Chubby Cheeked

I got my wisdom teeth out! I am starting to feel rather jolly and catch onto the Christmas spirit since my face is as chubby as Mr. Claus!

Besides having chipmunk cheeks... (and a double chin why does getting teeth pulled make your neck fat?) I have also officially determined that for the month of July I will be in Central Europe! Main locations will be Prague, Budapest, and Vienna! I am very excited!

Now that both of my procedures are done, I have to go back to work on Monday, so it looks like Sunday is my main day for Christmas shopping! Hopefully the malls wont be crazy, but who am I kidding? They will be.

Things I want:
- A cookbook so I don't get lazy and live off of canned soup for dinner
(should include lunches to-go so that I am not buying lunch everyday at work)
- A pair of nude/blush pumps
- A new pair of tall black boots (mine are all worn out... all 3 pairs)

Not all that exciting, but necessary :-)
Presents I still have to buy:
- Mr. A
- Mr. A's Mom (funny how I only get his mom a gift, not his dad)
- My lovely mother
- My moody sister (I do not understand high school kids these days)
- My suddenly health concious father (after 50 my parents really started changing it up with working out and eating better)

Any gift ideas for either myself or others? I will be checking the sales online all day since I had to drag my puffy faced self into work. AND as a reward for coming into work on the most popular week to take off ever... I am about to take my first sip of coffee since my ulcer. Wish me luck!

Holiday Spirit!

I am very excited to have Thursday and Friday off, and even though this is my favorite time of the year, it is not the least busy.

Duties
I am responsible for a dessert and appitizer/side dish for Thanksgiving Dinner

I also have to make something to bring to Mr. A's house if/when I visit to be polite (dumb politics) Mr. A's mom likes me, but says that he would never be able to support my lavish lifestyle (AKA shoes... clothes... eating out because I cannot cook...) I like to rpove to her during the holiday times that I am capable of "slumming it" in the kitchen; I just CHOSE not. and FOR THE RECORD I am not concerned about any man supporting me 21st centery mamn! AND designer brands and high quality goods do not count money-wise when they are bought at outlets and at TJ MAXX they only count style-wise :-)

I MUST shop all day on Black Friday. (Because as metioned above I like a good deal)
12:00 AM- Outlets open
4:00 AM- Mall opens
6:00 AM- Non-Mall stores open
Shop all day and then Thanksgiving Dinner Part II at the Ecstacy Household because we go to friend's homes on Thursday and we must cook our own meal Friday for all the yummy leftovers!

The "break" continues as I get more deals on Sat (some places extend/postpone to avoid mayhem) and I bake on Sun/Mon because as mentioned in a previous post I accidentally voluteered to donate homebaked goods to a bake sale at work... Silly me.

My thoughts on food this week:
ENJOY IT! I see all these ways of how to diet on Thanksgiving... It's one day! (or in my case two) I am going to fully enjoy every bite! I will try to get a workout in on Thursday though... just read the average American gains 8 pounds during the holiday season... so let's update that enjoy eating to enjoy eating but get your food loving a$$ on the elliptical!

Recipes and Rings

Because I accidentally volunteered to bake for the work bake sale (and yes it HAS to be home made not even from a box and heated or anything!) I have decided to share with all my fellow non-bakers some easy recipes I found, just in case you accidentally offered to bring something to Thanksgiving :-)

Fudge Pie is crust-less so all you have to do is mix a couple ingredients, pour into a pan, and let the oven do the rest!

Fudgy Mocha-Toffee Brownies mix my 2 favorite things: coffee and chocolate... PLUS the recipe is from CookingLight.com so feel free to indulge!

Chocolate-Peanut Bars have a quick shopping list!

(sorry these are all chocolate, but anything fruity requires meringue or a crust of some sort and as I have mentioned before... I am not very talented in the kitchen)

And because once we all gain 3-6 pounds on Thanksgiving, Christmas is just around the corner so Christmas shopping gets to double as our cardio workout (unless we do it online... on the couch... while eating) :-)

My roommate sent me the link to James Avery and I have been on the site all afternoon:
For Mom
For a sister - also comes in a ring I love
For a best friend
For ME :-)

I guess all I want right now is chocolate and jewlery...

