Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Baby Subway Art feature

Hi all!

Sweet Cristy of Pretty My Party, is featuring my Baby Subway Art on her blog today!



Thanks so much for the love, Cristy!  Go {HERE} to check it out and while you're there, browse her adorable blog and show her some love.  You may just end up adding another daily read to your list =)  Have a wonderful Tuesday, everyone!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Date Night Outfit

This weekend, Eric and I needed a little "us" time.  So, we got all dressed up and went out to Mill Avenue (the downtown of our city).  Here's what I wore...


You can't beat an evening with your best friend and food from our favorite place (if you're local, make sure to check out Canteen on Mill Ave - have the fried fish tacos, you won't regret it!!).  Check out the atmosphere...


Perfect for a Friday night out.  I hope all of your had a great weekend!

Friday, June 15, 2012

Back with a closet story

Wowza!  It's been a loooong time!  I've wanted to get back to blogging for so long, but for some reason I had myself thinking that if I couldn't commit to blogging every day, I shouldn't jump back in.  I don't know who made that rule (my silly brain), but I'm going to break it. =)  I don't think I can blog every day, but I've missed all of you and my brain need someplace to dump all my craziness!  So, here's a list of a few of the things I've done since I've talked with you last...


  • finished losing 35 lbs and slowly started purchasing a new wardrobe, woop woop!
  • hosted about 12 different parties - can you say exhausted??
  • finished school for the year - holla!
  • helped our sweet roommate move back home to northern California (miss you, Tovah!)
  • celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary
  • taken a few long weekend trips
  • and..... ran a marathon. Yep.
Not many household projects happened during this time, but I REALLY want to share more about my race with you guys - if for no other reason than it will help me organize my thoughts about it.  It was an unexpectedly moving experience and I was so so excited just to finish. =)

Buuuut, since I can't stay still for long...  We are turning our extra bedroom closet into... a desk!


I realize this looks a little janky, but this is just a mock up of the dimensions.  The plans are to use our two new file cabinets as the bases for a custom table top similar to the one John and Sherry over at YoungHouseLove did here.  The ironing board and shelving are just for us to get an idea of the depth and spacing...


I think those cabinets need a coat of white paint, and some cute stenciling on the front, don't you??


It should be big enough to allow us to work side by side as soon as we ditch the doors for curtains.  We're hoping to have a result a little like this, just bigger...


We have a looong way to go.  But here's my list of things that need to happen (as far as I know)...


  • prime/paint file cabinets
  • stencil(?) or contact paper(?) the drawer fronts of the cabinets
  • build wooden desk top
  • stain & seal desk top
  • wallpaper or paint the back wall
  • remove closet doors
  • run electrical wiring down the back of the wall for new outlets (handyman hubby to the rescue!)
  • purchase lighting for back wall (thinking wall-mounted as opposed to desk top)
  • organize the inside of the filing cabinets (eeek!)
  • decide on shelving
  • purchase/move some existing bookends to the shelf for book storage
  • install expansion rod for curtains
  • buy/install curtains 
  • purchase chairs
  • set up inbox/outbox system for the desk top to eliminate the "paper monster"
WHEW!  That's a lot to do, but we've got time, and we'll go slowly and take lots of breaks (it's the summer after all, and what's sumer without vacations??)  We also ave to be careful not to do anything that would make it difficult to turn this back into a functioning closet, as this home will eventually be a rental property.  

Anyone out there have a closet desk?  I'd love your tips/pointers if you do!  Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for reading again after my hiatus =)

Monday, March 12, 2012

life

...is crazy!  I WISH I had time to be blogging, but I really just don't.  I hope you'll forgive me for my absence, it's not that I don't love each of you =)  I'm finally on spring break, but my amazing hubby's birthday is tomorrow - so time has been short.  Hopefully I'll be back super soon, but for now I'm enjoying reading your blogs (for those who have one), and heaping up the projects to post about.  Have a happy Monday, friends!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Long weekend happenings...

Here's where we were this weekend...


We took a little time out to go skiing!  Side note - I took a seminar this weekend to learn how to use the DSLR camera I have the pleasure of safeguarding (being yearbook teacher has its perks!!), and all of the pics in this post were shot in manual mode, and I haven't edited them one tiny bit.  Heck yes!!


The conditions were VERY snowy (and cold - it was in the high teens with wind chill - a bit much for a heat-loving lizard like me), which caused Eric to wear his driving game face the whole way off of the "rim" (otherwise known as the Colorado Plateau, for you Geography pros).


