T.G.I.F.

It's been a crazy week around here! I feel like I've pretty much gone non-stop every day and I am very much looking forward to a little downtime and r&r this weekend. However - it's been a GREAT week!

As many of you may know, I signed up to be a health and fitness coach through Beachbody a few weeks ago. It's been a wild ride already and one I am absolutely loving! I can't express how much this has meant to me just in this short time and the great opportunity I've been given. I love that I get to help others GET HEALTHY. I love my TEAM. And I love doing what I'm PASSIONATE ABOUT. And I became an Emerald Coach - the first rank you can achieve in BB - in less than three weeks!

I promise this blog won't turn into a Beachbody advertisement but as something that's part of my life now - it will find it's way here now and then. :-)

Ryan's been traveling some for work which means Karlyn and I get to eat easy meals that involve pickles for mama and mac and cheese for her. She's watched way too many Special Agent Oso episodes while I work past bedtime at my new endeavor. I think we both woke up feeling it this morning too because after not enough sleep for several nights I felt like I'd been run over by a train this morning and Karlyn had fever when I picked her up from school. Hopefully this weekend we can get our groove back and rest up.

I had a snow-cone today! And it was delish! Does anyone else still call it that? Or do I need to be politically correct and say "shaved ice." #idontknow

I got Tiger's Blood and it was so refreshing - perfect to end a Friday with. I feel like I should have more to say but my brain is just mush! Too many emails. :> I am getting really anxious to feel baby Ivey move around in there. I'm about 17 weeks now so hopefully any day! And two weeks from today, I'll be announcing BOY or GIRL which thrills me to no end! We have names, which you'll probably get to find out too.

Karlyn's cheer uniform arrived yesterday so she wanted to be all decked out for practice today. I thought she looked adorable! The shirt was a little big so we did the side knot. Side...something?

She said, "Mom, could you take a picture so I can see what my bow looks like?"

<Side NOTE: My house sounds like it's about to blow over in this storm!>

I hope everyone has a FABulous weekend. We'll be keepin' it low key over here. 

Friday Faves

1. I think every woman should wear blush. It's a make-up must in my opinion! This is my fave right now. It gives you that flushed rosy glow and I love topping it with a little bronzer and then brushing on a powder blush/highlighter on top of it.

2. Trips to the dentist. They really don't bother me and I usually leave with a good report. I felt like I got a failing grade this last time though because they noticed some gum recession. :-( I was like, huh? She goes, yeah, if sensitivity starts happening, I could switch toothpaste and then surgery might also be on the table. IF it got worse. I was half-way mortified. She mentioned getting a Sonicare toothbrush or just using soft, slow circles when I brush. Um. OK. Now I'm afraid to brush my teeth. For reals.

3. Music. I'm so, so behind on The Voice but I liked this song in the blind auditions. He just has a cool style. I also heart this song.

4. I love this list of plant-based protein snacks! Even if the original recipe doesn't strike you - there's a lot of room for inspiration. Chia seed pudding? Chocolate-Avocado Milkshake? #YUM

5. My child has her first ballet recital next month. Cue all the feels. I picked out her white leotard for the recital and this is how she styled it.

6. Learn to Lift Weights And Love It. Jen Sinkler via Melissa Joulwan talks about how to increase confidence in the weight room. I like this part ~

"Plus, strength-training has a sneaky-cool way of expanding into your life outside the gym, boosting self-esteem, fighting insomnia, and reducing anxiety, to name a few."

7. This. I need.

8. Go longer between trims. I need to work on this, especially since I want my hair to GROW. Nevermind the fact that I thought about chopping it the other day. No, I'm pretty much always like um, it's been 6 weeks? What am I doing with my HAIR NEXT?! And riddle me this. Why on some days does it seem like my hair is actually shrinking. As in actively getting shorter. darn layers.

9. Last weekend Ryan did some handyman work for me around the house. Including hanging the "EAT" letters in the first pic. I really, really like it! Plus I like to eat, so there's that.

10. Today is my birthday. I plan on eating sweet things + a sister date. We did this last year too!

happy friday!

Friday Faves

1. Welp. We've made it through yet another time change. I'm liking the extra daylight but my four year old summed it up best. "It's weird...it's just weird." She "accidentally" slept all night in her bed Sunday night and was thoroughly confused Monday morning when she heard Ryan - and it was still dark outside.

2. All this wet gloomy weather put me in a baking mood. Soooo chocolate chip gluten-free blondies with a secret ingredient. And they're surprisingly good, i.e., I've eaten half the pan. (I totally just googled the proper usage of "i.e." Hope I did it right.)

