Blue Ombre Eyeshadow

Give me credit gang.  This is my first video tutorial for make up and I am really awkward with it.  I think at the end I start talking about eyeshadow, but I actually meant to say that, "I use just any kind of mascara."

Here are the finished looks!

Enjoy!

Runner's "High"

I'm finally FEELING BETTER!  Holla! 

I thought this cold would be the end of me.  Life as I knew it.  I went for 8 days feeling horrible and just when I thought I needed to schedule an appointment with my Doctor, spend a ton of money that I don't want to spend, and get on antibiotics that I don't really want in my system...  I start to see the light!! 

Dramatic?  Slightly, but it's felt like an eternity since I came down with it.  My body has been hurting for a work out.  Seriously! 

On that note, I decided that I am going to be a dedicated dieter once again starting on Monday.  I am starting to second guess my decision with the C25K though.  I've never been a runner and it's never been something I have actually enjoyed, but I read about all my fellow bloggers who have had success with it.  All of them talk so highly with how good it feels and the runners "high".

I started to think about my own health/fitness with programs I have already done and enjoyed.  I enjoy kickboxing and dance, I enjoy going to the gym and working out on various cardio equipment, and I love weightlifting.  I actually get the "high" just from working out.  I know that when I did the TurboFire program I would get the "high" from completing the 60 min cardio class, which is equivalent to running 6-7 miles.

So, why do I need to run???  This was a question that I kept asking myself and the only conclusion I could come to was because it's a popular thing to do at the moment.  Five years ago you never heard anyone talking about 5K's, and now, it's the "it" fitness thing to do.

I am going to return my focus on at home workout programs.  I have 3 Jillian Michael's DVDs that need to be dusted off and used, and the full Zumba program.  With Jillian, I have the 30 Day Shred, which is what I am going to start with on Monday.  I also have 6 pack in 6 weeks and No More Trouble Zones. 

I've done one day of the Shred.  It's ideal for me, because it's an intense workout that lasts only 20 mins.  Who can't fit 20 mins into their daily routine???  I'm hoping with the craziness I have going on right now at home and work, I can fit those in EVERYDAY and document my progress. 

I can't let the thyroid situation keep me from my ultimate goal.  I HAVE to be a size 8 by my brother's wedding next year. 

Which, by the way is very bad timing for me.  My plan was to start trying for another kiddo next summer, so that I wouldn't be pregnant through the summer again.  Carrying 48 extra lbs in 100 degree weather is NOT something I want to do again!!  So, if it all works out well, I should be a couple months pregnant and NOT showing for his wedding in October.  It's kind of lame that I won't be able to drink and get crazy with his friends that we grew up with though.  O-well, I have to keep to my time frame on things and not move my schedule around his plans. 

If I could afford two babies in diapers, I would totally start trying now.  I want my kiddos to be within a couple years together so they can enjoy one another and play together too.  My step daughter is 7 years old and she plays with Brynn from time to time, but she gets too rough with her.  The older she gets the less she will want to be around her younger siblings anyways. 

Tomorrow I plan to have a make up tutorial uploaded for you all.  It's my first time with it and I am really awkward, but hopefully you will enjoy it.  :)      

Here are the first looks with the blue ombre eyeshadow look:

Dresses for Fall

Here lately I have started to get into dress more and more.  I guess it's partially due to the fact that I have lost weight and I feel better about my chubby legs. 

Here are some dresses that are on my wish list for the fall:

Ugh, my favorite one!  It's so country cute.  It would look so good with some natural (tan) colored boots/leather jewelry.

This one is still kind of summery, but I love black dresses and this would be really cute with some chunky high heals and black tights.

Another one that is slightly more geared for summer, but blue is my color and pops out my blue eyes.  This one would be cute for like New Year's Eve or a evening on the town.

Another out on the town type of dress that I love!  IT IS HOT!



I have had my eyes on this one for YEARS.  I have yet to buy it, but I loves it!

This one might be a little short for my taste, but with some tights I think it would be alright?  This one is another one of my favorites. 

