Rae Lewis-Thornton's Blog, page 17

When Enough is Enough...

My last few weeks have been crazy, bizarre, difficult, did I say crazy? I was blind sided and it sent me over the cliff. For Real! The last time I wrote a blog I had declared war on my body fat. It took a minute but I got in a groove. I had made it to the gym up to 4 days a week.  I was back to a great routine, working on new bracelet designs, shipping out orders, working on the AIDS ministry at church. I was feeling good and feeling good about myself, then I got hit by a Mack truck. It seemed to all come tumbling down at the same time. I started to get nerve pain in my back. Then I started to feel wiped out and then I though I had an herpes outbreak. Well, it certainly looked like herpes to both me and my doctor.









You know then, it was time to go back on IV medication. I spent my birthday at the doctors, then came home to get the house ready to receive medical supplies and bags of IV medication.



Then Sophie woke up in pain. I rushed her to the vet and she had a decompressed disc. Then the nurse came to get me started on my IV medication and after 3 tries of accessing the port, she gave up. She said in 15 years she has never had a port this difficult to access. Then I had to got back to have the experts look at the port. It took a ton of ex-rays and eventually the attending to access the port




After messing around at the clinic then the hospital  for

8 hours in total, I came home to a very sick baby. I dropped my handbag on the floor and went straight to her pain medication. she was hurting and I was hurting and hurting even more that I had to spend the day at the hospital dealing with this damn port again. Oh, did I say that I had a complete and total melt down at the doctors office before they sent me over to hospital to look inside my port? Thank God for Deacon Erica who called right at the time of the meltdown, then came over to the medical professional building and went over to the hospital with me and stayed until I got registered, 






Sophie wouldn't walk pass the house. Most nights she was up and I was up with her. Nothing worse than a dog full of life being sick. Well, maybe her not being able to talk and tell me where she hurts. Those eyes of pain were a killer, for real.



Then I started IV medication and the side effects started to kick my ass. Then after a few days the port wouldn't flush so back to the hospital. Oh then the home health care nurse quit because she didn't want any liability for the port. So after going back to get the chef of the department to look at the port, which he did and got to work in like 30 seconds, my Infectious disease doctor took me off the IV medication because the herpes culture came back negative.



Now we are thinking that menopause is playing a jacked up game on my vagina! It's red and raw and itches and most days I want to cut it out and sit it on the side of the road.






Then Sophie, my bay girl, needed to go on new medication because week two and she still didn't want to walk. We were up most nights. Me trying to make her better and take care of me at the same time. Bracelet orders got backed up, my spirit began to crash.  Into week 3 and I had had enough. I shut down from the world. I've spent the last 3 days off social media, reading and not interacting with most of the world. I was trying to find the lost me. 




Then last night after 3 long weeks, when we got in bed, Sophie wanted to play with her toy. I of course didn't want to engage the world. Remember I'm still lost.  I just wanted to be sad. I mean she had been so sick. My vagina is still raw and red and my chest is still sore from all the poking; but Sophie insisted that we play with her pink uterus stuff toy.



It was as if Sophie had declared, enough is enough is enough. I got it! God spoke loud and clear through my little angel. So we are getting back to our normal routine. I'm up writing a blog, she's still getting her beauty rest. Which is a wonderful thing to see, because sleep hasn't come easy for her in the last 3 weeks. Bracelets orders will get filled and the gym is my plain sight. Will I get back to my normal over night? No... but if I don't start somewhere, normal will never have a chance.






You see, at the end of the day, there is always a morning. The question is, what will you do with your morning after the storm clears and your midnight has turn into day?



When we wake in the morning we are still a part of God's earthly plan. No matter what you are facing even when your morning feels like midnight, God still has a plan for your life.



The most awesome thing is in God's awesome love, we are blessed with the gift to say enough is enough, in our right now. We might not be able to change our situation in the right now, but you can change how you see your right now. 

Birthday Special For RLT Collection!

In honor of my Birthday today, May 22nd, I'm offering 22% off all RLT Collection Bracelets!!!!

The Coupon Code is Birthday2013! The Sale will last who knows...  :) But it will be around for at least a week! Thank you for all of your support! Shop Here! 

RLT Collection News...

I'm having a 15% off Sale thur Sat at Midnight. Coupon Code May2013 This will also apply to bracelets that have been marked down. Shop Here!





