Hey there Gypsy Sisters!  So I have never understood why men (in general) like to hit each other.  I don’t get watching wrestling or the mixed marshall arts fighting, well I didn’t – before now.  OH MY GOSH!  SO FUN!  Last week I was so stressed, it was just one of those weeks, you know?  Where nothing goes right and everything you do, you mess up.  I know, you know what I mean.  So stressed that Kerry Tate (Tate’s Total Training, my lead torturer) even noticed.  So on Wednesday, I asked if I could box, or just let me hit the bag, as part of my workout.  On friday he let me.  Although not with him because as he says “his muscles are for show, not for fighting!”  HA!  Love him.  SO I got to work out with James on Friday.  I was actually a little nervous about working out with a different trainer.  I know, that sounds silly, but I was.  I like working out with Kerry, he makes me laugh and he doesn’t take my crap, it is just a great fit for me.  Nervous or not, I needed some stress release and had it in my head that boxing would help, at least a little.  WOW, did it help.  It was better than a day at the spa as far as stress relief goes.  On top of that, it was quite the work-out.

Boxing is actually very scientific.  It has a lot to do with physics and force, but not just in arm strength.  It is about using the movement and momentum of your body in your hits.  So in other words, it isn’t just an arm work-out it is an entire body workout, utilizing your core more than anything.  I would suggest it to anyone as a workout, but don’t just decide to do it at home without someone, that is dangerous.  You need the proper equipment even if it’s just a workout and not a real fight.  My hands had to be wrapped and use gloves, not only to protect my hands, but also my wrists.  If you hit someone without the proper support on your wrists and your wrists are even slightly bent you could sprain or break your wrists.  We can’t have that, how would I type?

So James starts me out with the basics.  I thought, hey I get some gloves and they will just let me stand here and hit the bag for a while.  I had already done my core training with Kerry, I just wanted to hit something.  OH NO – we started out with lunges and Frankenstein’s – did some other core exercises – and then I got to put the gloves on.  I had to learn the proper stance and why its the proper stance.  It’s all about balance, you don’t ever want to put your self in a position to get knocked down, because even if you aren’t hurt – you lose points in the ring for hitting the mat.  Wednesday we worked on stance and four basic punches, yesterday we added uppercuts.  I don’t feel very good about the upper-cuts yet, but I will get there.  I am sure I don’t punch that hard, but it just feels so good.  I was a completely different person when I left that gym on Friday.  I was tired, super tired, but relaxed and way less tense.  Yesterday it was the same thing, I just felt so much better.

I will say this….on Monday I wanted to box again but James was busy, so Scott (another trainer, who is really soft spoken and a sweet guy, or so I thought) offered to hold the pads for me, so AFTER I finished my workout with Kerry, I went with Scott to do some ‘boxing’.  Yeah right, he suckered me in.  Kick Boxing is what he had in mind, and fun as that sounds and is, it was torture.  I thought I was gong to pass out, I haven’t worked out that hard since I was 16, in high school with Coach Yoakum screaming at me.  (I still have nightmares of her)  I will do it again at some point, but not after a full work-out with Kerry and I think I need to be in a little better shape for Scott.  It was just so surprising because he is so soft spoken, I had no idea he would try to kill me.  LOL (Love you Scott!)  I will actually probably try it again soon, but don’t tell Scott in case I chicken out!

So the main point, although how you would get to it in my ramble this morning is – Boxing is a fun stress reliever, but its hard and its a workout.  Don’t be afraid to try new things with your workouts, it helps to change the pace up a little bit.  I even think next week I may try a Zumba class!!  I have no rhythm so that should be interesting!

How many times in our lives do we wish we could push the rewind button?  How many times do we wish we would of taped our month shut and how many times do we wake up in the morning and think did i really say that?

Well if this has not happened to you, you are very lucky or always perfect. That is my point we are human and humans make mistakes. Why is it when we are in our adolescents “I’m sorry”,  is so easy and forgiveness is given. I know, I know, we are grown ups now and we all should know better, right? Or do we? I know, I am always learning, growing and in different situations and so are you. I am always trying to put myself out there and push myself to new limits.  So when I make a mistake, I should be able to say I’m sorry and be forgiven, or should I?  Should we always know better? I really don’t think so. I have always had a HUGE heart and try to see the best in people.  I don’t automatically assume that every one is out to get me, and think for the most part, that they didn’t mean to be so mean, or that surely they didn’t mean to hurt me.  Sometimes, I am proven wrong does not change me, or at least I don’t want it to. I sometimes want to stay mad and be angry at people, but I have found it is easier to just let all the BS, Drama, & crap go. At the end of the day most people are more concerned with themselves & their lives than me.  You can’t control what other people do, you can just control you.  How you act, how you treat people and how you let other people affect you.

