Health and Fitness Challenge

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Today I am going to be writing a little more than I usually do on here, but it has been a week since my last post so I am making up for lost time.  First off, I pretty much fell off the face of the earth last week unless you dined in a restaurant I work at or are a coworker of mine.  I worked Monday and Tuesday day shifts, then 12 hours a day Wed-Fri, followed by my usual 8 hour Saturday shift.  My feet and entire body are exhausted and in need of rejuvenation.  It was a challenging week not only physically, but also mentally as I was trying to study and learn a complete menu and drink list each night after working those long shifts.  However, I feel like I challenged myself and succeeded and this week even though I am achy and more tired than usual, I feel really good.

I am deciding to challenge myself this week to a health and fitness challenge.  I have been attempting to tone up and lose the 15 lbs I gained since my wedding last May for awhile now.  I do work out and am very active in my jobs already, but as healthy as I eat most of the time, I am not so disciplined.  My husband and I end up going out to eat more than we need to (we live in a cultural food explosion and there are so many great options literally right outside our front door) and we almost always like to finish meals with a little something sweet (often time this something is not so little).  I also work at a gastropub which means it is my job to drink beers and know about them to help guests that do not know much about craft beer...so I also drink a lot.

Here is what my challenge will look like:

A work out every day

Still meeting up with friends, but eating healthy snacks

Cooking at home the majority of the week

When going out to eat, making smart choices

Allowing myself to indulge once within this week (I'm not made of stone)

Cleaning, organizing and getting things done that need to be done 

AND

Making a list of goals for the month of May and sticking to them

I find that by writing things down, I am more likely to do them.  I always make lists of things to do in a day, shopping lists, even random ideas I have because without these lists, I will probably get distracted and not accomplish anything. This is my health and fitness challenge list.  Want to join me?  Are you having a challenge of your own to yourself?  Let me know in the comments!

Spotted: Madewell Monday

Happy Monday!!! I am extra happy today because the husband and I finally got our anniversary plans squared away since it is less than one month away!!! We are keeping it simple and planning on having a relaxing weekend "staycation" (kind of).  After all, we are going to Boston and NY in June to visit family, friends and to attend the Jazz Age Lawn Party!!!  I am so excited for our long-overdue vacation time coming up, but in the mean time, it's back to the grind.  

These Madewell looks are inspiring me for the rest of Spring into summer and here's to hoping I can buy a cute outfit with polka dots pre-anniversary weekend. =)

all images via Madewell tumblr

{Fancy Friday} Beach Style

Hello everyone! I am sooooo excited today because I actually have the day off and it is in the mid 80's!!!  After working everyday this week, some days doubles, I am looking forward to going to the beach with my husband and just relaxing! Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

All photos taken from my Summer Love pinterest

Mediterranean Orzo

This week is super busy for me as I am working 12 hour doubles between two of the three restaurants I call my employers, so last night I made a really simple, yet delicious dinner.   I used this recipe here, but decreased the measurements to make for two.  I also added in sautéed red bell peppers and fresh diced cucumber--it was really fast, easy and so good.  It's great on it's own, or you could add grilled lemon chicken or tilapia if you want a protein.  I paired it with a chilled Viognier.  =)

Photo Fun in the Sun

Last week my good friend Kat came up and asked me to model for her for a late spring/early summer natural beachy photoshoot.  I had just gotten over being sick and had no makeup but we made it work. She is a great photographer, always fun and creative, easy to work with, so sweet, and her photos get better each time I get the chance to shoot with her!  She is located in Orange County and is interning at a photo studio there while she builds her portfolio.  Check her out!!

Quinoa Beet Salad

I recently started training at another restaurant for yes...a THIRD serving job!  I'm crazy, I know.  Anyway, I got to try a special there of a quinoa and beet salad that was soooo delicious!!! So, I decided to make it at home alongside a pan-seared lemon-garlic-peppered cod.  The combination was delicious!!!

Here is how I made the salad:

1/2 cup dried quinoa (then cook it and let it cool)

While that is cooking, cut up 

1 peeled cucumber

handful of cherry tomatoes

2 celery stalks

1/2 container of marinated beets

let marinate in cider vinegar, olive oil, pepper and dill

Add quinoa and stir everything together and add a little beet juice to it. 

Let it chill in the fridge for about an hour

Serve chilled and top with arugula or watercress with a little balsamic vinegar drizzled over the top.

Thanks and Growth

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On Monday night, my friend and fellow blogger Jen came to visit me and we walked to Little Tokyo for some sushi. It was so nice to catch up and chat about life and blogging.  Talking with her inspired me to take my blog to the next level and to create a banner and buttons for collaborating and sponsorship.  When I first started my blog 7 months ago, I had no idea what I was doing and how much I would enjoy it.  Now that I have a better idea and direction for it, I am so excited to see it grow. I just wanted to say thank you for anyone who comes here even more than once because that means there is something on here you are inspired by/interested in. I am new to bloglovin so if you would like to follow me on there, it would be much appreciated.  Again, thank you!

Check out Jen's blog!

CLICK HERE

On a Sunday Afternoon

My husband and I went down to Orange County to see our families for Easter yesterday.  It was such a good and relaxing day filled with eating with family, catching up, Easter egg hunts (you're never too old), hanging out with my siblings and taking my parents' bikes for a ride around the park.  Hope everyone had a Happy Easter!

On Him: Apolis pants and button-down
On Her: Forever 21 top, Anthropologie skirt, Dolce Vita sandals

Easter Nest

On Wednesday night, my husband went out for a guys night and I decided to have a night in alone with Sebastian (our green cheeked conure).  I cleaned the house, made myself a healthy dinner, and colored Easter eggs while watching We Bought A Zoo.  The movie was sooooo good!!!  It was a combination of family, adventure, animals and love--incredibly heartwarming.  It made me happy to have a lovely night in all while being semi-productive.  As Easter is just 2 days away, here are some happy reminders around our "nest".

Having fresh, colorful flowers in the house

Eating Cadbury Cream Eggs after a long night at work

This little spring themed gift from my mother-in-law

It had been years since I colored eggs. So fun!

Have a Good Friday and a Happy Easter! xx

Easter Inspired Nails

Sources: 1,   2,   3,   4 

Crewcuts Spring Display

J.Crew has always been known to have great window displays, but now that they have their Crewcuts (kids line) in some stores, they got really creative to appeal to adults and kids.  I love their new spring display of silly looking birds and their nests.  In reading their blog post, they were influenced by Jim Henson when they created these fun and colorful birds for Spring and just in time for Easter.

{Cases} of Lust

Yes, it is true.  I have been lusting after an iPhone case.  However, my problem is, I have been lusting after a few different iPhone cases.  Budget prohibits me from splurging (after all, my case I have is perfectly fine..this is all about the physical, not functional) so I must choose one for Spring/Summer.  

Here are a few of my favs.  

Marc Jacobs

Kate Spade (older case but I love it)

Society 6

via Tru Protection

J.Crew floral case (it reminds me of watercolor)
picture via here