Top Five

Sometimes when you are sick the only way you can come up with new ideas is to steal them.

However, I am one of those people who do not believe it is stealing if I say thank you and make it known where the idea came from. With all of that said, thank you Helene, without your list of blog post ideas, I would have nothing to write about today!

Topic #16: My Top 5 Instagram Photos

1. This is the very first photo I took with my engagement ring.

It was an amazing day and I could not wait to post a photo to let all my blog/social media friends know what had just happened. Obviously, I had to tell all of my family members first... but of course they all already knew!

You can read all about that stuff HERE

2. This is my little poop in her doggy jail.

Actually, in all honesty, Kalie loves her "home". She feels safe in there, regardless of what's happening outside. And she knows that we always come back to let her out. Clearly, she told me all of these things (with her ear).

All we do is say, "Kalie, go home," and she trots off into her crate and waits for her cookie.

3. A detailed shot of my intensive meal prep.

I find my life so much easier, for me when I have everything ready at the end of the night. I get in these moods where I don't want to take care of myself, and having my meals prepped keeps me from dining out or ordering pizza (usually).

It's not a very good photo really... but I think its popular because of the idea behind it.

4. Excellent, a terrifying before/after (before/during) photo.

It's not that I have the illusion that I would look good, right now, from the angle on the left, it's really just that I cannot believe I ever looked like that at all. It is such a weird feeling to look back on photos and not remember being the person you are seeing.

Make sure you get caught up on my weight loss "journey" HERE

5. My absolute favorite engagement photo.

I don't even know what else to say about that. I love Aaron, I love the look he is giving me, I love water, and I love sail boats. This picture ended up being perfect in every way. Except that Aaron hates boats and water...

See, its still great because it explains our relationship so well: complete opposites.

15 Questions & 11 Bad Photos

Breanna and I have been friends for, what feels like, forever (in a good way!). I think that a lot of times through blogging/reading blogs you get, somewhat, introduced to "characters" but their story is never really given the opportunity to develop. So, I thought it might be fun to give a little more insight into Breanna, as her own person, and also our friendship. This little exercise was actually quite informative and entertaining for us too, which is always good.

1.  How and when did you meet? 

A: high school. although we weren't friends at that time - not even close! that story is probably long enough for it's own post entirely.
 
B: I know that we met in the summer of 2003. We met because she was the BFF of the guy I was starting to date at the time (ew). I do not recall our first actual meeting, but I can tell you it was a lot of love and hate before REALLY loving each other :-) 

Thank god that guy is gone now... ew.

2.  What is your favorite memory together? 

A: we have so many amazing times together... picking one is really difficult. 

I think I would have to say that my favorite is probably from my wedding. she went to work that day! she helped me take my underwear off when it didn't fit. she helped me in the restroom. and she even reached WAY up my dress (no underwear remember) to undo my corset thing when I thought I might die. she was also the one that helped me finally get out of the dress at the end of the night. 

I think it's my favorite because of how much I was counting on her, and how she met exceeded every expectation. 

B: This has taken me the longest and still I find it impossible to answer. 

Her and I have known each other 11 years. Been true best friends for lets say...at least 7-8 of them. Her and I have basically been through it all. She is truly the only friend that I am never scared of losing because I know it won't happen. The only reason I know this is because we have lost each other, more than once, but we always come back. 

My favorite memory? All of them. From, her threatening to set my pants on fire back in high school to standing next to her on her wedding day saying "I do" to the perfect man for her. I'm the girl that had to take her to her own wedding engagement and NOT let on in anyway what was about to happen. Maybe that's one of my top favorites. lol she was in straight bitch mode until she actually realized what was happening. 

Basically, I love her. Always will. She's my beef.

3.  Describe each other in ONE word. 

A: "good" 

we fight sometimes, sometimes I might feel like shes falling down on the bff job (probably jealousy), but I always know that she cares and means well. she is a good person, even when she doesn't feel like she wants to be, she just really can't help it.

B: Tough one but I'll go with "commonsensical". 

