Vacation Confessions

I am linking with Leslie today for Friday Confessions.

....I'm currently on my first cruise, I am sure I am loving it.  I am pretty sure I am in my bathing suit, looking something like this...

Circa April 2012- Zihuatanejo, Mexico

....with a hand muddled cocktail in my hand, because those are my favorites.

...I am getting more freckly as we speak, and I LOVE it!!!

...My vacation is coming to an end, and it's making me sad, but please don't feel too bad for me, we were looking at cool things like this the entire time.

via

...I was a little hesitant to blow through so many vacation days in one week, but this trip was TOTALLY worth it!!!

...It's going to be so hard to go back to reality aka work in a five short days.

I'm in Brazil

And this is what my balcony is looking at!!!

Miss you all.
Will respond to your comments soon!!!

PS first time posting from the phone. Sorry for any weirdness :)

Always Trust Your Gut ...

I had a random Monday off a week or so ago.

And when I run errands in the middle of the day, it somehow always makes me feel like a stay at home Mom, which is weird because I'm not a Mom, and I have a full time job, but I guess that's besides the point.

I relaxed, went for a run, took a super long and extra hot shower, and took my time getting ready.

Once I was ready, I set out to complete my errands, that usually take place on Sunday. 

Last Stop, Safeway.  There are two Safeways close, one's like 3 minutes away, and the other is 6 minutes away, I was at the closer of the two.

Picture not related to post, but fun wrist flare
Watch//Juicy Couture
Black Bracelet//Nordstrom
Bangles//F21
Lucky Bracelet//Lucky Brand

When I was Pac Manning through the parking lot searching for a empty parking space (wow, there are a LOT of Mom's shopping in the middle of the day), I saw this man walking towards the entrance of the store.He was not far enough away for me stop, but a little to close for me to continue at my normal speed.

So I sped up a little (from like five to eight MPH people) to pass him.

As I did so, I look back in my rear view mirror and see this man standing behind my car with his hands in the air, GLARING at me for a LONG period of time.

I'm not saying I am a wimp, but the man now knew my general look and the car I drove.
It was FREAKING me out.
I had visions of coming out to my car and having it keyed, I pictured him coming up to me and cussing me out, I picture him pulling up behind my car and not moving...my mind was spiraling OUT OF CONTROL.

I decided the safest thing to do would be to drive to the other Safeway and not risk my (or my cars) safety.  I parked and shopped (with Starbucks in hand) peacefully.

Was I crazy to think this man would have done something to me or my car, probably.

 But honestly, you never know these days, there are sooo many craze-os out there.
 I just wanted to be sure I was safe.

Though I paranoid, and then thought about what my Mom has always said.

"Always Trust Your Gut"
So I know I did the right thing.

Have you ever had an experience like this??

WIW: Grey and Yellow Maxi and JCP

So in real life I am in Brazil on a cruise.

I am sure I am really stressed out, I probably have a cocktail in hand.

Gosh sometimes life is hard.

But I want to share this little get up with you.

 Skirt//Target (similar here)

Shirt//Express

Sandals//Old Navy

Sunnies//JCP (similar here)

I hope you guys are having a great day, and week.

You're already half way through.

#humpday

And on a random side note, if you have not checked out JCP recently, you should.

I've been watchin' those new commercials they have, but doubted they had changed their ways.

They have, and they have such cute stuff!!! I stopped in to grab a belt for my boyfriend and was blown away. These glasses are too stinkin' cute, as was everything else.

Peace, Holler, and Drank.

I'm on a boat!!!

DIY Baby Shower Party Favors on a Budget

I'm going to be an Aunt, and we just had a Baby Shower for Reese.

(Her name hanging on the nursery wall, it's official)

I've been worked for the weeks on planning on the details.

And let me tell you this stuff can add up quick.

Decorations, Food, Desserts, Drinks, Prizes

You get the picture..

We did a good job keeping everything fairly economical for the most part.

That being said I was in charge of favors, and I didn't want to spend too much.

I googled some ideas, but the nothing seemed really exciting to me, and everything seemed pricey.

And then I had a light bulb idea, a moment of brilliance if you will.

And here you have it

$24.75 dollars for 28 favors.