3. Speaking of blonde, I'm kind of over the dark hair. I know right - it's totally been five weeks. I figured it might go like that. Don't worry; I'm not switching back overnight. It's too $$. It'll be a gradual fading + addition of highlights back in. =) File that under #thingsnoonecaresabout

4. Have you seen this? Oh my gosh. I already liked the song but THIS? Where was Maroon 5 when I was getting married??! What a fun memory! I love it.

5. So, weather again. I am really ready for some regular sunshine and feel like I was starting to get in a funk. There's only so many days you can take. Enter>>> Natural and Safe Fatigue Fighters! I like this list of energy boosters, especially the mention of regular exercise at the end. Here's more along the same line.

6. Gilmore Girls Update. I'm almost through Season 4. Luke and Lorelai are just about to get together. FINALLY. Rory's at Yale. Lane's been replaced and Jess...Jess, where are you? Come backkkk.

7. I was planning to exercise yesterday but felt pretty tired when I got home from work. I ate a snack, set my alarm for a 30 minute snooze, and then slept for an hour and a half. Oops. I guess my body needed it though - it was one of those naps you wake up in a fog from. I can't remember the last time I napped like that!

8. Mandatory quote.

"Do hard stuff. Every single day. Do something that scares you, challenges you, makes you sweat, freaks you out. Growth requires persistence." ~ Christine Caine

9. 13 Ways Women Can be MORE, Not Less. Yes.

10. I'll be 32 in one week. I can't decide how I feel about that. 32 is still young right? My chiropractor said it's only 4 years from 28...so...sure. I'll go with that logic.

Friday Faves

My co-worker shared this with us and I thought it was pretty funny. BINGO anyone?!

1) Looking to improve your health? Take a walk!

The best way to improve your overall health may be as simple as joining a walking group. A review of 42 studies examined the physical and mental health effects of joining an outdoor walking group and found that among study participants, joining a walking group led to decreases in blood pressure, resting heart rate, depression, body fat, weight, and total cholesterol. Improvements in overall physical functioning and lung power were also noted by walkers. The findings suggest that healthcare providers should recommend patients join a walking group as a way to improve their overall health. 
British Journal of Sports Medicine, January 2015

2) "If God would make me like naps, I would...but, He didn't." ~ Karlyn. Who can argue with that logic?

3) Paleo. Vegan. Pegan? Read Dr. Mark Hyman's take on a healthy diet.

4) This Women's Beginner Strength Training Guide from Nia Shanks is no-nonsense simple. If you're new to weights, programming, the whole shebang, maybe start here.

5) Want a better day at work? I like these tips for bringing mindfulness to the office.

6) HEALTHY FRENCH FRIES. yes please.

7) A Reverse To Do List. Interesting! I'm not a huge list person but at times I think I should be. It would at least help me stay more on top of things - perhaps keep it on the fridge? #alwayseating

8) Does the news having you running panicked to the closest doctor's office in fear of measles? Read this first. And this. Or this.

9) We made this blueberry b-fast cake for Ryan for a special birthday treat. We all gave it 3 thumbs up! Karlyn had fun helping me make it and even though I had trouble getting it out of the pan, it was easy and delicious.

Happy Friday!

Friday Faves

1) 33 Thoughts Every Woman Has in Target. hilarious.

2) On Wednesday Karlyn started the day off right by saying,"Mom, I don't like your hair like that. Or those clothes you're wearing." I must have given her a look because then she started to backtrack. "I mean, I just don't like it when you wear only black." lovely.

3) I listened to this podcast by Wellness Mama (Katie) & Chris Kresser. Good stuff on pre-conception/pregnancy health and nutrition.

4) If you've ever struggled to fall asleep, you'll enjoy this read over at Stupid Easy Paleo. #2 and #5. zzzzzzz.

5) Ya'll. I made homemade chocolate peanut butter cups. I didn't have mini-muffin liners so mine turned out kinda flat but what they lacked in girth, they made up for in taste! So yummy! try it.

6) Netflix. What's not to love? #LorelaiRoryLukeJess Speaking of, I have an episode to watch.

7) Looking for some healthy Valentine's Dessert ideas? Look no further! Who wants to make me one or ALL OF THESE?

8) I love a good quote. Here's some from Jon Stewart...who if I'm being honest, I really don't know that well. This one's my fave:

"Love what you do. Get good at it. Competence is a rare commodity in this day and age. And let the chips fall where they may."

Happy Friday!

Friday Faves

I found this Valentine's shirt at Kid-to-Kid and thought it was perfect! I added the quote. :>

My Whole 30 is OVAH!! As of today. Don't mistake my enthusiasm for an all-out ice cream binge tomorrow. I'm just glad that I made it. I finished! I have a Whole 30 wrap up post coming and am planning to make these for our Super Bowl get together.

The first thing out of my child's mouth when we picked her up from Sunday School last week was, "I forgive you for being mad at me this morning."

