The Wallflower Goes Downtown

Hello, it's your self proclaimed wallflower here!  You can read all about my wallflower tendencies in this post if you missed it before.

This weekend was insanely busy and included me going "downtown" Saturday night and Sunday night.  This is basically unheard of.  Saturday night I went out for a Bachelorette party.  We started with dinner at The Melting Pot, which I thought was really fun.  It was a unique experience and the staff there were possibly the nicest people ever. 

After dinner we went downstairs to a club called Vin De Syrah.  It is described as if you are falling down the rabbit hole in Alice and Wonderland  and I would say that it a pretty accurate assessment.  The decor inside consists of umbrellas hanging from the ceiling, what I think was a giant chess board, ivy covered walls and oversized furniture. Time spent with the girls was really fun until the place got ridiculously crowded and some girl threw up on my feet.  Then there were the guys who were are lined up on the ledge behind the DJ surveying the women in search of the next notch they could put in their belt.  Maybe I'm put off because I'm not in the market for a husband or maybe it's because I think that approach is just plain trashy.  Regardless of why I felt that way it seemed a bit degrading, men take note.

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Sunday night Aaron and I went back downtown for a CD release party thrown by Spero  at the House of Blues.  Aaron grew up with the lead singer for the band and they are a pretty talented group.  You can check out their music here.  The company we were with that night was really fun too, but then there was the guy wearing a horse head mask that totally freaked me out.  Really? Who wears a mask that looks like a horse head when it isn't Halloween, or even when it is Halloween for that matter?!  Luckily that person left after the ear splitting metal head bands were done playing.

So overall I've learned I am entirely too observant and too sober of a person to be downtown often.  I also now know that my dance moves look like the kid in the orange shirt from this video clip:

With the weekend being so busy I only had time to plan and shop for Monday and Tuesday night dinners.  The best half has taken it upon themself to finish our meal planning for the week and grocery shop too! I'll be sure to share what he has decided we will be eating as soon as I know myself!

Monday: I won't be home for dinner so Aaron is having some Goulash recipe made with ground turkey and a side salad.

Tuesday: Tilapia Fillets over Organic wild rice, green salad and watermelon.

Have a wonderful Monday! 

High Five For Friday!

Why hello Friday, long time no see.  Actually it has been exactly six days, just like every other week, but who is counting?

Let's see: I didn't meal plan this week, I failed miserably at going to bed before 10, I've done three loads of laundry with no where to put it until our furniture arrives on Monday (we're two people, where does it all come from?!) and Marley hurt her leg running hot laps around the yard after her bath (She has since recovered).  Yep, this week has been interesting.  Linking up with Lauren, here are my top 5!

1) The sight of these three snuggled on one bed. 

Marley totally has the, "ugh, dad you are so embarrassing" look perfected.

2) Our finished floors and Kitchen. It's exactly as I pictured it would be only better. I think I fall in love with it all a little more each day if that is even possible. We just need our island and then we will be done done, but I consider this close enough! 

3) Organized wedding planning chaos.  Bits of stationary have been arriving throughout the week and more wedding related packages are on the way.  Checking the mail has been very exciting lately!

4) I had to try it.  Frozen treats are my weakness but with dairy and anything cold acting as a triggers for my asthma, I rarely have them.  That and the fact that I live about 35 minutes from any frozen yogurt place.  The verdict: It's unique.  The taste is a sour then sweet kind of concept.  Not terrible but I would probably go for a berry flavor if I were to try it again.

5) I'm basically addicted to the Discovery Channel and KPBS.  No I'm not 120 years old.  I just can't help being a nerd.  I really got sucked into the Planet Earth series on the Discovery channel a few years ago and I am so frikin' excited because I found out that the North America version of the series starts next month!  It is going to be better than awesome.  You can see a preview, and get sucked in, by clicking on the squirrel.  You are welcome.

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For those following Parker's fight against cancer and his progress, he is back in the hospital and his white blood cell count is very low.  If you live in the area, and are able to, please donate blood to the SD Blood Bank and give them Parker's code "ps08".  They will take any type and simply replace what they use for him with what you have donated.  Please keep those prayers coming!  

#teamparker4life, #prayersforparker

Mini Mud Room & Montage Wall

Hello there!  I was a total flake on Monday, please accept my sincerest apologies.  After our weekend at the river we came home to finished floors, which meant we needed to move back into our house.  Needless to say it is now Wednesday, we're about halfway moved in and currently sleeping in our own guest room because our bedroom furniture won't be delivered until Monday.  Oh yeah and there are these things known as school and work that I have to fit in somewhere too. It has been an exhausting couple of days. So there you have it, my string of lame excuses as to why I did not meal plan this week and why I failed to write on Monday.  

