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Hi Darlings! I am so excited that you guys found yesterdays post informative and some are even starting with me on Sunday which means I need to be accountable now, lol yikes. Over the weekend I posted on my instagram a pic of the blazer I had finished and it was a hit so I couldn’t wait to wear it. The pattern is a V8691 which is OOP but is still in some the Joann stores, Walmart and online you just need to check the pattern drawers. I chose this fabric for my jacket because not only is it gorgeous! (these pics don’t do it justice) but I needed to add a monochromatic blazer for summer as it’s one of my favorite trends (always has been) and the fabric is lightweight enough to work year round. Pattern Description: V8601 Fabric Used: The most AMAZING Textured Knit ever! I got it HERE remember to use our May code: MIMIMAY10 this one is going to fast I know it. Pattern Sizing: I cut the 6 Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done? Yes Were the instructions easy to follow? I didn’t use them because I have made a billion jackets but I did read them for the sake of review and they were very clear, even the collar section was easy to understand. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love riding jackets and I love anything that cinches my waist, lol I have been meaning to make this jacket for years and just kept putting it aside until I got that amazing fabric from Michael Levine and I knew exactly what pattern I was going to use. Pattern alterations or any design changes you made? Yes only in the fitting department because I always find the added ease in the sleeves unflattering and take away from the shape of the jacket so I pinched out 5/8″ on the pattern along the grainline before cutting out my pattern piece out of fabric so I could end up with a slim fit in the sleeves. Would you sew it again? Yes actually. I am going to make it one more time in a solid color 😉 Would you recommend it to others? If you can find it at your local fabric store buy it and make it!