There are still some Bracelets of the Week  from the last two weeks left. Already marked at a great price, plus you get the extra 15% off, Coupon Code May2013. Tira wearing both in the picture above. They look great together. Shop Here!





For The Love of Chrysoprase has been marked down plus an extra 15% off. Coupon Code, May2013. The Chrysoprase is one of my favorite stones and it stacks well with agates.  Shop Here!





The new Unisex Bracelets on the website are wonderful!  15% off Coupon Code May2013 Shop Here!






The Spring Forward Collection are fun colors in Jade Gemstones at a special price plus 15%off coupon code may2013. I'm selling out of these so hurry. Shop Here!






Follow RLT Collection on Instagram for all of your bracelet fashion and tends @RLTCollection my personal Instagram is RaeLT

Tea With Rae: Weight Lost Series-Sakura Allure

It is no secret that I am not a big fan of green tea. You can look at my Tea Review history and it speaks volumes. Now, I'm finding myself faced with having to drink more green tea.



You all know that I'm trying my best to lose some of this body fat created by my HIV medications and  added by very little movement with my on and off  IV medications.



Well, because green tea is suppose to help with weight lost I had to rethink green tea. I remember Tracye Madre telling me one day, that she makes herself drink it because of it's benefits to weight lost, and she has adjusted to the taste. You remember Tracye, she has lost over 100 pounds from working out and eating healthy. She has even launched a training business. You read my blog that mentions Tracye here and connect with her here.





For sure a cup of regular green tea is an acquired taste.  For the longest I have been in search of a blended green tea that didn't have that green tea taste. Well, Teavana posted this picture of Sakura Allure Green Tea on Instagram. I said to myself, "Any tea that's this pretty has got to taste good."



I made my way over to Teavana to give it a smell and lo and behold, it smelled like I was walking in a field of blossoms. So I took some home and it sat and sat and sat. I think I had a mental block because for sure I have had some green teas that smelled wonderful but the taste left a lot of be desired.





Well, a friend was in town and we went to Teavana. She asked the staff about a green tea with a great taste and they produced Sakura Allure. I was put to shame and I had to laugh to myself, "I have that tea at home," I mumbled.  It was stuffed in my tea cabinet with my other 100 or so teas. The shame I felt, forced me to come home and try it. I mean I'm the try queen. I will give any tea a one try.



 OMG! By far Sakura Allure Green Tea is the BEST Green Tea that I have ever drank! This is a blended tea of Sakura Blossoms, mango, candied pineapples, rose and hibiscus. It's a wonderful combination that compliments the Sakura- Cherry Blossom that grows in Japan. Like most cherry blossoms, they only bloom a limited time of the year. In Japan, you can see their beauty late march, early April and even into May.





I know you are asking, what about weight lost?  Glad you asked! Green Tea comes from the same plant as black, oolong and white tea (Camellia sinensis). While all tea groups have some benefits what makes green tea special is a couple of things. One, it is not fermented before drying and steaming, which allows it to keep more of it''s antioxidants.  Secondly, green tea is a rich source of polyphenol catechin.



Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most active form of catechin responsible for green tea's anti-inflammatory, and metabolic effects. While green tea is light in caffeine, it is there and that helps EGCG assist the metabolism and body fat accumulations.



In a nut shell, it stimulates the body to burn calories and decreases body fat, epically the waist line. Green tea also lowers cholesterol, which I'm putting to the test. My bad cholesterol is very hight right now. Green tea also fights, cancer and heart disease. It is the highest in anti-inflammatory properties. of the 4 tea groups. Studies have shown over and again that green tea is a factor in weight lost. However, you must drink at least 4 cups of green tea a day to benefit from the metabolic effects.





There are many  wonderful health reasons to drink green tea. If you don't like the taste. Well, today I've given you a reason to drink up; Sakura Allure at Teavana!



I will be reviewing more green teas in this weight lost series, as well as other tea groups. Stay Tuned!! Happy Cuppa!

Monday Reflection: The Power of Knowledge!

 Knowledge is a powerful thing. We can use it for greatness or use it against the natural order of the life that God has given us. That's with every single thing in life. Just because you know how to make a bomb, does not mean you have to use it to destroy others. Nope, even the "baddest" technology can be for a greater good.



