Lazy Sunday

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! So far, all I have done today is eat a tasty lunch with the boy at Panera Bread—I had the Fuji Apple Chicken salad—and play with my puppy, Hazel. (Don't worry, the Shred is on the agenda later tonight. I picked up my weights from my parents' house about an hour ago.) 

So if you are also just chilling on the couch and are in the mood for some browsing this Sunday evening, check out my blogroll. It's been updated to include some fabulous blogs I have stumbled upon recently and they are definitely worth the click. ------------------->

In other news, Trishiekoh over at Under Lock and Key—one of those fabulous blogs I was talking about and she has the cutest header to boot!—gave me a lovely blog award last week. Thanks, Trishiekoh!

Ok, so here's the rules:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered.

3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Alrighty! Here goes... I'm passing this award to these 15 lovely blogs (in no particular order):

1. your wishcake.
2. jonathan & tiffany
   
3. Rinse. Repeat.
   
4. rockstar diaries
   
5. sfgirlbybay
   
6. The City Sage
   
7. On & On
   
8. It's Unbeweavable!
9. Wife of a Wounded Marine
   
10. Blog Goggles
    
11. fashionchampagne
    
12. The Clothes Horse
    
13. Newbie New Yorker
    
14. Savvy Mode
    
15. vanilla sugar
    

Some of those might not be new to you, but they are pretty new to me. There's lots of goodies on that list, from strictly personal blogs, to fashion, to home decor, to food. So if you haven't already, check 'em out!

And I'll let you know how the Shred goes tomorrow! Eek. I can already feel the pain...

In search of motivation

This post is kind of ironic given that my last post was about eating an insane amount of junk food, but here goes anyway...

Last week, I bought the DVD everyone in the blogosphere has been talking about.

The 30 Day Shred! After hearing positive (and positively scary) things about it on many of the blogs I read, I figured, what the heck, I should try it too. The promise of losing 20 pounds in 30 days also got me. I have a wedding to go to on July 25 and I want to look cute in my summer dress, which I have yet to buy. Not to mention the fact that the ex will be there, who I haven’t seen in over a year. But I digress…

So while I bought the DVD over a week ago, I have yet to put it into my DVD player. I did take it out of its plastic wrapping and open the case but that’s as far as I have gotten on my new weight loss journey. I have some excuses, most not very good.

The first is my tattoo. I got it done like the day after I bought the DVD and I literally could not walk right for the first 3 days. My foot is feeling better now, less swollen but I am still babying it (it is the peeling stage, yuck!) and I worry about putting on my tennis shoes. But I am sure I could do the workout sans shoes since I will be in my living room anyway. So the time limit on that excuse has definitely expired.

The more legitimate excuse is that I am unmotivated. I want to be healthy, lose weight, get fit, feel more confident, all of that. I really do. But do I want to work out? Do I want to sweat for it? Not really. That’s my problem. I’m lazy. I know that once I start I will probably find it easier to stick with than I think. I always hear people say that exercising gives them more energy and it just becomes part of their everyday routine—and something they don’t want to skip (even when they are getting their ass kicked by Jillian Michaels)! I can’t imagine feeling that way about exercise now because I absolutely hate working out. Especially running, because of my asthma (I sound like a geek now, huh?). But I know I just need to start. I just need to do it. Funny how starting something is sometimes the hardest part.

My other issue is that I bought this around the same time I bought the DVD.

Nutella!

Obviously, I need to make some adjustments in my eating habits if I want this working out thing to be successful. Now, in my defense, I had been very good for probably the last 6 months or so of not putting Nutella in my shopping cart. But I saw it last week while grocery shopping and caved to the creamy, hazelnut deliciousness.

But hey, it’s not like I eat a slice of Nutella-topped toast with my coffee in the morning. Oh wait, I did exactly that today. Oops! I feel like Nutella in moderation won’t kill me, but it will probably keep me from losing the chub. And who can really practice moderation when they have a jar of Nutella in their cabinet? What are you saying, inner voice? Throw the jar away? Hmmm, I just might have to.