Exercising... my credit card

Last night, I innocently went online to check my e-mail. My BFF Victorias Secret had sent me a message... You know just catching up. Things like: my beautiful soft sweaters now come with a free lip gloss kit, that leather jacket you have been wanting is valid for the 20% off any clothing item discount, and my favorite: the more you spend the more you save! $15 off $100, $30 off $150, $75 off $250!

So, for old times sake... I bought a light pink sweater on sale for $59 and my leather jacket discounted at $110.

(In infomercial man voice) BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!
I saved $30, which ended up counting as free shipping and an additional $10 off my jacket! AND they threw in my free lip gloss kit (valued at $21)-SWEET (not like I don't already own every lip gloss on the planet, including 2 of every VS color)

The best part? My sweater was backordered :-)
This sounds like a bummer right? But NO! Now I get to watch my bank account drop for the jacket now and the sweater later! One big purchase will be masked by 2 smaller ones.

Now all I have to do is spend $75+ at Express and get my $30 off! So exciting! It's like my own mini Christmas pre-Thanksgiving... and that I pay for it myself :-/

Timing is Everything

The end of my vacation is almost here. I need to organize life before its too late! One of the things I have NOT been doing is working out. I love to eat and when you are eating 24/7 you worry about getting cramps when exercising so it never happens. I. Feel. Gross.

So I decided to try out running again yesterday. Hopefully everything would go well so that I can feel less guilty about my vacation from life. Well... I picked the WORST day to run.

The Jahova's Witness were out recruiting so I watched them walk house to house during my entire run. I think one was about to stop me! When I got home all the shades were down and the house was locked beause everyone was hiding from the unwanted vistors. I tried knocking, but they thought I was a Jahova's Witness coming to preach and I had to sit outside for a looong time to finally be let in my own house!

Another reason why it was a bad day for a run, trash day. No matter what street I took I seemed to constantly be behind a garbage truck. Smelt wonderful. My lungs are now full of everyone's unwated waste fumes. Lovely.

The final reason I should not have gone for a run is that all the people in my small hometown that saw me started a nice little rumor. By the end of the day I was informed that the town thought I was no longer employeed (which I am not) and not going back to school to take classes (which I am!). My classes start September 9th... I will be back in Boston on Friday! Crazy small towns.

I did get 6 miles in! I also ate my entire house after and then some, but O WELL! Still felt good.

P.S. I went to the Coach outlet too. I saw a GORGEOUS tan leather bag. Original price: $700. Outlet Price: $600. Sale price: $300. With coupon: $240!
This lovely bag is now mine. I will try to post a picture if I ever find my camera charger!

I will be relocating back into my Boston apartment this weekend so if I do not get a chance to post or comment I hope everyone has a GREAT loong weekend :-) (enjoy the labor day sales too!)

Lounging around: because I can!

The eyebrow thing: Not that bad! It was only have buzzed off not even fully shaven. Covering it up would be weird so he's just gonna deal :-P
MOVING ON!

Oreo ice cream is my stongest addiction right now. I cannot stop eating it... and I do not want to! It is so delicious! If you get the extra fatty stuff the ice cream tastes like the cream filling! It's as close as you can get to heaven.

Also, I would recommend going to New York & Company if you like the look of jean leggins. These are as soft and comfortable as regular jeggins, not see through at all, and they have the look of jean! They come in black or blue and for only $16.95!

I am so excited for Fall because I have been seeing boots and tunics and sweaters! I have been going to the mall so much that it is ruining my only chances to tan. I guess I can thank the stores for saving me from skin cancer!

Time to throw on leggings and a sweater... eat oreo ice cream and drink coffee... and bundle up in the air conditioning to watch HGTV. Sounds pretty thrilling :-)

Drunk Online Shopping

I have a problem. It is serious. I need help. I have ADOSD. Addictive Drunk Online Shopping Disorder. This is not a laughing matter. I am unemployeed.

I wake up to order shipment memos in my inbox and cannot recall placing the order in the first place! Sometimes I do not even know until I go to check my mail and I have a package!

This morning I work up to not 1... not 2... not 3... but 4!!! shipment emails! All of them from Victora's Secret! I guess I couldn't make up my mind because I had to place 4 seperate orders! Rediculous. Anybody know of a rehab I can go to?