It’s amazing how many times we take things way out of context or read something on Facebook thinking, “are they talking about me?”  Guess what who cares! It is so easy to get caught up in all the BS of the day to day drama. If you are grounded with you and who you are it does not matter.  Yes, those words could hurt and cut a little, but at the end of the day I try to surround myself with people that care about me.

At the end of the day it is up to you, who you chose to be around and how you let them make you feel. Your feelings and your emotions are a choice and you wither choose to let people affect you or you choose to live your life the way you want. If you don’t like the feeling you get then make that change. At the end of the day we all need to be aware of the people around us. Most importantly don’t ever be too pround to say you’re SORRY!

-Lo

It is that time of year again!  The time to tell your mother how much you love her and appreciate her, but not just tell her – show her.  Gifts are always good, but pair that gift with spending the day with your mom doing what she wants to do.  The flower bed she has been talking about re-doing – well this weekend seems like the perfect time!  Or what about the movie she has been wanting to go see, that you aren’t that into?  Spend time with your mom, even if it’s just sitting on the porch and talking.  After all that is really all your Mom wants anyway – to spend time with you.

Let’s face it where would we be with out Mom’s?  How many years did they change diapers?  Ugh, that in and of itself is enough for a lifetime gratitude not to mention all the  T-Ball games, Graduations, break-ups, sick days, prom, shopping for that perfect outfit for your first ‘real’ job interview, the list could go on and on and on and on.  Mothers work harder than anyone else out there.  They juggle kids, work, their own personal lives and friends and they do it all out of love.  They are there to wipe away your tears no matter how old you are and celebrate and laugh with you in the good times.  She is the person that will always pick up the phone, always.  Let’s not forget her cooking is probably better than your’s too, I know my mom’s is.  There is a reason for that.  Comfort.  You can use the exact same recipe, make it the exact same way and hers will always taste better even if it is Prego out of a jar.  Something about Mom’s cooking just hits the right spot in your stomach and in your heart.  Whether you are 10 or 40, your mother will always be one of the most important if not the most important person in your life.  So it is fitting that she get a day to spend with you, doing what she wants to do.  Enjoy the day, ask questions, talk about childhood memories, but most of all cherish your mother, she is the only one you are going to get!

I (Kim – the Editor) am a HUGE music junkie, HUGE.  I listen to a little bit of everything, but mostly independent country or as most people call it Texas/Red Dirt Country.  Don’t get me wrong Rhianna and Maroon 5 are on my iPod as well, but for the most part I stick to my roots.  I also work with a lot of bands with my photography, so I see a substantial amount of live music.  Every year for the past 24 years Larry Joe Taylor has held his Texas Music Festival around Stephenville, Texas, for a while it was in Meridian, but then got too big and was moved to just north of Stephenville.  It is pretty much all Texas/Red Dirt Country, however this year the band that stole the show is no where near country.  There really isn’t even a genre mold that they would fit in.  My friends and I just call it the ‘Josh Weathers Genre”.  He’s that good, they are that good.  Amy Moorhouse is an even bigger fan of his than I am!  She LOVES his music and no matter how long a day she has had, will stick it out until the end if he is playing.  That is true dedication and he has earned it.

I was really excited when I saw that Josh and his Endeavors were booked for Friday on the acoustic stage.  You see I don’t do the whole week of Larry Joe Taylor.  I can’t hang, I go for Friday and sometimes Saturday and go for some of my clients to get some live performance pictures for their promo uses.  So needless to say I was thrilled, he was set to play right after The Damn Quails.  Now I am sure a lot of people saw this and thought poor Josh, playing after the one of the most talked about new Red Dirt Bands.  I didn’t.  I knew.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the Quails, they are clients and very good friends of mine, but I know what kind of show Josh Weathers puts on and there is just no competition out there that can beat him.  NO ONE!  He is one of the most talented singers/musicians/entertainers in the world.  I am not exaggerating, he is that good.  The only thing that I hate about that, is that we (Texas, Fort Worth in particular) are bound to lose him to a national audience and soon.  All those people who thought poor Josh, are now thinking poor Quails.  (The Quails put on an amazing performance, they always do)

He is rockabilly soul made over into his own world of music.  His album is on repeat on my iPod often, it is always a pick me up.  His stage presence is phenomenal and filled with so much energy it’s tangible. Watching the crowd at LJT was almost as much fun as watching him.  The acoustic stage is always a little more of a subdued – lawn chair sitting – enjoying the music type of crowd.  So tell me why he got THREE standing ovations?  Like I said he is that good.  People were rocking in the seats, tapping their feet, waving their arms in the air, just having a good time.  That is until he played all alone on stage by himself.  This is a performance I hope I never get used to.  Josh Weathers has been covering ‘I Will Always Love You’, originally by Dolly Parton and later sang by the late Whitney Houston, for a while now.  I would hazard a guess and say it’s his most requested song.  I know you think nobody does this song like Whitney, I hear you, but you are wrong.  No disrespect to her at all, she did an amazing job with this song, but Josh does it better.  Maybe its because he is a guy and it is so unexpected or maybe its just because he does it better.  I don’t know, but I have the video to prove it!  Brad Beheler from GalleyWinter.com took this video at LJT (you can read his re-cap of the festival here), now the camera moves around a lot, but you don’t need to see, you just need to hear.