Hi Darlings! Okay I have finally gotten around to sharing what I do and what I know about fitness, what works for me and how to get and stay motivated. I will post on this a bit more going forward and will also include favorite recipes as I try them. The intro video to this post explains my thoughts, opinions and what I will be sharing so make sure to watch. I share a bit of how I stay fit and detail all of those things below. DIETS DO’S AND DONT’S This I think is the most difficult thing for most of us…FOOD! we love it we want to eat and when we don’t we feel we are depriving ourselves and so we talk ourselves into eating it because “we only live once”, “this one time wont hurt me”, “If I just get it out of the way I wont want it anymore” sound familiar? so here are my tips on dieting and staying on track. 1. DON’T DIET! yep I said it. Dieting is insane and always ends up being harder then anticipated to stay on track for any length of time so stop it. Instead of dieting just change your eating habits because dieting is temporary but life changes are what will keep you in the state you want to be in always. What I Do: I stop eating fast food and drinking soda! I only drink WATER or fresh juice made in my juicer in the mornings, I replace my white rice with brown rice, add veggies to my lunch and dinner, if I can’t pronounce it I don’t buy it and don’t eat it and I try to buy organic, free range protein when possible. If I want to enjoy something when out with friends or when I feel the urge I eat it in MODERATION and only once maybe twice a week. I avoid eating anything that is processed and honestly fresh and clean food always taste better. When I am trying to lose weight I remove the carbs except for good ones (usually found in veggies) and I still allow myself corn tortillas for dinner or lunch or potatoes once or twice a week (usually during lunch) I try to stay away from pasta and bread during these times but if NOT trying to lose weight and just maintaining I eat what I want with a 80%-20% ratio; 80% clean and fresh 20% not so clean and fresh. Here is a sample food day for me: Breakfast: I juice (handful of spinach or kale, 1/2 lemon a small chunk of ginger and 1 apple) or Cantaloupe juice with a lemon wedge (it helps clear your skin) or I will have 2 hard boiled eggs and 1 slice of whole wheat toast. Lunch: I love salads and always add protein (chicken usually) I will have tuna salad, turkey wraps, previous nights left overs 😉 Dinner: Lettuce Wraps (my favorite and recipe below) Tilapia Tacos! love recipe HERE, lean steak and veggies and if I feel I need something starchy I’ll have brown rice or potatoes, brown rice and beans (3/4 cup rice only) a like to add a salad because I wont over eat the other stuff of I have a salad first, lol For my snacks I usually have a few almonds, yogurt, crackers or dried fruit. The thing to remember is to PUT MORE GOOD IN YOUR BODY THEN BAD! SUPPLEMENTS My body does not respond to cardio alone NEVER has, I don’t know if it is because of my ethnicity, body shape, genetics I have no idea. But I can KILL myself doing cardio and will see little result and because I know this I know that strength training always works for me and I will talk about that a bit more below…because I know I have to lift I take just a few supplements, here is what I include for nutrition purposes during my training: Opti Women HERE (multivitamin) / BCAA Caps HERE (Supports New Lean Mass) / Smart Blend HERE (Supports Bodyfat Reduction And Optimal Cardiovascular Health) I hate protein drinks but this one is VERY good and does not have that protein nasty after taste. It blends perfectly without that grainy feel and it goes great with fruit for smoothies because the vanilla taste is subtle. MRM 100% Natural Whey Protein HERE EXERCISE AND ROUTINES I mentioned above that cardio alone does not work for me and if you are a shapely woman with a thicker lower body then you MUST do weight training to burn that excess fat. I love dance cardio and I do it because it helps in conjunction with my strength training and it is fun, gives me energy and I can do it at home in a matter of 30 minutes and feel great. I turn on some merengue and in 20 minutes my body is hot and sweaty! lol I like to dance to THIS mix in particular especially because I incorporate ab work in my cardio and merengue is the best way to do that 😉 I will show a little video of how I do this in the next few days, lol Since I just mentioned AB WORK let me share my opinion on that. I have given birth 4 times and even through that I have always maintained flat abs. There is no secret to it and you can do a million sit ups and crunches BUT if you don’t EAT RIGHT you might as well give up. Abs come from what you eat and the muscles in your abs become visible from the loss of fat, the more fat you have in your belly the less you will see your abs. LOSE THE FAT, EAT FRESH AND CLEAN FOODS along with your full body workouts you will start to see your abs. I cant stress this enough, CLEAN AND FRESH FOOD = ABS. Yes, crunches and sit ups and hard ab work will shape increase and define your abs but if you don’t eat the right foods you wont see the change, plain and simple. I have tried SO MANY different routines mostly because I am always curious so I am going to share my top 5 and why I like them and don’t like them and then I will end with my favorite, why and how I use a little of all of them to stay int he shape I am in. #5 Jillian Michael’s Body Revolution: Not that pricey but still $100. The workouts are good but I fond her boring. Her plans work OF COURSE! her meal plans quite good and if I can