I should be asleep right now...

A few of your asked about my classes so I thought I would share.

I am in a work/learn program at and for six months I work full time for a company, and then for six more months I take classes. This cycle continues for three consecutive years. My first and last year are like a regular college student. This program takes longer than a more traditional one, but I love that I get to test out jobs with a known deadline instead of graduating now, being unsure, taking whatever job offer I can find, and hating it forever.

I am working towards my business degree with a double concentration in Management Information System and Finance. My life dilemma is that I love fashion to the point that it should probably be a part of my future career. When I was little I would make my own magazines by cutting out my favorite clips from multiple magazines and glue then into notebooks, like I was Editor-In-Chief. I am sure this will all come together over time.

Side note: Can we please appreciate that I literally have nowhere to be until 3:20 PM and it is 7:00 AM and I cannot fall back asleep!! Oh the weird mix of college life and real life...

Shopping note: VS took $81 from me again! I bought three bathing suit tops but one is back ordered so actually I only am getting charged for two now and one later :-)
I also bought an aborable J.Crew dress that is kind of long, but I can make it work!

Working out note: I got into the exclusive Lean Legs class at Life In Synergy FINALLY. I knew I wouldn't be able to participate much the day after my run, but I had to go and see what all the fuss is about! To give you an idea of how sought after this class is... the next available one if you wanted to sign up today is September 28th. Not Kidding. So to summarize the class, I would say "Lift and Lower". Lift and lower your legs to the front, back, side while standing, kneeling, sitting, laying down...

Ok I am off to clean my apartment because it is now 7:30 AM and I still have nothing to do!

The secret is out

VS Why do you do this to me?
Free Shipping of $50+ (only until Sunday)
I guess I HAVE to spend more money.
Doesn't seem like much of a choice? Right?

How badly do I regret that half pint of Half Baked ice cream....

Marshalls Image

I got sleep! 9 hours of sleep on Monday and 7 hours of sleep yesterday! AMAZING. I never ever sleep and I feel like a million bucks! I would also like to thank Bikram Yoga for this because yesterday I sweat out some toxins and stress and opened up my lungs and whatever the other benefits are. slept. like. a baby.

So instead of my 2 black coffees before 10 AM, I am sipping on ONE delicious Hot Cinnamon Spice tea (still caffinated please don't judge). To celebrate one of my girl's birthdays we are going to see The Proposal and get ice cream tonight (again no judging its a work night and that movie looks so cute!)

I did eat some pre cut apples yesterday that left some neon yellow substance on my desk at work. I am pretty sure I ate cancer. I really hope whatever it was got out of me at yoga.

My family leaves for Greece/France this weekend without me. I hope they have a fun safe trip and buy me lots of "I am sorry you are a real person with responsibilities and cannot take a week off to come on this trip" presents!

ANYWAY the point of this post is that I am wearing one of my new favorite pieces today. A sheer white vest with ruffles around the front. I got it at Marshalls. My fabulous coworker said he loooved my look today and my vest thing is amazing and how great it looks over my black dress with my red heels and my fantasic necklace.
I say, "Thanks I got it at Marshalls!"
I must have said some sort of fashion slur because his eyes got all drooopy and suddenly unimpressed with my outfit!
Why does buying something at Marshalls make it non-fabulous? Does it really deduct style points? If the vest is great, why does the price tag or label matter?

UGH last time I brag about a deal!

Closed

There is this website http://www.hunch.com/. You ask it a question, and then it asks you a couple questions, and then gives you a response to your inital question. That sounded a little confusing, but it isn't I promise. I am also not sure how much I trust this site to make decisions for me, but it can be entertaining when even your bills are blocked on your company computers. So knowing that my gym is closing for 9 days I asked what my ideal workout is:
1. Spinning
2. Step Aerobics
3. Bikram Yoga
Wild Card:Pilates
They all sound great to me! So I am still trying to get a step on ebay or some equivalant. I am going to shop and walk home from work tomorrow, so maybeee I can find one for cheap. My gym has them, but I need a DVD to show me how to use it! I might just splurge while my gym is closed and try out some classes at surrounding studios.

