:: LIFE :: A Very Happy Weekend!

Well, it's Friday!  I've been a little sidetracked this week and lagging on the posts, but for very good reason.  I mentioned earlier this week that I was up for two jobs, and I couldn't be happier to announce to you all that I got one!  That's right.  As of yesterday, the papers have been signed, sealed and delivered, and I am employed :).  I can just feel my body starting to fill out my big girl clothes already...

In addition to being very excited about my new job, I'm also excited that within a matter of hours Conor & I will be on our way to Lake Tahoe and, officially, my first trip to the snow... ever!  I know, I know -- I've been deprived.  But I'm so excited to see a real winter wonderland.  I've always pictured snowy locations as very romantic -- not necessarily in a "lovers getaway" kind of romantic, but rather in the kind of romantic that people like myself get caught up in, expecting hot cocoa by a fire every night in an old wooden lodge, and forming a perfectly spherical snowball to throw at friends while frolicking through the snow...  Yeah, I'm that cheeseball.  Nonetheless, I'm expecting a fabulous weekend of snow angels and celebratory lagers.  I'm hoping to have pictures when we return but historically I'm not the best when it comes to documenting moments like these.

Anyway, I hope you all have an equally as exciting weekend and I'll catch you on the flip side.

:: GOAL TRACKER :: Update 1/25/10

:: get a job!
I have some good-ish news to report on the job front.  After 6 months of sending my resume off into the veritable abyss that is the job market, I got two nibbles.  One for a part-time position and one for a full-time position.  Obviously my preference is for the full-time position, and luckily that is just the more appealing job to me anyway.  But I did already get an offer for the part-time position, which was bumped up to full-time when they heard that I was up for another position -- hot dawg!  However, even though it would now be full-time, the position is only temporary and on an as-needed basis.  So I'm still holding out for the original full-time job.  I just completed my second interview with them this morning and I'm hoping to hear back soon on whether or not I'm continuing on in the process.  It's a long process apparently, but I'm more than happy to be patient through it all if it means I'm going to have a job within the next month.  So I'm asking y'all to keep your fingers crossed and send good thoughts my direction please!!

:: move to San Francisco
Still contingent on my job search, so at this point it's on hold.  Of course for those who know me, you know I tend to have my head up in the clouds a bit, and so of course I started looking at what apartments are available now and just briefly starting coming up with a furniture layout in my head for the ones that I really liked... I'm a dreamer, what can I say?

:: read more books
I am happy to report that I'm finally getting back on track with Eat, Pray, Love and I'm nearing the end.  I'm not even going to bother with A New Earth at the moment because I'm just not all that excited about finishing it right now.  Great book, but just not the time for it.  And unfortunately, while I am very excited to be a part of the book club The Book Lushes, I am going to have to sit out on the first book.  I just feel swamped with the all these interviews and preparing for my sister's baby shower.  One book is enough for right now.  Don't hate me, Sarah!  I'll hop on the train on the next book!

:: relearn French
I haven't quite put those CDs and computer programs to use yet (and by that I mean not at all), BUT I do have the pleasure of listening to my boyfriend's new French roommates converse in French on occasion, so I'm hoping to pick up a little from them.

:: lose 15 pounds
Ummmm, yeah.  I don't know when working out meant that you gained weight, but apparently that's what I've been doing.  I know you can gain muscle mass, which weighs more than fat and so increases your overall body weight, but I really didn't think I was building that much new muscle.  I mean, I do weights and strength training but I use light weights and do repeated reps.  I just figured that muscle helps you burn more fat so I should include that in my routine.  Yet somehow, I've gained two pounds back... >:(.  And I haven't even been eating any more than usual either.  So I think I'm going to stick to just cardio and maybe one or two calisthenics, and hopefully I'll see an improvement soon.  But today was an awesome workout, p.s..  I ran 2.5 miles today and probably could have gone longer if my feet didn't feel like they were on fire.  I think a change in my music playlist really kicked my spirits up a notch.  Today's playlist included:

"Highway Star" -- Deep Purple
"Paranoid" -- Black Sabbath
"Fuel" -- Metallica
"Mony Mony" -- Billy Idol
"Little Bird" -- Annie Lennox

It's good stuff.  I highly recommend it ;)  Now I'm off to run errands and take care of stuff I neglected over the weekend - whoops!  I don't regret it though because my weekend was fantastic -- brunch with boyfriend and friends, checking out a new neighborhood, taking a break from everything, Big Love...  nothing wrong with that.

:: LIFE :: Happy Birthday, Mom!

