PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH -- I Applaud You, CVS

I've been seeing a lot of posts online lately that have given me the urge to write a blog post based on its contents. I've been pushing it off, saying I don't have enough time. Well enough is enough, I need to stop being lazy and bring my writing side back out. I've been in hiding way to long!!

So on this icy, snowy, horrible day I'm getting back at it. 

I saw this post on Facebook this morning and something trigged inside me that I knew I had to do a quick post. 

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Feb. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS) announced today that it will stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products at its more than 7,600 CVS/pharmacy stores across the U.S. by October 1, 2014, making CVS/pharmacy the first national pharmacy chain to take this step in support of the health and well-being of its patients and customers.

CVS- I applaud you on many levels for this:

It's great to see that a chain that supports health is taking positive steps in not supplying items that kill nearly 443,000 individuals every year. Hopefully after seeing success from your chain, others like Rite Aid, Walgreens, etc. will follow in your footsteps. Way to go CVS...as always, I'll continue to be a dedicated customer. 

Thanks Coach - It's Okay To Ask For Help

Today I wanted to write a quick post giving a shout out to one of my great friends and current health and wellness coach, Emily. It was three months ago I decided I needed to make a lifestyle change and get serious about myself physically and mentally.  While we all know what you should eat, how much you should exercise and how you should mentally prepare yourself for this life challenge, it’s not always easy to do alone. That’s when I decided I needed Emily. Emily is a certified Health and Wellness Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and she is the owner of Nextdoor Wellness. Each and every week she is my mentor and motivator, offering me support by educating me on foods and wellness, providing knowledge on what foods I should be eating, what foods are healthiest for my body and what works best for ME. I am at my halfway point with Emily and I’m beyond thankful to have her with me along this journey. With the new year coming and goals of losing weight/feeling better about yourself, you should absolutely sign up for your free health consultation with her. I know we all want to not admit to needing someone to guide you, but it’s okay to ask for help. Even if you don’t want to chat with her, she gives great advice on her Facebook page.

Here is where I would REALLY like to brag about her accomplishments – Em is also a certified Spin instructor, teaching at several locations throughout the week on top of a full time job AND finishing up her MBA (god Em, make us all look awful.) But this weekend Emily had the opportunity to try out for a position at Body Cycle in Center City. With nine total individuals trying out for ONE spot I could easily see Emily was nervous during our FaceTime bi-weekly meeting (we wanted to experience not in person if it would work out just as well!!). She knew they may cut her off short during the try out and she wanted to stand out with her music selection. I was dying to know how she did and talked to her after and she was skeptical on how she did….well, pish posh she found out yesterday SHE GOT THE SPOT! So instead of you motivating and congratulating ME, it’s my turn to give it back to you.  CONGRATS EM, you deserve every bit of it!!! xo

P.S. – Check out my sister’s latest blog post: Single Mom Survival Guide – Surviving the Holidays. Keep killin' it Missy! So proud of you and I know your kids are as well!

Happy Blog Anniversary to Me!

It’s been one year since I launched Take Your Pic and this blog has by far been one of my favorite hobbies! November 27, 2012.
It started off as a work-based blog when I worked at The Reporter and quickly transformed into a blog about writing what I want, when I want, about what I want on

So here you are, 365 days later and you’re all still hanging on with me. THANK YOU to everyone who reads Take Your Pic (when I post of course – I’ve been so busy which I will explain.) It truly makes my day when I look at how many people read my posts. At first it was 13 people and now on average its about 100 people. WHATTTT?!?!? It’s all because of you – thanks sweets!

As you can tell by my last post date it’s been a while but life has been wild – a little like this entire year, actually! During 2012 I had a bit of a rut with life: my sister went through a divorce that of course affected the entire family, my dad was sick but luckily is healthy again after good care, and I was at a pretty low point mentally.

But at the end of 2012 I was determined to make 2013 my bitch and I definitely have! This year so far as been FILLED with excitement, love, success and motivation. I started a new job at the beginning of the year and it has brought me plenty of other opportunities. My lack of blogging lately was because this summer I was offered a freelance position with another country club in Montgomery County. They brought me on board and had be assist in COMPLETELY redesigning their website – everything from the layout, all of the content, the site map and pictures. Click here to check it out. While it sure was exhausting working nights after 8 hours at work and seeing my main squeeze/playing soccer/playing with the pup, staying up until 2 a.m. was rough especially when my wake up is at 5 a.m... every minute was worth it!! In addition to that I’ve also been helping out a local realtor create marketing materials for his homes for sale.

Also this past year I’ve had vacations and girls getaways, I’ve fell in love with a man I can absolutely consider my better half, I’ve been able to watch (soon-to-be) EIGHT of my greatest friends marry the loves of their lives and after 26 years I’ve officially got my shit together and I’m focusing on taking care of my body physically working with Nextdoor Wellness (one of my college roomies, Emily!).

I’m absolutely looking forward to what the rest of the year holds – starting off with a wedding this weekend!

My next blog goals:
Try to post once a week
Try and get more reader comments
Have a series of guest bloggers again (it was a HUGE hit!)

Love you all! xox