My 7 miles went pretty well yesterday. According to http://www.mapmyrun.com/, I ran 7.46 miles (which could be off by some) and according to just glancing at my phone to check my start/end time I ran it in 69 minutes (again accuracy?). Anyway I am not running for speed, just trying something new out.

Finally, I want to do some spring/summer cleaning and get rid of a bunch of stuff I don't use/need. I was thinking of selling some of it on e-bay, but I got burned pretty bad with my e-bay addiction last summer. I ended up buying 3 counterfeit copies of the Sex In The City Series before quitting and going to Best Buy. If anybody have some e-bay tips I would love to hear them! If not, I think I might just go to The Salvation Army and donate to those in need.

P.S. The Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale starts today! H&M is having a sale. Banana Republic is giving 20% off purchases over $175. Gap has added Athleta to their stores which offers yoga clothes, swim attire, and dresses. J. Crew is having a summer sale. You get it right? It's shopping season! :-)

Exhausted

Ballet Booty was a great toning class, but not a very good class for cardio. Targeted areas are your obliques, legs, "booty", arms, and shoulders. The only equipment used was a pair of 2 lb. balls to hold in your hands when using your arms for the moves. The music was upbeat and the moves were fun. Any rythemically challenged person could join this class and enjoy it!

Victoria's Secret arrived yesterday! I was very very very pleased with my polo dress and my white and yellow bathing suit, my poka dot top was OK, but the striped top I bought was see through (HELLO some things are meant to be a SECRET) and the pants were ehh... so I am sending back the last top and the pants for a great pair of pants. They are lose and drawstring, but suitable for the beach or to wear as actual pants. Lets hope I do the return/exchange process right...

FYI: I am having a very lame summer in terms of TV (only the Bachlorette). Does anybody have any shows that are great and I am missing out on?

Sorry I am so tired these days. Something may be wrong with me. I am exhausted all day every day and my appetite is through the roof. What gives?

The Trade-off

Yesterday I looked in the mirror and saw my legs. I didn't think big or small; I thought strong. It is not about diameter; it's about stamina. Regardless your shape or size, a healthy, active lifestyle is the right choice. Endorphines=Body Love.

I cycled for 60ish minutes yesterday (slightly less) while reading Allure and Self and had ultimate self love (which never happens in my world of pessimism). I also had the most amazing run on Sat. which made me love love love Boston.

The run was supposed to be 6 miles which I had planned perfectly. I ran passed Fenway, crossed the Charles River and was planning to take the next bridge back over the Charles. Issues started here because the next bridge was closed so I had to run down to the Museum of Science to cross back over the Charles. Got to be intellectual by using the bathroom at MOS before continuing my jog (sloow jog at this point but I didnt mind very relaxing). On the other side of the Charles I ran past some little league baseball fields with kids playing while overlooking sailboats and kayaks (very different from my hometown's little league fields in the woods). All of a sudden the sidewalks were very crowded, I took off my headphones and started walking through a FREE CONCERT at the Hatch Shell. So perfect out I wanted to just sit and listen all day, but I couldn't so eventually I started jogging again and made it home.

It is a good thing I love Boston because my parents annouced last week that they are going to Greece with my sister. I cannot go because of work, and they are still going without me :-(

I am very sad so I will have to go on a "I am not going to Greece but I am still wonderful" shopping trip.

Instead of this:

I will see this:

and this:and this:

There are no such thing as losers... just daughters that can't join family trips to exotic locations because of jobs she doesn't even care for...

Scatterbrain...

Workouts of the Week
Sunday- 15 min of Wii Boxing (intense I swear)
Monday- 30 min of CORE Rythem DVD that worked my rib cage more than anything else
Tuesday- Ran 4 miles
Wednesday- 60 min on elliptical (Cardio Preset/ Level 4)
Thursday- Running 3 today and doing some "strength" maybe arms and butt and a lil abs? My legs are sore for some reason...
Friday- R.E.S.T.
Sat- Run 6 miles so far the longest run of my 7.5 miler training but I accidentally did 5.6 miles instead of 5 last Sat so im not scurrred

More Money Spending
Victorias Secret has stolen $105 from me, but in return I got 3 bathing suit tops, 1 bathing suit bottom, a button up polo dress, and some pants that can be worn to work or out! Not too shabby...