I found all of these on Venus.

Which one is your favorite?  I can only afford one,,,,,, maybe two.  :)  It's not often that I treat myself, but I have NO fall clothes since I lost 40lbs.  Everything is too big, which is a good and sometimes bad thing when you don't have much money to buy new things for yourself.

Boo.

Boo is something we call my daughter most of the time.  It's usually Brynnie-Boo, Boo-boo, Boo, Brynners.  LOL  At least it's not "Pooter"...  That was was my nickname growing up.  My maiden name is "Potter" and for whatever reason, my older brother said that because I was the youngest in the family that I needed the degrading nickname.  Awesome, right? 

Anyways, I had a great weekend with Boo.  We are both still sick.  Her nose is still stuffed and I still feel like I have been hit by a mac truck.  I am now coughing on top of feeling all the congestion.  I'd really like to work out one of these days... 

Here are some good ones from yesterday.  She is just so stinkin' cute!!  It was hard for me to get some steady shots since she doesn't sit still anymore. 

Blurry, but so cute!

I love baby attack moments.  She's started coming up to me and giving me big ol' bear hugs...  I honestly don't think it could get any better than this! 

I had to show this one, only because she looks so much like her older half-sister in it. 

I had to show how long her hair is getting.  She has hair about 2" past her shoulders and we have already gave her a hair cut once.  Ignore the floor around the house.  That is an example of having an 11 month old and a 7 year old over the weekend.  I was too exhausted to do anything about it once Samantha went back to her mother's house last night. 

Knock, Knock....  She has a fascination with the garage door lately. 

She was following me around the kitchen this morning.  She's pretty much Mommy's little shadow. 

I'm putting a hold on the weight loss front.  I went to my doctor 2 months ago, because my thyroid meds felt off.  I can often tell when it is too high or too low. 

They told me my meds were too high, so they backed my dosage down. 

I went for my follow up a couple of weeks ago and the next dosage down was too low.  For whatever reason, my doctor has decided to leave it at the low dosage.  Meaning that I am in a Hypothyroid status until October.  When you are at a Hypo status, you are tired and your metabolism runs slower.  So, my choice is to struggle and try to lose weight being as strict as possible for the next couple months and maybe lose 5-10 lbs., or I can just try to maintain for a while and try to get back into it after October.  What would you choose? 

   

TGIF!

Thank goodness it's Friday!!

First off, I have to brag about my wonderful hubbers.  :)  He won another karaoke contest last night.  His winnings were $1000 in cash.  I wish that I could take that money and buy something really nice, but unfortunately we have bills to pay. 

Shawn and I have our ups and downs, just like every NORMAL relationship.  Without the "downs", you can not appreciate the "ups".  We never really fight, but we do bicker at times.  Relationships/people that say they never fight, argue, bicker are a LIE!  Kind of like the cake...  It's a lie too.

P.S. I want this shirt:

Anyways, it's times like last night that really make me proud to be his wife.  I'm thinking we need to move past the small town ordeal and head out to XFactor or The Voice.  He IS that good!  I have several videos that I need to post of him, I have just been very overwhelmed at home and I haven't had time to upload them to a computer.  I will post those soon.  Hopefully.

So, we went out to celebrate his winnings last night after the contest and it was a LATE nighter for this momma.  I need massive amounts of coffee today.....  As you can see, I took a picture of cup # 3.  Can I just get an IV of caffeine?   

So, my weight loss must be showing, because I not only got hit on by guys last night, but I was hit on by a very pretty girl who was with her boyfriend.  Kind of awkward for me.  I'm not really into girls, I prefer my sexy man meat.  LOL 

I don't even like my own business down there, so why would I want to look at another girls??? 

Plus, I am HEAVILY attracted to my hubby and I don't think anyone could sway me differently regardless of how much money they have, looks, gender, etc. 

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE:

I decided to eat Chinese yesterday, because I REALLY wanted to eat something bad for me.  I felt like I kind of deserved it, because I have done so well this year and this is only the second time I've had Chinese this year.  So, this is my plate: 

I didn't eat it all of course.  The springs rolls weren't that great, so I only had a bite of that and I didn't end up eating the orange sushi role thing, because I couldn't figure out what was in it. 

