January Favorites

Hard to believe that January is already on it's way out the door.  That is just fine with me though.  That whole cold spell or whatever fancy name that they decided to give it this week is getting super old.  Time to see what were the most awesome things and moments of the month were.

1. Bath and Body Works Candle sale and some awesome new smells for the house.

 

2. This one is just for you hubbie.....hahaha. Capturing a very awkawrd strange moment on camera.

3. Making silly Faces at every and any given moment.

 4. Learning what happens when you attempt to have an argument with your phone.  Still not sure who officially won, though.

 

5. Last and by no means the least every single moment I get to spend with the family.

 

Bring on February and some warmer temperatures....like in the 20's would be nice.  Serious old man winter I am not asking for much.

 

 

 

Fitness Follow thru Friday

Week Four. Turns out this week I seriuosly honestly have a whole lot of nothing.  Really at the end of the day that is good.  Means we are getting into the habits.

The number one thing of the week was last Saturday my son and myself did our first weekend long run.   And believe it or not the clouds parted the sun shined....

 And a miracle happened.  It has happened only once before.  I beat my son by a tenth of a mile.  Really it was only because he took the words "easy run" to heart.  But you know what I am taking it.  This is such a rare occasion that I can stand up and be like in your face.  Victory was mine!!

Next week you will find me out of town.  So the Friday link up may have to wait a week.  Do have my running shoes packed and plans for a little exercise class with my mommie in the mornings.

OK..let's see how we did this.  Will be shortening this up also.

Hubbie - Goal Lose Weight (40-45lbs)
Weight Lost to date: 18lbs

Steppie - Goal Lose Weight (20lbs) - Appears that she has decided to toss in the towel. This will the last week of her update.
Weight Lost to date: 4lbs

Forest - Goal Gain Weight/half marathon
Weight Gain to date: 0

Dawn - Goal Lose Weight/Lean up/Run a half marathon
Weight Lost to date: 6.5lbs
Current Body Fat %: 23.4


 And now off to the sunshine and warmth...

Linking Up With:

Throwback Thursday time

It is time to dig back in the depths for a little throwback Thursday.  Last night I woke up with this horrible fear that I just missed my flight.  In a few short days I will be leaving for the glorious sunshine and warmth or Arizona, so I decided why not look back on a travel moment.

Today on throwback Thursday is Forest's first major travel moment.   Walt Disney World

His very first flight.  No puking nor any other issues.  Even though he did look a little nervous in the picture.

And his very first time seeing the ocean.  It was a balmy 60 degree day.  I asked the lifeguards if anyone was in the water today.  They replied "just one crazy person, that guy" while pointing to my Forest.  It was a glorious day and vacation.

 

Here is to safe travels and making memories with those you love

 

The Pretty Post - Stitch Fix 5

Whoot let's here it for time to get my fix on. Awesome fun clothes delivered right to my door handpicked by a stylist, now who could pass that up.

Now if you are unaware what it is, here are some details. Go online here: Stitchfix. Fill out a style profile, pay $20 to have the sylist pick out and send you clothes. Once you receive them you have three days to choose which ones you will keep and which ones you will return. You make notes online also regarding what you liked or didn't like to help out the stylist on your next fix.

Now onto the January fix.   This time around I didn't ask for anything in particular.  Wanted to see what would happened with a full out open door.  Dress me please.

1. 41Hawthorn Corinna Striped Dolman top - Amazingly soft fabric super comfy.

2. 41Hawthorn Violet pointe Pencil Skirt - Material was nice, length was perfect.  It was a greenish color.   The fit though on me was slightly off.

3. 209 West Felder Zipper Detail Ponte Dress - Loved the material and shape of the dress.  Now the interesting zipper in the front, not so much.  See where that zipper ends. On me it was like an awkward protrusion of an extra nipple.  Otherwise that dress and fit was delicious.

4.Under Skies Pamplona Abstract Florral Tab-Sleeve Blouse - Print and pattern was unique.  I have nothing like this in my closet.  If the fit would have better a little better.

 

5. Sweet Rain Alan Cowl Neck Asymetrical Jacket - Again super soft fabric.  After looking at it on the hanger was a little concerned about how it would fit on.  Zipper is a little hard to zip up due to the flowage of the jacket.  Otherwise amazingly comfy.