No, you're not seeing double.  Now it's my mom's birthday!  I don't think she'd appreciate it much if I blabbed her age, but she's one year older today and still lookin' hot!

My mother is the kind of mom who always says, "Oh no, you don't need to get me anything."  And even though she probably does mean it, neither my sister nor I can ever completely comply with that statement.  However this year, as we're both currently unemployed, we couldn't exactly get her much.  So my sister sent some beautiful flowers and I made a delicious dinner and dessert.  For the entree, Eggplant Parmesan, which is her favorite.  I've never made it before but I knew how much she loved it so I went for it.  I'm pleased to announce that it got rave reviews :).  And for dessert I made a Breton Buckwheat Cake with Fleur de Sel and Quick Poached Pears.  She had been holding on to this cake recipe for at least two months now, and every couple weeks or so she'd come across it again and say, "I want to make this this weekend.  It sounds sooo good."  But she never got around to it.  So when I was racking my brain today trying to come up with a meal plan she would really enjoy I thought "Ah HA!  She's gonna love that!"  And so she did.  And I did.  And my dad did.  It was awesome, if I do say so myself.  The only thing I changed was that I used Frangelico instead of rum because my folks didn't have any in the house.  Luckily, it was a safe move.  I improvised on the pears too because it called for vanilla bean and I had none.  Instead, to give them a little more flavor, I steeped some thyme in the honey-water until it came to a boil, then tossed the sprigs out and tossed the pears in.  Luckily, that worked well too.  I would have taken a picture but at the moment I only have my phone's camera and, while my food may have tasted good, I was too hungry by the end of it all to have julienned some basil and such simply for the sake of photographing it.  You're just gonna have visualize...

Much to my relief, the birthday girl thoroughly enjoyed it all and had herself a nice little evening, despite it being very low key.  She was content to just have a fire roaring while we dined on the sofa and watched the Hope for Haiti telethon.  She even called and donated.  And no, she didn't get to talk to any of the stars (is it wrong that I'm kind of bummed about that?), but she was happy to help in any way she could.  And I was happy that she had a good night.  It was the least I could do for such a great woman.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

And a big shout out to my aunt Barbara, too.  She's my mom's twin sis and, thus, is also one day older today.  Happy Birthday, Barb!

:: HOME :: Bloomingdales Big Window Challenge 2010

I decided today could be a lazy day, so I spent it catching up on my Google Reader.  F.Y.I., I went from 1000+  new items down to 737... not quite the improvement I was looking for, but I'll take it.  And yes, I know -- I have way too much in my Reader.  Anyway, I came across the new Bloomingdales Big Window Challenge for 2010 on the ever-amazing POINTclickHOME.

{via POINTclickHOME}

Pictured above is the window designed by Eddie Ross, former Top Design contestant amongst many other things, for ELLE Decor.  While I'm not completely sold on everything here, it is my favorite of all three windows in the challenge, followed by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan for Apartment Therapy in a close second.  What I do love about Eddie's room is his mixing of patterns and textures.  It comes off less stale and contrived than what I've seen produced by many other "interior designers," and instead it appears fresh and personal; as if someone could and does actually live there.

{via Apartment Therapy}

I also love his use of color, something which the other two rooms are lacking, and the play on old vs. new.  It's lively, fun and modern while maintaining a very sophisticated and chic appearance.  If I moved into this room, I'd personally take out the retail-like shelves of antique urns on the left there.  I'd also consider changing the slightly dated, grandma wallpaper, but it might just grow on me, too.  All in all I would say "bravo!" (no pun intended) to Eddie -- you have my vote!

Have you checked out all the rooms?  Who are you voting for?

:: LIFE :: Hey La, Hey La, My Boyfriend's Back!

I am on Cloud 9 today because my boyfriend just returned home from a three-month internship in Texas --woo hoo!  I was actually lucky enough to take two trips out there to visit him -- which was an interesting experience, if anyone's familiar with The Woodlands, TX -- so it's really only been five weeks since we last saw each other.  But still, it was five LOOOOONG weeks...

