Holy Schnikes!!

I just got on the scale and wowza I was NOT HAPPY in the slightest bit. I guess that Y membership came at just the right time. I definitely added on some additional fluff during the holidays...no wonder none of my clothes fit.

But I have been getting back in the groove, while not being TOTALLY good when it comes to eating healthy I have made drastic improvements. Back to eating a big salad for lunch, drinking more water, saying no to certain things. For example yesterday I was still a bit hungry after my salad so I had a very small bowl of homemade mac and cheese, about 1/2 way thru I realized I wasn't hungry anymore so I stopped eating. Then I met friends for dinner at Bw3's, not very many smart decisions on that menu. While not stellar I only had 6 boneless wings with celery and ranch, skipped the fries and only had 2 beers. Later I went and met a friend and didn't drink at all and just had water. I did really good with the water yesterday because at dinner I matched each beer with a glass of water.

I went to the Y yesterday and Reagan loves the drop in nursery. The lady who was working it was SOOOO sweet, she was pregnant with her 2nd. Along the way Reagan must have said she slept in a big girl bed now. She is transitioning her daughter to a bed, so she asked how that was. I did 30 mins of cardio on the elliptical and 20 mins walking on the treadmill following.

I am setting some goals for 2010, and not just small ones, ones that will last me all year. So look for that post soon!

End of the year deals

I still cannot believe it is almost 2010. It will most certainly be another election/news junkie year for myself with midterm elections in November. Anyway here are some last minute deals for you!

Puma footwear & apparel 60% off at 6pm.com.

Sports Authority: Coupons for $10 off 50 or more or $25 off 100 or more thru Dec 31

Ann Taylor: 40% off purchase, use code "SALE40"

Save $20 on Your Shape for Nintendo Wii

20% off SALE items at Sephora with promo code EXTRA

Okay well if I find more I will let ya know!

First workout in forever: Stake it

I got a gym membership for Christmas and whatever other holiday you get gifts for an entire year. Well worth it in my book. I jumped on the elliptical (the only machine I can tolerate, not a fan of working out) and suddenly all I could think of was the episode of Will and Grace when Jack yells "Stake it" at the gym and is going to market it and the trainer lady used it as well.

I will probably be a bit sore tomorrow but I got in my 30 mins of cardio, didn't want to overdo it on the first day. My plan is to do the same course on the elliptical for a week and then decide what to do next...yeah I don't have a real concrete plan and I'm okay with that.

My short term goal is to lose 10 lbs by March 9th (my 25th birthday). This should ensure I fit in my old "skinny clothes".

My long term goal is to lose 30 lbs, or fit comfortably in a single digit size.

Stake it....I will.

Christmas 2009

Will mark the first Christmas that my daughter really got into. Despite her lack of enthusiasm upon seeing presents under the tree she was more than excited to play with all her new presents. I spent most of the day playing board games, which she was into for all of 3 minutes and then my sister and I duked it out for the rest of the game. By the way, I lost more than once today to dear sister. Reagan also wanted to explore the land of play doh worms and cookies, only to be followed by barbies and a bazillion little parts to be tracked now.

I think she had a great day, she was giving many hugs and saying "Happy Christmas" all day. She went to bed with her 3 new friends, Woody, Buzz "lightchair" and spongebob and 2 new blankets in her new toy story pajamas.

There are other aspects of this holiday season that I wish were different. But I took control of the one thing I could, Reagan's happiness and did the best I could, and for that my heart is full of joy. Despite the above picture she had a good day, that picture screams mommy get away from me. Of course no time for pictures when we have "ice to break". I think the next month will mark a time for me to find "myself" again...but I'll spare you that we have 1 and half hours to be Merry!

Stay tuned for another baking blog entry, it's worth it, her treats look delicious!

Disney on Ice: Ohio giveaway

One of my delightful memories from my childhood was going to see Disney on Ice. I was extremely young and don't remember much but that I always made my parents buy me one of those overpriced toys that broke an hour after the show.

I was delighted to see a fellow blogger from Ohio, Saving in Akron. Although, Akron is way on the other side of the state it will be interesting to see if there are any deals I can apply to my life. Or how often I call my family on that side of the state and beg them to go out and get me something! I was even more thrilled to see that Disney on Ice is coming to Cleveland in January and they this blog is giving away 4 tickets to Disney on Ice. Simply click the link and it will take you to the entry process, there are 7 ways total for you to enter.

