I have never been so sore in my life!

This weekend was quite busy, but very fun! I don't think I sat down and relaxed at all except for eating meals. It was great fun though!

Friday I took a half-day and went home so that my dad and I could go and finish cleaning out my storage unit. I was super stressed because the place in on Peachtree St (aka BUSY St.) and we were going at rush hour, but my dad and I got it done fairly quickly. We rented a big van because the mattresses would not fit in any of our cars, so we only had to take 1 trip over there, and we are officially all moved out. WOOHOO! Friday night I ate at home with the rents and was supposed to go to a friend's house to have a movie night, but that really bad storm was supposed to be coming through Atlanta and my mom decided she didn't want me to be driving. Oh, the joys of living at home with mom and dad. It probably would have been a smart decision, except the storm was nothing. Only rain.

It was probs a good idea to get a good night's sleep Friday, because Saturday morning I got up bright and early at 7 so I could eat and let my stomach settle before going to my first Blast900 class. This is where my blog title comes in. Oh. my. goodness. I have never worked out that hard in my entire life. I played soccer for most of my life, and an entire game in the dead of summer came nowhere near this. I felt exhausted afterwards, but I felt great! Plus, I like to get my workouts done early, and I was home by 9:15! Yesterday and today I am really paying for it though. I am beyond sore!! The back of my legs from my knees all the way up to my behind are killing me!! Sitting is an issue, but I know it will go away and the more classes I take the less sore I will be. The class is pretty expensive, but I decided I like it so much, I am going to try to go once a week.

Saturday afternoon my dad and I started working on a really fun project, that we finished building yesterday. It took a long time, but I enjoyed working with my dad and I know we will get plenty of use out of it! I will share all about it later this week after I finish it. (All that needs to be done is paint it!) I think y'all will enjoy!

Saturday and Sunday I made dinner for my parents. Saturday I made spinach and artichoke ravioli, and Sunday night I made pizza! I am getting much better at making pizza, and I had no problems with the dough getting stuck to the counter or the pizza stone this time. Go me! haha We made 4 smaller pizzas; spinach and artichoke (I used the left over ravioli filling, and it was really good!), bbq turkey (we had a turkey breast for diner Friday night, so I used the left overs. The turkey was really dry though, so next time I will stick with freshly cooked chicken), supreme, and pepperoni. They turned out really well and we had lots of extra, so I brought some for lunch today! I took lots of pics with my good camera, but here is one of the spinach and artichoke pizza from my phone:



They all turned out in odd shapes, I haven't quite mastered shaping the dough yet.

I was planning on going to Sweetwater 420 Fest this weekend but sadly never got around to it. Sweetwater is a local Atlanta brewery, and they have some of my favorite beers! They do brew tours, which are so much fun in the Summer. However, it is not a good idea to drive, because they give you a glass (pint) and 7 tickets for free samples. They are only supposed to fill the glass a little, but they usually almost fill it up. Not going to lie, usually when I go I get very tipsy!! Anywho, the 420 Fest was a big festival with bands and food and beer (obvi) at a park in Atlanta. It looked like so much fun, and I am sad I missed it! I guess I will have to go to a brew tour soon!
How was your weekend? Did y'all do anything fun? I hope so!

Have a great Monday (ugh)!

ERK

LOFT goodies and an award!

When I got home last night I had a nice little box waiting for my from LOFT and I was so excited to open it I didn't even pick Cupie up and snuggle her for a few first (I always do that when I get home!) Everything looks great but I might have messed up the sizes on 2 items, boo!

So my goodies:

Floral Crown Print Tee in yellow burst

I got this in a really light yellow color and I love it! I wore it to dinner last night, it's super comfy and the sleeves are looser! (I hate tight sleeves!)

Tape Stripe knit tank in Pure Aqua

I love this for just relaxing when the weather is HOT! I would pair it with bright shorts... maybe VV twill shorts in either flamingo or lemon drop!

Petite Printed Knit Dress (when I ordered, I could have sworn this came in regular as well, but I didn't see it on the site today)

I haven't tried this one yet, but It looks a little short. I hope it's not because it is really cute in person!

Dip Dye Pencil Skirt... My favorite, but the one I ordered is too big, so I am hoping the store will have my size to exchange it with.

Super cute pencil skirt! I will def be wearing this to work this Spring and Summer. It's linen so it is nice and light weight!

Has anybody else found any cute items at LOFT recently? I never shopped there until this year, but now I love the store!

Also, I got a wonderful award, the "One Lovely Blog Award," from sweet Miss Allie at Sundresses and Smiles! Thanks Girl!! Go check out her super cute blog if you haven't yet!                      

So I have to give 7 random facts and then give it to 15 people, but I think I will just give it to anybody who wants it and hasn't gotten it yet, sound good? Great!

