Flashing Back...

This was the first time I stepped on stage, now almost four years ago (eeekkk!!). I was so scared but so excited about the fact that I had finally stopped talking about competing and actually did it. Genie aka The Boss and Tom had guided me through a difficult prep and while I really wasn't "show ready", I stepped on stage and quarter-turned my heart out.

The results of my first show were brutal! I placed....wait for it....dead last. That's right. I was last and it broke my heart. I remember walking out at the end of the night and the girl who won my show asked me if she would see me at the next show. I told her that I doubted it and that I wasn't sure competing was right for me.

Fast forward to July of 2013....

This is the Tenecia that stepped on stage and ultimately walked away with her first figure class win. A lot changed in the time that both of the pictures were taken.

I worked on refining my look, stepping on stage looking more polished. I worked on posing (which is still a weak area for me) and how to best present myself to the judges. Better suits, better hair (I'm unbeweavable!), better tanner...you get the idea. Funny how I swore figure competitions weren't for me and yet here we are, 3 plus years and 10 shows later and I'm still.

Yes, I have gotten better over time but I know there's still more work to do. I'm excited, nervous, confident, scared, restless, and a whole lot of other things.

What will this year's competition season have in store for me??

New Release Tuesday

I love music that the instant you hear it, 

you want to move. It doesn't matter where 

you are, you start to do your 

"This is my shit!" dance.

I follow Jessie J on Instagram and a few weeks back

she mentioned a song she had done with

DJ Cassidy and Robin Thicke. I scurried over

to Youtube and when it started playing, 

I was in love.

THIS is ear candy. 

Let your ears have a treat this morning :)

It Could Be Love...

What's up? What's up? What's up?

Wait...I just had a flashback of that one Budweiser commercial....lol....

Last week was all about love and because I'm a rebel, I waited to do this post until today :)

Here are the things that I like alot....maybe even love.... ;)

Books!

 I love them! They have always been my sanctuary, my saving grace. 

Being a librarian is an amazing gift because I have the opportunity to introduce people, of every age, to the beauty of reading. 

Best thing ever!!

photo credit:
FitFluential's official Instagram account

I love searching the #FFCheckin hashtag at the end of the day to see recaps of what people have done throughout the day to get them one step closer to their fitness goals, whatever that may be. It's a great way to find motivation, encourage others, and receive support so if you're on Instagram, start using the hashtag!

Also, if you're on Instagram and we're not following each other - let's fix that! You can find me HERE

I found this hat last weekend at Wet Seal and knew that it needed to be mine.

It's a bit smartass...but hey...so am I! :)

This salsa.

So flippin' good! 

I have to thank my friend Richard in San Fran for introducing me to it. I'm trying not to eat it with a spoon but y'all know how I get when I find something I like... #getinmybelly

Yep, I took a picture of my butt! #dontjudgeme

Do any of you watch Girl Code on MTV? It's so hilarious.

I was watching an episode the other night and they were talking about lingerie. One of the girls said that a new pair of panties can make you feel like a model, even when you know you're not one.

That's how I feel about these cute boy shorts my sister-in-law bought for me. They're soft, fit amazing, make my butt look juicy, and who doesn't love smiley faces?!?!

My new Iron Gals shirt!

 I recently discovered that the guys behind Iron Gals & Iron Bros work out at my gym! I am a huge fan of supporting local businesses. I love that I can order my supplements and they will hand deliver them to me at the gym - hello, amazing customer service! 

I love the message behind Iron Gals and have become slightly obsessed with using the hashtags #strongher, #irongals, and #strengthisbeauty.

*p.s. They offer shipping at a reasonable price so go ahead and stock up!

The Princess, first thing in the morning <3

This face! 

I love this face so much! 

I love her laugh, her quick wit, her determination. 

I love how she doesn't know the meaning of quit.

I love that she's equal parts soft and tough.

I love that she will still blow her mom kisses and say 

I love you in sign language each morning as the bus pulls away.

New Release Tuesday

I love the Olympics. 

I'm so captivated by the athletes, their stories,

their triumphs, their disappointment, their spirit.

Every time I watch this video, I get the chills.

It's so beautiful and I can't get enough.

February Promises

I'm not sure if any of you follow Nicole Wilkins on Facebook or Instagram but a few days ago she posted the picture below:

photo credit:
Official Facebook page of Nicole Wilkins

It got me thinking about the things I would like to do more of, start doing, stop doing, you get the idea...in the month of February. While it's the shortest month of the year, I still want to make it a productive one. So, here are my February promises!

I will make more time for laughing, relaxing, and being 

present in the moment, especially with The Princess!!

I will continue experimenting with my hair and

loving it in its natural state.

I will go on a sushi date with my mister at least twice this month

and I won't even make him pay :)

I promise to have more fun with my nephew, Action Jaxon. 

The cutie needs to see his Aunt T more than once a week! 

I promise to continue to stand firm in what I know is true.

I will not take less than I deserve. 

I will not allow people to run over me.

I will not be treated like I'm not a priority.

I will stop rushing and will slow down long

enough to enjoy the sunset.

And my last promise of the month....

I will take a damn selfie whenever I feel the need,

no matter how much I'm teased about it :)

New (Not Even Close!) Release

This song came on during my second to last set of

deadlifts this morning and I'm not going to lie,



I stopped lifting to dance.



It was a small booty shake and I might

have clapped my hands.



I couldn't help it. #dontjudgeme



I love this song.

You know you do too... :)