The Hump Day Blog Hop!

Happy Hump Day everyone! We are halfway through the week and the hump day camel is too freaking cool, so lets have some fun and a blog hop to celebrate.

This is a little different than a link up. To participate, simply add your blog link. There is no required entry or anything like that. This is about networking, making new friends, and finding new blogs.

All I ask:

1) "The Hump Day" blog hop button button be displayed anywhere on your blog page or a specific entry with a link back to me or the weekly co-host. (Please do this. These blog hops take a lot of work and preparation.)

2) You don't have to follow me, but in the words of Blake Shelton: it'd sure be cool if ya did.

3) Mingle with your fellow Bloggers.

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.fitnessblondie.blogspot.com" title="The Hump Day Blog Hop"><img src="http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a593/fitnessblondiel/humpday_zps418f63f6.jpg" alt="The Hump Day Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br />

Read More

The Hump Day Blog Hop!

Happy Hump Day everyone! We are halfway through the week and the hump day camel is too freaking cool, so lets have some fun and a blog hop to celebrate.

This is a little different than a link up. To participate, simply add your blog link. There is no required entry or anything like that. This is about networking, making new friends, and finding new blogs.

All I ask:

1) "The Hump Day" blog hop button button be displayed anywhere on your blog page or a specific entry with a link back to me or the weekly co-host. (Please do this. These blog hops take a lot of work and preparation.)

2) You don't have to follow me, but in the words of Blake Shelton: it'd sure be cool if ya did.

3) Please follow the co-host. I love helping and promoting these amazing women in the blog world! I do this to not only meet new people, but help my friends make new friends and readers.

4) Mingle with your fellow Bloggers.

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.fitnessblondie.blogspot.com" title="The Hump Day Blog Hop"><img src="http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a593/fitnessblondiel/humpday_zps418f63f6.jpg" alt="The Hump Day Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br />

Please join me in welcoming this weeks fabulous co-host, a woman whose blog I am always excited to read what she has to write; Jana @ Jana Says

Read More

The Hump Day Blog Hop!

Happy Hump Day everyone! We are halfway through the week and the hump day camel is too freaking cool, so lets have some fun and a blog hop to celebrate.

This is a little different than a link up. To participate, simply add your blog link. There is no required entry or anything like that. This is about networking, making new friends, and finding new blogs.

All I ask:

1) "The Hump Day" blog hop button button be displayed anywhere on your blog page or a specific entry with a link back to me or the weekly co-host. (Please do this. These blog hops take a lot of work and preparation.)

2) You don't have to follow me, but in the words of Blake Shelton: it'd sure be cool if ya did.

3) Please follow the co-host. I love helping and promoting these amazing women in the blog world! I do this to not only meet new people, but help my friends make new friends and readers.

4) Mingle with your fellow Bloggers.

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.fitnessblondie.blogspot.com" title="The Hump Day Blog Hop"><img src="http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a593/fitnessblondiel/humpday_zps418f63f6.jpg" alt="The Hump Day Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br />

Please join me in welcoming this weeks fabulous co-host, my dear friend and former co-worker, Maegen Lindsey @ Creating Confidence Today!

Read More

The Hump Day Blog Hop - Birthday Edition!

Happy Hump Day everyone! We are halfway through the week and the hump day camel is too freaking cool, so lets have some fun and a blog hop to celebrate.

This is a little different than a link up. To participate, simply add your blog link. There is no required entry or anything like that. This is about networking, making new friends, and finding new blogs.

All I ask:

1) "The Hump Day" blog hop button button be displayed anywhere on your blog page or a specific entry with a link back to me or the weekly co-host. (Please do this. These blog hops take a lot of work and preparation.)

2) You don't have to follow me, but in the words of Blake Shelton: it'd sure be cool if ya did.

3) Please follow the co-host. I love helping and promoting these amazing women in the blog world! I do this to not only meet new people, but help my friends make new friends and readers.

