Summer is in full swing at the Van Newkirk casa. We have been to dance nationals in Vegas, showed livestock at our county fair, we’ve been to the water park and the list goes on and on. It’s been as exhilarating as it has been exhausting!

I was looking forward to the week my girls were going to stay at their Memo’s house in California—that’s my Mom. I had these huge elaborate plans for myself and I had visions of all the projects I was going to complete. Why not? I would have lots of extra time, right? I was going to work out every day, ride my horse Prince and get that year old to-do list done. Oh, and work 10-hour days on top of that.

Well, during that week I worked out one of the eight days they were gone, never even got to ride my horse, and the list of what I did not get done goes on. What’s crazy is, I get more stuff done when they’re here! My kids are my balance. I think I just got the first little bitty taste of empty nest syndrome. I always joke around saying Joel is going to have a hard time when they leave for college or move out. OMG! It might be me having the meltdown. The house is so boring and quiet without them. I feel like I’m missing half of me and I can’t function!

I did find myself working way too much—the 10-hour days turned into 12 or more hours of work! I’m all for working and I love it, but you need to find a balance between work, family, fun and time for yourself—like riding your horse, working out, shopping for a new pair of flip flops or indulging in a quick pedicure.

I posted a few weeks ago about your “Top 3,” but I think I totally forgot what I wrote about  that week! So it is safe to say that I missed the heck out of my girls, and I need them here to keep Joel busy!!!

Dream It, Love It, Live It!

Crossed by GypsySoule^®

I can’t believe we are heading into our 12th year of Gypsy Soule^®! What a DREAM come true. So many blessings over the years, along with a lot of blood, sweat and lots of tears of stress! We’ve taken to heart the saying: The harder you work, the luckier you are.

We are excited for what the coming years will bring. With all the new product we’re rolling out, Gypsy Soule^® is graduating from an accessory company to a full brand. Amy and I wanted to do more than just have a wholesale company. We wanted to empower women, so we came up with CROSSED by Gypsy Soule^®.

CROSSED by Gypsy Soule^® is our sister company that allows women to grow their own business, make their own money and be apart of the Gypsy Soule^® fashion movement. Our team members, soule sisters in fashion, will establish their own clients and plan home parties where guests can purchase Jewels^® and other accessories along with custom footwear with all the flash and flair you expect from Gypsy Soule^®!

Yes! Custom shoes! Each party guest chooses her favorite sole style, leather or fabric flip-flop straps and front embellishment. The shoe is then handcrafted and mailed directly to the guest’s home. We’ve combined women’s passion for shoes and fashion and created design perfection!

With price points from $25 to $135, there is something for everyone. CROSSED by Gypsy Soule^® is a phenomenal way to combine fun, fashion and friends—and your clients get to design their shoes, their way.

CROSSED by Gypsy Soule^®, it’s not just fashion, it’s a statement.

Name: Tori Martin
Profession: Singer/Songwriter

1. Why is it important to live by your own rules?
If you spend your life trying to please the world, you will not only fail, you will never truly be happy!

2. If your house were burning what is the one item you would grab before leaving?
Oh heavens… one item?!
I would definitely grab my journal full of stories, dreams, and lyrics.

3. What are the beauty products you can’t live without?
Make-Up Forever’s Intense Rouge Lipstick- Shade #43
Kat Von D’s Tattoo Liner, and Primed & Poreless by Too Faced.

4. Where is your favorite place to shop?I love shopping small boutiques all over.. that’s, my fave! I’m also a huge fan of Urban Outfitters, and Buckle. 

5. When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
A country music sanger..  I came into this world knowing exactly what I was supposed to do with my life.. That is to reach others and touch soules through my music. Music is who I am.

6. What women do you admire and why?
My idol is Dolly Parton. She is so genuine, her heart of gold, southern charm, and honesty inspires me to the fullest. If I could be like anyone in this world, it’s her fabulous self. She inspires me in music, life, and faith.

7. What is the hardest thing about being a woman in your industry? The hardest thing about being a woman in the music industry is that we have are playing a man’s game and we have work twice as hard. Female country artists are slim to none… it’s tough. It is sometimes discouraging and causes many to quit because we are not just given the same opportunities, shows, and radio play we have to FIGHT for those spots and no matter how hard the battle is, whether we lose or win, we have to continue to believe in ourselves and our dreams.

8. Have you read any books lately that you would recommend to us?
“The 5 Love Languages” – Gary Chapman 

9. Pet Peeve?
One of my biggest pet peeves is when people chew with their mouth open. It drives me up the wall… Keep in mind that I’m on the road with guys, and I cannot break them of their bad habits.. LOL!