The thing with me is that I don’t think I eat terribly—though the boy’s penchant for pizza, burgers and chicken strips does make healthy eating difficult around here. Still, I have Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice and Skinny Cow bars in the freezer to prove I'm trying. On the other hand, I also have tons of pasta in my pantry. What I really need to work on though is eating in moderation. If I am going to have a glass of wine, don’t devour the contents of the bread basket. Order a salad instead of pasta. Rediscover the joy of grilled chicken. And, no matter what I eat, don't stuff myself silly but instead, actually listen to my body when it says it is full. Yes, these are things I need to do.

So what do you do to get motivated to work out? And to stick to a healthy eating plan? Do you pin up photos of bikini-clad Victoria's Secret models as inspiration? Step on the scale every morning? Look to your friends for accountability?

Any advice is always much appreciated.

Oh, and the to-do list for this weekend?

• Take back my free weights from my brother.
  
• Put DVD in DVD player. And get shredded! 

Wish me luck! 

And happy weekend!

30 Day Shred image via Amazon.com

Nutella image via Miss Malini

Gone Cajun

While I was able to find time this past three-day weekend to read my book and see a movie (Ghosts of Girlfriends Past**), I also got the chance to head out into the lovely So Cal sunshine and experience the sights, sounds and tastes of Simi’s Cajun Creole Music Festival.

And when I say experience the tastes, I really mean it. Like any good festival or fair, it was a junk food bonanza. Upon entering the park—which was filled with vendor booths hawking all sorts of goodies as well as hundreds of people milling about or sitting in lawn chairs to hear the jazz and blues music emanating from the concert stages—my eyes were met with a line of makeshift kitchens, some of which were turning out culinary delights rarely found in this part of the country, such as hush puppies, beignets and alligator-on-a-stick. Fried alligator? Hmm, I’ll pass, thanks.

Had to have the beads. They are actually little dice. I felt like I should have done something inappropriate to get these Mardi Gras beads, but don't worry ma, I didn't!

But wait. Pulled pork sandwich, shave ice and funnel cake? Now that’s right up my alley. The boy and I were starving once we got to the festival since it was about 2 in the afternoon so we immediately took stock of our options—which meant walking back and forth, carefully scanning each menu, for a good 15 minutes. Finally, we settled on our choices. For him: spicy Cajun fried chicken and French fries. For me: A messy, BBQ sauce-laden, pulled pork sandwich topped with crunchy cole slaw. It was so big I had to eat it with a knife and fork. Serious.

But that was only the start of our calorie-overload adventure in Cajun-land. Check out the photos to get the full (and I mean, full) picture.

Smokin' Steve's BBQ Joint was serving up mighty tasty barbecue sandwiches—and I'm not even a bbq kind of gal!—and I could see it was easily a crowd favorite judging by the long line.

So messy and so good. The cole slaw sealed the deal for me.

The boy enjoying his "Bayou chicken" while people-watching from the shade.

Who can say no to shave ice on a hot, May day? Not us! We got strawberry, pineapple and grape (that last flavor was for the boy. Not my fave).

The shave ice looks so tiny when he holds it... At least, that's what I tell my waistline!

Some old(er) folks getting down to some Cajun-style tunes. Love it.

By this point, we were stuffed but I told the boy we absolutely could not leave without getting a funnel cake. I mean, c'mon! When else can you eat funnel cake if not at a festival? We got it topped with strawberries and whip cream and let me tell you, it was worth the calories.

All in all, it was a pretty delicious day. Diet-friendly, no, but delicious, yes. Oh, and I can't fail to mention, I also picked up a package of fresh-baked cookies for $5 from one of those vendors hawking their goodies. It's a variety pack with chocolate chip cookies, Snickerdoodles, sugar cookies topped with rainbow sprinkles and a lemon/powdered sugar concoction.

I think its safe to say this weekend I died and went to junk food heaven.

-----

**A bite-sized movie review: "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" is just “eh.” Better to see it on DVD if you haven’t already shelled out 20 bucks to see it in the theater. While I am a devotee to romantic comedies, this was the type of film that gives chick flicks a bad name. It was at times boring but, most unfortunately, it was not very funny. No LOL-ing here. And not even the devilishly handsome Matthew McConaughey could save it. Better luck next time, I guess. I hate to admit it, but we should have gone and seen the boy’s top pick: "Terminator Salvation." I had resisted, not because I don’t want to see it, but because the last two movies we saw were "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" (good plot, great action, fantastically hunky leading man) and "Star Trek" (you already know my opinion on that). What can I say? Lesson learned. For now.

