And she's off!

Sorry for the absolute silence here... As always, spring time is the busiest time for this agriculture teacher, and several late work days (start at 7.30, end at 7.30, with an hour commute each way) certainly doesn't make me motivated to post.

I will say, however, that I've made some progress in the last few weeks as far as my resloutions. There are always those who pooh-pooh resolutions, but I find the new year a good time to look back, reflect, and make some tweaks (big or small) to get you where you want to be. 

I've been trying really hard to improve my approach to dressing for work daily, and with the exception of Winter Homecoming week, I've done a pretty good job. I am accessorizing and wearing cute shoes on a regular basis. Horray! me! *And this is in spite of the exhaustion. Double boo yah!*

As far as my diet, I've lost about 3 pounds since the new year started. I'm using Weight Watchers again, and, really, it works. I'll be down to wear I want to be by March- combined with my regular workouts, I'm going to be a lot happier with my appearance. 

Additionally, Jensen and I are working a lot harder on our relationship. I won't go into details, but we are communicating much more effectively, and I'm actually starting to look forward to planning our wedding. (This is a big step, people!)

As far as the social life- I'm trying. I live in a sad town with a small population of people in my age group. Baby steps, though, baby steps!

I hope all is well, I'll try and do better this week with my posts. Happy Saturday!

New Year's update

It's been 2 weeks and 1 day since the start of the new year. I have to say, I've made some good progress on the resolutions.

I had a relatively stylish week at school (I wore heels 4 out of 5 days... for a gal on her feet for the greater part of 7 hours, that's an accomplishment!) and I actually accessorized. (Its AMAZING what you find in your closet when you plan your outfits the day before, not at the buttcrack of dawn.)

I went to the gym 4 days and exercised 5 days this week. I've lost 1 pound. [I modified my goal of 15 lbs. after I realized that I hadn't gained as much as I thought over the holidays. I'm working on 10 lbs. now.]

Jensen and I are still trying to find fun things to do in the town he lives in {and the town I'll live in in the next 5 months}, but we have made plans for fun things to do. We are planning on going to the Paso Robles Zin Fest in March and are trying to figure out this whole honeymoon thing. (Its around the corner...)

Last but not least, I've been calling friends back and putting myself out there to hang out with them more. Its tough because I'm so busy, but I'm certainly trying.

How are your resolutions?  ...They say that after 3 weeks it becomes a habit. Stay on the horse a little bit longer, and it will be a little bit easier!!!!!

Cheap and Easy

One of my New Year's resolutions was to get dressed and feel stylish again. I've been "getting back on the horse" this past week (ah, the last week of a 3 week break...) and I decided one of the easiest, cheapest ways to add a little zing to my wardrobe was to try a new manicure. Let's face it... nail polish is relatively cheap, and its temporary. I was inspired by this article from the January 2012 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine, "Bling on the New Year." [Side note- I tried and tried to find a link to the article on the website with no success. If you want to see the other awesome ideas, you're going to have to find the issue, because there were some really fun makeup techniques!!!]

My manicure doesn't look nearly as awesome, but I sure tried. (And I don't have my camera! AHHH!) I did an orange base with bright blue polish on the tips with blue sparkly glitter. {No, I'm not a Bronco's fan. I hate football/NFL.}

So, I'm trying. I've also hit the gym 4 times this week (!!!) and bought a scale so I can keep track of myself. How are your resolutions going??

Happy Friday!!!!

Presentation

I went to the gas station today, and noticed the woman in front of me pumping gas. She was wearing natty sweats and an oversized sweatshirt... her hair was filthy oily. I couldn't help but wonder- when did we as a society stop caring so little about the image we present to the world?

Please, don't think of me as someone who doesn't ever have "sloppy days." I do. When I'm at home. I try to clean up a little bit when I walk out the door (...pull on jeans instead of sweats, for example, or put on a cardigan versus an old sweatshirt). I try not to be a snob [my mom tells me I've been one since birth, so I guess I can't help it.] In my mind, however, poverty or tiredness isn't a verdict for sloppiness.

I wish people still cared. The way you present yourself is important. It matters. You feel better, and you smile more. People treat you better. YOU treat you better.

I wish I could have shaken that lady, and told her that she mattered. It matters how she looks. Pull on a hat, wear a sweatshirt that fits, and buy some jeans.

The well ran dry

I've run out of inspiration after my first day back at work after a 3 week vacation (ahhhhhh...) so I thought I'd do one of these :)

 

 

A. Age:  26- almost 27 (in April)

B. Bed size: Double. WAAAYYY too small with a dog who takes his half out of the middle and a fiance` that takes his half out of what's left over from the dog.

