Motivation Shaker, Ashley Tabb

Last Sunday, we headed to Malibu Jacks for Courtney's friend, Davis' birthday party.  It was the first time the Tabb family had visited Malibu Jacks and we LOVED it!   The birthday party started in a private room with a game of "hangman."  Then the kids enjoyed pizza and cupcakes after singing "Happy Birthday" to Davis.  Next the group went out of the room to play putt-putt, ride go-karts & enjoy arcade games. It was Caroline's first time playing putt-putt golf and she was a pro! The girls were up first in the group and listened well to the directions...don't hit the ball too hard, wait for friends to finish their turn and don't swing the club around.  Matt was a great coach teaching the girls where to stand and how to bend their knees.  After golfing, we hit the go-kart track. Courtney decided she didn't want to drive, so she was my co-pilot as we lit up the track!! It was really cool that the kart has a ...

Hope everyone had a MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I enjoyed the last few days with family and friends. I got my workouts in each day, but my food intake wasn't the best. My mom and MIL provided wonderful dinners last night and tonight...not the healthiest, but they were YUMMY!! I tried to limit myself with small portions, but I must admit I still ate (and drank) too much!! Therefore, I am back to Cardio fix, 10 minute abs and healthy eating on Friday. Then on January 5 a New Year Challenge group starts for those interested in losing 5-20+ lbs through 21 day fix, InsanityMax30 or another Beachbody workout, healthy eating & Shakeology. In 2015 I want to give back what I have learned and experienced by helping at least 50 people reach their healthy lifestyle goals. Plus I want to lose a few more pounds, tone before my Mexico & Disney vacations in February & March and continue with a healthy eating lifestyle. Therefore, I plan to increase my workout intensity by starting Insanity...

Yesterday Courtney (my 7 year old daughter) wasn't feeling well, so I took her to the doctor to discover she had the flu.  Therefore rather than working today and tomorrow, my holiday vacation started 2 days early. This would have been great expect I had plans to finish shopping and other errands during lunch yesterday and today.  Errands that I couldn't have the kids with me.  So rather than making excuses or becoming upset, I adjusted my plan. This morning, I headed to Kohls at 6am (they are open 24 hours until Christmas) for a few things and returned home by 7:15am.  The girls were just getting out of bed,  so I made them breakfast, turned on Barney and then headed downstairs for my workout by 8am. After the workout I spent 45 minutes trying to convince Courtney to take her medicine (yes my workout took less time than the convincing)...and when she finally did take it, it didn't stay down    I spent the rest of the morning playing wi...

People ask how I am able to find time for everything and a lot of it has to do with my morning & evening routines.  Of course, they are altered every now and then, but 90% of the time, this is how my day begins… Each morning my alarm sings at 5:00am and I hit snooze.  Then I am dressed and working out in the basement by 5:20am.  After a 30 minute workout, I snap an “after” photo and then head upstairs to shower and get ready for work by 6am.  At 6:30am, my 7 year old daughter comes into my room dressed and ready for school…this kicks me in gear…if I haven’t already I make a final decision on what I am going to wear, get dressed and put on jewelry.  Once ready, the two of us head to the kitchen and I make breakfast for her and her sister, while my husband heads upstairs to wake up the 2 year old and get her dressed. Courtney picks out her snack from the pantry and the puts it in her backpack and turns on the TV. Typically at this point it is 6:40am,...

WOW…I received this picture that was taken in June and took a new pic to compare the difference of 4 months. The original isn't flattering, but it shows my results of hard work...You may or may not have seen my recent posts of my journey to eat healthier & exercise daily. In June, I joined a challenge group where I received daily motivation,accountability, recipes & tips. The group and “workout bu ddy” I met provided daily support to get me out of bed at 5am and think before I eat. I reached my goal of losing 10 lbs in 2 months and have kept the weight off for another 2 months. I love the group support, 21 Day Fix workout, and Shakeology so now I want to pay it forward and help others! Thanksgiving is only 7 days away and 2015 is 6 weeks away. With the hustle and bustle of the busy holiday season upon us, it’s really easy to let life get in the way of health and fitness goals. So I am creating a challenge group to help you stay focused with exercise and healthy eating over ...

Courtney (age 7) went to her first ice skating party a few weeks ago and LOVED it!!  In the beginning she held on to Matt's hand. But then she got brave... And let go!! She didn't want to leave and even went back on the ice without an adult... So we sat and watched from behind the glass.  Caroline (age 2) and her friend Natalia enjoyed watching the big girls and may try skating soon themselves!! What would a Frozen ice skating party be without Elsa & Anna???? Highly recommend ice skating on a dreary weekend day or when school is out!! Fun times and everyone was ready for a nap when we got home!!

Although my birthday isn't until Sunday, my in-laws came over tonight to give me a few presents. They know me SOOOO well!!! I love my new myBlend Blender!! I am sooo excited to use it in the morning for my Shakeology breakfast shake!!  Over 2 months ago, I switched from Rasin Bran cereal and OJ to a shake each morning.  I also increased my water intake, began 5:15am workouts and continued watching the portions I each at each snack and meal. I also received these fabulous gifts from Kathy's Stitches!!   A royal blue UK fleece and adorable bag with my momogram on it!! Let me know if you want more information about any of these!!