His return home just keeps getting better though!  He just got an apartment in San Francisco with some of his buds, which means I get to go up to SF even more now :).  Although I must say that as I drove through Berkeley (where he has been living on campus while he finishes up his graduate degree) on my way home I started to get all sentimental.  I'd never been there until I met Conor, but it's such a cute little place with so many eateries I still want to try.  We'll just have to plan a couple date nights on the other side of the Bay Bridge from now on.  At this point, I'd rather be in San Francisco and just visit Berkeley than have it the other way around.  Not that this mitigates my living situation; I know I'm not moving (yet!).  And I'm not one of those girlfriends who claims she doesn't live with her boyfriend but stays there 5 nights out of the week bugging the crap out of his roommates, so I'll still be in San Jose a majority of the time I imagine.
Still, it's all very exciting to finally have him back and be able to visit him in the city that I love so dearly.  Life is pretty good right now... *contented sigh*

:: BEAUTY :: My Must-Have Products

This last Saturday my mom and I took a quick trip to Newport Beach to surprise my sister for her 30th birthday.  Because it was going to be such a quick trip -- literally Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon -- we decided to fly and stick with just carry-on baggage.  Well I'm not a light packer and never have been.  But realizing that I really did not need a whole lot for a one-night stay at a place where I'd have access to anything my sister owned, I sucked it up and packed only what I needed.  When it came to the clothes, that was surprisingly easy.  When it came to my beauty products and I learned that my entire arsenal had to fit into one quart-size plastic baggy, I nearly flipped.  Now I don't consider myself THAT high maintenance, but I have very finicky hair and skin that I always worry will once again take the spot-ridden form that it did all through my adolescence.  So when I find products that work for me I stick with them and don't like to alter my routine too much.  I managed to omit a few pieces that I thought I could substitute with whatever my sister had, and all in all it went pretty well.  However, I wasn't entirely pleased.  All this got me thinking about what I really do rely on when it comes to looking and feeling my best.  Here are a few of my must-have products:

1. Kiss My Face Peaceful Patchouli Shower Gel, $10.95

I'm a hippie at heart and this scent is so relaxing and grounding.

2. AquaBella Foam Sea Sponge, $4.99

The net loofahs always fall apart on me, and this one is great for exfoliation.

3. Moroccan Oil for All Hair Types, $39.00

My hair is curly and fine so finding a product that moisturized without weighing it down is nearly impossible.  This oil soaks in immediately giving my super dry hair some much needed moisture and totally brought my lifeless curls back to life -- the difference was dramatic!

4. Avene Thermal Spring Water, 10.58 oz, $16.00

It's a can of water.  I don't understand it, but it makes my skin super happy.

5. Avalon Organics Vitamin C Soothing Lip Balm, $4.95

BEST LIP BALM EVER.  Super soft and uses no petroleum.

6. David Babaii for Wildaid Volcanic Ash Sculpting Clay, $9.95

I tried this a while back because it smelled amazing, but it failed to deliver.  However, combined with the Moroccan Oil, it gives my curls incredible definition and hold without feeling sticky or creating build-up.

7. Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Luminous Matte Pressed Powder, Medium, $11.99

Light-weight and perfect coverage.  The color blends seamlessly into my skin, too.

8. Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Sheerest Cream Blush, Rosy, $8.99

This gives my cheeks the perfect amount of color without looking like makeup.  I carry it in my purse for touch-ups because blush makes all the difference.

:: GOAL TRACKER :: Update 1/19/10

So I don't think it's enough to just have my goals hanging out there on the side of the page.  I should probably be talking about them and updating you if I'm ever gonna give myself the chance to stick to them.  So here goes...

:: get a job!

While this goal has eluded me for the last 6.5 months that I've been back up in Nor Cal, I refuse to continue on like this; penniless and ineffective.  On the bright side, I do have two (that's right, TWO) interviews this week.  One is courtesy of a staffing agency that I teamed up with last week and, while it's just a part-time gig, it is a step in the right direction and could lead to bigger things.  The other found myself by just checking out websites that I liked and seeing if they were hiring.  And I'll be hearing back soon from an internship that I applied for back in November.  I know an internship isn't exactly going to get me out of my parents' house any sooner, but it would be a really amazing opportunity and I'll be working from home so it's something I'll be able to do in addition to a full-time job.  Fingers crossed!!

:: move to San Francisco

This is goal is entirely dependent on the first one, so I don't really have much to report here.  But it is becoming seriously imperative that I accomplish these two goals quickly, folks.  Besides just wanting to have my own place again, I am struggling with my living conditions right now.  My parents' have a decent-sized home, but when my sister and I were finally both out of their hair they kind of stretched their arms and used the extra space for what suited them, and who can blame them?  But now that I've moved back in, with all my crap, the house that once felt like the 4-bedroom that it is now feels like the size of my old 1-bedroom apartment.  My computer and printer is set up at the kitchen table, my closet is split up between two rooms and the garage, and 3/4 of my possessions are neatly packed away in big plastic bins at a storage facility.  It's the pits.  So I'm really hoping to see one of these jobs work out...

