The passive aggressive "f**k you"...

I've noticed a real trend on the internet lately. The passive aggressive "fuck you". We've all been a victim of it and I'm betting we've all dropped one or two of our own on a douchebag here or there. Shit I'm the queen of doing it and I honestly don't care. HA!

I've rounded up some of my favorites, but I know I missed a bunch, so leave yours in the comments!

1. Just Sayin' 

This is the most abused fuck you phrase out there. By adding these two words to the end of any sentence, it's suddenly turned into a "joke." 

It's meant to take any phrase, no matter how horrible, and turn it kind. But you can't say "Your kids are disgusting and ugly, just sayin'" or "You're an idiot, just sayin'" and think that's OK. My standard response to this one will forever be, "I mean I'm just sayin.'"

2. Smiley and/or Winky Face

I have been known to use the winky face to express sarcasm. To me that is the only way to show tone of voice until a sarcasm font is invented. 

I only use the sarcasm winky face on people who I knew well and who understand my sense of humor. I would never say to a perfect stranger "You're a terrible mother. ;)" And yet it happens. Every single day.

3. It's Just My Opinion 

This one and It's just my HUMBLE opinion are two really good ones. There is nothing humble about your opinion. If you were humble you would keep your asshole opinion to yourself.

4. I'm Not Trying to Offend You, But...

Then just stop right there, because I'm already offended, Namaste.

5. Namaste

I'm seeing this one crop up more and more. It's like the hippie crowd wants their own fuck you. They will cut you for not eating your vaxing your child or not using reusable toilet paper and then at the end, they sign off with "Namaste."

6. Bless Your Heart (my favorite I might add) 

Only people with a southern accent can get away with this one. When the rest of us say it, it sounds like "Your mom's a whore."

7. Don't Take This Personally, But...

As opposed to not taking it personally? When you say, "Sally, don't take this personally, but let's just say I would never do it the way you did." You just told Sally she sucks on so many different levels you don't even have the time to educate her.

8. Whatever 

This is the fuck you from the 13-year-old crowd that has slowly worked its way into adult vocabulary too. It's always used when the speaker has run out of anything intelligent to say or realizes he/she is going to lose the argument. It used to be "agree to disagree," but apparently that was too many words and it has since been shortened to the charming "Whatevs."

So there you have it. Eight other ways to say fuck you to someone on the internet. 

Things you might not know about entrepreneurship...

1. Entrepreneurship is NOT a get-rich-quick-scheme.

Just to put it into perspective, approximately nine out of ten start up businesses FAIL. 

Yes, you heard that right...they FAIL. 

So what’s the lesson here exactly? No one told me that in order to make being an entrepreneur your bread and butter, you have to WORK HARD for it.

Now this one sounds like a no-brainer, but I say this because nowadays people are selling mystical masterclasses saying quit your 9 to 5 and make six figures tomorrow. Keeping it real folks, that's not how this works...that's not how any of this works.

I’m going to be honest with you, when I first wanted to seriously dive into working for myself I thought alright, cool I’ve started now I’m going to make money. Nope, not how it works at all.

Now as a somewhat seasoned entrepreneur, I see more and more new entrepreneurs making the same mistake themselves. Some even asking me how to monetize when they haven't invested or put 100% effort into their business yet. 

While there's no timeline on when you can make money from being an entrepreneur, you DO have to work towards making your business a full time form of employment just like you’d do with any other job. So long hours in advance, creating QUALITY content, scheduling social media posts out, doing market research to understand what others are doing to get sponsorship opportunities, doing research on your target audience so you can better appeal to them, and so much more goes into making those coins.

So to everyone who thinks this lifestyle is cake, I have this to say:

AS AN ENTREPRENEUR YOUR WORK IS NEVER DONE! 

There is ALWAYS something to do to keep your business at the head of the game and current with new technological advances, current events, updates, etc.. So if you haven’t been told yet, let me be the first to let you know that you have to put in work to see those results. Finding the perfect balance of researching, scheduling and continuing to produce quality will get you to the top.

2. It's Important to Realize What You Need to Succeed

Working towards your business taking off takes time, but it also takes money. No one told me that becoming an entrepreneur is expensive. You always see those “start a business with no money”, but realistically it takes money to make money.

I know there’s tons of ways to cut costs on certain things, but there are some unavoidable costs that you just have to pay out. For example, your domain for your website....I recommend GoDaddy.com because it's quick, cheap, easy and will give your website a more professional feel! Can you skip out on a website, sure, you can do whatever you want. But honestly you are going to see a difference the more "professional" you make your business.

