Friday Confessions

Hey y'all!  I'm linking up today with A Blonde Ambition to discuss our Friday confessions.  What a week this has been! 

1) I confess I made a recipe this week with dark chocolate chips and I have indulged in WAAAYYY too many extra chocolate chips.

2) I confess my DVR is getting way too full with favorite shows!  I need to get caught up!

3) I confess I can't stand another second of this cold weather.  I might get a hundred sun lamps and set them up in my house and pretend it's July! Or maybe I should ship myself somewhere south??

4) I confess I am beyond excited for my little nephews birthday party tomorrow.  I can't believe he is turning one!  How time flies…

5) I confess I have been married for 9 months this past week.  I could not have picked a better husband.  I say this time and time again, but I am so so lucky to have him.  

I hope y'all have a great weekend!  What are your fun plans??

Wishlist Wednesday

When I was shopping this past weekend, I ran into a few things to put on my wish list.

1) JCrew Maxi tank dress 

2) JCrew Floral Pastel Statement Necklace

3) ArdenB Split-Sleeve Chiffon Rompe

4) University of Kentucky t-shirt 

5) Milly Ribbon Mini Skirt

6) Louis Vuitton purse (this is ALWAYS on my wishlist!!)

7) Michael Stars Pop Band Fedora

I am craving some warm weather…can you tell? =)

Weekend Recap

This weekend flew by!  But doesn't it always?  I love mini-getaways with my husband and that's exactly what we did this weekend!

Friday we went to Lexington to watch Luke Bryan at Rupp Arena.  If y'all aren't country music fans you'd still love it.  He is VERY easy on the eyes. =)  His opening acts were Cole Swindell and Lee Brice.  I'm a fan of Lee Brice but hadn't really hard of Cole Swindell before Friday.  Let me tell you, I am now a HUGE fan!
Luke Bryan always puts on a good show, we were sitting around fun people, and I was with the best date…what else could a girl ask for?

Saturday we got up and went to brunch and did some MUCH needed shopping for some new spring clothes.  I have to give a shout out to a fun boutique in Lexington, Bluetique Cheap Chic.  This little store has amazing prices and fun clothes.  If you haven't shopped with them before, you need to.  Bluetique originated in Lexington but have since opened more stores. Also,  all of their monogrammable (is this a word??) merchandise INCLUDES the price of monogramming.  How fun is that?
Saturday afternoon we went to see the Wildcats play Louisiana.  This was a minute by minute game that went into overtime and Kentucky won in the last minute of the game.  Saturday was such a fun day to be a Wildcat fan.

We stopped by our favorite restaurant heading out of town and got home late Saturday night.


On Sunday, we celebrated my Granny's 84th birthday!  My mom and I thought it would be SUPER easy to make a homemade cake for her.  She loves chocolate cake and I saw on Trisha Yearwood's cooking show a chocolate cake she made that had caramel icing.  Here is the cake.  Turns out, the icing was crazy hard to make.  We thought we'd do fine without a thermometer BUT we really could've used one.  We had to caramelize sugar into caramel icing.  That was just the beginning of it.  The cake was two layers.  So after we iced the first layer and put the second layer on, the cake started sliding.  All evening it looked like it was going to fall over AFTER we put toothpick and skewers in it!  BUT, the cake tasted amazing.  Isn't that all that matters???

Here's what it was supposed to look like…

Here is ours...

Today was back to the work grind!  I hope y'all had a wonderful weekend and are having some nice weather!

Week In Workouts {Link Up}

Here we are again! I'm linking up with Bliss to Bean today to talk about our weekly workouts.  I am very thankful for this link up and this little blog… =)

This was the first week in SIX yes SIX weeks that I have worked five days.  I was exhausted and by Friday I could've went to sleep at 3:30.  I felt like it was the first week of school all over again and my body is definitely still adjusting.

I was so excited about the weather this week that I worked out outdoors almost everyday.  This week is supposed to be quite a bit chillier.

Last Sunday I talked about wanting to work more muscle groups.  I definitely didn't do that this past week, so I'm making it a goal of mine for this week.  =)

I feel like my workouts were pretty good this week.  However, I ate sooo many sweets!  Here are just a few pictures of the sweets I had…

Sunday: rest

Monday: ran 3.75 miles

Tuesday: ran 5 miles

Wednesday: ran 5 miles

Thursday: ran 3.75 miles and finally did the Jillian Michael's Kettlebell workout.  I have to say, I was a little hesitant to do this workout.  It was SOOO intense.  The next day I was definitely sore.  I'll be doing this again for sure!

Friday: rest

Saturday: rest

This is the last week of February.  Here's to hoping March is WARM and SUNNY!!

I hope y'all have a great week!

Weekend Recap

Our weekend was pretty low key.  Friday night we went to dinner for Valentine's Day.  Let me tell you…we ate until we were ridiculously full.  My favorite part (of course) was our dessert called "Chocolate Thunder from Down Under"…haha =)  Greg is such a sweet gift giver.  Roses, chocolates, workout gear, and some accessories to go in our newly decorated bedroom.  Valentine's Day is such a fun time to let EVERYONE around you know how much you love them.  Here's our picture from dinner…

Saturday, one of my friends and I went to a few fun shops.  One included a very fun vintage shop and the other two were boutiques.  We also stopped by a fun restaurant on the way out.