:: read more books

So I've been reading Eat, Pray, Love and A New Earth for waaaaay too long now.  It's an amazing book, but for some reason I just can't seem to properly dedicate enough time to it.  I always think of something else that I can use that time for, which is usually no where near as satisfying as completing a good book.  But as my list of books I want to read grows, I realize that I better step on it if I'm ever going to get to the new ones.  And with the helpful suggestion of my friend Sarah to join her in the book club The Book Lushes (hint: one of my interviews is for a company related to this group), I have even more reason to make reading a priority.  After all, I'm going to feel awfully pathetic when I have to click "Leave The Book Lushes" link at the bottom of my settings page because I couldn't read the one book we're assigned each month.  Oh the shame!

:: relearn French

As an Art History major, which I was, you have to have 2 years of either French or German (I know right?  Where's the Italian option?).  I chose French because I have a ridiculously romantic heart and a love for all things French.  It's hard to learn a new language when you're 22, but it's even harder to remember it once you've thrown out your book bag and sack lunches for the last time.  So I've armed myself with both CD and CD-Rom versions of a French teacher.  By the end of the year I hope to be singing along with (and understanding) my entire collection of French music!

:: lose 15 pounds

I know it's not always good to use your weight as your indicator of progress, but when I saw the scale read... well let's just say it read the number I used to weigh plus 10 when I checked it after the holiday shuffle, I was a little disappointed.  I knew it was fat and not muscle adding the pounds because I certainly was not working out.  So if I can just get back down to my old number and then some, I should be a pretty happy camper.  So far I'm doing great!  It's my third week of my new routine and I've only missed this last Saturday because I flew to Newport for my sister's birthday.  But I was back on schedule again today and still feeling awesome about it!  And, my weight has already come down two pounds.  Not a huge success, but I'll take it.  On the other hand, my beautiful baby Belle has gained 2.5 pounds, and all since moving in with Grandma (my mom) who has gotten pretty good about sneaking bits of chicken and fish into her food bowl when I'm not around...  What an interesting correlation.

 

:: FASHION :: Golden Globes 2010

The Golden Globes are my favorite of all the award shows.  The evening, while glamorous beyond a doubt, always feels very laid back and light hearted.  The guests are all drinking and mingling at those little round tables, instead of sitting in row after row of theatre seats -- which, thanks to faithful seat-fillers, never appear empty -- like at most other award shows.  It brings together stars from both the small & silver screens.  And do you think the Oscar's would allow Ricky Gervais' penis jokes and Robert De Niro's quips about Scorsese's inappropriate relations with film reels?  I think not.

But one thing that the Golden Globes do have in common with other award shows is that the stars never disappoint.  They still show up in the most beautiful of beautiful designer gowns.  Here are my absolute favorites from last night's broadcast.

Best Overall -- Chloe Sevigny in Valentino

{photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images via E!Online}

This was my absolute FAVORITE from last night.  From the color to the material, the fit to the movement, everything about it was impeccable!  And Ms. Sevigny always knows how to complete a look, keeping hair and makeup as simple as can be as to not compete with the abundance of elegant details that enrobed her envious figure.  I'm going to have to have a word with the escort who ripped her dress though...

Best Dress -- (left to right) Diane Kruger, Toni Collette and Sofia Vergara

{photos by Jason Merritt/Getty Images, Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, Matt Sayles/AP via Moviefone}

Diane Kruger knows how to take fashion to the limit, and it shows in the way she pulled off this amazing Chrisitan Lacroix.  The striking fuchsia dress adorned with a clean, crisp white bow is a far cry from the standard black ball gowns of the evening, but with the confidence and grace she carried herself with, I'd say it's a hundred times more glamorous.

Toni Collette was absolutely glowing in this glittering frock by Elie Saab.  The Aussie actress proved that she's not to be confused with the plain-jane, suburban housewife from Kansas that she plays on The United States of Tara (another of my Showtime favorites).  Not only was the dress a stunner, but her body looked slammin!

Sofia Vergara is one of my favorite people these days because of her priceless work on ABC's Modern Family as spicy wife & mother, Gloria.  The Columbian-born actress is not only unfairly beautiful, but she's got an eye for fashion, too.  As a newcomer, she showed that she can hang with the Golden Globe vets by flawlessly pulling off a classic dress by Carolina Herrera.  While the silhouette was relatively basic, the rich color combination and bold, back detail made this look a real winner!

Best Trend Setters-- Maggie Gyllenhaal & Christina Hendricks

{photos by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images via Moviefone & via Just Jared}

Maggie Gyllenhaal and Christina Hendricks were spot on with their color choices.  As Spring 2010 approaches, designers are playing with pastels and neutrals big time.  Maggie was a vision in a RM by Roland Mouret pink number, and Christina's peaches-and-cream complexion looked as luscious as her peachy dress by Christian Siriano.