This would be PERFECT if we won since Reagan's 3rd birthday is at the end of January. Especially because she is really getting into Disney stuff. The girl is going to be thrilled when she gets Buzz and Woody for Christmas! But hurry and enter now! December 28th is the last day and then a winner will be chosen.

These rolls are easier than you think

So it's about time I probably blog about SOMETHING other than a giveaway. I hate to admit it, but I have a life outside of giveaways.

Last weekend I was finally able to make these rolls and they were delicious. The only downfall is that I had to cook them in the toaster oven so they didn't cook all the way through, so I had to put them in longer after realizing that. Moral of the story do them ahead of time in the big oven if you have other cooking to do at a different temperature. If you are lucky enough to have a double oven...well you are on my frenemies list now.

This is yet another recipe The Pioneer Woman. Sadly, I have been neglecting her sweet blog because of other web distractions. Here is the recipe for the Easy Parmesan Knots. Who doesn't love carbs? And this will certainly impress your guests and/or family. I even have a request from my sister to make them again before she leaves for college. I made 2 batches because I had an inkling they would be a hit!

Win a Sealy Posturepedic: You Pick the Size

Can't sleep? Back hurt? Need an extra bed? Funny I keep running across chances to win a bed. Since I have a friend who is pretty set on getting a new bed and I am sure there is a day of matress shopping in my future. Unless someone wins a bed!

Now is your chance to win a Sealy Posturpedic Innerspring Signature 11 Series, and you can pick any size except for the California King. So what's the fuss? Well all the details can be found at the Sealy website . I like that it has true form that absorbs and disperses pressure while providing back support.

So now what should do? Go over and visit MommyMandy and check out her giveaway. You can enter multiple ways after the mandatory entry, and can tweet everyday until it ends on January 20th.

Easy Giveaway Entry: Coach handbags

Usually in my giveaway entry findings I tend to skip the ones that have thousands of entries, same reason I don't play the lotto. Which, in turn means I am usually skipping out on the GOOD prizes. But this one is so easy you might as well take the 10 seconds and do both things and cross your fingers.

Here we go: So go check out the Bag Snob and see what is up for grabs. Basically you just need to follow them on twitter and fan them on facebook. Then at midnight on Jan 1st they will use random draw to select a winner from each place!

Charge yourself a little happy (after entering this giveaway)

Just a little Karen Walker quote time for you all. (love her!) Anyway, as we all run around with last minute Christmas to do lists how about you take a few minutes and enter this giveaway. And actually spend the money on yourself!

Over at Our Ordinary Life she is giving away not 1, not 2 not even 5 but TEN $50 Amex gift cards!! So you should definitely go check it out, yo! Comment with what you would buy for yourself and then see the other extra ways you can enter. Hurry though, because this ends on December 24.

Spreading a little Christmas Cheer!

Have a great weekend!

I have a lot to do this weekend in prep for Christmas parties and a family gathering tomorrow. (please pray I make it through this) So I will be cooking this afternoon and cleaning, then donning my ugly sweater Christmas apparel. Which is delightfully tacky.

Everyone have a safe weekend and have fun (esp. if you have snow).

My daughter is singing jingle bells very loudly while going potty, it's a trip!

Hurry Win A Coach Wristlet (tick tock)

You are in luck my friend because you have a little over an hour to enter a contest to win a Coach Wristlet at Multiple Blessings. See she has tried to giveaway these wristlets time and time again and has had problems with people claiming their win. Are they crazy? This is COACH, what woman doesn't want to sport a new Coach bag? Especially around the holidays! She has Multiple ways to enter, so get in there and give it a whirl. Wow I am so exhilarated it's like black friday shopping x10.

Here are the goodies:

Nifty Product of the Week: Belle Dangles Jewelery Organizers

Introducing something I hope to do every week. Recommend a sweet product I have found during my interesting blog hunts of the week. So this is my first one, and honestly I think Santa should bring me one (hey santa do you blog?)

I first found out about this product from the Because I said So! Mom Knows best! blog. She wrote a nice little review on this product and is having a giveaway. So if you love it, be sure to enter! She loves this product and now I am eying it myself. You can enter her contest until Jan 22nd, and per her rules must be in US and 18 and older!

Funny thing is that I kinda had this idea myself a few months ago. I hung up a shelf in my room that had round pegs that I formerly had put scarves on. The shelf itself has religious trinkets on it. I started hanging my necklaces, bracelets and a couple rings up there so I could stop digging through my jewelry box.