Gilmore Girls. I'm in love. I mean, this isn't my first rodeo with this show but I luurrve it. We got Netflix and I've sorta been binge watching it. Over Christmas (I almost said Christmas break. ha. #notastudent) I watched a couple of random episodes but then decided - because I used to be an orderly-type person - that I really should start at the beginning. Season 1, Episode 1. As of last night, I am officially in Season 2. (that's 20 episodes in case you're wondering) I'm watching a show here, there, and five in a row last Saturday? Ryan thinks I've gone off the deep end.

Speaking of Lorelai, I'm obsessed with brown hair. Dark brown hair. But mine is short and highlighted. I got on Pinterest, found this and am thinking about it. Thoughts?

I've always liked a good bargain. Thanks mom/grandmother. But lately I'm really into online shopping. I mean, who's bad day ISN'T turned right around by 1/2 off Gap sale prices? I got Karlyn these, this, and this.

This quote by John Wooden.

Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability."

Happy Friday Folks!

Friday Faves - January

Welp. January is upon us! Cold, wet, and dreary. But it's OK. I have a bright + cheery calender.

I love that message. Do what you love. Love what you do. And make it beautiful.

Other things I'm loving~

* I've kicked off my Whole 30. Today is Day 2! I've added a tab at the top of my blog called "Whole 30" if you'd like to follow my journey or gain inspiration for your own. I'll be updating daily.

*My GapFit pants. I know I mentioned them before but I seriously love them. Just so. comfy. And they're on sale! I also got a scarf for Christmas similar to this one in black/gray that I don't want to take off.

*This song by Chris Jamison (of The Voice!) and Jessie J. I love how they sound together, the song, everything. I like the message of "I'm still working...perfectly incomplete" Why can't I sing? :-/

*This idea by one_fit_cookie (IG) She created a memories jar and spray painted it! I want to re-create this and steal her idea to write down funny, happy, or helpful memories throughout the year  and read them at the end.

*Target is killing me you guys. I bought a bathing suit. On December 31st. What the heck? To be fair, I was trying on workout clothes and spied one that someone had returned, thought it looked cute, and tried it on. Hey, I guess it's Summer motivation right? I also randomly **sometimes I stumble into the children's clearance section** found Karlyn's Easter dress yesterday. It's SO pretty! I love it.

What things are you loving right now? Tell me in the comments!

Friday Faves

*I've gotten lazy when it comes to washing my face. I mean, it's the last thing I do each night and by that time, my battery is pretty much at -5. Yes to Blueberries cleansing cloths to the rescue! I love these things. I use them to wipe off my make-up and then add some eye make-up remover onto the cloth at the end. Then just toss it!

*This popcorn. And this one. I really don't need to go to the grocery store unattended anymore. Because I'm probably going to buy popcorn (2 for $5 what?) and eat an entire bag by myself in two days. #7servingsnotsomuch

*You HAVE to read this post about The Four Facebook Statuses of Parents by Honest Toddler. I adore that kid. Or his mom. Whatever. It's stinkin hilarious and so true.

*In-N-Out Burger. I ate there twice this week. And...someone paid for my lunch the second time! I handed the girl in the drive-thru my card and she told me that they had had a string of folks paying for meals for the next car. I was stoked! There are still nice people in the world.

*JT. This is my new fave song which means I'll listen to it a bunch of times until I'm tired of it. I did the same thing with Mirrors last year.

Happy Friday!

Friday Faves

*This little girl. Asleep in her bed. Using the same blanket I had at her age. Precious.

*EOS. Evolution of Smooth. My mother-in-law bought me this lip balm for my birthday and I love it! The smooth round design makes it a cinch to twist off the cap and apply. With natural ingredients to boot!

*I'm loving this new beauty blog, Maskcara. She's also on Instagram. I spent time watching her brow tutorials last Saturday and was pleased with the results after shaping mine up. :>

*Talenti Gelato in Sea Salt Caramel. Delish. Did you know ice cream is a fertility food? That's what they say anyways...I'm going with it.

*This Capri Blue Candle Tin in Volcano from my mom and sister. Awesome birthday present! It smells amazing.

*Easter Eggs! Pretty, pretty colors. Karlyn and I stuffed hers with chocolate eggs for a hunt they held at school.

*This Easter message. Our CEO sent these words out to the company by Chuck Swindoll.

"The benefits [of the resurrection] are innumerable.
To list a few: Our illnesses don't seem nearly so final;
Our fears fade and lose their grip;
Our grief over those who have gone on is diminished;
Our desires to press on in spite of the obstacles is rejuvenated...
Our identity as Christians is strengthened as we stand in the lengthening shadows of saints down through the centuries, who have always answered back in antiphonal voice:
'He is risen, indeed!'"

It's Good Friday. And Sunday's coming!