So you’re working, you’re investing, what else is there? You’re doing everything you can to make your dreams a reality so what other secrets to success could there be? Well, there’s this notion that I believe is the most important for all up and coming entrepreneurs yet people hardly ever say it out loud...

3. No One Ever Told Me That My Journey Will Never Be Exactly Like Someone Else's

There are people out there, (myself included), who have blog posts and manuals and the whole nine yards showing you how to be successful in the world of entrepreneurship but that doesn’t mean it’s right for your journey.

There may be components of my journey that you can apply to your own, but ultimately what I go through may be completely different from you and that is OKAY. Hell, you may just become a millionaire by not even lifting a finger so if that’s the path you're destined to take #YOUDOYOUBOO

The sooner we all realize that there’s general information out there on entrepreneurship, but there’s exceptions and adaptations based on the specifics of your business the better. This is extremely helpful in understanding how to know what pieces of information you need to apply to yourself and what can be left behind.

There's tons to consume out there, but not every software, upgrade, trend or product needs to be implemented into what you have going on. And if you're just starting our or about to start, realizing that before going into the game will definitely save yourself a lot of those “why are they successful and I’m not” moments.

That's a wrap! 

I support all of you in all of your entrepreneurial endeavors as there’s room at the top for each and every one of us. Keep on keeping on and I hope my insights have made some sort of positive impact on your journey.

The Basic Girls Fall Bucket List...

The time for falling leaves and apple cider has finally come upon us and I couldn’t be more excited. 

Whether you’re a fan of carving pumpkins or creating your own Halloween costume, there’s something about fall that makes it a favorite for all of us. 

To help you celebrate, here’s our bucket list of fall activities that’ll have you enjoying all this season has to offer.

1. Attend a football game (and tailgate)

Nothing says the beginning of fall like the return of football season. Our teams may be different, but we’re all coming together for the same reason — to witness America’s beloved sport with our go-to drink in hand. And man this girl is really starting to miss American Football after living in England for 3 years now. So get your game day outfit ready and perfect your tailgate recipe for this classic fall event. Not into the NFL? High school or college games are just as fun — if not more so. It’s all about getting into that “go team” spirit.

2. Actually decorate for fall (more than just a few pumpkins)

What better way to get in the spirit of the season than surrounding ourselves with reminders of it? Craft your own fall wreath or go on a mission to find your next fall centerpiece — the choices are as endless as our obsession with pumpkin spice lattes (no judging, please). If you love the fall, your house might as well look like it does too. Pumpkins are encouraged, but so is thinking outside the box — mums, fall foliage arrangements, felt leaf bunting… get creative!

3. Go to a pumpkin patch

As another traditional fall activity, pumpkin patches are the reason to live for October and the ultimate reminder of my childhood. Take your candid picture in the field of pumpkins, pick the pumpkin you want to carve, and top it off with a hayride — I've been waiting all summer for this feeling, what about you?

4. Buy your Halloween costume

Some people buy their costumes on the day of Halloween, while others begin planning theirs in the middle of July (I'm that girl HA). Regardless of which category you fall under, get yourself a costume. Search the web and find inspiration — this is about to be your best costume yet.

5. Go apple picking

Similar to a pumpkin patch, going to an apple orchard and picking apples is another activity fall is known for. Once you’re done choosing your apples, make the day even more memorable by dripping the apples in caramel and dousing them with your go-to toppings. Carmel apples are about the only way I eat apples. Not really a big apple person but I love going apple picking.

6. Host a bonfire with s’mores

If you’re looking for a fool-proof way to enjoy this season, you’ve just found it — a nice bonfire in your backyard with s’mores and best friends. Start the bonfire as the sun goes down (which in England is about 430-5pm...seriously) to appreciate the way the sky turns colors, and continue the night with heartwarming conversation and company.

7. Bake a pie from scratch

The only thing better than dessert is dessert that’s home-made. Whether it’s apple or pumpkin, choose the pie of your choice and get to baking — your house is about to smell as delicious as the pie tastes. Prepare your plate (and appetite) for this satisfying activity and eat a second slice for me.

8. Update your fall fashion

Finally the moment we’ve all been waiting for — being able to wear leggings in replacement of jeans. Enjoy this sweater weather with the essentials of scarves, booties, flannel tops, knee-high boots, etc. Fall is on our side when it comes to dressing comfortably, and nothing is about to stop us from drinking hot chocolate in our favorite cardigan.