C. Chore you hate: Vacuuming. I think because it's so loud!

D. Dogs: An adorable French Bulldog named Kermit. He's my pride and joy.

E. Essential start to your day:  I eat breakfast every single morning. (Really...) I love cottage cheese or Greek yogurt and fruit.
F. Favorite color:  Grey... and bright colors like pink, yellow, red, and orange.

G. Gold or silver: SILVER

H. Height:  5'6

I. Instruments you play: I used to play the flute in 5th grade. And that's it. 

J. Job title: Agriculture Teacher, 9-12

K. Kids: None yet! Just my sweet stinky Kermit.

L. Live:California. Its messed up, but I can't see myself anywhere else right now.

M. Mom’s name: Laura

N. Nicknames:  "Teach"- I hate it.

O. Overnight hospital stays:  None yet, and I certainly hope not soon!

P. Pet peeve: Slobs. Procrastinators. Perpetual excuse makers.

Q. Quote from a movie/show:  "I'm in a glass case of emotion!" Anchorman (One of my favorite movies ever!)

R. Righty or Lefty:  Righty
S. Siblings:  One older stepbrother, and one younger brother.

T. Time you wake up:  Between 5 to 5.45AM. It depends on if I'm going to make it to the gym or not...

U. Underwear: I'm all about the granny panties!!!!

V. Vegetables you dislike:  Radishes and turnips. Ew.

W. What makes you run late: Kermit being bad in the morning. Or my fiance` being slow

X. X-rays you’ve had: My teeth at the dentist and my foot when it was acting up from 1/2 marathon training.

Y. Yummy food you make:  Snickerdoodles and roasted chicken with lemon, garlic, and parsley.

Z. Zoo animal favorite: Ooo, I ADORE going to the zoo. I think my favorite animal to look at, though, is the giraffe. That neck is soooo long- and did you know they have the same # of vertebrae as a human?

Happy Monday!

(P.S.- I got dressed up today and went to the gym. Way to go resolutions! :)

Style Crush

There's just something about Rachel McAdams. She's beautiful, spunky, down to earth, and has a fantastic sense of style on the red carpet. (Don't believe me? Check out the stunners featured in this Glamour.com article)

While I'm not that impressed with the interview done by the Glamour writer in the February issue, I was in love with the photo shoot they did- so sweet! [Some of the questions just seemed a little... I don't know, awkward.] She totally rocked that photo shoot, though. 

The girl's a chameleon, and while not all of the looks are winners, she goes out on a limb. I wish I could be more like her!!!

Photos are from a fan website- http://rachel-mcadams-wallpapers.blogspot.com

Frog Dogs

I love French Bulldogs, especially mine. His name is Kermit, and he makes my heart sing. He's only 7 months old, and he brings tons and tons of joy to my fiance` and myself- and our family.

For your viewing pleasure: Frenchie videos ;) [None of these are my Kermit- we haven't filmed him yet!]







I'm crazy about Frenchies!!!! They are the happiest little dogs, and whenever I see one, I just smile. How could you not, with a face as silly as that? :)

Happy Sunday- rest, rest, rest!!!!!

Desperate times call for desperate measures

I'm fortunate to suffer from acne as I enter my late twenties. (Yay! Great genes!) I finally got so sick of it (and my skin was getting some serious scarring), my dermatologist decided it would be acceptable to go on Accutane.

Needless to say, my skin looks about 50 gazillion times better than it did before I started this regimen, and my skin care routine? Well, instead of 15 minutes, it takes about5.

The wonders of modern medicine do have their consequences, and like everyone else who has taken Accutane, my skin has suddenly gone from the Exxon Valdez oil spill to the Sahara desert. I've never had dry skin in my entire life, so its a huge change. I've found a few products that help me look not quite so... parched.

The Skin Care Routine

The tried and true standby. I always have an affair on Cetaphil and see someone else, but I always come back to it.


For day use- I used to only do one application before I put on my makeup, but now I do at least 2 and let it sink in for about 5 before I apply anything. Its simple, its affordable, and it has the SPF I'm looking for!!!!


A new addition to my arsenal because I'm even more sensitive to sun exposure than ever before... I frankly have a tough time spending $30 on a product of this size, but it works. I don't have the time in the middle of the day to apply sunscreen and then reapply makeup. I don't know many who do. 



For night use- I put it on at least two times before I go to bed and then once more when I get out of bed in the middle of the night for a bathroom run:


Lip Care (A Category Unto Itself for Those on This Prescription)

I use a medicated lip balm, like Carmex, and this lipgloss because its thick and stays on for long enough to give some relief.
 

I lalalalove MAC Viva Glam VI!!!