She has her crazy moments, but I give her mad props on her constant attempt to see every situation from BOTH sides. That and she can always bring me back to a calmer place in my head when my anxiety goes haywire and I panic about my life lol

4.  What's your favorite makeup brand? 

A: oooo what a tough question! I can't pick just one, so I will pick one high-end and one drugstore brand. 

high-end: probably... benefit? (yeah I really don't think I can pick one thing... I'm not very committed)

drugstore: L'Oreal or Maybelline (i suck at making decisions)
 
B: Cheap! But no seriously, I do wear makeup but I'm not loyal to any one brand. I buy whatever looks good at the time. However, I suppose I have a lot of E.L.F. Like I said...cheap lol

5.  What is something that annoys you about the other person? 

A: if Breanna is in a place where she is just not ready to hear what you are saying, she will read a text message and respond to the one portion that she can argue with and completely ignore the rest of what you are saying. it is her way of denial without denying lol
 
B: The moments when she's NOT willing to "hear you out" or "see your side". When she not willing to accept your side of a story or whatever, she basically shuts out anything you try to say to convince her and she makes this FACE. A face that makes me want to slap a bitch.

6.  Have you ever liked the same person? 

A: hahahahahaha. probably more than once. it's far too embarrassing to name names.

B: I guess technically, yes. But at different times. 
The guy I mention in question one- she dated for like....a month? But before I had known them. 

Her liking him apparently was short lived, his, not so much. He still confessed his love for her while dating me.  
Screw adolescence.

7.  If you could go anywhere in the world together, where would it be and why? 

A: every time I go anywhere new with Aaron, I almost immediately want to go back and take Breanna. we (almost) always have such a great time doing nothing at all, that I know she will make any vacation more interesting and more fun.

currently I would have to say California. seeing California with a girl would be a much different experience than what Aaron and I had.
 
B: Honestly, I know her and I have already experienced NYC together. However, a dream trip, with her, would be another trip there. Just her and I, staying in a super nice hotel room on the upper east side, and just being able to live like upper class New yorkers for a short while lol 

Basically, if our lives could temporarily mirror the lives on Gossip Girl, I'd be thrilled.

8.  Who takes longer to get ready in the morning? 

A: I think it really depends... if we are getting ready for something together, then I definitely take longer. but in general, I find myself waiting on her ass all the time!

B: if we aren't being lazy as shit, easily her. Her hair alone can take her probably an hour. I can shower, dry and style my hair, get dressed and do my makeup typically within 40 mins.

9.  Favorite Season? 

A: fall.

obviously. it has the cutest outfits and all the boots!
 
B: I am not a person who can ever pick 1 favorite of anything. So, my answer will consist of both Summer and Fall. 

Basically for all the typical white girl reasons.

10.  Heels or Flats?
 
A: is both an option? 

of course I love heels more because of the looks, but I am a wuss and mostly wear flats for comfort.
 
B: HEELS. 

Don't get me wrong, I still suffer from being in a lot of pain in heels but I can't stop the addiction. My body still has improving to do but my legs are one of my best assets and when I put on a tall pair of heels, hot damn ;-)

11.  Pants or Dresses? 

A: when I am shopping, dresses almost always win over. when I am getting dressed I rarely wear dresses at all. I am forever in a struggle with myself.
 
B: Leggings. 

Amanda does not consider those to be pants but I CAN NOT stop loving them. It has actually gotten to the point where people actually think I look odd when I finally do where jeans.

12.  Android or iPhone? 

A: iPhone all. day. long. I have had my share of Android phones and they were all garbage, could be user error but whatever, my iPhone has never let me down!
 
B: umm. I dont really care either way. if I like it, I like it, regardless of brand. 

I do currently have an iPhone though.

13.  What is something weird that you eat?

A: I can eat an entire jar of pickles in one sitting. or bacon, extra sharp cheddar cheese, and pickles...
 
B: There are plenty of things I am sure, but truthfully, the VERY first thing that came to mind is mashed potatoes mixed with corn and ketchup. Yes. Its true.

