Cool Giveaways!

So I am *kind 0f* stalker-ish when it comes to checking out other people's blogs.  It starts with one then I click on a follower or someone who has recently updated on that page and I land on another blog...then I repeat the process and by the end of the day I have 10+ new blogs I like to check out every morning for updates.  But don't think I bookmark just any blog.  I like to read the history of the blog, you know, going back a few pages of older posts.  If I like the style and formatting of the posts and I find them enjoyable to read, then I'll bookmark it.  But if you don't update often (like every couple days) then I clean that blog off my list and add another I've stumbled upon.

This leads me to my current post.  I have been missing home (Georgia) so when I read blogs written by other funny clever and adorable Southern women, I get excited!  I happened upon this website and love the combination of artwork, photos, fashion...my flip flopz is hosting a giveaway for one of her custom painted signs.  She sells these on her Etsy website for around $25 a piece.



But if you enter her giveaway by Wed. Feb 25, you could win one instead!  Click here for the link to the giveaway post and enter!

Also, a Southern girl in the City, is hosting a great giveaway as well!  Enter by midnight on Fri. Feb. 20, and you could win a very cute (and functional) memo board along with other goodies!



All you have to do is tell her your favorite craft!  Easy-peasy.  Click here for the link to the giveaway post and enter!

Week 7: Weigh In

Hello Love-lies!

I hope that everyone had a FANTASTIC  Valentine's Day!  It's hard being on WW with all that chocolate and stuff, huh?  I definitely struggled this weekend when I bought my boyfriend cute chocolate stuff at Target, but he was so sweet and bought me a package of WW chocolates instead of something I would feel guilty eating.  Those WW candies are so good!  If you haven't tried them, I highly recommend going and getting some.  For only 1 point, they are quite satisfying.

Anyway, in anticipation of any Valentine's splurges I might make, I stayed on plan for the entire week.  I got in 3 good workouts through out the week and if you read my Valentine's Day recap post, you know I worked out after my splurges on Saturday.

I was honestly expecting to lose 2 or 3 pounds this week.  I felt so much lighter and when I went shopping Saturday morning, I bought clothes in much smaller sizes than I normally would 7 weeks ago.  So I was very excited about WI tonight.  I lost 1.4 pounds.  Now, before anyone yells at me for complaining about how little I lost, just know that I'm not exactly complaining persay...I'm more just down because I thought it would be more.  I'm sure you guys have felt that way at some point or another.  Oh well, this week is a new week and I really want to try and get to the gym more than just 3 times.  I want to start tracking consistently again (I've gotten a little slack).

So there you have it, Week 7's results.

Monday Monday

Okay, so it's technically not Monday yet, but I am going to be so busy tomorrow that I won't be online all day...

I thought I'd do a fun little survey!!

Mood: Overwhelmed, but hoping for a good week :)    
____ makes me happy: Knowing that this week is my last business econ class...Yay!
Highlight of my weekend: Spending Valentine's Day with my dbf, staying 95% on plan, and working out after my big V Day dinner
Weekly Goals: Stay on top of my last week of school work, reach my 10% weight loss, finish up my school work so I can hang out with my friends this weekend!

I’m lovin’ it (health related): Lean Pockets
I’m lovin’ it (non-health related): Emily from The Blog Fairy
Quote of the day: Just do it.
Just another manic Monday?: I'll be at a work training seminar ALL day tomorrow, so I hope the day is planned out for me and leaves no room for mania.

 

On a side note, did anyone notice my new blog header?  So cute, huh?  I won a giveaway for a free header design from Emily of The Blog Fairy and she listened to EVERYTHING I said and came up with the cutest header!  I highly recommend her if you are interested in re-doing your blogs :)

Keep your eyes peeled for a new background on my blog as well.  Emily is working on something cool as we speak (or really, as I write)!

Have a great Monday everyone and I'll see you for my Week 7:  Weigh In Results!

Post Valentine's Day Recap

Just a quick update before I'm off to a study group for Economics...

Last night, Troy and I had a great time eating at Paradise Cove. We've been waiting a long time to go, and it was worth every minute of waiting. First of all, Paradise Cove is right on the beach in Malibu so pretty much every seat in the restaurant has an ocean view. We had reservations for 5 pm so we got there a little early to enjoy a famous mojito. We were seated very quickly and had fun deciding what to eat. Even though I'm on WW, I was committed to enjoying myself and not being too hard on myself when choosing what to eat. It worked out perfectly because before deciding, Troy and I decided we would hit the gym upon returning from dinner. So I felt better about making a less healthy choice in the spirit of enjoying V Day.

I had parmesan crusted halibut with a naked baked potato while Troy had the hot sampler platter with calamari, ribs, shrimp, fries, etc. I did have 5 french fries, half a coconut shrimp and several fried calamari. My halibut was delicious, but I only had maybe 5 or 6 bites. I was busy talking and enjoying myself so I ate less than I normally would have. Plus I filled up pretty quickly.

We did work out afterwards, I ended up doing an hour on the eliptical and burned close to 800 calories. Also, I had a TON of water throughout the day and night so I'm thinking I didn't damage my WI results too much as a result of the V Day splurge...

Some pics from the night:

Now some pictures of my animals dressed up in sweaters...it was cold!

Valentine's Day Goodies

At work  I'm known for being the girl that brings in all the baked goods...mostly cupcakes that I'm testing for potential clients and such, but for Valentine's Day I decided to make cake mix sandwich cookies.  There's a very cool website called Bakerella that I frequent often for her cute ideas and recipes.  I followed her basic recipe for the cookies, but made strawberry ones instead of red velvet.  I also swapped the cream cheese frosting for vanilla buttercream and sprinkles!

Recipe for Cake Mix Cookies:


1 box strawberry cake mix*

2 eggs

1/2 cup butter, softened

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients together.

Using a small ice cream scoop, place dough on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake for 8-10 minutes in 350 degree oven.  Cool on wire racks.

*Any cake mix should work.

Recipe for Sprinkles Vanilla Buttercream:

1 cup butter, softened

1/8 teaspoon salt

3.5 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon milk

Instructions:

Beat butter, powdered sugar and salt until creamy.

Add milk and extract and beat for 3-5 minutes until fluffy and smooth.

And Voila!  Here's my take on the sweet Valentine's Day treat:





I made mint chocolate chip cupcakes with heart shaped York Peppermint Patties on top!





 

Also, my early Valentine's day present to myself as mentioned in an earlier post:



and one more...