Now, my issue today isn't that complicated. In fact, in the scheme of the universe it's a small issue, but for me, it weights heavy on my heart and in my freaking back, tummy and arms. Two weeks ago, I made a declaration about my weight. I laid out a good argument on why I need to hit the gym. I was good that week and then last week it went to hell in a hand basket. CLICK Here to Read!





My nights were so sleepless last week that I was dragging and cranky all week. Everything I did was a struggle because of sleep deprivation. That's why I didn't blog last week. I was too tired and cranky to even think. Menopause is kicking my tail. I guess they call it pre- menopausal. I haven't stop my menstrual cycle just yet, I have one every 2-5 months, but these night sweats and mood swings  have been all consuming.  Let me tell you, waking up from sleep in the middle of the night because it feels like you are on fire from the inside is not pretty. Waking up twice in the middle of the night is like a nightmare from hell.



When I made it to therapy last week, I thought that I was losing my mind. We tried to unpack this issue as best as we could. The fact of the matter is I have a lot of discipline and I do every single thing I put my mind to, so what is the darn problem?





The size 2 suit is to big. Look at the looseness in the arms.

Maybe there are a few issues. One problem I think is that somewhere deep inside, I'm feeling a tad defeated by HIV in the area of weight. I started out 20 years ago in a size 8 at my lowest, a steady 10 and a 12, when I was eating more than moving.



Then I made a transition to AIDS and in 4 months I went from a 12 to a 10, to a 8, to a size 6. Then I went from a size 6 to a 4 and stayed there a while. And then I went to a size 2 to a 0. I stayed there for a while and that's when I started to see death staring me in the face. Every time I looked in the mirror, death said to me, "I'm waiting." I'm so glad that God has power over death.



Then I started the new HIV medications and I went back up to a size 6 and I stayed there for almost two years. Then after a couple of years on the new HIV medication my weight shifted. I woke up one morning and I was a size 14 at the top part of my body, a 8 at my waist line and a 2 at my thighs. I was a hot freaking mess and I cried all the time. HIV lipodystrophy  is a trip. You can read an older blog post about it HERE!



Can you image the clothes drama that I have had with all these size changes with HIV?  Can you image what it's like to go from magazine cover ready to photo shop ready?









At one point after my weight shifted, I was able to get it under control. I met this trainer Cornell McCleanen and working out became a way of life.  I was able to get the top part of my body to a 8-10, and the waist down to a 4 and build the bottom up so I didn't look so freakin disproportionate.



 Then drug resistant herpes came and I spent more time in bed then walking. For sure, working out was not on my agenda cause ummm it hurt too bad to walk.



Working out had became a way of life life  for me and it was taken away right before my eyes, without any recourse. You can read about my Herpes drama HERE! The doctors are clear that the damage done to my immune system in those early day has made it possible for Herpes to become this aggressive nightmare for me today. (There are other post on herpes just search the labels)





A week of IV medication! 

BUT... I have not had an herpes outbreak in 3 months that means NO IV medication! I thank God everyday, but underneath I'm holding my breath, crossing my fingers and prying that it stays away.



The point is, right now I am healthy. I have no barriers to working out. Even my therapist thinks it's a good idea. She said that working out regularly works as well as antidepressant for mild depression.  Menopause does cause depression and mood swings that is for sure.



So with all this knowledge about how good working out is for me, and my success in the past with working out, what's the freaking problem? Why can't I use this knowledge for my good and wellness?



Sigh.... I have to come to terms with the fact, that



I can only control what I can control for the time that I can control it. I may never get my body to shape exacty how I want it. Lipodystrophy does not stop because you work out. I have to work extra hard to see some improvements and I then have to work to maintain those improvements.



And guest what? Herpes still may come back and then I will have to start over again.  It is what it is... You can control what you can, with the knowledge that you have, while you can control what you can.



I have got to come to terms with this.  That's it.... Oprah says often, "When you know better you should do better. "I say often, "Knowing better does not mean that you do better." Sometimes doing better means letting go of the easy, the familiar and the possibility of failure.  In the end, as powerful as knowledge is, we render it powerless when we don't act on the goodness of what we know.











Bracelet of The Week! Neon Glam! This bracelet says Summer Fun! We LOVE LOVE LOVE these Neon Beads.