What did I tell you?  AMAZING!  You can’t see it in this video, but as well as the standing ovation, you could look around and watch people lifting up their arms and looking at their goose bumps.  SO SO COOL!

Check Josh Weathers & The True Endeavors out here and make sure and buy their album, you can thank me later!!

Wow ~ today is the day, we have waited for since the day we were filmed so many weeks ago. I have mixed emotions about reality tv and my debut on it! Of course I am excited about it ~ who wouldn’t be? I think we had a fabulous shoot that day with lots of wonderful talent and help to pull it off. Am I anxious it will come out okay on TV? Of course I am. Will we be shown in a positive light and not the negative one we so often see on reality tv? Will I look fat (sorry guys that is a question we all have no matter our size or age!!!)? Will they catch me making one of my faces that I make without even realizing it and put it on national tv ~ possibly out of context? Will we get made fun of or talked about. Probably, but dressing like I have all these years hasn’t come without the occasional comment or look – ok more than occasional if the truth be known.

The film crew and producers were also great to work with – they weren’t scheming to create animosity among us and we told them when they filmed us they had better make us look skinny and smart (yea right). They said they would – time will tell. I was surprised at how much was set up and refilmed instead of it being just caught in the moment. When they filmed at the office & my house it was crazy how big their crew was – they had one guy specifically to go in and tape over or move anything that they didn’t have the permission or rights to us (pictures, magazines, coke cans etc). I am sure by all of the big trucks and moving vans that pulled up in my driveway that day the neighbors had to be convinced I was moving! It was a little awkward to think that your every word was being recorded and our every action was being filmed to be used you don’t know how. This was my first experience being recorded for that long in that way – was a little nervous!!!!

But my hope is that the world is going to see what an amazing group of women we had working TOGETHER that day. It was an amazing experience to have the talents of so many strong women being showcased that day ~ from the hair to the makeup, from the photography to the styling, from the models – both human and four legged, from the Gypsy Tails to the all the helpers.

I want that to be the message that the viewers take away – that women can work together and support each other with a positive outcome. It really was a good day and a good experience for all.

Don’t forget we have FOUR contest going, you win one of three $500 Gypsy Soule Shopping Sprees or one of our new fabulous Soule Covers for your phone!  Go HERE to find out how!

Please note:  This is my opinion and no one’s else,  you may not like it or agree with it, and I DO NOT want to offend anyone!

Glamour.com ran an article this afternoon discussing the perceptions people have about body type and what it says about people.  It was an extremely interesting read.  You can read it here.  But don’t click there yet, read it after you finish this please!  :)  They did a survey about how women perceive other women, skinny and fat.  Fat – lazy, slow, incompetent; Skinny – bitchy, mean, cold-hearted.  Sounds about right, huh?  Aren’t all over weight women lazy?  Those skinny bitches are stuck-up and mean, right?  WRONG!!!  Perception though is reality most of the time and its time we all stopped pretending we live in a perfect world where it isn’t.

I have struggled with my weight my entire life.  Everyone from family, parents, friends, bosses & an ex-husband have talked to me about my weight.  Some nicely, some not so nice.  I can remember being very young and my dad patting my stomach and telling me to ‘suck it in’.  I being hard headed tried the embrace who you are, they are wrong, ignore the fact that your miserable, all that counts is what is on the inside approach for a LONG time.  Guess what, they were right even the assholes who weren’t nice about it.  Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that looks and weight are everything, because they aren’t.  It does matter what’s on the inside.  I have just started thinking about it like this; Let’s say you buy the most amazing gift for someone, I mean it is really amazing you saved up for a really long time to buy this amazing present for someone.  Are you going to wrap it in the best paper and find an equally amazing bow or are you going to pull some newspaper out of the recycling bin and tape it together with duct tape?  That is what your body is, wrapping for the greatness inside.  Right now I am newspaper and duct tape.  Take this one step further and picture that gift sitting with a lot of other gifts on a table, you want your gift to be opened first, you know you do. Wrapped in duct tape and newspaper its going to get pushed aside and saved till last.  It’s the same thing as life and living in a body that doesn’t accurately represent who you are on the inside.

