Birthday Road Trip

It's my birthday...We gon' party like it's my birthday!

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The bf and I are headed to

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Where we are going to visit

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Not sure what else we are going to get into, but I'm very excited, and I'll be sure to recap next week.

Tips Tuesday - Workout Motivation

For this week’s Tips Tuesday, I thought I would discuss some things that help to motivate me to work out. Of course I am not a doctor, nor a personal trainer, but just wanted to share what helps me.

You are not a professional athlete/supermodel
First of all, it’s important to remember that we are not supporting our families by working out. Nor is this a life or death situation. So do what you can, don’t put too much pressure on yourself, and learn to enjoy it (I will admit, I am still learning how to enjoy it…ha!). Luckily for us our paycheck doesn’t rely on how fast or how many miles we can run, or if we can fit into a size 0 swimsuit (and thank the Lord for that!!).

Set realistic goals
As I mentioned above, this is not our profession, so set realistic goals, and you may even want to set milestones or mini-goals to reach your goals.

For example, my big overall goal was to tone my legs. I decided to start running because I felt that would help me tone my legs. I then set a goal to run a 5K. It’s good to set goals because they help keep you motivated knowing there is an end you are trying to reach.

I’ll be honest, I hate to run, and have never been very good at it, so my first mini-goal was to run 1 mile. I started out running/walking that first mile. Running 2-3 mins, then walking 1 min, until I reached that first mile. I then continued to walk until I reached a total of 3 miles.

I then made it to running a half a mile, walking a couple of mins, and then running another half a mile. Finally I made it to running 1 mile straight.

I then kept adding to my 1 mile. At first it was running 1 mile, walking a few mins, and then running another half mile. Then I got to the point of running 2 miles straight.

Right now I am working on that last mile. I can run 2 miles straight, then I walk a few mins, run another half mile, walk a few mins, and then run that last half mile to get me to 3 miles. I know a 5K is slightly over 3 miles, but I like I said, set those mini-goals.

Remember to start slow also, especially if you haven’t worked out in a while. You may not even be able to run. Walking on the treadmill, or riding a bike, may be the best you can do, and that is ok. If you try too much at once, you will hurt yourself, and that defeats the whole purpose of working out.

It’s ok to rest
If you need a breather, it’s ok to take a min or 2 to catch your breath, get a sip of water. Just make sure that you don’t stop completely. They actually say if you slow down for a few mins, and then start back up again that it actually helps you burn more calories because you trick your body into thinking it’s slowing down, and then you get going again.

Find your motivation
I find I enjoy running inside the gym more than running outside because of 1. air conditioning and 2. because each treadmill has a little mini-tv attached. I tend to schedule my gym time around some of my favorite shows. Also, I love to bring my favorite magazines to the gym to read. I try and get my running over first, and then I can read a little while I am walking it out. I save my favorite magazines so I can only read them at the gym (makes me then want to go!).

New clothes/shoes are very important
Cute new gym clothes make you not only feel comfortable, but they can also be a great motivation to get you to the gym. Also, new shoes are very important to keep you supported. I found that I was having knee problems because my shoes were old. You should replace them at least once a year (some may suggest every 6 months, but then again, we are not athletes, just replace them when they start feeling worn).

Every Little Bit Helps
I try to get to the gym at least 2 times a week (once on the weekend, and once during the week). Sometimes I might even make it 3 times. I don’t beat myself up if I can’t get there though. I figure even if I only get there 1 time that week, it’s better than not going at all.

Mix it up
Sometimes I take classes at the gym. It keeps things interesting so I don’t get burned out. Also, I have a few DVD’s at home that I like to try when I can’t, or don’t feel like, making it to the gym. It no excuse if you have the tools at home.

I hope you enjoyed my tips, and if anyone has any other tips to share, feel free to leave them in the comments below.

New Season of Bravo & Mingle Monday

First off, this week I am joing Life of Meg's Mingle Monday, so head on over there and check out the other participants.

Second, there are a few new shows starting this week on Bravo, and I am very excited about them.

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The Rachel Zoe Project

The Rachel Zoe Project starts on Tuesday (8/3) at 10 pm. I think this is possibly the 3rd season and I have really enjoyed the first 2 seasons. I would say this is probably one of my favorite shows on Bravo and I am glad they are bringing it back.

It's so much fun to see what all goes into getting celebrities ready for award shows and appearances, throw in some fabulous fashion, a crisis or 2, and of course Rachel's fun Zoe-isms ("I die" and "that's bananas").

