1940's vintage

For some reason this never posted as scheduled!

A few years back, I was fortunate enough to travel to Hawaii (Oahu) to see my best friend and her family. One humbling experience I had while there was a trip to Pearl Harbor (the USS Arizona). I don't want to write a play-by-play of the tour, but it's one of those life changing experiences that is never forgotten.

The 1940's was a different time. I'm sure most women didn't have time to think about what to wear, they had to attend to the needs of their family and their community! The men were away at war, and the women began to take over.

Those women used the clothing they already had available to them, and they managed to remain beautiful. I do believe that all women of that era had inevitable style and class.

That's what makes 1940's vintage so appealing!

1940's vintage by thepinkkzebraa featuring wood shoes

(not sure if this clock fits into the set, but i couldn't remove it)

collage made here

collage images found here

1939-1945

Thomasina

Dear Diary #1: Will He Ever Love Me Again?

Dear Diary,

I've messed up.  I've hurt him deeply.  I created this evil image of him to cope with my own pain.  I didn't care how my actions would affect him.  I've used unimaginable tactics as methods of control.

I never expected a friendship to form out of the ruins.

I never expected the phoenix's ashes to regenerate into magnificence.

And I've allowed myself to fall in love again. 

I didn't mean for it to happen, but it has.  It's intense and fierce.

Too bad the contents of my heart are invisible to him.  He's still bearing the scars of our past.

I pray for the day he turns to me and says, "Yes, I love you too," but so far I'm sending out empty prayers.

I wonder if he will ever love me again?  Is it worth the wait to find out, or should I just accept the facts and get over him?

Thomasina

Monday Morning News

Although Monday is almost over and done with (hello Tuesday), I wanted to do my first Monday Morning News with you.  As you can see, the blog has a different look...again.

My pages were updated too.  This is my favorite!

I love the color pink, and zebras are my favorite
(hence the blog name).

I love anything Paris
(as in France, not Hilton).

Coffee is wonderful.
Period.

I wear my hair natural, and I'm growing it out.


Mary J. Blige should be the queen of the world!

Frogs wig me out.

I love style.
my greatest look is learning to love this body of my own.
(I choke on this pill just about every morning, but hey at least it goes down sometimes! Glass of water anyone?).


Vintage is epic.


Music is always required

(This comes in all different types of shapes and sizes:
Amos Lee to Kanye West).


I'm hood enough to rock wit' The Boondocks, but gentle enough to wipe away my son's tears.
(If you have to ask what anything in the first part of that sentence means, you just need to leave it alone and continue reading!).


I love using exclamation points simply because i love them, and because I can!


I'm not in it for the numbers, but for the thrill.


Sometimes I spell check, sometimes I don't.
So What?!
(Its MY blog anyway...just sayin').


I think this is a good look for me.

Back at the Keyboard

I promise that I'm alive, and back at the keyboard.  Over the past few months (the last time I blogged was back in June) I have been through some difficult, trying, and tumultous times.  I've also had my share of great moments as well.

The lyrics to an Amos Lee song say's I've Learned a lot, and although Lee was talking about love, I can apply the lyrics to my life.  I've had significant health problems, trouble adjusting to a classroom setting (no more online education), and I've had a friendship come to an end.

At the same time I've learned how to heal, love, and trust.  I've made career decisions that positively impacted my education, I've learned acceptance, but I've also learned power, and I'm learning style.
 
Overall, there has been much harmony and much chaos. 

Now that the pruning is over, I'm able to pick back up somethings I've had to let go of, blogging included. 

I'm so appreciative of the fact that y'all have not given up on my blog.  I don't have all the kinks worked out yet, but I plan on blogging more regularly.  I pinky promise!

Happy Monday!
Thomasina

Wedding and Renovations

Hi everyone!

It's been far too long since I last posted, but so much has been happening.

First, the wedding was amazing! 

We had such a great time and I'm very happy for my nephew and his new wife.  I love them both so much!

So what have I been up to since the wedding?

Renovating my toy/dining room.

This means taking down wallpaper.

And I hate it.

