I want it Now...

I've been struggling with this idea for a blog all night... do I write it?  How do I phrase what I want to say? 

So, I decided to go for it in honor of the "believes in dreams," shirts I just ordered... in my favorite color I might add.

So instant gratification is something I struggle with.  I like to see results.  I have absolutely no patience.  However, it's not that I expect things handed to me on a silver platter (don't mistake instant gratification with entitlement) I am perfectly willing to work for it.  I just don't like waiting. 

Case in point.  I'm down 20 pounds... yeah!  However, I want to be at my goal.  I've turned down delicious margaritas, cupcakes (the really original gourmet kind that you feel like you HAVE to try just because you're curious) and pizza, lots of pizza. 

I think every single time you turn down something delicious that is offered to you your body should automatically drop a pound.  How amazing would that be?  Then you would truly be rewarded for willpower! 

Then again I just had a flash of that 90s made for TV movie with Suzanne Sommers where she makes a deal with the devil to lose weight.  I don't remember much more than that- just that it ended badly.  Don't even ask why I thought of that- I had to be super little when it was on!  (just checked on IMDB and it was called Devil's Food... which reminded me of cake... I just said no- another pound gone?)  Since I'm drooling I thought you needed to too.

Click for recipe

Click for Duncan Hines link if you can't resist!

So I figured I'd cave and post a picture of me.  I mean how am I supposed to prove progress to you guys without a picture of me.  This was on my 30th Birthday- with my baby brother- about a month before I started.  You can't see the dress underneath the cardigan but it's already too big and out of my closet- to be donated soon!



How amazingly cute is my brother? Love him SO much!

So what exactly is my point?  You know, speaking of me being off topic sometimes, okay all the time.  My biggest critism on every single paper I wrote from Middle School through College was that I didn't stay on topic for my point =)  I'm trying to improve that with my blog.

My point is that I have so many goals.  I have so many dreams (hence the new shirt in my favorite color) and I want them now.  Doesn't everyone?  However, I'm working towards them and I'm learning that the best way to stay on track is to celebrate the small victories... all the way up until I (you) reach my (your) big goal and then I (you) set a new one!  

Pushing the Limits

I'm reordering "Pushing the Limits" today.  So I thought it would be the perfect time to talk about it because it's definitely one of my favorites (if you want to know a secret- they're all my favorites!)

Original- model Jess Holland

Pushing the Limits is one of my themes for 2013 for a few different reasons. 

First, I've mentioned before that I'm not comfortable in my own skin.  I know I'm intelligent, creative and often entertaining but I still second guess myself because I'm not happy with the way I look.  It doesn't reflect the me that I feel I am or the image I want to project to the world. 

Second, I'm building a brand in a time that a lot of people are struggling with small businesses.  It's a brand that I want to inspire others.  My goal is to have people embrace who they are, what they believe and go on to accomplish amazing things:  personally, professionally and charitably (it doesn't seem like that should be a grammatically correct word... but spell check said yes so I'll go with it.)

So I thought the start of 2013 is a great time to embrace my personal changes and relaunch the shirt in my favorite colors!

SPOILER ALERT

The new design will be on black with a monochromatic teal ink and will be slightly larger so that it looks good on all our styles. 

I'm dying to know- what limits are you pushing this year?

Physical?  Mental?  Professional?  Personal?  Superficial?  Life Changing?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Self Motivation with a Wanelo Twist

I discovered Wanelo this week (www.Wanelo.com) in case you're not familiar it's similar to Pinterest (As in you can search, add things to boards, etc.) However, the major difference is that you can buy things right there.  Or with two clicks.  The other difference is that there aren't DIY projects, recipes, etc. 

I set out to try and figure it out to see if it's something Mingo needs to be a part of (It is... follow me at:  http://wanelo.com/mingoink)  At first I really worked at finding out how to post stuff (slightly more confusing than Pinterest, at least to me.)  Once I got that figured out, I started playing around and I discovered:  EXTRA MOTIVATION. 

I love "Playing Dress-Up" and putting things together.  However, there are only certain styles that I can pull off now with my current shape (mostly dresses with a thick empire waist that flair out... with leggings and boots, it's kinda my wardrobe.  This year I did filter in grey leggings instead of just black and riding boots!)  Part of my goals are to reinvent myself and my wardrobe as I get closer to my goal, so a lot of my posts on Wanelo revolve around that... 

Like, could I pull off this dress with a leather jacket, vintage jewelry and heeled boots? Loving the edgy sweet look, but is it me?   




