focal points

via

Ever need a focal point to get you through a situation? Say a rough day at work? Or a disappointing doctor's appointment? Or a long, sleepless night with a new little one? Whatever it is, I've been thinking about this particular "coping mechanism" lately and find that it really does make sense.

In sports, you are taught to "be the ball" and to picture said ball as going into the hoop, goal, or far into the outfield. In business, you are told to envision the future you want for yourself and then take the steps needed to get to your end goal. And even in decorating your personal life (with clothes, home decor, a retro bike, the type of dog you want, etc), you get inspiration from pictures in magazines, online, and tv programs. 

via

This way of thinking and visualizing, I think, can help you get through emotional and mental obstacles as well. As of late, I'm picturing lots of crisp, blue waters which means two things to me: (1) I need to change something in my life so that I don't need so much calming waters to get me through a day, and (2) I need to look into a tropical vacation in my near future.

workout tunes

via

Let's keep it real...I don't enjoy running. Well, I don't enjoy starting to run again after a long hiatus which is almost all the time. I need motivation to get out there, and the only thing that gets me, and keeps me, going are tunes. If I don't have music to work out with, I don't work out. 

For instance, last week, I woke up early and made it to the gym for 5am. I got on the treadmill, turned on my ipod, and it immediately turned off on me with some sass saying, "Please, girl. You didn't charge me last night so no music for you today". No music, okay...I got off the treadmill and drove back home, got back into bed, and snoozed for another hour. I showed you, ipod.

Not only is keeping your ipod/mp3 player charged important, but so are the songs you choose to work out to. I've been a long standing fan of alternative rock and hip hop/rap while running, but I am always looking for an update. Enter Women's Health for some good inspiration and 10 separate playlist ideas for a good run. Some of these are already on my playlist, but I'm definitely going to add some new ones in there like B.O.B by Outkast and Runnin' Down a Dream by Tom Petty - genius, really! 

What about you? What is your go-to song for keeping up momentum?

avocado you

 via

Mmmmmm...avocados. I could and would put avocados in anything and everything, but I then get upset because I don't know how to keep the "leftovers" from going brown and spoiling. So I end up just eating as much avocado as possible, in one sitting (seriously, I can get 7 slices of avocado on one burger), so as not to waste it.

Enter Apartment Therapy! I just love their website and am a daily visitor/stalker. Well, yesterday I was scrolling through their site and came across a section that said, "30 Reasons to Buy an Avocado Tonight". The title got me, and I instantly clicked on the link. Not only does this entry give you recipes for avocados, but it shows you how to store them as well, to ensure you get as much life out of it as possible. BINGO! Come to Mama, you green yumminess, you!

the first of many

My sister, Jessica, is pregnant! Everyone is so excited in our family as this little love will be the first grandchild/niece/nephew (they aren't finding out the sex of the baby). It really has been amazing to see her go through all these changes and to think that she is about to enter into motherhood. I'm so happy for her and can't wait to see her in that role.

My family threw her a shower a month ago at our annual family reunion where we had the best time!

Then I, and her friend Jennifer Bailey, threw her a shower this weekend in Charlotte for her friends. It was such a great group of girls that came in for the shower, and Jessica got some great gifts.

 

 

  

Isn't she just the cutest?! Baby Lang is loved so much already! Congratulations Ryan and Jessica!

just a little giggle goes a long way

My little sister in my sorority, Kelley, giggles...a lot...and it is the cutest, most endearing thing ever! I always get so happy to talk to her because as soon as she answers the phone she goes, "Hey girl! Haha!" It automatically puts me in a good mood and eager to talk. I decided to adopt her giggles into my every day life, and man, has it changed things.

Not only do I feel more happy myself, but people are so much nicer when you place a little laugh before, after, and in between your sentences. I found that, at work, I wouldn't know an answer right off, but I would immediately make a joke of it, laugh, and then tell the person I'd get right back to them. Not only did it work, but they were so appreciative of a follow up call and were noticeably more happy themselves.