I guess I would wear my driving game face, too!


We had the pleasure of spending a little time the night before with my dad...


And mom...


At their time share in Kohl's Ranch (my aunt and uncle came too, but I wasn't sure they wanted their pictures broadcast about the internets...  My parents however, have to love me regardless).  I'm pretty extra pleased about these pics.  They were taken inside at night (in VERY low light), and using my class notes, I was able to "manual mode" the crap out of these shots.  Booyah.  See how the last one even incorporates my new knowledge of "depth of field?"  I'm pretty pleased.

Did you have yesterday off?  What did y'all do with your long weekend?  Did you, like me, become exponentially less frightened of the extreme confusion that can be caused by a DSLR camera?  Do tell, and have a happy Tuesday, friends!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Last week's blogging break brought to you by...

The BUSIEST week ever.  Sorry guys, this past week was cuh-razy!  Something had to give, so I took a wee break.  The good news is, that I now have some projects and actual things to share - yay!  But first off this week, a little celebration...

I reached my goal weight!!!  Yah-to-the-hoo! There's a bit of a story behind it, and it involves me being either very ridiculous, or very out of touch...

I had been trying to reach a BMI of 20.4, for my 5'3" height, that meant 115 pounds.  Starting at 143(*shame!!!*), it felt completely impossible, until last week when I was right at 123, and feeling AMAZING.  I'm serious here, I'm running several miles a day without tiring, eating healthy, losing inches and generally living healthy - it's fabulous, and I'm so glad that I've had the time to dedicate to this.  However...

After over 10+ days of busting my chops, eating healthy and trying my darndest - I wasn't losing anything.  This brings me to Sunday, when a friend of mine was talking about her height.  She mentioned she was 5'3" and I didn't know how that could be, since I'm 5'3" and taller than her.  People, I've thought I was 5'3" for YEARS.  So, after her encouragement, I went home and had Eric measure me.


I am 5'5"

This may not seem like a big deal, but I felt like doing the happy dance (which is awkward and not attractive).  Of course I can't lose any more weight!!  How excited was I to find that I'm already at my goal BMI?! Pretty friggin excited, for sure.  And also a little silly - how in the world did I spend the last few years thinking I was 2 inches shorter than I was??  Geesh.  Can you grow into your twenties???

So, now I enter the world of those trying to maintain their healthy weight.  Which, honestly is almost harder than losing.  Living by grace instead of by strict rules is so much more difficult.  Why is it so easy to be regimented and so hard for me to give myself a little leeway?  I hope I can do a good job - I don't want to lose the great fitness I've built up.

Thanks so much to all of you for reading these wordy posts, and encouraging me.  I couldn't have made this 22 pounds in 48 days journey without every single last word of encouragement.  You are all invited to Tempe to go running with me.  =)  Join me back here tomorrow to see my OH-MY-GOODNESS-I-SERIOUSLY-CANNOT-BELIEVE-MY-LUCK Goodwill find!  Have a happy Tuesday, friends!!

**Almost forgot today is Valentine's day!!  Eric and I don't put too much stock in this day, but we spend the evening together all the same.  Hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day/Single's Awareness Day/Stuff Your Face Full of Chocolate Day!!**

Friday, February 3, 2012

It's that time again...

This week was AMAZING.  I'm finally starting to feel like I'm making real progress here.  Thank you so much to everyone who was so encouraging last week, I'm getting so close and I need every "atta girl" I can get!!  So, here goes...

Weight as of this morning: 124.9  RIGHT?!?!  Yeehaw!!
Weight loss from last week: 5.5 lbs
Pounds lost so far: 17.6

Ohmygoodnessgracious!  I can't believe I'm within 10lbs of my goal.  Within 35 days of starting.  Not to mention that last night I ran 4.5 miles just for the fun of it.  I wasn't even tired afterwards.  I didn't know that was even POSSIBLE.  I think I am truly getting in shape for the first time in my life.  I'm seriously NEVER giving this up.  That being said, I can't wait to have a plate of chicken fingers when this is all over (and then spend the next 4 days working off the 2 lbs I'm sure I'll gain from it, ha!).  Thanks for your encouragement, and for going on this journey with me.