Now that our major interior projects are complete it's time to decorate. We are working on making a small mud room near our back door.  Here is what inspired us:

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And we're also working on the montage wall in our dining room behind our table, which will include prints like these:

 

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Oh and I can't forget landscaping our yard and tending to our vegetable garden......oh and getting married!  I suppose our "house" may not have huge projects left but those "in our house" sure do.

Until Friday..........  

High Five For Friday!

Happy Friday to you!  Here are my top 5 from this week!

1) The floors have finally arrived!  Aside from our kitchen counters, this is the part of our remodel I have been looking forward to the most.  The installers say they should be finished this afternoon, which would be perfect since we have new furniture coming on Monday!  Seriously so excited!

              

2) We got our engagement pictures back!  You can see a video montage that our photographer Andy made for us on your phone here or on you computer here.  There are also additional photos here.

3) Our plants are doing so well.  Almost every single type of seed we planted has begun to sprout.  I've never grown a garden with such a variety and I really hope these all produce so I can spend more time in our yard and less time in the produce section of our grocery store.

4) The Neon run was last Saturday and my lungs totally held up, it was awesome!  There was a moment where we had to run through a fog tent and I was worried, but my lungs didn't let me down.  The race was pretty disorganized so I don't have a time but if I had to estimate I'd say we ran in in about 27-28 minutes, not too bad for a girl with Asthma. It was really fun to get out and run with my co-workers and even more fun that Aaron was able to come and support me.

5) This dog. I swear.  Maya & Marley have been spending their days at my Brother and Sister-in-Law's house while construction has gone on at ours.  My brother has two Golden Retrievers so our girls have enjoyed the play time.  Maya is weirdo, she always has been.  She loves to lick your arm and if you are petting her she has to have a paw on you the whole time.  Well last night, she was so tired from playing the last two days that she fell asleep sitting like a rabbit while I was petting her.  I love her.....and the much less weird Marley too.

Thank you to those who have prayed, and continue to pray, for our nephew's friend Parker as he fights to conquer cancer.  He began his first 5 day round of chemo this week.  There is a support page set up on Facebook that can be accessed through this link: Team Parker for Life.  I wanted to get this information out to as many people as I can so that the number of people praying for Parker can grow. If you are praying for him please "like" the page so he can watch his support grow and share with your friends too! For those of you who have sent e-mails asking about things that can be done to help the family, a fundraiser has been set up through this link: Prayers for Parker.  The donations here will make it possible for his parents to stay with him throughout his entire battle.  No amount is too small and I know every last penny is greatly appreciated! #prayersforparker 

E-Pic Favorites!

I can't wait to marry this guy.  That is all.

Photos taken by Andy King from King Photography Studio in San Diego, CA

Influenster SweetHeart VoxBox Review!

Remember this photo?  

Influenster SweetHeart VoxBox!

If you follow me on Instagram you may remember seeing this back in February.  I was lucky enough to receive one of Influenster's SweetHeart VoxBoxes a while back filled with fun goodies to sample.  The items in this box were provided to me free of charge but the opinions in this post are entirely my own and I am not being compensated monetarily for writing about them.  So what did I think?!

Not Your Mother’s She’s A Tease Volumizing Hairspray:  I wanted to love this, I really did.  Truth is, it did nothing for my hair.  I have pretty fine and straight hair so creating volume takes effort.  This product claims you can simply spray it at your roots and the volume will simply hold, not this case on my head.  Even when I backcombed my hair first and then sprayed, the volume didn’t hold.  Maybe it’s just me and my unruly hair.

Skinnygirl Daily On-the-Go Bar Dark Chocolate Multi-Grain Pretzel: I love the Skinnygirl cocktails products but I think they missed the mark on this one.  The bar was very dry.  I never really understood what people meant when something tasted like cardboard but now I’m pretty sure I get it.  That, on top of the fact that they sell for $12.99 for a box of 5 on the website means I won’t be purchasing any other flavors just to try them out.

Olay Fresh Effects (Va-Va-Vivid!) Powered Contour Cleansing System: Again, wanted to love but couldn’t.  I have incredibly sensitive skin so I can’t put my distaste all on Olay.  Initially when using the system it feels like your face is really clean but when I went to moisturize afterwards my skin felt like there was a soapy residue left on it from the "all day oil absorbing" cleanser.  Needless to say my skin was broken out by the afternoon.  I even convinced the best half to try it (he who laughs when i suggest he exfoliate).  This guy can spend a week on the fire line his and his skin is still clear.  I’m super jealous.  His skin broke out after using the cleanser that came with the system too.