Belle Dangles offers this lovely idea that holds 110 pieces of jewelry, and tangle free. It is so reasonably priced 34.99! And they even offer a demo on how to hang it once to receive it in 5 easy steps.

If you are anything like me and hate digging through your jewelry box this perfect. I have a friend who sells jewelry and the one thing that suck with me is to avoid the 4 S's: Shower, swim, sleep and I forget the 4th...spray? maybe because I think it had somethign to do with perfume and hairspray. Anyway, this would be great to have right next to the door of your room.

And I know you all have some gorgeous jewelry you'd love to display it's an added bonus!

Gotta Go, Gotta Go

So Reagan has been potty training for a little over a month. For the first few weeks she still wore pull ups when we went out running errands. The past 2 weeks we have left the pull ups at home and she gets to wear her big girl panties out. As her mother, I of course, take a couple changes of clothes just incase. Especially when we are going to be out all day.

I am proud to say that my little princess has been doing great. Although, I have to be able to locate a bathroom at any time, or pull off the road to run into Burger King so she can go. Which I might add, as soon as we walk in she wants fries. Only on a couple instances she has told me she has to go and didn't. You know the time we drove 3 miles away from the highway to find a gas station.

What really helped us was the "Potty dance" which is now more of a victory lap for her around the living room furniture. And getting a pom pom for her jar each time she went potty. So this body dance business has been great, but she has now started to sing it to me when I use the restroom. You know that fowarded email of the mom and her son in the public restroom and he is carrying on about her "business". Well ladies and gents that is my future, only on a couple instances has it happened, but trust me it is looming is ugly head around the next corner.

Thursday To do List

I have let so many things go all week, and now I am quickly running out of time and being asked to do other things that are much more fun! So these are the things that must be done by saturday

1. Christmas cards (mine and family)

2. Finish rum bon bons

3. Get sister bday card and wrap gifts, and get one last gift

4. Return items to various stores (going to do today)

5. Find ugly christmas sweater

6. Get stuff to make appetizers for saturday

7. Find sweet potato crock pot recipe for Sunday

8. Super clean the house for Sunday

Saturday I have 2 Christmas parties and cooking and baking to do. Sunday is christmas here with dad's gf and her kids, who we have only met one time in the past 4 years and that was a year ago....and 20 bucks I am hungover from Saturday night events.

But what would I rather do with my time? Enter giveaways, watch crappy shows like Jersey shore, facebook, help my friend Jimmy decorate for his christmas party, go over there and bake cookies, and bake more cookies for my friend Tom!

Which reminds me! HELP: In need of a cookie recipe with PEANUT BUTTER included. I was thinking the peanut butter blossoms (hershey kiss cookies).

Vintage Lingerie

What lady doesn't feel totally hot in some lingerie? But some of the modern stuff feels chintzy and looks like it should be worn by a 2 cent corner worker. I found this great blog that specializes in vintage lingerie and her picks are down right classy. I myself always love classic style when it comes to fashion, think 50s, Jackie O, etc.

My recommendation is that you go check out A Slip of a Girl by click the link or button.

And you are in luck because there is a giveaway right now for the sexy curvy girl. Brought to you by Hips and Curves. You should definitely check it out, even if you aren't a lingerie person they do have sleepwear, shapewear and other fun stuff. I am IN LOVE with these boots (since I have Polish legs and all). And the Printed sequin lace corset is cute too, just because I think I look good in blue.

Hurry over there because Entries must be received/posted on or before noon, central time, December 16th.

They are habits that become rituals

We all have them! Something we do everyday or frequently that is just a habit. If it isn't done, then it throws you for a loop and takes you out of your comfort zone. I was thinking last night that most of my habits are related to sleeping and the process of going to bed. Aside from being OCD; bedtime rituals probably ranks up there with the worst of them. I only say this because for me if one important aspect is missing then falling asleep is a bitch and a half. I generally have 2 bedtime rituals and just added a third.

1. Sleeping with a fan

I prefer a ceiling fan but I am not that picky, a small fan will do in a pinch. Traveling with a fan isn't always doable. Let's face it I rather squeeze in one more pair of shoes that I probably won't wear than a fan when it comes to vacationing. Such a nasty littl

e habit to get into. Doesn't matter if it is -20 degrees, this girl is gonna have the fan on.