I certainly hope I don't gain it back.  I feel like I'm making lasting changes, and changes that are sustainable for our lifestyle.  This is is big one for me.  If you know you can't keep up a work out reginmen, then don't start.  That's probably terrible health advice, but find something that works with your life and do that.  Otherwise it won't last and you'll feel like a failure.  I know I'm loving the routine I've fallen into.  Maybe I've done so well that hubby will let me have a new pair of these since my others but the dust....



Aren't they cool-looking???  I love the soles - they look like they're the perfect amount of smooshy =)  Speaking of which, another good little thing about all this?  I'm going to need some new clothes!  My pants don't fit AT ALL - thank god for super-strength belts =)  It's wierd for me, but I'm actually enjoying this working out business.  I'm so thankful for all the support I have, and that includes you all.  Thanks to each and every one of you, my bloggy friends, your support is amazing!  I hope you all are enjoying your day - have a happy and active Friday, friends!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Go the extra mile...

...because it's never that crowded anyway =)  You don't get a "for reals" blog post today because Eric and I had a unique opportunity last night to help out a friend in a way we've never done before, and shan't be sharing on the old blog (even an over-sharer like myself has limits, ha!).  However, I will tell you that it does the soul good to give... and also to receive.  Friendship is a give and take, sometimes you're the giver, sometimes the recipient, but friendship is always worth it.  Take a little time today (maybe the time you'd spend reading here), and say "thanks" and "I love you" to a dear friend who deserves it.  Happy Wednesday, my friends!!


Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Quick Closet Fix

Time for my mini closet organization project.  I don't wear a lot of jewelry, but I've seemed to collect quite a bit over the years, and I think I do a pretty good job of rotating it all around so that everything gets worn somewhat often.  That being said, it usually ends up like this in a pile in my closet...



No bueno.  I also may or may not have found my nice gold chain like this...



On the floor.  Whoops.  Time for a solution. Enter an empty wall of un-utilized space near our closet entrance...


*yes, those are my shoes stuffed unceremoniously into a generic shoe rack. I'm more Liz Lemmon that Carrie Bradshaw, sorry!*

And these AMAZING feats of engineering.  Seriously, the man who invented command hooks should be worshipped.


Plop a few on the dresser...


And a few more on the wall...


And presto!  No more mess!




It's awfully difficult to get a good shot off in a closet... at night.  Annoying.  I decided to go with the command hooks instead of something cuter (stenciled wall and knobs from anthro, anyone???), to see if I can actually stick to my "hang it up right away - no really, right now!" system.  If I can, then I'll have earned a nicer makeover.  Wish me luck!

In other news, can you BELIEVE that today is the LAST day in January?!  Where has the time gone??  The year is 1/12 over!  Sheesh.  Valentine's day is upon us, and after that... Easter!  Wowie.  Anyway, regardless of the date, I hope you're having a wonderful Tuesday, friends!

Monday, January 30, 2012

Weekend

I had intended this weekend to contain a little DIY project, but I was so busy trying to spend my extra time exercising that I totally forgot! (<- nerd alert!!)  I did do a lot of running up and down this butte, though...


I also did a lot of running around the lake in the foreground.  Good thing the views are great and the weather was SPECTACULAR...



A rock on this pathway took a giant piece out of my tennis shoe - new ones are in order (boo!).  I guess I should learn to run without tripping before I invest in new ones, though ;)


At least the view from the top is great.  Have I mentioned that we love living in Tempe?  I hope you all had fantastic weekends, and if all goes well, I'll have a DIY project to show you tomorrow (after I run this darned mountain another 5 times).  Happy Monday, friends!!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Scale time...

Time for my weekly fitbit update!  



Weight as of this morning: 130.4   **However, I weighed myself at the gym the other day on the super legit doctors scale (the kind you can calibrate) and weighed 129.5.  Granted weight fluctuates throughout the day... It was just encouraging to see the number start with a 1-2, instead of a 1-3.  =)** 
Weight loss from last week: 1.8 lbs
Pound lost so far: 12.1
Date by which I should arrive at 115: March 19

Things are going well, right???

...But, I'm beginning to feel just a bit tired of spending my entire day working toward a calorie goal.  However, losing so much per week is helping my attitude.  And speaking of which... Since I don't update this stuff on my blog every day, what you don't know is that I spend about 5 of the 7 days in the week at the EXACT SAME WEIGHT.  Busting my chops does NOTHING.  Then, all of a sudden, I drop 1.5 lbs. While those days are awesome, it's a little hard on the other 5 or 6 days every week.  I guess this is how it's going to go from now on out, so I'll get used to it, if I have to. =)  Anyone else have a similar experience???

