Have a WICKED Weekend!!

I'm so excited to see Wicked tonight!!  This will be my first time seeing it and I am going to enjoy every minute of it!

Wednesday Inspiration!



I thought this was very fitting after last night’s sobering Glee episode.  We must remember that no one situation lasts forever.  There is so much to look forward to… keep smiling!

Song of the day:  Happy by Natasha Bedingfield

Weekend Roundup!

This past weekend the Northwestern Mutual “team” volunteered to build with Habitat for Humanity.  Little did we know that most of the actual building had been finished, all that was left was a massive cleanup!  (not my forte)  Of course, true to form, I waited until the last minute to make the decision to sign up.  I also had to have a little push by a fellow co-worker.  Nevertheless, I am very happy that I decided to volunteer.  I forgot just how great it feels to give back. 

We were able to work along with the homeowner and talk to two other Habitat homeowners.  They were all very excited about moving into their new homes.  It made me think about how much I take certain things for granted.  I love it when God places me in humbling situations that remind me of how different my life could be.  Sometimes that’s all we need to put life back in perspective and to remind me not to stress the small stuff.

I ended the night with a fun dinner of sushi and wine with my longtime bestie Megan.  It’s always fun to catch up on family, friends and of course… television drama.  =)

Stress Relief with a capital Relief!

Between work, friends, planning a baby shower and my 10 year class reunion this girl has been feeling a little spread too thin.  I’ve never considered myself as the type to easily stress but lately I can’t seem to shake this feeling.  Don’t get me wrong, I am over the top excited about each of these things/events.  However, my brain seems to run 90mph going over every detail of every day. I toss and turn a night worried that I forgot to do something at work or that time is running out and I’m behind on making reservations or ordering party favors or booking the DJ.  AHHHHHH! Sometimes all I want to do is take a big ole nap!!

Why not let ask for help you wonder?   Well that’s easy… because I’m a quasi control freak.  Not with everything, just with the things that are the most important to me.  I want everything to be fabulous all the time.  For years I’ve been told that I must learn to delegate but that is really hard for me.  Partly because I’ve been let down in the past, so there’s a lack of trust, and partly because I feel that I’m burdening others with things that I want done.  UGHHH!!  And to think, I secretly want to make a career out of this!

Ok, so I said all of that to say… I must incorporate a daily stress relief into my routine.  About a year ago I was introduced to Bikram Yoga aka Hot Yoga.  What is hot yoga?  It’s basically Yoga in a room with no air conditioning and/or heat.  It’s amazing how much sweat your body will generate.  Imagine how many toxins you are releasing from your body in only 60-90 mins.  Not only that, it puts you in this state of absolute serenity.   I actually found myself drifting off at the very end.   I’m hot natured so this is ideal for a person like me.  For those of you who prefer the cold… I wouldn’t recommend it.

My goal is to recreate this hot heaven right smack dab in the middle of my apartment. I have a few good Yoga DVDs that need to be dusted off.   It will be the perfect end-of-the-day relief and hopefully give me that refreshed feeling needed to hit the ground running the next day.

Check out more tips and tricks here!

More ways to relieve stress...

Weekend Antiquing!!

(picture via Birmingham AL Daily Photo)

This past weekend The Ladies of Leach gathered again to do a little antiquing.  This was a first for me and I must say… what a fun hobby!  Sadly, at this point in my life I do not have the means to play with the pros.  However, there’s always a diamond in the rough just waiting to be discovered. 

 I walked away with only one find but I have a feeling that this will be the first of many pieces.  I think it will go great in the entrance way.  It gives us fun place to hang our keays and put the mail.

(another piece that I loved but did not get)

We visited a few different places including Hanna’s Antique Mall, 5^th Avenue Antiques and On a Shoestring.  We ended the day by stopping by Hobby Lobby (which is quickly becomeing one of my favorite stores) to pick up a few accent pieces to complement my find and my apartment.

I'm obsessed with this Lamp!  I'm so glad that Jess encouraged me to get it.

I added a few new pieces to the mantle. 

All in all, I think our outing was a success!

A Few Friday Funnies!

Enjoy!!

Hello Blogosphere!

It’s been a week since my last post. I must do better.  Normally, I’ll update while at work during my down time.  Clearly I have not had much of that.  I’ve also been in a bit of a funk physically.  I’m not sure what’s causing this but it’s hard to focus on one task, let alone two, when you’re not feeling well.  But enough with the excuses…

I have babies on the brain.  Everywhere I turn someone’s popping out a newborn.  Among the many, my good friend Alana is expecting her first.  I have been given the honor, along with our other besties, to throw her a baby “tea.”  As with everything I plan, it must be special and a little over the top.  Keeping with this tradition I have found soooo many fun ideas via the interwebs.    My vision for Baby Easton’s tea is blue and yellow themed with different stations set around the room.  I want to have a "baby advice/blessings" station as well as a "decorate/leave a message on a diaper" station.  The ideas are endless.   Take a look!

We have a brainstorming meeting next weekend so hopefully, at that time, we can pin a few things down.

DAY 1

Today’s the first day of Fit and Frugal February!!  I’m really excited about getting healthy and getting in great shape for the summer.  This year is my 10 class reunion.  The last time I saw some of these people I was in the best shape of my life, coming off cheering for 7 years.  Let’s see how close I can get to that old figure.   It seems like every year around this time I start over.  Last year I saw great results by summer.  I’m hoping to see the same this year.  I’ve been able to maintain throughout the year but not lose.  My goal for 2012 is to keep going until I hit my ultimate goal!  This is MY year… I can feel it!

I’m starting by keeping a food journal that I found on The Project Girl.  I think this made the difference last year so I’m keeping with this strategy.  I’m also hitting the gym tonight.  My goal is to get in an hour of cardio 4 to 5 times a week and strength train at least 2 days a week. 

Encouragement is always welcome!