Budget Is A Four Letter Word

Random Tuesday

2011-08-01T23:41:00.000-07:00

Hello Lovelies!

Fun/ Random facts about me:

-I ate really healthy for like two weeks. Then my family came to visit and we ate deep dish pizza and other things that weren't really on my cleaning eating list... Since then, I have been eating junk again. I just ate Burger King for dinner actually.

-I have officially lived in Chicago for a year now. Crazy.

-I am addicted to Karmin Covers on youtube. They blow my mind.

-My Colin got (kinda) robbed at gunpoint Saturday night. He was in a convenience store when the guy came in to rob them and he tried to rob Colin as well but Colin and I never carry cash, EVER so, he didn't have anything to give the guy. It was like a "Happy Anniversary of Living in Chicago" event, I think lol. It could have been much worse than it was and I am so so so thankful that it wasn't.

-I have eczema and Lush's Dreamcream and Dreamwash are working wonders on my skin. I feel like my struggle with itchy, dry, red bumps may be over soon!

-Plane tickets are expensive. I need to go home several times this fall but good grief, it is nearly impossible with flight prices like this.

- I'm tired. Didn't sleep at all last night. My sleep schedule is ridiculous.

-I'm officially addicted to Pinterest. Addicted. Love it.

- New favorite blog: Confessions of 20 Something by Pink Lou Lou

I think that is it for now ladies. Hope everyone had a great start to the week!

Work Out Motivation

2011-02-27T22:22:00.000-08:00

You should only open this post if you want to be motivated! Tonight Colin and I celebrated our anniversary a day early because we both have to work tomorrow. We went out to a great sushi place right by his work and then went to a movie. I have been dying to see "Just Go With It" but he put it off as long as possible because he didn't think it would be very good. We both ended up enjoying it, it was very funny. It totally motivated me as well, so that helps. Why did it motivate me, you ask?

A picture is worth a thousand words, right?

Picture from zimbio.com

These ladies have amazing toned, healthy looking bodies. I first noticed that Jennifer Anniston has a great body in The Break Up (remember that scene?) but I have noticed it in other movies as well. There is a scene in He's Just Not That Into You where she is talking to Ben Affleck and she goes to put something on a high shelf and her shirt comes up a little bit and although it doesn't show a lot, it shows that she is TONED. Brooklyn Decker is just... Gorgeous. Wow. She is a SI model but she doesn't look unhealthy or TOO skinny. I like her look because she looks healthy.

Ready for more motivation?

All of the following photos are from TheSuperficial.com

Audrina Patridge. I love her hair!

Kate Gosselin. I have always disliked her, I mean, from day 1 of that show but she is obviously using her newfound money for personal training. She looks great.

LeAnn Rimes isn't popular right now. I read a interview that she did (it was either in Women's Health or Shape) and she was talking about her work out routine... She is hardcore. She said that people who have their cell phones on them at the gym irritate her because she feels like they aren't serious about getting in shape. I hung my head in shame for a bit because I am guilty of texting on the treadmill lol. She does a lot of kickboxing which I would love to try!

Tired of bikinis? Fine, look at Cameron Diaz's arms.

Killer. I am definitely working towards arms like that.

Okay, that is enough for tonight! I am going to go to bed and dream of work outs and toned arms :)

You've Been Mangoed Bath Melt

2011-02-11T13:00:00.000-08:00

What The Saleslady Said:

"The hotter the water, the faster it will melt. When It melts it releases essential oils and you will feel like you are bathing in lotion the water will be so soft."

What The Website Says:

"You've Been Mangoed is bright and breezy, with nutritious mango and avocado butters to make your skin feel as if it's just had a really healthy breakfast and is all set up for the day."

What I Expected:

I expected it to melt and to not really be able to see the oils, just feel the softness. I also expected a very strong mango scent.

The Reality:

While it melted it produced a white creamy layer on the top of the water. It looked like milk but was much more soft and creamy. This product has mango, lemongrass, and citrus oils in it but the only one that I could really smell was the citrus oils. It smelled great and it was a pick-me-up type of bath but I was really hoping for a strong Mango scent. When I got out of the bath, my skin did feel really soft, like I had just used lotion.

Will I Re-buy? Favorite?