I've cut my calories as much as I feel is healthy.  I promised myself I wouldn't be hungry, I'd just change what I ate. Without getting too specific (I'll be keeping my calorie counts to myself =)), I make sure I have at least a 1400-1500 calorie deficit per day.  If I push much harder I won't be able to sustain this long term, so I'll have to stay at this pace.  If you've been through this before, please show me some solidarity!  Tell me it's all worth it!

I am, however, feeling the positive effects of getting in shape - today I ran 5 miles (I was going to say "without breaking a sweat," but that would be a lie) without feeling like death.  I actually did it at 5AM and felt awesome after.  This has become my new motto...



As for now, it's Friday, which means I have more time to bust my hump running, climbing mountains, and rowing.  At least the weather is nice.  =)  Have a happy and healthy Friday, friends!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Master bath is soooooo close!

Our master bathroom is almost almost almost almost done.... kind of.  Our contractor is finished (or thought he was) with everything but hanging the shower door, which he broke and is replacing.  However, upon closer inspection of the job, there are a few things I'm not quite happy with.  Commence my anal type A tendencies...  The new texture on the added wall doesn't match the existing texture, and the grout on the bottom of the shoer needs some serious buffing (it feels all gritty!), so Mr. Contractor will be coming back this week to go over my list with me, muahahaha!  All these experiences have got me thinking that I'll write a post about how to and how not to work with a contractor.  But I'll have to wait until we're actually done - hopefully soon!  Ok, enough words, here's what we're currently staring at when we open the master bath door....





Nice, eh?  I like how the new 18" travertine is jiving so well with the existing 12" porcelain tile.  My MAIN worry was that the old tile would look grey and the new business would be brown.  My bathroom would be committing the ultimate fashion foul: black and brown in the same outfit right next to each other!!!  **Some people can make this work. These people are alien fashion goddesses; do not attempt to imitate them**  But I'm so so pleased with this lot of stone, it all meshes perfectly.

I'm getting so excited for when we can finally say that we're DONE.  But before then there's still lots for me to do... like choose a paint color. *panic!*  Oh yeah - and PAINT the whole room.  One day at a time, April, one day at a time.  Hope y'all are having a great one - happy Thursday, friends!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Healthy Broccoli & Goat Cheese Souffle

Confession: I had to look up how to spell Souffle before writing this post... twice.

Until stumbling upon an amazing recipe website {Eating Well}, I never dreamed of attempting this notoriously difficult dish, but I am a goat cheese addict (anyone else with me?  I LOVE tangy cheese), and when I saw the recipe for a goat cheese and broccoli souffle that was under 300 calories per serving, I knew I had to try it.

During the process, I discovered two pleasant things:
1 - IT WAS DELICIOUS
2 - it was fairly easy

If you add "low calorie and basically nutritious" to the two requirements above, you have my full attention, and this recipe certainly did.  So, I felt like I'd share it with you.  Mine is basically the same as the one posted on their website, but I tweaked mine a bit, so the one below is the "Kitchen Table for Two" version.  =)

Ingredients:

1.5 cups of finely shopped broccoli florets
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon EVOO
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1.25 cups skim milk
1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
1 tablespoon rosemary (and a bit more for garnish)
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup goat cheese (or more, whatevs ;))
3 large eggs, separated
2 large egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Process:
1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray a 2 quart soufflet dish (What the what?  I just used a circular casserole dish) with cooking spray

2. Microwave broccoli for 2 mins until tender crisp (seriously, NO LONGER than this.  It will cook in the oven with the souffle, and there's nothing worse than mushy veggies.  For real).

3. Melt butter and oil in a large sauce pan over medium-high heat.  Whisk in flour and cook until it's the color of caramel.  Make sure to whisk constantly so that it doesn't burn.

4.  Add milk, mustard, rosemary, salt and cook until thickened (about 1-2 minutes).  Remove from heat and immediately whisk in goat cheese and the three egg yolks until well combined.  Transfer to a large bowl

5.  Beat the 5 egg whites in a mixer until soft peaks form.  Add cream of tartar and beat until stiff peaks form

6. Using a spatula, fold half of the egg whites into the cheesy mixture.  Fold in the remaining egg whites and the broccoli until no streaks remain.  Make sure not to crush the eggs - they need to be super fluffy!

7.  Transfer to souffle dish, sprinkle with more rosemary, and bake until puffed, firm to the touch, and an instant read thermometer reads 160 degrees.  For me, this was right around 27 mins.