My friend/landlord was in town last week and she and I began the project, but unfortunately she had to leave so I have to finish the project.

The wallpaper is almost completely off the wall and the room will look so good once it's painted.

And I've saved the best news for last.

My health has remarkably improved.

I'm feeling like a human being again.

I no longer have to nap during the day.

No more fatigue and as you know this was my biggest complaint about Fibromyalgia. 

I can't believe the improvement I've made over the past year. 

Here are some pics from the wedding.

I hope you enjoy!

The church

The Pastor (our uncle), My nephew, and the grooms men 

The bride

The married couple

See the two young girls...I did their hair!

Go me right?!

I love this pic of the bride and groom

 The flower girl and Nehemiah

 Miah and Me

 Miah, Me, and my niece

 Mr and Mrs Peter Ayala

 My nephew and his girlfriend

Aren't these pics great?!

I love how the entire family came dressed in red, black, and white.

Happy Wednesday!

Thomasina

The Return of the Internet

Yes, that's right...

i'm back up and running!

so why haven't i been posting...

my oldest nephew is getting married on saturday

and i've had the priviledge of helping out with the wedding planning.

needless to say, i've been super duper busy.

then i was busy with getting my home ready for my very first 4th of july bash.  all my family came over and it was so much fun, and i was suprised that my home didn't get that trashed lol!

now i'm trudging through the pile of homework i must complete before friday.  not to mention i have a mani/pedi to squeeze in {trust me, i'm not complaining}.

the greatest part of the wedding...

the photographer is doing a family portrait of all of us

and this is the first one ever!  the groom is the oldest of 10, yes my sister has 10 children, so it's been near impossible to get a family photo.

and the other greatest part....

the immediate family gets to coordinate with the wedding party.

 

i have become extremely close with my nephew's fiance and i cried when i read the thank you card she sent me!  i was also moved when she asked to me to be at the rehersal dinner. 

so be prepared for lots of pictures and stories.

i have so much to share with you.

i need to open up and talk about what's been going on in my life.

i've missed you all so much and thanks for hanging in there with me!

see ya on monday!!

t.



Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Program

hi everyone!
 i wanted to let you all know that i am still without internet until either wednesday or thursday {hopefully},
so i will not be posting again this week.

 be prepared to pick up where we left off on 6/27

hope all is well, and thanks for understanding!

t.

And It's Friday

So I've made a decision...

I'm doing away with a blog schedule.  It takes the spontaneity out of my blogging, and posting is becoming mundane.  

It's just not for me.

I will still link up whenever possible for Target Tuesday, What I'm Loving Wednesday, and Boob Tube Babble Friday. 

I'm also considering having a link up of my own with my good friend Tiffani.

------------------

Now, onto Friday's business.  I'm so proud of the changes I've made so far in my diet.  I haven't stepped on a scale yet, and I'm still not as active as I'd like to be, but I am more conscious of what I put into my mouth.  My Fitness Pal has also been a huge help to me.  Tracking my food makes me accountable, and I want to avoid tracking when I haven't made good choices.  I like seeing my progress.

I've also majorly increased my water intake.  I drank about 3.5 16 oz water bottles yesterday!  

I feel better when I drink lots of water. 

I'm still struggling with eating too much at night.  If I don't have breakfast {which I sometimes skip because I go back to bed after putting Nehemiah on the bus, but he's done with school so I guess I won't have this option anymore} I eat more at night.  I'm just not always hungry in the morning either, but now that Miah will be eating breakfast at home, I will have to eat with him.

I'm also struggling with ice cream.  Why does it have to taste so freaking good?!  I have tried the skinny cow ice cream and it's tasty too, just not as tasty as those good humor drumsticks. 

Damn those good humor people. 

Thank God there aren't any more drumsticks in my freezer, and I won't be buying anymore.  Nehemiah has ice cream too, but I don't like his kind so no worries there.

This week I've learned that the more you workout, the more you get to eat.  You'd think this would be an incentive for me seeing that I like to eat.  I have been doing pretty good with sticking close to the 1500 calories.  I've only been going over a tad bit, and I'm very proud of my progress in this area because I thought I'd be miserable and starving by now.  I learned real quick that eating junk uses up too many calories, which in the end leaves me more hungry. 

