“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss

Bittersweet farewell! 

In my yoga classes this week I have been talking a lot about how it is that we create our own world and that's exactly what happen when I began this blog three years ago. I made amazing friends, had the opportunity to test out a lot of products and go on some incredible adventures.

At the time I began this blog my life was different. I was a girl with a day job and a passion for the outdoors, a passion to get people outdoors. I am still that girl. However, I am also now a girl who loves teaching yoga and a Velocity Vamp (aka freelance consultant). My life has shifted, my responsibilities have evolved. I have become so focused on helping other people make their dreams come true because I know it can happen, it happened for me when I began Cupcake Mafia.

Yet, lately, I have also been talking a lot about the obstacles we make for ourselves, the things that pull us back to where we were, rather than where we're going. The obstacles are often time an illusion, not really there, but we let them hold gravity for us.

For me, Cupcake Mafia has become a bit of an obstacle. It's something that I love and such a huge part of my character but lately I find the post ideas I have don't resonate with the container I've created around Cupcake Mafia. I find myself coming up with thoughts and experiences I want to share and they're "just not right for Cupcake Mafia".

I find myself teary-eyed as I write this post. It's hard to let go, it's hard to say goodbye. Yes, it's only a blog and it doesn't mean I won't be writing other places, but this blog came at the beginning of a time in my life where I found my own way, quit makes excuses, blaming others and took control of my own life and happiness.

So I thank you all for being here with me. Whether you've been here the whole time or just recently discovered this little corner of the internet you have been an important part of my life.

I will continue on Twitter as CupcakeMafia, after all, who else could fit that handle? I will also leave the blog up. I will not be posting further but the archives will be available and I may some tweet about them from time to time. If you want to stay up to-date on my doings, of course there is twitter. You can also visit my yoga site, Urban Asana and my consulting site, Momentum and Moxie.

Thank you so much! It's been so fun and I am honored to have been a part of your life.

Love,
Tali

Review: Mountain Mama's Tali Wrap

It's fun being a muse...yes, the name of this wrap is no coincidence, it's the Tali Wrap. While I am not expecting, or postpartum, and I probably won't have a baby any time soon, I love this piece! If you're not familiar with Mountain Mama you must check them out. They specialize in casual and active maternity clothing. One of the most amazing things about Mountain Mama is how there clothes work well whether you're pregnant or not. The quality of the fabric and their ability to retain shape, color, and their "new look" is great!

The Tali Wrap comes in two colors, classic black and cadette (a greyish blue). It is a wonderful length, covers the booty and lays quite nicely. The wrap closes easily, tying on the inside and one button on the outside, but it also feels very nice and comfy when wearing it open.

My two favorite features are the functional hood and thumb holes! So many times pieces that drape beautifully have hoods that are floppy or fall down, this hood is soft but structured. The sleeves are nice and long and the fabric is so soft and cozy. The thumb holes make the sleeves feel even more comfy.

As a non-pregnant woman this is one of my favorite pieces to wear for running errands, going to yoga, even hiking in mild weather. It had a bit of flair so you can wear it out and about but also maintains that snuggly element you want in a wrap. I can see how it would easily fit nicely with a growing baby belly and work very nicely for breastfeeding as well.

Check out the whole Mountain Mama line for products that grow with your pregnancy (or pre/post pregnancy) and are excellently crafted investments for your wardrobe.

Three Lies I Had To Quit Telling Myself

Photo Courtesy of Bad Girl Bloggers

A little over a year ago I wrote a post titled "The Fine Line Between Self-Care and Sloth". I noticed that bodies in motion stay in motion, bodies at rest will stay at rest without a good kick of motivation. It's not difficult for us to take the necessary rest and self-care time and let it unfold into habitual slack. I've been thinking about that fine line lately and realized there are a few lines that are easy to cross. They allow us to convince ourselves we're doing something smart but really...we could be hurting ourselves (and our reputations). 

"You know Sally better than I do, can you help me figure out how to approach her?" 
I bet you know this situation, it's the co-worker, boss, friend that you have tension with. She's really upset you somehow, you feel like no matter what you do she isn't going to like you. Maybe she has reason to dislike you, maybe not. You've tried to make the situation better and talk with her (or not) and the situation hasn't gotten better. So then you reach out...you seek out help from your friend Jane. 

This is an admirable step but where you take the next step makes a huge difference. I am so guilty of this one I cringe just thinking about it...the "advice session" turns into a rant and maybe just maybe it turns into gossip. Then some how every time you see your dear friend Jane you both end up talking about Sally. It's a vicious cycle. I'm not proud that it's been a part of my character but I am over that lie. The "I'm just getting a little guidance" lie. I've made a pact with myself (and a few good friends)...no more of the gossip disguised as guidance. That is over my friends. 

"It's important for my boss to know..."

When I first began in the corporate world, I think I may have confused it with day care, I was a tattle tale, seriously. I thought it was important that my boss know who was coming and going when, who was on social calls all the time, who was doing their job right. How naive was I?

When it came to my performance reviews I found out quickly I was only being graded on one thing...how well I did my own job. In the yoga world it's easy to fall in those patterns of worrying when other teachers come and go, if they sign their classes in right, all the little details but you have to keep your head in your own game. If you live in a glass house, don't throw stones and that goes double when we don't bring our A game and criticize others. I let go of that "I'm helping things run better" lie. 

"It's more important for me to take care of myself right now."

Remember that self-care I mentioned earlier...I used to cancel plans and take mental health days under the guise of taking care of myself. All because of poor planning. I either stayed out too late the night before or put too much on my plate. I really believed the "I'm not hurting anyone" lie. 

I was hurting anyone who had to cover for me at work by adding stress to their day. I was hurting my friends by canceling on them and being unreliable. I was also hurting me. I was gaining a reputation as a flake and someone who can not be counted on. Some people are okay with that and in some industries flakes are the standard. When did we decide that was okay? I say no to flaky, no to irresponsible and yes to "Tali's a girl you can count on!" 

I can't say I always succeed at telling myself the truth. However, I am really trying to not let these three lies dictate my life, how I see my self, and how my relationships with others take place. Are you telling yourself lies? Have you made overcome any lies that were hurting you?