Finally...

My first wedding blog feature! Check it out if you have a second : )

JAMA!

Our trip was excellent. There's much to say, but I won't bore you with details so here's the summarized version: Food was excellent, staff was aggressive, airports suck, weather was pretty much perfect, rooms were nice (but don't look too closely), and the scenery was serene. AHHH...a vacation I really, really needed. Any cures to get rid of post-vacation funk though? I'm especially needing it coming home to -38 weather : (

Dance sesh on the beach.

Oh ya, I went brunette the night we left!

And Michael C. Hall...aka Dexter. (No, he wasn't at the resort, but Travis was told about 15 times that he looked like him by various people.) I definitely see a resemblance. He was told this a few years ago too when Michael was in Six Feet Under. Huh.

Off to the beach...

in one sleep!

Still a pile of work to wade through, but it'll work itself out.

In the meantime, LOVED this post from my friend Megz...she always inspires me and drives me through her words...thanks Meaghan! Hope you don't mind me sharing this :)

Enjoy.

NOW NEVER ENDS.

Seriously!! Life is what it is, and it is what you make of it. Why are you so settled with "good enough"? Why don't you want more from your life? Why are you letting other people dictate your worth? WHY do you keep waiting for tomorrow?

Why are you sitting back and accepting the hand you have been dealt? YOU (and only you) control your destiny and your life. You make decisions every day, and you are the one who gets to determine which choices are excuses and which choices will propel you further ahead.

No one else will ever, EVER get to live your life. It is yours for a reason, a gift from God. Use it to its fullest potential. Surround yourself with people whose sole purpose is to lift you up and help you grow; leave behind those that are holding you back. They are only holding you back because they are scared of the greatness you are capable of. They are scared that they too might possess such greatness.

Don't be trapped by fear.

Quit settling, and start living. Stretch your mind to encompass the possibilities of this world, and start discovering all that you really are and can be.

Now never ends.

Pull Ups

Can you do pull ups? I've never, ever been able to. In fact, I was the kid that could never conquer monkey bars. (I still can't swing across; it's embarrassing!) Whereas my friend Tara, the tiniest little thing, can pull herself up like nobody's business. WTF?

So my new goal: to do ONE pull-up. A couple of days ago I bought a pull-up bar from Winners for 12 bucks, and Trav installed it yesterday. I did a workout yesterday with about 70 pull-ups...of course I did them all assisted with my ottoman underneath my feet. By Christmas I hope to do one completely and utterly unassisted with perfect form. Long-term? I hope to do ten in a row. In fact, I just may need to add that into my 101 goals...

Meet Sak Man

**UPDATE

Saku puked on the kitchen table the other day and Trav almost killed him. Seriously. He wants to get rid of him! I keep changing the subject when he brings it up, so I think we're good for a little while...

My chubby kitty Saku. I need to put him on a diet...but all he cares about is food. Cats are cuter when they're chubby, aren't they?

Another Redo...finally!

These aren't the best photos, but check out what I did with this hand-me-down dresser. I think it was built in the early sixties. I loved the shape, but didn't love the finish. And no handles drove me crazy!

I hauled out all the pieces (on my own!), then proceeded to sand them down with an automatic sander I borrowed from Trav's grandpa.

And this is my favourite part. I absolutely love Anthropologie for the beautiful things they have. But I hate that they're so expensive. Alas, I caved and bought seven of these gorgeous knobs (it was so hard to choose!) at 8 bucks each. I love them.

And the final product! Don't mind the pillows on top...Trav always throws them there. Sigh...guys and their pillows. At least he's not throwing them on the floor anymore. So in total, the project cost me 80 bucks (knobs and primer.) I used leftover paint and borrowed everything else.
I'll feature my next project soon...it actually involves something that hangs above the dresser. I'm still deciding if I want to do more with it, or leave it as is. And after that...I'm really hoping Santa will get me a brand new kitchen counter and backsplash!! Forest green just doesn't do it for me anymore...

This is why I'm growing out my hair...

So chic; I'm in love. Found at http://experienceparisienne.com/blog/ooh-la-la-how-to-get-a-perfectly-messy-bun/

Ooh La La! How To Get that Perfectly Messy Bun

Whenever I visit Paris, the girls always seem to have such perfectly tousled, bedhead-y hair. So, in Miami, I asked my friend C., a hair stylist, to show me how to twist up my hair casually but beautifully. (No more crappy buns with a rubber band!)

