Friday Fun Facts

Hey-oh!

FRIDAY AT LAST! Ohhhh the relief. I have no idea what's happening this weekend, only that we'll be staying far, far away from the noisy crowd of the St. Paddy's Day parade here in The City.

All I know is that there is a high of 70 here tomorrow and I hope to be outside loving it! There may or may not be some BodyPump involved - but weee shall seeee!!!!

Stay tuned, friends. That's all I can say.

So - moving on! - here are a few things that have rocked my world lately:


one. I tried Vietnamese food for the first time tonight. I was taken aback by the lango on the menu - but thankfully there were translations that were only half as scary! I kid, I kid. Hubs and I both ordered the shrimp hot pot (he's eaten there many times), and it was delicious: shrimp, noodles, and steaming hot rice with a side of soup. What is it about white rice that is just so...comforting and satisfying? Aaaahh good ol' starches.

two. A couple of nights ago, we were talking about various desserts and dishes that I want to make when Hubs asked, "Have you ever made a blueberry pie?" In all honesty, I don't think I've ever had a blueberry pie. I've had blueberry cobbler (I think) and something my dad called "Blueberry Yum-Yum" (catchy, yes?), but I don't think I've ever had blueberry pie.

It was right then and there that we both determined we HAD to put some of this deliciousness in our lives as soon as possible. Hubs called his mom (around, say...11pm?) to get the recipe, kind of forgetting that she MAY be asleep at this point - because, obviously, everyone stays up late like us talking about food...right? Right? {crickets}

Anyway, half asleep, she gave us the recipe and our lives were complete. Until tonight when we actually made it. And WHOA.

 

three. Next week is going to be epic. CUH-RAZY, no joke. I have a huge and important meeting on Monday afternoon that kind of makes my knees shake and my tummy flip just thinking about it. On Tuesday and Wednesday I'll head down to my college town to help out with some alumni bizz-NISS, speak at a meeting, then represent our office at a career fair before getting back here to The City on Wednesday night.

Then...on Friday afternoon, we pick up the keys to our new apartment because WEEEEEEEE'RE MOVING!

Saturday is the Color Me Rad 5k here (I recounted our experience briefly last year in this post), and you bet yer britches we'll be there, loving every color-exploding moment of it! Then we'll head back to the apartment(s) for a full day of moving our stuff to the new place!

YAY WORKOUTS FROM LIFTING HEAVY THINGS!

Saturday's sleep will be a great, great thing. Prayers for the next week will be GREATLY appreciated :)

 

 

four. On the nights when I don't make it to the gym, I like to stay in and do these Barre3 workout DVDs. I was slightly skeptical of the hype of it all, but I tried a Pure Barre class once and loved it; plus, when I found a Groupon where I could get 5 DVDs for half the price right after Christmas, I had to jump on it.

So far, I'm extremely pleased with the 4 workouts I've tried! I have one more left to try out, but there's one that I can't seem to get away from - I really love it! Barre3 moves slow enough so that you can relax and keep up, but moves quickly enough that you don't get bored with it.

I absolutely LOVE the feeling of being sore and relaxed afterward. The first couple of times I tried it, I was sore for days - and it felt great :)

If you're interested, here's a great deal via QVC. It's worth a shot if you're looking to switch up your routine a little.

five. Speaking of workouts, starting tomorrow I'm doing the 30-Day Squat Challenge. For 30 days, you work your way up to doing 250 squats. I found this challenge via a retweet from Women's Health, so I figure I've got nothing to lose by trying it out! Anyone care to join me?

Here's to stronger glutes and a firmer bum!

six. Yesterday I skipped the gym (and later did a Barre3 workout WHOO!) and opted to call my friend Jessica instead. Jessica is one of those people where, as soon as we met, we just...clicked. I don't remember the exact moment we met in college, but it's safe to safe that I really don't remember a time where we weren't friends in college! Jessica and her husband live in Georgia (for now - they may be moving soon!) and are expecting their first little bambino in the next few months!!!!!! Can we say excitement? Aaaahh I'm so happy for them!

Anyway, I'm not exactly what some would call a "phone talker," but I miss my girls A LOT and just needed some "Jessica" time I guess. We talked for almost an hour about basically everything in the world - and let me tell you, I felt better mentally than I would after any workout.

Moral of today's story: Grab your phone and go call someone you love and miss. Call them for no reason at all but just to say hello. It does wonders for your day and theirs! :)

...And now that it's officially Saturday, I believe I'll put on my jammies and hit my pillow. Sleep is gooooood :)

Happy weekend everyone!

Friday Lovin'

Is it just me, or does it seem that every Friday gets that much sweeter as time goes on?

Today was off to a slightly not-so-hot start, but it's okay because things are COMPLETELY looking up!

It's been a weird week. But I'm a weird person, so I guess the shoe fits.

But on with the happy!

Here's what I'm loving and obsessed with this week. Maybe you'll get obsessed with them too and we can be weird together.


