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Friday, April 26, 2013

my true love...


Aaron and I have been "wedding planning" for about five seconds now. and already in this brief amount of time I can easily say that I would be lost without Kayla.  she has been emailing the crap out of me with tips, tricks, and how-to's.  and the best thing about her... she is genuinely supportive of all my ever-changing crazy and off the wall ideas.

so anyhow, I just wanted to take a second to mention how much I appreciate her crazy butt.  love you Kayla!!

also, everybody should have snapchat. it is the best app ever!! ;)   

XXO Amanda

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Thursday, April 25, 2013

it's about damn time...

for this post I mean. sometimes I get busy and just don't have time to post. I know...
it is shameful. especially when there are people much busier than myself posting regularly.
however, I am not sure if you heard my latest excuse...  I got engaged!!

since then I have been busy visiting the lovely (and one of my favorites) city of Chicago


I also went to Maryland and Washington DC.  [this might be on the verge of too much information]
I love traveling... but my stomach? not so much. will I let that stop me? heck no!!


for right now I think that is all I have been up too... oh and planning a wedding.
because Aaron and I can't do anything the "easy" way, it will be happening in September!

I'll see you guys Monday :)

XXO Amanda

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Thursday, April 18, 2013

we have a guest, and she brought dinner!

Hello!
While Amanda is off gallivanting around Chicago, I am stuck in Michigan (and writing a post for her). 
I’m Kalie & I blog over at With Style & Grace

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Amanda instructed me I must do a recipe post [it is Thursday after all] and I agreed. Thinking I would have some time to cook something healthy (she said cookies wouldn’t count). Well, I fooled myself. I am finishing up my MBA program this semester and it is kicking my butt. As I am writing this I’m at 34 pages and counting on my paper. Then I have a presentation and 1 more paper to write. The end is in sight.

Anyways… So instead of the chicken teriyaki stir fry I was planning on sharing, you get my go to in the summer, chicken kabobs. Even though they aren’t really a recipe per say, I will share my method with you.

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The night before you want to make these, cube your chicken and throw it in a giant Ziploc bag along with some garlic and Zesty Italian dressing. I do one half fat free & one half regular since you need some oil in there. Leave it to marinate overnight in the fridge so your chicken will taste yummy.

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If you are feeling productive, go ahead and cut up your veggies now too, and marinate them as well. If you’re like me, you are doing the chicken at 9pm and don’t want to deal with veggies then. So you can do this the next day too.

I typically use a combination of red onions, mushrooms, red and green peppers, squash, zucchini, carrots and pineapple if I am feeling adventurous. Try to keep your veggies kind of large so they don’t turn mushy since the chicken will take some time to cook.

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Oh, I almost forgot, if you don’t have fancy metal skewers, throw the bamboo ones in some water to soak for an hour ahead of time. If not they wind up really nice and crispy!

Now the fun time - put all your veggies & the chicken on the skewers, and take them out to the grill! My grill is quite sad, but it is all I can have since I live in an apartment without a balcony.

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Grill ’em til the chicken is done.

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That’s it. Pretty simple, and healthy too. I normally don’t serve it with anything else, but sometimes I cook up a little rice too. Or serve it with strawberry shortcake goodness for dessert.


Come visit me & make sure to let me know you are stopping by from Amanda’s blog!

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Wednesday, April 17, 2013

strong is the new skinny

If you've been around on Amanda's blog for very long I'm sure you've seen my face...
if not, let me introduce myself!

Hi, I'm 7 & still wear big headbands.

I'm Kayla and I blog over at My Kind of Yellow! There you'll find me talking about
1. my wedding next month!
2. working out.
3. food, and lots of it.

Amanda and I have been chatting for quite some time now. 98% of all of our conversations are typically about how many miles we ran, what cereal we had for breakfast, or what type of food we're craving. & if you're wondering...its sushi...its always sushi.

Caleb and I had been doing Insanity for about 25 days (almost in a row)...and then life really decided to get in the way of our schedules. We got approved for the apartment, moved him in the next week, volunteered weekly at church, all the while his parents took a new job opportunity in Arkansas so we helped them move out... and would ya look at that!? Two weeks had gone by and our workout schedule was shot.