Here are her six steps…

Step #1: Make your hair dirty. “I wash my hair only once a week,” admits C. “When your hair is too clean, it won’t stay put.” After showering, she massages in eitherAveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion or a homemade spray, made with one part sea salt, three parts water and a few spritzes of leave-in conditioner. “It makes my hair piece-y enough to work with,” she says.

(During the week, C. uses dry shampoo to keep her hair from getting greasy. Rene Furterer Naturia is her favorite. “And it smells like roses!” she says.)

Step #2: Next, pull together your hair and hold it straight up (“like Lucky Troll Doll,” she laughs).

Step #3: Then twist your hair down to a few inches above the crown.

Step #4: Wrap your hair around itself until it forms a loose bun, right on top of your head.

Step #5: Pin the bun in place with bobby pins. “Anywhere from four to eight, depending on how thick your hair is,” C. says. “You want it loose but secure.”

Step #6: Finally, pull loose strands of hair from the nape of your neck and around your face to make it look like you’ve worn the bun all day (or even slept in it!) And there you have it: That certain je ne sais quoi.

An old but favourite pastime...

Back in the day, when I first got the internet and didn't yet understand what it was, I used to look up clothes. And makeup. But mostly clothes. Today I had some time to surf around a little and looked up a site I used to always check out: Victoria's Secret. I go through flings with them...sometimes I'm loving what they're doing, and sometimes it just feels blah to me. One thing is for sure – their models are damn sexy! I love Marisa Miller. My favourite bikini that I bought in Vegas is Victoria's Secret too. The fit is incredible, especially of the bottoms...no smoosh goosh anywhere! Anyway, they've actually got some cute stuff out now. Check out my faves:

I just love off-the-shoulder. I don't know what it is, but it's just sexy to show the collarbone! Initially I wanted a off-the-shoulder wedding gown. Couldn't find any though.

Classic and sexy, hmmm? With jeans or a skirt.

Love the loose T look. Not sure I can rock it though. Not until the summer at least!

I've got my black leather jacket already...but I really, really LOVE this one. Awesome fit.

Another place I hardly get to shop at, but love, is French Connection. The fit is so great, and their pieces are always original and a little different from what everyone else is doing. I have to remember to mark a few of these down on my Xmas list! (Unless we get a new kitchen countertop instead...)

So that was my shopping trip this afternoon! Fun yet frugal... ; )

Yep, updates.

I know we say it every year, but haven't the past few months been a blur? I can't believe we're only a few weeks away until we fly off to Jamaica for my best friend's wedding. I really need this vacation!

Our resort.

I've got to work on my maid, or matron (I sound old!) of honour speech. Being a full-time writer, I'm expected to have something funny, fabulous...the pressure is on! I keep putting it off, but I suppose I should just spill out the ideas on the page – dumb or not – and go from there. That's my usual working style...let it all out, then edit away!

In the meantime, I've been planning her stagette. Of course, it's themed...I wouldn't have it any other way! I can't reveal it yet, as she might be reading this...so stay tuned for pictures to follow. It's been a lot of thinking and organizing that has fallen on my shoulders, so I really hope it turns out to be memorable and fun.

Tara and I at a friend's wedding in September.

***

I've been spending a couple nights a week teaching at Dance Alberta, and for the most part, it's been good. A great learning experience! I haven't taught beginners in awhile, so in that sense it's been a challenge. Especially with my younger ones. I have noticed that kids just seem a whole lot lazier these days...is it just me or what? I remember in my classes when I was their age that I was always pushing myself to do better. Practicing and perfecting. They just don't seem to care. One girl asked me why we need to stretch or do a warmup. Another one just constantly asks me when the dancewear will be in so she can prance around in the DA logo and say "I'm a dancer." (I imagine this JT style from his Beyonce skit, ha!) I've been fairly tough on them but I think I need to up the ante. I just need to strike the right balance so they don't hate coming to my class! They'll thank me one day : )

Right now I've perusing costume choices online...fun! There's so much more available than when I used to dance it seems. Hopefully most of them like my choices...it's especially hard with the teens.