4) Mingle with your fellow Bloggers.

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.fitnessblondie.blogspot.com" title="The Hump Day Blog Hop"><img src="http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a593/fitnessblondiel/humpday_zps418f63f6.jpg" alt="The Hump Day Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br />

Please join me in welcoming this weeks co-host, Leeann @ "Join The Gossip"

Read More

The Hump Day Blog Hop!

Happy Hump Day everyone! We are halfway through the week and the hump day camel is too freaking cool, so lets have some fun and a blog hop to celebrate.

This is a little different than a link up. To participate, simply add your blog link. There is no required entry or anything like that. This is about networking, making new friends, and finding new blogs.

All I ask:

1) "The Hump Day" blog hop button button be displayed anywhere on your blog page or a specific entry with a link back to me or the weekly co-host. (Please do this. These blog hops take a lot of work and preparation.)

2) You don't have to follow me, but in the words of Blake Shelton: it'd sure be cool if ya did.

3) Please follow the co-host. I love helping and promoting these amazing women in the blog world! I do this to not only meet new people, but help my friends make new friends and readers.

4) Mingle with your fellow Bloggers.

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.fitnessblondie.blogspot.com" title="The Hump Day Blog Hop"><img src="http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a593/fitnessblondiel/humpday_zps418f63f6.jpg" alt="The Hump Day Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br />

Please join me in welcoming this weeks co-host, the beautiful, sweet, amazing, kind, and most awesome girl in the whole wide world; Trace from "Hey Trace!"

Read More

The Hump Day Blog Hop!

Happy Hump Day everyone! We are halfway through the week and the hump day camel is too freaking cool, so lets have some fun and a blog hop to celebrate.

Are you guys fully recovered from the long weekend? I had 4-days, so coming back to work today, was hard!

This is a little different than a link up. To participate, simply add your blog link. There is no required entry or anything like that. This is about networking, making new friends, and finding new blogs.

All I ask:

1) "The Hump Day" blog hop button button be displayed anywhere on your blog page or a specific entry with a link back to me or the weekly co-host. (Please do this. These blog hops take a lot of work and preparation.)

2) You don't have to follow me, but in the words of Blake Shelton: it'd sure be cool if ya did.

3) Please follow the co-host. I love helping and promoting these amazing women in the blog world! I do this to not only meet new people, but help my friends make new friends and readers.

4) Mingle with your fellow Bloggers.

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.fitnessblondie.blogspot.com" title="The Hump Day Blog Hop"><img src="http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a593/fitnessblondiel/humpday_zps418f63f6.jpg" alt="The Hump Day Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br />

Please join me in welcoming this weeks co-host: the beautiful Amanda from "Meet At The Barre" She also holds a fun link up on Friday's called "Friday Favorite's", be sure to check that out!

Read More

The Hump Day Blog Hop!

Did yoouuu missssss me?! I apologize for the interruption last week, but we are now back in business with our regularly scheduled program.

Happy Hump Day everyone! We are halfway through the week and the hump day camel is too freaking cool, so lets have some fun and a blog hop to celebrate.

This is a little different than a link up. To participate, simply add your blog link. There is no required entry or anything like that. This is about networking, making new friends, and finding new blogs.

All I ask:

1) "The Hump Day" blog hop button button be displayed anywhere on your blog page or a specific entry with a link back to me or the weekly co-host. (Please do this. These blog hops take a lot of work and preparation.)

2) You don't have to follow me, but in the words of Blake Shelton: it'd sure be cool if ya did.

3) Please follow the co-host. I love helping and promoting these amazing women in the blog world! I do this to not only meet new people, but help my friends make new friends and readers.

4) Mingle with your fellow Bloggers.