Sunday morning I went to church and to my granny's for lunch.  My granny asked me to make her a chocolate pie.  The first thing you need to know…I have made MANY pies.  Well, at least a handful.  Not a single one has ever turned out.  So, when you look at this pie you can't laugh.  Typically, the part of the pie that doesn't turn out is the inside.  This time however, it was the crust.

Sunday afternoon I graded paper's and watched The Good Wife.  I am officially in love obsessed!  We are only on the second season and I look forward to each episode!

I hope y'all have a great week!  Cheers to warmer temperatures! Woo! =)

Week in Workouts {Link Up}

Linking up today with Bliss to Bean to talk about our workouts this week.  I am SO thankful we are getting closer and closer to Spring.  I can hardly handle these temperatures.  I love being outdoors so I made an extra effort this week to do some runs outside.

Sunday-rest

Monday-Octane Elliptical (35 minutes) and arms

Tuesday-About 4 mile run and four minute ab workout

 *My friend, Jessica pretending to run. She goes ALLLL out for blog pictures. haha =)

*I think we both had 89273493174 layers on when we ran this day!

Wednesday-rest

Thursday-5 mile run

*Wednesday evening we got another "dusting" of snow and school was cancelled for us on Thursday.  The sidewalks were clear at our local park so I decided to bundle up and go for it!

*Also, our local park has not taken down all of the Christmas lights/decorations yet.  Got to love it!

Friday-rest (went to dinner and consumed enough calories for all of the calories I burned previously in the week-yikes!!)

Saturday-5 mile run

This week I did not do very well with working out any muscles except when I ran.  I hope this week I do better with different muscle groups.  Last week was the first week I have worked more than one day in a week in quite awhile.  We should be in school everyday this coming week so I'm hoping I am not completely exhausted and have a desire to work out.  Haha =)

Last week when I asked for ab workout ideas, one of my friends-Naomi, sent me this awesome ab workout via Pinterest.  It looks SUPER intense but you can tell you'll get some results.  Thank you, Naomi!! I'm excited to try it this week! Here is a picture:

Have y'all ever done a kettle bell workout?  My husband got me this as one of my Valentine's gifts and I'm SUPER excited to try it!  I have only ever done one of these workouts at his gym.  I was sore for DAYS! No lie.  I'll try it this week and let y'all know how it goes.

I hope y'all are having a great weekend and let's keep our fingers crossed for better weather next week.  See y'all soon!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Today is such a fun day.  What a wonderful day to let those around you know how much you love them.  I remember when I was growing up, my sister and I always worried that my mom would feel lonely on Valentine's Day.  We would send her flowers to work with embarrassing balloons and hoped she would have a great day.

This is the first year my husband and I are celebrating Valentine's Day as a married couple.  I'm a pretty lucky girl because he is very romantic and thoughtful.  But, I also have people in my life who I love to celebrate.

If you are reading this blog today and you are single, don't be down and out! Celebrate the day by pampering yourself, eating a fun dinner, making fun treats, or hosting a dinner for your friends.

I have listed a few of my favorite treats for Valentine's Day.  I got the majority of them from this website which continues to be one of my favorites!  Enjoy!

Tuesday Tune-Ups! {Anti-aging Products}

Today I want to talk anti-aging products.  I have been looking for a good cream, mask, or gel to use.  I am asking y'all to weigh in.  Do you use a product you love or one of these?  Please share with me!

1) Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Oil-Free Cream

2) Peter Roth Un-Wrinkle Night

3) SkinCeuticals Phloretin CG Gel

4) Algenist Multi-Perfecting Pore Corrector Concentrate

5) Peter Roth Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads Kits

6) Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum

7) StriVectin-AR Advanced Retinol Night Treatment

8) Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Eye Concentrate

9) Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra-Lift Serum + Moisturizer

10) DermaDoctor Photodynamic Therapy Sunlight-Activated Laser Lotion SPF 30

Our Weekend Recap

This weekend FLEW by! Doesn't that always happen?  Since I have only worked half a day in three weeks, January seems like a total blur to me.  Here's to hoping we get to go to school this week!

Friday night I went out on a limb and tried to make my husband biscuits and gravy.  His momma and his grandmother both make this particular gravy that he has always been obsessed with.  Anytime we ever visit or if they visit, biscuits and gravy is definitely on the menu.  In October, when my husband and I were in Michigan, I recorded his mom making the gravy.  I've been very nervous to try it but it ACTUALLY turned out! I kept the fire extinguisher close because cooking with grease makes me very nervous.

On Saturday, I went to my little cousin's basketball game in the morning…

 Then, in the afternoon went to my friend's son, Carson's birthday party…

In the evening we went to see Justin Moore and hung out with our friends afterwards.

Sunday was quite uneventful.  We went to Cracker Barrel for brunch, then I ventured over to my Granny's to paint her toes and do her hair, went grocery shopping, and did some laundry.

I hope y'all enjoyed your weekend as much as we did!  Have a great Monday!