1. I am a picky eater and it ALL has to do with texture and consistency. I hate the texture of fresh tomatoes, but I eat ketchup, tomato soup, ect.

2. I have my cell on me at all times... I feel lost without it! One of the few times I think I have ever left my phone at home, my car broke down... in a semi-sketchy area... at night... in the middle of a major street. See why I need my phone?

3. I am a terrible artist and have pretty bad hand writing. I think it's because I have super shaky hands.

4. I am an extreme over packer and it always drives me nuts, but I can't stop. I am really organized, so this is both good and bad. I love knowing I will have everything I might need, but I hate what a mess it becomes traveling with so much stuff!

5. I cry when I get really mad. I don't know why, but my first response is to cry. It's no bueno when I am trying to take care of biznass.

6. I am not good at managing money. Not. At. All. I was excited to hear I might be getting a tax refund, but none too happy when I realized all that money will be going to pay off credit card bills. I Hope AMEX enjoys my tax return... not. (However, I am glad to be getting things paid off!!!)

7. I am a pen hoarder. I have so many different types of writing pens in every color of the rainbow! from Le Pens to felt tip pens, I've got way too many. Oh and don't forget Gelly Roll pens... lets just say I have enough to fill a gallon size Ziploc bag. And do I use them? NO! I rarely use any of them except for a few I use on my calendar. Weird, I know.

Have a great Thursday ladies!!!

ERK

What I'm lovin'

Ok, so silly me never really understood the whole "linky up" thing until recently thanks to CMae and Tail Waggin' Tuesdays....so this week I am linking up with Jamie to do my WILW!

I'm loving that I feel so much better about myself after just a few days of eating healthier and working out! Having a positive attitude is 75% of it for me.

I'm loving that Cupie has an appointment to get her hurrrs cut next Monday and maybe sooner if they have a cancellation. I know many cavalier owners love the long fur look, but Cupie says "iz nots a hippie!!" and her mama prefers a puppy cut because she looks stinking cute in it and junk doesn't get stuck in her fur... um oak tassels are everywhere in my bed because they have been getting caught in her mane.

I'm loving that I got to meet the dean of GSU law last night at the reception as well as some of my fellow future classmates. It was a nice reception at a great firm, Fisher and Phillips, and it was nice to see people who I will be going to school with. The only negative: some of those peeps were vultures when trying to talk to GSU VIP's aka the dean, admissions peeps, and faculty. I mean, it was redic! We would be about to speak to somebody and another person would swoop right in, roo!

I'm loving that my order from LOFT is supposed to be delivered today! I can't wait to see how everything looks, and I will update y'all tomorrow!

I'm loving that I signed up for a complimentary Blast900 class thanks to the recommendation of Brittany at Running in High Heels. It looks insane and intense and I'm hoping I don't die, but I'm going to try it. It is kind of expensive for the classes (like $25 each) so I am hoping I don't love it (is that bad?).

And....

I'm hating that this year there will only be 4 of us at my parent's house for Easter. This is the first Easter I can remember where at least my entire family (mom, dad, bro, sis and myself) won't be together. My brother can't come because he lives in California and can't take time off and a weekend trip doesn't make sense. My sister can't come because it's right before her law finals and she has to study. My aunt and uncle and their 3 children usually come, but this year they decided not to. Sad days...

I hope y'all have a fab Wednesday!!

ERK

Tail Waggin' Tuesday!

I'm back with the second edition of Tail Waggin' Tuesday hosted by CMae!

Cupie is not the kind of girl who likes new toys. No, she prefers a toy that either of the other "big" dogs have torn up. We call them pieces and she can't get enough of heads, arms or legs, or just little scraps of what was once a real toy. Usually the smaller the scrap the more she likes it. Sometimes I wonder where things even came from, but that little baby knows how to dig in the toy baskets (notice the s) for what she wants!!

With her pheasant head, duh!

Hope y'all enjoyed getting to see what Cu plays with every day!

New healthy lifestyle and other randoms

As I mentioned yesterday, I am starting a new "health initiative." Haha calling it that makes me feel like it's a government program or something really important. Anywho, I am really digging in to the whole losing weight and toning up thing. I am totally embarrassed at how I have "let myself go" over the past 8 months. I finally realized it Sunday before church when I had to try on 5 dresses before I could find one to fit over my fat a$$. I kid you not. It is a bad feeling to know that I am responsible for this and it kills me to think that I won't be able to wear any of my cute summer clothes because they are too tight. So, as a family, we have decided to get back on Weight Watchers and I have decided to work out at least 5 days a week before work (or in the morning if it's the weekend). Weight Watchers is actually really easy and it works. I stayed really strict on the program for a while last Fall and lost over 10 pounds!

I am not at all having a pity party and calling myself "fat" because I hate that word and know I am healthy, but slightly overweight for my height (according to my doctor). So I have got to do this, both because I want to be as healthy as possible, and because I want to wear my cute clothes (vain, I know. My b).