 

Now which one(s) did I pick.  Guesses?   Tra la la

 

 

The Sweet Rain Alan Cowl Jacket.   Thought this one would be perfect for my upcoming trip.  Then I just could not resist the comfort of the Corinna Striped Dolman Top.  It will be perfect for an upcoming family outing we have on schedule. Plus I own nothing like either of these items.

 

Told the hubbie this is the first time I have gotten two items and not taken a single thing out of my wardrobe.  Welcome new additions. Comfy Cozy and Stylish.  Now onto waiting for my next fix.

 

Stay beautiful

 

 

 

 

Beauty Buzz - Makeup Pallette

If you haven't heard this girl will be going to visit her mommie and daddie in Arizona next week.  Now what does this have to do with a beauty buzz you ask?  Simple my intent was to write about the glorious eye creams that I use until I realized that one of them are being pre-sent to Arizona for my arrival.

 

Instead I am going to use this as an opportunity to tell you about this wonderful etsy shop I discovered.   Disclaimer :This is not a paid sponsorship.  I just truly love her product.

 

The story went like this.  Had a palette of eyeshadows, hit pan on one of them.  Needed to replace it.  Of course, buying this individually in the plastic was more expensive than one without.  Perfect reason to look for a makeup palette in which I could combine my fave eyeshadows.  So hi-ho-hi-ho off to etsy I go.   Girl needs to have a fun one.

 

That is when I discovered the shop Mini Mint Palette.

 

The quality of her products are amazing.  Her designs(prints) are always changing.  Such a beautiful product. Wow did I say that already.  It is just that fantastic.  The communication received from her was wonderful.  Another bonus for me was that she is based out of Wisconsin.  Which meant I was supporting a local business.

This right there is my beauty buzz.  I am definetly buzzing about it.  Completely enjoying that I have something to help build my very own customized palette.

And I would like to take time out today to mention a random act of kindness that I decided to do.  Inspired by Sunny with a chance of Sprinkles.   As the world knows it is once again fridge up in the northern midwest. To often as we sit in our warm houses or businesses, do we forget about those who everyday work out in the elements to service us.  My random act of kindness was for our mail carrier, who braves the cold and deals with all those packages I get.

 

 

There you have it for todays beauty buzz.  Stay warm lovelies.

 

Getting in the Game

This weekend was all about getting ready and having a little fun.   You know getting in the game. 

Saturday was the first day of our long run half marathon path.  It has been so cold, windy here we had to stay indoors for the run.  Which meant treadmill time.  And my son loathes the treadmill.  Now this did mean that for second time and  quite possibly the last time in history, I beat him.  Yeah I know we weren't "racing", but whatever I am taking it.  A whole 10th of a mile.  Mommie prevails.

Earlier in the day my hubbie made the suggestion of going out to eat, awesome idea.  Since Forest and myself were going to be in the area already running, we decided to meet everyone else there. We may have broken (ok we totally did) our better eating habits.  Every once in a while though, you need too though.  You know a special occassion moment.  How the hubbie explains what is about to happen:

  

Yeppers that was completely it. And how we were feeling.  Seriously though who could pass this up...

And for the record, these are calorie heavy like about 400 calories,  Say What?!?! Worth it though at that moment.   My two fave little goobers also got there cocktail on with some root beer.

After dinner it was off to the upstairs game room.

I even got to get my skeeball on.  Plus attempt to teach the nephew the skill of skeeball.  Thankfully all the balls stayed on track and we didn't hit anyone in the head.  Love that game.

 

Sunday my numero uno priority was finishing my packing for Arizona.   Have I mentioned how much I am looking forward to seeing my mom and dad plus the warmer weather. 

 

 Of course I am going to miss all my boys, so I thought I would pick the littlest ones and see if I could sneak them along.

Sad to say they didn't fit in the carry on.  TSA kind fo frowns upon putting them in a checked bag.  Guess they have to stay home this time. 

 

 

 

That was pretty much our glorious little weekend in the sack.   Now on to attempting to stay warm over the next few days.

 

 

 



Fitness Follow Thru Friday

Week Three.   Gratefully this week really wasn't to hard on anyone.  Again no changes to the plan.  Still with the goal of healthy choices. Fruits, veggies. portioning and weighing in.

We managed to not struggle nor have major issues over the weekend.  Ok well there was maybe one with myself.   That happened when I assumed that they would have popcorn at the basketball game.  And they did not to my disappointment.  Just had to wait until I got home to eat then.