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.fitnessblondie.blogspot.com" title="The Hump Day Blog Hop"><img src="http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a593/fitnessblondiel/humpday_zps418f63f6.jpg" alt="The Hump Day Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br />

Please join me in welcoming this weeks co-host and one of the first Blogger friends I ever had; Vicki at "Life of Vicki". (PS: Isn't her blog design to die for?)

There is one more day left for the giveaway! There are lots of fun ways to get multiple entries in as well! However, please note that all entries entered into this giveaway will be verified. The winners will be chosen at random using the hosting site (Rafflecopter) that is tallying the entries. After the entries have been verified, the winners will be shown on my blog entry on Friday, May 16th. Click here!

--------------------------

Read More

The Hump Day Blog Hop!

Happy Hump Day everyone! We are halfway through the week and the hump day camel is too freaking cool, so lets have some fun and a blog hop to celebrate.

This is a little different than a link up. To participate, simply add your blog link. There is no required entry or anything like that. This is about networking, making new friends, and finding new blogs.

All I ask:

1) "The Hump Day" blog hop button button be displayed anywhere on your blog page or a specific entry with a link back to me or the weekly co-host. (Please do this. These blog hops take a lot of work and preparation.)

2) You don't have to follow me, but in the words of Blake Shelton: it'd sure be cool if ya did.

3) Please follow the co-host. I love helping and promoting these amazing women in the blog world! I do this to not only meet new people, but help my friends make new friends and readers.

4) Mingle with your fellow Bloggers.

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.fitnessblondie.blogspot.com" title="The Hump Day Blog Hop"><img src="http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a593/fitnessblondiel/humpday_zps418f63f6.jpg" alt="The Hump Day Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br />

Please help me welcome this weeks co-host; Rebecca from Red Tag Chic Los Angeles 

Rebecca is just... I mean look at her. Pure awesome. She is full of style, beauty, and grace. I'm not that big into fashion, but with Rebecca's blog, I connected to her instantly - especially her her very "down to earth" nature. She is a CPA by profession but I think we can all tell what other calling she has. The part of I like most about her "about me" Much as I would love to have the latest “IT” bag, a front row seat at the Fashion Week, and all the top luxury brands at my beck and call, I love the thrill of saving a couple of bucks by finding a good deal, remixing and shopping in my closet……and living in Los Angeles makes it all fun and easy. Definitely make sure you hop on over to her spot and say hello! 

______________________________

Read More

The Hump Day Blog Hop!

Happy Hump Day everyone! We are halfway through the week and the hump day camel is too freaking cool, so lets have some fun and a blog hop to celebrate.

This is a little different than a link up. To participate, simply add your blog link. There is no required entry or anything like that. This is about networking, making new friends, and finding new blogs.

All I ask:

1) "The Hump Day" blog hop button button be displayed anywhere on your blog page or a specific entry with a link back to me or the weekly co-host. (Please do this. These blog hops take a lot of work and preparation.)

2) You don't have to follow me, but in the words of Blake Shelton: it'd sure be cool if ya did.

3) Please follow the co-host. I love helping and promoting these amazing women in the blog world! I do this to not only meet new people, but help my friends make new friends and readers.

4) Mingle with your fellow Bloggers.

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.fitnessblondie.blogspot.com" title="The Hump Day Blog Hop"><img src="http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a593/fitnessblondiel/humpday_zps418f63f6.jpg" alt="The Hump Day Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br />

Please join me in welcoming this weeks co-host; Tricia from "Tricia's (Mostly) Healthy Lifestyle!"

Read More

The Hump Day Blog Hop!

Happy Hump Day everyone! We are halfway through the week and the hump day camel is too freaking cool, so lets have some fun and a blog hop to celebrate.

This is a little different than a link up. To participate, simply add your blog link. There is no required entry or anything like that. This is about networking, making new friends, and finding new blogs.

All I ask:

1) "The Hump Day" blog hop button button be displayed anywhere on your blog page or a specific entry with a link back to me or the weekly co-host. (Please do this. These blog hops take a lot of work and preparation.)