eat crab cakes for lunch I am in but for me I found it to be boring and not motivating. Jillian is great if she is in your house yelling at you to move your ass, lol #4 P90X: This will kick your ass no doubt and the routines are excellent for using your full body as opposed to isolated parts. The meal plan is not overly complicated but has it’s challenges. The 90 days will give you results absolutely. My cons: It’s pricy at over $100! The workouts for me were too long (1hr-1hr 20m) and I was bored. I felt like I just didn’t want to tune in every day. I also have a really bad knee that I must watch for and this program made it a little hard to really give it my all and I hate jumping by way, LOL If you have the time to and energy to spend on the longer workouts and have time to prepare meals for the week this can work for you but it is too “strict” in the sense that I cant see myself doing this for the rest of my life only for those 90 days and I don’t need to be in shape in 90 days, I need to be in shape for ever. #3 Insanity: Man! this is serious stuff and I will tell that every time I finished a workout I felt like I was on the verge of passing out, lol but I did see results. The meal plan was relatively easy to manage, had great food options that made me feel like I was eating (turkey burgers, wraps, “fried rice”) and it tasted great. Probably one of my favorites in the meal plan area. The workouts are good but I could not give it everything I had for more then a few weeks before my knee started to swell and cause pain and with a workout so JUMP intensive it was not worth half doing it. You really need to give it everything in order for you to see the results you want. It is also a little pricey at $150 #2 Zumba: BUT only if used alongside weight training. I love Zumba and if you have a class near you go now. It is fun (if you find a good teacher that had rhythm) lord knows I have been to so many classes where I wondered if they actually were certified and trained; I could have taught the class. BUT if you find a good one it is invigorating, the group atmosphere is motivating and you burn calories no doubt! but you need to make sure to include 3-4 days of lifting especially your lower body so you can tone as you lose. Cost wise not bad at all. #1 Jamie Easons LivFit Trainer: My favorite fitness guru and who I follow like a hawk because we share the same exact ideas about women’s weight loss and body goals: She has so much advice that has helped me to understand why my body reacts the way it does, why weights are good for women and will not bulk you up but instead create lean muscle, her eating plan cant be any easier: Include protein, veggies and good carbs in your three large meals. I do my eating the way I posted at the top and along with this plan I stay in the shape I am in. It is critical to my body shape to lose, burn and TONE my butt and legs because that is where I gain my weight. She tells you exactly what to work out every day and the site gives you alternate workouts if you cant get to the gym. I do my workouts at home and substitute the gym machines with the alternates or my own with free weights. I don’t have to over plan and I can do my own eating routine using her guidelines and it works for me. I feel it in my body and I can see the changes when in this program and after the 12 weeks of her plan you have learned so much and know the exercises so well that you can build your own maintenance routine . When in maintaining mode, I only work out 3 days a week and eat well, that’s it. I also include dance but that is because I like it and I enjoy walks with the hubby 😉 Here is the kicker folks…IT’S FREE yep. I just pull up the program ONLINE and there she is everyday and it doesn’t cost me a thing. I also include zumba after the first phase of the program because the first phase actually has you do NO CARDIO AT ALL, no jumping, no running 😉 EQUIPMENT I have been doing my workout at home because getting to the gym is hard for me and sometimes I just like the privacy of my own home (ever workout in your undies? very liberating) LOL!!!! anyway I have a few things I use during my workouts that I keep in the house and take up NO space at all. 1. Excersie Bands (these are great for walking side squats) 2. Resistence Bands 3. Core Training Ball 4. Adjustable weights (take up little room and they are just enough weight for me) These are great! and sturdy. I hope this helps some of you and please leave a comment or question of you have one. I am starting phase 1 day 1 of Jamie’s plan again this Sunday so if you want to start with me make sure to read up on her page and let me know 😉 LETTUCE WRAP RECIPE 1lb Ground Turkey 1 small white onion (diced) 1/2 red pepper (diced) 1/2 yellow pepper (diced) 3-4 garlic cloves Salt & Pepper Green Salsa or Pico De Gallo (personal Preference) Cilantro (optional) Sallions (optional) Avocado (optional) Shredded Cabbage Lettuce Leafs (I am puertorican so I use Adobo and 1tbls of sofrito in place of salt and pepper found at almost all grocery stores) Season your raw ground turkey with salt and pepper set aside. Using 1tsp of olive oil saute chopped onions until clear, add garlic and sauté a few more minutes (don’t burn the garlic) add ground turkey and brown, add pepper and let soften a little, mix well. Once cooked taste and add salt and pepper if needed. Add chopped cilantro and mix. Let sit. Toppings: Slice your avocado and chop your cabbage (I like cabbage for the crunch) Scoop some turkey meat in the lettuce leaf, top with avocado and chopped scallions and your salsa and you are all done. I can eat this everyday!!!

