I Just Did This.....

Purchase confirmed:  And I.am.so.excited.  Many of you may not understand my need for a purchase such as this.  But if you're a fellow organizer and love to look at your life on paper, make "to-do" lists, and keep important dates right in front of you...you'll appreciate my excitement.  I've been considering this purchase for a while but was hesitant because of how much it costs.  It wasn't outrageous, but more than I'd typically spend on a planner.  My thinking is that since I buy two or three cheap ones throughout the year, this will save me money since it should last!  The tabs are laminated...cue the hallelujah chorus!  And did you see the folder in the back?  Yep- nice.  Okay- my gushing about the planner is over.  I found it on etsy if anyone is interested, I can share the shop name.  :)

 

Spring Wish List

There are so many cute things out there right now that I really, really want!  Granted, I'm blessed and have way more than I need, but it's fun to dream, right?  I love seeing new items you girls write about, so I thought I'd share what I've been eyeing lately. 

1.  I'm behind on this one, but I want a Pandora bracelet.  Everytime I see someone wearing them, my need for it grows. Ha! I wish they weren't so expensive!

 2.  Speaking of jewelry, I saw a Waxing Poetic charm the other day online that I.MUST.HAVE.  I have a necklace with two charms and I want to add to it.  I have an A my mom got me for Christmas, and the other is a cross that my sweet friends gave me for my birthday.  Now, I want this one to go with it.  LOVE.

3.  Who loves Charming Charlie?  ME!!!  While most of the jewelry in there is just a wee bit out of my box, I love to go in there and browse.  It's fun to look at all the earrings, necklaces, shoes, scarves, etc.  The last couple times I've been in there, I've discovered their perfume.  It's smells reeeeeally good.  I'd consider myself to be somewhat of a perfume connoisseur.  I have forever been a fan of smelling nice and never leave the house without spraying something on.  So when I tell you something smells nice, believe me!  There are two kinds I like there: Lace and So Smitten.  They're both that light, clean smell that I enjoy.  I think a bottle is $30. Not too shabby.

4.  Anyone that knows me well knows I love me some Iphone cases!  I have several one or two that I alternate back and forth.  Something about changing them up makes me feel like I have a new phone.  Well today, I discovered this puppy.  I LOVE it.  It's Jessica Swift.  I saw someone with one the other day and was immediately smitten.  It's hard plastic, wraps completely around the phone, and isn't one of those flimsy ones like you see often.  It looks really durable, which is what I like most.

What are your favorite things for spring?  Do share!

***Chicago Post is coming up next!  Stay tuned.

Favorite Things- Diet Edition

“Favorite Things” posts are by far the most fun to write!  Since starting this diet (update at the bottom of the post), I have learned to adapt my taste buds to all different types of foods.  I’ve found some really great low-carb ideas and some not so great.  I wanted to dedicate this “Favorite Things” post to my new favorite diet foods.

1.      Kangaroo Pita Chips- Technically, I am not supposed to be eating any packaged foods.  However, who has time or even wants to have time to cook three meals a day?  Not this girl.  So, if I find packaged foods that meet my criteria of low carb/high fiber, I snatch them up!  These chips are an example.   There are only 18g of carbs and 3g of fiber in 11 chips, which is plenty.  Most chips have little to no fiber, which helps balance out the carbs.  These puppies are seasoned so they’re good by themselves, or even better with some sort of dip.

2.      Guacamole from ALDI- I'm a new fan of guacamole...especially when it's cheap AND tastes good!  I can't remember what brand it is, but it's the only type I saw at ALDI.  It does have a lot of fat, but it's the "good" fat and is very healthy due to being made from avocados.  To use for dipping, I make my own chips.  I take a carb balance tortilla, cut into thin strips, and bake  on 425 for about 10-15 minutes.  They work perfectly.

3.      Progresso Tomato Basil Soup-  This soup is very high in fiber and tastes like it came from your favorite girly sandwich shop downtown with those cute little crackers and mint leaves on top.  I take string cheese and melt it in the soup.  Perfect combination. 