I have, in the past, mixed these 3 ingredients together (MANY times) and loved it. 

14.  Do you guys have anything matching? 

A: we usually like to buy completely different things so that we can always share... but I'm sure we have something that matches.
 
B: I'm sure we do. Nothing of major significance. 

We do, very often, exchange clothes back and forth. Sometimes just to borrow temporarily, other times, its been something like me giving her back a garbage bags worth of clothes that she had "donated" to me 2 years previous.

15.  What's your favorite Starbucks drink? 

A: hot: tall nonfat white mocha. 
cold: grande nonfat iced caramel macchiato.

sometimes I get soy too... depends on my stomach that day.
 
B: BRAH. Hands down, Granda Non-fat Salted Caramel Mocha Frap with whip. 
if I get extra caramel, even better. But that salt....omg. 

Salted Caramel Mocha trumps Pumpkin Spice Latte.

How to Spell :: Segue

Aaron is starting a new job next week, so, in true back to school fashion, we started going to bed earlier and waking up earlier. We went to bed around 9:30pm on Sunday night, then got up at 6:00am Monday morning. During that time, I woke up approximately 1 million times (precise calculation). My head is hurting, my nose is stuffy, my throat is scratchy, and I have this weird cough situation happening. Overall, I am feeling like crap fantastic.

I am clearly doing something wrong, I got a cold when we were in California too. I promise that I wash my hands. Maybe it's because I work with money? Money is so dirty and it smells. Speaking of work, what a perfectly placed segue...

I had a job interview today! I am trying my best not to get my hopes up (due to all of my recent rejection), but it's pretty difficult not to. For a long time I wanted a less stressful/non-career oriented position. However, I think I feel the opposite now... I am extremely bored and I am ready to take on some challenges. This routine of mine is worn out.

Try as I might, I am very excited and hoping/praying that I get the job and a new twist in life.

year one :: paper

As nontraditional as I think my relationship with Aaron is, I have also always thought that sticking to the traditional anniversary gifts would be a fun. So, in keeping with the traditional anniversary schedule, I have successfully celebrated year one with a gift of paper. And if I am being honest, which obviously I am, I am quite proud of myself.

As a person, wife, sister, friend (all that stuff), I am a pretty good mixture of mushy and silly. I don't like to be super emotional all the time, but I can always find the time to be serious. That's why I thought this book was really great. It's paper, and it gave me an outlet for my whole personality.

It had questions like, "I know I first loved you when..." something I answered with a really heartfelt response, and then it had questions like, "If you were a beer, you would be..." which clearly I answered with "Dos Equis - because you ARE the most interesting man in the world." I am who I am, what else can I say.

Aaron took the easy way out and bought me a bracelet. I'm not complaining, it is beautiful. And it was wrapped in paper... totally counts. I'm just looking forward to next year. The traditional gift will be cotton and I am getting new sheets one way or another!

Ninteen Chins & Counting

Last week I challenged myself to stop talking about losing weight and proactively try to make it happen. Mostly, I wanted to tighten up a little before Breanna and I headed to Megan's bridal shower on Sunday. Tights really helped too.

My goal was to do cardio every. single. day. Obviously life happens, but I tried my absolute best. The result was thirty minutes of cardio four out of the seven days. I am actually really proud of that, because for the longest time I haven't been doing anything at all. I even ran before work a few times.

I didn't end up losing any weight from Monday to Monday, but I will say that my butt is looking better... which really, would you rather weigh less or have a good looking ass? I mean, duh, both would be nice, but if I had to pick one, the butt is ok by me.

This week I started the Couch to 5k program... again. I feel like I've tried doing this thing, at least once a year, for the last 3-4 years. I have never made it very far. I literally just started so I am still in week one. My times are looking really good, so I am hoping that I can stick with it.

That being said, my goal for the next seven days is to complete weeks one and two of the running program.