Cooking you can count on...

I've been in the "experimental" phase of cooking for awhile now: getting to know what Trav likes, what I like, what's quick and easy and what's worth the effort. I try to use new recipes at every opportunity, and while I don't cook quite as much as I'd like, I've started to collect a handful of recipes I can whip up and know they'll be good. Here's a few of my random favourites; try them out if you have a chance. If they turn out for me, I guarantee you'll make them work too.

Pasta Carbonara

I had never tried this pasta until I made it myself. So delicious! Wholesome, pure ingredients. And yes, not the lowest in calories but it's real food. Kaitlyn and I whipped it up Friday night while sipping some shiraz – bliss. This is the recipe I use, from The Pioneer Woman Cooks. Ree Drummond has taught me so much about cooking and her recipes always turn out. I recommend anything she recommends!

Sweet Potato Fries and Garlic Aioli

Alright, so I don't make the fries from scratch...McCain actually sells them frozen, and they are a better choice than your regular bag of frozen fries. Since trying sweet potato fries last year Blue Plate downtown, I crave them all the time! However, the mayo-based dip (I know, I know, not the healthiest) is necessity. Always, always. This recipe is easy and quick, and tastes just like the restaurant's dip...if not better!

Cheesy Homemade Macaroni

Again, Pioneer Woman comes through! Never, ever resort KD again.

Crash Hot Potatoes

Such simple ingredients, so crunchy and tasty...if you're craving salt or crunch or potato chips, this will fit the bill. And with heart healthy olive oil...it's a much better choice!

Spinach Dip

Travis and I love Kelsey's...people make fun of us for going to the family restaurant, but if you try their spinach dip, you'd understand. Fricken amazing! It's exactly why we go. They used to deep fry their pita chips that went along with the dip, but now they have a baked variety...healthier yes, but not quite as exciting. I found this recipe that rips of the Kelsey's original, and it's pretty darn close! Great for parties, snacking, or just because.

I have more recipes...but those are the ones that initially come to mind. I'll have to do a dessert feature later, because we all know I'd rather indulge in a dessert if I had to choose!

: (

I'm grumpy and exhausted. At least it's Friday, but ugh. That's not even getting me excited today! I couldn't sleep last night; I was up til about 3. That especially annoys me when I had an early night planned – all to myself. My brother came home with his gf and neither of them were very respectful to the fact that I was in the next room over.... GRRRRRRRRRRR! And it doesn't help that I'm the lightest sleeper ever and my mind likes to race AFTER 11 pm.

Sigh. I'm ready for Jamaica! We leave at the beginning of December, and I'm SO READY!

So here goes, I'm going to do my best to make this day enjoyable despite my complaints and groggy head. I have a million things to be grateful for. And one of those of course is you, so as always, thanks for listening... : )

Quick! New Blog Shoutouts...

I'm becoming more and more of a blogger fiend...you get so much for free! This made me tear up a little...(must be the strange mood I've been in lately). It's pieces of advice we ALL can use.

And bodyrock.tv - my new go-to workout spot. Zuzana has the most amazing body and determination. And again, it's free.

Enjoy your Monday...I'm off to teach a room of hyper children dance.

Cut. It. Out.

I've been attempting a healthier lifestyle the last few months or so. Nothing drastic, because this is something I want to be able to adapt and do forever. I've begun by making smallish changes slowly...educating myself along the way.

I've gotten much better at reading nutritional labels and now only eat cereal that has 10 grams of sugar or less, but at least 5 grams of fiber. Not many fit that bill! Kashi Flakes and Fiber is my favourite...but of course I do add in a handful of chocolate chips to take care of my sweet tooth first thing (I hope that doesn't cancel out the nutritional benefits)! I've also started eating almost as soon as I get up. It gets everything revved up and gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

I've also cut out pop completely, diet or otherwise – including for mixed drinks, so that's why I've been a fan of vodka water. That's not to say I'm perfect all the time...at the odd party you're handed a drink mixed with pop and sometimes you don't have much of a choice but to drink it. But overall, there's hardly any pop coming my way. (Trav and I have even been bringing water to the movies!)