 Perfect for Stacking!! This Neon bracelet is a beautiful orange 12-13 mm glass beads that have been rubberized. I am so fascinated with this rubberized glass. They take glass beads and rubberized them;how cool is that? SHOP HERE while supplies last! All Bracelets of the Week are very limited!

Peach Delight! Bracelet of the Week! Week 19!

Love! Love! Love! the new bracelet of the week! Week 19! Well, I love all of my bracelet designs and I wear all of them. So let me tell you about this week's bracelet special, Peach Delight! I choose these beads because they reminded me of a refreshing glass of peach ice tea in the summer.

This bracelet is a simple look with just enough color to say summer. It will wear wonderfully with all the summer colors, but it will also look great with browns.





It's designed with beautiful 10 mm faceted Fire Polish Czech Glass. The faceted cut makes the stones pop no matter which way you turn your wrist. It is in a soft  preach color for the summer. The faceted beads are paired with a thin and thick disc contrast with a touch of bling. 






It's at a great price of $25.00 I also suggest that you choose first class shipping to cut the cost even more. Remember, the bracelet of the week is already set at a great price and once they are gone, they are gone. Click Here to Shop!

Damn Ladies You Have All The Control #FuckinFriday

Ladies, you have so much control, but often you give it up; You give it up because you don't want to be alone, lonely or without companionship. We give it up because we want to be loved. But having sex with a man will NOT guarantee love. The only thing it will guarantee is a fuck and maybe not even a good one. Furthermore, having sex without a condom sure won't earn you his heart forever, but it just might earn you a sexually transmitted disease that you will have to live with forever. Diseases such as, HIV, Herpes, HPV, Hepatitis.





So why is it that we continue to have sex without a condom? You, don't want to rock the boat? You don't want him to think that you think he is cheating? Well, the fact of the matter is, you don't really know if he's cheating. You think you know, but at the end of the day you just don't know.





You don't want him to think you may be stepping outside of the relationship? Well, if his mind is that small, then his penis should not be big enough for you. This is real talk here. If a man cannot respect the choices you make about your body and have respect that you want to keep yourself safe, then he is not worth your body.



This video has been floating around Facebook and I thought that I would share it with you. While it is super funny, it speaks volumes to the control that we have, but yet surrender each time we let a man penetrate us with out a condom... That's all I wanted to say... Wrap It Up! #FuckinFriday



And remember, every 10 minutes a person becomes infected with HIV in the United States. Don't let it be you!!!

Change Your MInd... Your Ass Will Follow...

Only so much fucking complaining you can do about something that you can change. This is some real talk right here. You don't like how someone treats you, then stop participating. For Real, For Real. A while back I was talking to this guy and I didn't like some of his behavior. I asked him to stop, but he either wasn't cable of change or he didn't give a fuck about how I felt. So you know what I did, right? Right! I sent him a quick e-mail saying just that and asked him to not bother by reaching out again.



If I had continued to talk to him under those conditions, then I was saying to him that I didn't really mean what I had asked of him, that he never bothered to do. I figured that there was no point in having yet another stupid ass conversation with him about the same topic. We had been down that path a year or so before, this was a second chance and I was so over it. There will not be a third and that's for real!





There's a lot of stuff we don't like in our life that we can change. You don't like your job environment, then start looking for a new one. You don't like how you feel when you do something, then stop it! You don't like how people make you feel then stop giving them that chance.



There is a lot of stuff that we can change that we don't. You tried of having high blood pressure, then get it under control, take your medication but change your damn eating habits. Put the fucking salt and fat down!





While God is in charge, God has also given us unlimited free will to make choices for our lives to live whole and healthy or destructive and foolish. God is such an awesome parent! You decide and then you live with your decision and He comforts while you are in the valley. You gotta grow up, God is letting you do that one on your own.



Now, I know that some issues are deeper than saying just do it, and require deeper work in therapy to unpack! That was my truth with shopping to darn much and men.com, looking for someone to love me. Somethings require a lot of work with the right professionals. You can't be afraid or ashamed to get the help that you need to be a better you.





I will never forget that day Oprah said, once she figured out that she didn't just like potato chips, but eating was connected to her childhood sexual abuse; food had deeper issues for her and understanding that she was able to work on her weight under better conditions.



There's nothing like a mind change to change ones life. My first love Randy use to say to me all the time, "Change your mind and your ass will follow," this is the gospel truth!



