Baby Shower Fun

Some of you might remember that I am going to be an Auntie, hopefully she'll call me Auntie K, this May.  And I couldn't be more excited.

And some of you may have noticed my new look, hey girl hey???

Only a LONG over due face-lift over haul.

Thanks Aubrey. If you're wondering she's AWESOME to work with!!

Okay so back to the good stuff!!!

The weekend before we left for Brazil, I helped plan and host my sister-in-laws baby shower, and never got to share it all with you guys.

I did share with you my post about the baby shower party favors, if you missed it, you can read about it here.

The shower was at my parents house, and was hosted by myself and three

 of her (my sister-in-laws) college besties.

Here's the expecting couple.

Isn't she like every one's dream pregnant.

Tiny

Glowing &

Fabulous

 The four best friends and college roommates

 Cute signs that we made.

I totally forgot to take pictures to show you guys how we made these.

I will share soon.

 Our cupcake display.

I love mini cupcakes, okay well I love any cupcake, but mini ones are so delicious, and you can have more than one flavor and not feel bad.

The flowers all from Costco and arranged in a pinterest inspired way.

Mason jar and lemon slices.

Adorable banner I wish we could take credit for, but for $20 on esty (similar here), we thought it would be move well spent and time saved.

 Presents and well wishes tree. 

 The family (minus my boyfriend, it was taken before the party and he hadn't arrived yet).

Now if you're thinking that we all color coordinated what we were wearing before hand,
you'd be wrong.

We all showed up in these colors.

Funny right? .... We don't think alike at all??

Bitches Be Running

 Just the moment when the skinny fit bitch lady comes around the corner, and passes you on your run.

But she doesn't just pass you, she passes you with a perfect ponytail,
no sweat, and color coordinated work out gear.

You all know who I am talking about, a girl that looks like this 8 miles into her run.


via
I do like what this image says, in case you were wondering.

She makes running look easy, effortless, and envigorating.
She probably runs twice as far as you do in half the time.
It's just not fair.

I'm an avid 'runnier'. 

Meaning I run voluntarily anywhere between 3-5 miles 3-4/week.

Well here is a true story that inspired this post.

The other day, I'm struggling to run.

You know the days when you get out on a run, and your mind just stops your body in it's tracks, 

sounding something like, "...you think you're running today, well lady, I have different plans for you." And your body says, "Yes, I am going to keep running, but every step will be labored, and you're going to look like a flailing rhinoceros while you do it."
And your mind turns up her nose, says,"fine." and walks away.

Yeah that's how I felt.
And during my last half mile, this beautiful skinny bitch girl runs from around the corner, with a perfect pony tail, legs that don't touch, color coordinated running gear, and a sweat-less forehead.
And right then and there I wanted to stop and give up.

My mind was like, "Dang she's fit."
My body was like, "You will never look like that, you're just never going to be a petite girl."

And that's when I started running just a little bit faster, still not fast enough to catch her, but a little bit faster until I reached my front door step and thought,
"Worst three mile run of my life."

And my body said, "Yup, but you'll do it again tomorrow because it makes you feel good."
And she was right, I was right back at in the next day.

Maybe to others I am that flawless runner, maybe.

South America Vacation Recap

I am going to attempt to do this post in record time. 

I am sure, as you all know a two week vacation includes 539+ pictures, 783 good drinks, and  834 funny stories.  Okay so maybe those numbers are made up, but needless to say it's hard to recap in one post.

We started in Rio, where we stayed on Copacabana Beach:

and visited Christ the Redeemer Statue.

(I could actually see it from our hotel room too, it was so cool!!!)

Clearly a cloud came, and we were basically it in.  It did clear before we left though!!!

Then we got on the Splendour of the Seas in Santos after spending a day in Sao Paulo.
And as a first time cruiser, these were my thoughts: 
Dang this boat is huge
  We're basically getting on the titanic right now
Where do they keep the food for everyone?
Gosh, I wish I knew the science and engineering behind how these things float

 We were at sea for a day and then arrived in Punte Del Este, Uruguay which was beautiful.

And we saw (and touched) the fingers!!!