I'm ready for my next challenge now, and that will be to cut out margarine and butter on my bread (note that I will NEVER eliminate bread from my diet. It's just not worth going through life without it!!!). I'm going to try replacing it with olive oil. I'm trying to watch the preservatives in my bread too, and have heard that buying straight from a bakery is the way to go. It's ridiculous how many ingredients bagged, sliced bread has. So many additives...notice how it can last for weeks and weeks? That's just not natural; no wonder our bodies are getting confused and softening up. They don't know how to process it...and that goes for sooooo many fake foods. We're a processed nation, and I'm the first to admit I've been a slave to it. It's just so easy! This is much more of my concern as opposed to calorie or fat count. So for now I'm going to try the bakery...how can anyone argue with freshly baked bread?!

I could talk forever about this stuff as I learn more and more...I find it so fascinating in my quest to be healthier, stronger and fitter.

Have you cut out anything or made any recent changes in your diet or lifestyle?

New obsession

Remember how I used to collect magazines? Well mostly I've cleaned up that habit a bit. To save us money I FINALLY purchased a subscription to Glamour, the magazine I do actually read and enjoy every single month. The rest of them? Shhh, don't tell, but I totally read them in the drugstore at lunchtime. Score! And I check out blogs a lot more to get my reader's fix. Seriously, I've figured in doing so I've saved about 40 bucks a month at least...around 500 bucks a year!

Alas, I have started enjoying something else though...workout videos! I bought two off ebay with some leftover paypal funds I had from a secret shop I did ages ago. I don't plan on getting a gym membership anytime soon, and I really enjoy working out at home (which makes it doable timewise...just throw on my clothes and do it! I save a ton of time.) I just needed a bit of variety because all I was doing was Jillian's videos (which will always be my staples; you know I love her). I just got a new one just the other day that I'm super excited to try, by Cathe Friedrich. She's supposed to more advanced, so I'm pumped to try it because most of them are introductory levels which doesn't do much for me now. My collection is at around 15 or so. Trav and I have Jamaica in December...that's two months to get it tight and together, so I've got no excuses to try every one! I'll certainly let you know how it goes.

Stalled but moving...

Don't you hate that feeling? Every day I make it through my list of menial things to do: going here, going there, working, cleaning, shopping, filing, paying bills, etc. But then there's those bigger things that just don't happen. Read: bathroom reno. Ongoing for a couple of months now. Between Trav and I and our opposite schedules and multiple jobs, it just ain't happening! Instead I'm working on ways to forget about it and relax, haha. Right now the floor is torn up, and we finally went to End of the Roll and purchased some lino. The finish line is so far away...

Fresh and frugal?

I've seen inspiration many places...from Jillian Michaels' latest book (LOVE!) to Young House Love's tips on living on less. Trav and I are budgeting tighter now, but that doesn't mean we can't have as much fun as before! I'm actually enjoying ways to cut back...it simplifies life and ensures you're spending your hard-earned money on things that are really important to you. And it certainly forces you to be creative, which is perhaps the best part for me. I have a couple of cheapo house projects on the go that I'm very excited about, so once those are complete, I'm super excited to share them – stay tuned!

In the meantime, I've examined other ways to live a little more simply, and finally thought to give this a try: natural cleaning products. I mean vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice. That's it. Nothing else. No windex, or clorex wipes (my fave), no vim, no bleach...you get the idea. It seemed a little hippie to me at first, but the more I research it, the more I get excited about (I know, getting excited about cleaning. I'm really turning into my mother!) I'm also a migraine sufferer, and usually wake up with headaches in the morning, so I'm hoping this helps. I'm extremely sensitive to chemicals. (I remember this one strong tub cleaner we had. Mom had me clean the shower and I threw up 12 times right after and had the worst shakes of my life! Isn't that scary?) So I thought this might be an interesting and much healthier route to try. And of course, it's cheap!

Here's the article that will get me on my way. I have the products (from the dollar store!)...I'm just using up my old cleaners (I don't want to waste everything) and then I'll be trying these tips out. I also found this article about the endless uses for vinegar totally entertaining. Happy cleaning!

Finally...professional wedding photos.

I have over 500 photos, but here's a few (okay, a few more than a few) I randomly picked out!

By JDS Photography in Edmonton.