Nobody wants to hear that they are fat, but just because it isn’t said doesn’t mean it isn’t so.  You can ignore it like I did and be miserable and probably have some health problems or you can do something about it.  I work with a lot of bands, so lots of hot guys in other words.  I can’t tell you how much more comfortable and confident I will be when I am not embarrassed by my weight.  I honestly don’t think most people even notice that I am insecure.  I put up a pretty good front.  I am a very confident person about some things and I just let that confidence over-power my insecurities about my body.  I just can’t help but imagine how much more fun my life is going to be when I don’t have all this extra weight to lug around.  Don’t get me wrong, I have great friends, clients, bands that don’t seem to care that I am the chubby photographer, they love me for who I am.  But I don’t and that is WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.  I want to be successful and my weight keeps me from being so sometimes.  As much as it would be great to live in a judgement free world, we don’t.  There is always going to be someone who can’t see past what you look like, long enough to see what you are capable of and how fabulous you are.  Now, not that I think anyone should pander to jerks like that, but reality is reality.  They will always be a jerk, but they may hold the key to your success, so why put that obstacle in your way, you can change, they aren’t going to.

We can preach and preach about acceptance of all body types, but it isn’t going to happen.  Lord knows it the world would be a much happier and better place if it did and I am not saying stop trying to get people to quit judging, but we have to deal with reality.   I know that there are A LOT of you out there that DO NOT like what I am saying, I’m sorry if I am offending you or if you think I am wrong.  I don’t mean to offend anyone, its just time someone said it, spoke the truth wether it hurts or not.  Of course, I know just as well as anyone that anything can be ignored and disregarded.  So disregard if you want, but you know I am right!  Do I want people to stop judging me because of my weight, yes of course I do, who wouldn’t?  The thing is, the only way I can take control over that is to change my weight.  Now I know I could always try the “I don’t care what anyone else thinks” approach, but there are some opinions you can’t ignore.  When something as simple as weight keeps you from doing things you love, want to do, or succeed; why would you not change it?  You have the power, you and you alone.  Loosing weight isn’t complicated.  Eat less, eat healthy and get active.  Tate (my amazing, evil, lovely, horrible, funny, torturous trainer) likes to say “you didn’t gain all that weight in a week, it isn’t coming off in a week”.  He’s right.  Yes Tate I said it.  YOU ARE RIGHT.  Print this out, it will probably be the only time I admit it, so enjoy it while it lasts good buddy!  It is that simple.  It took you awhile to get to the size you are, it is going to take you a while to get to the size you want to be.  So right now I am newspaper and duct tape, next month I’ll be the comic section and scotch tape, and by next year I will look like you bought me at Tiffany’s with a really pretty bow.

I know I said I would blog some at home work-out tips and I will, it has just been a crazy beast in GypsyLand lately.  I have lost 9lbs. in three weeks, so YEAH – GO ME!!!!  I just really wanted to share with you my thoughts on weight stereotyping today after reading that article.  I will share with you a new simple little dish I have been having for lunch lately….

1 chicken breast

2 cups baby spinach

1/3 cup Couscous

20 grams of cheddar cheese

1/4 cup Rotel Mild.

So bake your chicken breast, when it is almost done, take the rotel and put it on top of the chicken, put back in the over for just a little bit.

Cook your couscous with water, no butter no salt.

So get your plate, put the spinach on it, then put the couscous on top of that, then the chicken and rotel.  Sprinkle with cheese and  you have yourself a nice, Chicken Salad.  I add the couscous, because it adds some texture and flavor.  I don’t like salad dressing, so I always add something a little different.  I typically eat this for lunch because it is a big meal.  You can also steam some broccoli and add to it, which I do often.  Its also really pretty and a little twist on normal salad with couscous and the rotel adds some spice.

Till next time! -Kim

PS.  I still want a cupcake

Okay Gypsy Sisters, get ready….are you ready?  Amy and Lo will be making their television debut this Saturday at 8:00 p.m. CT on CMT’s Texas Women.  That’s right, our favorite Gypsy Sisters will be rockin’ a photo-shoot for Gypsy Soule on the show!  Anna Hunt & Hannah Helvey both model for Gypsy Soule in this episode and they got the whole thing on film for the show.  It was awesome!  I don’t want to give to much away you will have to watch the episode to see what all goes down, but it was an experience I will not soon forget.  It was by-far the biggest photo-shoot we have EVER done.  Clothes, make-up, hair products, shoes, jewelry, cameras and even a buffalo!?!?!  Seriously you HAVE TO WATCH on Saturday.  You will get an amazing look at the behind the scenes of one of our photo-shoots and see what it is really like!  CRAZY BUSY, is what it is, but CRAZY FUN too. Now in honor of Amy & Lo’s TV appearance, Gypsy Soule is giving away 3, yes count them 3! $500 shopping sprees!!!  Go on over to the Gypsy Soule Blog to find out more about how you can win!!