10.What charities are you involved in, why should others become involved with those charities?
A portion of my digital sales on ReverbNation goes to a charity called “Love, Hope, & Strength”. I always help with “Toys For Tots” in the winter, and last year I put on my very first benefit. The benefit was for a little guy named Mason who was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of four. With the help of some amazing Texas Country artists, I put on a huge concert and auction for him called “Music 4 Mason” and together we were able to raise $11k for the family. After the concert I flew up to Memphis where he is being treated, and surprised him with the check and a custom guitar from Kona Guitars. It was one of the most rewarding days of my life.

11.What is the most memorable day of your life?
The day my Paw-Paw bought me my very first guitar… it was an electric guitar too!

12.What’s on your DVR?
I’m hooked on “Once Upon A Time” right now. It’s SO good!

13.What’s on your IPOD?
I listen to everything.. But I recently downloaded “Maps” – Maroon 5,
“You Were Meant For Me” – Jewel, & “Dancing All Around It” – Mike Ryan.

Favorite Cocktail? I don’t drink, but I can’t live without Passion Tea Lemonade from Starbucks!

15.After a bad day what do you do to wind down?I usually get my hands on my piano for a while, and then soak in the tub!

16.After a good day what do you do to celebrate?
I’m a cupcake fanatic, so cupcakes are my go-to for a happy day!

17.If you could have dinner with any four people alive or dead, who would they be?
My Paw-Paw, Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton & Tammy Wynette. 

18.Favorite 3 things you always have with you.
Red lipstick, hippie sunglasses, and essential oils.

19. What do you see as your biggest challenge in life?
My biggest challenge in life is learning to be happy in the moment, or where I’m at presently. Sometimes I forget that God wants us to enjoy the moments we have each day, the small victories, the great victories, and not just what’s to come.

20. What is the best advice you have been given, and who gave it to you?
“All you can do is be yourself.” My mentor Zig told me that, and it rings truer and truer each day. 

Losing weight is hard and there are so many ways that people are trying to shed the pounds. Whether you are counting calories, doing a particular diet program, working out or taking some sort of diet pill, there never seems to be an exact answer on what actually works!

Our Gypsy Sister, Rachael Bohman, had done what seemed to be every fad diet there was and exercised but never really could lose the weight that she wanted to lose. Growing up she was always picked on because of her weight and then finally one day she finally said ENOUGH and contacted her doctor to talk about what would be best for her to lose the weight. Weighing at 225 pounds they decided that she should have gastric bypass surgery. Leading up to the surgery she had to take 3 months of classes that taught her how to basically eat right. During these classes she lost her first 23 pounds and on the day of her surgery on January 16, 2013 she weighed 202 pounds. After 1-week post surgery she weighed 196 pounds. Having the surgery was no walk in the park though. The first 3 days after surgery she was on strictly a liquid diet and then she had to go on a “Grey Food” diet that consisted of cottage cheese, plain non-flavored yogurt, refried beans, cheeses, scrambled eggs, tuna (small amount of low fat mayo), cream of wheat, Sugar Free (SF) popsicles, SF pudding, SF jello. After her surgery her boyfriend Bobby decided to get weight loss surgery also then 6 days before his surgery he proposed. They plan to get married on October 4, 2014. (YAY for weddings!)

To date she has lost 102 pounds and her fiancé has lost almost 200 pounds! How amazing is that? She bought herself a pair of Miss Me jeans as an incentive and made it her goal to fit in them. Now she said they’re too big. At the beginning she wore a womens size 18 and has dropped her waist size almost 10 inches.

During her transformation she bought a Gypsy Soule® shirt and when she wore it she says it made her feel good about herself and gave her a boost of confidence.

 -Measure everything you eat

-DRINK A LOT OF WATER

-Read your food labels

-Shop on the outside of the grocery store (Fruits, veggies, meats)

-Don’t confuse thirst with hunger. Drink a glass of water when you feel hungry to see if that’s what you’re really craving.

-Take a walk before lunch or dinner. Not only will you get in some exercise, you’re less likely to choose something unhealthy after a little movement.

-Get some zzzzzzzz’s! Sleep is very very important!

Weight loss surgery may not be your answer to losing weight but we want to know… What helps you?