Click photo for Wanelo original source: Ustendy.com

My wedding was absolutely amazing.  The only thing that wasn't:  me.  I used to eat when I was stressed.  Most people lose weight before their wedding... I didn't.  So while my dress was beautiful the key "IT" factor I was looking for was flattering, nothing out of the box.  Which also meant that I was in the world of A Line, while a great style it wasn't the me I wanted for that day.  Part of my goal for this year, get to the point where I could wear the dress/style I love.  Once I get there:  a vow renewal, somewhere tropical, in something like this.





Click Picture for Wanelo link.  Original Source:  Kleinfeldbridal.com



AND this





Click Picture for Wanelo link.  Original Source:  Nastygal.com
 

I have never worn a swimsuit that doesn't cover absolutely everything, not to mention a cover up over that, usually a dress that dries well.  Nothing that compares to the amazing fashion sense I actually have.  Which as a side affect means I usually avoid situations that require such attire (okay I just really wanted to complete the rhyme.)

 
With Mingo my goal was to take simply designed shirts that have a purpose and to show them in a variety of ways (such as the Karma v-neck tee with a mini skirt and cowboy boots OR with yoga pants OR under a blazer with jeans or a skirt.) Like this whole outfit below with my V Neck Black and White Inner Beauty tee.   However, right now pencil skirts do not work... but wait, soon you will see them on me so much it'll make your head spin!

With Inner Beauty by tiffiney-schuler-baumgarden featuring a cross bangle bracelet

 

So moral of the story, I feel so good about the 12lbs gone the last 2 weeks and I can't wait to reach my milestones.  Instead of getting frustrated I'm using all of the outfits spinning around in my head to keep me on track.  How do/would you wear your Mingo?  What you keeps you on track to your 2013 goals?

 

Cheers!

 

Tiffiney

I want to start out by saying that I can not begin to understand the pain that the community of Newtown, CT is feeling right now.  I don't understand how anyone could bring themselves to hurt a child or those that protect them.  I have spent three days trying to come up with the right thing to say, thinking about how I can make a difference and I end up typing and deleting because nothing seems enough. 

In memory of the victims I want challenge us all to positively affect someone else.  To commit a random act of kindness on a personal basis.  To make a difference, big or small, and show people that they matter- that someone wanted to go out of their way for them. 

So I decided to issue a challenge.  I want people to commit random acts of kindness and share them, use their stories to inspire others.  For complete details see below.

The Challenge

 

1.  Commit three random acts of kindness (It can be anything as long as it positively affects the other person's day and it's something that you wouldn't typically do.) 

 

2.  Tell us about it!  I want people to be inspired, to get ideas of what they can do so post your results on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/mingoink) or our Twitter (www.twitter.com/mingoink) and use the hashtag #Love

 

3.  For every act you post on our page (Limit one story entry per day) I'll enter you in to win a "believes in Love" tee.  It can be for you OR you can send it to someone you care about to remind them they are loved.

 

4.  Challenge ends at 11:59p.m. on December 31, 2012.  Two shirts will be given out the first week of January. 

 



I Believe... I am... I want... The Beginning

Mingo launched at the end of August of 2012. It's been an amazing four months. However, with the end of the first calender year I've been thinking about what I personally believe, what I am, what I want to be and how I want to impact the world. Which has led me to this blog post... and the beginning of becoming the face of Mingo, not just the idea.

I Believe...

I believe in impacting the world. 

I believe in helping others live their dream. 

I believe in paying it forward. 

I believe in Love, Angels, Peace, Miracles, Karma, Inner Beauty, Pushing the Limits and

Happily Ever After.  (Plus lots more to come!)

I believe anything is POSSIBLE!

 

I Am...

Talking about me is something I usually avoid.  Above are some of my core beliefs and a lot of the reasons I wanted to start Mingo.  I want to make a difference (doesn't everyone?) However, I have a lot about myself I want to change and some things I want to learn to accept.  My biggest insecurity is that I am overweight.

This holds me back from being the President Mingo deserves.  I have an amazing sense of fashion, yet I'm afraid of being taken seriously.  I avoid the spotlight, hiding behind those amazing women who represent Mingo so well.  It affects almost every aspect of my life.

Which is why this blog is about three key things:

1)  Making a positive impact:  the people who wear Mingo and why as well as the people we benefit.

2)  Learning to embrace who I am:  the struggles of physically becoming who I want to be as well as learning to embrace my personality quirks!

3)  Building Mingo as a brand:  the business, the successes, and the failures of starting a new line.

I Want...

I want you to know me, I want you to be a part of Mingo.  I want to encourage people to embrace their beliefs and their personality quirks.  I want to inspire. 

What do you believe?  Who are you?  What do you want?