Vintage Glam Texturizing Powder from Sally's. People. My goodness. This stuff has given my hair a whole new outlook on life. I'm so hooked on it. If you're like me and have board-straight fine hair that has ZERO shape this will change your life. It makes your hair feel like it hasn't been washed in three weeks, but allows it to KEEP its shine and look pretty! It gives your hair so much LIFT and you can shape it as you like. I'm so terrible with my hair, but {on a good day} you can't tell that because this stuff is just...great. They put it on my head the day of our wedding and my hair held up until I washed it out. MAJORLY impressed, y'all. Usually what I do is sprinkle a little under the part of my hair and underneath the layers, tease, then smooth. It's a beautiful thing, friends.

Melanie from the Big Mama Blog, Edie from the Life in Grace Blog, and Sophie from the Boo Mama Blog. These ladies are so talented and their blogs are so uplifting and encouraging. I absolutely loved this post where Edie interviewed Melanie about her new book -- it was nothing short of hilarious and made today SO MUCH BETTER. I felt like I was sitting at the table drinking coffee with my girlfriends - only I've never met them and none of us were drinking coffee so is that even a little creepy???? . Check them out for your daily dose of happy!


And while I'm on it --- Melanie's new book, "The Antelope in the Living Room." I'll admit -- I TECHNICALLY haven't read it yet. But in approximately 37-ish minutes I will be on my way to the Family Christian bookstore, who are so graciously holding one of their last TWO copies for me. I know I'm going to love it -- just by hearing Melanie's description of what inspired her to write the book and the topics she covered, I'm crazy over it already. I JUST might crack open the book in the parking lot and just jump in right then and there. Good thing there's a coffee shop next door {!!!!!} - don't say I didn't warn you!


The How Sweet It Is blog. I could do an entire post just on my favorite blogs/bloggers, but I'm not kidding when I tell you that reading Jessica's blog is one of the FIRST things I do every. single. morning. {Except for Sundays and maybe Saturdays} She's ridiculously funny and has some of the most creative recipes I've ever seen. And her pictures? Gaaaaahhh. I could lick the screen most days.


Sprinkles and Thin Mint cupcakes. Because sprinkles make EVERYTHING better. EVERYTHING.

Oh yes. That happened this weekend. 'Nuff said.

***PLUS, since the icing was runny (oops novice icing maker), I think it's safe to assume that there were less calories in them, therefore making these babies ridiculously healthy. Yes, they were oh-so-healthy. The only thing healthier is to make ANOTHER batch. Gosh, I love eating healthy.


PITCH PERFECT 2!!!!!! It's OFFICIAL, people. A Pitch Perfect SEQUEL is happening. Please tell me you understand my obsession with this movie. I. LOVE. IT. I've had the soundtrack BLARING in my car for MONTHS now and randomly quote it all the time with Lauren. Plus --- dare I say it???? - it's going to be filmed in BATON ROUGE. A mere few hours from here! AAAAHHHH. I can't contain myself!!!! I'm desperately trying to find out how I can audition to be an extra. DESPERATELY. I'll wear a wig or cover my face or be in the background waving -- I DON'T CARE! This. must. happen. Suggestions/info, anyone?

I'll keep you posted on my findings :)

LOST. Good gracious. I won't even go into detail about it. It's so insane and I'm completely lost but totally up to speed. We're almost halfway through Season 3 and at that point where, although you realize what's happening, you have NO IDEA who these other people are and WHAT they are doing with my lovable characters!!! Plus - I have to say it -- I'm for Kate & Sawyer all the way. She may be in love with Jack, but she and Sawyer are MFEO (<---- Sleepless in Seattle reference, anyone????). GAAAAHHH just tell me what happens already!!!!! Clearly I love this show.


Happy Friday everyone! Go find JOY in something small this weekend!

My Favorite Things - Thanksgiving Edition

And we're off!!!

Thanksgiving is just a few short days away, and I'm loving that our Holiday Season has officially started here in The City!

It's been cold and rainy for the past few days and, although I'm not a "cold weather person," I'm completely okay with a little chill in the air for the holidays.

But by January 1st at noon, however, I'm ready for my 70 + degree weather.

Aaaahhh...one day!

To kick off the holiday week, here are a few of my favorite things that I'll be obsessed with over the holidays. Or at least until I do another "Favorite Things" post. Which could come as early as next week.

Or tomorrow.


I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS!!!!



one. My first Tervis cup. It's huge and holds a TON of water. And it's State themed. Appropriate seeing as how I married a State graduate. #HailState

two. THIS version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" by Straight No Chaser. It's the best version yet. So serious. Is there anything these guys can't sing? I'd like to think "no." Aaaahhh harmony.



three. Michael Buble's newest Christmas album, "Christmas." Crazy good.

four. THIS. I didn't think ANYTHING could EVER beat Thin Mint. But oh my. Myyyy oh my....Coffee Mate has done it again.

five. Kitchen experiments! Cold weather has caused all sorts of new recipes to pop up in my kitchen -- all of which will come soon!

P.S. Last night I worked out with Jillian Michaels and her Six Week Six Pack workout. Let me tell you, it is INTENSE. I am sore all over. That is NOT one of my favorite things. The workout, however, is actually pretty good!