9. Take a scenic drive 

There’s nothing like the leaves changing in the fall — the burst of warm colors (deep umber, burnt orange, fiery burgundy) against the crisp air is soul-cleansing. Grab your keys, hit up Starbucks for a PSL (you know you want it), find a winding, scenic route, and get lost in the beauty of fall. Or even better take a walk through your town and just enjoy the crips cool air and beauty that surrounds you.

10. Take your Kid(s) Out Trick-or-Treating or Pass out Candy to *Adorable* Trick-or-Treaters

Little kid costumes are the absolute best — and complimenting them makes them SO proud. If you are like me and still have littles that Trick-or-Treating enjoy the evening out with them helping them fill there special bags or buckets. Or if you don't have littles at home grab some really good candy — don’t be that person with pennies or Welch’s fruit snacks — and hunker down for a scary movie in which frequent interruptions will be appreciated.

11. Attend a harvest festival

Bobbing for apples, going for hay bale rides, and feeding intrepid goats are just some of the pleasures that await you at a local harvest festival. Embrace the small town charm, the cute outfit (hunter boots + plaid button down = harvest chic), and the hot apple cider.

12. Try hiking in a forest preserve or state park

There’s nothing like the brisk fall air on your cheeks as you hike through one of nature’s most beautiful chapters.

13. Host a scary movie night or at least watch Charlie Browns classics "The Great Pumpkin"

Watching a scary movie with all the lights off is so uniquely fall — remember ABC Family’s 13 Nights of Halloween? THE BEST. If scary movies aren’t your thing, you can at least watch Charlie Browns "The Great Pumpkin" and lets not forget the classic Hocus Pocus! 

14. Learn to cook a new hearty soup, stew, or chili recipe

Ah, fall means cozy soups are back! If you’ve never done any, now’s a great time to start — and trial and error in the kitchen can be seriously fun. If you already have a favorite, learn a tackle a new one! Look at you, practically Ina Garten already. BTW I've already got chili in my crockpot for dinner this evening. A fall classic in our house.

15. Send notes to friends and family for Thanksgiving telling them why you are thankful for them

Snail mail is still one of the best things in the world — getting a hand written note can make someone’s day, especially if it’s a card reminding them they are appreciated and loved.

What’s on your fall bucket list this year?

Word Vomit...

Ladies and Gents...CALLING ALL ENTREPRENEURS...Let’s stop the word vomit. Shall we?

As the owner of a business myself, and as a mentor to other entrepreneurs, girl bosses, and business owners.. I understand the temptation to word vomit.  I get it.. you want people to know how amazing and awesome your product or service is.

If you get nothing else out of this blog, please take this away…. 

People do not buy products and services from you because of your product or service. They buy your product or service because they know, like, and trust YOU. YOU ARE THE MAGIC.

The quickest way to get people to know, like, and trust you, is by keeping it real, yo!  So let’s stop word vomiting all over people about how magical your product is, shall we?  NO ONE CARES.

Just be real, be honest, and care about them.

True story.  Not too long ago, I got a message from someone I hadn’t heard from in years.  When I saw their message in my inbox I was excited and curious to hear from them.  Turns out, this person had just started their very first new business.  Exciting right?!  Well, you’d think so.  But the message they sent me was four paragraphs long, ALL about them, ALL about their products, and they didn’t ask me ONE question about myself, how I was doing, or even tell me a little bit about why this would be something I would be interested in.  

AKA, utter and complete word vomit.  

As a business owner it made me sad for them because I knew it one day they had become “that person” to however many hundreds of people they had sent the same exact copy and past message to.

It all comes down to this – You want people to want to try your product or your service?  Then you have to know WHY they would even benefit from it first of all.  But you also have to care about them and you MUST keep it real!

Don’t drink the Kool Aid to your own product or service.

You have to know what YOUR truth is.

A great example of this is myself!  Before I started my business, I tried the product.  But we were broke, and at the time I did not understand the value of Ketones.  So, I was just going to try it and send it back for a refund after my 30 day trial.  

Soooo sketch and soooo lame.  

I, of course, DID NOT send it back because I fell head over heels in LOVE with my beloved Unicorn Moonshine. BUT, I make sure that I tell all of my clients that story, because it’s REAL, and because I want them to know that I understand!  I am a person too and I actually care about them.