Secret Clinical Strength Stress Response: I loved this!  The serene citrus scent smelled so fresh and the product really worked well.  I’m typically not one to use deodorants with aluminum in them because it can be absorbed through your skin and after having a mass under each of my armpits when I was 21, I tend to be overly cautious.  That being said, I still really loved the product and would recommend it to anyone I know who currently uses an antiperspirant. 

I hope your Wednesday is wonderful!

The Meal Plan Monday that Wasn't & Boston

I completely failed at posting a meal plan yesterday.  I think it is safe to say we are "winging" things this week since our floor installation begins tomorrow, which means our oven will have a new home in the garage until the construction is done.  

In addition,  after what happened in Boston yesterday, I just don't feel comfortable hopping into a standard blog post and not acknowledging the tragedy. 

 What I will acknowledge is my extreme anger with those who feel it is necessary to show graphic photos of the event on social media sites, especially Facebook. I've de-friended two people over this so far.  Granted they probably have no idea they've been de-friended or if they know, probably don't care.  Whatever.  

We all know it happened and if we felt so inclined we could hop right on over to CNN and flip through a gallery of the event that I'm sure they had up minutes after the devastation.  Do people really think they are doing a service to those involved by exploiting their mangled bodies all over the Internet?  Have some respect people.  Do something truly helpful  like donating blood or donating to the Red Cross. 

1 Peter 5:6-7 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

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High Five for Friday & Prayers for Parker

High Five For Friday Friends!  Linking up with Lauren.

1) I made this Quinoa Mac & Cheese for dinner and I have to say I was surprised at how much I loved it.  You should try it.....seriously.  So easy to make and so delicious.

2) I'm taking the last class in my undergrad career before my Capstone Project is due next month.  The only thing better than being this close to the end is the fact that my professor is absolutely wonderful.

  

3)  These are two of my latest addictions.  I put the mixed granola on the greek yogurt I have with my lunch and the granola chips are the perfect mid-morning snack while I'm working away.  Both are incredibly flavorful and packed with healthy ingredients. 

4) Our house is finally ready for the new floors that will be installed next week!  Our house is essentially empty, minus the dog bed, our bed and these two chairs so it feels like we're moving out even though we aren't.  It is weird to think that after a year and a half of construction, most of which we have done ourselves with the help of our fathers, the projects inside will be done.  We plan to add an island to the kitchen and two more cabinets but I don't really count those.  I can't wait to get outside and work on our yard!

5) The Neon Run is tomorrow night!  This will be my first run since I started treatments for my asthma almost 7 months ago.  I feel pretty fortunate to work with such an active and motivating group of people and I'm excited to get out and run with them tomorrow.  I'm a little nervous about how my asthma will be with the cold air but I have to test my lungs sometime!

In news unrelated to H54F, our nephew Ryder who is in Kindergarden, has a friend (and son/grandson of family friends) who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma on Wednesday and has a large tumor above one of his kidneys.  If you happen to be a person who prays I ask that you join us in praying for Parker and his family as he embarks on this journey to beat cancer. A multitude of thanks in advance.

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. -Pslam 55:22 

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.-Romans 8:24-25 

I hope you enjoy your weekend!  

"Fitness" and Body Image: A Rant

It has been a little while since I've gone on a good rant and let me tell you, this one is long overdue.  I'll probably ruffle a few feathers but that's okay.

I wish all of America would adopt Jennifer Lawrence's view on fitness and body image.  In an interview with Elle Magazine she said the following about her role as Katniss, the lead character of The Hunger Games   trilogy, "I’m never going to starve myself for a part… I don’t want little girls to be like, ‘Oh, I want to look like Katniss, so I’m going to skip dinner. That’s something I was really conscious of during training, when you’re trying to get your body to look exactly right. I was trying to get my body to look fit and strong- not thin and underfed." Or perhaps Drew Barrymore when she said, "God made a very obvious choice when he made me voluptuous; why would I go against what he decided for me?  My limbs work, so I'm not going to complain about the way my body is shaped."

Source          Source

PREACH IT SISTERS! PREACH IT!

Totally not sorry for the outburst.

I have recently noticed a significant increase in the popularity of extreme fitness and dietary regimens amongst the female population.  I don't like it one bit!  Don't get me wrong, I am all about being fit, eating healthy and exercising......just not to the extreme. As a female, when your body stops functioning the way it should as the result of a low BMI or low percentage of body fat, there's an issue.  Having studied psychology quite a bit in my undergrad probably doesn't help my opinion of these lifestyles either. I'm just so tired of society telling women how they should be.  Three years ago we were supposed to be anorexic and now we're supposed to be body builders.  How do you keep up? You don't.  At least this girl doesn't.

