thinking outside the box

do you believe that 

you are, who you have always been...

do you believe that 

you can never grow?

that you can 

never evolve from past situations...

whether they were for 

the better or for the worse?

~

do you believe that 

deep down you are always a mirror image of yourself 

no matter how much you seek the difference?

~

i truly have thought long and hard,

SO much about this topic/quote 
(what have you)

i genuinely believe that every aspect of life...

happy, sad, trying, tragic or glorifying

they all shape and mold you.

~

they all come together and give you...

your backbone, your strength, your tolerance, your trust.

the decisions and choices you have made

have all molded the outcome

(some good and bad)

they are all who you are,  and who i am.

it was me, doing me

all along!

~

i hate hearing people say, no one ever changes.

that they are always who they were from the word go
.
in my heart of hearts,

 i believe people grow 

and become the most fascinating version of who they are

based on trials and tribulations.

at the end of the day...

i believe,

what do you think about this...

The Secret (F.C. Week 2)

week 1 - DONE

week 2 - here for the taking!

so if you are in the north east you are noticing it is

 getting a bit cooler at night and especially in the morning... 

unfortunately that itty bitty little factor will not be going away anytime soon.

 it's a hindrance, 

it's a reason to complain,

 to not give your all or even worse...

to give up.

it can effect your sleep, your eating and your routine.

you may want to run in the morning or in the evening 

but now, your just drained and your too cold to do so.

that is simply something we won't stand for.

we won't settle for half assed either.

pushing on to the next level is the most important

 secret of change.

we must fight our inner demons to see the better inside of us.

i speak here from (an enormous amount of) experience.

i too am pushing on.

i am not letting the weather wear me down!

i know what my old excuses would be, i know what the old me would say.

but the new me is learning and growing.

the secret to my success is having faith over fear.

so push forward with me!

lets take the next week by storm!

are you with me? <3

little bit of everything

i am a self professed bravo junkie

so today i am talking TV 

because just yesterday they released some promos

for the new shows coming this season and guurrl, hold on to your wig!

while last spring bravo gave us the list of what to expect

this past summer and for this fall

nothing compares to seeing them once they actually premiere,

even the oldies that are coming back for new seasons!

lets dish...

the ladies of 90210 : getting some new neighbors

that's right TWO new housewives to join the already BOLD & BITCHY bunch.

shahs : golden or gross?

always over the top, causing a scene 
and making themselves look bad. 
they are back for yet ANOTHER season. 
but will you watch?

vanderpump rules : models & actors apply within....

work isn't stressful enough as is but

 lets head on over to indulge in self made drama!

i have watched but it sort of overkill for a second season, i personally think!

i dream of nene : no genie bottle would be big enough for this "rich bitch"

BLOOOP ' PLUNK!

i do love me some nene so this is going to be quite entertaining.

and i have been (im)patiently waiting for my favorite texas fashionista

  to grace my tv since (most eligible dallas) 

and i am still waiting for courtney loves dallas!

@bravoandy did confirm it was indeed coming BUT WHEN?!

are any of these shows ones you have been waiting for?

check out the rest of the list here

~     ~       ~

media darlings or disasters
i thought with all the recent gossip & happenings i could dish on this too!

miley, she is doing what all artists do.

shes evolved, shes pushed envelopes and is exploring her options

(no matter how small, barely there, construction related or latex) 

they may be!

do i think it makes sense, ehh sure BUT only because we have seen 

so many "child stars" come out of their shells!

she just recently said in an interview 
"i was made to be an adult when i was a child, 
now i am an adult and i am acting like a child"

however... i will give her this, she is doing it. 
no matter who raises an eyebrow, likes it, plays it or not.

that's media - all press is press.

so what is she to lose? a younger fan base? 

well those hannah fans are now swooning over 1D 
and what selena gomez wears & who swifty is breaking up with this week.

another thing on her side, which is SHOCKING me...

the number of celebs that are coming out in her defense.