I tested this even further this past weekend when I went out with my friends. The cabbie (who in Charlotte are usually pretty rude and act as if they have no idea what is going on) was in a wonderful mood by the time he dropped me off at my destination and even showed me pics of his cute kids - so sweet! AND the doorman outside of the club I went to was nice and opened the door for me (he left the line that was behind me and walked me about 7 feet to the door to let me in) - such a nice personal touch, don't you think? I like to think this was all due to my constant smile and little giggle.

Is there anything extra you do to ensure you, and the others around you, are having a fun time?

lifetime window shopper

via Ikea

You know those people...the ones that fantasize about setting their place up with all the latest/coolest room decor, but never actually take the plunge to buy the dang stuff in order to make that fantasy come true. Well if you didn't know a person like that before, now you do. I'm HER. I'm THAT girl. It's shameful, honestly. I mentally file away a room color and curtain combination vowing that I will get started on it tomorrow, but then it never happens. I'm still thinking about this one wallpaper I want to get when I "have a real house". Sick, I know. 

What makes this problem worse is technology. Not only can I look up all these beautiful ideas/pictures online (Pinterest, I hate you), but my IP address is then saved by the company where I'm creepin'. So as if my fantasies aren't enough, I then get "Reminder" and "Miss You" emails like the ones below from these companies.

 

Why, yes, West Elm...I would like to save 15% on my next purchase. And how did you know I was looking at that exact duvet cover just yesterday?? Oh, you are sneaky sneaky! I need serious help!

a day of yes

 Our First Date

Thanh woke up this morning and asked me, "Ummm, do you have any plans for this evening? Because I'd really love to take you out for our 3 year anniversary of the day I asked you to marry me." Does it get any better than that?! I really don't think so - but of course, I am biased.

 A Year and a Half Later, I said Yes

So today was proclaimed, by him, as "A Day of Yes". I answered yes to all his questions (the non-ridiculous ones of course) and was giddy with anticipation of where he was going to take me on our date. He just told me to wear a dress and that he would take care of the rest. I mean, really?! This is fairytale stuff, right?

After we got home from work, I went upstairs and got ready to go on our date. He was waiting for me downstairs, and as I entered the room, a little gasp escaped from him - I guess I was looking pretty good :) It was such a nice moment and brought me back to the good 'ole dating days when he would pick me up for a night out.

 A Day Of Yes Smiles

He surprised me with going to Firebirds...we got a bottle of wine...and reminisced about our engagement story and how he asked my parents for permission. Swoon! He is a piece of work, I tell ya :)

Side Note: This moment reminded me of that Family Matters episode where Carl Winslow got his wife a present for their 10 year first date anniversary. I loved it back then and am livin' it now.

South Beach...And I'm Not Talking Miami

via South Beach

Dreadful...well, it's not actually dreadful, but maybe a bit boring.

My husband and I started on the South Beach Diet over a month ago to help with getting our bodies healthy and rid our diets of all the complex carbohydrates we were so used to. I noticed that we were having carbs at every meal of every day. I mean, it's so easy to have toast and grits at breakfast, a sandwich at lunch, and some pasta or rice dish at dinner. No wonder we were feeling so lazy and sluggish!

My doctor recommended this diet because it wasn't as harsh as others and pretty easy to follow. I agree that it is not harsh, but easy? I don't know about that. You seem to get into this rut where you are eating the same things over and over again - eggs/turkey bacon for breakfast, chicken caesar salad for lunch, and some kind of meat with vegetables for dinner. Boring, right?! I'm going to list out some pros and cons here and you tell me what you think:

Pros

1. Weight Loss - duh!
2. I feel amazing and so much lighter
3. My skin is healthier and I experience a lot less little breakouts
4. New recipes (when I can find ones I like)

Cons

1. Not much variety for a girl who is not a big fan of vegetables (I'm such a baby, I know)
2. I can't eat scrambled eggs anymore without gagging - it's just too much
3. Carb cravings - dear mac & cheese, I miss you...that is all
4. Sweets cravings - what I would do for a PAN of fudge brownies...disgraceful
5. Going out to eat is tough!

So how am I supposed to spice up this diet and still be good? I want it to be a lifestyle change, but as an Italian from New Orleans (where pasta/rice is served with everything), I'm finding it hard to stick to it. Any ideas for a couple who has entered into Phase 2 of the diet and has ALMOST had it?!