P.S. Thanks for all the nice comments on my tattoo!

Newly Inked

So I guess I have kept you guys waiting in suspense long enough about what my "secret" is. Well, without further ado, my "big, exciting news" is that . . . 

I got a tattoo!

Taken today.

Yep. That's right. Me. A tattoo. OK, that was probably not what you were expecting me to say, but that's why I said on Friday that it was "big and exciting, to me anyway." (Though I appreciate Amber's guess that I received a promotion at work and so wish that was true! That would have been sweet! But alas, not the case.)

I'm sure you can understand now why I needed to wait to tell my parents first before posting a pic since I didn't consult with them before making this decision. Figured it would be better to bypass that whole convo and just do it.

But trust me when I say, I didn't just do it. I had been thinking about this for years and only now finally worked up the courage to "just do it."

Are you wondering what happened when I told the 'rents? They had a meltdown! No no no. I'm kidding. They were surprisingly cool about it. Disappointed actually. You may have seen my mom left her first (and probably last) comment on Friday's post wondering about my secret. When I dropped by my parents' house yesterday to break the news, she told me that she had bought champagne because she thought I had landed a magazine job in New York! Oh, mom. I was like, "Really? That's what you thought? What planet are you living on!?" Haha. I told her I would have called right away if that was true. But I figure her slight disappointment in my "big news" is better than her being angry. Right?

My mom also remembered that I had talked before about getting a tattoo, so she was like, no biggie. I kind of figured that would be her reaction. The whole, you're an adult, it's your body, your decision type thing. I was more worried about my dad. I thought he might freak. I could tell he wasn't thrilled (he worries that I am going to get AIDS or some other disease) but he wasn't mad either. He just told me not to get any more. And both my parents told me not to get any on my arms. No promises, but point taken.

About the tat itself: I got it done Thursday afternoon by a friend that works at MD Tattoos in the valley (that's the San Fernando Valley for those of you who don't live in So Cal). It took about an hour and a half to complete. And yes, it hurt! Before we started I was pretty nervous but at the same time I didn't really know what to expect. I had no idea what it would feel like. Katie, the tattoo artist, told me that it feels like a cat is scratching you. Well, yes. But I liken it more to someone dragging a nail across your skin. In addition to that, the foot is one of the most painful spots you can get a tattoo. Lucky me. (I didn't cry, though, like I thought I would.) But I figured you shouldn't choose a location for your tat, which will be on your body forever, based on where it hurts less because it hurts everywhere.

I had my best friend, Marielle, come with me to get it done. I needed some moral support and someone to distract me and she did a fabulous job on both counts. She is the best! The boy came too but he showed up a bit later, about halfway through and he mostly just sat there. I think he didn't know what to do or say and was maybe a bit weirded out by the whole thing? Anyway, Marielle rubbed my back, talked American Idol (even though she doesn't watch the show) and used my camera to document the experience. Check out the photos below.

First touch. Here we go!

The face says it all. Marielle thought I made hilarious "pain" faces throughout the whole thing. Sometimes, I even chattered my teeth. I don't know why. Usually I just yelped, "ow, ow, ow."

Trying to look cute (and happy) through the pain. FYI- There was a guy getting a huge roaring grizzly bear tattoo on his upper arm right next to me and he just sat there like a stone. I think my squeals of pain and photo taking probably annoyed him but, oh well!

Halfway there. Got the black outline of the swallow, heart and initials done.

Katie working away. I affectionately called her my "purveyor of pain."

Some color is done here. The red heart and some purple on the wings.

Almost done!

Finished!

It was a pretty surreal feeling after it was done. Like, this is here now forever. I, of course, knew that going in but it's just funny to see this thing on your foot that wasn't there before. But it's three days in and I am getting used to it. 

There is meaning behind the tattoo. I got it in memory of my brother, Jeremy. That's his initials, "JW," underneath the wing on the side of my foot. I wanted to get something pretty, simple but meaningful, that when I look at it, I will think of my brother and smile. Because he was into music and I am too, I was originally thinking of getting some music notes trailing after the bird. I still might go back and get them. But for now, I am happy with my little birdie. And, though it wasn't really intentional, the colors of the bird are sort of Laker colors-- Jeremy's favorite team!