check out the trailer for her new MTV docu.

what are your thoughts on miley?

britney 
did it (again)...
 and then she lost her marbles in 2007 
has made a comeback and pushed the envelope again

lets see how far she takes it in vegas!
#workbitch

gaga, oh gaga 
i liked her, her music, the costumes. 
it was all very art pop before art pop was even a thing.

she is the quintessential mix of art, music, eccentricity . 
she is beyond bowie and even madonna.

maybe her mermaid/nun look is a bit much 
but she is a haute couture dream, don't ya think?!
when she was on WWHL - i literally died.

what do you think  of the re-emergence of gaga!

bethenny frankel
someone i adore, so maybe this is a little biased
i really enjoy her show! 
i have about 6 episodes on my DVR that i haven't found time to watch.
but from what i saw - i love it!
its a good niche for her - sassy & crass is her mix
i would love to see her back on bravo tho!
have you watched, are you loving it?

~     ~       ~

princesses, on the big screen

when i originally saw the trailer for diana i was awestruck at the resemblance.
then i saw nicole kidman in the trailer for grace of monaco
 and my jaw dropped yet again...

both movies will showcase different portrayals of the princesses lives.
take a look here diana & grace
which will you see?

what else are you watching or looking forward to watch?
there's never enough for us to dish about!
share with me ;)

Secrets Fit Camp : WEEK 1

just because summer is over...

doesn't mean we stop the quest to stay fit and get lean 

fitness isn't only about bikini season, it is a way of life!

lets stay eating clean, lets watch our portions, push ourselves, try new things

and we will certainly keep those good vibes all fall long...

here are a few tips to get you started this week...

1) add - more reps and more minutes to your workout every day

2) sub(tract) - switch out one bad thing for its healthier alternative 

ex) peanut butter to almond butter

3) try one new recipe and food before next week

4) just because you may not be able to grill doesn't mean you can't chill

*eat leaner and greener this coming week, fresh is always best!

remember we "meet up" every wednesday!

these are a few quick tips for a healthy and helpful start!

next week: we pump up the volume

SO...

are you ready?

are you looking to make the change?

to switch gears and get in the right lane?

it won't always be easy

but with hard work & dedication 

you can be the better you 

<3

wednesday are the new best day

let me first say welcome!

i planned to present this to you all last week - however in observance of 9/11 - i postponed.

wednesday is now going to be our new favorite day of the week!

i am so happy to share with this awesome new endeavor with  all of you

you see while i have grown in my writing, 

as a person and learned so much more about my business

i decided... 

what else could showcase

 the "everyday girl" any better then her body and her goals!

today is day 1 and what i am about to  - share i am incredibly proud of.

allow me to let you know, this is a happy community

a place where girls of all shapes, sizes and starting points 

can come together

a place where we can vent to one another 

share some great new recipe tips 

or workouts that you have found to work for you!

many other blogs that i follow showcase their "workout wednesdays" 

much differently then i will present to you. 

Secrets will combine, tips, tricks, link ups 

(here, on the fan pages & most importantly on PINTEREST)

and I will also welcome you to share your journey

(your stories, weight loss progress, your pictures)

i will also hold a contest if you are interested 

and we have enough participants...

(for most inches lost on your journey from this point until january 1st)

~ ~ ~

 here's my position:

i have been on my own journey
i gave things up
tried new foods
made changes and had setbacks
i am human 
i am happy to know that what i have tried has made a difference for me
and i want to keep the faith in myself and inspire others
<3

welcome to the secrets fit camp / workout wednesday

week 1 tips in the next post!

i will never forget

i was a freshmen in high school in 3rd period english with mrs. carswell.
i was called to the main office and was asked to call my mom.
she wanted to let me know that my dad was okay.
she explained to me what had happened and kept assuring me, he was okay.

you see, my father did business with cantor fitzgerald a firm located at one world trade.
he was going there for business that morning, and just happened to be late.
to this day, i still struggle understanding fate and luck and gods will.
i am blessed and grateful beyond belief to know that my dad came home that night.

i remember not grasping what she had said, knowing it was horrible and crazy of course
but no words could paint the picture.
i remember walking back down to class and i just sat there stone faced and afraid.
i didn't say a word to anyone. i knew i wasn't to be the bearer of this information.