Best Hair & Makeup -- Ginnifer Goodwin & January Jones

{photos by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images via Moviefone}

I don't know if it was just this particular photo of Ginnifer Goodwin, but the black umbrella and her little pixie cut framing her flawless complexion and steel-blue eyes just made me go "wow!"  The cobalt blue dress doesn't hurt the picture either.  She looked amazing!

And what can one say about January Jones except "[sigh]"?  The girl always looks good and last night was no exception.  Her blonde locks and milky skin were stood out against the black ruffled collar of her dress and sleek black ribbon in her hair.  To top it off, a dash of divinely red lipstick.  Simply gorgeous!

Who were your favorites last night?

:: LIFE :: Happy Birthday, Sis!

Today is my big sister's 30th birthday.  That's right, the big 3-0.  And being that this is kind of a milestone birthday, my mom and I really wanted to make a special trip down to Newport Beach and share this moment with her.  But we didn't want to just show up for her birthday; we wanted to surprise her!  So, with the help of her amazing fiance TJ, surprise her we did. 

Yesterday he coaxed her out of the house to run some errands while we made our way from our plane to the rental car counter (my first rental car ever!) and to their home.  After a few carefully concealed texts to ensure our arrival, TJ brought Erin home where we were casually waiting in her kitchen to say "Oh, hi there."  For a few brief seconds you could see the confusion in her face, followed by the "omg" surprised look, which brought on the misty eyes and the bashful head tilt, until she was crying like the hormonally-charged, little pregnant lady that she was.  It was a grand moment -- she was genuinely surprised and thrilled to have us there.

That night we all mingled with her friends at a little house soiree TJ had thrown together for her.  Good food, good friends, good music, good times.  It was a birthday for the books...

Happy Birthday, Sister!

Love you!

:: HOME :: Serena & Lily's Early Spring Catalog 2010

I know few people who aren't familiar with Serena & Lily at this point, but just in case you don't know them or need to refresh your memory, here is a page from their Early Spring Catalog 2010 that caught my eye...

{via Serena & Lily)

This whole set up just makes me want to spend an entire day in bed with a good book and have someone bring me fresh cups of tea & biscuits.  Could it be anymore relaxing?

:: LIFE :: My Personal Blogging Inspirations

As I said in my first post, blogs are awesome.  I consider myself an expert on this subject because I've been reading a lot of blogs since I becoming unemployed and moving in with my parents (awesome moment for me, btw).  While I have numerous favorites (see blogroll), there are a special few that stand out and inspire me more than the "next blog."

I think it's only natural for a younger sibling to look up to their older sibling, but I look up to my sister because she's just AWESOME, and that's really the only way of putting it.  Erin started her blog a year ago and has been properly dedicated to it, unlike her younger sister who is only sticking with her blog after the third attempt.  That was a reference to myself by the way.  Anyway, she's a talented Interior Designer with a great eye and an even greater style.  Find out for yourself here:

{snapshot via Today and Yesterday}

Another blogger very near and dear to my heart is one of my best friends, Sarah.  She began her blog way back in 2007 and has not only been dedicated but diligent about her blog.  It's funny, thoughtful, personal and totally Sarah.  She was my original inspiration when I wanted to start a blog because I saw how much fun she was having with it.  Check hers out here:

{snapshot via Sensibly Sassy}

Last but not least, I have been tickled pink by this blog because it's comprised of one of the nicest families you will ever meet.  Erin (different one) is the matriarch of the Burns family and blogs about everything from her stinkin' adorable little angels to her uber crafty projects.  And not only do I have the pleasure of working with her for my sister's upcoming baby shower (late February, expect pictures!), but she is soon to be part of my extended... extended, extended family.  Anyway, check her out here:

{snapshot via Bringing Up Burns}

Hope you enjoy their work -- I know I do!

:: LIFE :: Meet My Main Players

Now that you've already met my little kitty, Belle, I better introduce you to some very important people whose names may also come up more than once.  Here is a little bit about the main players in this girl's life:

Erin, a.k.a. Big Sister
Currently preggo with my future niece/nephew (they're being selfishly old fashioned about finding out), she is a budding interior designer living in Newport Beach.  She and fiance, T.J., have two incredible little pups and a fantastic new house, which I make myself very comfortable in when I'm visiting my old stomping grounds.

 Sarah, a.k.a. Sensibly Sassy

One of my best friends of 13 years and an avid blogger.  Recently received her graduate degree in Counseling Psychology and is the go-to for really good advice.  She cares for her English bulldog, Frank, with long-time boyfriend Jon.