We decided Insanity was just not for us at the time, it was stressful and draining. DON'T get me wrong...it will get you FIT! However, it was just too much for our busy schedules. So, we decided to start running. There's something about running that gives me a sense of accomplishment...a feeling I never really felt with Insanity. So, March 30th, Caleb and I started to run together. Lemme tell ya, there's somethin' about havin a hot man next to you working out, motivation at its finest, my friends.

When April 1 hit, I decided to give myself a challenge. To run 40 miles throughout the period of this month. 


Every single day that I run, I'm feeling stronger... although I'm very sore, I'm feeling good.

So you want a change in your life? GET ON THE TRACK.
Not a runner?
Then I'd find yourself  a workout that you actually enjoy.
I prefer Zumba, but I don't want to pay a $5 charge whenever I want to go.
Also, sign up for My Fitness Pal, its a FREE and easy.
The website helps you set up goals, caloric intake, and measurements. 

It's definitely not easy...the workouts.
They hurt, and some days I just want to face plant into the treadmill...
but it will be worth it soon enough.

Stop on over to my blog and say hi! I'd love to get to know you!!
If you have any tips for me on how to stop craving Krispy Kreme donuts, sushi,
and sweet tea on a daily basis...get at me! ;)

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I cannot tell you guys how much I love Kayla.  she is the most motivational and positive person that you are ever going to meet.  even if you don't think you need someone like that in your life, you totally do.  I email her daily and she pushes me and I push her.  we make a great workout team even though we are never together!  go to her blog and make friends, you will not regret it one bit!! -amanda  

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

a fashion blogger gets pissed

since I am have gallivanting, I have a special treat for you all.
one of my favorite bloggers has come to relieve me of my duties.
I think you are really going to enjoy Chris' version of Ticked Off Tuesday.
it goes without saying that I giggled multiple times so I know you will too.

have fun and I will see you guys on Friday!

 

XXO Amanda

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Oh hey there This iS My Real Hair friends! 
I'm Chris and I blog over at Chubbette Tales... Life after Spanx


While Miss Amanda is away, I'm here to play. Normally I talk a ton about jewelry and lots of girly things, but today is all about Ticked Off Tuesday and while there isn't really a whole lot of things that get me foaming at the mouth angry, there are plenty of things that irritate me to no end. 

this IS my real hair

Here we go...

I live in Chicago so when the weather goes above 30 degrees some of us consider it a heat wave.



But here's the thing, if you're wearing a sweater and Ugg boots, it's probably a smart idea to wear pants instead of shorts. And you probably shouldn't complain about how you want a hot drink because you're cold. News flash... you forgot to put your pants on. Of course you're cold.

Another thing that irritates me is when my husband, no matter how many times I nag him, still can't manage to put his socks in the hamper. Maybe I should just get over it and not let it get to me so mad.


But I just can't. I can't explain it, it just bothers the crap out of me. I've talked to my husband about Choices/Consequences. Have you heard of this? I'll tell you... If he chooses to leave his nasty socks on the floor rather than put them in the hamper, then he will suffer the consequences of my wrath. Choices/Consequences. He still continues to do this so I'm convinced he's doing this on purpose to mess with my mind.

The last thing I'll share with you is probably the one thing that absolutely pisses me off the most. Bad Parking. I think people who park horribly are assholes. Yeah, I said it... assholes. Check it out.



I think it's horribly rude and selfish when someone takes up two parking spots. And I especially hate it when it's a luxury car. If you need to take up two parking spaces because you don't want anyone near your car then you probably shouldn't be driving it around... asshole. This is why I've decided to take back the streets by placing these cards on every car that's parked like an asshole. 



Like them? You can get them here

I hope you enjoyed my Ticked Off Tuesday. Just in case you want to come over and say hello you can find me here.

Thanks for having me, Miss Amanda!

Monday, April 15, 2013

this [birthday] bitch!

so April 14th marked the day of birth of my best friend ever. no no silly, not Aaron!
my best friend ever in life Breanna! oh boy. I have known this individual for far too long.


you know those shirts that jokingly say, "You and I will always be friends -- You know too much about me."
it is not a joke... these shirts were designed for us.  and I am sure most best friends feel this way.
we have been through a lot of things... and we haven't always been friends. but we always find our way back to one another.  we are like our very own wolf pack, if you know what I mean. and if you don't, please exit.
she is wild and she is crazy, but I usually love it.  it is so rare not to see her in a good mood.


it is important to have friends like that, especially when you are grumpy like me :)
we already went to New York City this year and now for her birthday we are in Chicago.
hopefully California comes next year. we are just two crazy white bitches on a traveling spree. 
but I wouldn't want to see all these places with any other girl.  Breanna is my best and favorite friend.
I would be 100% lost without her... we talk all day everyday and don't make choices without one another.
come to think of it... I think we might be in a relationship? oh well. at least she pays ;)

so happy birthday beef! I hope 25 treats you as well as you treat everybody else.
I love you!!