I will re-buy this product because I did like the results. It wasn't something that I can't live without though like my favorites. I will post all of my favorites next week.

Lust Haul

2011-02-09T15:21:00.000-08:00

Hello, Hello!

This blog is sadly pretty neglected at this time. I spend most of my time that I have to blog on my baking blog. I will try to get better at blogging! I promise!

Most of you probably already know that I love Lush Products. My Mom used to use a few of the products and would occasionally get me a few for special events but living in Southern MS, Lush stores did not exist lol. Fast forward several years, I moved to Chicago and fell in love all over again. In Chicago, Lush stores are not hard to come by at all and I frequently visit them :)

When Colin's parents came to Chicago for Christmas I introduced them to Lush and they now love it! This week, we are in St Louis visiting them so his Mom and I hit their local Lush store and picked up a few goodies.

I bought two things from their Valentines Day line:

The Ex-Factor Bath Bomb

Description from the website:

"Bathtime voodoo! Its musky, creamy scent and dissolvable limbs make for a wickedly fun bath."

This smells great. If I had to describe the scent, I wouldn't call it "musky". I would say creamy vanilla. I can't wait to use it!

Magic Mushroom Bubble Bar

Description from the website:

"An enchanting toadstool of strawberries and cream bubbles."

I agree with this description, it does smell very sweet like strawberries and cream.

This bubble bar will last for at least 2 baths, maybe more. A common misconception about bubble bars is that you have to use them all at once which is not true. I have gotten FIVE baths out of one before. It just depends on how much you use.

And two products that were not in the Valentines line:

You've Been Mangoed Bath Melt

I don't know why it has taken me this long to purchase this product. I am a freak for all things mango scented.

Description from website:

"Lemongrass and mango butter tropical melt for an soft skin and a sunny outlook."

The saleslady that was helping me said that it will feel like I am bathing in lotion the water will be so soft. I think I like that :) Oh, and it smells AMAZING.

Tea Tree Toner Tab

Description from the website:

"The green one for steam cleaning congested and oily skin."

I couldn't contain my curiosity about this little guy so I had to pick one up.

That is all I got from the St Louis Lush store but little did I know that my MIL had gotten me a gift set in the After Christmas Sale.

The Christmas Star Gift Set

This is not online anymore but I will show you each individual gift that came inside.

Cinders Bath Bomb

Description from the website:

"A soothing soaker for seasonal chills"

A saleslady in the Chicago store once told me that this has pop rocks on top to simulate a fire cracking. Or chestnuts roasting.

Li'l Lush Pud

Description from the box insert:

"Looks like pudding, smells like pudding, fizzes like a spicy bath bomb"

So White Bath Bomb

Description from box insert:

"A carpet of apple-scented snow from our Baby Bomb with added froth"

Winter Bath Bath Bomb

Description from box insert:

"Plunge yourself into a deep, spicy ginger-scented bath"

Yes, I think I will :)

Those four are from their Christmas line and are all $1.98 on their website, if you are interested in trying them.

Two products that were included in the gift set that were not from their Christmas line:

Think Pink Bath Bomb

Description from box insert:

"Bathe in sweet, fragrant pinkness with an explosion of confetti hearts"

This is something that I have tried before because it has been around forever. I can't remember if I loved it or not (It was years ago) so I will write a review once I have used it again.

Mrs Whippy Bath Bomb

Isn't it cute?

Description from the box insert:

"Superbly softening sophisticated strawberry ice-cream bath bomb."

My pictures are horrible because they were taken on an iPhone. I could have taken the pictures from the website but I didn't want anyone to think that I didn't REALLY buy these products. I am not advertising for Lush in anyway and did not receive these products as compensation for this post from Lush.

I am writing about Lush because I am absolutely in love with their products and I think that you will be too if you give them a try!

For those of you who have tried Lush before, what did you think? Do you have favorite products?

My favorites will be in a post coming sometime next week :)

Working Out

2010-12-08T22:13:00.000-08:00

Hello Lovely Neglected Readers!