Price Worthy Product
This product makes my hair feel/look so healthy. Even after blow drying it almost every day and getting highlights!

Movie and Book Review
Movie: Last night I watched House Bunny. It is quite funny and ends with a good message. You must be sexy but also smart to get boys. I also learned that the sentence "I want to be your girlfriend more than a proton wants an electron" is not cute/funny and probably should not be used again. Grade: B+

Book: I know I am cheating because I have not finished/gotten half way through this book, but Paint It Black by Janet Fitch is VERY good so far. Grabs your attention immediatly. Stay tuned for the final grade. It is tough to read before bed because the theme is rather depressing and I would rather have happy dreams if possible, so this one might take a while to finish.

Finally, I would like to address the gigantic crowd of over caffinated teens outside my office window. Yes, I understand that you are auditioning for So You Think You Can Dance? Yes, I know the weather is terrible in May and you are stuck outside hoping for your ticket to Vegas. No, I do not see the need to scream ever 7 minutes SO LOUD that I can hear you very clearly 2 blocks away 20+ floors up!

Sorry for being all over the place today! I hope there was a little something for everyone in there :-P Happy Thirsty Thursday (even though I can't remember the last time I actually celebrated this "holiday")... ugh so lame

Thank You

Thanks to my followers for joining my newbie blog...

Thanks to those that leave comments... I love coming back to check them out.

And thanks to my LEGS (note the improvement since my earlier Reflection) for taking me 4.4 miles in in 38 min 06 sec (a 9.05 mile/min pace) !

Finally, thank you to my credit card for buying me this and these (but in gold) and this (but from T.J. Maxx for $150 softest leather ever and it has a lepord interior lining )!!

Woot and Fitness

Technology fans I have found your bargin. This may not be a new site to some, but to me it is brand new. Woot hosts a sale of one item a day. It may be a laptop, an iTouch, a smart workout watch... etc. You can go to the site and buy the item if you would like with GREAT savings. Also a yellow "I want one!" button shows up on the screen when there are only a few left, so make your decision quickly!

Also at Fitness, you can "See yourself thinner" by logging in and uploading a picture of yourself. You enter your weight loss goals and they will e-mail you a picture of yourself once the goal has been attained. Talk about motivation!

Off to lunch... enjoy!

Designer Deals

Nordstrom is having a 33% off (or more) EVERYTHING sale!!!

My current debate is these vs. these vs. these!!

If heels are not your thing, enjoy these or these or these!!

Enjoy :-)

P.S. Shoes are my obsession. The sale is on everything in the store so feel free to shop all departments!!

TV, Working out, Shopping

DWTS FINALE LAST NGHT

Melissa- FAILED Monday night. SO sad and SO true. Way too many flips and ZERO dancing. She has such grace from ballet and wasted it by doing a terrible freestyle. She did pretty well (and looked amazing) in the dance off, but sadley, I am not thinking she deserves the title as much. Last night she brough it back (in one of my fav. dances of hers) but it was too late and she came in 3rd.

Shawn- BROUGHT HER A GAME! By far my favorite freestyle, and she managed to look very serious and keep very strong during the dance off. Super cute girl, did not mind her winning after that freestyle... and I am so proud of her and Mark for picking a dance to do last night that they did not previously get a perfect score on (but did last night)! Cutest girl ever.

Gille- Always a perfect dancer, but not very exciting last night. Shawn had much more drive and energy, and at this point in the competition you have to BRING IT... entertain AND get your steps right! SRY... See you later in Sex in the City II

WORKOUT

Monday I played around with some Pilates DVDs, but was not very inspired and quit. Yesterday I ran 4.12 miles in 37 minutes and felt amazing. Barely sweat was breathing fine totally relaxed just enjoying some me time in the great weather. The only bad part was I ran past Fenway and did not check the Red Sox schedule and got trampled by fans on their way to a game... I also found a guy running and followed him for the middle portion of my run. I know it's creepy but I LOVE IT when I find someone running at a perfect pace so I can just cruise behind them. He got me down to the Commons then I took Newbury back home! :-)

Today I plan to cycle for 40 min. which is annoying because it is so nice out, but my right knee has been hurting and I do not want to deal with joint damage or whatever the reason is I am not supposed to do my runs of back to back days.