However, with other things there requires a mind change and some discipline. It's not enough to now better, you have to do the better that you know. That's being your best you.



We don't apply discipline. We keep saying tomorrow and then tomorrow becomes today. My therapist use to remind me often that discipline is a transferable skill.







The sweater I'm wearing is an extra large and the skirt is a size 4

I've been whining about losing weight for a while. HIV itself combined with HIV medications causes something called lipodystrophy. It redistributes my fat from the bottom to the top; and when I gain weight it all goes to the top.



In the last two years I've been on IV medication a lot, this combined with nerve pain, I've had very little opportunity to workout and have spent more time in bed. As a result I gained 25 pounds! I've lost about 10 of those with just changing my eating habits and more movement outside the house; but for sure I have more fat pockets than hot pockets.



Now that I'm healthy give or take, I have decided to but my foot down! About two weeks ago I said I was headed to the gym. I made it that day, but then excuses took control of my life. I decided this weekend that enough was enough and on Monday I crawled out of bed and went straight to the gym. I'm headed to the doctors this morning so we will see how the rest of the week goes. The thing is, my gym is opened 24 hours. Like so what excuse can I come up with, other then me not applying discipline to my life?





This week I have done better than two weeks ago. We are at Wednesday and I've been to the gym two of the three days so far.



The thing is, I can't fit any of my clothes and y'all know I have no money to get new ones. This has forced me to wear the same ensembles over and over again, when I have a closet full of clothes. *SMDH* I have so many St. John Knit suits that I can't fit, it's a shame and a testament to waste in my life.



I hate the way lipodystrophy makes me look and I complain about it almost everyday. I really need to do this for me.



There are other reasons why I need to hit the gym other than how lipodystrophy has reshaped my body making me kinda depressed. When the fat is redistributed it tends to go to the back, the chin and the mid-section. Studies over and again have determined the more fat you have in your mid-section that more likely you are to have heart issues. On top of that, my HIV medication causes high cholesterol. I'm off the chart with very high cholesterol, the bad kind (LDL). Wouldn't it be a shame to live this long from HIV to have a heart attack or a stoke?





Me having a Dexa Scan

Then to top that off, new research is showing that HIV actually destroys a persons bone density over time. With this information my gynecologist thought that I might be at a high risk. I'm going through menopause and my mother is white. White women have more bone density issues then black women. She ordered a bone dentistry scan and low and behold I have already started to loose bone. Not enough to take the major drugs to treat it, but enough to be concerned about the direction that I'm going. I started a 1000 mg of calcium and she wants me to work out 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week as a preventative measure, before I start shrinking.



Lastly, on the health tip. Depression is an ongoing battle for me. I ain't this happy go getter all the time. Living with HIV is hard! Really hard! I wouldn't wish this on my worse enemy. It has been proven that working out increases the serotonin, and who doesn't need more serotonin? Come on somebody, working out has it's benefits.





This is a $500.00 Escada blouse that's hanging in my closet that's to small 

So you see, I have a lot of reasons to hit the gym and change my life style. When I first developed lipodystrophy, well to be honest, after a year of literally crying about it. I was a size 14 at the top, my waist was a size 8 and my thighs and legs a size 2, I hit the gym and changed my life style.



The key is to eat healthy, minimize fat and sugar, cardio and weights. Weights are a must because the more muscle you gain the more fat you burn. Plus, I'm so small at my bottom, I need to balance it off, loose the top and build the bottom.



I was doing so well, then somewhere that just went to hell in a hand basket. I think when I started getting that drug resistant herpes, it changed my life style for sure, on and off IV meds all the time, nerve pain in my back and legs. Walking is even painful. I know that I am capable, I've done it before. I just need to be disciplined. Being healthy has to be just as important as being alive.



Soooooooo I'm saying all of this to say, some things in our life that we are unhappy about we can change. I'm so happy that God has given us free will. I know for sure that I have not been using my freewill in all areas of my life to be the best I can be.



I'm not trying to be a perfect me, I just want to be the best me! What about you? I can here Randy with that wonderful smile on his face saying as clear as day, "All you have to do darling, is change your mind and your ass will surly follow." But I've learned over the years, in order to get that ass in action, you have to add some discipline to the knowledge that you know.

Monday Reflection: When God Says So...

