10 Random Things on a Tuesday

I had all the best intentions of sharing a “Friday Favorites” post last week, but hey – it’s summer. Apparently my writing has taken a sabbatical and I can’t figure out quite how to get back into the groove 😉 But 10 random things on a Tuesday works for me! {affiliate links included}

Hillary Scott “Beautiful Messes” – you guys. This song is EVERYTHING. I caught a bit of it on Good Morning America and had to go look up a video to hear the rest of the song. I might need this one on repeat for awhile:

Are you spinning in a ladder that keeps on telling you that you’re not good enough?
And when you’re looking in the mirror, do you see someone impossible to love?
Full of fragile broken pieces
We’re all rough around the edges
We ain’t perfect, no
We ain’t even close
We got holes in our hearts
We got scars we don’t show
But all that baggage we keep on dragging around
Ain’t it time we start laying it down?
Lay it down at the foot of the cross
Give it to the One who can carry it all
Even at our worst, to Him, we ain’t lost causes
Just beautiful messes

Illustrators Notetaking Bible – I shared this one on Instagram when I got it but never had a chance to share with you here. I LOVE the idea of Bible journaling, art journaling, all the super cute washi tapes and Illustrated Faith products. But I don’t consider myself to be an artist and I’ve held back from really diving into Bible journaling because I didn’t want to mess up, ruin my Bible or regret what I’d done. This Bible is perfect if you’re like me! There are over 600 images (some are doodles, some are text) to help get you started – so you can add on if you’d like, or you can color what they already have on the page. There is also plenty of empty space so you can still take notes in the margins if that’s your thing. Unlike my other Bible I purchased to attempt some art journaling, this one I can actually still just use as a Bible! You can grab one here if you’re interested!

Seven Wonders Series – I’ve been on a reading kick the last few months, and it’s all been YA fiction. I picked up the first book in the Seven Wonders series at the library because it was endorsed by Rick Riordan and it was really good. Right now you can get the paperback version on Amazon for under $4. I also really liked the first book in Magnus Chase series by Riordan – a nicer intro into Viking history than American Gods, which I’m also reading and it is NOT a YA book. Whoa.

– Jennifer Dukes Lee’s wonderful book The Happiness Dare launches today (you can get it here for under $10) and over at (in)courage this week she’s doing a 5 day email series on the 5 unhappy words to eliminate from your vocabulary. Day 1 & 2 have already gone out, but if you you’ll get the links to those emails in tomorrow’s day 3 email! Yay!

Everyday Peace – Katie Orr has another wonderful Focused15 style Bible study coming out September 5th (you can pre-order it here) and you are going to LOVE it. In four weeks and just 15  minutes a day you’ll dig deep into Philippians 4:1-13. I don’t know about you, but with everything crazy happening in the world, peace sounds pretty good to me, and learning what God says about peace sounds even better.

Fresh out of Amazing – I adore Stacey Thacker and I have for a very long time. When I was a new mama, “Hope for the Weary Mom” met me right where I was. And now her new book, “Fresh Out of Amazing” is doing exactly the same thing – bringing hope & encouragement in the midst of a season that has felt more hard than hopeful. You can pre-order this one now for under $9 (it comes out September 1st).

Country Heat – This dance-fitness workout is so fun you’ll forget you’re actually working out! Taught by 21 Day Fix trainer Autumn Calabrese, it’s the perfect low-impact cardio workout to get you moving to some fun country music!

• Buy the challenge pack here
• Buy just the DVDs here
• Purchase the digital version here

Core de Force – I’m really excited about this one! Joel Freeman and Jericho McMatthews have come together to create a 30 day MMA style workout. This one launches in November, so mark your calendars! Or make it easy on yourself and sign up here so you get an email as soon as it’s available. I’ll definitely be doing this one with my husband – and anyone else who wants to be in an accountability group with us! These programs launch first through your coach (me!) on teambeachbody.com – aren’t you lucky? {wink}

3 Day Yoga Retreat – Oh don’t worry – MMA and country music aren’t your style? Well maybe the new 3 week yoga retreat will be your thing! 3-week yoga retreat is Beachbody’s first-ever yoga program designed for beginners. This is yoga stripped down to the mat- no candles, no chanting, no OHMs, just the basics for those who have been interested in yoga but may be too intimidated to try it. Lead by 4 Yoga Experts (including one guy who was on Survivor!), this program will teach you the basics and have you experiencing all the benefits of yoga in 21 classes, each 30 minutes or less. Available exclusively on Beachbody on Demand, so be sure to sign up for that here so you don’t miss out!

Reset Update – Well, week 2 in nearly in the books. I survived a birthday party and a cookout without cheating, and while I really wanted pizza and a s’more, I was really proud of myself that I stayed on plan! With only a week to go, I’m down 9 pounds, I feel the healthiest I’ve ever been, I’m sleeping REALLY well, and I’ve discovered some foods I’m surprised that I like. I’m also identifying the reasons I would convince myself to snack (boredom, I deserve it after a long day, etc) or eat food that’s not good for me (socializing, celebrating, rewarding myself, etc). I have NOT liked the drink mix I’ve had to take this week but I stuck with it and I’m trusting the process. One more week of no working out and then I’m going to do Country Heat until Core de Force comes out! I’ll let you know in a week if I would do it again 😉

So those are my fun finds lately! I’ve also been praying about starting back up ye olde VA business, so if you  or anyone you know needs assistance with editing, running a book club, managing email, help with social media or launching a product, let me know!