When you’re having a conversation with a potential client or customer, when you are inviting them to try your product, to try your service, to work with you in some form or another… before you just go out and tell them all about your product or service, you first you have to know WHY what you offer would benefit them. Then, when you have a conversation with them, be more interested in them than you are desperate for them to be interested in you.

Being interested in someone else is the quickest way to make a friend, and at the end of the day, the most loyal customers and clients are the people who know that you actually care about them because you’ve taken the time to ask!

Once you have asked them about themselves and discovered a need you can help with, then you can say, 

“Hey! Have you ever hear of _____? I think you would really love it because of _______.”

Let them ask you! Just say, “Hey. I think that you would really like this. Have you ever considered trying this?” And see what they say. If they say, “Yes,” great! You can ask them if they want more information, or how you can help them. If they say, no they haven’t, then you can say, “Well, I think you would really love it. Do you want me to get you some more information on it? Or, do you have some questions that I can answer for you?”

It is so simple to build a relationship with someone. It takes virtually no time. But, word vomit is not the way to do it.  If you want to build a very successful business that lasts a long time, then dude, keep it simple.  All you need to do as a business owner is fill a need for someone else. That all starts with being more interested in them than you are desperate for them to be interested in you.  Find a need that they have, and fill it.

Here’s a little bonus tip for you. Any message that you send to someone about your product or service needs to be three or four sentences long, maximum. If someone sends me a message that’s more than five sentences, I am not answering it. I don’t have time for that.  I’m a busy and so is everyone else. Keep it simple. Less is more. Allow them to ask the questions and you will see the success you want as you gain more and more LOYAL clients and customers!

If you’re curious about how you can work with me and be a part of my Team. I’ll be in touch!

Sugar & Carbs, I’m breaking up with you….

I had been on this weight loss/fitness/clean eating journey for almost 3 years now, October 14th is my fit-iversary.  But just the last few month I've realized that something was holding me back.  Something was derailing my diet, causing me to have less stamina during my workouts, and even affecting my mood at home.  What was it?

A sugar and carb addiction.

Sounds like a good thing, right?  I’ve been an admitted “chocoholic”  and "bread-obsessed" for years, but my addiction hadn’t been just limited to chocolate and bread. Oh no, everything from candy, soda, cinnamon rolls, muffins and of course pizza were part of my addiction.  But learning how to stop eating sugar and carbs would not be so simple.

And why did I care?

I was happily eating my way through life.  Living from meal to meal.  I would try to control my calories, but then the craving would start up and I was helpless, my eating was out of control.  I could work out all day long, but there came a point when I just wasn’t losing weight, it was about 2 years ago actually. I dropped my initial 85 lbs within the first 14 months and then nothing, no matter what I did. And it was this August when I realized that I had to break my sugar and carb addiction.

Sugar & Carbs, I’m breaking up with you….its not personal....shit what am I saying, it is personal!

So this morning I've decided to go completely cold turkey, thankfully I have my ketones to help my headaches and mood swings stay at bay.

I know if I can make it at least 7 days, no matter what, with no desserts, no candy, no sugar, no carbs, other than was what regularly found in my keto approved meals. I'm not going to scrutinize every label for sneaky sugars, but I'm going to avoid every obvious instance of sugar and carb in my diet, no matter how hard.

Did you know that sugar is addictive: When you eat sugar, your brain gets a massive dopamine surge, similar to the rush you get when you take addictive drugs.

I had a big Dr Pepper and some fries last night and that was it. Now I'm all done. I will update as the weeks go one. Wish me luck!

Fatso Coffee...

So I tried something new and I'm hooked 

and need to buy more like NOW!

Fat coffee.

WTF.

I was not on board with this when I first entered Keto land. My googling self started looking around online and found the whole 'add butter, oil & blend' aspect making me gag. I love butter, I didn't want to put it in my coffee.

BUT, I do understand why it's bomb and aids in the energy and weight loss. So I was graced with KETO//KREME and THIS is what it is all about:

MCTs are a form of dietary fats that are actually good for you! KETO//KREME is a proprietary blend of specific length MCTs (C8 and C10), which are designed for quick conversion into ketones. 

Prüvit's KETO//KREME MCTs increase energy, are not stored as fat, and have been shown to increase thermogenesis (fat burning).

That's Spanish to the un-keto brain.

MCT keeps you full.

KREME feeds your brain and increases focus/energy.

Tastes fucking incredible.

COME ON PRUVIT GET THAT KREME BACK IN STOCK, MAMA NEEDS MORE!!! ☕️