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Hi Darlings I am running today and putting together tomorrows post on Health and Fitness! I’ll be posting about how I stay fit, what I eat, my opinions etc.. so I am going to focus on this post today. I will however leave you with something a lovely fan sent me and made my day!! check out homegirl in the background too! This makes me laugh out loud! LOVE IT! Just in case you don’t know what the Dougie is you can view the original video HERE and below is our FLOTUS doing the Dougie! xoxo Mimi G

Hi Darlings! I feel thankful and energized! we have been working like crazy people as of late and although a bit short on sleep we are really excited. Today I am sharing a link and info on a friend who has started amazing movement “GOD CAN” and needs a little help so take a look at the video and share, support, donate or just simply encourage. My friend Daven is holding a fundraiser for his brand GOD CAN to help expand their brand into other areas. If you can please donate even just $1.00 and share his campaign. With Every pledge over $30 a child at the Children’s hospital will receive a GET WELL GOD CAN BEAR in your name. Please share http://kck.st/11GcyO9 God Can Camo Tank HERE / Wax Coated Jeans (old) HERE, HERE or HERE / Steve Madden Sandals (my fav at the moment) HERE / Necklace (gifted) xoxo Mimi G

Hi Darlings! The Sewing, Fashion & Style Conference is quickly approaching and I am seriously trying to get everything in order while doing everything else I currently have on my plate, one day I am going to be able to sleep 😉 I wanted to say thank you to all the support and nice things you all posted about our labor of love and new venture and for those who had something other then encouragement to share, I will pray for you. Today’s Look is an oldie but goodie, Vogue 1250 by Donna Karen. Everyone I know who sews made this pattern when it was released and after I made mine I knew why. It is fast, easy and fabulous! My initial review can be found HERE and I used a double knit which can be found in yummy colors HERE Jessica Simpson Platforms (on sale $25) HERE / DIY Dress similar HERE or HERE xoxo Mimi G Coats & Clark, Fiskars, Bernina, Jalie Patterns, Jo-Ann, Pattern Review, Michael Levine , Create For Less

Hi Darlings, I will be a bit busy this weekend and a few days into next week as the hubby and I are in the middle of producing/directing our first faith based feature film! We are having a great time with the amazing cast and crew we have including the fabulous Kendra C. Johnson from the new Tyler Perry Show, Love Thy Neighbor on the Own Network (premiers May 29th) and Ben C. Adams a wonderful young man who is on his way to becoming a star! and of course my Hubby. *side note* The hubby and Kendra worked together on the set of Love Thy Neighbor where he played her hubby 😉 This seamed like the natural progression since we have both worked in film and production for what seems to be our whole lives. I’ll be sharing behind the scene pics, interviews and updates. Thank you so much for all your support! Here are few pics from our first day. Website coming soon… End of day 1: I love that our DP and Sound Guy are barefoot, LOL Hubby & Ben Adams: Our Leads My BFF and Fabulous Actress, Kendra Johnson Director 😉 Then after a long day we went bowling and stuffed our faces with pizza. We were split at birth xoxo Mimi G

Hi Darlings, I wish you guys a great weekend! I am going to leave you with an open letter I wrote to my (all of our) daughters. xo

Hi Darlings! I am in a rush today so i am keeping it short. Ill announce the winner of the giveaway on Thursday! xoxo Boyfriend Jeans (old) similar HERE / Sleeveless Blazer HERE / Heeled Sandals HERE / Chain Link Necklace (gifted) xoxo Mimi G Coats & Clark, Fiskars, Bernina, Jalie Patterns, Jo-Ann, Pattern Review, Michael Levine ; Create For Less

Hi Darlings! This is the second project I had the pleasure of sharing during Craftcation on behalf of BERNINA. What I love so much is that it is fast and easy to make and you can adjust the width of the lines to accommodate, crayons, pencils, sewing tools, knitting needles etc. They also make really great gifts! The fabric combinations are endless! Download your PDF Tutorial HERE The Fabric I used are from Michael Levine’s and they have SO MANY fun quilting prints. Don’t forget to use your coupon MIMIAPRIL10! xoxo Mimi G