Who knew right?! 

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend, and we'll meet again on Monday!

Thomasina

 

   

 

Thankful Thursday

Hi everyone! 

Today's post is going to be a little different mainly because I didn't have time to find any vintage pics.

But it's okay, sometimes it's good to step outside the circle. 

As I  mentioned yesterday, today is Nehemiah's last day of Head Start.  I can't believe we survived his first year of school.  I remember how scared and nervous I was for him to ride on the bus. 

Now, let me remind you that I used to work for the agengy that our Head Start belongs to, so I know how safe and wonderful the program is. 

However, none of that matters when your sending your own kid to school.

Sending Miah to school was the greatest decision I could have made. 

He's learned so much and I'm very, very proud of him.

Happy last day of school Nehemiah.  Mommy loves you!!!

I would like to switch things up a little bit for my blog posts, and I need your help.

What types of things would you like to read about?

Do you want to know more about my life?

{i.e. motherhood, dating, personal issues}

Do you want to see more posts like the ones from the A-Z challenge?

How about style and fashion?

Would you like to know about my weight loss journey and what changes I'm making in an effort to live a healthy life? 

Please, pretty please comment and feel free to add your own ideas!

This week I'm thankful for all your help. 

If I don't keep you interested you won't read, and let's face it what's the point of having a blog if you don't have any followers?!

Thomasina

WILW

Happy Wednesday Everyone!  I hope you're all having a terrific week.   

Here's what I'm Loving today.

I'm Loving...that I'm being featured here today for What's in Her Handbag Wednesday!

I'm Loving...that I went grocery shopping yesterday and bought tons of healthy food.

I'm Loving...fresh blueberries, grapes, and apples.  Yum!

I'm Loving...that tomorrow is Nehemiah's last day of school.  My mom and I will be going to his school for a last day picnic.  Miah's thrilled to be home for the summer.

I'm Loving...that the doctor changed my dosage on the new medication and now I'm back to normal.

I'm Loving...that I did ab work this morning (I'll admit that I really didn't want to).

I'm Loving...that my niece and I will start running Saturday morning.  She's already a runner, so she's going to teach me.

I'm Loving...Tiffani for encouraging me on this weight loss journey.  It means so much to me girl!

I'm Loving...that today is 90°

What are you loving today??

Don't forget to check out Jamie's blog to see who else linked up.

Thomasina

Marvellous Monday

Good morning everyone. 

I hope you all had a lovely weekend, which in return has left you more than ready to tackle this week.

I had a not-so-good weekend.

The new medication I'm taking is making me very ill, and as we speak I'm waiting for the doctor's office to open so I can find out what to do.  

How can you enjoy the weekend when your sick to your stomach? 

I was robbed of my weekend and frankly I don't appreciate it.

Friday morning (before I started getting sick) the bestie and I had breakfast with Tammy (my pastor's wife).  We all had a wonderful time and she was able to help steer me back in the right direction.  There's just something about a fresh perspective that I appreciate. 

As far as working out...didn't happen.  I was too sick.  Hopefully my strength will come back and I'll feel like my usual self very soon.  Not to mention that my home can't take much more neglect.

On another note, Nehemiah went fishing for the first time yesterday.  He did great, but the fish weren't biting.  The water was too high from all the rain we had over the past few weeks.

This concludes my very random Monday post.  

Now it's back to bed I go.  I hate feeling yucky!

Thomasina

   

Happy Thursday ya'll.

I know I usually bring you my list of thanks via vintage style,

but today I have somethings I need to share with all of you.

Remember yesterday I mentioned I had a doctor's appointment regarding my thyroid?

I'm on a new medication and hopefully this will help balance out the Fibromyalgia and the fatigue {which is on overload this morning}.

And then my doctor gave me the kicker.

My weight.

I am now on a very restricted diet, and I can only have 1500 calories a day.

This is going to be a challenge, and that's where you all come in.