I write my blogs when God gives me an Aha Moment! It's like this, I could be in the shower, reading a great novel, knitting, designing bracelets, having a tea moment, cuddling with my baby girl Sophie, talking with a friend or even walking to the post office when it hits me. BAM! Profound, silly or prophetic. It hits me in my gut and I know I have to give to you what has been placed in my spirit.



So lately I haven't been blogging and I'm wondering why? I can't blame my health because other than my regular, I'm having a bad "HIV" day as I call it, crazy fatigued  that makes me want to stay in bed a couple of days, my health has been good. March and April no major complaints. Thanks be to God!





Since my health is not the problem, what's my problem? I was sitting on the plane half way to Austin, Texas  last week thinking about it.  "What the heck is going on with you girly?" I asked myself. You have been so off blogging, I sighed to myself.



What makes it so bad, I know many of you are waiting and look forward to this wisdom God has given me to give to you. Not blogging is out of God's will for my life. It's a place where I minister. I get it, so ummmmm what's my problem?



I wonder, has God stop talking to me or have I stopped listening to God? I've be thinking a lot about this lately and feeling guilty.



The best way to put it, I've been feeling like a child who knows she is disobeying a parent. You  know what I'm talking about. You have that guilty look all day, praying that your mother doesn't discover the truth.  I've been like Eve hiding from God in the garden after she ate the forbidden fruit. The thing is, God knows the truth already, He just wants you to admit it.



As I was looking out over the clouds, I said to myself, "Rae you have been busy doing everything but what you really should be doing."





Yep! God is talking and I hear God very well, but I confess, each morning I wake and have one excuse or another why I'm not going to blog on that day. I've allowed background noise to interfere with the message. You see, the background noise comes from my alter ego. The one who thinks she knows it all and has the answers to everything. She is in direct conflict with faith and God's will. "She to grown for her own good," as the old folks use to say.



I've allowed my alter ego to speak louder than God. This is not a good thing because my alter ego, relies on herself and not on God. She's the one that says, "I've gotta make it happen, so me and Sophie ain't homeless."





My truth about not blogging is simple,  I've been balancing those couple of bad days a week that I have fatigue, with working on my Spring/Summer 2013 Bracelet Collection. I was so sick December thru February that I got behind. Typically I try to start designing a collection a couple of months before the season.



So in March, in the back drop of being so sick the early part of the winter, I had this overwhelming anxiety about money. The speaking engagement I had last week at the University of Texas, Austin was the only thing on my speaking calendar. With summer fast approaching and colleges out for the summer, bracelet sells are the only income I have coming into my humble abode. With no new bracelets on the website I started to panic.





Panic has a way of controlling your life. It clings to your thoughts and make you do what you shouldn't do. This is why people trample each over in a crowded room  trying to get out. The immediate danger makes you so irrational that you bring more harm to yourself and others.



In these last two months, especially this month. I've been spending my time worrying about money, instead of blogging; and that has created imbalance in my life. I've been giving my bracelet business all of my attention. God has blessed my bracelet business and I love love love designing! But designing and selling bracelets is not my ministry; NOPE!





That 2 1/2 hour flight brought me back to my senses. I have been out of the will of God and the purpose of God for my life. Lessons in the past have taught me, when you get out of God's will for your life it becomes a messy mess and it has a long, painful clean up time, taking you even further away from God's plan for your life.



Yep!!! When we do what we want, rather than what we were ordained to do, when we apply our logic, when our alter ego does the talking, we get further out of God's will. I've done this in other ways over the years. Being with men I know I ain't got no business being with; Wasting my pretty on madness. Hanging with a crowd that didn't have my values but it was better then sitting at home alone. The "it" group is always fun, but never meaningful.

Spending money on "things" for the wrong reason and the list goes on. Doing what we know we should not do and not doing what we should do. I've learned in 50 3/4 years that being in God's will is the best life with the best possible outcome.





It hit me like a ton of bricks... Girl get back on your life path! You don't have speaking engagements, but God has given you a voice, a message, a ministry and a vehicle to reach people. 30,000 people read my blog monthly. I couldn't speak to that many people in a month no matter how hard I tried.



So I'm back!! You can expect 4-5 blogs a week starting this week. I have book reviews, tea reviews, stories to tell about my crazy ass life, and whatever wisdom God gives me to give to you.





