Saturday, May 23, 2009

Other blog

Check it out! Making closet organization slightly cuter.

Creative In Small Spaces

Prom

This will be mostly pictures, but here's the brief wrap up. Blaine and I dressed up to chaperone prom, went home, changed, went to chaperone after prom, got home at 5:30, and went to bed till close to noon the next day.

One cool thing that Mac does at prom is a senior walk. They rent this nice stage and catwalk. Each senior student and their date/escort/friend, depending on how they prefer that being addressed, was announced and walked the stage in all their fancy dresses and sharp tuxes. Blaine's big job was to help ladies down off the stage in those outrageous heals they had on.

Really like some of these dresses. I like the dresses with print. Those were fun! Enjoy the pics!
















Update on better habits

Hello everyone! Well as you can probably see by my birthday wish list, I did not follow any rules the week of my birthday! It started with Grimaldi's and involved places like Chili's and Maggiano's. Mmmmmmm. It ended with a fun and food filled night at Prom. That's right, Blaine and I went to prom. Teachers are recruited to go and help do different things. Of course, most of them bring dates. It was fun. We went last year and I was very under-dressed. Unlike my high school, the chaperones that help at Mac's prom come dressed in their best. So this year I wore this beautiful chocolate brown gown. I loved it!

Now that the festivities are at bay, I'm back at it. This week I have done pretty good. I'm still eating mostly lean meats and veggies with fruit as sweets. If I work out that day then I get servings of complex carbs, which I need. Surprisingly, I have fallen in love with cycling classes up at my gym. I'm nuts, I know. It feels so good afterwards. I also learned at a seminar this last week that although moderate cardio can be good for your heart, that your brain doesn't get much out of a workout unless it's very intense. So maybe that's why the cycling class makes me happy afterward :)

I am feeling better and starting to tone up a little bit at a time. I have this one area on my body that is the most unattractive in my opinion. You might think it's my butt or maybe my stomach but the truth is I hate me knees. As I have shared this with a few friends and found that I'm not alone... I have what I can "fat knees". It doesn't matter how much a lose or work out, those keep their their cushy look. So I enlisted the help of my husband's best friend. He is a physical therapists and knows exactly which muscles need to be kicked into shape in order to fix this dilemma. So along with the intense cycling classes, I do one-legged squats every morning, evening, and even sometimes on my lunch break. I have also start consistently using the extension and curl machines at the gym more. I'm excited! Wahoo for working out!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

These are a few of my favorite things...

It's time to celebrate getting old! Next week is my birthday...here are some things that make me smile....





I like this chunky ring from James Avery. I like thick, chunky rings.






Grimaldi's pizza!



Anthropologie, this store is wonderful. If you have never been, you are missing out.





Real Simple Magazine. I like their style. I love grabbing this along with The Nest Magazine to get ideas and inspiration for the apartment.



The Peas new album that comes out...I think this summer.





I love Central Market and would love to go to Foodie School! Italian night maybe...


Still in that nesting phase and this store helps. Besides I have some special projects that need tools from Bed Bath and Beyond.




If you've never been, then you might not understand. IKEA is wonderful!





I love Tazo Tea. My current favorite would be Awake, but I like anything with Chai or Vanilla.




ShopSmart Magazine. I picked it up randomly at the store and I'm in love. This magazine does not sell ad space, so they have articles on comparing products, ways to do things around the house, ideas for decorating, tips and tricks on how to save money, etc. Great magazine.



It's been awhile...

Okay, Team Mountain has been super busy and I am completely dropping the ball on this blogging thing. SO, I decided that I would choose a specific topic to blog about during different seasons and then I could always throw in something random and blog-worthy.

I am going to re-visit the topic of getting in shape. I had blogged about polka dot bikinis back in January. I have done an alright job, but last week actually got into it. I detoxed...UGH! Not the most fun thing to do. Only lean mean, veggies, and fruits. It doesn't sound awful until you do it for 10 days and you starve! The first week I was allowed to eat as much as I wanted of those things to curb the hunger part. This week will be the final week of all this. I am now starting to watch how much of all those wonderful things I eat.

Other rules: I can have 2 servings of good carbs (i.e., double fiber english muffin or a cup of whole wheat pasta)....there is an 'if', IF I work out that day. So I can earn those wonderful carbs but working my little butt off. And if I'm working out, I'll need them.

I have started going to cycling classes. My goal is to go Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning. Then anything else I can fit in my schedule.

My little secrets to success...
Mexican Salads: I love a big bed of lettuce with black beans, corn, salsa, and just a pinch of sharp cheddar on top. These are great because the salsa is a super healthy substitute for dressing.

Frozen Applesauce: Seriously! I get the frozen thing from my dad. He prefers everything frozen! I get the No Sugar Added Mott's Applesauce that is either regular, strawberry, pomegranate, or peach flavored. Stick them in the freezer, then it's like sherbet when you eat it! Great low-sugar, 50 calories snack.

Orbitz Gum: If there is something wrong with this little vice I would prefer not know. I can chew on this stuff and not think about eating for hours.

Water: Really, I never used to drink the proper amount of water and I'm trying to nurse bottles of water now all the time. It really does keep me from craving things I ought not. And I'm sure there are a million other health benefits.

Things to do other than eating: Americans are so bad at filling their time with munching. I know I am. So I have picked up little hobbies and watched myself to make sure I don't bring a snack when it's not necessary. Taking pictures, blogging (getting back on that one), reading some of my new favorite magazines (ShopSmart and The Nest), and doing projects around the apartment (repainting stools and decorating.)

All of these things have really helped.

Blaine has been great. He encourages me to get to the gym when I'm just a little shy of enough get-up-and-go. He has also learned how to help me find a healthy alternative when I'm claiming to be famished :)

Driving reasons to get into better shape:

1) It's good for you. Everyone should care about your body. It's a gift from God and I want to do my part to be a good steward.
2) I'm going to PROM! Ha Ha...sounds funny coming from someone who is about to be 25. Blaine and I are going to prom as sponsors and they dress up at this school.
3)Taking 1 year anniversary pictures in June! Can't wait! Blaine and I are going to put our gear back on and take some portraits to celebrate!
4)Summer...come on ladies. We all care.
5)I'm going to be a bridesmaid again! Super cute orange dresses.
6)Orlando! Blaine and I are going to Orlando, Florida in August for an MOG/National Conference retreat. The Conference,Disney World, Universal Studios, and the pool are calling my name!

I'm excited and actually motivated this time. I'll keep everyone up-to-date on how it goes!