VERY exciting news to share!!

Good morning!

 

I have some very very exciting news to share!

 

My boyfriend Nick and I got engaged this weekend.

 

I am over this blog and want to make a new blog to use as a wedding blog, so I will save my romantic and thoughtful proposal story for that. Stay tuned!

 

Here is a pic of the ring! :-)

 

 

I am over the moon and cannot.wait. to get my wedding blog up and running!

 

Hope everyone has a great Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year! I will be back soon with lots to share. 

Clarisonic

Good morning!!

 

I turned in my project for my class last night and I am in a super good mood knowing that is one more item checked off my to do list. I actually turned it in a day early. I was paranoid something would happen as far as a technical issue or my email not going through, so I wanted to try to submit it ahead of the due date. I guess most people do not think like that, but I worry {needlessly} about stuff like that.

 

A few months ago I purchased a Clarisonic Mia after wanting one for forever. I've been using it for a while now, and I have nothing but good things to say.

 

At first you have to let your skin get used to it, this takes about two weeks. Now that I'm used to it, I use it daily. My face feels so gross after a long day in full makeup (I have some scarring so I never go without foundation, concealer, and powder etc.). I seriously look forward to taking off my makeup at night. The Clarisonic really does what it says and makes me feel like all my makeup is removed. The claim about softer skin is also true.

 

So far I haven't seen smaller pores, which is another supposed benefit of the Clarisonic. I would like to have smaller pores, but I've heard your pore size is genetic and there's nothing you can do about it. 

 

I have noticed that now when I get a breakout it seems to heal a lot faster than before I used my Clarisonic. I used to have bad acne and occasionally it will still flare up. It used to take an abnormally long time for a blemish to heal, and that has improved dramatically for me. My skin tone also seems more even and less red.

 

 

Yes, I took this picture while I'm the bathtub. I like to use that time to catch up on looking at Instagram and checking my personal email. I'm not sure if that's weird or if other people do it too.

 

This is my little friend that likes to keep me company in the bathroom. I can almost always find Ricky in the closet or bathroom. I think cats have a love/hate relationship with water, and Ricky in particular seems extra curious about the bathroom.

 

Happy Hump Day!!

Haterade

Who else is glad this Monday is almost over? I am!

 

A few weeks (months?) ago my favorite yoga instructor at the Gold's Gym I go to, Brenda, began our class with a lesson on this quote:

 

I liked it and it stuck with me.

 

This weekend a friend told me that someone had said something about me that was so mean, it really dumbfounded me. Mostly I was dumbfounded and shocked because it's blatantly untrue. {Haters gonna hate!}

 

I don't want to ruminate or obsess over it, as obviously I can't control what someone thinks or says about me, but I wanted to share this quote in case any of you haven't seen it before.

 

I used to get really obsessive over stuff. You know, be a TOTAL girl. I did this in particular over an ex-boyfriend. I would make everyone -everyone- listen to me tell the same stories and ask the same questions repeatedly. "What do you think he meant by that?" or "Why would he say that?" I'm surprised I have any friends left after that!

 

I find that I feel better if I maybe vent to one person, but then make myself move on mentally, and do something instead of obsessing. Based my own experience, I think when someone analyzes and overanalyzes, it ends up making them feel worse.

 

That's just my two cents, but really if you find yourself in a habit of obsessing and retelling stories, try it and you might find you feel better :)

 

 

**In other news, my class is over this week and I.Cannot.Wait.!!!!!!!**

 



Overwhelmed

It is just me or is anyone else stuggling with preparations for the holidays this year?

 

I know I am! This time last year I had a good start on my Christmas shopping. As of right now, I do not have the first gift purchased.

 

That is SO unlike me (I hate to be unprepared for anything), and I don't know what is up with that.

 

I'm also really overwhelmed with everything I have going on this right now (school, etc.) and traveling. We are going to visit my family in upstate South Carolina for Thanksgiving and to Iowa for Christmas.

 

{My final is Dec. 5-not too much longer! School is hugely stressful, so at least I can look forward to that wrapping up in the near future.}

 

I have to bring some furniture I no longer want to my Mom's Thursday, as well as both dogs, plus bring some dishes I'm making...it's starting to feel like I have a lot left to accomplish before Thursday gets here and it is just flat out overwhelming. I feel the same way about Christmas and going out of town for that as well.  

