Blogmopolitan Quiz

Y'all, all I can say is thank. goodness. it's. Friday. 

You know those weeks when you're truckin' along, getting everything done, and then you smash headfirst into a brick wall and lose every ounce of steam you had?

Yeah, it was that kind of week for me. Today I had high hopes of getting laundry done, making a Spanish study guide....  The closest I got to either of those things was bringing my basket of clothes to the washing machine and eating chips and salsa (that's Mexican, right?! kidding, kidding...). After running, class, buying a gift for a shower this weekend, thrift-shopping for a project, and teaching a lesson to a small but rowdy group of third-graders after school, I was practically a zombie.  (Sidenote: teaching math + basketball = no. Just trust me on that one.)

I think sometimes we work so hard to just get everything done, we forget to take time to breathe and just be. At least, I know I forget to do this from time to time! 

I knew I needed a breather tonight, so instead of a Five on Friday, I decided to fill out this fun little Blogmopolitan Quiz, via Erin at Two Thirds Hazel! Usually, I read magazines to de-stress, but this time, I felt like I was part of one! So fun!

I'll definitely still be checking out Five on Friday with April, Christina, Darci, and Natasha, but I kind of liked spicing things up a little bit- hope everyone is having a fab Friday!

Happy No Makeup Monday!

Let me start by saying I've been a Today Show fan ever since I was a little girl. My mom was a huge Katie Couric fan during her reign on NBC, so it's no surprise I too love waking up with Today. However, lately I've been giving them a bit of grief for shying away from important international news (hello Ukrainian government, or lack thereof). Don't get me wrong- I love talking about pop culture and trendable topics as much as the next American, but I don't really need to see Willy Geist taking a shot of vodka at 8 am (I understand it wasn't 8 am in Sochi, but still...).  I digress. I was super excited to turn on the news this morning and see Today was celebrating Love Your Selfie week! I don't think it's any coincidence they chose this week to celebrate and advocate self-love and respect. This week is also National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. I knew I wanted to mention that somehow on the blog, and Today gave me the perfect way to do that! This morning all the anchors participated in "No Makeup Monday" and I was inspired. Because sometimes I need a reminder that other people seeing me without makeup will not kill me (now will it kill them? I'm not sure...). I started my blog to document my real life, and this is it.

A selfie isn't bad if it's for a good cause, right?

Sidenote: I look like I'm wearing chapstick for some reason?! Promise I'm not!

Although No Makeup Monday isn't exactly body image related, it certainly to self esteem, and honestly, self esteem can be tricky. I'd like to thing I have a healthy self-esteem, but I've also been known to be super hard on myself. If you'd have told high school me I'd one day post a picture of myself without a stitch of makeup onto the internet, I would have fainted. I was so self-conscious of my acne, and we're not talking average pimple here and there! I was on Accutane for that ish- AKA a medicine that was later pulled off the market for all its dangerous side effects. I wouldn't let anyone see me without concealer and foundation.  Now, since I said this is a real blog.... Real life involved me putting on my makeup .5 seconds after I took that picture. 

Ta-da!  Had to add this pic in since it's also Murfee Monday! Inspired by Gracie Beth! 
Thankfully, I'm not nearly as mean to myself as I used to be, but I could still point out many flaws. Ridiculously dark, hereditary under-eye circles? I've got 'em. Large nose? Got that too. Five-head forehead? More like six-head. Obviously, I am aware of my imperfections and I don't always embrace them like I should. My mom always said I was my own worst critic!  I'm willing to bet many of you are your own worst critics, too. I hope you'll challenge yourself this week to only see the good in you- to see yourself the way God sees you.

Five On Friday: Valentines Aftershock

I have come to terms with something, friends. I am officially labeling myself as a victim of PVDFD: Post Valentine's Day Fat Disorder.  Most people talk about holiday weight around Christmas time, but my holiday weight gain happens a couple months late. The past week has been a whirlwind of pink sprinkles and buttercream frosting, and now I'm paying for it.  I have a tendency to become a little overdramatic when it comes to stuff like this (I've been known to say I can feel my double-chin growing), so if you're not into reading my rant, I get it. However, if you like to know you're not the only one who is suffering from this (self-inflicted) woe, read on.  Here's how I gained three pounds this week....

Exhibit A:

Lindt's Lindor Truffles.

I feel the need to cue the heavenly sound of cherubs singing whenever I see (or eat) these chocolates. Since John's original goodies (Exhibit C) didn't make it in time for the real day thanks to the snow, he picked up a big box of my favorite chocolates in the world. And y'all, I don't mess around with chocolate. I know my stuff. These are better than any other chocolate ever. 

Exhibit B: 

Delicious homemade cookies from my mom.

How precious are these cookies?! My mom is the cutest and made a plate of these for Corey (brother), Morgan (brother's girlfriend), Adam (cousin), John (world's best boyfriend), and me. They really did look like giant candy hearts, but the taste was a million times better!

Exhibit C: 

 Delivered cookies from Cheryl's. 

John decided to mix things up and get cookies sent instead of flowers this year, so I'm not sure if he really loves me, or really hates me.... Flowers die, but peanut butter and chocolate buttercream stay on your hips forever. ;) Even though they didn't arrive on time, I was impressed with how cute and yummy they were! The individual packaging made them perfect for sharing, too! 

Exhibit D:

Funfetti cupcakes with even more fun frosting.
While I was snowed in last week, I whipped up some Funfetti cupcakes and decorated them with some cream cheese frosting with my Valentine in mind, but sadly, John never got his hands on any of these! I gave some to my running buddies last weekend, and thank goodness I did, because the rest sat in my house getting stale all week! (Okay, okay, I ate a couple...) Exhibit E:

How I'm getting rid of it: Blogilates Fit Journal. 