Running was back on this week.  Thank goodness.  Bad run weeks make me go slightly crazy.  Of course it helps that this happened:

Then of course the save the date had to go out to the family.  In which the email went something like:
Things just got real. Never Say Never...my insanity has definetly just peaked and sh$t just got real.

Still have to get the registration done for the spring half.  Which will happen no questions asked.  The event just does not fill as fast as that marathon.

 

And for those of us runners who have significant others who are not an article to help them cope:

http://www.active.com/running/Articles/How-to-Cope-When-Your-Significant-Other-Is-a-Runner.htm?cmp=291&memberid=104082748&lyrisid=42808455&email=dawn.billington@gmail.com

 

I do have to say my hubbie is one of my greatest supporters and fans of my running.  Which is a good thing.  Tell me to stop and I would just about lose it.  For the sake of the general population and peace in the household, Dawn must run.  He even promised more of his support in the way of doing something along the lines of this:

 

 

OK..not that we rocked out a little bit, let's get this line up started and see how/what we have been doing this week and moving forward.

Hubbie - Goal Lose Weight (40-45lbs)
Monitor food intake via myfitnesspal
Keep his calories at 1440
Packing a lunch and snacks instead of eating gas station food
Snacks are veggies or fruit - now added popcorn from the air popper
Having breakfast before he leaves the house
Weight Lost to date: 14lbs

Steppie - Goal Lose Weight (20lbs)
Monitor calories via myfitness pal
1200 calories a day
Keeping milk to 2 glasses per day
No soda or sweets
Correctly items into the app
Starting basketball this week
Add more protein to breakfast to avoid being hungry by mid morning
Weight Lost to date: 4lbs

Forest - Goal Gain Weight/half marathon
Added juice into morning meal
Glass of milk with evening meal
Playing a ton of basketball
Weight Gain to date: 0

Dawn - Goal Lose Weight/Lean up/Run a half marathon
Monitor calories via myfitness pal
Hit the gym everyday this week
Weight Lost to date: 5lbs
Current Body Fat %: 23.4

Alright there is the report out for the week.  Tomorrow we shall run long.  Which being the crazy person I am, I am extremely looking forward to it. Boom...get it done.

And ps...sorry if this is not as witty as I would like.  Google decided it needed a break and I lost all of the amazingly creative garbage.

Linking Up With:

Time to Tinker

Thursday one day closer to the weekend.  Thought we would get our tinker on and I could share one of my projects with everyone.  I have been wanting to put up a "gallery" wall in our bedroom for sometime. You know the ones with pictures and sayings.  

Since I am so particular (says the hubbie), I could not find what I wanted.   When you can't find it, try and make it right?  Sorry I actually did some of these projects pre-blogging obsession days, so there are not pictures.

Love is the Key Sign

 

You will need:

• Wooden Plaque
• Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Precut wooden word or letters to make a word
• Stick on Letters
• Super Glue
• Modge Podge
• Key
• Hot Glue gun

 First up paint the wooden plaque.

 

Next lay out the wooden letters to determine there placement. In particular the height off the plaque.  Once you have figured this out, go ahead and place the sick on letters on the wooden plaque. Mine were bascially placed in the center.  There will need to be room for the key on the bottom.

 

After the stick on letters are in place, coat the plaque in a thin layer of modge podge. Then use the hot glue gun to adhere the wooden letters to the top.

 

Then use the super glue to attach a key to the bottom of the plaque. Attach a hanger to the back and boom.  All set.

 

 

 

 

TYPOGRAPHY SIGN

You will need:

• Canvas
• Adhesive Letters
• Two colors of Acrylic Paint
• Paint Brushes

1.  First paint the entire canvas
2. After it dries, place the adhesive letters to spell out whatever you choose.
3. Paint over the canvas again with the alternate color
4. Once it dries, carefully peel off the letters.  I used an exacto knife.
5. And all done...

 

 

LETS RUN AWAY SIGN

You will need:

• Canvas
• Paint
• Picture
• Modge Podge

1. Paint your canvas, let dry
2. Spread some modge podge on the back of the picture
3. Place and press the picture on the canvas allow to dry
4. Brush modge podge over the entire canvas and picture, let dry and done

 

 How is that for a whole lot of tinkering. Go ahead, add it to your to do list.  Now we have an awesome gallery wall for one of the most memorable times in our life that I am happy with.  Which could be a miracle in itself, sometimes.