Favorite Things - July

I always love looking through everybody’s favorites, so I thought I would participate for the first time in Andrea & Erika's linkup.  Hera are a few of my favorite things under $10.

I LOVE Peach-Mango Green Tea Crystal Light.  It’s so light and refreshing.  Since I’ve quit drinking coke, I go through about 2 boxes a week.

I am a huge fan of anything caramel.  I found Special K Caramel Pretzel Bliss recently at the store.  They are delish.  They are only 70 calories each and do a great job of satisfying my sweet tooth.  

Ok, if hair grosses you out, turn away.  My husband cannot stand hair laying anywhere, and ever since I’ve had Hallie my hair just falls out nonstop.  I used to vacuum the rug in our bathroom every day with a hand vacuum, but now I have found the perfect tool.  It’s a pet hair remover for furniture.  

Here is a picture of the rug in our bathroom before using the pet hair remover.

This is all the hair removed just from one day’s worth.  Oh, and it also picked up any lent or fuzz.

Here is a picture of the rug after using the pet hair remover.  I love how it leaves the just vacuumed look too.  This little tool has been so much easier than using the hand held vacuum.  Get one today if you shed like a dog…haha!!     

Weekend Recap

Friday evening, Hallie and I went out for a little date.  We went to the nail salon.  She was super excited.  She picked blue for her toes and purple and pink for her fingers.

Saturday morning, I got Hallie's invitations printed.  Also, the aquaballs I ordered for her party arrived. Things are slowly coming together for the birthday celebration.

We also headed to Toys R Us for her to pick out some toys she wants for her birthday.  Of course, half of the stuff she picked out was play doh, and the other half was princess items. 

We came home and did a little swimming.  After swimming, Hallie went down for a nap.  I used that opportunity to do my jamberry 7 day challenge.  

Saturday evening, Hallie stayed with nana while we took Bryson school shopping for shoes.  We decided we needed a massage after all the shopping.  Bryson thought the chair was great!

While at the mall, we stopped at the Hallmark store to reserve an Elsa ornament for Hallie.  Every year we get the kids an ornament that relates to something they did or liked during the year.  

Sunday morning, we headed to church and then our favorite Mexican resturant.  

The remaining day was spent doing choirs and errands to prepare for the upcoming week.

Friday Five

Yay, it's finally Friday!!  This week has been super busy.  I'm ready for some R&R. 

ONE I found these awesome back to school cookies at the store.  A back to school celebration is obviously a must now!!!

TWO My new kicks from the Nordstrom anniversary sale arrived.  I'm in love!!

THREE This picture just makes me happy!  That is corn from the hubby's garden, and I bought those corn cob holders on our last trip to Disney.

FOUR I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner monogram swap.  I have either sold or put up to save most of Hallie's monogram stuff.  I found this one little lurker.  I'm giving it to anyone who has a Hallie size 12-18 month.

FIVE The first release of the Matilda Jane fall line is August 1st.  This momma is excited.  Of course I'll be buying some pieces for Hallie, but I also can't wait to see their mom items.  I absolutely love my ruffles.  They are so comfy and cute.  My dad tends to disagree.  He makes fun of them every time I wear them.  Pshh, what does he know :)

Linking up with
Friday Favorites
High Five for Friday
Friday Favorites
Friday Favorites

Weigh in Wednesday

Well, I'm up 1.80 pounds, but I know why.  It's called The Weekend.  Arghhh.   Why can't the saying below be true?!?!

Here’s a recap of my goals from last week and how I did.

100 ounces of water a day – I did good throughout the week and bombed on the weekend.  

Try protein pancakes – Success.  I think I got the recipe from Skinny Meg.  On the oatmeal, I used 2 packages of the lower sugar maple & brown sugar Quaker oats.  I topped the waffles with yogurt.  I thought they were yummy.  My batch made 6.  They also reheat good.  I'll definitely be making more.  

 

Workout at least 5 times – Failed.  I missed my usual Friday workout because I had a hair appointment.  I had intentions of making it up on the the weekend, but it didn't happen.  I'm participating in a new challenge to workout 30 minutes everyday for 30 days.  The 30 minutes isn't the issue for me.  It's the 30 days.  Eeeekkkk.

Log all food in My Fitness Pal – Fail.  Once again, I did not log on the weekend.  Curse the weekend!!!

Try a new workout - Fail.  I would really like to try a yoga or piyo video on YouTube.  I just hate having to sift through all the videos to find a decent one.  Any suggestions? 

Goals for the week

100 ounces of water a day

Workout everyday

Log all food in My Fitness Pal

Try a new workout 

Non scale victories

I worked out at home.  This is big!!  I always work out at the gym at lunch time.  Now that I am participating in the 30 day challenge, I will have to do some exercising at home.   It takes some serious motivation for me to work out at home.  My home workout consisted of working on Skinny Meg's challenge of 500 squats, 500 lunges, and 500 jumping jacks.  I also did all 3 ab videos she posted.

I ran into a lady from our old church.  She said she didn't recognize me because I have lost so much weight.  It's nice when others recognize your success.  I don't think people that see you everyday see the change as easily.