Originally I wanted to get the tat done on or close to the anniversary of his death on April 26. But it took awhile to get my ideas together and settle on a tattoo artist. Anyway, ever since April 26, I have been hearing this country song on the radio by Alan Jackson called "Sissy's Song." Even though it talks about a "daughter, wife and mother," I think of my amazing brother and the chorus has made me cry in the car more than once.

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels

By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees

And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting

And I know she's smiling saying

Don't worry 'bout me

For me, this tattoo is a symbol of a fact I already knew: He is in my heart. Every step I take.

Breathe and reboot

TGIF! So glad it is Friday. Yesterday, I was thankful for it just being Thursday since that is the day when my work week starts to wind down. I finish last minute stories, do the police blotter, that week's paper gets "put to bed" as we say and then I ... relax.

Well, I did a little more than relax yesterday. I have a secret actually. But I can't spill just yet. Let's just say I have some big, exciting news to share (well, big and exciting to me, anyway) but I can't divulge until I have talked to my parents. See, my mom reads this blog and if she found out on here first, I don't think she would be too happy. So, I'll leave you in suspense for a day or two. Till then, feel free to guess in the comments. I'll rule two things out though first: NO, I am not engaged. (Ha!) And NO, I am not pregnant (double ha!).

As you probably can tell, since I haven't posted since Tuesday (sorry!) I was pretty busy this week. So I am very glad that tomorrow is the weekend! I still have lots of to-dos to scratch off the list today but it is a little easier to breathe on Fridays. Does anyone else get that feeling? See, on Mondays and Tuesdays and even sometimes on Wednesdays, I wake up with this stress-ball-in-the-pit-of-my-stomach feeling because of all the stuff I need to get done, especially now that my editor has two papers to put out instead of one. I really need to be on my game simply to make things less stressful for him. (As I kind of talked about in this post about two weeks ago). My days go something like this: Call this official. Interview this person. Go to this meeting. Set up this photo. Write this story. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

So while this schedule still applies to Fridays because I do have to get a jump on next week's paper, my deadlines are a few days away and I feel better. Like, deep-breath-and-release better. TGIF, indeed.

I have resolved to take advantage of my weekends more instead of falling into my routine of just sleeping in and laying around the house-- which is nice sometimes but definitely boring. Inactive. Un-fun. So this weekend I am already planning to go to Simi's 20th annual Cajun Creole Music Festival. It is pretty much the biggest thing that happens in my town all year and it's benefits local organizations so, why not? I used to go with my family as a kid but I haven't been now in ages. Should be a good time and I'll post some pictures Monday.

I am also hoping to find time to read a book this weekend and maybe see a movie (I am dying to see The Soloist. Very appropriate, me being a journalist and all. You never can get too far away from work, can you?)

Do you have any fun plans this weekend? Love to hear them!

Image via Leave Happier via lostinthisworld666's Photobucket

Quotable

Hey guys! Thanks for all the nice comments on the last post! I knew you would understand the heartache of losing your favorite jeans!

Unfortunately, I am a bit too busy with work stuff to do a "real" post today, but I wanted to share with you this quote I found Friday on The Rockstar Diaries, a new blog that I only recently stumbled upon but thoroughly enjoy.

It is a quote by Unknown, a guy (girl?) who seems to say the most true and inspired things. Ha! Joking aside, I totally agree with this and it really describes where I am at right now: looking past the imperfections. Not always easy to do, but I really do believe that happiness is a choice and it is ours to make.

On that note, Happy Tuesday! Be back tomorrow hopefully with a more substantial post.

Loss & Gains

For the last week or so, I have been mourning the loss of something very dear to me: my favorite, very best looking, perfectly fitting jeans. That's right, ladies. My go-to jeans are no more. It happened sometime last week when I went to the restroom only to discover, to my horror and slight embarrassment, that my American Eagle jeans have a hole on the inner thigh, near the crotch area. Not good. And there is a hole forming on the other side as well. I guess I literally wore them out. They were good to me while they lasted.

