Breathe Deeply & Appreciate the moment

I am a huge believer that we all need people. We need those people that will always be in our corner in our lives that will help us through thick and thin that we can talk to and be ourselves with. People need people. Sometimes we may feel we don't but we do we need interaction with others we need to feel loved, feel important and feel like we have a place in the world. These people are family, friends and even our day to day acquaintances. People need people and that is ok. That being said that will never go away, that is a part of the human nature, but I have come to learn as I get older, go through some things and grow that even though we need people in our lives sometimes we need to focus on ourselves too.

Focus on ourselves? How do you do that? I've always thought that was being selfish. It isn't. I am learning it is not selfish to take care of you. You need to take care of you, do what makes you happy and love yourself. I'm not sure if I've ever said that I love myself. That feels weird. But why? How do you expect for others to love you, be there for you and be friends with you if you don't even like you. That is a crazy way to think about it huh? That was asked to me and it really got me thinking. I have to believe in myself, like myself, like who I am and where I am at in order to be happy, in order to be the best person, wife, mother and friend to those around me.

 SHIRT: Lulu Lemon || FLANNEL: H&M || LEGGINGS: Target || JACKET: Bench ||

SHOES: Nike || LOCATION: Trolley Square || PHOTOGRAPHER: Tyler Ulrich 

Focusing on you is not selfish and it never will be it makes you better and happy and in turn that makes you a better mom, a better wife, a better friend, a better neighbor, sister, daughter, it makes you better, stronger and more productive.

Focusing on you even though it is needed and encouraged it is hard. It is hard to just let go, because I am such a perfectionist, but you cannot get all caught up in your head like that. Stretch yourself. Push yourself. Do what makes you happy. Love on your kids. Do something nice for someone. Do something for you. Even if that is making a treat and watching your favorite movie so you can relax and be re-energized to take on the day or your tasks is sometimes the best thing you can do.

I am pretty notorious for being really hard on myself. I know that is somewhat normal at times but I have been told I am unhealthfully hard on myself. I know thats not ok. I kept saying that is just me and I don't know how to change it, but as time goes and the more I live my life and people who care about me tell me it isn't ok I know its time to work on it. I think the first step was figuring out why I am so hard on myself. Well another struggle I have is I care too much what others think of me. I know everyone cares what others think, but I just can't seem to let it go. I want everyone to like me. I take it super personal if someone doesn't and get very heartbroken over others opinions of me. If they don't like me I must be no good, if they don't like me I must not be worth anything, if they don't like me I mean maybe they are right. That isn't ok. Some people just don't click, we just don't get along with everyone. I still would love people to love me for me but if they don't I cannot dwell on it so much that it changed my self worth and the way I think and feel about myself. I know who I am, I know what I stand for and my goals and dreams and that has got to be enough for me.

So what I am I doing to focus on me? That is a great question. I have good days and I have bad days just like anyone else. I do want to focus on me and I am in the process, but I am also trying to enjoy the process. I am trying to breathe and appreciate each moment. Appreciating where you are at is one of the hardest things but something that is very important to be able to continue to grow and move forward.

I am just taking it day by day. I am trying to focus on my relationship with christ and pray more, I am trying to be more patient and spend more time on my kids, I am trying to be more positive and thankful for the blessings that have been given to me, I am trying to take a little time for me each day, I am trying to stress less and smile and laugh more.  I am continuing to work hard and do what makes me happy, share my passions with others and have fun in all the mix.

Life is hard enough, people can be harsh enough. Lets just love a little more, be kind a little more to others and to ourselves. Be nice to that person you see in the mirror each morning. Be kind to that person and just see what happens. I am still working on this it is an ongoing battle of mine but it is worth working on and bettering your relationship with yourself and others.

So go right now and write something or a few things or a lot of things that you love about you! It is love month. Love yourself. Love others! Be kind.

I would love to have you follow me on Instagram

@WHITNEYULRICH

to see all my fun pics, my real life, fitness, fashion ideas

and sneak peaks of what I've been working on

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Mondays and Orange Owl Hoodies

Hoodie: Orangeowl Clothing 

Leggings: Target

Slippers: Aeropostale

Its Monday ya'll. How do you all view Mondays? It kinda depends on the stage of life I am in. In school I hated Mondays because well the weekend was over and the school week started all over...Monday is so far from Friday. When I was working and had random schedules including weekends Monday was just another day. As a stay at home mom Mondays can go either way. I try to look at them as a fresh start. It helps me a little bit. Because for me Mondays are quite busy these days. I feel like I have to look at them as a fresh start to the week instead of dread them thinking how far from the weekend they are, because the more we think positively the happier we are. To be real it doesn't always work but it is worth it for when it does. 

My Mondays start early getting me and the boys ready for the day, usually in a rush because this mama likes sleep so I usually sleep until the very last minute I can and still get out the door in time. I drop Maddux off at a friends house at 8:45 and she takes him to Preschool with her daughter at 9 because I have to be to work at 9, 15 minutes away. So after I drop maddux off, me and Holden head to the gym and I work in the daycare from 9-10. I try to get in a little mini training session in at the gym sometimes by myself sometimes with friends after daycare, usually just rowing or something, because then I have to go and pick Maddux up from school at 11 and then get back to the gym to be able to do the 11:30 class. I do the class and then usually do some mobility or something after. Then I get the boys home, we play for a little bit, eat lunch and then it is their nap time. During nap time now it is time for me to hurry and scarf down lunch so that I can get the weekly cleaning and laundry done before the kids wake up. Once its all done, the boys wake up, we go and pick Ty up from the train station, then make and eat dinner. The rest of the night we try to just hang out as a family. Crazy day that when I think about how busy and go go it is can exhaust me before it even happens, or I can try to look at them as the perfect start to a week, getting my cleaning and laundry done and out of the way so I can enjoy my clean home the rest of the week. So here is to Monday. Crazy busy and all. The more productive I am at the beginning of the week the more productive I am the rest of the week. 