I have finally found a gym that I love. I don't know if all LA Fitness locations are the same but if they are, they all rock. This is what I have been looking for in a gym. I have never worked out alone before, I always had my best friend Stacey with me, but since I moved I thought I would hate working out alone... I was completely wrong. It is so relaxing to just not have to talk. All day at work I talk to give direction. Telling people to do this, or do that. When I get home I talk to Colin, not that this is a bad thing at all. I am just saying that I have grown to love that hour and half that I am at the gym for the silence it brings. I don't even listen to music, I just think.. Or don't think at all.. Whatever I feel like that day.

At my old gym they constantly had big promotions to get people to join so it was pretty cheap... And crowded. It got to the point where we would literally have to stand in line for a treadmill! It was ridiculous. The gym that I belong to now is huge. There is so many machines that no matter what time a day I go, it never feels crowded.

Their group fitness classes never seem to match up with my work schedules but one day I hope to participate in those. I have never done a group fitness class before so it would be a little scary.

Have you ever had a bad gym experience? Good one? Ever taken a group fitness class? Which one was your favorite?

Product Review

2010-10-13T12:08:00.000-07:00

I have had the same amazing stylist since I was fourteen years old. We have grown together. We have bonded. We have experimented with different hairstyles. I trust her with my hair completely.

And then, I moved.

Its so hard to trust someone else with your hair when you haven't had to trust someone new in so long. I am sure there are better stylists somewhere in the big city of Chicago, I am sure I will find one that I love, but I just wasn't ready to do that yet.

The last time I went to my stylist at home we decided to put a really blonde streak in my hair towards my bangs and then purple streaks underneath in the bottom layers. I know that sounds like it couldn't look cute, but it just worked. I don't know how, it just did. Even my parents liked it and they hate anything not traditional. Moral of the story, my hair was three different colors and all three of them have been slowly growing out. It looked really bad and we are going to St Louis this weekend to visit family and (eek) take family pictures. I couldn't stand the thought of taking pictures with hair like that but of course, it was too late to get a appointment with anyone that was suggested on The Nest when I posted about this.

I took the plunge. I bought a boxed dye.

This one to be exact. I was so scared. How could a boxed dye work when I had three different colors in my hair?

Sorry for the no make up look. I could say I am trying something more natural or I could tell the truth- I just woke up.

I am really pleased with the dye. Honestly. It covered three different colors and I now have just one color again. Magical feeling really. I wish I would have taken a before picture but I was much too embarrassed.

I know everyone's hair will react differently I am just posting about what worked for me and this, worked for me.

I also like that I paid $8 when I would have paid $150 in a salon. BONUS! Lol.

Happy Wednesday, we are almost to the weekend!

Lush Reviews

2010-09-30T22:56:00.000-07:00

OK, I lied in my last post. I completely forgot about two products that I LOVED. Loved so much I will be buying them again after I run out. That is rare for me, I usually just find something new.

Sorry for the really small pictures! This is "Big Shampoo" and "American Cream Conditioner" from Lush. I absolutely love these products and I definitely recommend them to anyone. I was skeptical at first when I got out of the shower because my hair felt really weird. Like it was going to be really tangled. I brushed it out and blow dried it and just fell in love. The next day at work I was getting compliments on my new highlights and I haven't gotten highlights in MONTHS. My hair was shiney and so soft! Not to mention, the way it smelled. Oh. My. Gosh. My hair smells like a vanilla milkshake and I never get tired of it. Even if I shower and wash my hair at night and then sleep on, at 9:00 the next night, after working all day, I can still smell the vanilla in my hair.

If you are lucky enough to live near a Lush store, go in and get samples. I have had hit and miss experiences with Lush so for shampoos and skincare products I always get samples first. I don't have a problem buying the bath bombs and and soaps, things like that, but if it is expensive, its best to make sure you like it first and I LOVE that Lush will give you so many samples.

Also, I just want to say that the people that work at the Lush on Michigan Avenue are the nicest people I have ever come in contact with! They are amazing.

Anyways, I have never ordered online from Lush so I am not sure if they take products back or are good with refunds... You would have to read the fine print I guess.

It has been a long time!

2010-09-30T19:33:00.000-07:00

It has been way too long since I have updated this blog. Since I last updated, we moved to Chicago and started our new jobs. Our jobs are going really well, we are both enjoying them so much more than our last jobs! With the move, new jobs, and settling in, I haven't had a lot of time to shop.