So, I often see this message: 



To hell with that message.  I am human and I do like to treat myself from time to time.  I don't go overboard, but I think you sometimes just NEED to feel like you are human and eat like a starved pig  NORMAL person instead of dieting all the time.  It's exhausting. 

I did get a very cool fortune in my cookie that I didn't eat.  I just like to read the fortune.  It was a reminder that I need to desperately workout as soon as I feel 100% again:

Have a great weekend!  XOXO



Search Lost and Found-Missing Blogger from the scene here!

I miss you all, and I will promise I will type something up soon!!!  Work has been CRAZY!

Weight loss:  I am down to 195!!  YAY-YAY!  I officially hit 40 lbs since Feb.  I can't say it's due to my hardcore exercise routine, because I haven't ran since last Wednesday.  I did run 3 days last week, but that was Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  Then I got super busy with work and home and the week was at a loss. 

I have gotten my daughter's cold this week.  I have had it since Monday and running isn't effective when you can't breath through it.  I did walk a mile this morning.  At least it's something.  My muscles are aching to just do a hardcore workout.  Hopefully, I can get some of those in this week. 

I have just been REALLY busy at work to the point where I can only get yogurt in for lunch.  I do eat, but it hasn't been as much lately. 

So, I did get a chance to get some shots of Brynnie this weekend.  Check this out.  I am IN LOVE with it!

 
So gorgeous!  Happy Hump Day!

BRYNN IS 11 MONTHS!

Holy Cow the time has flown!!!!!  In just one month I will have a 1 YEAR old.  I have to admit, I already have baby fever and I want another one.  Brynnie just grew up way too fast for me.  She is the BEST thing that has ever happened to me, even though I sometimes question that when I get little sleep.  :)  I unfortunately have to wait until next summer to try again for babies.  I have to span out these diapers, formula, etc.  Lord knows babies are terribly expensive!!  I'm super excited about going to milk instead of formula next month.  Happy Birthday to Brynnie and Mommie!! 

Here's the thing with kids (if you are not a parent already and know this piece of info) you can buy them every toy in the world, and it will still never be as good as a box or random household item.  HAHA.  These photos are from Tuesday morning I believe, she was playing in her favorite box. 

We decided the jeans in the first picture were too tight and we retired them after 5 mins of wearing them.  She waited just long enough that I could get the first photo in until she whined and I took them off of her. 

This was right after I took off the jeans, but before she decided to climb in the box.

DIAPER BUTT!  She's climbing on in..... 

AHHHHHH, Happy in her box!!!

She would not look at me, so that I could not get a decent picture in.  Little turd. 

So, what's new with my bugga-boo?

She's walking!  She's been walking for about 2 weeks.  She is into ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING.

She's wearing me out!  Is that really new though?

She has 4 teefers.

She will eat just about anything if you make it into small enough pieces.

Really, other than the usually things, that's all that's really new.  I will try to post a video of her on a rampage very soon!! 

Skinny Gal.....  Somewhere.

Happy Tuesday

I did week 3 day 3 again on the dreadmill today.  I finished it and was absolutely soaked afterwards!  I had sweat dripping everywhere and I was loving every minute of it.  I wanted to keep going, even though I was on the dreadmill, but I had to jump off and get ready for work. 

I'm thinking about trying week 4 next run, even though it terrifies me.  I have a hard time running the full 3 minute runs, and I know the 5 minute ones are going to be ridiculous!  I just keep telling myself that with every step I make with the C25K, I am one step closer to my goal.  I just have to keep pushing myself, so that one day I will be able to call myself a runner!!

So, besides my amazing run this morning, I thought I would share a few pictures from the past couple of days.  Here's is some photo fun:

  This is my gorgeous breakfast from this morning.  Raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries with Strawberry Greek Yogurt.  YUMMO!