2. Falling asleep to the TV

At the very least I have to watch some tv before bed, but I wish I could be one of those people who said "no tv in the bedroom" bahahaha, YAH RIGHT. Generally I catch Chelsea Lately and an episode of Will and Grace and I'm ready to roll over and sleep. If I am up later than the 12 am hour then there is always Roseanne. See the problem here is that sometimes I get so enthralled in watching some show that I can't go to sleep and it just continues.

3. Moisturizing my feet

Okay I will admit this is a new one, and actually 1/2 a nuisance to me. So how did it start anyway? Well I am fulling going to place the blame on my friend Jana (hey, girl, hey!) She is a big pedi/mani girl (and she does them herself, that frugal son of a bitch!). Jana had mentioned how she lathers up her feet with lotion or vaseline and sleeps with socks on. Just my luck I have this pair of Bath and Body Works Moisturizing Socks. What do you know I am channeling my inner Jana and lotioning up my feet and crawling into bed. And here lies the problem I pretty much HATE socks unle

ss I am wearing shoes. So about an hour into my tv watching or in the middle of my slumber the socks come off. I figure 60 mins of treatment is better than nothing...right?

There you have it, my habits or rituals that are bound and determined to drive my future significant other up the wall, but even with these I promise I'm worth it!

A Website with it all

It isn't very often I find a website that I want to read everyday, let alone that isn't packed full of news and political stuff. But alas, I have added a new bookmark. In my search for giveaways I have come across some interesting sites, and this is my new favorite.

Pop sugar, see there is a "sugar" for every aspect of your life. Pop sugar, covers the celeb gossip and includes guessing games as to which celeb was spotted where (and I almost always get them wrong).

Bella Sugar, is your beauty guide. And what girl doesn't love make up and beauty products. From reviews, celeb fashion and polls there is a lot to learn.

And to my surprise I love Geek Sugar, who is your techy gal. I'm not a tech person at all, as long as my internet and MAC are in working order and my ipod is charged I am pleased. Did you know that December 17 is free shipping day for online orders? Over 700 retailers have committed to doing free shipping. And check out this cool colorful LED keyboard.

Point is no matter what you like or want to know there is a little sugar out there for you at this site.

Someone's gotta be "The Boss"

Reagan has a knack for taking things that I tell her, or her teachers and re-illustrating that point with her dolls or animals. Most of the time she is telling Annie Bananie what to do but sometimes she has a new learning subject. Today it happened to be her elephant.

Since it is Christmas time, Reagan and I have had many talks about not touching the tree. Just looking at the ornaments and no playing around the tree. This afternoon she took a liking to her elephant and I found her kneeling around the tree giving the elephant 'the business'.

I told you elephant, no touching the tree just looking. Remember I said no touching.

If that wasn't enough she then started to put necklaces on the elephant and telling him/her that it was beautiful and a movie star. I snapped a picture of the two of them, which she instructed the elephant to say cheese. When the elephant did not say anything she made me take the picture again with a "I told you to say cheese".

Food Network here I come

Lately I have been enthused about cooking and baking, more so trying NEW recipes! Tonight I tried my hand at Shrimp Linguine Foil packets. Another divine recipe by The Pioneer Woman. Seriously, check out her recipes and blog and you will not be disappointed.

Of course, I had to improvise due to my lack of precise planning and laziness to go to the store. I did not have 3 cans of diced tomatoes, just 2. So I had to use tomato sauce, which means the noodles were a bit saucier and less good hearty tomatoes thrown in. Secondly, we have 3 or so precooked bags of shrimp (thank you BOGO) in the freezer. I used that instead of fresh, and ya know I think it turned out alright. We'll see what the critics say tomorrow. Next time I would like to try the fire roasted diced tomatoes, bet that will be delish! Cooking is a trial and error process, so far this recipe rocks and the kitchen isn't a roasted tomato mess!

Gifts from your children

The handmade gifts from your children are simply the best Christmas gifts. Our tree still dons a few ornaments I made my mom when I was younger. I am happy to say that I have received my first ornament from Reagan. And might I add she looks absolutely adorable in the picture. I found it in her folder from daycare and she ran up to me and said "Mommy I made that for you" with her face beaming of joy. Those are the moments that make all the meltdowns and tantrums worth it.

Blogging round 2

I started to blog back in the day, well not that far back in the day but a year or so ago. I just did not have time with school and my other online fascinations (message boards and facebook). So now I want to make a larger effort to spread the love. And by love I mean the giveaways, good recipes, general knowledge and fun stories!