 Not even joking.

Let me break it down for you:

 2 packs of 14 degradable pots (Home Depot)- $6

2 packs clear party bags @ $4/pk. from Target- $8

3 packs of Basil seeds @ $2/pk. (Home Depot)- $6

Ribbon (One spool Michaels)- $3

Paper for tags (2 sheets @ $.79/sheet)- $1.75

They are particuarly apporirate for a Spring shower, or so I thought, especially
with garden planting season just around the corner.
And people LOVED 'em.

What have you given for favors?
Any good tips???

Top 5 Annoying Things I Do

Things I do that MUST drive my boyfriend crazy.
So I decided to make a list of the top 5 things I do that drive him nuts.

Sometimes I seriously wonder how he deals with me.
 He's such a good roommate :)

1.

Play a single song on repeat while putting on my makeup and getting ready.

I kid you not it's the 'flavor of the week' and I play it over and over and over again while getting ready.  I have a problem though, I don't get sick of songs for a long time and when I love a song, I LOVE a song.  Right now this is my jam
...like whoa

2.

I am always checking my phone. You might know us bloggers are a little obsessive compulsive.  I'm always wondering who has posted what on instagram??? Have I read her current blog post?? What's New at Forever21? So when I am eating breakfast, doing my make up, watching TV, writing a blog post, sitting at red light, waiting in line at the store, laying in bed, I am touching my screen seeking more from all the social media sources #instagram, pinterest, facebook, blogging world, etc.  I need to make a rule no phone during dinner, TV time, or Sundays, and after 10pm.
I think we'd both benefit from this.

3.

I set three alarms to get up in the morning, always.  Majority of the time, I get up my butt out of bed at the first alarm and put on my running gear and take off.  On the days that my first alarm goes off, and I am no quite feeling like a run, I click the top button to silence it, and forget to turn the rest of the alarms off. I hit the top button, and then 9-13 minutes later it goes off again and then another 9-13 minutes it goes off again.  But when I don't...it's three loud blaring alarms going off.
Whoopsies...

4.

Leave things on my nightstand. So I'm a clean person overall (I vacuum twice a week, don't go calling me dirty) but sometimes I let things pile up on my side of the bed. My kindle, a water bottle, my camera, a magazine, and hair ties, some bobby pins, etc. sometimes always manage to pile up on my night stand. Always. On weekends when I am gone doing things (read this weekend skiing with my brother) I come home to all my things gently gathered together and put in my the top drawer of a nightstand.

5.
I'm not sure what it is about keeping a car clean that I find so difficult, I spose my car and nightstand are my 'achilles heels' if you will.  I keep a few things in my car, and the few things that are in there seem to repoduce or something.  My yoga mat and windshield cover turned into snow booths, two umbrellas, my bootcamp journal, a box of things from my parents house, and two nalgenes.  Not quite sure how that happened, but yes it did.  I always thought that once I got a car I loved, which happened about a year ago, I would keep it cleaner.
What can I say, I guess I am a creature of habit.

I am sure there are a zillion more things that I do that drive him nuts.
But he loves me.
I love him too, unconditionally.

P.S. I'm sure spaying inordinate amount of hair spray while he's still in the bathroom, stealing his hangers, wearing his sweat pants, always want a bite of whatever he's eating, and needing to hear him say I love you a zillion times a day, are all annoying things as well.

Man Time

Man time is important.

I've come to realize and accept this.
I didn't take me a long to accept, but at times I get selfish, and have to remind myself that guy time is just as important as my girls night out, mani/pedis, and long phone conversations.

They need time to talk about how many wings they ate the other night, the new Pawn Stars episode, their online games, schwacking their beef (even if they don't do it (yup I just said that deal with it)), and the beer they just tried.
Hey, they are guys.

I know what I just wrote above doesn't make me seem like a romantic, but I am.
If you read this, this, or this post you would know that's true.
But I'm also realistic.

Beer Fest Circa June 2012

We can't expect guys to hang out with us crazy ladies all the time.
They have to do stuff for them, like we have to do stuff for us.
This doesn't make us selfish, it makes us human.