Of course Rachel is my favorite, but I also love Brad (one of Rachel’s assistants). I think he is so funny and quirky. I also think Roger (Rachel’s husband) is a great fit for Rachel. He keeps her grounded in her crazy life. It’s funny to see them shopping together because Rachel will try and buy the whole store, and Roger is like, do you really need another vintage dress/top/jewelry/shoes/etc. Sometimes she even hides stuff from him. I am sure she has enough clothes he can’t keep track of everything.

I am curious because the previews show that Taylor (Rachel’s other assistant) is no longer with the company. Last season she threatened to quit a couple of times, so I am curious if she quit this time, or was fired. I guess we will find out. My favorite episodes so far are when they went to Paris for fashion week.

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The Real Housewives of Washington DC

The Real Housewives of Washington DC starts this Thurs (8/5) at 9 pm, right before the season finale of Bethenny Getting Married. I am excited to see this show, but am not sure if I will like these ladies. They seem a little stuck up and snooty, but we will see.

I thought it was interesting that the White House crashers are on the show. My boyfriend is boycotting this show because of that, and feels that they were only doing it to get a reality show, which I thought was the case also, but it looks liked they crashed the White House as part of the show. Hmmm…and how did Bravo pull that off, we will see. I keep telling him this is just entertainment, and to get over it.

Does anyone else have boyfriends/husbands/significant others who complain about the shows you watch??

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Flipping Out

My other very favorite Bravo show comes on next Tues (8/10) at 9 pm and that is Flipping Out. I think this is season 4 of this show. Jeff Lewis is crazy funny. He can be a jerk, but he knows it, accepts it, and doesn’t apologize for it.

My two favorite characters are Zoila, his housekeeper, and Jenny his assistant. The fact that these two women can put up with him and his crazy OCD’ness, is amazing. And I love how they tell him how it is.

There are too many episodes that I loved, but I think a few of my favorites were when he installs cameras to spy on his employees, when he has Jenny’s alter ego “Deb” call on his contractors to get things done, and when he has to go over to a potential client’s house for a “pajama party” dinner. Oh and who can forget the painting of Zoila. We all know he loves her like family.

I highly recommend you check these shows out, and let me know what you think.

Pink Saturday - 7/31/10 (Love of Cardigans)

Happy Pink Saturday everyone! Can you believe it's the last day in July?!? Where did the summer go?

So for this week's Pink Saturday, I wanted to share with everyone my love of cardigans. So much that I am going to share with you my collection, in my closet!!

This is my collection, and my goal is to have one in every color. I am getting there. Since it's Pink Saturday, can you spot the pink ones??

Right now these are my favorites. I just received the pinkish/red one on the bottom right from Lands End Canvas this week. It's the Heritage Cardigan which I have been hearing so much about. It was on sale over the weekend for $20!!

The dark purple one and the gray one on the left are both from Loft, and the purple/blue/yellow swirly one I got at Macy's a few months ago.

I would love to pick up an orange cardigan for the fall, and I would really like to find a nice emerald green one, and maybe a fun yellow one. I also love cardigans with sparkles, or ruffles or flowers on them, so anytime I see one I typically pick it up if it's a good price.

For more info on Pink Saturday, check out Beverly's blog.

And the blog I wanted to feature this week that I visted last week was Anne-Marie with a dash. Last week she featured her childhood memories of ballet, and it brought back so many memories of my days of dance.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Show Us Your Life - Share Your Testimony

This week’s Show Us Your Life over at Kelly’s Korner is Share Your Testimony.

This is something I have wanted to discuss for some time, but it’s hard to share your problems with everyone on the Internet. But at the same time, you never know who might benefit from hearing what you have to say.

For some time I have struggled with the path my life has taken. At this time in my life, I expected I would be living in my dream home, married with kids, with a career that had really taken off. I felt that overall I was a good person, l went to school for my bachelor and master’s degree, I followed the law, paid my bills on time and did everything a good citizen should do. Although I don’t go to church on a regular basis, I believe in God and try my best to be a good Christian.

So why am I in my early-thirties, divorced, living in an apartment, with no kids, in a job where people who are 3 and 4 years younger than me are in positions above me? I heard a fellow blogger a few weeks ago mention “I plan and God laughs.” I thought how true is that?!?

I am a very analytical, left brain, OCD type person. I typically believe that if you do ABC, then XYZ will happen. For example, I go to school, get my masters, work really hard and a dream job should magically appear. Anyone else feel that way? I can control my destiny, I can control everything, or at least I wish I could.