This is me with the Birthday girl (Rocksan) over the weekend.  Geez, I need some sun!  That's my new top I got from Jcpenny's for $12.  It was SO cute on.

And lastly, Brynners is walking now.  I'm exhausted with it, but this is her in her new tennis shoes.  More on her tomorrow when I post about her at 11 months old.  :) 

 

C25K Week 3

Week 3 consists of a 5 min warm up, 2 intervals of running for 90 seconds and walking for 90 seconds, 2 intervals of running for 3 mins and walking for 3 mins, and a 5 minute cool down. 

The first day I did week 3, I had a hard time completing the end of the workout.  I did try it on the treadmill, which I flippin' hate running on and I did it first thing in the morning, so I hadn't ate anything.  I think not having the full energy that I needed stopped me from completing it. 

So, I then tried it on Friday and was able to complete it without stopping.  The weather was absolutely fabulous and it was such a great feeling.  I loved every minute of it!!

I took yesterday off since I was busy to the extreme with cleaning house, taking photos, and then we went out for the evening for a friend's Birthday.

By the way, check out this ball of cuteness!!!  These are some of the photos I took of Cellan yesterday for his first Birthday photos. 

That child has eyes to die for, he has these beautiful eyelashes.  He's pretty much adorable!  If you want to keep up with my photography business, you can add me on facebook- Creative Smiles Photography.

So, I lost 5.4lbs for the week!  I'm totally stoked about it.  I know, I'm random.  :)  I just wanted to throw that in, because I am proud of my week.  I had two bad days where I went over on my calories, but only like 200 extra, so I still stayed under 1500 calories for those days.

Tonight I ran with a my new (used) jogging stroller.  When I first had Brynn, my father had told me that a buddy that he worked with wanted to give me his jogging stroller if I would use it.  At the time, I wasn't looking to work out and I just wanted to spend time with my newborn.  Well, now that I am running and Brynn enjoys strolling, I asked my dad if the gentleman still had the stroller.  He still had it and asked only $20 for it.  This is what I got for ONLY $20!!  I am super geeked.

It's a 2008 model, but it's in great shape.  So, I did the last day of week 3 tonight, and I think I could have finished it if I didn't have the stroller.  I had to stop the last minute of running, my legs just would not push.  I felt like I was running in slow motion.  I was also tired from staying out until 2:30am on Saturday night.  I would have been dragging regardless, and I knew this before I started.

So that's my weekend in a nutshell.  I hope everyone else had a good one as well!

Skinny Gal.....  Somewhere. 



MyFITNESSPal. Motivational Friday. Randomness.

I never realized how difficult it was to actually stay within a value until I started my myfitnesspal account.  I not only have 2 numbers to obsess about (calories and my weight), but now I have carbies, protein, and fat grams to play with too. 

So, this is my goal per day:

1200 Calories, 165g of Carbs, 40g of Fat,
and 45g of Protein.

It's been near impossible to stay within the limits of my protein!!  Every day I go over on Protein and I don't eat that much meat!!  I do eat Greek Yogurt just about every day, so I know that it has quite of bit of protein in it. 

Anyways, what's fun about the program is that, yes, I have a hard time staying in the values, BUT, it gives me something to strive for.  Even going over on numbers, I typically always stay within my calories.  It all works itself out.  It's a fun little challenge and I'm intrigued with the nutrition data it gives me. 

So far this week, I have lost 4 lbs.  :)  Not too bad....  Not too bad at all!!  I've worked out twice and I hope to work out this evening and Saturday as well.  Keep your fingers crossed for me, I have a TON to do this weekend, so I hope to get my workouts in. 

So, I think I have officially been sparked again on the weight loss front.  I am back to drinking water like it's going out of style, even when I'm placed in a social-alcoholic atmosphere.  Call me lame, but I am happier losing weight than I am drinking. 

Besides, drinking typically only leads to bad decisions for me.  I'm a happy drunk and I typically become even more social, flirty, and start hanging on people that I shouldn't be hanging on.  I also think I can dance, when I can't....  I have white girl moves that you've never seen!!!!!!  Actually, I have big hips, and they don't lie or move that much for what it's worth.  I'm a horrible dancer...  It's something I would like to work on when I become much thinner than I am now.