This is going to be EPIC!

We love JEWELRY, well any type of accessory for that matter.  So we decided to pull out our favorite pieces to show you.  A woman’s jewelry says a lot about who she is, So here is ours! – Amy & Lo

AMY’s Favorites

I love my jewelry – it is like wearing art.  I keep it out and around me at all times because I love the uniqueness and flavor of each piece.  Some joke I have a bond with it!  We aren’t talking diamonds and gold here – but I love every piece for the joy I get wearing it and the artistic nature of it!

This picture is perfect for the evolution of my style!!!  I have the three chain hippy necklace I made for myself that I love and wear on a regular basis and the new blingy me – My “Art By Amy” necklace that I heart so very very much!! But lets get this straight – it is all vintage quality bling which speaks to the old soule in me!  This necklace has gotten some miles in the last three years.  It has been used in numerous photo shoots, on stage, nights out and days running around in casual attire.  I can’t go anywhere without compliments on this piece!

What would I do without my ever present silver hoops?!?!  I remember my Mom asking me once, “Why can’t you wear classy diamond studs?” – my response “Really with all this hair, who could afford diamonds that size?”  Plus – the silver hoops are true to my Gypsy roots!  I am always looking for a different version or style of them.  These are my new favorites that I picked up at Magic Market in Las Vegas in February.

Can you tell that anything silver is my true love? Then add a little Turquoise and I am there. I have always told my husband that he is a lucky lucky man ~ I love Turquoise as much as I love diamonds!

The silver ring I bought in Mexico several years ago – almost didn’t buy it because I thought it was silly to pay that much for a silver ring that I could buy at market. But, it is my daily “right hand” ring. It was so worth it! I haven’t seen another like it and it goes with everything. It has the feel of an old Indian ring minus the turquoise.

The bangle is by one of my favorite jewelry artist of ALL times – Margaret Sullivan (You can find her pieces at Cry Baby Ranch) I love her use of silver, old feel, uniqueness and inspiring quotes. This is another daily staple for me – I love the saying on it “Make the difference”

The feather quote is one of my favorite all time Gypsy Soule designs – I love the feathers and turquoise, plus I like that it is a little wider so I can wear it by itself or with other pieces. I am lovin all the Native American trends we have going right now ~ maybe I am just paying homage to my Native American roots?

One of my latest vintage finds – I am a huge collection of the Fred Harvey bracelets. I love how they fit on the wrist and each tells a story of Native American History with all of the symbolic images that are placed on it. If you ever get a chance read about the Harvey Houses on historic route 66 and the difference Fred Harvey made in the Native American jewelry pieces.

My ring I designed with Nick Cunningham ~ it has all of my favorite elements! My lucky number 3, turquoise and a Native American headress. I love this one of a kind piece created just for me! Nick’s talent is amazing and I feel like everytime I put on one of his pieces I am truly wearing a piece of art! It was created out of a Silver Dollar as well.

My Coreen Cordova beauty I have collected charms for three years now. Can I tell you this and my bling Art by Amy piece get me stopped more than any other jewelry I own? I love the color and texture of the feathers and love how it just speaks to you!

Again back to the earrings – with all this hair and all this attitude the earrings have to match! The bigger the better!!! They frame the face and are often the first jewelry piece to get the attention. I love this Zuni pair – because they are show stoppers and they are light! Again – I wear them to fancy formal affairs or when I am running errands around town. Pieces like this are timeless and can be handed down for generations. They also can be worn just by themselves without any other jewelry they are so lovely!

My lucky charms necklace! I have never been a fan of noisy charm bracelets – those that know me know that I am in constant motion AND talk with hands so the noise can be a little bothersome! But, oh how I love charms!! They speak volumes for your experiences, likes, beliefs and adventures! This is the necklace I wear when I fly ~ not just reserved for that, but being a nervous flyer it calms my soule just a bit because of the signifigance of the charms!

*1- My Our Lady Of Guadalupe charm – although I am not catholic she is one of guardian angels whom I look up to and worship. Her quite strength give me strength

* 2-The elk tooth charm – yea a bit unusual but it came from one of my husband hunting trips and means alot! My friend and silversmith Matt Litz made it into a charm with another of my favorite things engraved on it – prickly pear cactus

*3-Protect Me – think this charm speaks for itself!