Erin, a.k.a. The Doc
Another Erin and another of my best friends of 13 years.  Currently knee-deep in deconstructing a cadaver, she is immersed in her studies and on her way to earning her white coat in Physical Therapy.  I live vicariously through her, as she has an apartment in the city and gets to dissect bodies on a weekly basis.

Serina, a.k.a. The Rockenest Chick Ever

The fourth little lady of our 13-year, four-pronged friendship.  Super talented in the art of beautifying, and quite the beautiful chameleon herself. The proud owner of a freshly inked half sleeve, she's the gal to call when you need your hair did.



Leah, a.k.a. Long-lost Twin
Friend of just over two years, but a soul that I feel like I've known forever.  The list of commonalities is ridiculous, and I'm pretty sure we've been asked the sister question once or twice.  About to be wedded to her awesome fiance, Ryan, and I couldn't be happier for the two of them.

Jen, a.k.a. Wing Woman

Friends with my sister long before we bonded over booze and boys.  Taught me the ropes of the dating scene, as I was a little, uhhh, challenged in that area.  Keeps me up to date on the delicious, trashy gossip that seeps from the wounds of Hollywood.

Conor, a.k.a. The Boyfriend

Ridiculously charming with an Irish accent that's equal parts sexy and amusing (um, it's pronounced ga-RAHJ).  Addicted to South Park (as seen to the left in a depiction of himself as one of the show's characters), but is smart as a whip.  Picked out my Christmas present all by himself and I didn't even have to return anything.



I don't know where I'd be without these people in my life.  Whether I've know them my whole life or just five short months, I know I'm a better person for having them around.  What can I say?  I'm one lucky girl!

:: LIFE :: Goal Tracker

Since one of my reasons for creating (correction: REcreating) this blog is to sort things out and keep myself motivated while I make big life changes, I figured I should have some way to keep track of those changes, be they big or small.  So I created my "Goal Tracker", off to the right there, to remind myself of the things I really want to do.  And again, posting them for all to see is just going to make me want to check them off THAT much more so I don't have to face public shaming.  Now I just threw together a quick list of my main goals for the moment.  It will probably undergo some minor changes here and there, but I'll be sure to post my progress as well.  Oh and if you click on "read more books" it should take you to my Good Reads page of the books that I have planned to read.  And yes people, I've only read 24 books in my 25 years of life...  hence, "read more books!"  sheesh...


Anyone else have goals they are working towards?  We can keep each other on track and motivated!

:: HEALTH :: How I Conquer My Workouts

I don't know if there's anyone else out there like myself who looks for excuses not to work out, but if you are one of those people, I have to say this to you:  Just start, and I promise you it will get easier!  But the first few times can be a bitter struggle so here are just a few things that really help me get the best out of my workouts and not want to throw my running shoes at someone's head...

1. FRS and/or espresso has been key for me.  They really get me going and keep me going.  With regards to the FRS, I like the Low-cal Orange drink concentrate (best bang for your buck), and any of the chews are palatable (notice I didn't say "delicious") and handy to have around.  For espresso, I'm going to have to support my Nor Cal roots and say Blue Bottle Coffee is my go to.  Not just because their based in the Bay Area, but because the coffee is just THAT good, plus it's organic and shade grown.  What else would you expect from Nor Cal?  We always have some of their beans on hand so just I make myself a quick shot before hopping on the treadmill.

2. Walking with my mom has been uber helpful.  The first portion of the workout flies by because we basically chat the time away.  The chatting also helps me forget that it's 6:30 am and 40 degrees outside.  So I highly recommend working out with a buddy.  If you're doing cardio on a machine and don't have a buddy, a good magazine or book is your next best friend; anything really to keep your mind off the fact that you're working out.

3. MUSIC!  There have been days, in the past at least, when I wouldn't workout because my iPod wasn't charged.  It's bad enough that I'm on a treadmill going nowhere and staring at the same point on the wall.  But if I don't have some good music to jam to then forget it!  Here are just a few songs that really get me pumped, especially during a run:

"Life During Wartime" - Talking Heads

"Everybody Wants You" - Billy Squire

"Shake It Up" - The Cars

"Run to The Hills" - Iron Maiden (for obvious reasons)

"The Girl's Attractive" - Diamond Nights
"My Sharona" - The Knack
"Kodachrome" - Paul Simon


4. They say that variety is the spice of life, and I think it's especially true for workouts.  Nothing is more discouraging to me than waking myself up bright and early to repeat the SAME EXACT THING THAT I DID THE DAY BEFORE.  Plus it has this eerie "Groundhog Day" feeling to it, like my life is going nowhere - yikes!  So when I see good workout moves in magazines or online, etc., I tear them out and keep them in a binder so I can always refer back to them.  I'll incorporate different moves into my routine and mix them up from time to time.  That way my body doesn't get too familiar with them, causing my efforts to plateau, and I dread the deed less.  It's a win-win.  