This is totally me when it comes to going out with friends.  It's something I am trying to look passed.  Here lately if I am not having fun, I just go home and my hubs and I have started driving separately:

This happens when I hang out with certain people, I often hear all about my shenanigans the next day from the huz:

Not that I get so wasted that I can't remember, but I have squirrel syndrome and I often forget the things I do even when I am sober.  It's pretty much ridiculous!  When I add any type or volume of alcohol to the mix it gets worse and my attention span is pretty much nonexistent.

SOOOOOOOOO.........   Motivation for the weekend, bitches! 

SO true! 

I don't know if I will EVER have a midsection like this, but a gal can wish and dream, right??
XOXO,

  

My NEW Challenge

So, in the Arendt household we've had the stress pouring out the top of our roof the past couple of weeks.  Thankfully, I think things will start to slow down soon. 

I get stressed when I don't have the time to workout, clean house, mow the lawn, pull the weeds out of my gardens, do the dishes, etc.  I have no idea why appearance is so important to me, but I think it's because my father rubbed off on me.

My husband rarely gets stressed out.  He constantly tells me, "It'll be ok baby".  To that, I usually roll my eyes and continue to stress out to myself.  Telling him that I am stressed out does nothing to ease the situation.

Well, finally he is stressed out.  :)  We basically have a jungle of a yard, the house looks like a tornado, but hey, I am finally getting some workouts in again.  I guess sometimes you just have to sacrifice the appearance of your home to get a little bit of time for yourself when you have children.  I can't do it all myself, but typically I do.  I am a strong female, and I have ALWAYS taken care of myself and my home with NO help. 

I wish I could afford a house cleaner.  Unfortunately, I don't think that will ever be in the budget.  I also think it's a waste of money sometimes to hire someone else to do something that you can for free.  If I had money oozing out every where, I would hire someone else.  If only I was that fortunate.....

Anyways, on to the fun challenge.  I now have a new goal that doesn't include weight loss!

Both my husband and I are social smokers.  A nasty habit I picked up in my early 20's that repeatedly comes back to haunt me.  It really is a mindset though.  I quit for 3 1/2 year with my ex-husband, I quit while I was pregnant with my daughter, and for some reason I picked it back up when I am at the bar drinking.  I guess the point is, is that when I have a reason to quit it seems to be very easy to do so.

Anyways, I my newest goal on the weight loss front has been to do the C25K 3-5 days a week and eat 1200 calories.  So far this week I am at a 3.4lb loss in 2 days, which is FABULOUS!  I realized yesterday that I need to fully commit myself and sign up for a 5K deadline if I am going to make this running business a priority.  So, I am thinking Race for the Cure which is in 7 weeks.  EEK!

In all these ramblings, there is a point to the story....   :)  So, the hubs is stressed last night and asks me if I want to go outside and smoke with him.  THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE DO AT OUR HOUSE!  The only time we smoke OUTSIDE of the house is if we have a party, which happens only once/twice a year.

I realized last week that I needed to quit again and for good.  Last week, I didn't work out once, ate like crap, smoked with co-workers occasionally, went out and drank beer one night, etc.  I FELT LIKE CRAP!  I noticed a huge difference from eating healthy, working out and not smoking/drinking.  So, Sunday I told myself that I needed to make some major life style changes if I want to continue to feel better.

So, I told Shawn that I am quitting and I think he should too.  It's something that we both want to do, but then for whatever reason we come back to it when we are dragged into it socially.  I told him that I wanted to run a 5K race in September and the smoking doesn't help with my running, since I am a poor runner to begin with.

He proceeds to tell me, "Well, I tell you what.....  I will continue to smoke, eat what I want, not run one day before this race, and I will run in your 5K with you and I will still beat you....."

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!!!!

He is REALLY thin, so I am sure he'll still be able to beat me, but I'd like to actually see him do something other than sit in a chair and play computer games.  I have many things against me.  He ran track in Highschool, he isn't over weight (I am carrying 65 extra pounds), and his stride is longer.