The trouble since this discovery has been trying to make do without the jeans I wore practically every day. (Don't worry, I washed 'em often.) Sure, I have a few other jeans, but they are no where near as comfortable and flattering as this pair. To be honest, I even wore this compromised pair to a meeting earlier this week because all my clothes were in the laundry or still wet on the drying rack! I figured, just keep the legs crossed and no one will know. Ha! I mean, the hole isn't that big and it's in a place that is hard to see. Ok, I know, I need to just go buy a new pair. But it is so difficult to find jeans that look good and fit right. I know there are others out there who feel my pain and agree that is no easy task.

Which brings me to my next problem: American Eagle. That was my go-to brand for my go-to jeans. I knew what styles fit me, what size I wore, so I could just walk into a store, pick out some new jeans and be done. No trying on necessary. No dressing room drama. (I hate trying on clothes.) All that changed a while back when, for some unknown reason, American Eagle started cutting its jeans differently. Basically, I went up a size and still not much looks good or fits right. (Don't worry, AE! I still love your shirts, tanks and accessories!) So the issue becomes not just going out and buying new jeans but hunting down a store that carries the style/size/fit that is right for my body. Ugh, is all I can say.

On to the good news. Luckily, the weather has warmed up and I have gotten good use out of those Anthro dresses I bought. One of the dresses even allowed me to finally wear a pair of grey, slouchy Steve Madden boots that my mom bought me for Christmas. Yes, Christmas! My first time wearing those boots-- that I got five months ago and had coveted long before that-- was last Saturday. See, the thing is, I think the boots are just too cute to cover up with jeans, but I don't have any skinny jeans that can be easily tucked in. And until this coral halter top/graphic print Anthro dress, none of the dresses in my closet really worked with the Madden boots. What do you think? I like it.

Besides still being stoked about my cute/comfy/cheap dresses, I am pretty thrilled by some earrings I purchased last weekend while working the Street Fair. As I mentioned in Monday's post, I sat at a booth Saturday afternoon representing the paper at the annual street fair. As it happened, our booth was located right next to the booth of a local jewelry designer. Perfect. I probably spent two hours eyeing the merchandise before getting up, grabbing some cash and scooping up five pairs of earrings for just $20!

I'm not sure if the guy gave me a discount because we were booth buddies/neighbors, or if everyone got this deal, but he told me that if I bought four earrings (which were $5 each) he would give me the fifth free. Already planning on buying four, it was easy to take him up on his offer. I tried to pick out pieces that are different from what I already have in my jewelry box. Here's a peek at what I scored:

I have already worn the long purple ones and the blue/pearl ones. I wore the "fifth pair" today, and I have to say, these are the most different from anything I usually wear. I am not normally a hoop gal and I don't have anything in this turquoise color but I thought they looked summery and fun.

So while I may have lost my favorite pair of jeans-- and I am still considering patching the holes in an effort to hold on to them just a bit longer-- I am comforted by my latest purchases. Ah, don't you love retail therapy?

Oh, and suggestions on places that sell fabulous but affordable jeans are much welcomed and appreciated!

Running for a cause

The fabulous and inspiring Amber over at Amber Alert is running her second half-marathon June 28 and since it is a charity run, she is seeking sponsors. All donations to Amber will go to Canada's Heart and Stroke Foundation. To read her personal reasons for why she chose this organization, click here.

Even if you don't live in Canada, this is a great cause to support. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in North America, a fact many are unaware of, and cardiac care is something that my sorority has long been a champion for (as I wrote about in this post).

Any donation, big or small, is appreciated. Amber already blew past her first goal of $500 and now she is aiming for $2,000. To donate to help her reach her goal, click here.

Thanks Amber for being a great example of living healthy and giving back!

Intergalactic heart throbs

Other than the fact that it is the No. 1 movie in America right now, there are 2 very good reasons to go see Star Trek if you haven't already.

They are Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto.

Perhaps better known as Capt. James Kirk and Spock. Though with the attention these two universal hunks have been getting, I think it's safe to say people are starting to know these relative newcomers' names.

Despite being a hardcore chick flickster and a forever fan of romantic comedies, I will admit I was excited when I heard a new Star Trek movie was coming out. That's right, I'm a Trekkie. I'll admit it. My dad loves Star Trek, in all its iterations: the original series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager (my favorite because of Capt. Kathryn Janeway, the first female commanding officer) and Enterprise.

