Tone Up Tuesdays

First week and I have bad news.  From last Tuesday to yesterday (my workout weeks are Tuesday through Monday), it has kicked my ever loving sick ass.  From the sore throat that started it all to the sinus infection and still bum knee from the snowboard incident, I like to think I have an excuse but it's not a good one.  I can never think of good excuses. 

All in all, this week I...

Better luck this week.

Bachelorette Party Inspiration Board

This coming Saturday is my Bachelorette Party and I'm so excited.  I know what we're doing but I know the girls are going to have plenty of games and things up their sleeves that I'm a little nervous!  I've been wanting to help plan but they're not letting me (imagine that) so I came up with a few inspiration boards myself (and stole on idea) on cute themes for Bachelorette parties.  I'm sure these will be handy for when my best friend gets married in the fall! 

Sassy Girlie Bachelorette Party  (Image borrowed from Storkie)

Bad Girls in Black Bachelorette Party

Spa Day Bachelorette Party

Camping Trip Bachelorette Party

Feel Good Friday

This is a really late post but I took a nap while watching a movie and am now wide awake! Ah well...happy Friday!!

Quite possibly the coolest cupcake I've ever seen!

I want this bookshelf in my home.

Speaking of books, just finished this tonight and can't stop thinking about it.  So touching!

Getting more and more antsy to get a dog.  Even though I've never had one, the thrill of the unknown makes me excited!

Haha, but it's so true!!

Images from:  We Heart It, vi.sualize.us, peace love and oats, Wikipedia, Constantly Blue

Are We Ever Really Ready?

One month from today, I will be Mrs. {Insert Not My Born With Last Name Here}.  One month from today, the day will have been over for a full day already and we'll be opening gifts and spending time with the ones closest to us.  One month from today, the day that we've spent the last 13 months planning for, will be over and a new chapter will begin.  One month. 

It seems like an eternity away and yet so soon.  Too soon.  When I thought it used to be bad when people would ask me "Are you ready?" three months ago, it has turned into the only thing people want to talk about.  I smile and tell them sure I'm ready.  I've never been so excited.  Everything the average person wants to hear.  The last part is accurate.  I really am excited to open a new door of my life and see where it takes me.  But am I ready?

Can anyone really be ready for marriage?  You're born into the world thinking you'll grow up, go to school, meet new friends, find a great job, travel, settle down, find someone who makes you laugh, travel some more, and start a family.  In my whole plan for life, marriage wasn't in there.  I wanted someone to hang out with, to make me laugh, to be by my side, but I never pictured myself the marrying kind. 

If anything I thought I would end up staying with said significant other for ten plus years then maybe we would get married if the time felt right.  Then the roommate came along.  He wanted to get married but wasn't too keen on having kids.  I wanted to have kids but wasn't too keen on getting married.  We compromised.

A whole lot will change and nothing will change at all in one month.  We'll still be the exact same people we were before.  We won't love eachother no more or no less than today.  A big thing that will be different is all that annoying paperwork I have to get through in order to get my last name changed.  We'll also be labeled in the "married" category of society.  On surveys...or anything for that matter, I won't be able to put single.  I'll have a label.  I asked to keep my own last name which to my dismay, I was replied to with a laugh.  We all can figure out what that answer meant.  All in all...my answer to the question "Are you ready?" is "Ready for what?" because I don't have anything to be ready for.  God has led me down this path for a reason and there is not point in questioning it because I know He knows this is right.  If I wasn't meant to be with this person, we wouldn't have made it this far. 

This has just been weighing me down the past few days as I sat at home watching Ms. Roberts in My Best Friends Wedding while battling a sinus infection.  I had to write about it.  See what you all thought.  Does anyone else think we are ever really ready to get married? 

Enough with the sappy stuff though.  This is the cutest fortune cookie ever...

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Bucket List (Part One)

A few years back I started a bucket list. Inspired by the movie, I put everything on there that I could possibly think of. I've had it hidden in a book for the past three or four years and take it out maybe once a year to glance at, check a few things off, then put it away. I've never really revised it but after going through it today, why would I ever want to learn how to play Poker? I don't gamble! A lot of things on the list already are things that will be staying but this list is overdue for an update which is kind of hard.

In the midst of my bucket list frenzy, I thought I would share with you a few in hopes that you would do the same. Here's to starting the new year off on a great foot thus far and hoping that I'll be able to cross a few things off my list!

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Not Another Workout Post

I bet you never thought I was as bad about working out as I warned you about.  Until you read this.  And this and this one.  And how could we forget this one.  Then you realized that wow...this girl really cannot commit to a workout can she?  I'm certainly not going to lie about it.  I'm awful at committing to exercise routines.  That's obvious by now though. 