This Week In Workouts {Link Up}

Once again this Sunday I am linking up with Bliss to Bean to discuss our workouts for the week.  As I read some of the other link ups, I too agree it is very hard to stay motivated.  The past three weeks have been insane crazy for me with my "normal" schedule.  I have worked half a day in three weeks!  We have been out for weather and water issues and I am going a bit stir crazy.  

Sunday-rest (the Super Bowl was on, did anyone workout?? Kuddos to you if you did!)

Monday- Octane Fitness machine and Jillian Michaels 30 Day Abs.  So, let's talk about Jillian Michaels DVD.  I am wondering if I was doing the exercises wrong? I also was fighting off my dog who thought it was play time.  BUT, I wasn't sore in my abs the next day? I was SOOO hoping I would be and this would be my "go to " ab workout.  Anytime I ever do her other workouts I am sore for days! I am dying to find something for my abs before summer.  Has anyone else had this issue with her DVD?

Tuesday- ran 5 miles outside (it was REALLY cold) and arm workout (the ones I recorded my husband doing..haha)

*I wore this, this, and this to help stay warm! My tops weren't as expensive as what is posted on the Nike website.  I find a lot of thermal workout gear at our local TJ Maxx!

Wednesday-ran 4 miles outside and arm workout

*I forgot to take a picture of myself.  But this is one of my friends who I ran with on Wednesday.  Of course as soon as we started running it began to snow/sleet/rain.  So we were bundled up and ready to go!  

*This is a picture of how high the Ohio River is right now.  You could see an area right beside where we were running that had already flooded.  Craziness!

Thursday-rest

Friday-Octane Fitness machine (I tried to push myself and do some harder levels and different workouts-pretty rough!)

Saturday- Insanity workout 

Staying motivated is always an issue when working out.  A few things I find motivational is planning a time and meeting someone to workout, changing up a playlist, changing up a workout, or doing a different workout than ever before.  If you are a runner, look up a different route and don't go on your usual run. 

I enjoy working out but I sometimes can get in a bit of a rut.  I also think sometimes your body needs times when you take some time off.  DEFINITELY don't feel guilty when you aren't working out.  This will make you hate the time you get to spend at the gym. Listen to what your body needs and take it easy if you feel like it.  You know what you need more than anyone else. 

For those who are trying to cook healthier, my sister referred me to this website.  I am excited to try some of my favorite dishes from different restaurants but as a healthier option.  

I hope y'all have a great week!

Getting to Know You (More) Link Up

Linking up with Leslie from A Blonde Ambition to do a follow up from our “getting to know you” post from last week.  I’m loving this!

This week we were asked seven questions.  I tried to re-state so y'all didn't think I was crazy and you would know what was being asked.  Join in if you want! Leave a comment or e-mail me.  I would love to hear!

Question #1
My middle name is May.  I am named after my grandmother who was Bernice May.  Our middle names were hard to forget because we were both born in May.  I have wonderful memories of her! 

Question #2
If I could live anywhere else in the world I would probably pick Maui.  HOWEVER, I would have to be able to uproot my entire family and all of my husband’s family (this is totally a possibility, right??).  We honeymooned here and absolutely loved every second.  I’m ready to go back…YESTERDAY!

Question #3

 Guilty pleasures…maybe I should make a list! Haha  =)  I love skinny latte’s, anything chocolate, reality t.v., and anything deep fried!

Question #4

The best part of my job has to be my students.  I enjoy them and love getting to know a new set of students each year.  It is amazing to see the influence I have on them.  I also enjoy working with all of our staff.   We have been to work six days since Christmas break (because of snow and water issues).  We miss each other! At this point in my life, I’m right where I’m supposed to be!

Question #5

Five items I would grab if there were a fire:

I would grab this picture of my dad...

Wedding memorabilia

My running shoes (similar to these).

My devotional book my momma gave me.

Jewelry my family and husband have purchased for me.

Question #6

Marathon running I could be interested in.  I have completed two half-marathons and I enjoy running.  I have never had the desire to complete a full marathon BUT never say never!

Question #7

If I could only eat one more meal the rest of my life, it would be chicken and dumplins’ with this apple dumpling for dessert.  No judgement!! (And, yes I loved it enough to take a picture of it. Still no judgment, right??)

Question #8

 The last person I spoke to was my sweet husband. 

Question #9

 My favorite childhood toy was a "playhouse" we had on our back deck.  I wish I had a picture of it to show y'all.  The playhouse was completely set with a roof, a screen door, and a small table with chairs.  My sister, best friend, and I played "house" with our dolls and Barbie's for a REALLY long time.

Question #10

 This sounds crazy.  Hopefully I am not the only person alive who does this.  However, my breakfast cereal of choice is a mixture of cereals.  I love just about every type of Kashi cereal.  I usually mix Kashi Cinnamon Crumble, Toasted Berry Crumble, and Honey Almond Flax.  However, I will mix whatever options are available. Why does a girl have to just pick ONE? =)

Guess what?!?! It's Friday! I hope each and every one of you have a fun and blessed weekend! Maybe, just maybe I will be back to teaching next week! Wishful thinking…XOXO