*4- 3 charm – I can’t explain it but I love the number 3!!! It is my lucky number! It is what I collect in art and limited edition books. It is the greek mythology number for strong women. It is the merchandisers rule of thumb – use 3 in a display not 2 because we don’t want friends in our displays! Keep it odd

*5-Another Coreen Cordova charm that just spoke to me when I saw it. The cactus and the hills remind me of home and the ranch life I was raised in.

# 3 dogtag – Love the number 3 and I like long BB chain necklaces to hang my various pendants and charms on. I love layering necklaces – the more the merrier – and these type of necklaces are easy to work with! I do not discriminate ~ I love super long necklaces and I love chokers!

The earrings are my latest jewelry find – I bought from a friend of mine that has a store in San Angelo and often sets up at trade shows, she purchased these from an Indian lady and several other beauties. The color and length of these are making them my fast new favorites!

Again – my rule of thumb? I will wear diamonds to the grocery store in my workout clothes or turquoise Zuni Earrings and Squash Blossoms to the fanciest cocktail parties!! I wear what makes me feel good! I also often start with the jewels and build the outfit around them.

LORINDA

I, like Amy, love my jewelry!  Every piece tells a story, where I got it, why I got it, who made it, lots of stories.  It also tells the story of who you are.  It is a part of people’s first impressions of you, so why not show show them who you are in every way!

The horseshoe ring is from husband Joel.  It is from Read’s Jewelry and he bought it for me at the 2001 NFR.  He bought it for me because I am lucky for him!  The second ring is my wedding ring, Joel designed it himself and it is absolutely perfect.  I love the way it is set, I can wear it all the time whether it is to dinner, the office or riding my horse.  The third ring is making it’s second appearance on Gypsy Sisters, was earned by me and made by Nick Cunningham.  I love being to wear and show off something that I worked so hard for so many years, so long ago to get.  It is my new favorite piece!

Every year when we are in Denver, I treat myself to one FANTASTIC piece of jewelry, most of the time from Peyote Bird, the bracelet on the left is what I bought two years ago. I just love it.  I also love to wear my handmade beaded cuff, I got it from Desert Sage Bead Art, I just love it!  The small Zumi Indian bracelets were given to me by my Great Grandfather, when I was fifteen.  I also have a matching ring.  The multi stone bracelets are from Peyote Bird, I had wanted these bracelets for 15 years and I finally got them a few years ago.  They with everything, like my favorite Gypsy Soule stoned cuff.

The horseshoe necklace, I designed from Reads Jewelry.  I had one made for myself, both of my sisters and my mom.  My dad wears a horseshoe ring from Reads too.  I thought when we are not together we are so lucky to have our family and the necklace reminds us of that.  The diamonds were out of an old ring that my sister Johan had, it’s special and we all have something in common to share.  The multi-colored bracelet is a Gypsy Soule piece we did last year, it is one of my all time favorites.  I just love the colors, it matches so much!  The buckle is the first buckle my mom ever won.  My great grandfather wore it till the day he died, the same one that gave me the bracelets (Grandpa Walt).  After he passed away, my mom gave it to me and I feel so special to have it and I wear it with pride.  My watch, was my Dad’s.  He is still alive, he just got a better one, when he traded for  a horse.  Yes, he is a kind of a horse trader, but he gave me this one.  I had it updates a little, but when I wear it I have the love and strength of my Dad with me all the time!

The perfect pair of turquoise earrings, they go with black, purple, heck anything!  They are from Peyote Bird also.  The stud earrings are my everyday earrings, I don’t have Amy’s hair, so diamond studs work for me.  They are the perfect thing to wear just to make you feel special for every day.  I also like them, because although they are studs and simple, they aren’t too simple.  They still have personality.  I love my vintage gold crosses.  I bought them from a street vendor in Santa Monica.  I love to mix metals, bronze, gold & silver.

Like I said, every piece has a story.  I love my collection it has been handed down to me, bought for me & bought by me over the years.  It’s more than jewelry it’s a connection to the people I love most in my life and the places I have been. – Lo

I want a cupcake.  Just one.  But a good one.  There is a bakery in Weatherford on York St. that is amazing!  They make the most amazing cupcakes.  Seriously those cupcakes have been all I can think about for the past 24 hours.  What’s funny is, I don’t typically go there and buy cupcakes.  It isn’t a regular thing.  I have probably been there twice.  But you want what you can’t have!  On top of that PMS has kicked in this week, so I am miserable, bloated and cramping.  (I apologize to any men that are reading this, but ladies you know what I am talking about) FUN!  I know I know WAY too much information, but it leads back to my point.  I want a cupcake and I can’t have one.  I could if I wanted to by my typical self and cheat or not care.  There are three things that keep me from going and buying a cupcake.

1. Cora & Kerry at Tate’s Total Training.  I don’t really want to fess up to them that I broke down and got a cupcake.

2. The idea of being able to shop ANYWHERE I want.  I mean seriously I can NOT wait for the day to walk in the mall and walk into any store and find something that fits.