The money? Well God always works it out! I may not be able to get a designer handbag (my weakness) whenever I want one, but me and Sophie will never go hungry. I just have to do what I'm suppose to do and let God do the rest. My faith has to take center stage. In a nut shell, I must practice my faith as I live in purpose.



When God speaks, you not only have to listen but you must also act. The bible says, "obedience is better than sacrifice." In the end, your way will never be better than God's way.



 Equally important, when you are not being true to God's purpose for you life, you are cheating God's people of your gifts and talents.





Post Script : Follow RLT Collection on Instagram for updates on the collection, giveaways, and all of your bracelet fashion and trends from around the world; its @RLTCollection, my personal Instagram is @RaeLT



ALSO... I'm looking for a new blog editor.. please email l.renae@raelewisthornton.com if you are interested.

The Newness at RLT Collection!

There's tons of NEWNESS at RLT Collection!  Yes! Yes! Yes! People ask me often do I sleep? I think I do, but I know for sure that I never stop thinking. Often times I will get up in the middle of the night to work on a bracelet design that is floating in my head.  I'm supper excited about my latest additions to RLT Collection!





Can you say Mother's Day? Well it's around the corner. Just 15 more days and you will be searching crazy for that special gift for your special Mother or the women in your life that has been like a mother. I know I have a few of them; Women who didn't birth you, but birthed something in you.



Well, search no more. I discovered these WONDERFUL Mother of Pearls Gemstones and fell head over heals. These disc shaped Mother of Pearls are simply beautiful! Every mother deserves a Mother of Pearl Bracelet! I even kept one of each for myself, because I'm a doggie Mom.



These bracelets are a simple contemporary design. The luster of the gemstones speaks volumes. These Mother of Pearls are in black and cream and paired with an round two-tone Angelic Crystal and a metal bead accent!







Bracelet of the Week! Yes I said Bracelet of the Week!  I simply love playing around with gemstones. While perusing gem shows and bead shops I always discover a gemstone must have. Yet, must haves don't always make it into the seasonal collections when I sit at my bead board.



Bracelet of the Week are bracelets designed with these gemstones; Must have gemstones used to create must have designs, but separate from my seasonal collection. 





The Hand of God Bracelet! The First Weekly Design! 

There are 52 weeks in a year and this Collection will consist of 52 different designs, featuring a new bracelet each week. Each weekly bracelet will be in very small qualities, from 1-10; and once gone there are no more. 



A new bracelet will post every Sunday! Note: We began this Collection at week 18.



Because the bracelet designs are in such small quantities, we will be able to give you a price that is substantiality lower than the other bracelets in the seasonal collections, this way you can indulge in both. These bracelets will not go on sale because we have already given you the best possible price.



It will be exciting seeing what I design each week!












Spring Forward Collection! 

The Spring Forward Collection   is Coming!! Fun colors of yellows, pinks, blues and greens just like Tulips. I came across these wonderful colors of faceted Jade Gemstones at a great price and I'm turing that great price back around to you. They will be a special purchase from $28.00-$48.00. 



These bracelets are being loaded onto the website today and should be completed by Monday April 29th! You are going to want one in every color, I promise you! 






Last but not least. I have been burning the midnight oil trying to complete the major Spring/Summer  2013 Collection, "The Colors of Lake Michigan. " Did you now that Lake Michigan can go from muddy grey, dark deep blue/black at night to beautiful shades of blue and green and even brown?



Well living in Chicago near the lake all my life, I was excited to design a collection paying homage to the wonder of this lake. I have captured the different colors of Lake Michigan with this collection. It will get you through the summer into the fall! This Collection should be on the website by mid-May!




See, I told you, there is so much going on with RLT Collection. I hope that you will drop by and check it out! Click Here for the Web Store!







Post Script! Monthly Give Away! Yes, that means  a free bracelet! Every 4th Friday of the month I will give away a RLT Collection Bracelet! But you have to follow the rule! See Below!



If you are not on Instagram sign up today Click Here! in order to qualify you have to follow RLT Collection on Instargam. Intagram is a wonderful new Socail Meida of Pictures and two weeks ago I signed RLT Collection up. My page will feature RLT Colleciton and speicals but also bracelet fashion and trends from around the world. How cool is that? So follow me @ RLTColleciton