It is time - Welcome to my NEW Life


I want to share the behind-the-scenes and what direction I am taking Bad Bad. Simultaneously you'll take a quick walk through the inside (and bitter room) of my heart. I am a blunt person so I will get straight to it: I enjoy working out and feeling like a muscular beast. I love the feeling of lifting weights and how it sends a surge of blood to the muscles and fills them up to the point of feeling like they’ll rip through the skin. I'm taking this passion to the next level which means mass transformation is coming. 

For years I thought it was vain to have a desire to be HOT in that badass motherfucker kind of way. Strong-Hot. Beast mode sexy. "I crush you" intimidating. I like power if you can not tell, and I think it's sexy. I am probably over compensating for a longtime visitor of low self esteem, oh well.

Here is the deal, I have been an idiot to think I was being a better person for denying my own health.  I sent a message to myself saying I wasn't valuable enough to honor my wish of taking my fitness to the level I most admired in other women: fitness model status. 

From a young age I have admired the physiques of strong, athletic, muscular women. So much so I thought I might be gay; turns out I am not. I've kissed a girl and I liked it, but it's not my thing. (Thanks for the inspiration, Katy Perry) Men, and my man specifically, takes the cake in that arena.

I made up a story early in life that stopped me from pursuing my dream. In high school, rumors were spread implying that I was full of myself. Every once in a while a friend would inform me of the gossip that had me as the main subject. That kind of stuff hurts and for us sensitive-souls, it cuts deep, real deep. I'll just say that time of my life didn't go over well, and sadly I actually thought they might be right. To avoid further judgment I dressed to cover up, tried to keep to myself with some exceptions, and later in life I emotionally over ate (for several stupid low-self esteem reasons) all to avoid being too sexy. Side note: gossiping and rumors can be a bitch, so just stop

My family is lean, and genetically gifted with Swedish DNA, athleticism and muscle was not something sought after in my family. Growing up however, we did extreme sports for the adrenaline rush, not athletic coordination. We water skied, snow skied/boarded, road dirt bikes on mountain trails and at local race tracks, wake boarded, flew planes (real ones), and then some. Building muscle was never a topic of conversation at the dinner table or anywhere in the house for that matter. In high school when I brought my first "muscular" boyfriend home (who I absolutely adored) judgment was quickly passed by my family (or at least I thought it was). I eventually adopted the idea that muscle equals low IQ. (Which according to some study I read somewhere  working out actually increases IQ). Anyway, I had the idea that muscularity and working at sculpting and increasing muscle-mass was vain and shallow. So I didn't. But now I AM.

Shit is getting real. Over the next 2 years my body is going to undergo a massive transformation. I will go from what I am now:  158lbs, 22% body fat, at 5'8", to an estimated 130lbs at 15%+ body fat. The numbers are highly dependent on my genetics, nutrition, and exercise routine. This is a new journey, I'm trail blazing for myself, and I suspect for others as well. For that reason I will make this journey public, and easily accessible to those looking for inspiration, pointers, suggestions, and non-medical advice. I am a very open person, and for the most part I don't hold back, so naturally I want to share this part of my life with other women (and men).

I am doing this for several reasons:
  • health and fitness (duh)
  • pursuing a personal dream
  • creating art through sculpting muscle from the inside out (I’m my own David) 
  • inspire others
  • become a paid fitness model (at least once)
  • grow my jewelry business and online following (hey, I'm a business minded woman)

Byproducts I want to come from this:
  • increased self confidence
  • sustained energy levels to take on my full time job AND my own business
  • learn as much as I can around fitness  before I start a family
  • be an active and healthy person for years to come
  • level up in personal power  

February 18, 2014 "The Before" 
Let me say this, I have made several attempts to “transform” my body, and this time it is real. Photo shoots inspire me more than any competition ever would, so I will be documenting monthly and every 3 months doing a photo shoot with my favorite professional edgy & creative photographer Frank Tupas of Francis Ralph. This will also coincide with my jewelry business as I launch my latest line centered around fitness and pushing the mind. I have designed this line to inspire women who are on a similar journey or traveling their own. The pieces are classy, edgy, elegant, and can be worn every day. The jewelry line is an extension of my own dreams and desires and enhances the lifestyle I have now taken on. I have a hunch other women will be coming out of the wood work who can relate, and I can hardly wait to be a part of that community.

Watch me and follow along as I ascend metaphorical mountain peaks, as well as drag myself through valleys of hell because this girl likes extremes, and I am willing to do the unusual to be one of the unusuals. 

TL;DR Sarah is turning beast-mode and is doing so publicly.


Oh yah, to the girl(s) who started those high school rumors about me, I might be vain from time-to-time, but I’m proud of the work I have done. Selfies soon to follow. One more thang, fuck you.  

Share this with people who love fitness and need some inspiration. Aight?

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You Do You!


Xox,


Sarah

Bad Bad's designs for 2014 - Start your new year off right!



Our Etsy Shop is oozing with empowering designs to remind women to live boldly for 2014. 
Stay tuned for more pieces by entering your information below! 

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"Don’t Run, Stop Holding Your Tongue" - Sara Barellies

I hadn't paid much attention to Sara Bareilles or her music until an early morning October drive to my day job when the song "Be Brave" punched its spunky beat through my car speakers. Her lyrics pierced to the center of my heart. I lost my breath for a moment as this euphoric feeling of being one with another Sara(h) had doused my soul. She was telling the world I want to see you be brave.   I...do...too...Sara! I want to see the world be brave.