 

I usually look forward to the holidays, but it seems like this year is going to be so busy that I feel like I'll barely get to enjoy being off work. I just wish things would slow down! To be perfectly honest, I am dreading the holidays a little bit and am ready for the new year to be here already.

 

Is anyone else in a holiday funk? Dreading the traveling and preparations?

 

I hope I am not just a grinch.

 

 

On a brighter note, this reindeer is precious!

 

I'm going to my first WW meeting tomorrow, so I will post on that soon :)



Weight Watchers

Happy Tuesday everyone!

 

You are looking at Weight Watchers newest member! I decided I'm sick and tired of my clothes growing tighter and tighter. I'm tired of my clothes making me hurt from cutting into me, and I've had it with muffin topping over my dress pants and jeans.

 

I've let the pounds sneak up on me and now I badly need to lose about 12 lbs.

 

Anyone who knows me knows I L-O-V-E Jessica Simpson. Always have, always will. I own all four seasons of Newlyweds on DVD and refuse to part with them. I decided I will join her and get on the Weight Watchers band wagon.

 

 

She was in amazing shape when she did the Dukes of Hazard movie.

 

Until recently, I've always been in really good shape. I did pageants, so I had to be. I think I also had faster metabolism a few years ago, because I cheated a good bit, but it didn't really have that much of an effect.

 

Me in 2010 in the pink tank and in 2009 in the black dress.

 

 

I MISS that upper body.

 

I have back and armpit fat now and don't look good in anything strapless or that shows that area. Yes, that is embarrassing to admit to on the internet, but I'm going to be honest about all this.

 

After I saw these pictures from our trip to St. John, I put that dress back in my closet and haven't touched it since. Horizontal stripes are NOT my freind right now. Let me add that I liked wearing that dress because it's stretchy on top and comfortable. That should tell me something right there when I like something because of it's elasticity.

 

I'm fluffy all over. I was horrified when I saw a lot of the pictures from our trip to St. John where I was wearing a bathing suit. I knew I didn't look my best and kept my bathing suit cover ups on as much as I could on the trip. How much does that suck? Your boyfriend takes you on a beautiful trip to the Virgin Islands and you want to keep your bathing suit cover on.

 

You would think that would have made me kick it into gear once we got back, but no. I just continued eating, and with the addition of school in my life, going to the gym less and less.

 

Although I am not going to post a bathing suit pic until I shed a few lbs, here is a pic where you can see my belly. :-(

 



 

I really want to get this under control before it continues and I gain even more. It's been a very slow and gradual process to get like this, so I haven't really noticed it until I got to the point where I'm busting out of my clothes.

 

I have a sweet coworker also doing WW and I'm really pumped! I'm doing the dual membership where I can track points on my phone and also attend meetings. I'm planning on going to my first meeting early next week. I'm going to document WW on this blog, I'm thinking on Fridays, so stay tuned!

 

Until later kids!



A few of my favorite things - the old person edition

Something happened at work the other day and I told my boss, "It's like the Jimmy Buffett song says, 'If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane'."

 

We started talking about Jimmy Buffett and I confessed that I used to HATE JB. I didn't "get" his songs and working in a tropical theme bar that featured karaoke two nights a week didn't help.

 

It wasn't until I worked in an office that I understood the concept "five o'clock somewhere" and I became a converted Parrothead.

 



Now that I've been to the Virgin Islands, and experienced the island time lifestyle, I think Jimmy Buffett is a genius.

{The Baths, British Virgin Gorda. Take me back right now, please and thank you.}

 

I realized that there are a lot of things that I didn't get or even like a few years ago that I love now-a sure sign I'm getting old. Just a few include:

 

Bleu Cheese. When I was a waitress I thought it was gross and smelly. Now I could eat it every day.

 

Bloody Marys. I used to think they were repulsive. Now it's my go to drink. I'm not a huge drinker because I don't want to spend my calories that way, but I do keep a bottle of Absolut and Zing Zing mix on hand at home. (A Bloody is only about 130 calories.)

