What I'm Loving Wednesday

Finally ordered this armband so I can run with my phone without having to hold it. I've been listening to Pandora from my phone when I run and workout now and I love the Nike GPS app for running outside.

Loving the latest Nicki Minaj song, Starships, but I wear out songs so fast I'll probably hate it in a week and then it will be overplayed on the radio for the next year and I'll want to stick wine corks in my ears every time I hear it.

With warm weather here (has been in the 80's) I'm into making smoothies again!

spinach leaves + frozen strawberries + banana + orange juice

banana + almond butter + Chobani nonfat vanilla greek yogurt + organic skim milk (held me for a long time and through my lunchtime pilates class which is a feat, usually about to pass out from hunger the time I get done with the class)

Saw The Lorax last night, was very cute and entertaining!

Loved all the baby bwown beayah's!

Went to Target on my lunch break earlier this week and perused their swimsuits, straw hats and other summery clothes. I bought this dress and I just noticed online that it's plus size!!! For the record I am most definitely NOT loving this discovery :-( But I really like the dress and wondering if mine is plus size...I got it at the front of the women's clothing section so idk...I can't tell you how many times I have picked up a cute flowy top from there to then notice the maternity sign on the rack and quickly put it back like the item has just turned boiling hot, haha. I LOVE flowy, peasanty style clothes!

Speaking of summery clothes, I am beyond excited for a trip to Kiawah Island, SC over Easter weekend with 2 of my good girlfriends from college. Worked out for all of our schedules and I have been literally yearning for a relaxing beach trip. Can't wait to make some of these delish beachy drink recipes that I've pinned -

Grapefruit mojiti - recipe here

Skinny sangria - recipe here

Pomegranate and lime white wine spritzer - recipe here

Will be drinking them under an umbrella of course!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

As always I love all of my furry coworkers, here is Snarf (also affectionately known around the office as the albino squirrel) perched on my desk this morning -

I wove him so much!

An article caught my eye on Yahoo this morning - 9 Bad Habits that Are Good for You

The high points I got from it:

Coffee - It can help regulate your mood. " A recent study published in Archives of Internal Medicine showed that women who drank two to three cups of coffee daily had a 15% lower risk of depression. Coffee is also a rich source of antioxidants and other healthy compounds that may help protect against cancer, according to new research." This makes me very happy to hear because a cup of coffee is a mandatory part of my morning, weekdays and weekends. Like my friend Chelsea has said I sometimes even look forward to my morning coffee the night before! My dad and two older brothers are big coffee drinkers too so lots of coffee is consumed when we are all together.
Why it's not so bad to miss taking vitamins: They say because it may cause you to think of it as a substitute for eating well and that our bodies best absorb nutrients in a whole food form. However I rarely skip my vitamins because I take chewable ones that taste so good! Trader Joe's gummy multivitamins and chewable B12 and vitamin C can always be found in my top desk drawer at work.


Beer: Move over wine because beer also has lots of disease-fighting antioxidants. "Research shows that some pale ales contain just as much or more silicon than oat bran, which is one of the best food sources of this mineral." Yay I love pale ale! But boo to this - "Beer contains 120 to 150 calories per 12-oz serving, which can add up fast. So if you do drink beer, make sure you stick to one per day (or less) to get the healthy benefits without the added calories and pounds."

Getting stressed about little stuff: "Chronic stress is linked to conditions like heart disease, but short-term stress actually has a positive side, pushing you to get things done-and succeed at them." So getting a bout of reasonable stress over something gives you the energy and motivation to deal with it quickly and efficiently, like your car breaking down or a presentation at work.

Skip your workout 2 days in a row: "You don't have to exercise hard every day to be healthy (and taking a break is actually better). 'Three to four days a week is enough to keep you in shape,' says Mike Boyle, owner of Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning gym in Boston." Muscle repair and strengthening only happens on days off. Skip the gym and just go for a walk on some days.

You procrastinate by reading those forwarded jokes in your inbox: Or in my case Pinterest, Facebook or Blogs. But this is ok (in moderation) because laughter and looking at something enriching stimulates the brain and motivates productivity.

I've signed up to play kick ball and our first game is tonight!

Finally saw The Vow last night, I really liked it! It wasn't just a typical romantic comedy I felt like it had some depth and wasn't completely predictable. Next movie to see - Hunger Games next weekend!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

✿ Happy Wednesday! ✿

Last night I watched Dance Moms on Lifetime with undivided attention for the first time, I've caught bits and pieces before and have obvi heard a lot about the ridiculousness of it but finally took it in for myself. I thought I was immune to all reality show antics considering I regularly watch Jersey Shore, Teen Mom and Real Housewives (just to name a few ;) but something about little girls dancing with guns and a scary teacher whose voice literally makes my skin crawl managed to catch my attention. (until a Real Housewives of OC episode came on I hadn't seen, such an exciting Tuesday night haha) My fav quote from the show I watched, "Just remember 2nd place means you're the first loser on stage!"

Kendall, the girl on the left, left the crazy lady's studio to go dance with the Candy Apples where she would be more appreciated and be allowed to dance solos = Dance Mom DRAMA!

But it really is sad to think about children's roles on these shows. I always say that about Teen Mom, like oh awesome theses kids will grow up and get to see what junk shows their parents were. And remember the Real Housewives of New Jersey episode where Teresa's (ew, just ew) little girl sang that song at her sister's birthday pizza party that turned into a melodious soliloquy about her parent's fighting? Could hardly watch, and she is going to grow up and not only see that but know millions of others saw it, too. But all that said it's still my life goal to be on a Bravo reality show :)

I watched this last night too and was literally LOL'ing by myself at home, obsessed!