The one product that I have bought that I love is Revlon's Colorstay Foundation. I have always bought (not to sound snobby at all) more expensive make up like Smashbox and Bare Escentuals but those brands were just getting kind of.. Eh. I wasn't enjoing them like I used to and my skin was starting to break out a lot more.

I am not claiming that using this foundation has cut down on my breakouts because it is some miracle liquid.. But I am saying that I have noticed less breakouts since I have been using it. Whether it is the foundation, or my skin's adaptation to a new enviroment, is up for debate.

Not to mention the coverage. I love how creamy and easy to blend this foundation is.

I now know that I can get better results with a ten dollar foundation than I was with thirty plus dollars foundation.
I know that my hubby likes the difference in price!

I hope everyone is having a fabulous Thursday night. Thursdays are my favorite time of the week because I have the day off work and Grey's Anatomy is on! Lol

Product Review

2010-07-17T00:28:00.000-07:00

Hey!

I am packing for yet another trip to Chicago but I wanted to drop in and give a product review. This is a product that I have had a few months and never got around to writing a review until now.

Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer

I know that a lot of you already use this primer but I just have to say that I love it. I have dark eye lids and this gives me that flawless look that we work so hard for on our faces. It also helps my eye shadow stay on longer and more true to its original color.

That is all for now!

Wish me happy traveling!

Packing

2010-07-15T20:53:00.000-07:00

   We just started packing today! I wish I could be excited about the packing process but um... We are just packing the stuff that we don't need for the next two weeks and the stuff we are taking to Goodwill. I can't believe how much stuff we have to donate or throw away. I don't know how two people can accumulate so many things that we don't use or wear.

   My apartment is such a wreck! I hate how you have to mess up to pack. You have to pull everything out of hiding and face your clutter.

   Anyways, we are going to Chicago this weekend to make everything official (lease, interviews, ect) and I can't wait. I should be doing laundry right now but no. I am writing this blog.

   I leave you with this horrible picture of my apartment:

You can't see anything but boxes!!

Double Birthday Party Cake

2010-07-13T20:07:00.000-07:00

I was so busy in the days leading up to the party that I didn't get to make it as big as I wanted. I wanted to do two tiers but it was fine the way it was.

Tyler loves all things Disney. His favorite thing about Disney is Mickey Mouse in the Steamboat Willie time period. Oh yeah, and he works at the post office... So his side of the cake looked like this:

Apparently this really was a stamp awhile back.

He loved it.

Jamie loves Twilight. Of course, she is a girl.

This side is inspired by the different book covers. BUT I didn't have time to do the flower that was on one of the covers. Oh well, she liked it anyway.

Side view

Top view.

Thanks for looking!

Chicago Dreamin'

2010-07-12T00:53:00.000-07:00

I just want to say that I will be so glad to be all moved in at our apartment in Chicago. We are going back up there on Saturday but only for five days. If everything goes as planned with our lease and job interviews we will be moving officially on the last day of this month. There are a lot of expenses that go into moving. Especially when you are moving across the country. Its all okay though and I am sure it will be totally worth it. I just won't have any interesting purchases to show you guys for awhile. No one wants to see boxes and packing tape :)

On another note, two of my good friends Tyler and Jamie just had birthdays and the party is Tuesday. I wish I could explain how I am going to do their cake properly.. But I guess I will just show you pictures of the completed project. That is, if I can get it all finished in time. It is a big cake with a lot of detail and I work everyday until the party.. Maybe I should use a sick day.. If only we had those. Nope, no paid sick days for us. It is too much hassle to call in for a shift where I work because you have to find someone to take that shift and honestly, who wants to give up their day off?

Ugh.. Off to do some gumpaste work.
Goodnight World.

A Mascara and NY&C Sale!

2010-07-09T22:01:00.000-07:00

Today was awesome! Even though my best friend Julieann woke me up WAY before I usually wake up, she wanted to go shopping so it was okay in my book. I work late at night so for me to be up before 11 is RARE. And I am sick right now. I know you're thinking, how can you go shopping when your sick? Well, the truth is, my favorite pair of dress pants has a hole in them!! OH NO, THE HORROR!!! So naturally, because this is my only day off, I had no choice. I HAD to drag my congested self to the mall. Boy! Am I gad that I did! When we walked into New York & Company is was one of those moments you see in tv where everything is highlighted with spotlights and cool music plays... I knew we made a good choice. Apparently, they got their Fall shipment in yesterday and had no where to put the stuff so they had to mark EVERYTHING down. It was unreal. Almost everything in the store was $9.99. I literally bought $143.80 worth of clothes and only payed $43. I know.. Amazing. I had been eyeing this vest for some time not but couldn't bring myself to pay forty bucks for it.. Today, I paid ten.