 

 This is a Bloody Mary I had at a place N and I went to called Gus's in North Liberty Iowa. Just look at all the garnishes. I love that a Bloody Mary does double duty as a drink and a snack.

I can't leave out going to bed early. Is there anything better than an early bed time so you can get your beauty rest?

Yay for Election Day! I'm getting off work early today to go vote, so I am looking forward to an easy day.





House Plans (and remembering to be thankful)

I've spent way too much time on Pinterest lately and it's left me feeling disgusted with pretty much everything I own. Basically, I want our house to look like Southern Living mag, right now.

 

I've lived in a tiny house and a few apartments since I graduated college, so I really didn't need a lot of big stuff like much furniture. As I've mentioned before, I was financially drowning at my old job, so it wasn't like I really had any extra income for nice home furnishings.

 

I know the house is a work in progress and it's going to come together, it's just SO HARD to be patient!

 

Right now we have a completely empty {gorgeous} dining room that needs furntiure. Besides a mattress in the downstairs guest room, we have two empty guest rooms. We made the third bedroom into an office. It's a sports themed room-I just leave that alone! :) 

 

I just want so much stuff for the house. That totally sounded like a terrible brat and I am very grateful for what I do have. I know needing better looking things for a new house is a good problem to have.

 

Not only is it a good problem to have, but I'm grateful that I have it as my problem right now.

 

 I am thankful for the difference a few years can make.

 

Can I get an amen to that?

 

It just overwhelms me to think of how much we need to fill this house and make it pretty like I want it to be. I'm so proud of the house and want it to look nice when family and friends come over. Right now it just looks, well, empty.

 

Like I said, work in progress. And reminder to self to be patient!

 

Today after work I am having some people come over to get some things I'm clearing out-a wrought iron bed that's no longer really my style and some other furniture. At least getting stuff out is a step in the right direction and will give me a little extra spending $!

 

I should add these peeps are from Craiglist and my paranoid mind can't help but worry that one might be a homicidal maniac. Hopefully not!

 

 

A Southern Living interior. LOVE!

 

Hope everyone has a terrific weekend!!! My Mom is coming over to the house for the first time and bringing her Scottish Terrier, Holly, for a play date with Yadi. I'm making a casserole and cookies-both recipes I've never tried before, so I am pumped for that.

 

Happy Halloween from Trinket!!

Trinket wants to wish everyone a very Happy Halloween! This is this year's Halloween costume.

 

I grew up out in the country where no one trick or treated. When I lived in Earlewood (if your're familiar with Columbia) I thought I would have trick or treaters, but only got a few. I've never really gotten to give out candy before. We live in a new neighborhood and there are LOTS of kids, so I am expecting that I will get some this year! I have outside decorated and I am so excited!!

 

On Saturday the 20th I did Color Me Rad. I did OK-33 minutes, not my best, but not my worst-and went out for lunch with my friend Lauren after. I knew I was having asthma during the race, but I thought it was from the cold air and would go away. By the end of  the day, I felt awful and ended up being basically bedridden for the next week.

 

 

I went to the doctor on Tuesday and he told me I had bronchitis. I was lucky Trinket was there to entertain me. I had to move into the guest room downstairs because my coughing was so disruptive. We napped and watched movies on iTunes all week.

 





Since I had a boring week last week, I have nothing else to write about, except that I was really pleased with my Rent the Runway dress. Thankfully I was feeling well enough to attend a wedding N was a groomsmen in. The dress is the A Fair Lady dress by Nicole Miller. LOVE.

 

 

Happy Halloween!!!

 



Rent the Runway and my DIY

Thank Goodness it's Thursday. I don't know about you, but this week has been dragging by.

 

Have any of you ladies ever tried Rent the Runway?

 

My clotheshorse friend Amanda rented a dress from RTR last year to go to a ballet in Atlanta on a date. I'll admit, at first I didn't really get RTR, and I thought it was sort of weird to rent a dress (especially b/c Amanda has such an enviable closet).

 

I was trying to shed a few lbs since I was planning on shopping my closet (where most of the clothes are a size 4 and getting tight) for an upcoming wedding weekend, but that just doesn't seem to be happening. Shame on me!

 

I have a test next week, so that is my focus right now. I HATE that, but that's just how it is for right now.