Here's why it hit to the core of me. I can be a scardy-cat, sometimes. Shortly after launching Bad Bad Jewelry I was hesitant to share my latest creations with my friends and family. My designs can be offensive to some, while also an expression of who I am, that can feel a bit weird and conflicting. You see, I love words. I love the meaning that they hold, I love the power that they carry, and I LOVE how they can change a life forever. So I started using them in my designs, to remind myself of my own power and also inspire and empower other women to be true to themselves and be their own voice. So on that morning Sara spoke to Sarah (me, LuLu) and told me to be brave, and I heard her.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BadBadJewelry








Can we just break down some of the lyrics? Yes, yes we can.

Here are my favorite lyrics:

You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug. Or you can start speaking up. But I wonder what would happen if you say what you wanna say and let the words fall out.
Honestly I wanna see you be brave.
Don’t run, stop holding your tongue. Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live. Maybe one of these days you can let the light in.  Let your words be anything but empty, why don’t you tell them the truth?

Show me how big your brave is.


Listen to Sara's jam....




Be yourself. Be Bold. Be Brave.

 Xox,

LuLu

Lift Heavy, or go home.

I spent all four of my high school years electing to take Weight Training for my physical education. In ninth grade I felt like a giant at 5'9" and 140lbs, I looked more like a buck-fifteen. I was a bit lanky and awkward (still am a bit), but you would have never known I could curl a 50 pound dumb bell one handed.                                                                           To this day, I have never regretted taking weights class. I learned what good form was, mind-to-body/muscle connection, and how to get a pump as a 15 year old girl. Fast forward 15 years, I found the love of my life. He's a natural body builder, gifted with genetics and physical discipline other men envy. Naturally when we started dating I stepped up my gym-game. Lifting weights was like riding a bike. I definitely couldn't lift as much weight, but the mind-to-body connection was like an old friend, and the muscle fatigue was like a welcomed house warming gift. Earlier this year, I challenged myself to lifting 5 days a week for just a month.  The results were impressive. My mentality of lifting heavy came back quickly. Every one is different, but there's a stroking of the ego that happens when I hear an internal voice that sounds much like a drill sergeant  spitting and spouting, IS THAT ALL YOU'VE GOT?!  And I answer back with powerhouse aggression. It might be weird, but that bulldog voice pushes me to lift hard and heavy. (The image below shows my progress after completing my personal challenge.)

The lifting heavy bracelet was a design created from my personal motto. Lift heavy doesn't just refer to weights. Lift heavy means taking responsibility when no one else is. Carrying the load when others won't, or being the person that others can count on. I like people who do heavy lifting. Those are the people I want to be around, work next to, and talk about the glory that life holds when are backs are broke (and yoked), are teeth are bared, and the mind focused. That's what "lifting heavy" truly is.





Speaking of people that lift heavy, I named the Lift Heavy design as a work inspired by Samantha Baker (pictured below). Her body is kickin' and her attitude is rad. This picture is one of the first I saw of her, and it blew my mind. She's been my inspiration throughout my weight training journey and has been kind enough to email words of encouragement several times.... and I hope one day we will be kicking-it at a show together.  



You live once, don't be a weakling. Need a reminder to Lift Heavy? Get it here: http://etsy.me/Ie6l6i

Xox to all the BB chicks & heavy lifters,

LuLu





Reach for the Fucking Stars


Sometimes my moods take me down a deep dark rabbit hole of "everything is to shit." To get me out of that abyss, I need a blast of motivational words. That's the best medicine to remind me of who I am and what I'm up to in life. I think that's why "reach for the fucking stars" is one of my favorite designsIt's a combination of Disney meets Fight Club. Being the only girl in a family of 3 boys, the combo just makes sense.

Emotionally and mentally speaking, I am either full throttle or idling,  passionate or passive. Perhaps its due to a poor diet, a hormonal imbalance, or dare I say a mental roller coaster that I've genetically received from my bi-polar ancestors.  Maybe I'm just human. Nonetheless, I am definitely moody. 

I take risks, a lot. I no doubt appear foolish and clumsy at times, but I wouldn't trade that part of my personality for anything. I spent most of my early life in fear, wondering "What will people think of me? I just want to be liked." Holy shit, what a prison thoughts can be!

My parents don't like that I cuss or use swear words. In fact, I do my best to not use the "harder" language out of respect for them. However, sometimes it feels soooo good to let the guttural f-bomb scream up through my abdomen, past my heart, and surge through my throat, to boil out over my tongue. The right combination of words  conveys the appropriate level of intensity... so reach, and when you do, reach for the fucking stars!

Buy this bracelet here: http://etsy.me/1fDr7uh

Xox,

LuLu

Etsy Shop Interviews to Come!

After a simple inquiry on Etsy's community & discussion forum, I received an overwhelming response from shop owners who are willing to be interviewed.

The interviews are meant to inspire and empower people to make and create what they truly love. Etsy is a platform for artists to share their passion - so it's the perfect community to lean on for inspiration.

It is an honor to enter into people's homes via video and learn about their design work, best practices, and see their intimate creative spaces. I am even more honored to be able to share that with the world.

Xox,

LuLu