4.      Life Choice Peanut Butter Crunch Protein Bars- Albeit another packaged food, they have 10g of protein and 6g of fiber, with only 23g of carbohydrates. 

5.       Florida Oranges- I've become obsessed with oranges.  I can't get enough!

6.      Sweet Potato Fries- Sweet potatoes are full of fiber so surprisingly, they are allowed on this diet.  I stick these in the oven for about 30 minutes and they’re crispy and downright tasty!

Update:

The diet is going well, I guess.  It’s sooooo  slow, though, and I don’t do well with that.  I’ve been trudging away at eating protein, fruits,  veggies, and doing without SUGAR for about six weeks now and have been stuck at 7-8 pounds for a long time.  I won’t say there haven’t been times when I’ve eaten things I shouldn’t, because there have been.  However, I am pretty doggone proud of myself for how hard I’ve worked, regardless of what the scale is saying.  This week in particular (cough cough) I have been craving any morsel of sweetness I can find.  I’ve managed to refrain for the most part.  I feel MUCH better physically, and I appreciate the favor I’m doing my body in feeding it all the right things.  I never eat as healthy as I do when I’m on this “diet.”  I am choosing from now on to refer to it as my new lifestyle.  I hope to eat like this from now on.  I owe it to myself and my God to honor the temple He has given me.  Prayers are still appreciated, as I am still learning to transition into healthy eating habits.

Favorite Things- Dieters' Edition

When am I ever not on a diet?  Answer? NEVER.  Currently, I am watching my caloric intake and drowning myself in water...literally.  Today, I've already had around two liters.  Since my new found motivation has arrived and I am attempting once again to conquer the seemingly inconquerable, I have come across a few new favorite things that I wanted to share.

1.  Parmesan and Tuscan Baked Lays

These taste incredible!  I have always been a Baked Lays fan, but these are way different than the others.  I can't describe the flavor. You will just have to trust me and find out for yourself.  You won't regret it.

2.  McDonald's Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

This isn't just any yogurt.  I honestly would rather have this than one of their ice cream sundaes.  The granola adds the perfect amount of crunch and the fruit in the middle tops it off.  It's only 160 calories and well worth every.single.one.

3.  Chick-fil-A's Chicken and Fruit Salad

This has definitely become a new favorite and I can thank my sister for introducing me a few months ago. I had completely forgotten about it until I re-started this diet.  I am  a huge fan of fruit on my salad.  This one is perfect.  It's grilled chicken, oranges, apples, and mandarin oranges, with granola and berry balsamic dressing. 

4.  Chili's Carribean Salad

Again, this is another salad with fruit.  They've included pineapple as well as red bell peppers to this one.  The best part is the Honey Lime Dressing.  Click the link and scroll down for the recipe.

5.  My Fitness Pal App

Thank you, Haley, for this recommendation!  It's a total life saver!  Unless the calories are marked on the box or package, I typically don't know exactly how many to count.  With this app, I don't have to.  There is a search engine inside and you can look for any and every food possible.  There are restaurant menus, also.  Not only does it tell you how many calories, but also gives COMPLETE nutritional facts including fat, cholesterol, sodium, vitamins, etc.  At the end of the day, it gives you a summary of what you've eaten and also lets you know what you need to eat more of, less of, etc.  The best part...it's FREE!

Hope you enjoy!

Favorite Things

I love these posts!

1. Great Value Naturally Sweetened Drink Mix I am super excited about this recent find at Walmart. I hate drinking so much aspartame in diet drinks. I can tolerate water sometimes, but I'm not a huge fan. Sweet tea is my favorite, but sugar isn't healthy either. This, until now, hadn't left me with many healthy choices of beverages. I found these drink mixes and was thrilled! I have been waiting for this for a long time. It's sweetened with truvia, which is a natural sweetener that comes from the stevia plant. I actually make tea now and sweeten it with truvia. The mango pineapple is good and the strawberry kiwi tastes great, also. Here's to having something healthy AND low calorie to drink!