2) You don't have to follow me, but in the words of Blake Shelton: it'd sure be cool if ya did.

3) Please follow the co-host. I love helping and promoting these amazing women in the blog world! I do this to not only meet new people, but help my friends make new friends and readers.

4) Mingle with your fellow Bloggers.

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.fitnessblondie.blogspot.com" title="The Hump Day Blog Hop"><img src="http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a593/fitnessblondiel/humpday_zps418f63f6.jpg" alt="The Hump Day Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br />

Please join me in welcoming this weeks co-host and my awesome friend; Lindsey from "Broke and Bougie"

Read More

The Hump Day Blog Hop!

Happy Hump Day everyone! We are halfway through the week and the hump day camel is too freaking cool, so lets have some fun and a blog hop to celebrate.

This is a little different than a link up. To participate, simply add your blog link. There is no required entry or anything like that. This is about networking, making new friends, and finding new blogs.

All I ask:

1) "The Hump Day" blog hop button button be displayed anywhere on your blog page or a specific entry with a link back to me or the weekly co-host. (Please do this. These blog hops take a lot of work and preparation.)

2) You don't have to follow me, but in the words of Blake Shelton: it'd sure be cool if ya did.

3) Please follow the co-host. I love helping and promoting these amazing women in the blog world! I do this to not only meet new people, but help my friends make new friends and readers.

4) Mingle with your fellow Bloggers.

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.fitnessblondie.blogspot.com" title="The Hump Day Blog Hop"><img src="http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a593/fitnessblondiel/humpday_zps418f63f6.jpg" alt="The Hump Day Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br />

Please join me in welcoming this weeks co-host, Stephanie from "Life According to Steph"

Read More

Sunshine, Friendship, and The Week - Friday 5

TGIF, friends. This week has actually been a great week. I have never longed for Spring and Summer so much in my life. Maybe it is because I feel so much better about myself now, but I am becoming so impatient. We were given a tease Saturday through Tuesday here and I took advantage of it as much as I could! However, I am irritated because I have been so sore, all week long. I love it for the first day or so, but now I am off over it. My thighs better be shaping up good after all of this!

Monday was my off day from the gym. I came home and made a new recipe (which by the way is out of this world delicious), did some cleaning, and (1) I had a fabulous new workout top arrive. Not only is it pink, the best color ever, but I love the saying on it. How freaking true? It is so motivating and the perfect saying for when you're hard at work at the gym. The shirt is from Blessons Apparel!

(2) Tuesday was the most beautiful day and I soaked up every second of it. I left work a little early, put the top back, and drove home. I did the Hot Mess Express for half an hour then Kelly and I ran two miles on the Greenway. I am so lucky to have my gym, LA Fitness across the parking lot and a beautiful 4 mile Greenway to run on. If that doesn't keep someone on track, I don't know what could! Great thing I picked my particular apartment complex - I just knew it felt right.

After our awesome run, Kels and I walked to Hickory Tavern for a bottle of Pinot and patio time. Because, duh - we exercise to drink our wine, ha! The weather was beautiful and we work out butt's off, so we deserved it. We had the best time. 

Wednesday, I received some bad news about my father. Luckily, the rain stopped and turned out to be another beautiful, warm day. My best friend was there for me the whole evening. Kelly and I went to the gym, had a killer work out, then she and her dad took me to a delicious dinner. (3) I am so thankful for friendship. We of course had to snap a a sweaty, post workout picture. Our more glamorous state. Ha!

(4) Thursday morning my cat was on another level. He ran around all night being psycho. Marty definitely has the biggest personality of any cat I have ever seen, but this was crazy! I woke up to him going through my medicine cabinet! Ha! I love him more than anything, he is nuts.