I looked up online where “Man plans, God laughs” comes from and it is actually a Yiddish proverb “Mentsch tracht, Gott lacht”

I then also found a bible verse, which I felt totally relates to this: Psalm 33:10-11 “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations."

We try to control our destiny, whether with good or bad intentions, but no matter what, God is really in charge of our destiny. He has a plan for each of us, and although we may not agree with the path our life is taking, God knows what is good for us, and in the end, he will make sure the what will happen is in our best interest.

I recently purchased the book Plan B: What Do You Do When God Doesn't Show Up the Way You Thought He Would by Pete Wilson. I haven’t had a chance to read it, but I have heard great things about this book which focuses on when your plans (Plan A) doesn’t happen, why God’s plans (Plan B) probably will work out even better than your original plans. Has anyone else read this book? What did you think? I can’t wait to read it and will be sure to share my thoughts.

It’s taken me a while to realize all of this, and to be honest, every day it’s a struggle to remember God’s plan for me. I keep reminding myself, I am now in a better relationship than I was in before, I recently got promoted and feel that even though I had some road blocks with my career, it is now back on track, and it is probably a good thing I didn’t have kids in my first marriage, because how awful would it be for my kids to deal with a broken marriage. My day will come, and all of my dreams will be fulfilled, I just need to practice having patience (yet again another trait I struggle with).

Thanks for hearing me ramble. Sometimes it helps to just get it all out. Also, I have had the opportunity to help a few women who have come in my life deal with the emotions and questions that come with going through a divorce, so if anyone ever wants to chat, I am totally open to that. Just feel free to leave me a comment with your email.

If I Die Young (song)

I heard this song yesterday on the radio for the first time and I loved it! But it was very emotional and thought provoking for me and I just kept thinking, wow, those are powerful lyrics, I wonder what it all means.



At first I thought was it about suicide, or maybe about a teenager who lost their life too soon.

After a little reseach online, I came across a video of the band explaining what the song is about. They claimed it was a statement of contentment, and right before they wrote the song they were discussing how great things have been for them in their lives, and if it all ended quickly for whatever reason, they would be ok because they were happy with their lives.

They also said that after playing the song for others, they have people come up to them and tell them that the song means very different things to them. Some people have just lost someone, and it makes them feel like everything is going to be ok.

I think a good lesson to learn is to enjoy everyday of your life, and make sure you are living your life in a way that makes yourself proud, because you never know when it will end quickly.

The Help Book Review

While traveling earlier this week, I was able to finish reading The Help. I really enjoyed this book so much and highly recommend it.

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This book is based in Jackson, Mississippi back in the 50's/60's and is all about segregation. There are really 2 groups of characters in this book -- the white ladies, and the African American house maids. The book goes into discussing the details of their lives -- how the white ladies live and how the house maids live.

The book's main story is about one of the white ladies, who is fresh out of college, returns home and decides she wants to be a writer. Although she lands a job at the local paper writing cleaning advice columns (which is ironic because she has never cleaned a day in her life), she longs to write something of more importance.

After finding out her mother's house maid, who basically raised her as a baby up until she went off to college, was fired, and is nowhere to be found, she started questioning segregation and why the white men and women think the African American men and women are so dirty and diseased and how they needed to be separated from the white folk.

The white writer decides she wants to write a book about house maids working for the white ladies, and she reaches out to some maids to help her tell their story. One of the maids decides to help her out and then they eventually recruit other house maids to tell their story as well.

Not to give away too much, but this book was an emotional ride for me. I truly connected with some of these characters, which is my favorite part about reading. There were moments where I laughed, wanted to cry, and got just plain mad at these white ladies.

Besides their stupidity and ignorance on the differences between whites and African Americans, I think the thing that bothered me the most was how some of the children were really raised by their house maids. One character didn't really act like she even wanted her child. When her maid wasn't around she was like "what do I do with this child??"

I think the parts that I liked best were when the white writer lady and the house maids started to form friendships and pulled together to form this sort of revolution by writing this book. I also really liked how some of the house maids had great stories to tell about their white ladies. Even though it wasn't publicized, the white families really became good friends with their house maids, helped them out when they were in trouble, and even sometimes considered them family.

The end of the book was a little shocking to me, and kind of made me a little angry, but you get the idea that even though it doesn't share what happens to some of the characters, you believe they are all going to be ok, and everything worked out as it should have.

This was probably one of my favorite books, and as I mentioned before, I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for an emotional story that you can really connect with.