Weird photo. Anyways.

Patience really paid off this time, just don't tell my husband that :)

Also, before I left this morning I was reading blogs and came across this post by Idle Banter (follow her!) and since I am a huge fan of DiorShow mascara like she is, decided to try the mascara that she reviewed. It is called The Falsies and it is made by Maybelline. I think I love it.

Yep. It worked for me just like it did for her.

Of course, I will always love DiorShow mascara but that doesn't mean that when funds don't allow me to have theirs that I can't have a great $6 mascara.

Thank you Idle Banter for introducing me to a great product!

And now, I shall leave you all with this picture of me half waving to you.

Yep. I am a dork.

And for the cute factor, Mally taking a nap. She is mean. Don't let that face fool you.

Would You Rather...

2010-07-08T23:44:00.000-07:00

Well Hello!

I am having the hardest time sleeping tonight so I want to say hey to you guys.. Yes, all ten of you :) Since I have had fever/body aches/ head aches/ and stomach cramps for the past two days I don't have much to talk about!

This post from Kelsey Lately made me remember that I haven't even told you guys that I got glasses.. Yes, two weeks ago I went in for my first eye check up since I was 8 (Bad, I know) and found out that I am almost blind in my left eye. I was very insecure about them at first but after a lot of positive feedback and Kelsey's post about how they are fashionable right now, I am feeling better about them.

I stole the following questions from Veronika's blog. If you don't follow her, you should. It is a "would you rather" survey and I thought it would be fun. It reminds me of those myspace surveys that everyone used to do except those asked you really personal questions that no one else should know.

I should delete my myspace honestly. I don't know why I don't. I am a Facebook girl now!

Anyway, on to the questions:

1.Would you rather go out with messy hair and nice make-up or Nice hair and no make-up?

As long as I can apply my skin care products, I would choose nice hair and no make-up. I like to let my skin breathe as often as I can which is usually on my day off running errands.

2.Would you rather shave your eyebrows or have your eyelashes fall out?

Eye lashes fall out. The miracle worker that cuts my hair also does make up and when she applies fake eyelashes 1. They stay on for two days and 2. They look completely real.

3.Would you rather be forced to shop at only MAC or Sephora for the rest of your life?

Sephora. I know it is crazy but I honestly do not own one single product from MAC. I don't have anything against them, I just fell in love with other products before I ever tried theirs.4.Would you rather wear lipgloss/lipliner look or 80's perm?

Lipgloss and lipliner.. You can make that work... There is no coming back from a 80's perm. :)

5.Would you rather leave the house with an obvious foundation line or overdone blush?

Thats a hard one. I guess I would have to say overdone blush.

6.Would you rather wear MC Hammer pants or biker shorts in public?

Bike shorts. I would have that cool just worked out look going on :)

7.Would you rather have a bad orange-y spray tan or really weird tan lines that can't be covered?

I'd rather have tan lines. I kind of like tan lines for some strange reason.

8.Would you rather have a bad haircut or bad hair color?

Bad color, because you can redye it. Yes, hair grows back but geez, it takes awhile sometimes.
9.Would you rather have youtube or twitter taken away forever?

Twitter. I have an account but I don't even use it!

10. Would you rather give up using makeup brushes or mascara?

I would give up mascara. I would rather my eyes be a little less defined than try to apply my powder foundation with my fingers :)

This is a long post considering the fact that I said I have nothing to talk about.

Goodnight

All things cake

2010-07-05T16:53:00.000-07:00

I figured I would show you guys some cakes I have made in the past few weeks. I love baking! I know that I have so much to learn and I am not saying my cakes are incredible (or even good) but I have a lot of fun making them.

and some cookies:

Happy Fourth of July

2010-07-04T22:34:00.000-07:00

I hope yours was better than mine. Work sucks and I can thank it for yet another wasted holiday. There is so much drama around there and I just want to leave it all behind and head for Chicago. I know, I know, a new city won't fix all your problems but what about the problems that are directly related to where you live?