I would sneak into my parents' room while my dad was watching one of the above shows, take a seat at the foot of the bed and proceed to annoy him for an hour with endless questions about what I was seeing on the TV screen. 

Why are those people killing those people? ... Why did that planet just blow up? ... What is a Vulcan mind meld? ... What is a Cardassian? ... Why does that alien look like that?

He would always just tell me to keep watching, that I would figure it out. Poor dad, I wouldn't let him watch his show in peace. But it is one of my favorite memories now; it was kind of like father-daughter bonding time, over Star Trek of all things.

So yes, I was up for seeing the movie. But I really got into it once I saw how smokin' hot the lead actors are! Even Spock's slanted eyebrows, blunt-cut bangs and pointed ears couldn't detract from his gorgeousness. And Capt. Kirk, well, I just couldn't get over his rugged good looks and brilliant blue eyes. He is verifiably my new celebrity crush, probably the first since my love affair with Justin Timberlake. Take a look to see what I mean:

They look even better cleaned up at the L.A. premiere:

I almost felt a little guilty while watching the film this past weekend-- I was sitting next to my boyfriend in the theater after all! Oh, well, he had Lt. Uhura, played by Zoe Saldana, to ogle at.

Love the dress she wore to the premiere, too:

Eye candy aside, the movie is well worth the ticket price (especially since we went to this new fancy-shmancy theater called Muvico. Anyone ever been? There's a bar!). The film was perhaps a bit confusing (to me, anyway) with the parallel/alternate universe, but overall it is entertaining, action-packed and even funny at times. And true Trekkies will love the CG effects-- which of course are much improved from previous films-- and seeing their favorite characters back on the silver screen in the form of a younger (handsomer) crew that is still going boldly where no man has gone before. 

Yeah, I said it. Oh, and "Live long and prosper."

Yes boys, I'll report to the bridge anytime.

Photo credits: symbol, poster, Spock, Kirk, Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, Starfleet bridge.

Stolen my heart with his guitar

In case you missed it, Kris Allen gave the best performance, in my opinion, last night on Idol. A stripped down, acoustic version of Kanye West's "Heartless."

Personally, I agree with Randy Jackson who said Kris' rendition is even better than the original! Oh, how I love Kris Allen. So cute and talented to boot. If he didn't have a wife, I'd say he could serenade me anytime!

Anyway, check out the performance below. 

And if you watched Idol last night, tell me, who do you think is going to get sent home tonight and who do you think is going to win? I'm still bummed about Allison getting voted off but since I have to choose, I would like to see Danny Gokey and Kris be the final 2. Still, I have a feeling Adam Lambert isn't going to get shut out of the finals tonight. People love that crazy guy. It's a tough one to call, though I don't think Adam is going to walk away with the title. Do you?

P.S. I wish I knew how to play the guitar! I was even googling blue acoustic guitars the other day because I have always wanted one. But I think I need some lessons first!

3 decades together

Today is my parents' 30th wedding anniversary, proving that some marriages really do last. They've been through ups and downs but still they have managed to stay together and at the end of the day, they really do love each other.

Christmas 2008

June 2008

So here's to you, Mom and Dad. Wishing you a very happy anniversary and 30 more years together!

Wishing the weekend was still here...

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and a Happy Mother's Day!

This is my mom, last year on her birthday. I gave her one of those Edible Arrangements and we had to take a pic before we devoured it!

Saturday I had to work, kind of, by representing the paper at a street fair here in town. It was a pretty good time I must say because for five hours I just sat at a booth while people came up to tell us how much they love the paper! Not bad, right? Though I was afraid of the sun burning my shoulders and arms since I was wearing one of my new, summery Anthropologie dresses, I did get out from under our tent for a bit to actually walk the fair, picking up a shave ice on my way (though it was more like snow cone, but still cold and sweet and yummy) and a free pen (I never say no when a man offers me a free pen!).

This is me and my mom at the wedding of a close family friend last June.