Hunger Games mania - Pic Allison texted me of the cast at Lenox Mall yesterday! I have yet to pump her on all the deets.

Got my Glamour in the mail yesterday and was happy to see Jennifer Lawrence on the cover. Sarah and I were just chatting about how we approve of her as Katniss, so glad they chose a legit actress.

One of my new fav spots in Buckhead is The Big Ketch, had dinner there last Friday night. I'd been wanting to go because I'd heard about their cocktail menu of drinks under 125 calories. I had a Basil 8 - vodka, grapefruit juice, basil leaves and lime juice, just 104 calories. Their food was really good, too!

yes those are boiled peanut shells on my plate, looks so appetizing I know

So I've always had an aversion to any kind of seafood frozen meals but I picked up a couple at Trader Joe's and was pleasantly surprised. I'm not going to be making them at the office but definitely good for an easy, healthy dinner.

OBSESSED with this Tory Burch Amanda Crossbody bag that I learned about from Rachel. I've yet to get that Reva clutch I've blogged and talked about to way too many people and I'm thinking this would be a better purchase because 1. It looks more wearable day-to-day 2. Looks sturdier, Chrissy's Reva clutch actually broke... :( 3. It's 1/3 of the Reva's price

I think I would go with black

Absolutely love the blue, but black would be a more sensible choice, because you know I'm such a sensible person ;) I have yet to look at them in person, Saks says they're not shipping until April 30th. A trip to Phipps is long overdue!

K so switching gears from reality tv, cocktails and purses, this week I've been feeling a tad frazzled. I think just with work and the business of life. I love living here in Atl but sometimes just the wear and tear of the city gets to me, fighting traffic and all that. I hate feeling like I don't have my stuff together, like I want my home to always be neat and orderly, feel on top of all my bills and budget and have my weekly schedule planned out, and when those things feel out of control I feel out of control. I know I have a tendency to be too hard on myself and a perfectionist, so that's when it's important for me to just take a step back, breathe and get centered.

I read a devotion today that was exactly what I needed, love when that happens. It's from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, I have the app on my phone. I highly recommend it, it's a daily devotional that is very profound yet simple and so user friendly. Perf for us busy working gals ;)

Let Me Help You, March 7th -

Let Me help you through this day. The challenges you face are far too great for you to handle alone. You are keenly aware of your helplessness in the scheme of events you face. This awareness opens up a choice: to doggedly go it alone or to walk with Me in humble steps of dependence. Actually, this choice is continually before you, but difficulties highlight the decision making process. So, consider it all joy whenever you are enveloped in various trials. These are gifts from Me, reminding you to rely on Me alone.

I feel very blessed to be reminded of that - I can't do anything out of my own strength and efforts, and when I feel like I can is when my focus is not where it should be. I sometimes do these meditation and yoga CD's and the guy on there says, "As long as you are breathing, there is more right with you than wrong." Sometimes that's all that's required of us.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

This is nothing new, but I am loving sushi. I was craving it so bad the other night and no one was available to go get it with me, so I picked up some edamame and the chef's sampler roll from Publix, yum. And that's Trader Joe's wine. Classy.

Yesterday was not a super fun day, but it had the perfect ending! Verde Taqueria for dinner with Chrissy/Pony and Hayley/Bat then small group. We love Verde we go almost every week. We got skinny margs (they make really good ones), chips and salsa and guacamole and soft tacos (I had pulled pork and grilled chicken). And it just happens to be right by Yoforia. But I got the pistachio flavor and it was so gross, tasted like bitter medicine. I like pistachio at Menchie's!

And this is happening. I'm collecting all the stickers of Menchie and his friends for a secret bonus prize. If it's anything besides yogurt I'm going to be pissed.

Loving the new oil-free collection at Kiehl's, esp the gel-cream -

Perf for hot/humid/miserable weather

And I'm loving stila's one step correct primer, it "color corrects, brightens and covers skin imperfections for a flawless face with no fuss." I got a sample of it at Sephora and am now obsessed.

And last but not least I'm loving my new Yurman bangle I bought myself as a present for getting a new job!

That I payed $11.99 for ;-)

Wordless Wednesday

Just some happy pics for a midweek pick me up

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Loving Tory Burch's Thora sandals, I know so surprising. I am definitely going to pick up a pair (or 5 :) to live in this summer. I want a neutral color that will go with anything, like black -
How cute is the leopard pair? Rawr.

Loving that Annie is going to stay with me while my parents visit Tim in Vermont. I miss seeing her everyday! Don't worry I'll document her time with me :)

Love this t-shirt I bought on sale for $19 last night at Banana. They have tons of colors.

Also bought this dress last night on sale for $30 from Express. Already wearing it today with a chunky brown belt and tan cardigan.Loving this season of Bethenny Ever After. Brynn is seriously the cutest and best behaved baby ever, and Cookie is as rambunctious as ever!

And of course loving all the drama of Real Housewives of the OC season 6!

I watched this episode with Chris and Shana in Vermont and we said how funny it'd be if Chris was randomly dropped into this party and then they interviewed him on his take of it, haha.

I just love those crazy biotches, except Vicki (center).

Loved eating and drinking at the Black Bear tavern last night. It's right down the street from me and was my first time there. I inhaled 2 tons of fried food, burned off maybe 5 tater tots on the treadmill this morning. Hey I'll be a few lbs overweight for fried okra and mini hot dogs, 2 of my fav foods EVER.

Love this swimsuit I got for super cheap at H&M. Look they have a redhead modeling it :) Hmm maybe I should lay off the fried food... nah ;)

Loving that Something Borrowed comes out Friday! I've been anticipating it since I first learned that one of my fav books was being made into a movie. I hope I love it and that they make a movie from Something Blue, book two of the series!