Hi Darlings! I say this all the time!! it does not matter if you are itty bitty or full and luscious like my doll Kelly, it is about confidence and feeling fabulous and Kelly ALWAYS oozes that. I here it all the time, “It looks good on you but you are skinny” o_0 and I always say the same thing, Kelly has made most, if not all of my tutorials and always looks amazing in them so get out of that mindset that you are somehow restricted from wearing certain things because you are a plus size woman! The beauty of making it yourself is that you can make it as fitted or not fitted as you want 😉 Kelly has been on a weight-loss journey and if you are familiar with her and her blog I am sure you have seen the change in her as I have and even with the changes she is undergoing she NEVER feels like she can’t rock something and that INSPIRES ME! So the next time you think you cant wear a maxi because you are plus size, SCRATCH THAT THOUGHT and while I am at it please stop saying you can’t wear maxi’s because you are short, I am only 5′ 4″ and I could live in Maxi’s, it is about proportions and wearing a little wedge or heel to add height. Tutorial Available HERE Thanks Kelly! Now on to another question I get asked frequently and I just answered on facebook yesterday and that is “UNDERPINNINGS” lol yes Ladies, let’s talk about this. Underpinnings- plural of un·der·pin·ning(Noun) A solid foundation laid below ground level to support or strenghten a building. The key to any outfit starts with what you are wearing underneath your clothing. I have seen so many women with VPL’s (visible panty lines) and with a bit too much jiggle in their walk so I am going to tell you what I wear under my clothing ESPECIALLY under my form fitting garments I know that they can feel like you are being suffocated from the inside out, lol but there are more comfortable things you can wear to help give smooth lines and support. I wear them because I don’t like to feel my butt jiggle when I walk and yes my butt jiggles ladies. Let’s keep it real! I may look all smooth and trim in my pics but that does not mean that I don’t have areas I MUST work on to keep myself fit and certainly does not mean that I am so trim and fit that I dare leave my home wearing a fitted dress and not wear some support. All you need is the RIGHT Bra, Seamless Panties and a good Shaper so here are the items I wear most often and why 😉 Hanes Seamless Boyshorts WHY? I wear this brand in particular because they dont ride up and are great under my fitted skirts and dresses. They are also great under my leggings and maxi dresses. I have tried several brands and I always go back to these because even the pricier more frilly brands end up riding up and being very uncomfortable to wear. Assets Cool Control Mid Thigh Shaper WHY? This brand by SPANX is great and more affordable plus you can find it at Target but aside from that I like this particular one because it doesn’t stop my circulation and make me feel like I am about to pass the hell out after having them on for 5 minutes! although sometimes you may need a bit more control depending on your body and what you are wearing this one is a more “relaxed” fit while still providing control and smooth finish 😉 Now, I wish I could give you advice and product recommendations for bras but I belong to the itty bitty committee so I have NO clue what my busty babes need to help control your puppies so if my well endowed darlings could weigh in here that would be great and I will post an update with links. Until then, Keep it tight, keep it right! xoxo Mimi G

Hello Darlings! I have take on out my projects for the week which include a lace peplum dress using Simplicity 1650 made from this amazing Lace Fabric, I am hoping to have time to finish it this week. Pattern: B5889 View D Fabric Used: 100% Rayon purchased HERE and it is so soft and drapes like a dream. They also have a Fuschia color way too! and it is on SALE for $5.40 and use your coupon! “MIMIAPRIL10” Pattern Sizing: I cut the XS and graded to a Small just at the hip (after I finished I realized the grading was not necessary; there was enough ease to fall away form my body) Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope when you were done? Yep Were the instructions easy to follow? This is a VERY easy pattern to make. I looked over the instructions so I could review them but there was no need to use them if you have ever sewn anythng before. If you are a complete newbie this is a good one to start with because there are only 4 pieces. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like anything that is flowy and comfy and cute so this was right up my alley. I also knew I was going to make the dress version as seen n yellow on the website but because made it last night I forgot to check the length before I cut otherwise I would have added about 2″ to the length. It’s wearable but only on date night with the hubby LOL after taking the pics I took the dress off and will let the hem out about 1.5″ just to add a little length ^_^ Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None. The dress is literally sen up the sides up to a point and then the edges of the armhole and shoulders are finished and tacked down. The neck binding is easy and the optional belt is pretty straight forward so there really was not much to it at all. The other nice thing about it is that there is a nice amount of ease so there are no fitting issues to deal with. Would you sew it again? Yes I think I may do it again and take the hem to the floor to create a comfy loose fitting maxi. Would you recommend it to others? Most certainly! DIY Floral Dress (similar) HERE and HERE / Steve Madden Heeled Sandals HERE / MK Watch HERE / Sunnies (old) xoxo Mimi G Coats & Clark, Fiskars, Bernina, Jalie Patterns, Jo-Ann, Pattern Review, Michael Levine , Create for Less