Yesterday was the first day on WW and I did pretty well, but went over my points because my dad and I went to a burrito place for dinner and I had a beer. One of my big things with this is no drinking on weekdays. I don't usually drink except for on the weekends anyway, but I cheated a little last night.

As for the gym, I have been going a lot recently, and going in the morning makes me feel good all day! I also want to be able to run the 5k Race for the Cure I am signed up for on May 7. I want to run the whole thing and not feel like crap. I know I can do it, but training at the gym and doing strength training will help tremendously.

So, enough  about dieting healthier life styles (I hate the word "diet," it just makes me want to do the exact opposite) on to some random stuff:

I am mad at Bloomingdale's and I have decided that I am not shopping there anymore! Apparently they changed their credit agreements, but never notified their card holders. I talked with credit services up in arms, and and the guy told me they informed the stores. Well great, because the stores are the ones using their card to purchase items. No, roo! (rude) I don't want to cancel my account because that is no bueno for your credit, but you better believe they will no longer be getting my business, which is big since they used to be my go-to store.

I have a reception for GSU Law admitted students and here is my outfit:

Cheesin' hardcore, and I didn't have any bronzer on yet, so I look ghostly!!!

This is a new dress-suit my mom got me, and I am lovin' it! I will def be sporting this to church Easter Sunday, and will get tons of wear out of it this Spring and Summer! (Thanks mom!!) And the shoes.... I DIE. They are my faves! They are pink patent with a small platform and they have a little shimmer to them. Stuart Weitzman did me well with these bad boys!

Has anyone tried any of the new Under Armour Charged Cotton shirts? I hate working out in t-shirts because they get all gross, so I always wear some sort of quick-dry workout top (but nothing tight, nobody wants to see that at the gym) I am thinking about getting a few because they are supposed to be moisture-wicking and are super soft.

I am still having skin issues! I think I jinxed myself by saying I usually have good skin!! I am thinking that maybe I have the wrong Clinique Clarifying Lotion. I use number 1, which is for very dry skin, and I think my skin is more "dry" than "very dry." I am thinking about ordering the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate to use twice a week and see if my skin clears up. However, it is super expensive so I am still thinking about it. I also might order the EradiKate for sudden blemishes. Does anybody know these products/ the brand and can give some advice?!?

Well, I think I have bored y'all enough, so have a great Tuesday!!

ERK

P.S.- I'll be back later with a cute pic of Cupie for Tail Waggin' Tuesday

Le Weekend!

So this weekend was super exciting...not. The only thing I did was go to get more junk stuff out of my storage unit both Saturday and Sunday. The good news? We only have 2-3 more trips to get it all cleaned out!! If I haven't mentioned it before, I hate the storage unit! I think it stems from the fact that my dad and I spent HOURS filling it last May in really hot weather, sans air conditioning. I hope I never have to have another one again.

I also took most of the furniture that needs to be recovered/ have cushions made to the upholsterer . Sunday we went to church and I pulled out my first summer Lilly of the year!

Excuse the mess in my room, and the lovely "2006" pinatas in the background, they're from my HS grad party...5 years later. I wore and old-school shift with horses and monkeys (love), a cornflower blue Ann Taylor cardi, and silver Jacks

P.S.- how do y'all like my blinged out phone? Haha I loves it, the bf's mom made it for me and its really sparkly!!

I also did some cooking this weekend! Saturday my sister and her bf came to town for the Braves game, so they had dinner at our house that night. I made some yummy roasted potatoes and a delish pound cake. The potatoes are something I always make. I just cut up small potatoes (either fingerling of other small ones) and dice some cippolini onions and throw those in a Pyrex. I then put a little EVOO (enough to coat each piece, but not too much!) and then sprinkle a packet of Lipton's onion soup mix on top. Just toss them to spread out all the seasoning and cook on 350 for about 30 mins. Yum-o! (Ugh that makes me think of Rachel Ray...)
I also made a pound cake from Fannie Farmer's cookbook, and it was sooo good! Her recipe is my go to for pound cake, and it didn't disappoint anybody in attendance, especially with homemade whipped cream and fresh strawberries! I wish we had eaten it all or given the whole thing to my sis and her bf before they left, because weight watchers/ healthy living "diet" started today and I can't have any more, boo!! If only I could eat whatever I want and never gain weight...