It would mean the world to me if I could beat him....  SO, I'm really going to push.  Just so I can say, "I told you so...."

He doesn't believe that eating healthier or working out matters for whatever reason, because he can eat what he wants and not work out and still be stick thin.  Yea, I'm a hater.....

This is going to be my new moto/motivation:

LOVES IT!!!

                  

Burn Out

I can tell that I definitely hit burn out mode on the weight loss front.  I've been going at it for about 6 months now and I'm finally just getting tired of being so strict with what I eat and having to work out. 

My trend has been, for about 2 months now, to work hard for a bout a week, maybe two, and then careless the following week.  My results have just stopped.  I'll lose weight the strict weeks and gain it back during the one bad week. 

It really gets to the point where you just hate your body.  You start to question, your why.  Why I decided to lose weight from the beginning, why I work so hard, and why I need to do this.  My "why" started with my daughter.  She is the reason for me wanting to be thinner and feel better about myself.  Of course, I do enjoy all the comments about how far I have came and how much better I look too. 

I'm finally just to the point where I feel comfortable in my own skin.  I know I still have a long way to go, but I don't feel like there is a rush anymore. 

I think I finally hit burn out from both the hard core work outs and the healthy eating.  Lately, I haven't had time to workout.  Work has been a complete mad house, Brynn is constantly on the go now that she is walking, and my photography business has picked up.  I did photos last week and I have appts the next two weeks as well.  Editing photos takes up SO much time.  It's no wonder it cost $300+ from the professionals. 

I've actually decided to drop out as a Beachbody coach.  I haven't had the time to dedicate to it AND the time I do dedicate to it seems to be wasted.  In the beginning, I would take 30 mins to an hour with people, just talking to them about the programs.  The answer always seemed to be, "I am definitely going to do it next pay day".  Then, next pay day comes and they still haven't bought anything OR they end up buying it from ebay, amazon, or have it burnt off the Internet.  It's frustrating!  I would take my time that I should have been working out or spending time with Brynnie with these people and yet, they would never follow through with me.  It got to the point where I realized that I couldn't keep buying new Beachbody programs just to stay active as a coach.  We live paycheck to paycheck unfortunately, and that extra money is always needed for my kiddos.  For instance, Brynn needs a convertible seat now and that's where my extra money is going next pay day.

I think their programs are ALL fabulous and I swear by them, but people these days want a miracle diet and/or pill.  No one wants to work out.  Heck, if it wasn't for my kiddos, I would be working out all the time.  I miss having the freedom to go to the gym for hours at a time. 

Regardless, I think I just need to go back to simple for a while.  Diet comes first (Weight Watchers), and try to work out at least 3 times a week and more if time allows it!!

Keeping it simple for a while.  Let's see how that goes.  :)

Best Garden Salsa EVER!

Garden Salsa

So, my mom and I had a ton of veggies from various gardens, so we made this salsa recipe, which was absolutely fab.  We used all ingredients from gardens except the canned items. 

Ingredients:

• 8 cups tomatoes, peeled, chopped and drained
• 2 1/2 cups onions, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups green peppers
• 1 cup jalapeno pepper, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons pepper
• 1/8 cup canning salt
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup vinegar
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (12 ounce) can tomato paste

Directions:

1. Mix all together and bring to a slow boil for 10 minute.
2. Seal in jars and cook in hot water bath for 10 minute.
3. This is a medium salsa. This is also a chunky salsa so if you want a smoother salsa cut your veggies into smaller pieces.
4. Yields 3-6 quarts or pints.

Of course, you can't have salsa without chips!!  I found these chips at Sam's and I seriously heart them!  As you  can see, my bag is almost gone...  :(

Check out the values, the are actually really tasty AND they are healthier:

ZERO Trans fat, NO artificial flavor or colors, GLUTEN free, LOW sodium, NO cholesterol, NO hydrogenated oils, and salted with Sea Salt.  I saw them at Walmart the other day as well.  :)