Between my after work fitness classes, girls nights, getting my hair did, blogging, reading my books, shopping, and other things I spend much of my time doing away from my boyfriend, it's ludicrous to think that he wouldn't need to some the same.

I don't spend time away from him because I don't love him, because I don't like spending time with him, or because we don't have a healthy relationship.
I spend time 'away' from him doing things for me, because it helps make our relationship better.
 It keeps the balance.

And this is why they need to do the same.

I expect him to go out without me and grab a drinks with a buddy, and enjoy that man time,
because he's so understanding when I do MY things.
I love him.

Hope you all have a great weekend.
Is your man gettin' some guy time this weekend?

WIW: I'm Leaving Edition

I am currently on a plane on my way to RIO!!!!

Yes, I did all the things on my packing list, don't worry.

I'll be out the country 'til the April 2nd.

I can't freaking wait to relax for 10 (whole) days.

I have pre-schedueled all my posts, so hopefully you won't miss me too much while I'm 'gone'. 

My responses however might not happen until I return...so just hang in there will you?

Thanks in advance for your patience!!!

I found this shirt at Target for $12.99

I couldn't resist.

Two tone, zipper in the back, colorful...

what more could a girl blogger ask for?

 Shirt//Target

Jeans//Express

Boots//Target circa 2011

Necklace//Groopdealz

 These boots are also from Target, years ago.

I often wish I had gotten two pairs.
  I feel like sometimes it's the cheapest shoes,
 that they no longer make that I want more of.

I hope you are all having a great day!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Weight Watchers: Before and After

So this one time, a year and half ago, my then roommate asked me to do Weight Watchers.

I thought to myself, "Why would a 23 year old do on Weight Watchers,
 I don't have any weight to loose..."
Or so I thought.

Remember some college stories from this post??
It's amazing what four years of partying college will do to you.

Even when you think you're fit, healthy, and okay, you're wrong.  

Don't get my wrong, I worked out through college, ran multiple times a week,
but a five mile run can't keep up with the ten five drinks you the had the night before.

So we joined,
Weighed in (read: scariest and most depressing moment of my life),
and starting tracking our 'points'.
Logging every.single.item.we.ate.
But it Got results
Here are mine.

I was down 25 pounds in 3 months.

To give you some perspective:

25 lbs. = average weight of a 2 year old child

25 lbs. = five five lb. bags of flour

 25 lbs. = a small dog

25 lbs. = a 19'' TV

25 lbs. = a LOT for someone that thought she had nothing to lose. 

Here are pictures of my face (thanks photobooth) before and after

And here are pictures of my body before and after.

You can sure see those 25lbs., can't you???

That being said my lowest weight on WW wasn't maintainable with the lifestyle I wanted to live.
I enjoy eating out, getting frozen yogurt, and having a latte every now and again.

So I gained 5 lbs. back, BUT I have maintained the total 20 lb. weight loss for over a year now (you guys know what I look like now from my outfit posts),
so my experience was still SUPER successful.

If I ever need to lose weight in the future, WW is the tool I will use.

It's easy, manageable, and it gets results.

 But we all already knew that because we've seen Jennifer Hudson.

 Damn she's bangin'

If you have any questions, ask away.
I am happy to talk about any and all of my experiences.

P.S. If I am going to be totally honest, I am thinkin' this will be one of the more popular posts to date.
Isn't this the stuff people love reading about???
'Real life'

If it's not one of my more 'popular' posts so be it...sometimes I just can't predict what you guys are going to like.

P.P.S. I leave for Rio Tomorrow...Oh .Em .Gee.......

A Bloggin' Birthday

So exactly one year ago today I started this blog.

Without having read a single blog, EVER.

(Thanks to this girl, who had just started her own)

She said you should start one, you'd be good at it, cough a year later, cough...

Seriously who does this???

I mean there is serious blogging etiqquete.

And this new kid (me) walks in thinkin' she can do it.

#sowrong

Taken at my sister-in-laws baby shower this weekend, more pictures to follow

Well I thought I could...
And now I am thinking maybe I can't...

I feel like I am doggy paddling through the blog world.

There are days I feel like quitting.  I questions whether I really enjoy it, or if I just continue doing it because I know eventually I will be successful, and it will give back to me as much as I give to it.