Remember them from this post?

Our next stop was Buenos Aires (my favorite city of the trip)

It has the most to see and enjoy (in my opinion.  It is a larger city with more history to learn about.

We ate at as steak house there, apparently it's what the Argentinians' are known for, and I devoured three entire plates of short ribs.  Honest to goodness best short ribs of my life.

 Here is my plate for proof:

Our last stop was Montevideo, Uraguay.

It had a mix of old and new architecture, and 15 miles of beach that was full of people and activity.

And here is the 'most epic picture of the trip'

A sunset from our patio

Tell me that isn't beautiful.

So that's my trip in a nutshell.

As a virgin cruiser, I loved it.  I think it's a great way to relax and not have to worry about a thing, because everything and I mean EVERYTHING is taken care of for you.

All your food, housing, activities, and relaxation is accommodated and/or organized by the cruise.

So there are few details cruisers have to be responsible for.

Most of you will laugh, because after a two week vacation I am already talking about another, but I'd love to cruise through the Caribbean and Mediterranean, I think both are great options.

There will be another cruise in my lifetime, it's just a matter of when.

 Until then I guess I'll keep working to bank more vacation days and working out to work off some of my cocktails.

P.S. Here's my favorite picture from one of the nights.

I could have sworn they thought we were famous on the ship, because they took so many darn pictures of us!!!

Never Have I Ever: 1

I'm sure you all played this game when you were little in seventh grade.

And my Bestie is bringing it back with this new link up.

If you haven't heard of it, you should play along right.now.

Never have I ever...

Finished the last Harry Potter series. Go ahead...judge me for it. But I couldn't get through it.  There were just too many pages for me to handle.  Plus all my friends read it, so it's not like I didn't know what happened. I'm thinking I might just need to re-read and finally finish the series sometime soon.

Enjoyed dressing up for Halloween post college. It's just not as fun as it used to be.  Am I the only one who thinks this? This is what I wore a few years back (read easy costume LBD and wings).

Talked my way out of a speeding ticket. But damn this is a life long dream.  Any advice from those of you who have??? I NEED your help.  (This does not mean I intend on getting pulled over any time soon.)

Smoked any substance of any kind, ever.
It's really not what all the cool kids are doing.

Missed my puppy more. She's at camp, and she comes back in two weeks

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....

Had my make up done at the mall.

Is it even worth it anyways? Someone please advise.

 Been so appreciative of the blog world, and your support and response to my story about loosing 25 lbs. on Weight Watchers.  Again if you want any help, advice, or more information.  Just email me.  I'm happy to share more about my experience.

Thanks for the link up ladies.

What a great idea.

WIW: I'm Finally Home (and new Shoes)

Oh hey, fancy meeting you here.

I'm back from vacation, but have NOT had any time to write about it, but I will, I promise!!!

It's Wednesday aka outfit time.

Target did it again for me with this floral number. 

(I feel really trendy because Shana posted about it over here, and that girl Mom got style)

Clearly I did not take my own Target advice on this trip, but

every single time I wear it (twice so far) I get unsolicited compliments.

As for other fun things in this post...New Shoes, Yup!!!!

If you don't know, I have a shoe problem. I haven't make a complete confession about this yet, 

but it's in the works, so don't be mad at me quite yet for not sharing.

Sigh, okay...

If you are looking for a fun, functional, versatile, and comfortable wedge.

Look no further, this is your shoe.

I found these online while looking at duvet covers, how this happened, I'll never know.

But I fell in love, and ordered them.

In the first week they were in my possession, I wore them to a wedding, to work, and out with friends.

I think of this shoe as a 'twofer' because it's a black wedge and brown wedge in one.

Shoes//Macys

Pants//Banana Republic

Shirt//Target

Sunnies//JCP (similar here)

Watch//Michael Kors

Anyone else rock floral this week?

What did you wear it with?

Next time I'm seeing layers with a jean vest maybe???

Thoughts?

Linking up with:

Linking up with Because Shanna Said So, Rolled Up Pretty, Get Your Pretty On, and The Pleated Poppy!