3. This blog.  I can’t do it, I just can’t cheat and write this column.

So thank you sisters, you keep me from eating chocolate peanut butter cupcakes!

SOOO…where we were on my journey to get rid of my big girl clothes…Oh yes I trained with Kerry Tate again on Friday and yesterday.  I still think he is taking it easy on me, but I am thankful because I have a busy two weeks and I need to be able to move.  What isn’t easy is the MEAL PLAN!  Cora, the lovely and sweet Cora gave me my meal plan on Friday.  1254 Calories a day.  Yep.  That is what I can have.  The meal plan was a basic break down of one day, to give me an idea of what I can and can’t have.  We changed it a little bit to suit my picky eating habits and to add red meat.  I am a big beef eater.  Growing up on in Agriculture and on a ranch it is really important to me to never cut red meat out of my diet.  THERE ARE healthy ways to eat red meat and lots of lean cuts of beef.  SO we added beef, took away soy milk (EW…gross), changed the breakfast from oatmeal to yogurt and granola and made some other minor modifications.  Some things I was already doing right, believe it or not…I don’t eat white bread, so eating whole wheat isn’t a big deal for me.  I am not a huge potato chip eater or candy bars for the most part, so not eating those is no big deal.  The things that surprised me were things like Wheat Thins, (even the reduced fat ones) I really shouldn’t have.  Lean Cuisines, Smart Ones and ready-to-go meals like that are out!  THIS WAS A HUGE SHOCKER TO ME!  What?  You mean I am going to have to COOK everything?  Seriously?  OMG …. apparently those meals have too much salt/sodium.  UGH.  Lorinda gave me a bit of advice that I am still trying to wrap my head around.  ”If it doesn’t come from the outer edges of a grocery store, don’t eat it”.  So not only am I stuck with no cupcakes I am going to have to re-learn how to cook.  Trust me, the way I cook will not work.  There is no way I can cook anything that I already cook.  Goodbye Chicken Spaghetti, Hamburger Helper, Goulash, King Ranch Chicken and anything else I eat on a regular basis.  Hello Salad.  Except I don’t like Salad.  Never have.  I don’t even like it smothered in dressing.  That would be because I don’t like dressing.  Seriously I haven’t ever tasted a dressing I like, which is probably good because at least I don’t have to break that habit.  So I am finding creative ways to eat salad.

This weekend I did baby spinach, grilled chicken with some rotel, a small portion of brown rice, a little bit of cheddar cheese (I love cheese, you may make me eat less of it, but you will never take it away from me) and steamed broccoli.  It was actually pretty tasty, if I do say so myself.  If you have any recipes for super healthy food, send them over!  editor@gypsy-sisters.com  This week I think I am going to try some fish and other options.  Maybe try some Couscous, since it is on my list of things I can eat and I have never tried it before.  I guess I will have to start looking for a cookbook as well.  Suggestions on those would be greatly appreciated, because the only cookbooks I have are Betty Crocker and one from Charleston and we know that last one isn’t an option.   Somehow I don’t think fried chicken, mac n cheese and butter soaked grits fit in my meal plan.  Once I get more adept at cooking healthy and what I can and can not eat, I will share some recipes and helpful hints.  I will say that the yogurt and granola in the morning isn’t bad, its actually pretty good.

The other part of the meal plan that has been hard is the eating every three hours.  Let me tell you, that is all kinds of complicated.  It does make you really think about what you are eating.  I really wanted scrambled eggs the other morning with some cheese.  I can have that, but the question was did I really want to use THAT many calories for breakfast, what would that do to the rest of my meals for the day.  So I have to think about what I am going to eat all day first thing in the morning, because a big meal in the morning may mean nothing but green beans for dinner and that IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!  I am still working on getting the snacking down.  The key there is that depending on what you had the meal before you might really need that snack, so you want something that is low calorie but filling.  Granola is my friend right now.  Yesterday and today I have just grabbed 1/3 cup granola and munched on that.  I like it because it takes me a while to eat it.  If you like snacking on chips and crackers this would work for you.  Or at least my granola does, because it is kind of in little cluster bites.