XXO Amanda

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Thursday, April 11, 2013

you look a lot less like a pumpkin now

I'm not really sure that this photo needs any explanation... its just me having a great time driving a land boat.
my stomach isn't feeling very well today so I'm not really feeling very motivated to write.
Aaron and I went for a 7.5 mile bike ride yesterday in the horrible MI weather so my butt hurts too.
I think I am just going to take it really easy today and come back tomorrow with a real post.
until then, I will give you another amazing photo.  please enjoy and I'll see you back here tomorrow!

XXO Amanda

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Tuesday, April 9, 2013

winner, winner, what should I have for dinner...

I just completed my final weigh-in for the DeitBet that I have been participating in.
the results of this experience were quite pleasing, seeing as I started the bet at 167.0lbs.
I know it is really negative of me to say... but I hope just a few people lost so that I can win.
win more than my original bet I mean.  I really want to participate in another round.
the idea of winning money for doing something that you plan on doing is a pretty sweet deal.

yesterday was Week 4-Day 1 of my 10k trainer app [basically the same thing as couch25k]
it felt pretty chilly out [and I was being a real cry baby] so I went to the gym first and rode the bike.
I only did 4 miles for about 15 minutes but it warmed me up and then I was ready to go.
sad to say, I was unable to finish the entire run because I forgot my inhaler. so professional I know.
I made it just past half way. if the weather is as planned today I might try to redo it this afternoon.

looking forward to another day and I hope that you are too!

XXO Amanda

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Monday, April 8, 2013

a little too much information

Friday I took Aaron to a doctor's appointment for his back. which is still an ongoing issue.
we thought this would be a fairly standard OMM appointment, as per usual, it turned out not to be.
since this has been such a serious and chronic problem, the doctor suggested trying something new.
Aaron went ahead and tried prolotherapy which basically means he got a bunch of shots in the back.


just so you know, I have never in my life seen a needle this big.
I was quite sure that I was not going to make it. the entire time I thought I might pass right out.
but like the amazing girlfriend I am [who should most certainly have a ring on it] I stood by him.
yeah so that was a great surprise for a Friday morning. he, of course, ended up staying home from work.
he has also been in a ton of pain all weekend. meaning, no activities have occurred regardless of the weather.
I just hope this works in the long run. I can give up one weekend now if it helps him for many in the future.

switching gears to something more positive and a lot more exciting! do you know what this week is?
I go to Chicago this week with Breanna! I really can't even wait to get out of boring ol' Michigan.
we are leaving on Sunday so I am probably getting ahead of myself with excitement... but whatever.
the weather looks great for right now so lets hope that doesn't change too much in the next 7-10 days.
I just have to suffer through some extra school work this week before we go... should be great.

hope you all have an amazing Monday. I must go tend to my fitness. see you tomorrow!

XXO Amanda

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Tuesday, April 2, 2013

selling my soul?

I am selling a lot, but I hope it doesn't get that far! but at this point I don't really know what our plan is... however, what I do know is that Aaron and I went through the house and made a list. we are selling everything that we think we can do without. then whatever money we can make off of that stuff will be going towards paying off Aaron's car.

once we have the car paid off, the remaining debt we have will be very limited. if we could sell our house, we would be completely free to do whatever. we are going to live as poor as possible, save and sell anything we can. I am registering for a class that will be on campus until January 2014, which means we can't do anything too drastic until then, which gives us plenty of time to save and make a more serious plan. a plan that definitely involves a lot of travel!

I have been talking to Michelle a lot and it has me questioning what Aaron and I are doing.  why start such a boring, day to day, work life already? there is so much time for that! right now I am working on finding a part-time something to save up some money.  This way I can still focus on school and working on Aaron's business. 

so anyway.. that's what's up with me!