be an easy and collective way to view and purchase RDP items.  Please do not hesitate to browse.  A LOT.  let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.  we are in the business of creativity and are never afraid of change so please speak up!  Our motto is to create "Custom papers for pretty occasions".  we hope you trust us to do just  that for you!

We will be featuring several different things on the blog as well.  we will offer printable files, party ideas, feature other creative peeps and spit a little of ourselves out too......good or bad, we are real and we tend to overshare every now and then because it's just good for the soul to let it all out {and we're southern so just can't help it}.

we are new to this online store business so, just like children, please be patient with us if we don't always have it perfectly together.  we pray we learn, grow and create in His perfect timing and that's all we can ask.  

thank you again for trusting us with your next occasion!

all the joy :: RDP{emily}