Oh, and also, to not eat any Doritos. Get it together Breanna!

workout in style

again, i apologize for these horrible photos... I'm really not killing this whole blogger thing right now lol

Obviously I don't know how everyone feels on the topic of exercise. I suppose there are those who love it, those who hate it, those who don't do it, and those who do. But for me, working out is first: something that I have to do to eat candy and DQ Blizzards, and second: something that I enjoy after it is finished.

Nothing gets me motivated for a good sweat session like a cute outfit does, (except for watching America's Next Top Model - skinny bitches). There is just something about the slimming effect of workout clothes to get me feeling really optimistic. "hey girl, you are looking tight in those leggings. maybe if you quit being lazy all the time you could look like that in jeans." And just like that I am ready to lift something and do some sweating.

Since I challenged myself last week to do cardio each, and every day, I have lots of outfit photos to share. As with anything, some are better/cuter/more slimming than others, but all in all I'm looking great! Fake it until you make it, that's what they say isn't it? 

one year ago

Isn't it just amazing how fast time flies by? I can't believe that tomorrow (September 13, 2014) will be our one year anniversary. One whole year of marriage has already passed by... for some reason, that is even harder to believe than the fact that it is also our nine year "dating anniversary".

The whole thing happened so fast. The proposal, the engagement, the planning, and even the wedding itself. I honestly feel like the honeymoon felt longer than everything before it combined. It was an amazing break together, after the craziness and stress of a wedding.

I don't really feel like that much has changed since we got married, and I'm not sure if that makes me weird or normal. We dated for a very long time before hand, and even lived together for probably five years first. We bought our first house, we got a dog, we got new jobs (some of us more than others), and we dealt with life and finances together long before this wedding happened.

What I do feel, is the same feeling that I used to have when we first got together. It really doesn't feel like all this time has gone by. It doesn't feel like we are an old married couple now. We still have so much fun together, we still share secrets with just each other, we still laugh and laugh until I need to use an inhaler. Our relationship isn't perfect, but we still love one another enough to try as hard as we possibly can.

Aaron is my husband, my best friend, my favorite travel buddy, and the person I know that I (and my family) can always count on no matter what. I am so incredibly lucky to share life with this man, and I hope that I never forget it. 

Oh hey! Let us not forget that today marks one year ago that I met the absolutely amazing, Kayla! I fell in love with her too, even though I already knew how wonderful she was. Kayla, thank you for being you, and for making our special day look beautiful on film.

me for a day

I think my days are usually pretty boring, but I really like seeing when others do posts like this. So that's why I thought I would play along and photo document my day. It was typical for the most part... less junk food and concerts usually.

It is posts like these that really make me remember why I have a real camera. I'm not sure if it is user error (which it probably is), but it is so incredibly difficult for me to get a good picture with the damn iPhone. Is there an app to make my blurry/fuzzy photos magically in focus? Black and White filter definitely helps... right?

...not pictured: showering...

I woke up, I worked out, I got ready and went to work, I came home had "dinner," (watched a lot of ANTM) and went to a concert. I tried to take a picture with the security guard at work, but it was decided that it was inappropriate.

oh the things I have seen

Seriously, I cannot get over this trip. I never really started traveling until I met Aaron.

I remember my first time on an airplane was my junior year of college. I flew with Aaron and his brother to a family Thanksgiving in Florida. Definitely a short flight that I completely freaked out on... it was great!

Since then we have been to a lot of different places and I am pretty much mastering flying, and also hating flying. Yeah, of course I would rather fly than drive to California. That does not mean that I enjoy flying. Really, it's not the actual flight, it is more the processes before and after. Such a hassle shoving my crap into such a small over head bin!

I feel like this post has gotten horribly off track

There are so many things that I saw in California that I found really cool. And maybe you've already seen all of these things before, but I haven't and I am still amazed! So, if you don't like rambling lists you should probably divert your eyes.