I don't mean monetarily people, I just mean that I know I will get to a point that it will all come easy, the feelings of uncertainty will ease, and it will be exactly the place on the web that I want my space at SBSL to be.

When you come it blind to something it's kind of a learn as you go, 

excerise of the imagination type of deal.

So this is what you guys have gotten from me for the past 365 days.

You guys have learned I am a local gal, who loves to travel, sent her doggies to bootcamp,  that met her boyfriend at a bar.  You have seen my obsession with colored skinny jeans and jeggings, you figured I out I love skiing, and that I always makes a fool of myself at weddings.

But we just skimmed the surface.

This year I promise to give you loyal readers more of everything.

I will give you posts with better content,  I will give you inspiration, and  I will give you more interaction. 

I want to dive into the blogging world, 

because I finally feel like I have a grasp on what it has to offer. 

I know it can learn from it, grow from it, and be challenged by it,

 but most of all I know I can enjoy it.

Get ready for some fun changes this year.

And please, please, please keep reading.

I promise you'll love me you won't regret it.

And if you feel so inclined recruit some of your blogging friends to stop by so they can love me too!!!

Thanks for all your love, support, help, advice, and fun!

But you should really thank this gal for talking me into it.

P.S.

Yay for starting birthdays over at 1.

I am going to be so young in twenty years.
I love it!!!

Pinch Me, I Did It!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day Ladies.

I hope you all have a great day.

I was feeling lucky when I tried curling my hair with my flat iron for the first time, and it worked.

 I've watched a few youtube videos about this.

This is the one I watched on Thursday night when I was feeling very brave.

I think things worked, but you can be the judge of that.

I will say I liked the curls- more natural looking, they took less time, and it stayed curled longer.

My hair usually falls out so fast it's almost not even worth curling.

But now back to programming as usual:

I hope you enjoy a Irish Car Bomb, Guinness, and some Baileys and Cream.

Mine will be be spent packing, doing laundry, making lists, and packing.

We leave in two days.

I've got to get everything together.

We celebrated St. Patrick's Day on Friday at work.

Nothin' like some shamrock anteaneas.

 Skirt//Target

Shoes//Target

Shirt//Target

Over Shirt//Old Navy

Necklace//Groop Dealz

 See those leopard shoes???

Sneaky cheetah if you will.

Because no outfit is complete without it.

Hope you all had a great drunk weekend Sunday.

A Front Pack, Brazil, and a Baby

 Four Days 'til BRAZIL

and a Baby Shower this weekend!!!

And by baby shower I mean glorified bump viewing.

On a more entertaining note, I actually saw this in real life this week.
I snapped the picture while driving (I know, I know) away from Starbizzle.
Can we talk about what is happening here...why is the dog smiling?

There is nothing happy about being a dog carried around in a front pack.
Dogs can walk, babies can't, just sayin'
- - -

Now that we have that important facts are of the way, lets get the real juice of this post.
There really is no more juice, but you can keep reading if you want too...If not.
Just remember a week from today, I'll be in Rio.
- - -

The weather has been so nice this week, we're talking jeans and a shirt type of weather.
But my boyfriend has been SUPER sick with the flu all week.

So I've been making him home made chicken noodle soup every night, waiting on his hand and foot, and nursing him back to health.

 

So we spent the better half of the evenings this week laying in bed eating dinner and watching TV.

Apparently all I have to do to 'make him feel better' is lay next to him. 

Hey, I won't complain. I am super caught up with blogging, celebrity gossip, and my book,

which never happens, ever.
 - - -
Despite my unuaual laziness (there is no Zoey to walk, and I was home every night this week), I am still unusually tired.  I think those two 5 am boot camps just did me in, and
this whole day light savings times is really gettin' to me.
I've never felt it before, I feel like I'm getting old.

- - -
I am excited for my Sister-In-Laws baby shower this weekend.
I finally get to see the bump.
She's like you're dream pregnant lady.
She is tiny everywhere, and looks like she's hiding a basketball under her shirt.
I'll share pictures on Monday.

I'll leave you with this,
the wall in my niece's nursery.

How cute is this???