F.Y.I.: I'm smack dab in the middle of week 2 and I haven't backed down once!  I'm feeling good...  really, really good!

**DISCLAIMER**

I am not a trained or certified anything.  As always, check with your doctor before beginning any new supplements or programs.

:: HEALTH :: The Real Work Begins

In addition to starting my blog, and in the honor of making transitions, I have gotten serious about getting myself into shape.  And for me it's not about what size I am, but about feeling awesome and being healthy.  I always have those moments when I see moms (or sometimes grandmas) that are crazy fit and I think to myself "god, I hope I'm in that good of shape when I'm that age."  But who am I kidding?!  I'm not even in that good of shape now!  Not that I'm totally out of shape either, but let's just say I'm not where I want to be -- where I know I can be.  I grew up dancing so being fit was just par for the course.  But when I stopped...  heh heh, hello!  Nice to meet you metabolism.  So I've been there, done that, and I don't want to do that again.

In the past I'd workout sporadically, but I never really stuck to a regimen.  Well last week I started a serious workout routine and, to my delight AND surprise, I stuck to it everyday (except Sunday: free day)!  I also started this week out with full force.  And for the first time I feel like this routine is something I'll actually be able to stick to because I've been feeling so AMAZING after each workout.  Not to mention that by telling you I'll now feel like a total ass if I fail to stick with it.  So now you have to hold me accountable, got it?  And I have to give a big shout out to my mom, because it's been her dedication to getting up for a walk at 6:30 every morning that's kept me getting up with her and continuing to workout after.

Exactly what have I been doing, you ask?  Let me break it down for you:

Every Monday/Wednesday/Friday I get up with my mom at 6:30 am and we walk 2.5 miles, sometimes stopping for double espressos mid route.  Next I hop on the treadmill and run for 1-2 miles, then walk a little more to bring my heart rate back down.  I finish up with about 30 mins. of strength training -- from weights to pilates, calisthenics to yoga -- and then stretching.  All in all I travel about 5.5 miles and my workout totals about 2 hrs.  Then Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday I do just the cardio portion, to give my muscles a break, and I'm at it for about 45 minutes to 1 hour.  And everyday before I start I have either FRS or some espresso, which makes a WORLD of difference.  It really helps prolong your endurance, and after working out I'm totally still energized!  The first day I tried this I was on fire ALL day -- I imagine that's what it feels like to be on crack...

Anyway, aside from just sticking to my routine, I've been blown away with the fact that I've been able to get through each workout without carelessly bailing on it at least once or twice.  First of all, running even 1-2 miles is a huge feat for me considering that, in the past, it was a struggle to run for the duration of a single song.  My body and running never got along.  There was always something in extreme pain: knees, hips, back, chest, shin splints, you name it!  Fortunately the joint problems went away over time, and I learned to control my breathing so my chest wouldn't tighten up.  And I can't really explain it, but I somehow managed to "think away" the shin splints.  I found that simply focusing on my upper legs allowed me to use those muscles to push through each step, which put less stress on my lower legs.  So I conquered those problems and now I just have to build my endurance.

I also came up with other tips to help me get through each workout and not just give up when the going got tough.  Stay tuned and later this week I'll follow up with what gets me through my workouts!

:: FASHION :: Just When Being Broke Started to Feel Hopeless...

...someone like H&M comes out with their Garden Collection!  Hooray for the stylishly unemployed!  I happened across their new line via Refinery 29 and the surprise was made even sweeter by the headline: "Organic and Sustainable."  Well, if that's not music to my ears...

Naturally, I had to sneak a peak.  Even if I'm "technically" banned from shopping, what was the harm in looking?  Famous last words, no?  If you haven't seen the fabulous line yet, have a gander...

{via Refinery29 from H&M}

Now I don't usually make shopping at H&M a habit, mostly because once I get there I'm generally disappointed in the quality and execution, yet I'm always finding their pieces in magazines looking so darn cute!  So I'll stop in every once in a while, but I usually leave empty handed.  However, come the end of March, when the Garden Collection is slated to arrive, you can find me stalking the doors of my local H&M waiting to (hopefully!) snag some inexpensive, eco-friendly digs!