What does your Monday consist of?

Now lets talk about this amazing hoodie from Orange Owl Clothing for a minute. Can you believe that it is handmade. Each and every hoodie she makes is unique because they are handmade. I love this so much. Each time I wear it I reflect on the hard work that was put into it, not to mention how incredibly warm and comfortable it is. This is probably the softest hoodie I have ever owned. I also love it compared to other hoodies I own because of how it fits. It is fitted to a womens' body but still comfortable. It is also long and the arms are long which I love. This is perfect for the bitter cold weather we have been having, and a great gift idea for the holidays coming up.

You can find and order your handmade hoodie from Orange Owl clothing at www.orangeowldesigns.bigcartel.com make sure to check out all the fun and unique designs. You can also follow their instagram @orangeowlclothing Carly is also so kind that she is giving my readers a coupon code to get 15% off of your order. Just use the code YELLOW to get the discount by Novemeber 22nd. 

Now  If you need me I will be snuggled in this outfit on my couch sipping hot coco and watching some Nexflix in my clean home, with the laundry put away, my babies asleep and feeling accomplished today after a crazy but productive day. 

I would love to have you follow me on Instagram

@WHITNEYULRICH

to see all my fun pics, my real life, fitness, fashion ideas

and sneak peaks of what I've been working on

Make sure to check out my other social media sites and follow along
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Hair Cuts and $5 Mustard Heels {Fashion}

Ya know sometimes you just need a change, or crave it actually to the point that you can't think of anything else. This has been how I have been with my hair lately. Back story I change my hair all of the time. I don't love change in some areas of my life but my hair, well I would probably change it everyday if I could. I have been blonde, really dark, my natural, short, pixie, faux hawk, long, extensions, alines you name it I have probably done it at some point. I was loving my long hair I really was but I just kept getting this itch to cut it. I really want to do a faux hawk again but that might have to wait until I am much more brave so for now it is a super blonde aline and I am loving it. It is so much cooler in the hot august heat, it is fresh and healthy and new! I feel like a whole new woman, but myself all at the same time since short hair is usually my go to.

On other news I got those fabulous mustard heels yesterday for a wopping $5! yup you read that right. I just happened to walk into the shoes store, they had a huge sale and they had one pair left in my size. I was so excited and seriously $5 that is just ridiculous. Can't wipe the smile off my face, there is just something about a girl and pretty new shoes. See I do trade in my nanos and nikes for heels every once in a while.They are perfect for fall and I can't wait to see what else they go with in my closet.

Shirt: H&M  |  Leather Leggings: Modern Boutique  |  Heels: Forever Young  |   

Happy Hump Daaay!

Hope you are all having a beautiful Wednesday 

and life is treating you well 

Now go to Forever Young right now and get you some $5 shoes. 

I would love to have you follow me on Instagram

@WHITNEYULRICH

to see all my fun pics, my real life, fitness, fashion ideas

and sneak peaks of what I've been working on

Thank you for your support, for reading and for following
It really means the world to me 

Make sure to check out my other social media sites and follow along
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GRAPHIC TEES- 3 different Ways

Graphic Tees are making a come back and there are so many cute ones out there. My favorite thing about them is they are not only styled with jeans anymore, there are so many different ways to wear them dress them up or down, bring in your own style and have fun with them. They are comfortable and light weight for the summer months. There are a ton of ways to wear them, today I am going to show you three of my favorite styles. There is always the jeans and a graphic tee {the classic}, also leggings or sweats with a tee for the super dressed down look. My favorite is pairing a casual graphic tee with a skirt, harem or palazzo pants, and of course Bermuda shorts for the summer.

Shirt: &AVE  |  Harem Pants: H&;M  |  Sandals: LEI  |  Earrings & Watch: Target  |  Necklace: American Eagle  |  Bracelet: Apple of My Eye 

Harem pants are a fun way to kinda dress up a graphic tee. It is still casual but a little more put together than jeans. Plus you can play around with patterns and colors and different styles of pants. They are also great because they are thin, light and flowy so they are cool and comfortable for the summertime.

Shirt: Flex Till You're Famous  |  Shirt: Gordmans  |  Boots: Macy's  |  Earrings: forever 21  |  Necklace: American Eagle

A shirt has quickly become my very favorite way to pair a graphic tee. I love the edginess, girliness and skirts are such a fashionable way to stay cool in the hot summer months.

Shirt: Elevate Promo  |  Shorts: Walmart  |  Shoes: LEI  |  Necklace: Apple of my Eye Jewelry

And of course the Bermuda shorts is a great pairing for any graphic tee. They are so many different patterns and colors out there to make it fun and mix it up.

Now pair those tees with something new...you just might like it. Try adding some blinged out jewelry or a fun shoe you normally wouldn't wear with a casual shirt. Try it with a skirt, make those tees pop and your style grow.

I would love to have you follow me on Instagram

@WHITNEYULRICH

to see all my fun pics, my real life, fitness, fashion ideas

and sneak peaks of what I've been working on

Thank you for your support, for reading and for following
It really means the world to me 

Make sure to check out my other social media sites and follow along
 {links below}