(5) My dad. I feel like I talk about him all of the time on my blog, but his cancer really affects me. I have never had to deal with a terminal illness like cancer nor have I lost a close family member before. This is all so new to me and difficult to swallow. I talk about the pain sometimes on my blog, because writing is my therapy and outlet. Plus I feel like you can never ask for too many prayers. I received a call that my father was rushed to the ER at Duke. There is a hospital 10 minutes away from my parents in my hometown, why did he have to go 2 hours to Duke? Turns out the cancer is eating away at his bone. The doctors attempted to do surgery and couldn't. Nor could they do radiation. They sent him home with a morphine drip. My dads battle with cancer is tearing me apart. I can only imagine how he feels. The cancer started in 2006 in his kidney, which was removed and he was cancer free until 2011 when there was a tumor found in his brain. That was removed and then we found out that it was in his leg bone and pelvis as well, so it had been in his blood stream. Thus it is not curable. My family has been on this terrible rollercoaster ride of good news, bad news good news, good news, and everyday it gets hard. My father has fought so damn hard and for so long. And there is not much I can do for him. I wish I could take it all away from him and put it in me, but I can't. I visit my dad when I can, I call to say I love him, and I made a picture for him that can hopefully cheer him up.

My dad is a really hard person to buy gifts for. He doesn't really have any hobbies or any likes, besides the Beatles. I have gotten him so much Beatles stuff that I lost count. I thought the picture of he and I and our favorite song may help him. He used to sing "Butterfly Kisses" to me all of the time. I cried like a baby while trying to make this for him last night. Until a few months ago, I really distanced myself from my dad. I rarely saw him, rarely talked, and I pretended that the cancer didn't exist. Any time someone would ask me about him, I would reply that he was receiving his treatments and doing OK. I would never talk about it because I was living in denial. I did not want to believe it, because I don't feel strong enough to handle it. However, I have slowly changed myself over the last few months and realized my selfishness will not help him. I try to be a better daughter everyday and realize this is not about me, it is about him.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Read More

Bikini Body Prep Giveaway and The Hump Day Blog Hop!

Welcome to a very special addition of "The Hump Day Blog Hop". I am hosting a new giveaway today as well. I am so thankful for all of my absolutely amazing readers and friends that have helped my little blog grow over the past 9 months. I am in love with the awesome friendships I have made and as a thank you, I wanted to help you guys get bikini body ready!

Also included in the prize pack, if the winner wants it, a phone or Skype session with me to go over your current nutrition and training program, provide tips and advice specific to your particular situation/lifestyle, or even create a specific nutrition/fitness program. I have been NASM certified since 2008.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We are halfway through the week and the hump day camel is too freaking cool, so lets have some fun and a blog hop to celebrate.

This is a little different than a link up. To participate, simply add your blog link. There is no required entry or anything like that. This is about networking, making new friends, and finding new blogs.

All I ask:

1) "The Hump Day" blog hop button button be displayed anywhere on your blog page or a specific entry with a link back to me or the weekly co-host. (Please do this. These blog hops take a lot of work and preparation.)

2) You don't have to follow me, but in the words of Blake Shelton: it'd sure be cool if ya did.

3) Please follow the co-host. I love helping and promoting these amazing women in the blog world! I do this to not only meet new people, but help my friends make new friends and readers.

4) Mingle with your fellow Bloggers.

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.fitnessblondie.blogspot.com" title="The Hump Day Blog Hop"><img src="http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a593/fitnessblondiel/humpday_zps418f63f6.jpg" alt="The Hump Day Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br />

Please help me in welcoming this weeks co-host, Alex at "High Heels and Treadmills"

Read More

A busy week on the grind! (Friday 5)

Thank you G ZUS! It is going to Friday in just a couple of hours. Can I just tell everyone how happy I am to see this day? I am so tired. I am so sore. I am SO ready to relax and sleep in for the next two days. I have basically had a really boring week. All I have done is slave away at my job and my workouts.