2. My current obsession...



3. World Market- LOVE this store and wish there was one closer. Any time I visit Birmingham I like to go. They have the best curtains and kitchen equipment...or should I say cutest???!!!

4. True North Nut Clusters- SO good!

5. Shimmer Nail Polish

This is my most recent selection. It's Sally Hanson Midnight Sky. I'm all about some cool nail polish! Now if someone would only invent a way to make it stay on for more than a day without chipping.

I tag everyone to do a Favorite Things blog now. It's one of my favorites to read!

New Favorite Things

Here are a few things I've come to love recently. 

1.  Zagg Sheild-

Just today, I had this put on my phone.  It is an invisible protective screen.  I hated the screen protectors I had before because they seemed to never stay clean and they peeled off really easily.  This shield is strong enough to resist scratches from keys or anything else your phone comes in contact with in your purse.  You can't even feel it on the screen, either.  It's awesome!  Get it at Best Buy.

2- Snuggle Exhilarations- Blue Iris and Bamboo Silk

I am a sucker for some good smelling laundry detergent or dryer sheets.  I actually bought the Blue Iris and Bamboo Silk Snuggle dryer sheets and they.are.amazing!!!!  My clothes smell so fresh and clean when they're dried.  It's definitely worth the extra money to buy a product that works so well. 

3. Comcast's ON DEMAND

I put my DVR to the test by recording about as many shows as it can tolerate.  I'm a reality tv junkie and not a bit ashamed to admit it.  However, over the weekend I realized that for some reason Survivor hadn't been taping.  I checked ON DEMAND and there they were...the last four episodes, three of which I missed.  I was able to completely catch up on what I missed!  There are free movies, as well as the latest releases you can purchase with the click of a button.  It was niiiiice!

4.  Last but certainly not least...PINTEREST.

My awesome cousin Brooke told me about this website.  It's the greatest thing, ever!  You have to request an invitation and it takes a few days to be accepted, but it's completely free.  Basically, when you read new recipes online, see something you'd like for your home, or find a new craft, you can "pin" it to one website.  Pinterest allows you to create "boards" to save your favorites.  I have boards for new crafts, books I'd like to read, my personal wish list, etc.  It's fantastic!!!  All my favorites are in one place.  It's genious!

Have a great week, friends!  I'm still searching for April's book. I will let you know when I decide.  Happy Spring!

Current Favorite Things

1. Sarah Taylor- She will be seven weeks old Tuesday and is the love of my life.

2.  Snow Days! There's about 11 inches outside and no chance of it disappearing quickly.  I'm not excited about making up the days at school, but I love days where I don't have to feel guilty for staying in my pajamas.

3.  The Food Network- I have rekindled my love for watching this channel.  I have chicken marinating now in a citrus/garlic recipe I saw Saturday on Rachel Ray's 30 minute meals.  If it turns out well, I will post it. :)

4.  Estee Lauder IDEALIST.  While I don't have a huge problem with acne (most of the time at least), I certainly need some help in the overall health of my skin. This cream is amazing!  It is fairly expensive, hence me having to ask Santa to bring it.  But, it's very worth it.  I needed it primarily to shrink the size of my pores.  You can see a difference almost immediately. 

4.  Gap Slipper Booties- A friend gave these to me a couple years ago and they stayed in my sock drawer until now.  I have to admit, I thought they were sort of silly at first.  Since it's freezing outside and I'm lounging around today enjoying a snow day, I decided to pull them out.  Oh my goodess!  I have so been missing out!  They are phenomenal!  They are super comfy and extremely warm.

5.  The Bachelor!!!  If you know me at all, you know I am a reality television fanatic!  This season is no different.  I know many of you probably dislike Brad due to the fact that he didn't choose any of the women on the final night of his season. I actually respect him for that.  I think it's very noble of him not to choose either one if he knew he wouldn't/couldn't commit to either of them.  I'm excited to see what this season has in store!  For the record-  I'm NOT reading Reality Steve.  My choices at this point are Emily and Ashley S.