Band Wagon Effect

 

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3607995/?claim=565u6pdx28y">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

This is happening.

Necessity in the mother of invention right???

I like...Being on Top

I've been on top (of the world) twice.

...I'm clever, I know...

Okay, so this might be a smidge of lie, but I have been close to the top- Twice.

The first time was Christmas 2008

at the top of Mt. Siani, Egypt

P.S. The high desert is freakin' cold...like really cold!! 

and the second

was March 2009

at the top of Half Dome

If you're wondering what the top of the world feels like,
 I'll go ahead and tell you...because I know.

Being on top of the world makes you feel oddly insignificant.
It makes you feel vastly aware of your size, strength, and power as a human being.
I makes you feel hurried and excited, yet clam and relieved.
It invites your senses to explore places that they've not yet been; it lets the natural silence ring loud in your head, and the vastness of the Earth stay lingering in your eyes.

Being on top of the world is both invigorating and empowering.

If you've never been to a place that feels like the top of the world, I recommend going.

Your mind, body, and soul will thank you.

WIW: Beige and Blue

This outfit made me feel like SUCH a blogger.

#proudmoment

You guys have inspired me to be so much more fashion forward!!!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you

But I confess, I got the inspiration from pinterest. 

Blue with the tan belt just needed to happen.

 Top//F21

Pants//Loft

Belt//Khols

Flats//F21

It was such a beautiful March day.

And this is one of the last pictures you will see with these terrible dull dark hair.

Remember when I talked on and on and on about it, here.
Yup, I'm finally getting it BLONDER!!!

 And for your viewing pleasure....and OUT TAKE.

I'm SO Awkward

What is my face doing??? I look Frozen.
#awkwaredneckpostion

I hope you all have a fabulous day!!

Thanks for stopping by and saying hello.

And thanks for the link up!!

P.S.

#twohashtagsinonepostwhatishappning

5 Ways to Save at Target

This is a list I have compiled for over the last few months years of ways I could (potentially) save money at target, and probably every other store I step foot in.

It's not all that complicated and I sure there are more complete lists out there,

 but I figured I'd share min just because.

1. Go alone- yes I know, you are going to tell me it's far less fun than going with your friend or boyfriend, but trust me this will save you. You won't have someone pointing out the super cute things that your eyes missed the first time. No one commenting or adding to your list of things you need. Essentially you eliminate the enabler.

2. Make a list and only shop on those 'sections'. Everyone and their mom know that the reason the women's clothes are already in the front of Target is because 1. Primarily women shop their 2. Women will walk by on their way to the other areas of the store this forced to see those cute new swim suits or fun new colored jeans. If you make a list and stick to the sections of the store those items are in. Boom you just saved yourself give or take forty dollars. Congratulations.

3. Shop at the end of the aisles not visible from the main 'thoroughfares'. Not sure if anyone else loves the ends as much as I do, just sayin'. At the ends of the aisles (not the main department separating aisles) are all of the mark down sale items with red tags. I sometimes refer to it as 'red tag magic'. You'll find things that are ridiculously reduced in price. Things from sheets to picture frames, kitchen wear, house accessories and more. The other day I scored this rug for $6.98 originally $40 and these shoes for $9.68 originally $32. I mean we are talking serious deals.

4. Set time limits. I all honesty I probably visit target three times a week. (This sounds way worse than it is, I promise.  And as a complete other side note how many times will I be going to target a week when I have kids. Gosh I can't even imagine...ANYWAYS...) Give yourself a pre-determined amount of time.  This will save you from wandering to sections you shouldn't be browsing in the first place).  When the time is up, finish collecting your last item (and it had best be on your list) and check out!

5. Make it your last stop. I don't know about you, but I am usually so worn out by the time I'm on the last stop of my errand. Like seriously beep boxing around town, the grocery, and target and I am wiped out. So by the last stop I am always ready to go home. Also of its the last stop and you've been to the grocery store before, you'll have perishable items in the card and you'll need to get back in a hurry. And this my friends will get your little butt movin'.

Obviously this list can be applied to almost any store, but I just use target because I am there so often and spend so much money there.

Anyone else have good tips???

Holler at me.

Target is making me poor.

But at least I'll look cute doing it.