On Sunday I slept in (nice!) and then called my momma to wish her a Happy Mom's Day. I then had to clean up our messy apartment because the boy's family wanted to come by. They had never seen the place and we didn't want them to see the pig sty we had created as of late so I went to work clearing the table, picking up clothes off the floor and trying to hide some of my makeup-- that is usually just out on the bathroom counter-- in the cabinets.

Finally, I got ready and met my fam for a late lunch of burgers and fries at Red Robin. Pretty unhealthy but definitely delicious. 

Love the freckled lemonade and the natural burger (not pictured)!

At lunch I gave my mom her gift, which I think she was pretty happy about: a 80-minute "ultimate" spa pedicure at Coldwater Creek The Spa. Plus, I added a paraffin wax hand and foot treatment. My dad and I went in on the gift together so that we could get her something really nice. She had asked for a spa pedicure for Christmas and didn't get it so I thought, what better time than summer to finally get what she asked for? 

Looks pretty nice, huh?

I need a pedicure myself and haven't had one in ages and I was thisclose to buying one for rough-around-the-edges footsies when I got her gift card. I simply can't stand painting my own toe nails and would much rather pay someone to do it-- and to do it nicely and cleanly too, without getting polish all over! So I am thinking I will actually splurge and get a pedi since I will be living in sandals the next few months. But I'll probably get the "cheap" (not "ultimate"), $30 one. That's good enough for me.

So that's the run down of my weekend. Oh, well, I forgot to mention, I started to make progress last night on the mountain of laundry I was telling you about, but I fell asleep! I still have my whites in the wash. Ick. Gotta go finish that today...

How was your weekend/ Mom's Day?

Images via Red Robin and Coldwater Creek The Spa.

Bullet time

Busy day. Well, busy week. But that's not really out of the ordinary. Still, it has lead me to not post earlier (technically it is Thursday but it still feels like Wednesday since it is just after midnight) and not read or comment on other blogs and that makes me a bit sad. I guess I really have been bitten by the blogging bug or else I wouldn't care.

Seeing as I do, here is a random post, a stream of consciousness if you will, in bullet form:

• My emotions are all out of whack. It's that time of the month, as they say, and I nearly had a breakdown at work. I am cracking under the pressure this week and I could feel tears coming to my eyes. For no real reason really except that I could tell my editor was disappointed that I didn't have all my stories in before I came into the office to do layout and it was making him a bit stressed. See, recently my paper had to layoff 3 people and my editor took over one of our sister papers, which means he is putting out 2 papers instead of 1, which also means I have a bit more work to do. Long story short, it was not a good work day.

• But it wasn't all bad. I did interview a really cool local pop artist who does some pretty amazing work-- and has a celeb clientele-- and he gave me a free print! So that was exciting.

• However... I still have one more article to write. Boo. That's next after this post.

• It was a sad turn of events tonight in Idol land. **SPOILER ALERT!** Last girl standing Allison Iraheta was voted off. Season 8 is officially now a boys club! I would have shed a tear if I hadn't done that already today. I can't really complain since I never actually call in or text my vote. Still, I almost don't want to watch the rest of the season now because Allison was my fave-- I always root for the girls-- but I will because Kris Allen is awfully cute, Danny Gokey has a sexy set of pipes and Adam Lambert, well, he's just too crazy not to watch.

• I have a pile of laundry to do. Multiple piles to be exact. A mountain to be even more precise. Add to that an apartment that needs some major cleaning and reorganizing. Anyone want to help me? No, I didn't think so.

• I love my Hazel. She makes me smile.

• Remember my cravings from yesterday? Er, Tuesday? You know, Cinco de Mayo. Well, later that night I had the real thing at El Torito. Not that El Torito is muy authentico or anything but it was better than I thought it would be. And I got a free Tecate bead necklace. What's not to love about that? Here's some pics to prove it: 

Top to bottom: Me and my blended strawberry margarita (and Tecate necklace), some chips and salsa, a bowl of yummy tortilla soup with no cheese, a chicken tamale (again, no cheese) with a green-ish (tomatillo, maybe?) sauce that I didn't expect seeing as I usually am a red sauce kind of girl.

So there you have it. I am hoping tomorrow (really, today, I know you are all confused now) will be better and less busy and stressful but I kind of know it won't be. But my goal is to have a positive outlook, to take the stress in stride and look for the silver lining... the weekend is almost here!