If you have ever read my about me page: The Blonde Behind The Blog, you know that my office does not officially have a Human Resources department. By the end of the year, I will be the director because that is my passion in the business world. Thus, a LOT of my time is spent with the acting Human Resources Manager training, and meeting after meeting creating policies and procedures. Combine that with hard workouts and clean eating, and I have had hard week on my grind. Which is productive, but I need a little bliss. I go for my B12 injection and weigh tomorrow afternoon at my doctor's office, I hope to see a good change on the scale. 

Monday, nothing great happened, (1) but I did get my hair done. Ladies, my hair was awful and my red had completely faded. I am werdio and I love my hair platinum blonde and red. I am extremely excited to be back to normal!

Tuesday, nothing great happened. I worked all day as always. During work, (2) I tried a new Quest Bar flavor. It was alright. It was tolerable, but I doubt I will purchase again, unless I am desperate. Ha. After work, Kelly could not make it to the gym. And since it was a cardio and core day, I decided to just go home and do my "Hot Mess Express" workout. I have absolutely got to get a video up for you guys. I promise you, it will work you like never before. I am extremely muscular and work out religiously, and every time I do this random workout I created, it kills me. My stomach, booty, and thighs are super sore.

Wednesday, nothing great happened. (3) We had 70 degree weather though! I love living in Charlotte. Last Wednesday we were knee deep in snow and this Wednesday I am driving around with the top down on my car. I thoroughly enjoyed it though. I rocked a skirt and did not even have to wear hose!

My hair was getting a bit oily, but I don't want to wash it just yet because I don't want my red to fade. I usually wash my hair every other day, but since I just got it done Monday evening, I want to wait until tomorrow night to wash it. I have just been using dry shampoo and leave in conditioner. So I turned to my new favorite way to do my hair; (4) a head braid! I braid it at night, sleep on it (it stays fine), spray a little de-frizz on in the morning, and I am good to go. I basically taught myself how to do it. I watched a video on YouTube for about 30 seconds, but grew annoyed because the woman was not making any sense and I could not see what she was doing. It took a lot of trail and error. 

Today has been busy, busy, busy! I accidentally set my alarm for 6:30 PM instead of AM. I woke up 10 minutes before I was supposed to be at work, ha! And the only reason that happened is because I heard a school bus and even from my somber, I knew something was not right.

For lunch at work, we had our monthly "Celebrate Us" party. Once a month we either do breakfast, lunch, or dessert for all of the birthdays and work anniversary's during that specific month. Since I am the Office Manager I kind of consider myself chairman of the "Social Committee" (ha ha). Initially everyone wanted to do fattening desserts in lieu of Valentine's Day, but I finally convinced everyone to opt for a salad buffet instead. A lot of people agreed too! Our health insurance is doing a "Sugar Smasher" challenge and employees signed up to participate so we did not want to derail anyone with sugary desserts. Also, at my desk, there was previously a big bowl of candy that the old Office Manager used to keep full. I have replaced it with mints. Surprisingly people enjoy that as well. (5) Slowly but surely, I and the acting Human Resources Manager are working diligently on getting the office healthy and happy!

After work, the weather was still absolutely beautiful. I put the top down and headed home. Kelly came over and we did "The Hot Mess Express" workout OUTSIDE. Perfect day for it! After, we still wanted to cruise with the top back so we took the long way to the grocery store to get a bottle of wine! Now I'm hanging out with Kels, drinking a glass of wine, and catching up on the new season of "The Real World" (this season is so good). 

I hope you guys have a great weekend and be sure to check out all of the awesome Friday link-up's going on! They are such an awesome way to find new blogs and catch up with your friends. 

One last thing...

I made it into the top 3 nominations for "Healthiest Honey's" blog award. If you are my friend and enjoy reading my blog, could you please take one second and vote for me? I can't do this without you! Thank you so much to anyone who helped me get thus far. It was an amazing surprise and it would be great to get the award! Health and fitness are my passions. Click here to go vote!

Read More