Linking up with

Katie Did What
The Hump Day Blog
Weigh In Wednesday
WOW linkup

Weekend Recap

Friday after work, I got my hair colored.  My grey was starting to poke through and needed covered up.  I had my hairdresser go darker, but I think she went too dark.  I still haven’t got used to it yet.  Hopefully I will soon.  Otherwise, I see myself going back soon and spending more money to change it…ughhh.  

That evening we tried out a local restaurant.  We were pleasantly surprised to learn that it was Free Pie Friday.  We might have to make it a regular.  Sister could care less about the actual pie.  Just give her a plate of cool whip.

Saturday morning, I headed to a friend’s house for a local Matilda Jane and Boutique sale.  I was happy to get rid of some clothes and make some money…to buy more clothes, of course.  Actually, I am going to try really hard to keep Hallie’s closet under control.  I am so happy with it right now.  All her clothes actually fit in the closet.  Everything is so neat and organized.  I really should have took a before and after pic.

Saturday evening, Bryson and I had a mommy/son date.  He got to pick where we ate.  We went to Chili’s.  After eating, we went to see Maleficent.  I thought the movie was great!  I would definitely watch it again, and that’s saying something because I rarely watch a movie more than once.  

We went to church Sunday morning.  For once, we were early.  That rarely happens, but yeah God’s still in the miracle business :)

Later that evening, the kids and I went to Target.  I was going to buy some cheap school supplies.  They have 6 pack of glue sticks on sale this week for .99.  So while trying to save money buying school supplies, I left Target spending $100 in other items. #fail

I found this really cute jean jacket for sister.  I didn’t buy it because she already has a jean jacket.  But look at those ruffles on the bottom.  I might not be able to resist!

I’m not ready for the new week.  Why do weekends have to go by so fast?!?!

Friday Five

Woohoo!!  It's finally Friday.  Here are some my favorites from this week.

ONE I'm in full birthday planning mode.  Hallie's birthday party is in a couple of weeks.  The birthday girl wants a frozen party, so that's what she's getting.  I am so excited to have booked Anna and Elsa for a visit during the party.  I can't wait to see her face.  These lovely ladies are from Once Upon a Party NWA.

TWO And with the upcoming birthday means the binky fairy is coming for a visit.  We decided that 3 years old was our cutoff for the binky.  Hallie mainly uses it at night, nap time, and in the car (because driving is annoying enough without a crying, whiny toddler).  I'm praying that this will be an easy transition.  I did cold turkey with Bryson when he turned three.  He surprising did better than I thought he would.  But he is a lot more laid back than his stubborn, strong willed sister.

 

THREE Bryson and I have started a notebook where we write letters and questions to each other.  One of the questions I recently asked was what is the one thing you couldn't live without.  His response was God.  Melts my heart.  Some times I question my mothering skills and think of all the things I need to improve.  But it's moments like this that let me know I am doing something right.  Oh, and sister got a hold of the notebook and scribbled all over it. 

FOUR I have been wanting some new tennis shoes lately.  And quite frankly, I think I deserve them for all the hard work I've been putting in at the gym.  When Sheaffer posted these shoes, I knew they were "the ones".  I cannot wait to get them!!!

 FIVE I giggled when I saw this.  Yep, this is me.  Well, expect maybe I've owned over 2 million.

Happy Friday!!

Linking up with
Friday Favorites
High Five for Friday
Friday Favorites
The Diary of a Real Housewife
September Farm 

Wednesday Weigh In

Yay!!  I finally hit a new low record for my weight.  The last month I’ve just been gaining and losing the same 4 pounds.  Hopefully I’ve broken that cycle.  My current total weight loss is 21.6 pounds.  

Here’s a recap of my goals from last week and how I did.

100 ounces of water a day – I think I should get an A for effort.  I try so hard, but I usually only end up around 80-90 ounces.

Try protein pancakes – Fail.  I got cottage cheese at the store.  I already had everything else needed to make the pancakes.  I go to make them.  Check the date on the oatmeal in the pantry….December 2010.  Oops.  Oatmeal has been added to the grocery list for this week.  I wonder if I could use the single serve instant packages.  I have tons of those.

Workout at least 5 times – Done.  The spin and bootcamp classes have been AMAZING this past week.  I’ve burned over 500 calories in each 45 minute class.  My highest calorie counts were 532 and 515.  

Log all food in My Fitness Pal – Fail.  I did not log on the weekend.  Why are the weekends so hard?!?!?

Goals for the week

100 ounces of water a day

Try protein pancakes

Workout at least 5 times

Log all food in My Fitness Pal

Try a new workout 

I am participating in Skinny Meg’s challenge and I’m LOVIN it.  She had a challenge to see who could do the most burpees in 30 seconds.  I did 13.  I’m very happy with that non scale victory.  Right after I completed the challenge, I went to bootcamp class, and wouldn’t you know the instructor had us doing burpees.  Every minute we had to stop what we were doing and do 4 burpees.  By the end of class, we had done 120 burpees.  Oh so sore!!!!    

 

Linking up with

WOW 

Weigh In Wednesday 

Hump Day Blog Hop 

Katie Did What