SHOPPING

After work on Monday, I felt sick and needed fresh air so I went for a walk, and ended up in front of Macy's.

I bought a coral short sleeved cardigan with some crochet detail around the front edge (50% off!)... then I ended up at T.J. Maxx and bought a tan and black leather B. Makowsky bag with gold hardware and white patent leather accents for $148 (from $288). Next I picked up a tan Tommy H. shirt that was soo soft and had a large paisley type print on it. Might try to get pictures up of my bag at least... it is my new love affair...

Swimmers Beware

Warnings before trying swimming for exercise:
1) You need goggles- or else your eyes will be as red as a stoner's
2) You need a 1 piece- or else you bum will be seen my the entire lifeguard staff and random onlookers
3) You need ear plugs- I now have swimmer's ear which is PAINFUL
4) A swim cap is prefered- or else your hair will feel like hay

Now that you have learned from my mistakes, I will go over this week's workout and what is planned for the weekend. It may seem strange that I do this on Thursdays, but it is my way of pledging my weekend workout so that I actually do it instead of sleep allll day.

Monday- I did a cr@ppy lean legz workout in my apartment because I was too lazy to leave (very inspirational I know).
Tuesday- I ran 2 miles, walked for 15 min (4mph, 4% incline), did 30 easy minutes on the elliptical, and finished with 10 min. of easy cycling and then I went in the sauna (which everyone should do it is amazing).
Wednesday- Swam for 10 min alternating 2 laps of freestyle and 2 laps of breast stroke, treaded water for 1 min, and repeat. I am nowhere near in good enough shape to try those intervals I mentioned. Swimming is HARD and to be honest... a little boring.
Thursday- I will run another 2 miles today and to my lean legs workout... which I think I may have to get a new one soon...I am just so darn strong :-P
Friday- Technically my rest day, but I like to rest on Sundays so I think I will do the Rundown Routine and maybe some arm workouts...
Saturday- Hopefully get 3 miles in... It would be a nice way to undo some partying damage on my body...
Sunday- REST GOING TO CONCERT :-)

I worked late last night and didn't get to shop... Wish me luck today! Hopefully I will find some great things for my "Payday Picks" tomorrow! Happy Thursday!

Water, Water Everywhere

Happy Hump Day! Halfway through the week is quite a milestone. But on a more serious note:


I have been dehydrated since forever. I hate water. About a month ago my body lashed out on me because I never hydrate it. This has been the third incident in my life that has resulted from dehydration. My body was dry, zero water and only drinking coffee will do that to a person. My digestive system stopped working and I gained significant weight. I began feeling nauseous whenever I ate.

SO anyway, this began to get in the way of my daily activities. I also felt gross because my body was looking more balloon like each day. When I went to the doctor's a month ago they put that scope thing they listen to your heart with on my stomach. They could hear nothing. My body had quit on me. I had to take they next day off of work after x-rays showed that my situation was much worse than expected. Treatments made me feel sick, but now a month later I am beginning to do better. Or so I thought.


I go to run my silly 2 miles yesterday (which I did in 17 min 30 sec) but I went slower than last week and it felt harder. At first I thought it was that my legs were tired from wearing my extra tall extra fab. heels over the weekend, but then I realized that weird feeling was thirst. All the alcohol on the weekends dehydrates me and I dont sleep because I go out. Then I am tired and chug large amounts of coffee (dehydrating more). ENDLESS CYCLE. FAIL.


So between 6 and 11 PM I drank 5 water bottles. Still do not feel hydrated, but I just need to make sure I am conciously drinking at least 5-6 bottles a day. Good luck to me...


On a more positive note, I am going to try swimming today (bathing suit is packed and everything). I hear 20 laps is good so I am thinking I will do the pool intervals 4-5 times and then hopefully tread some water. But first I will be going to the thrifty T.J. Maxx to continue my never ending quest for style without bankruptcy.



Coming up:
Thursday- Weekly Workout Overview
Friday- Payday Picks