4th period came rolling around and my school made an official announcement. 
( i was in lunch)
all you could worry about normally was 
not waiting on the long lines and finding a table with your friends.
to be honest with you it was all a blur to me from that point on.
my first week in high school, in this cafeteria filled with so many people.
i remember it being loud, i don't remember chaos, i just remember an eerie feeling.

all i wanted to do was go home...
when i got there i put on the tv and remember not moving, for hours.
waiting for things that just never came, 
not knowing how to understand that there is such evil in the world.

whether it be 12 minutes, 12 days or 12 years later
 that emotion and somberness still comes over me.
as i know it does for many. i am older now 
and i have seen the world i live in change FOREVER.
while nothing can ever be the way it was, we must always remember and stand tall.

we can remember the bravery, courage and humanity shown that day 
and how we as a country must remain united as one.
remember those who were lost and all those who are living without them.
those who took the call that day not knowing it would be their last 
and those who STILL fight today for our freedom.

i am proud to know so many heroes, family and friends who protect and serve.
i am so proud to be a new yorker.
i am a proud american.
and i will never forget
<3 <3

falling in love!

well it's about that time - fall is on the way here and i personally can't wait

like i shared on "feel good Monday" life indeed does start again...

 we're feeling crisp and spicey (pumpkin spicey hopefully)

aside from it being the best time of year (yes yes i am biased)

 it happens to be a great time to gather and celebrate!

there is so much going on

there's football, apple picking, wine tasting and fashion week

wherever you go and whatever you do

do it with friends and family!

you can also, do A LOT for yourself with a little fresh start 

from secrets of course ;)

after a lot of thinking i decided to make this season as interactive

as possible for you all as fans/followers of my blog

here is the lineup....

that's right, our schedule has been shaken up a bit 

and you'll notice that wednesday, is going to be the DAY!

the premiere of the most exciting project to date 

FIT CAMP

(full details and "camp rules" will be provided on the 11th)

***

there will be a Fall Photo Challenge for all you instagram'mers!

there will be a Fashion Friday Challenge for all you fashionistas!

and of course, your favorite tips and tricks and even more giveaways!

SO REMEMBER...

 follow us on all our social media outlets 

so you can keep up with the happenings!

happy fall...ing in love <3

summer with secrets

thought i would share a glimpse or two 
of my favorite parts of summer with you... ;-)

while i kicked the summer off with the completion 
of my entrepreneurship training

 and a couple of extensive presentations 

i traveled, i worked, i tanned
i spent much needed time with family & friends
was spontaneous, adventurous and happy!

i truly must admit this was one of my most favorite summers,
while i am sad to see it go - i welcome with open arms

 most favorite season, which is fall!


it all kicked off here...

there were some afternoons spent by the pool with little visitors 
*ladybugs are very special to me

MANY sunset beach walks 

gatherings with friends

my town can be so beautiful

 broken sunnies are nobodies friend

nothing like an afternoon rendezvous 

with the one you love

sundays by the pool with my own monogram drink hanky

 not my pinterest dream board for home office 

but it does the job ;-)

beach getaway to see family 

and get some r&r is everything

my feet on the "field" on yankee stadium

oh yah, i was there for this... 

 justin timberlake and jay z concert

 lots and lots of flowers

fresh & wild

 and a messy /unorganized room after getaways

and packing like it was the end of the world!

straight up loving of my most favorite city

i hope you indulged, learned and enjoyed your summer
however & where ever you spent it

i am so excited for fall and to make memories with loved ones
continue working toward my goals
 and share awesome tips and tricks with all of you!

<3

ps . fall promo coming soon!