I don't flip tires nor do I have the desire to be able to (ouch, my back!)

Exercise does not come before my home or my education, it's a priority but not #1.

I do not deprive myself of anything. Wine can help preserve your memory and Dark Chocolate can help lower your blood pressure so there!

I love being active outdoors, walking my dogs, running, training for races and hiking with my friends/coworkers.  I also love experimenting and cooking new healthy foods and snacks.  That being said, there are rainy days where I sit inside by the fire watching movies and I don't feel bad about it.  I also love the smell of freshly baked cookies and I love eating them more.

Fitness is subjective and this is only my opinion, which really shouldn't mean much. I know someone out there is thinking, "who does this stick think she is talking about body image and fitness."  Thank you for letting me rant, now my sister can be spared her daily baragge of text messages on the subject. Happy Wednesday!

Meal Plan Monday!

Here I am back at Monday, weekends seem to fly by these days!

This weekend we took the girls to a rattlesnake aversion class.  Maya had been through the class last year and this was Marley's first time. Maya didn't even want to go in the yard where the snakes were because she remembered the sound and scent from her training last year.  They literally had to pull her around the yard because she wanted nothing to do with the snakes.  I was such a proud pet parent.  Marley quickly realized snakes were not to be played with practically refused to walk through the course her second time.  If you live in an area with rattlesnakes I highly recommend the training because it works.  

When we got home I went to work removing the rest of the base boards and tack strips from our guest room and dining room in preparation for the installation of our new floors.  I was under close supervision and Marley took her carpet holding duties very seriously.

What's for dinner this week?

Monday: Homemade Pizza and Antipasto Salad

Tuesday: Spicy Chicken Wraps (I promise these will happen this week!)

Wednesday: Quinoa Mac&Cheese with Sautéed Kale

Thursday: Stir Fry

Friday: Roasted Sweet Potato & Black Bean Enchiladas from Peas and Thank You

I hope your week is off to a wonderful start, what will you be eating?!

High Five For Friday!

Happy, happy, happy Friday! This week

has flown by. Here are my top five for the week!

1) Aaron made my lunch on Monday morning. I'm usually a fruits/granola/yogurt girl for lunch so this peanut butter & jelly sandwich was a nice change of pace. He even cut it diagonally, just the way I like it!

2) THESE shoes came in the mail this week. I love them. The first time I ordered them I was sent an electric blue pair by mistake. I'm so happy my choice did not sell out before I was able to return the wrong pair.

3) We finally had our engagement session yesterday! I didn't mention it was coming up because every time I mentioned it before it fell through. We also met the nicest stranger mid shoot who definitely made the afternoon even better! PS: 4 hours of photos is exhausting!

4) I survived another conference with my work. For the last three years I've been on the planning committee coordinating our team building exercises. This year the activities included gumdrops, toothpicks, puzzles and an egg hunt. I'm glad those 16 or so hour days are over!

5) I discovered this little stationary and gift shop inside of Cotton On called Typo. I'm in love with the place. It is pretty small but I could have spent a good hour in there. I picked up a few things for our photo session that will now add to our bedroom decor.

I hope you've had an excellent week and a wonderful weekend!

Linking up with Lauren!

Meal Plan Monday!

Happy April Fools Day! Let's hope we don't get caught up in all of those super unfunny make you feel dumb hilarious pranks!  Even Google is in on the trickery today.  You can see what I'm talking about here.

 

So this is the point in my post where I insert my foot directly into my mouth because clearly I spoke too soon about our floors on Friday.

 

Such a mess!

 

When removing the tile and base boards in the pantry we found water damage (that caused mold) had been hidden by the previous owners of our home.  With all of the remolding we have done I have to say we have ben so fortunate to only hit minor hiccups so one, slightly larger than minor hiccup isn't to bad.  Par for the course right?  So, instead of having the floors installed this week we are having the old pipes replaced since they are already exposed and then we'll re-drywall the pantry/back kitchen and be ready for floors next week. 

 

So with my pantry in the garage, our new kitchen all askew, and my long work days this week, dinners will be somewhat "winged" this week.  Here is what we plan on eating:

 

Monday: Spicy Chicken Burgers

Tuesday: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

Wednesday: Crock Pot Sloppy Joes (bump from last week)

Thursday: Artichoke & Ripe Olive Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Friday: He doesn't know it yet but I think I'm going to try an convince Aaron to go to Sushi on Friday.  It's my spring break before my 8 weeks in college and I'm spending it working crazy hours so I think it's only fair to have dinner together where neither of us has to cook or clean in honor of spring break.

 

Happy Monday!