Yesterday I made a really nice dinner. I cooked halibut (which I thought was kind of fishy, but my mom and dad disagreed) with an lemon-champagne vinegar and EVOO arugula salad on top, steamed green beans, and amazing leek and Parmesan risotto. The risotto was my favorite, and was so creamy! I have always loved leeks so I just sauteed some up to add in and it turned out really well! Here is the recipe: (I made this up myself so you can kind of change things up)

Parmesan and Leek Risotto

2 leeks, washed
2 tbs. olive oil
1 tbs butter
1/2 tsp. lemon zest
1/4- 1/3 cup dry white wine
1 cup arborio rice
3 cups chicken broth (heated)
3/4 cup Parmesan
salt and pepper

Ingredients

1. After leeks are washed, cut off roots, and cut lengthwise up to just above the white part. Slice the leek 1/4 inch thick until you have chopped most of it. (I usually include a lot of the green part, but make sure it is washed really well because sometimes dirt can be in the leafy parts. Place olive oil and butter in a heavy saucepan, add leeks and lemon zest and saute on medium for about 5 minutes or until tender. (While that is sauteing, put the chicken broth in a small saucepan and heat until hot, but not boiling because you don't want it to evaporate.)

Leek saute with wine reducing. My broth is on the burner behind it.

2. With the stove still on medium heat, add wine to pot and stir leek and wine mixture until wine has reduced to 1/4 of what is was. Mix in dry rice and make sure all pieces are coated with the liquid in the pot (oil and wine).

With rice and some broth added

3. Add some of the broth (probably a little less than a cup), enough to go to the top of the rice line. Stir continuously until broth is mostly gone. Add more broth to the rice line, and repeat. Repeat these steps until all of the broth has been added and absorbed by the rice.

4. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir, making sure it gets distributed evenly and does not get stuck on the spoon. Serve and enjoy!

Entire meal!

(I hope these make sense. I have never really written a recipe before. so let me know if you have any questions!)

The thing I love about risotto is that you can put just about anything in it! My mom makes a really good chicken and green pea risotto.

Well I hope everybody else had a fab weekend! I'll be back tomorrow to talk about my new "health initiative"... fancy name, huh?

Have a lovely day!

ERK

Government Shutdown

Warning: this is a rant and my own personal opinion. I don't expect anybody to agree, and if I offend you or your personal beliefs, my b. If you don't want to read about my political views, close this NOW!

Ok, so lets talk about this government shutdown. It is driving me nuts! It is all about politics, but isn't everything that happens in government? Whether we like it or not, when political figures make decisions, the next election is always in the back of their mind. Now we are seemingly stuck because concessions given aren't enough.

I have read and listened to both Fox News and CNN recently, and big surprise, they are telling different stories! CNN is stressing how Republicans are holding things up because of abortion and Planned Parenthood. They quote the president of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards, talking about this as an issue of women's rights and how no money for P.P. would inhibit women's rights to get birth control, etc. My thoughts on this: don't engage in sex if you don't want a child, abstinence is something people have forgotten all about!! It is 100% effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies and STI's. Just sayin...

However, Fox News is describing the opposite, proposing that Democrats are holding things up because they won't concede to all of the spending cuts. Fox also questions why the Democrat-controlled House and Senate did not pass a budget before turnover in January. Why didn't they? Politics!! (I am a Fox watcher usually, but I do go to CNN to get the other side of the story.)

Here is what makes me really mad: it is not one side's fault, it is both side's fault. What we know about the situation is not all there is to know, that is why all of these talks with Obama have been behind closed doors. There is plenty that the American people do not know and will not know about the budget. One thing people do know; it is going to stink if the government shuts down. Here are several reasons why: national parks will close, DC will basically shut down because there is no "state" government there, members of the military and their families might not get paid on time! The last is huge for me, these people are willing to DIE for us, and they deserve to get paid on time!

So what to do? I have no idea, that's why I can't imagine being a politician. Stress. I know if there is a shutdown one party will be blamed, and relying on what I have seen on other FB statuses and news in general, it will be Republicans. I think it will be on the shoulders of members of both parties, but Republicans will be blamed becausae they want to cut too much spending because are trying to fix the financial system we have. We will never get out of this gigantic hole of debt by continuing to spend the way we do. We have to decide to cut what is not essential and do it. I am a proud American citizen, and I'm young, and I don't want our debt to continue to spin out of control for the rest of my life. I want the benefit of social security when I retire one day, especially if I pay into it for my entire life!!

However, if I had to choose what to do, I would say pass another 1-week extension that the Republicans are proposing. Next week every member of both houses of congress needs to be there working this out. No vacations, no 3-day work week. I am tired of members not being there! If I don't show up to work I will be fired, plain and simple!! In the words of Nike, "Just do it." Make it happen, work together. They will be paid regardless of whether the government shuts down, but many will not. They need to buck up and work it out. We can't continue working week-to-week on a budget for the federal government. It is impossible, but if it comes down to either a complete shut down or another week, go for another week.

In no way am I saying I know everything about this topic, so if you have anything you want to add or disagree with something I said, let me know. I enjoy hearing others opinions and I am not the closed minded type who will not change her mind if a better option comes along.