In June, I traveled to Raleigh, NC for the 1st Annual Lulu Avenue Conference. On the first day we received a tour of the Charles & Colvard & Lulu Avenue offices.  Plus we witnessed the Moissanite manufacturing process and stepped into the Moissanite vaults. Here are some pictures from the tour, facts about Moissanite and a video with more information!!  Melia and I outside of the Charles & Colvard office building. I had the pleasure of meeting Charles & Colvard's President & CEO Randall McCullough and enjoyed dinner during the Lulu Avenue Gala with Randy & his wife!   Randy is a National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame inductee and has served as Chairman of the Diamond Councile of America.  He is a Committee Chairman of the Gemological Institute of America and a Director of the Jewelers Summit Advisory Council.  Randy has an amazing  jewelry background  and a wealth of industry knowledge!!  Here are pictu...

When you have 10-15 minutes, review this  Mind, Body & Green vide o  which is described on the Mind, Body & Green website as follows... When it comes to the products you put on your body, skin, or hair, one thing's for sure: the companies that makes those products don't have your back. Heather White, Executive Director of the  Environmental Working Group , explains why our personal care products are loaded with dangeous chemicals, why babies are born with hundreds of toxins in their blood, and what you can do to make your immediate environment — and the world — a little bit safer. This video has me thinking twice about beauty products! Are the ingredients in beauty products linked to increase cancer rates and other diseases?  Research is indicating the answer is "yes."  As a mother of two daughters I am shocked to hear the puberty age is now 10 1/2 and likely due to beauty products mothers and girls use daily. I started using Beautycounter shampoo...

Typically I eat cereal for breakfast but I have decided to find new easy recipes. This is the first one I chose because it was fast, easy and low in calories. Rather than adding green peppers I used the Southwestern Style egg beaters.  It only took 3-4 minutes to prep and 2 minutes to make!  This one is a keeper! http://www.eggbeaters.com/recipes-Bacon-and-Cheddar-Egg-Mug-Scrambler-5744

ANDOVER VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL   "Wilderness Escape" https://www.groupvbspro.com/ vbs/hl/AndoverVBS2014   First United Methodist Church at Andover will have Vacation Bible School  starting  Sunday ,   August 3 - Thursday, August 7 , from 6pm-8:30pm each night.  Register your child at the link above. If you are interested in volunteering for this event  contact Kristen Schill, Kristen@1stumc.org .

My family has enjoyed going to the pool all summer and I have been proud of myself that noone has come home with a serious burn!  We take time to apply sunscreen before we leave the house and then reapply throughout the day.  Actually it's my 2 year old that reminds us at the pool to reapply...every 30 minutes. Not sure why, but she loves getting the sunscreen out of the bag and bringing it to us to apply. However, last week we had a new bottle of spray sunscreen and it was a disaster.  Luckily my husband opened it first and tested it by spraying his legs.  On the first spray he realized it sprayed like a fire hose...so fast it splatter everywhere.  Despite the caution, I let me 6 year old spray her legs...only to have her screaming that it got close to her face.  That bottle went back into the bag and the trash. This morning I read this article and agree that spray sunscreens can be dangerous around kids.  They are fast and easy to apply, but they...

Caroline's 2nd birthday was a hit!  She loves to say "Elmo" whenever she sees a character so picking a theme was easy. There are tons of ideas on Pinterest but we wanted to keep it simple and Courtney wanted to be very involved in the decorations!  I found cute favor boxes, plates, cups and bowls at the Target $1 bins!! The Elmo and Oscar the Grouch faces using tomatoes, carrots, olives and grapes cme from Pinterest. An easy, entertaining craft for 2-6 year olds included crown and flower foam and lots of stickers!! The Elmo present tub was an idea from Pinterest which Courtney completed on her own...while I supervised and washed dishes.  Grammie made the fabulous cake and shirts!! It was a fun, family event with grandparents, cousins and aunts!! Now it's time to plan Courtney's 7th birthday, which is in September...she has decided on a Frozen theme and has already made specific cake requests to Grammie!!

Pre-Register TODAY for FUN on August 9  My daughter always enjoys this event of music, face painting, crafts and inflatables!!  Lots of family fun for all ages and super organized event!! KET has 3 time slots to register for this year, so be sure to secure your spot in advance!!  More information available at http://www.ket.org/kidsandfamilies/supersaturday.htm.

It doesn't take long for little girls (and boys) to outgrow their clothes!  Lil Lambs Consignment Sale is a fabulous place to buy and sell kids clothes!!  The next sale is August 1 and 2, so I started organizing clothes to sell this weekend.  More information about Lil Lambs Consignment Sale is available at http://www.lillambscloset.com/.

WOW!! It's only been 2 months since I started "working"  Lulu Avenue with Ashley Tabb  and I reached my goal of Founding Leader last week!! This company is AMAZING...read a few of the Style Advisor Stories at http://www.luluavenue.com/stories.ashx  and then comment below or email me with any questions!! Do you know someone seeking extra income with flexible full or part-time work hours?? Lulu Avenue style advisors receive excellent mentoring, online trainings, weekly commissions, a personalized website and no inventory requirements. Find out more TONIGHT at 8:30pm during our Opportunity Webinar at: Conference Dial-in Number: (866) 297-5605 Participant Access Code: 4492609361 OR Click the link to join:  http://tinyurl.com/osnszm5

Welcome to my blog!! My name is Ashley. I am a Founding Leader with Lulu Avenue and Marketing Manager at the University of Kentucky.  I am starting this blog to share my love for fashion, family and fitness & wellness!!  I hope you will find my posts interesting and motivating!   Contact me by commenting below or emailing atabb01@gmail.com.   Follow my various social media sites and check out my website at www.luluavenue.com/sites/AshleyTabb.