 

I decided to give RTR a try. My dress arrives next week. I think it is so pretty! It's Nicole Miller and the dress is called A Fair Lady.

 

 One of the best things about RTR is that they send the dress in two sizes for no extra cost, so you have a backup size if you aren't sure how the dress will fit.

 

 

Now for my DIY-I've never thought I'd be someone who would be into crafting. Last year I made my boyfriend's Halloween costume and loved every second of making it. Go ahead and laugh, but I find working on crafts really relaxing. I made this wreath Saturday night.

 





I had no idea how this would turn out. I picked up stuff at Hob Lob that I thought would look nice and just made it up as I went. I found a how to video on youtube to learn how to make pretty bows. I think crafting is so relaxing because you have to think about what you're doing and can't think about anything else (worries, school, work problems, etc.), but it's not something really important (i.e. it's just a wreath) so it's not stressful.

 

Happy Thursday!



*Trying* to Save $$ and Pinterest Love

Hello Everyone!

 

So, since I got my new job I've been a little OOC with shopping (needed shopping since I had like no clothes from being broke while working at my previous job). I've had it in the back of my mind that I need to slow down. I have an upcoming wedding to attend with my boyfriend. He's a groomsmen in the wedding, so we'll be going to the rehearsal dinner and the wedding.

 

Like most of us girls, I will buy a dress for something like a wedding and wear it once. I KNOW I'm not the only one who does this. It's just so easy to do!

 

For this wedding weekend, I decided I would be thrifty and "shop my closet". I thought this would be a good idea to save some bones. It was a success and I found three dresses, all worn only once or maybe a few times, to pick from. Great, right?

 

Great until I started laying stuff out, and I realized a lot of my shoes are pretty beat up and the shoes I have worn before with all these dresses have all been thrown away. I'm hard on shoes and wear them until I tear them up.

 

I got on Zappos and ordered two pairs to go with the dresses. I LOVE the shoes I got, especially these, but I'm SMH. I swear only I decide to "closet shop" to save $$ and ends up buying two pairs of shoes! But, what is a girl to do?

My Mom had a pair of shoes very similar to these in the early 90s and that only makes me like these more! At least these can be worn with work clothes and I'll probably wear them a lot. The other pair I got are nude heels.

 

Shoes are found here in case you like them. This is the other pair I purchased.

 

Like everyone else, I'm loving Pinterest for inspiration for fall and winter clothes!

 

Source: afoodiestaysfit.com via Fran on Pinterest

 

 I am a stright up copy cat. This is what I wore 3 weeks ago when I flew to Iowa. It was super comfortable, thanks Pinterest!

 

 

Hope everyone is having a good week!

 





TGIF!

This week felt long. It's so hard to get out of bed when the weather is changing and it's cold and dark in the mornings (or at 3 AM when your puppy needs a potty break). I am happy the weekend is finally here!

 

I was going to try to link up with a Friday Favorites for the first time ever today, but I'm not really sure how, and the blog I just looked at didn't have Friday Favorites up yet, so I'm just going to go ahead and post mine.

 

Here are some things I'm loving right now:

 

 I LOVE Halloween. These are a few of my decorations around the house:  

 

 

 

Our new dog. He's added a lot of work for me at home, but I am getting so attached to him. He is always right by my side. I can already tell that he's super smart.

 

 

In the kitchen I'm loving:

 



Peppermint Mocha Coffee Creamer. I have to have my travel mug of coffee in the car on the way to work. It's the best part of my commute. I made speghetti this week and picked up this sauce from Piggly Wiggly instead of my usual Ragu. It's a little more expensive, but it was SO good. I like Emeril anyways (now that I've been to Paula Deen's restaurant, I think a trip to Emeril's in New Orleans is next on the list!), so trying more of his brand is a must.

 

I'm solo this weekend since the BF is at a Bachelor Party. I'm thinking I'm going to go to Hobby Lobby for supplies and maybe make a fall wreath for the front door. I've been wanting to make one for weeks now and can't seem to find the time to go to Hobby Lobby.

 

Happy Friday!!





New Puppy! + Too Many Irons in the Fire

First of all, let me introduce our new puppy!! His name is Yadi, after Yadier Molina who plays for the Cardinals. Isn't he adorable?