This was what we got...



Holy YUM!  I served it with a little bit of Italian spiced chicken and some garlic couscous.  It wasn't too bad for a weeknight meal - done in under 45 mins.  And did I mention it was tasty and you can eat 1/4 of the whole thing for 250 cals?!  Let me know how you like it if you try it.  Have a happy Wednesday, friends!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Target goodies

I've been needing another lamp for my living room and have been inspired by tripod lamps lately...


This gorgeous one runs over $150, and it's only the table version... wop wop =(

However, Target started advertising this pretty little thing a few months ago...



I knew I liked it, but at $50, it was more than I wanted to spend (yep - total cheapskate!).  Plus the shade looked super WHITE, and my others are linen colored, I'm already locked into tea staining one (which I'm putting off, b/c I'm chicken), and wasn't looking to make that two.

But when Target listed a special price online this weekend, I knew I had to have it, and for a grand total of $35.99 (including shipping! What?!), I had two words: "yes, please."  I ordered it and it arrived SO quickly!  And, the shade turned out to be the perfect creamy color yellow.


I LOVE it.  What do y'all think? I like the way it filles up the awkward space behind the couch.  Now all I have to do is keep the pictures in the frames behind it from slipping.  Ha!  Hope your day is great so far - happy Tuesday, friends!!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Scale and bathroom update

I'm still going strong on my Fitbit weight loss regimen - it's getting harder, since I'm already inside my appropriate BMI range, but I'm committed to losing at least 10 more lbs.  Here's my stats for the week...

Weight as of yesterday morning (unable to weight myself this morning as the contractors showed up early): 132.2
Weight loss from last week: 1.2 lbs
Pounds lost so far: 9.2
Date by which I will arrive at 115 lbs: March 18.

There were two days this week that I couldn't hit my goal for mileage and activity, however, I've at least maintained my weight on those days. I'm pretty proud of an almost 10 lb loss =)  only 17 to go!!

In other news...  Our bathroom is really coming together...


This is the travertine we chose.  I know there are people out there who love them some travertine, but I really wanted white subway tile =(  Alas, travertine lasts longer and is more durable, especially for those someday renters down the road.  But, I must say, after seeing this color lot, it's growing on me.


Grout should start happening tomorrow!


See the triangle thingy in the corner??  It's going to be my new shower seat - yeehaw!  I looooooooovvvvee sitting under the hot water.  Our water bills are about to skyrocket.



My tub is still filled with tools, but not for long!  We are hearing that they will be done Monday (which means Tuesday or Wednesday - I grew up in a construction family and know how these things go ;))

Hooray for bath-taking!  How is it that I haven't thought about taking soak in a tub in months, yet the moment we rip it out, that's all I want to do.  *Sigh*  Anyway, I hope you all are well, and have a fantastic Friday, friends!    **Take a bath and enjoy it for me!!**



Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Knockin' down the walls (just kidding, we put new ones up)

Our bathroom reno started today with the removal of all the offending 4" white tiles, and installation of a real-person-sized hole that will someday be a shower!  Sorry for the lack of posts, but this is why... 






The purple is a fun touch, no?  Don't worry, it's just extra waterproof drywall made just for showers - not permanent, thank goodness =)  This is definitely making the bathroom feel a little tight, but for under $3000, being done within 7 days, having all of the tile replaced and a new shower in which you can actually shave your legs without having to be a contortionist is SO SO worth it.  I'm so happy that we chose to go with a contractor.  Is it costing us an extra $1000? Yes.  Was it so nice to come home and see so much progress and not have to say I did any of it?  Yes, yes, YES!  

Love me some DIY, but when it comes to plumbing, and tile that needs to last through what will probably be 20+ years of undergraduate renters changing out every 6 months, we called in the pros. It's worth it to have the lifetime guarantee on the work.   Any one else have any experience with contractors?  We're loving ours so far!  Does it make me a bad DIY blogger to call in a pro when I really probably could have done this myself (over the next 3 decades or so)??  I hope not.  

In other bathroom related news (this could sentence sounds like it could go to any number of terrible places), do you know what lives in my bathroom and has been extra good to me this week?  I'll give you a hint - it looks like this...


I'll be back tomorrow with a wee update - hopefully by tomorrow morning I'll have even more good scale news!  Be sure to leave me your thoughts on contractors.  I want to hear all the deets people, good and bad.  Have a happy Wednesday, friends!