I wasn't in the mood for fireworks tonight after such a bad day work.. Netflix, greasy food, and my husband? Yeah, that's just what the doctor ordered..

Its been awhile

2010-06-28T00:43:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been FOREVER since I have written! I should tell you that I finally got the fossil watch that I lusted after for months. I love it. I wear it every day honestly! It was my present to myself for getting a promotion lol!

LOVE IT!

In bigger news, C and I are thinking about moving to Chicago! How exciting! I love Chicago and always have! I want to go to The French Pastry School so bad! Hopefully it all works out, we are just waiting to hear back from potential employers! We already have an apartment picked out and everything.

Also, I have been looking into Trash The Dress photoshoots and I love the idea. I would love the idea even more in Chicago! Maybe on our one year anniversary.. Could be a good idea.. Do you just throw the dress away after that?

A Cookbook with TONS of pictures

2010-04-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

Finally.
A cookbook with tons of pictures. I haven't tried any of the recipes yet but I am already in love just because of the pictures. It was written by a lady that started a blog, that many of you may follow, and became so heavily followed that she wrote her own cook book.

My favorite cookbook of all time is Make it Fast, Cook it Slow and you can read her blog here but this cook book seems like a great investment as well.

The book I am rambling on about is The Pioneer Woman Cooks. You guys should SO check this book out if you are like me and love to see what you are making.

And because I mentioned it:

aka: The best cookbook ever.

So Super Sore

2010-04-11T20:33:00.000-07:00

Heya!
Today my ankles hurt really bad still from our run the other day so we just walked. S' shins hurt so she was okay without running. We are so pathetic. I had no idea how out of shape I was!

We walked for around and hour and then swam an hour.

I was really excited because my hubby joined us! We had a great time and then ate baked potatoes and roasted chicken for dinner YUMO!

The best part is, I am exhausted. It is 10:30 and I am about to go to bed. Why, you ask, is this good? Because I normally have problems sleeping and can't fall asleep until at least 3am. My stupid job has messed my sleep schedules ALL up!

Anyway, I had a great day and I hope that you all did as well. I know I am not ready for Monday since I have a 12 hour shift and I will miss "The Price of Beauty" but hey, thats okay. Nothing is killing my mood right now :)
Goodnight everyone!

OOTD.. And a story.

2010-04-10T22:16:00.000-07:00

I had to change bras after seeing this picture :)

So there you have it. My first OOTD.

It felt a little hippie-ish which is something new for me.

I wanted to wear a lot of jewelry, it felt like one of those days.

T-Shirt- Old Navy

Maxi Dress- Kohls

All jewelry is from Kohls

Shoes were from Charlotte Russe..

Oh, I didn't take a picture of those...

Problem solved.

Okay, now for the story. I was trying to leave for my shower at around 12 but I was running late so it was more like one. Once I was in my car I remembered that I had a gift for my cousin's wife that I had forgotten to grab so I jumped out of the car and started rushing back to the house. Well... I tripped on the curb. I'm not talking about a normal trip where you catch yourself half way down. Oh no, I fell... ALL THE WAY DOWN. I don't know how it happened but as I was lying there with my face pressed against the ground and bleeding knees, all that came to my mind was "Oh dear god, how many people saw that".

Honestly? If I was a innocent bystander, I would have laughed my butt off. It was that funny. Not to me at the time, but looking back I am able to see the humor in it.

I hope everyone had a great Saturday, I sure did! We got so many things from the shower that we needed. Does anyone else have the problem where, now that your married, people are constantly asking when you are having a baby? That happened a gillion times today. One of my aunts (who I dislike.. Don't judge, you've got one too lol) came up to me when I first got there, and then first thing she said to me was "wow, your boobs are getting bigger.. Know what that means.." It was awkward. Very rude in my opinion. I thought we could talk about the weather or something first, not jump straight to the size of my chest!

Couch-2-5k today? Nope, we are running tomorrow so I really have no news on that. Thanks for all the nice comments about it though! I really hope I can stick with it.