It’s wedding season and on October 11, 2014, I will be marrying my best friend. Rick and I have been together 8 years, and I am so excited for our big day to come where family and friends will surround us. It feels like it was yesterday when he proposed while we were decorating his Christmas tree. I was in shock when I saw the ornament that he had made and when he kneeled down on one knee it was like everything went into slow motion. I started laughing because I was so nervous! I even gave him the wrong hand to put the ring on! I never knew so much went into planning a wedding, and I will admit it has overwhelmed me at times. The first step I took in planning was choosing my maid of honor and bridesmaids, and of course I knew exactly what Gypsy Soule® items I wanted them to be decked out in! I picked out the Marilyn shoe for them all to wear and matching necklaces. I love the Marilyn shoe! It’s a shoe that you can wear with everything, and it has an awesome design that screams elegance and style!

I loved this Gypsy Soule® necklace so much from last year’s collection, and I knew I wanted it for my bridal party. I made sure to get them while they were in stock.

Pinterest and Etsy have been awesome tools and have helped me envision what I want! When we started searching for our venue, we couldn’t find a place that we liked or that fit  our budget. Then, Lorinda graciously suggested that we have our wedding at her house in her backyard. It is the perfect place, and I know it is going to be beautiful. I can’t wait! I am so grateful for all of the ladies who are helping me through this journey.

The more women I talk to about their regrets of their wedding day, they all say that they wished they had more pictures or they wished they had spent the money to hire a videographer. At the end of the day, all you have left is your pictures, video, and memories. So, Rick and I both decided that we wanted plenty of pictures and a video of our big day. I am so excited to work with Amy Sandlin, and I know she will do an amazing job capturing our day! She has done an awesome job with the Gypsy Soule® photo-shoots. Below are some tips that she suggests doing when looking for a photographer!

DO: Do find the right photographer for YOU.

This is the #1 most important one; if you don’t do this, the rest won’t matter. Finding the right photographer starts with you really looking at other photographers work; deciding what style best fits you and whose work most inspires you.

Do Not: Do not hire someone just because they are your friend, family, or are cheap. That doesn’t normally make a good fit unless you truly like their work and trust them. I got married last year and I had lots of really incredible photographer friends, but none of their styles fit what I was looking for. So chose to hire someone who I didn’t know but truly fit my style. The second I saw Nick’s work; I knew I wanted him to capture my day.

Professional wedding photographers aren’t always expensive, but most the time they are. You might have to cut other things out of your budget to make this happen. As a bride, my wedding pictures were my number one thi­­ng I cared about. This is because years from now its not going to matter how much I spent on flowers or other things. Having quality images that captured every moment of my wedding will matter for generations to come. Also, it’s very important you trust your photographer. On your day your going to have a million things on your mind, wondering if the photographer is getting everything doesn’t need to be one of them.

Be realistic with your Pinterest board.

It’s ok to make a Pinterest board, but it’s important to be realistic with what shots your wanting. For example, you give your photographer a photo of a bride in a big puffy dress, on the beach, with the wind blowing and the groom kissing her on the head. Your not going to get the same shot if your getting married in a church, wearing a slim fitting dress, and the groom is shorter than you. When you send or show your photographer pictures, communicate what you like about the picture. This way, they will have a better chance of understanding your vision and how to capture it. By doing this, you will streamline communication and have less stressed, happier photographer. Our goal is to always please our client, but it’s hard when we don’t understand what you want.

Do be comfortable in your own skin.

Be comfortable with who you are. You are beautiful beyond belief. Even if you hire the world’s greatest photographer, but you don’t love yourself, you’re not going to be happy with the pictures! It doesn’t matter if you’ve lost the extra 10 pounds, it matters that you’re marrying the love of your life! Be yourself, let lose, and you will be so happy with what you get!

Decide whether you DO or DO NOT want to allow everyone to take pictures.

In the modern day of technology, our wedding photos are becoming filled with everyone’s phones, Ipads and cameras. Looking at my wedding photos, I was saddened by how distracting it was to see everyone’s phones and cameras in our “kiss” picture and all the rest of the ceremony. As a wedding photographer, there is nothing worse than standing there capturing someone’s ceremony and hearing people behind me say, “She’s in my way” and then having their big flash go off. This ruins the bride and groom’s picture and they are the ones the day/pictures are about anyways not the guests. If you don’t want to allow others to take pictures, you can have a sign or have the officiant make a nice little announcement. Remember, it’s your day and you need to do what’s best for you. People can always see your professional pictures once you get them back from the photographer.

Do make a list of family formals.

Make a list and order of the shots of all the family members and friends you want in the formal pictures. That way, the photographer can just call out the names and you will get them done faster. Also it’s best to put the older people first on the list, so they don’t have to stand as long.

For example:

Brides Mom & Dad: Bill & Becky

Grooms Mom & Dad: Steve & Sally

And so on until you have all the shots, it’s also great with the wedding party if you want specific people in pictures.