Photo Dump Friday: Its almost officially summer

I changed it from Photo Dump Wednesday (PDW) to Photo Dump Friday (PDF) because I am often too busy during the week to do a post. Hopefully, now that I have said that, I'll still be able to do posts on Fridays. 

I love that when I get up at 5:15am in the morning to get ready for work, it is already light out. A sure sign that summer is indeed close by. Summer officially starts next week Wednesday! Woohoo!!! I know Memorial day weekend is often the unofficial start of summer and truth be told, it has been light out in the mornings for a while but technically, we are still in the Spring. 

The only think I don't like about summer is the sometimes excessive heat. I know I know...DUH! That's what summer is about. Yes...but it doesn't mean I have to like the excessive temperatures. 

I am trying to figure out the best way to wear my hair this summer since I am not a fan of my hair getting plastered to my sweaty skin. If I can't come up with anything, you'll likely start seeing my hair in more updos a.k.a messy buns! Good thing I have beautiful headbands that I can wear to still dress it up a bit :-).

Anyways, I am now officially down 18-lbs. I feel so proud of myself and sometimes, I can hardly believe I am this close to losing 20-lbs! Hard work does pay off!
I got some summer dresses from Zulily and I absolutely love how they feel and look on me. I just might be doing more of this dress thing this summer :-). I am typically a skirt and work blouse girl but who knows? I may become a convert :-D.

How does the song go? "I'm feeling myself". LOL!!! This dress used to be snug on me and check it out! Seeing these pictures motivate me.

I am still wearing the aircast but that is not stopping me from clocking my steps on a daily basis. As long as I am not straining/stressing my foot, the doctor says it is OK and actuallt good for me. So I continue to workout/do my steps each day. The proof is in the mirror!

#GOALS

Lunch this week. It was minced meat and lettuce with low carb ranch dressing. Yes, I heat up my lettuce in the microwave. Believe it or not, it still has some crunch to it when I eat it. I only heat it up for a minute. My lunches were oh so DELISH!
I think I want to do salmon for lunch next week but I am always afraid of people being turned off by the smell at work. What to do...what to do...I know I shouldn't care about what others think of the smell BUT I have to be sensitive because I remember being pregnant and being pissed off and put off at the smell of people's foods. I wouldn't wish that on someone else.

 

I got these Teva sandals while in college. I can't believe they have survived this long! But I am glad I kept them because they are the only sandals that fit around my aircast. And since I barely wore them, they still look new. 

 

And so our basement work continues...We FINALLY finished installing the wood slats on the ceiling. Now, we have to work on painting them. That'll take multiple evenings after work and weekends. 
Then we will focus on installing the accordion doors to encase the storage area. 
In the meantime, here is video of our 85% finished basement. 
Clearly, J has a sense of humor. He said he was carrying the entire house. SMH...

I will do another video after we finish everything and furnish the area. I have been mastering my flower paper making skills. And I am on the hunt for a red couch so stay tuned!

I am always entertained watching JOE play. She takes the time to think of everyone and wants to make sure all her "friends" are OK. Here she is eating her dinner and also having a "tea party" with her friends.

Church flow. JAE was upset with us so when I said to smile for the camera, she moved away so she won't be in the picture. Obviously, her milk won. 
Oh and JOE was happy her new flip flops made it into the picture :-).

I am wearing the "Faith Moves Mountains" earrings from AyoBE Boutique. How cute are they? I ALWAYS get compliments when I wear them. 
Hey there curls! I have been using the Cantu Curl Activator for a few weeks. Alternating between it and the same line's coconut curling cream. I am undecided. I love both results.

Earlier this week. My baby was ready for the pool. She is such a fashionista!

If you know me IRL, you know I HATE HATE HATE clutter! I can't function with clutter. The girls playroom has been OVERFLOWING with toys for months now. But every summer, I go through their toys to sort out toys that are no longer age appropriate and to see what they no longer need. 
I FINALLY got around to doing this. Check out 1/3 of their toys! Yeah...this is just from one room. They have more in their bedroom and more in the basement. The toys are taking over!

I had both girls helping me and 3 hours later, check out their play area. Clutter free and the girls can actually enjoy the toys they play with often. Win-win.

2 bags and there will be more. I love knowing that someone else will get some good use out of the toys.

Since I plan on using paper flowers as part of the decor for our basement, I have been practicing. And have recently taken to making flowers as a stress reliever during my lunch break. 
Check out this giant one I made a couple of days ago. I think I am addicted!

One of my favorite things as a small business owner is when I see our items in action. It makes me smile and gives me the best feeling. 
Check out this little beauty in our Pocahontas African Print skirt with matching head tie. 

She is beautiful...

She loves to have fun...

And she is a fashionista!

I just love her confidence! 

I am a firm believer that when you look good, you feel good. And that's what AyoBE Boutique is all about. Making you look and feel good!

Have a fabulous weekend and remember to be kind to strangers!