I've been meaning to do a post on this for a while, and I still will, but for now, let me just tell you: I'm so over diets, guys. I mean it. I've tried and failed at a million and one, and I don't plan on trying another quick fix ever again. It's just not worth it to me. I purchased this journal because it doesn't tell you what you can and can't eat. It gives me a place to write everything down, and it comes with a 12 week meal plan I can modify and use as a guide, which I need. I love that the focus for this isn't losing weight; it's getting fit. Although I am joking around, complaining about the three pounds I gained, the small increase in the number on the scale doesn't bother me, and it certainly doesn't define me. However, I know that those three pounds were gained almost effortlessly (unless you count the effort it took to unwrap a truffle or cookie!), and I don't want to go back to a place of self-loathing just because I didn't make choices that were conducive to a healthy lifestyle.  Have I lost all my readers at this point, or are you okay with me spilling my guts and ranting every now and then? I'd like to think I'm not the only gal who gains a little weight during Valentine's Day! Hope y'all have a happy (and healthy!) weekend!

Go check out April, Christina, Natasha, and Darci! 

NYFW in Review

Hi, loves! Hope everyone had a fabulous Valentine's and Presidents Day weekend! February might be the shortest month of the year, but it certainly doesn't lack special events! Yes, the Olympics are currently the talk of the world, but last week, I had my eye on something else, too: New York Fashion Week.  

Now, I feel the need to warn people I am not a fashion guru by any means. If you're here looking for fancy words about the way something's tailored, or info on all the latest trends, you're reading the wrong blog! For the most part, I have no idea what's trendy and what's "so last season" (I tend to just wear things matchy-patchy out of fear of doing something wrong). However, I did enjoy peeking through some of the collections this year. There were some gorgeous pieces, the "Wows," and then there were some ensembles that really made me scratch my head, the "WTFs". 

Here are the "Wow" looks of the week:

Lela Rose

With this collection, Lela Rose became one of my favorite designers! That orchid (Pantone color of the year!) dress is to die for, and the polka dot overlay on the dress in the top left is precious. This may sound weird, but I'm totally digging that jeweled top-pantsuit thing (or whatever you want to call it!). The bottom right look is cool- the kind of look I wish I could pull off, but never could.

Tory Burch

It took me a while to decide whether I loved or hated this pleated coat. I decided on love. 

Trina Turk

I'm a huge Trina Turk fan, and although most of her collection didn't "wow" me, this dress did.

Missoni 

There's no mistaking who designed this dress- I love Missoni's bold patterns. This outfit is definitely something I'd love to wear next fall!

Monique Lhuillier 

Monique's show was the one I couldn't wait to watch, and she didn't disappoint! Gorgeous gowns, per usual.

Zac Posen

This man, notorious for dressing women like Sofia Vergara, knows how to cater to a woman's curves! 

Alice and Olivia

Alice + Olivia is always classic meets edgy, which I love. 

Badley Mischka 

Can't say I was surprised at how much I loved this dynamic duo's collection this year. I love pretty much everything they make! (I'm actually ignoring the Russian fur caps we have going on...)

Oscar De La Renta

That top red dress is stuh.ning. And don't even get me started on the glittery bows adorning the pink champagne gown.... Love!

Joie

This precious red trench cape is calling my name.

Marchesa 

This rich and glamorous gown was meant to shine on the red carpet.

Jenny Packham

Overall, I think this collection may have been my favorite. Just so many sparkling stunners!

Escada 

You all know how I feel about capes: love.

Herve Leger

I'm always iffy about fur, but I think the dress is cool.

Ralph Lauren

RL has a way with making soft, romantic classics. How gorgeous would this be on someone like Jen Aniston?!

Reem Acra

The red dress is absolutely stunning, and I hope to see it on the red carpet at some point!

As always, lots of the big-name designer's collections left me head-scratching. Here are a few of the "WTFs" of the week:

Vera Wang

Y'all, is it just me, or does this girl look like she's an eight foot tall dementor from Harry Potter? Seriously, world's longest legs. Or highest platforms. 

Milly

The high-waisted trend is cute in my book, but there's a fine line between stylin' and Steve Urkel. These pants cross that line.

Betsey Johnson

Every single piece in her collection was this weird. I just can't with that horrid belt and hideous scrunchy top-dress thing.... 

Michael Kors

Because what man wouldn't want to wear a turtleneck sweatsuit with sandals?

House of Holland

I don't even want to know how many Muppets were killed in the making of this line...

Public School

I'm honestly okay with most of this, but when we get up to the weird wool blanket slash hat (which I'm pretty sure was stolen from Arthur Dimmesdale a la Scarlet Letter)... I just get confused. 

Alexander Wang

I'm at a loss here. What do you even call this pocketed, wool coat-ish, romper-ish monster? 

Marc Jacobs

Kendall Jenner (and her boobs) made an appearance in Marc Jacob's show, but I figured I'd show one of his more modest looks... And also one of his more ridiculous looks.

Rebecca Minkoff 

With pants channeling Beetlejuice and a top channeling who knows what, the right accessory is obviously a fannypack. 

Preen by Thornton Bregazzi

Darth Vader was definitely one of Preen's themes, as he made an appearance on several dresses and tops in the show. This dress is even freakier than Vader's creepy breathing.

Like I said, I'm no fashionista, so if you disagree, I completely understand! What were your thoughts on Fashion Week? Does it make you excited for Fall? (Or are you like me, and just trying to make it to Spring and Summer?!)