 

 

 

Do any of you feel like you have too many irons in the fire? I KNOW a lot of you do. I was sailing along pretty A OK until I started school.

 

I'm VERY grateful to even have the opportunity to go to school right now and it's something that I've wanted to do for a long time. To give you some background on exactly how long, I wanted to change majors in college, but felt I was too close to graduation to do so. I REALLY want a career change and education is the only to do that.

 

The class I'm taking requires A LOT of time studying and I feel like everything else has suffered. Everything. Of all the things I am-a freind, a girlfriend, a dog owner, a daughter, an employee-well, I just feel like I'm not doing a great job at any of them right now.

 

I have a three day weekend for my Mom's birthday, so I'm out! I got her a Keurig and I can't wait to give it to her. Of course, I have a big test tomorrow, so that is overshadowing my excitement over the long weekend.

 

Happy weekend everyone!!

 

 



Latest Loves...

My new obsessions, in no particular order:

 

1. Champneys Spa Indulgence Mediterranean Bliss Bubble Heaven. I read about this brand on The Bargain Blonde to begin with. I saw this bubble bath last night in Target and decided to give it a try. Probably the best bubble bath I've ever used. For me, it's all about the amout of bubbles it produces. This not only smells great, but really gets bubbles going in your bath.

 

2. Emily Giffin. I can't get enough of her books. Last year I tore through Something Borrowed and Something Blue {I like Darcy the best}. I just finished Where We Belong and it's seriously the best book I've read in a long time. I could NOT put it down.

 



 

{I sleep in a sleep mask and I love wearing them. I don't wear one when Nick is not at home, in case someone breaks in, I don't want to have to take it off to see the burglar.)

 

3. As far as the Kardashians go, I can take them or leave them (although I think they are all gorgeous). I used to watch their show(s), but now that my life consists of working 8:30 to 5 and then on to my "second shift" at home {i.e. hours spent studying}, I don't have time to watch TV anymore. I picked up this shirt at Sears. It's from their Kardashian Kollection. They have some really cute stuff, I'll def be back to shop again.

 

 

Next I'm going to post on some airplane/travel outfits I put together (inspired by Pinterest).

 

Happy Tuesday!

 

WHY do I love shopping so much?

My wallet does NOT love it!

 

I will admit I have been a little OOC lately.

 

HOWEVER, I feel somewhat justified in this because:

1. It's a new season-new season always calls for new clothes (yay for fall!)

and more importantly

2. I didn't make a ton of money at my old job, and therefore just didn't have it to shop with.

 

Taking a salary cut when I took that job meant that when stuff wore out/broke, etc., I usually just did without. Case in point, a camera. I had a camera I bought when I was at my first job out of college, when it broke, I went for about 1 year and a 1/2 with no camera until getting one as a gift for my birthday this year.

 

Yes, this totally falls in the cateogory of #firstworldproblems, and I shouldn't complain, but it still wasn't fun!

 

Now that I'm in a better situation (and *very* grateful to be), I've been working on beefing up my fall wardrobe and get a few extras I've wanted for a long time.

 

This is my BIG splurge. This is NOT my reality, not how I shop normally, and it will be a long time before I allow myself a luxury like this again.

 

 

Burberry Giant Check Cashmere Scarf (ordered online from Nordstrom)

 

I had to try it on this morning, although I changed before work. I can't wait unitl it's cold enough to wear it. Hurry up, fall!

 

Most of my other fall clothes are from Victoria's Secret. They had the FALL12 discount (good until the end of today!) so I took advantage and stocked up. Two things I got:

 

Christie pants for work.

 

 

Picked up this hoodie for tailgating at my first Iowa football game at the end of this month.

 

My other "gift to self" is the Clarisonic. I almost held off on this purchase, but I looked back at this blog and I wrote about wanting one July 2011. I decided that I'd go ahead since I've wanted one for that long. I can't wait to try it out!

 

My next purchase is going to be a GOOD vacuum. It is much needed at our house, especially with a German Shepherd puppy on his way. I like the Dyson Animal. I probably won't pony up for this until at least next month, or whenever I can get over that pricetag for a vacuum.  

 

 

 

 It's almost five, so I'm out! Hugs!