Couch to 5k & a Future OOTD

2010-04-09T19:46:00.000-07:00

I have really been wanting to challenge myself to run a 5k for the last few months. I hate hate hate running and can't do it for very long at all but hey, that is why they call it a challenge, right? When I heard about Couch-to-5k I was immediately interested and looked it up. I read a lot of great reviews on various sites including some from my nesties. I convinced my best friend to try it with me and today was day one.

I didn't realize just how out of shape I am. It was hard but it also felt good. The first 5k that we are going to participate in is in June. I have a long way to go before I am ready for that. This is something that I really want to do and I'm looking forward to continuing this challenge!

What is a challenge or goal that you are working towards? This doesn't have to be fitness related at all, just any goal you may have.

Now for the fun stuff! I have decided to do my very first OOTD tomorrow. I normally don't do these because what I wear is usually pretty basic and not internet worthy so this is going to be a change. I am mainly doing it because I want opinions on a dress I bought today from Kohls.

This is their Striped Maxi Dress.

I have never had a maxi dress before and don't really know how it will look on me.. It is worth a try though because it is super soft and comfortable.

I found some other really cute pieces that I fully intend on going back to get in the next few weeks but they don't have them online yet.

Anyway, get ready for my OOTD tomorrow! Whoot whoot!

Happy Friday,

Cookbook Fail

2010-04-08T14:33:00.001-07:00

I went to B&N today to pick up the cookbook that I talked about in my last post today but it was not what I was expecting. At all. It was more of a diet book and I couldn't find the recipes. Granted, I only flipped through for a few minutes, but still.

I like my cookbooks to have pictures in them. I am like a little kid in that way. I want to SEE what I am making.

I don't think I will purchase this book after all.
:(
My search continues.

A cook book and Jessica Simpson

2010-04-08T00:13:00.000-07:00

Heya chicks!
I haven't been working out at all. I have felt sick and tired all of the time. I am working insane hours and sleeping at insane times of the day and it hasn't made for a very happy, or healthy, KatieBrook.

I think that one of my main problems health wise, is that I get too busy to cook. The past few weeks I haven't felt like going grocery shopping so we have been eating out a lot. Add that to me not exercising at all, and let me tell you, I feel like I have gained 600 pounds in two weeks. I most likely haven't gained any but the truth is, at this point, it isn't about that anymore. It is about the way I feel. I want to feel healthy again. I want to not be so tired all of the time. I want to get rid of these headaches and get into great moods again. I want to aggravate my husband for no reason instead of lying here begging him to cut into my skull and rip my brain out! At this point, he may be considering it :) joke.

I can't sleep, of course, so I decided to see what all the nesties are talking about tonight. When I got to the home page though, one of their articles caught my attention. "20 healthy chicken recipes". We eat a lot of chicken. This, I thought, may be exactly what I am looking for. Most of the recipes looked delicious and for the most part, they were things I could see myself cooking. All of the recipes were from a book called "Skinny Chicks Don't Eat Salads".

This book is probably something I will invest in. I am not interested in going on a diet, I just want more healthy recipes.

Now for Jessica Simpson. I look forward to "The Price of Beauty" every week. She used to annoy me, now she inspires me. I am so proud of who she has become as a woman. This week she posed for Marie Claire's May issue with no make up and no photo shopping. How brave. You go Jessica, you are beautiful, from the inside out.

One thing that I love that she said is "I don't have anything to prove anymore".

It made me think, what are we all trying to prove?

Happy Monday

2010-04-05T10:45:00.000-07:00

Its Monday!
I usually hate Mondays but I am determined to make this a good day. Right now I am babysitting my sisters and then I plan on doing a little shopping. Prolly Old Navy. I need some summer clothes. And work clothes. Casual clothes. Pretty much, I just need clothes. I also need bras but I hate hate hate bra shopping.

Before all if that though, I am going to do a thirty minute cleaning dash.
Wish me luck.
If I buy anything I will show pictures later.
Hope everyone is having a fabulous day!

New Addition to Our Family

2010-04-04T17:11:00.000-07:00

This is Mally, the newest addition to our family!

She is seven weeks old and one pound six ounces.

Colin got her for me for Easter!

Speaking of that, Happy Happy Easter to you all!

I love Easter and this one was no different.

My sister is spending the night with us.

So far we have just watched New Moon and talked about the pros and cons of being a vampire.

It should be an interesting night.