A Day in the life of SBSL

Some of you bloggers have shared with me your daily routine.
Mine is no different than most.
Looking at it makes me feel so unproductive.

6:00am- alarm goes off, and I get up to go for a run. (I don't always make it running...)

#myintentionsaregood

6:50am- return from run and turn on shower

6:55am- get in the shower (if I don't run this is the normal time I get up and get in the shower).

7:15am- get out of the shower, and blow dry my hair.

7:25am- make breakfast (fried egg on cheesy toast with salsa, almost always)
I learned to love this breakfast when I was on Weight Watchers.

 7:30am- while finishing the my breakfast, I make my lunch.

7:35am- sit down to eat breakfast and read daily blogs, etc.

7:45am- make up time

8:00am- finish getting ready

8:15am- putsy around/blog/watch the news

8:45am- leave for the office

9:15am- get to work

snack on lunch all day

5-5:30pm leave the office

6:00pm- get home

6:30pm- start dinner

(sometimes we get take out, it's usually this)

7:00pm- eat dinner

9:00pm- get in bed and watch the 'tube'

9:30pm-10pm go to sleep

And if you were wondering this is exactly what I look like when I get out of bed.
This is horrifying, and I am not sure why I am sharing this picture...

You can blackmail me later. 

Also I'm back from my vacation tomorrow.

Bad news for me, good new for le blog, comments and such.

Talk to you all soon!

 

I'm Materalistic

I'd love to tell you I am not at all materialistic, but I can't, because I am.

I am mildly materialistic.  

I love Nordstrom shoes, nice wallets, and Nike work out gear.
  I like my Starbucks, Toms Shoes, and Paige Jeans.
I enjoy a Kate Spade bag, Express work attire, and Michael Kors watches.
And that's just me being honest.

There are days that I wish I were super frugal, thrift shop going lady.
 Because I see soooo many of you bloggers that are awesome, frugal, and amazing.

Your finds never fail to amaze me.

I'm not even sure when it happened, or how it happened.  I grew up in a 'normal' household.
But I guess normal is relative these days...
(If you read this post, or this post you might understand a little more of how I was raised)  

Unrelated picture, but she's still gone.
 I miss her.

I'm not saying I want the fanciest, or the newest, or the bestest,
but I do have some expectation for nice things. 

I think it came from my childhood. I always worked. Like always.
It started at twelve when I mowed the neighbors lawn and babysat.  I loved buying things myself.
My first BIG purchase was my awia 48 second anti-skip disc man.
Remember those things from way back when???
I was so proud. I love that I had earned myself the newest trendy thing.
 Things my parents would never have bought for me.

Those eyes, only three more weeks.
In High School my money indulgences changed to Express clothes, iPods, and one big trip to Europe.
That I worked three years scooping ice cream of all that.
It felt good 'not relying' on my parents for 'extra' things like dinners out with friends, getting my hair done, and trips to the mall.  I love the 'sense' of independence.
(I say 'sense' because in High School you have no idea about the costs of car insurance, health insurance, housing, gas, food, etc. so my 'sense' was relative for my age)
None of my friends were paying for the things I was paying for; I was proud.
Again my money gave me things that I wouldn't have had otherwise, and I liked it.

College came, and I was making more money than I ever had. I got 'sucked' in to Sorority life, which is expensive in nature.  The dues, the trips, the dresses, and the matching shirts.
I loved designer denim, Nordstrom shoes, and nights out at the bar.

And when I graduated with job (read about it here), I was happy that I had the money to go on fun trips, pay for my cell phone, car insurance and payments, and still maintain my lifestyle.
So the things I've done for myself have been 'nice'.
Again I'm not talking super fancy, but 'nicer' things appealed to me.

Like I said, sometimes I feel bad, while none of the things I love and indulge in are necessary.
I could easily find happiness in less expensive things, but I think it's the lessons I learned early in life, that hard work could buy me things I liked and wanted that I wouldn't get otherwise that made me a little materialistic.

P.S. I just bought this wallet, I did get it on super sale for $59, and I love it.

Yup, it's Michael Kors

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.