While on Pinterest today, I found a health blog.  It's mostly just of pictures and health advice with exercise and eating better but a blog none-the-less.  Then I read the writers "about me" section and I realized she was me seven years ago.  The only thing about her and the seven year ago me is that she was doing something about it.  This is what she had to say...

I am an 18 year old college freshman. I've never been super skinny or fat, just average. I've always been the type of person who weighs more than people think. I am very active and was during high school. I started college at 140 and gained some weight during my break. I am done with this trend and am going to reach my dream body by spring break.

I'm sure she never thought anyone would read this and take it to heart but this 18 year old girl was something equivilant to a motivational speaker for me.  If she can do it, why can't I?  I'm not putting a dead line on my workout goals though.  I would essentially like to be in the best shape of my life by the beginning of June because I'm going to the Dominican Republic for a friends wedding but I'm afraid that if I say "I'm going to be in the best shape ever by June"  then once June comes I'll slip off the workout train. 

Like this girl, I've never been really skinny and I've never been fat.  I'm just the average 5'8" woman who's 25 and striving for muscle definition.  I haven't been able to work out the past few days because I've been really sick but once this sickness is kicked to the curb, I'm going to get moving.  The only person holding me back from having the best body I can have is me.  And I personally hate being my worst enemy. 

Starting today, every Tuesday I am going to blog about the past week.  A workout accomplishment, a healthy eating goal, something to keep my mind constantly on health and fitness.  Hopefully some of you will be able to take away things from my experience; others might just read and laugh and think that I won't stick to it.  You might be right but the only way for you and I to find out is to give it a shot. 

Let's say I blog Tuesdays until June...we'll see how it goes after that.  Fair?  If I'm still actually committed to working out like I'm hoping to be and enjoy writing about it (and am not boring you to death of course), I'll keep at it.  If not, I'll replace it with things that happen in my day-to-day life.  Get excited.  That may be even more boring!  Just kidding....sorta. 

Alright...here we go!

Aqua and Turquoise and Teal...Oh My!

I've got a thing for bright colors lately.  I have been thinking more and more about what I want our next house to look like and the colors and design we would incorporate into the house.  I suppose I could always change up the house we are in now, but I like the design and feel of our house now.  I'm looking for the next.

It might be because of the time of year we're in where there's a lull between Christmas and waiting for spring and everything seems drab, but I've been fishing for everything involving bright happy colors.  Last week, I posted about coral and my love for the color.  I was thinking about doing a turquoise post but then I realized that I can barely tell the difference between aqua, turquoise, and teal so why not roll them all into one post!

Here's a few images that I'm love love loving right now.  These rooms are gorgeous and the fashion finds that I threw in there for good measure I would wear in a heartbeat!

Aqua Family

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Turquoise Family

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Teal Family

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See what I mean...Does anyone else think they all look so similar or is it just me?

Scarves for all Seasons

January is obviously a time to wear scarves.  Winter scarves, fashion scarves, anything to keep our necks warm at this time of year.  But what about in the spring and summer?  One of my favorite things to do is "confuse seasons".  I used to look at people like they were crazy when they would wear turtleneck tanks or boots with dresses when it was warm out but then I ventured over to that side and I love it!  Along with those combinations comes scarves in the spring and summer. 

Scarves are one of my favorite articles in my wardrobe so why wouldn't I want to wear them all year long?  I think your favorite staple pieces in your closet should be able to be seen no matter what time of year.  One of many great things about scarves is that they add texture and style to even the most basic of clothes.  Another example would be a black and white striped top with a solid black shirt.  How cute would that be!

Below I've hunted out a few of my favorite printed scarves...

Top to bottom left to right:  Express, Delia's, Anthropologie, Ali Express, Amazon, Forever 21

If you're really concerned about a scarf looking out of season, try pairing lighter materials for the summer and spring and heavier thicker materials for the fall and winter.  Don't forget you can wear them with anything too!  They look adorable with sundresses and tanks in the summer months and sweaters or henleys in the winter months!

Any other suggestions or fun ways you can wear them?

Feel Good Friday

Happy Friday!  I'm hoping to kick this sore throat by Monday...hopefully I'll have success!  Have a great weekend all!!

A wall with sass!

Pretty rain boots for wet days like today

A mud room will be a requirement in my next house

A booklover couldn't possibly ask for anything more!

Rustic & cozy with your inspiration board right in front of you.  It's LOVE <3

Images from:  Dwell Studio, 28 Media, Blueprint Bliss, Booklover, House & Home