:: LIFE :: I Love My Cat

There's no beating around the bush here.  My cat is rad and I friggin' love the girl.  And since her name will probably pop up a good three or four (hundred) times throughout my blogging career, I figure I should just introduce her to you now...

This is Belle du Jour; Belle for short.  I'm a huge Secret Diary of a Call Girl fan, and yes, I named my cat after a prostitute.  But her name actually worked for two reasons: 1) Because I adore Billie Piper's portrayal of the SDCG protagonist, and 2) because when I decided to get a kitty, I spent a whole day going to shelters, seeing several adorable little kittens, before I saw her beautiful little face and knew that she had to be mine.  She was the most beautiful kitten I saw that day, hence, Belle du Jour, or "beauty of the day."

Now I am 100% for adopting pets and really urge people not to buy them at pet stores or from breeders unless they absolutely have to.  However, one should know that when adopting from places like the Humane Society, where I found my little girl, there can be some "details" that you'll need to tend to when you bring the little rug rat home.  Most of the time animals from shelters and/or Human Societies will need a good flea bath immediately!  If you're lucky, that will be all.  However in my case, I brought home a little girl with fleas AND parasites -- what fun!  The flea issue was irradicated with a bath and some drops, but my poor baby Belle had some [ahem] "tummy" issues, which was the first sign something was wrong.  Also, even though she was eating regularly, she was itty bitty, weighing barely three pounds at eight weeks old.  To make a very long story short, I spent about 2 or 3 months, and many many dollars, shuttling back and forth to the vet and shoving medicine down her throat with those ominous little droppers in an effort to rid her tiny body of both coccidia AND giardia -- two very evil types of pests!  But don't worry, aside from the wild rumpus that must have been taking place on her insides, she was the happiest little kitty on the outside.  Her energy and curiosity astounded me given that she was as sick as she was.  Luckily we made it through together and now she's my best little buddy!  My nutty little buddy.  If you ever wondered where the phrase "curiosity killed the cat" came from, stop!   The person who coined that phrase obviously knew my cat...

{cue Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful"}

 

Let the crazy cat lady comments commence!

Must. Start. Blogging...!

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Carrie, and this is my life.

I'm just a girl. I currently do not have much to grab you with, except maybe that I'm 25 and I'm living with my parents - yowza! Now look, I'm not one of those free-loading offspring who never leaves the nest because Mommy makes me smiley chocolate chip pancakes every morning. The unfortunate truth is that I moved from Orange County back to San Jose, and in with my parents, after graduating college so that I could save money and move to the amazingly beautiful city that is San Francisco. The only flaw in my plan was that one must have a job to save money. Ahhhh yes, note to self: have job first, save money second. Well six months after the dreaded move I am still jobless, with only a computer and my cat to my name... and a closet that is probably larger than it should be for an unemployed graduate (yes, I have a shopping problem but we'll get to that later). So here I am, starting a blog, after literally years of talking about it, to help myself sort things out while I make this transition through life.

I don't want to sound like I'm complaining, because I have to admit I've got it pretty good. I mean, my parents were more than happy to take me back, and rent free too! I have my trusty '99 4Runner, which I call my baby. I'm the proud mother of a little kitty who is the nuttiest little thing you'll ever meet. I have a fantastic group of friends who, even though we don't get to see each other on a regular basis, are basically my life support. And, most recently, I have an amazing boyfriend, who I'm hesitant to even mention since it's still pretty new and I'm afraid I'll jinx it. (Babe, if you're reading this, don't get any ideas...)

Basically I'm just here to talk about my life; the things I like and what makes me happy; the things I don't like and what makes me mad; things that inspire me; my ambitions and endeavors; my goals and my progress. My hopes are that it will end up being like a type of cathartic journaling. But it's not all for selfish reasons. Maybe you'll have advice for me (wait, still selfish). Maybe I'll be able to help some of you. Maybe we can compare lives and just relish in the joy of knowing that there is someone else out there with the same cockamamie tendencies. Anyway, I just want to share with you and allow you the chance to share back. Because if there's one thing I've learned in these last six, fruitless months it's that blogs are amazing. And even though they can suck an entire day right out from under your feet, it's almost o.k. because they are full of thoughtful, creative, inspiring little bits and I'd probably be a level forty on Farmville without them.

So as I sit here with my bowl of pistachio gelato, about to get ready for bed at 9 o'clock in the evening (did I mention that I'm 25 going on 80?), I'll seriously contemplate the future of my blog so as not to let you, or myself down. And while you anxiously wait for my next oh-so-riveting installment, check out my blogroll for my absolute favorites that might just inspire you to do something new and exciting too...

See you again soon!

{making friends with San Franciscan natives}