In The Bag

I always have hand cream with me. My hands get sooo dry now, and its only exacerbated by this winter weather.


Squeaky Clean

I have even extended my battle against dry skin to the shower/bath:







... And trust me. This is way simpler than what I was doing before! Yikes!!!!!

Stepping out of the comfort zone

I got these pants from gap.com during their 25% off sales and clearance this past Monday. (They ended up being $13. What a steal!)




The problem is... I am not sure how to wear them. I've never had a pair of pants like this before, in this material. Any ideas??? They are super forgiving and extremely comfortable... Its just the top half I'm struggling with!

TGIF

Where do you find it?

I found a trend I'm dying to try in the January 2012 issue of Marie Claire: embellished collar oxford shirts. I found a fabulous one at ASOS but its on sale and not available in my size- alas!

Have you seen anything like this in a reasonable price point? The Marie Claire issue featured shirts that were in the $300+ range... I just can't justify it!

Happy Monday!!!!

When are you too old?

I always feel ancient (at the ripe old age of 26!) when I step into Forever 21. Am I too old to shop there? Whens the "cut off," so to speak? Furthermore... has anyone else noticed hemlines getting shorter and shorter at F21? Or is that just me growing into an old hag?

I felt especially creepy the other day when I stepped into Abercrombie & Fitch. I was the oldest woman there buying clothes for myself. [Take that back- there may have been a mother buying an armload of shirts on sale for her children, but, based on the fashion choices she was wearing, I'm guessing not. *Shudders*] Now, the only reason I stepped into A&F was because my mother made a thoughtful, misguided, and kind jeans purchase there for me. (Brave woman, right? I hate and have always hated going into that store for 2 reasons: 1- it's too dark and I feel like I'm going to bump into something and get a massive bruise on my shin, and 2- I have a persistent headache for 3 days after I walk in there because they pump waaaayyyyy too much cologne through the air system...)

Anyway, long story short, my mom purchased skinny jeans in the wrong hem length, so I had to exchange for another length. (I probably could have spared myself the torture if I had just fessed up, but I ALWAYS return my mom's gifts, and these were actually kind of cute... I just couldn't do it.) Sad thing is... I LOVE these jeans. LOVE THEM. I'm actually embarrassed by how much I like them.They are so comfortable, they fit well... My mom {finally} hit one out of the park. Am I too old to wear them?

I just don't know. I just don't know... What do you think? When are you too old to shop at places like F21 and A&F? Or should I just get over it????

Happy Wednesday!

New Year Shopping Spree

My mom always swears that gift cards are a "cop out," and in some ways, I agree. But as someone who people swear is notoriously difficult to shop for, its nice to be able to get something I LOVE versus something that really doesn't do it for me. ("O, geesh, Mom- these boots are just... darling!")

I received 3 gift cards this year- one from Macy's, one from Forever 21, and one from Land's End.

I managed to snag a major deal on these jeans at Macy's (online- after an extremely disappointing foray into my local Macy's, where the sales associate didn't even know what 7 for all Mankind WAS):


$10 off all jeans... 4% cashback on ebates.com... free shipping. These jeans (after my gift card) only ended up costing me $24.43.

Awesome finds from Forever 21, as well:







And finally, my new love, Land's End Canvas (could their stuff be any cleaner or fresher?)!!!!!! A $25 gift card doesn't sound like much, but with their big sale going on right now, I got the cutest skirt and only paid .24 cents over my gift card total!


It will be perfect for work and casual weekend wear.

Also, can't help but share some exciting finds from Sephora.com- I had a $15 credit sitting on my account, and with my new skin care concerns- well, I had to spring for these products:



I've heard amazing things about beauty balms, and this was highly rated. My skin is in flux right now (thank you, Accutane!) so I'm hoping it helps...



Can't wait to get this stuff- any awesome sale deals you've found lately?

Ready for a New Year

Like many people, I find myself looking forward to the new year with a fresh outlook and a renewed sense of hope. It hasn't been a very happy year... there were some good things that happened, but I will definitely say that this year has been filled with some long valleys.

A few resolutions... despite the setbacks, I know I can achieve them:

1) Finally lose those last 15 niggling pounds. I'm working out with a trainer, and now that I'm back on track with my eating, they will finally go away. (Horray!)

2) Dress up like I want to. I miss wearing my fun shoes, clothes, and jewelry. I'm ready to look good and feel better!

3) Work on my relationship with Jensen.... find things we love doing together.

And perhaps the one that has been most upsetting and difficult to deal with-

4) Rebuild my circle of friends. I feel so, so alone... I miss having a social life and a circle of friends who wants to do fun things.

So here's to a new year. A happier life. And a healthier me!!!!!!!!!!!