Some of The Things I Saw in California:

• a camel [not a zoo camel, a for real, outside, in a front yard, camel]
• a road runner
• a coyote
• 1 million Priuses 
• a combo Starbucks/Super Cuts location
• the "coolest moon ever"
• San Diego
• Laguna Beach  [ohhh high school dreams]
• Hollywood
• Newport Beach  [omg The OC! I know I was way late to that party but I love it anyway]
• San Francisco
• a surfer
• a surfer surfing
• the Pacific Ocean
• the desert
• mountains
• the garlic capitol of the world  [everything legit smelled like garlic: happy place]
• avocado paired with everything I ordered
• beautiful sunny skies every. single. day.
• some of the most expensive homes in the country
• "homeless" people sleeping on the street with dogs
• the Hollywood Walk of Fame
• a woman guarding the star of Michael Jackson and setting the mood with candles
• Rodeo Drive
• Beverly Hills
• the Hollywood Sign
• Petco Park
• a baseball game from my hotel room 3 nights in a row
• a yacht gated community [seriously!], and,
• beautiful sunsets and sunrises 

I think that about covers everything worth mentioning...    

don't talk about it. be about it

Is this too many comparison/transformation photos? Perhaps.

When I try to pinpoint my "starting" weight for this whole "journey" it is really hard for me. Right about the time I was weighing in at 200lbs I stopped weighing myself completely. It was just to hard to accept that I was huge and it was all my own fault, ignoring it seemed so much easier. I stopped weighing myself but I didn't really change anything else.

When I finally realized (?) or decided, "enough is enough girl, you need to get your shit together," it was because I started to see like a second (fifth or six really) roll of fat. But it wasn't like your normal bra strap fat roll, or your muffin top. This was a roll of fat basically like a fanny pack. Who let's themselves get to the point where they have a permanent fanny fat pack! This was back in 2011.

I started by ordering an elliptical machine and forcing myself to do 25 minutes of cardio every single day. Regardless of my plans, work, or how I was feeling, I would do my 25 minutes. My family, Aaron, and his family were all irritated but I was feeling a lot better!

I got to the point where the weight stopped coming off and I knew I needed to up my game. I was like ok... I'm not ready to stop eating shit so what else can I do. I went hard on Pinterest and found simple beginner workouts for each day of the week. I was probably exercising regularly for 35 minutes a day. 

But again I hit a plateau. All that shit about abs being made in the kitchen was proving to be true. Throughout this experience it has been very challenging for me to ever get both aspects of my game on point. I am either consistently working out or I am eating healthy. It has been a real struggle for me, and I think that is why it has taken me so long to get to where I am now (which is still far from where I want to be).    

I was basically bouncing back and forth between healthy eating or exercising and I was stuck around 160. Not too long ago, July 2013 to be exact, I started doing crossfit regularly. I was finally starting to lose again and I was getting into really great shape. I was still eating pretty crummy, but the workouts were so hard that the fat wasn't sticking. I did crossfit the morning of our wedding and was at the lowest weight I can ever remember (149lbs). Crossfit is something that I still love to do, but because of some personal stuff and an injury I no longer attend a regular box.

Since the wedding and quitting my Crossfit gym, I gained back a lot of weight. A lot. I ended up going to the doctor, weighing almost 175lbs. I cried in the room telling him that I was meal prepping, counting my calories, and working out everyday. As it turned out, my body wasn't effectively using the insulin that it was producing. I have been taking medication for that now for almost two months, and it seems to be helping. But again, I am still not doing everything I should be.

Taking this medication has helped me to get back down to 157lbs. I say thank the medication for this because I really haven't done anythings else, at. all. I've probably worked out a maximum of five times since starting these pills. Basically what I'm getting at is: one thing is never enough. To be successful in anything, you have to use a variety of tools to get to where you want to be.

This week I challenge myself to take on my brother's advice: Don't talk about it. Be about it. It is my goal this week to go back to the beginning and use what I know works for me. 30 minutes of cardio every. single. day. "Regardless of my plans, work, or how I was feeling," I will do my 30 minutes!

If you made it to the end of this post, god bless you lol I am so sorry!! Thank you so much for caring enough to read about my life, or trusting me enough to read for some advice. I am going to crush this week, and you will too.