I know many of you eat healthy and have ideas for great tasting food, so I need you to share these secrets with me.

I've been having a terrible time with my weight fluctuations, and I'm now heavier than I was when I delivered Nehemiah.  This is sad and upseting. 

However, there's something I can do.

This is where you all come in again.

I need an accountability partner.  I need someone to check in on my daily progress.  You know, to say

"Thomasina, did you work out for an hour today?" 

{yes, I have to workout at least an hour five days a week}

I don't have the extra money to join a gym at the moment, so I have to sweat in my home for the time being.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm all about loving yourself the way you are.  And honestly, I'm having a very difficult time loving all of me right now.  I hate the extra weight, and it's the reason I'm not putting myself out there in the dating world.  I'm not comfortable with me so how I can expect someone else to be.

How much weight do I have to lose you ask. 

60 pounds!

A lot of weight isn't it?  It's scary and I'm afraid of embarking on this journey alone. 

So please help me!

Who's willing to be my accountability partner?? 

Thomasina



WILW

I can't believe it's Wednesday already! 

My week has been totally thrown off seeing that I kept insisting that Monday was Sunday.

Now my days are all messed up.

Anywho, today is What I'm Loving Wednesday and I'm linking up with Jamie.

This week...

I'm Loving Polyvore

you get to make really awesome sets like this

Crinkle dress

28 GBP - peacocks.co.uk

Elie Saab long top

$708 - boutique1.com

TopShop printed top

$36 - topshop.com

Shrug top

$20 - stylesforless.com

Oasis flared pants

45 GBP - oasis-stores.com

Rebecca Minkoff silk short

$228 - rebeccaminkoff.com

Cotton skirt

$45 - topshop.com

Flip flop shoes

$9.99 - hottopic.com

Miss Selfridge flower print shoes

25 GBP - missselfridge.com

Flat shoes

$56 - topshop.com

Forever21 rubber sandal

$16 - forever21.com

Dorothy Perkins pins jewelry

10 GBP - dorothyperkins.com

Larkspur Hawk face jewelry

$850 - barneys.com

Stone jewelry

$17 - maruione.jp

Gold jewelry

$65 - lespommettes.com

Kate Spade pearl jewelry

$295 - katespade.com

Necklace

$16 - hottopic.com

I'm Loving that the rain has finally tapered off, and the temperature has been warm and sunny.

Yesterday it reached 90° and boy was it hot and humid!

I'm Loving that I have come to the conclusion that I need a Nook.  I love the feel of an actual book and I'll def miss that, so I'm hoping that I'm making a wise choise.

I'm Loving that my old camera bit the dust.  Now I have the chance to buy a new one.

I'm Loving that my doctor figured out that my weight fluctuations and some of my other health issues  are due to my thyroid!  I had to have a ton of blood work done, and I have a follow up appointment this morning.  We're going to determine if I need medication to get this thing in order.  

I'm Loving how much fun I had with my family on Memorial Day!  I was prepared to snap some beautiful pictures all throughout the day, but soon made the discovery about my camera.

I'm Loving my pastor's wife Tammy.  She and I had the chance to pray together on Sunday and she could totally relate to some of the things I'm going through.  It's always nice to have someone in your life who can say, "I've walked in those same shoes before." 

If God has worked out the same situation for someone else, He can do it for me! 

And this gives me hope.  I need hope in order to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

What are YOU Loving today??

Thomasina

 

Thanful Thursday

I'm finding more and more vintage items that I just cannot wait to share!

I've found interesting things from photographs to wedding dresses.

Thank goodness for the Internet right?!

Today I'm thankful for the ability to read whatever I please.

My reading material ranges from the Bible to James Patterson

to Candace Bushnell to Cosmo magazine.

I'm not restricted.

This makes me happy.

You all know that I love reading, especially magazines.

I was thrilled when I came across these vintage magazine covers.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

January 1946

January 1946

April 1939

September 1944

April 7, 1952

July 1944

1943

September 1949

April 1949

September 1959

{images}

  

Don't you just love these?! 

My two favorites are the Seventeen covers. 

Which ones do you like?

 

Thomasina