Water, Water, Water, Water, Water…..I want a diet coke!  So Master Tate says nothing but water, no tea, no crystal light, no diet cokes (although he did tell me I could have three baby diet cokes a week, you know those little bitty cans); I can have 100% fruit juice if I want to, but have you seen how many calories are in that stuff?  NO WAY am I wasting calories on a drink, unless it is an ice cold beer!  So I have been drinking 3-4 liters of water a day!  MY kidneys love me!  I have a history of kidney stones, so this is probably one of the best things I could ever do for my kidneys.  It takes some getting used to and I am still trying to figure out when I need to stop drinking water so that I don’t have to get up and go to the little girls room in the middle of the night.  I just keep a liter bottle of water with me everywhere I go, even room to room in my house and drink water all day.  Also if I am in between meals and my stomach (which has yet to shrink) starts growling, I just drink  a bunch of water and temporarily trick it into thinking it’s full.  That is also a great thing to do before you eat any meal.  Drink a glass of water and then eat.  You stomach will feel fuller faster and you will eat less.

I will share some at-home work-out tips tomorrow, yes he is still having me do the evil foam rollers and yes they are still evil, although maybe not as evil.  He did try to kill my arms yesterday, we will see just how sore they are when I weed-eat my yard this evening.  I have a feeling pretty sore!  NO PAIN NO GAIN, NO PAIN NO GAIN!  I keep repeating that to myself and the words YOU WILL GET TO SHOP ANYWHERE YOU WANT and I stay on track. Next week will be a challenge because I have a music festival to go to and eating there is going to be difficult.  So I will work with Cora and Kerry and do a blog post on how to eat when you aren’t at home.   Leave me any questions in the comments section and we will see what the MASTER TATE has to say!!  Later Sisters!

Getting Hired

It is so hard to find a great job in today’s job market and it is so hard to find great employees in today’s job market.  I know that sounds kind of crazy but it’s the truth.  So many people are just taking whatever job they can get to pay the bills and employers are being way more picky about who they hire.

The good news is that in today’s job market only on average only four people are competing for the same job, when only a few years or last year that number was seven.  New jobs are being created everyday thanks to the manufacturing and auto industries. I think it is important to like what you do everyday, but the harsh reality is most people do not get that choice.  At the end of the day, they have to pay their bills and feed their kids.  When looking for a new job think outside the box, maybe try something new that you have never done.  Think about the things you were good at when you were younger or at a different stage in your life.

The biggest mistake I made when I was younger was trying to fit a mold or picking jobs that were in front of my face.  There are so many jobs out there that we don’t even know about or ways to make money that you have never thought of.  Most importantly NETWORKING IS KEY!  The number one way to find, get hired or even know about a job is through NETWORKING!  Making contacts and knowing people is the way to do it.  You know that old saying “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”, well seventy five percent of the time it’s true!  Yes, you still need the skills to back it up but not always if you know the right people and can sell yourself.

If you are in college right now or even in high school, do internships with companies, meet people in the industry that you want to be in.  Make those contacts, straight A’s alone will not get you that dream job.  I am working with people I met in my late teens and early 20′s.  I am working with a contact I made back in 1996, she needed an employee for three days and I only took the job to make contacts, I had already started my own business.  That person who hired me for three days is Amy, and we are now business partners in one of the most fashion forward companies in the western industry, crossing over into the mainstream.

When I am hiring, yes I look at what the person has done, what their skills are, how they are dressed (professionally or not so much), all the things that you typically look for in an interview.  The most important thing to me though is, what are they like as a person, how do they make me feel when I am around them, how are they going to make my customers feel when they talk to them?  How do I know them and where do they come from?  There are so many factors that will get you hired.  Every person that works for  Gypsy Soule has come by networking, from a friend of a friend, or someone that Amy and I have known for years.  We have a fantastic tearm and I am very lucky to have the people that choose to come to work with us, everyday.  They make my life so much better.

So let’s get to my to do list!  Yep, get that pen and paper out of just print this off!  NETWORKING IS KEY!!!  If you need a job, go to party’s, functions, events, donate your time to something (church, charity).  If you are not meeting new people, how are you going to find a NEW JOB?

Let someone new read over your resume, clean it up, change the wording.

Make yourself some cool business cards to give to new friends, so that they can contact you later.

Look at your Facebook.  Remove everything that is lame.  Sorry but people will judge you for that.  If you post negative things everyday, what is that saying about you?

If you can get a new power outfit or borrow one from a friend!  Wear things that make you feel fantastic from head to toe.  If you are not sure what to wear to an interview do some research on the job, maybe see what the people are wearing there to work.

Do your homework.  You need to do your homework for every job interview, know about the company, know why you want to work there.

Ask questions, be involved in the interview.  NETWORK with the person that is interviewing you, just because they don’t hire you today, they might hire you later.  Better yet, they might have a friend looking for someone exactly like you!  Trust me that happens.  Just the other day, I had a friend of a friend that was looking for a job call me, she wanted me to know that she wanted a job and reminded me on a regular basis.  Meanwhile I got a call from another friend looking for someone just like her!  Guess who has a great job that she loves now?  That’s right, my networking friend!

Good luck and remember all the Gypsy Sisters are with you!