Monica Hayworth

A Fashion, Lifestyle, Mom, and Anti Scam Blog

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Fourth of July Casual Outfit and a LINKUP with Co-Host

Top:  Cavender’s // Jeans:  Miss me (Old similar here) // Shoes:  Betsy Johnson (Old, Marshalls)
Ok, so let me make a little confession about these outfit pictures.  I’m one of those bloggers who edits her pictures and makes sure I look somewhat close to perfect.  If I see a roll I try to hide it a little, not all of it but just a little.  When I saw these outfit pictures I was SHOCKED.  I didn’t have to edit, besides color.  Now, I don’t know if it’s the angles that I was in or what, but I guess my lifestyle change in my eating habits really is paying off.  Y’all have no idea how happy these pictures made me!
When I look at my older pictures I can see that I’m unhappy in my face/eyes.  It might not have been noticeable to everyone else, but to me it was.  Back in September I had gotten into my accident and ever since then I feel like life has thrown me multiple curveballs that were coming at me way too fast for me to even react that I just gave up.  I gave up on myself.  I didn’t give up on life because I knew everything was happening for a reason, but I stopped caring about my body, my looks, etc.  Then all of the sudden things started jiggling that didn’t jiggle before.  I had grown fat on my upper belly, which had never in my life happened.  I always had a flat stomach, never had abs, but had a flat stomach.  Once this happened I just ate even more because I was so depressed that I said whatever just one more chip and I’ll start my diet tomorrow, that one chip would turn into an entire family size bag.
Then I moved out into my own apartment.  I thought I would be doing better with my diet and weight because now I’m on a budget and can’t think about spending money on food, but yet again I was wrong.  I don’t care what anyone says, but eating healthier is definitely more expensive.  I don’t mean going out to eat every day is cheaper, no I’m talking about walking into the grocery store and buying food that is less expensive but not good for you.  I went from spending about $70 a week to $100 once I started this new program.  So I understand when some people say it’s cheaper to eat garbage.  It’s also easier to eat garbage.  You drive through McDonalds order a bunch of stuff off the dollar menu and voila dinner is served.  Or you walk into your local grocery store and buy microwavable things that you just pop in there for a few minutes and boom you’re done.  However, to be healthy you have to eat healthy.  That means preparing food, cooking food, buying the right food and sometimes buying it twice in one week because it goes bad so quick.  Now I can understand why I gained weight.  It’s less money and time consuming to buy something already prepared.
Now, after starting this program I have to prepare and cook my own food.  I have to work on a schedule, I prepare most things on the weekend and space it out for the week.  I’ve had to learn to time manage my personal life better.  I will say, after clean eating I do have more energy because I’m not filling my body with garbage.  People can disagree with this post, but I know firsthand the changes I’ve made over the course of the last few weeks.  The best part is, it’s finally showing.  I didn’t really realize how unhappy I was until I started my BOPO series and I started seeing myself in a different light.  It’s funny that my BOPO series was meant to encourage people including myself but it did quite the opposite.  That’s why I decided to make a change.  I’m still going with my weight loss journey but I am happy to say I’m definitely healthier than before!  Ok, enough of my rambling, let’s move on to your co-host and top 3 from last week along with the link up!

Rachel is a former full time preschool special education teacher turned full time stay-at- home mom of four children with a passion for substitute teaching and blogging at Garay Treasures on the side. Garay Treasures is a fashion and lifestyle blog with some added posts on faith and everyday treasures. Rachel loves drinking several cups of coffee a day (hot or iced), blogging, and reading and playing with her children.  You can follow Rachel by bloglovin, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest

Before we  move on to the linkup, don’t forget to enter into the Ralph Lauren Tote Giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tif from Bright on a Budget has been killin’ it with her outfits lately.  I seriously fall in love with her fashion sense more and more every day!

Check out this awesome LBD party with A World of Dresses!

Loving these shoes by High Latitude Style
Jersey Girl, Texan Heart Link Up















































































































Jersey Girl, Texan Heart Link Up
   

       An InLinkz Link-up

   

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heather Hammel says

    I love this top!!! I don't really know if we even have 4th of July plans this year. The day before is my birthday and we'll have a little bonfire with s'mores but that's about it. I might make Jesse go buy a new front door on 4th of July lol, that will be our plans.

    http://dogmomchic.blogspot.com/

  2. Savvy Southern Chic says

    Good for you for recognizing and making changes. You look great. And yes, eating healthy is more expensive and time consuming. We made a lifestyle change 3 years ago due to discovering my husband had certain food allergies and now 90% of what we eat, we have to cook.

  4. Shelbee On The Edge says

    Well, you look absolutely fabulous! So your new lifestyle is definitely paying off. Very cute top and those wedges are magnificent! It is so true, too, eating healthy is more expensive. I am trying to be better, too, but then I get frustrated when I am throwing away rotten produce all the time, which makes the cost even more expensive when you account for the waste! But in the end, it is worth it to feel better and be healthier!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

  12. Nina says

    Wow I'm honored that I'm one of the picks for this week! Thanks! This outfit is awesome. I know it can be tough to just get out there and show midriff. You rocked it!

    Nina
    aworldofdresses.com

  13. Sheree Ho says

    Hey pretty girl, what a great 4th of July top! I am with you on the edits, I actually spend time cleaning out the gums on the floors when I do my shoe close ups lol talk about OCD! You look fab! I just started my very first Wednesday Linkup, hope you’ll check it out!

    xo Sheree
    http://poshclassymom.com
    IG: @poshclassymom

  14. Kristin Kohler says

    Love those ripped jeans! Such a perfect July 4th outfit!
    I totally identify with food/body struggles. When I get stressed I eat and then get upset with myself for eating too much. Over the past year I've changed one thing about my diet and that is to eat more fruits and vegetables. It seems like such a small change but it has made me fill up on good stuff and eat less of bad stuff. I almost crave fruits and veggies now! Sometimes I'll go a whole day and look back and realize I actually didn't eat any meat. I hope your meal prep works for you and most importantly– you feel good about yourself! That's the key!
    -Kristin
    countdowntofridayblog.wordpress.com

  16. Brie Bella says

    Wow, I like the idea of having flag design as the special day top. The jeans too look fabulous with the top. The blue colored footwear adds the desired charm to the outfit. Hair and the sunglasses are just perfect for that ideal look. I think I will try and get similar looking top for the day.

  18. Rachel says

    That is awesome about the changes lately. I admit I was on an eat healthy kick about a month and a half ago and then some major bills came up and car fixing so the eating healthy (definitely more expensive) went on the back burner and I haven't had the chance to sit down a budget some more money towards eating better which shouldn't be an excuse for me, but I definitely felt better and was more productive.
    Thank you for having me co-host, you look great and Happy 4th.
    Rachel xo
    http://garaytreasures.com