Weekend Recap: I got excited over produce and a vacuum

I really need to stop making plans; even though scheduling and planning are embedded into my DNA now. Ha. They never work out! It's almost comical at this point. Why this weekend? The rain. Ugh.
Friday work was absolutely nuts. I ran around the entire day. When it finally ended, I took off to the gym for legs. I am ALWAYS deathly sore after my leg days so I strategically plan them so my rest day comes after. My legs are really strong, so I enjoy pushing them to the damn limit (insert Paul Engemann song here). Friday, it happened. After my workout, I was limping out of there. 

I walked home, popped my Glutamine, downed a protein shake, then took a shower and got glam since my best friend Jennifer was coming down to spend the weekend with me. I was wearing one of my favorite shirts; a red tube top from Venus and guess what I noticed? Big, white bleach stains. How great is that? Not. I am assuming there is no way to take a shirt back from that? 

Once Jen arrived we took off to a local spot I have been wanting to try: Elwood's BBQ and Burgers. It was really fun and the food was to die for. She and I both had pulled chicken. I am not a fan of pork so having the chicken substitution was great. There was also a guy singing and playing guitar. He did a cover of Kings of Leon "Sex on Fire" and it was phenomenal. I wish I knew who it was. Elwood's also had corn-hole. I can't wait to go back! After dinner we came back to my place and rented the movie "Endless Love" on demand. I have to say, it reminded me SO much of a cheap "The Notebook". It was OK at best and in no way worth the $4.99 to rent it. 

Saturday morning Jen and I woke up ready to spend the day soaking up the sun and being lazy by the pool. However, the weather had other plans. We waited it out until 11 AM but it was still very cloudy, windy, and 40% chance of rain. We just decided to go ahead, take showers, and get ready, then spend the day out and about.

Of course after she and I were showered and made up, the sun came out. We went to the movies to see "The Fault in Our Stars". It was so touching - wow, what a good movie! The story line was real and raw, the acting was great, and there was wonderful chemistry with all of the characters. Grab your tissues and go see it! After the movie we went to a local produce stand that I have been wanting to go to for a long time. I fell in love. It was adorable, great selection of produce, and SO cheap. All of that made for one happy girl. I always eat a good amount of fruits and vegetables but now I will be stepping it up a notch. I am happy to have that little gem in my neighborhood. Perhaps I am too excited about it. I am definitely getting old. 

After our little produce adventure we went to Old Navy, Home Goods, and Marshall's (I scored some compression shorts for $12 bucks, yay!), Pet Smart, then picked up a sweet treat at a local bakery called "SAS". I have not had a cupcake from that place in a year so Jen and I decided to splurge! We both got vanilla with chocolate icing. It was delicious, but too much icing. Nonetheless, it is my favorite place to get a cupcake. I also really like the fact you can come in and just buy one at a time. 

After we picked up our treat to save for later in the evening, we went to dinner. I took Jennifer to my favorite place; "Cantina 1511". She and I love Mexican cuisine and this place is super authentic and fresh - my keys for when I dine out. They buy nothing frozen. We had dinner on the patio since it turned out to be a beautiful night. I had my favorite drink; the strawberry and mint Mojito. I can't rave enough how refreshing that drink is. Yum!

 Once we were stuffed from dinner, we went back to my place. We were hot and really tired. Shopping and errands are exhausting, ha! There I made her help me put together my new vacuum that I am over the moon about. Yep, I am so happy over a new vacuum. Another sign that I am not only a dork, but getting old. You all know I have the most lovable yet FLUFFIEST and hairiest cat of all time, and my old vacuum was not cutting it. The weather is getting hotter, I am slightly OCD with cleaning, and the hair was too much. This vacuum is the best, the difference was shocking.

We spent the rest of the night watching "Dirty Dancing" (it was my first time watching it! I know I am crazy) and talking until 2 AM. We slept in this morning, then around noon Jennifer left. 
As she was leaving, I was packing my bag to go hiking. There was a 50% chance of rain, but there was also a chance yesterday and nothing happened. Thus I decided to go for it. Hiking at Crowder's is my happy place so I wanted to go. As I was getting in my car, the bottom fell out. Of course. I made a detour and hit the gym for cardio and a weight circuit instead. After I went to Earth Fare, came home, got all of my food prep, and cleaned.

Linking up with these fabulous ladies to share my weekend shannies!  

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Back to my Roots for Memorial Day Weekend!

Over the Memorial holiday, it was a 4-day weekend for me. I spent half of it back in my hometown with my family and half of it recovering and taking it easy at home. I was so damn tired. I love going 100 MPH because I am as high strung as one could possibly be, but I needed a recharge! 

Friday, I worked until 4 then hit the gym for a hard leg workout. I had to start it right! After the gym, I went by Target and GNC so I could knock some of my errands out, then went home to make dinner, clean up, and pack my suitcase.

Saturday, I drove back to my hometown. I stayed with my brother, and had a cookout with my family and best friend Jennifer. It was part a cookout for Memorial Day and part a cookout for my sister-in-law Amber. Her 21st birthday was Sunday! The weather was wonderful, we played cornhole, laughed, and made memories. There is nothing better than a down home, country cookout!

Sunday I drove to the next town over to visit my dad. I know I have not written about him in a while, but he is doing OK. He is doing the best he can with his cancer. He is out of work on medical leave and once that is up, he will have to retire-- but he keeps fighting. I admire that. I taught him the art of selifes while I was there, ha! We then had lunch with my step-mom. She made healthy turkey salad's. It was delicious as always and I love her, she is so supportive of my weight loss journey, and it means a lot to me!

Once I left my dads house, I went back to my brothers to get ready for a Harley Davidson event in Greensboro. They were hosting a bike show and Brantley Gilbert concert! Once again the weather was great and my sister-in-law, brother, and I had great time. Oh and while I was there I was recognized from my blog! That's the second time this year, very cool!

After the concert, I really wanted to go home. I was ready to be back in Charlotte thus I had the bright idea to drive back. I wanted to get the drive over with so I could enjoy two full days at home. It was a STUPID idea. I got home around 2 AM and did not go to sleep until after 3. On Monday I ended up sleeping until after noon, which I never do. I was exhausted, still sore from my leg workout, I was nonstop for a few days with a lot of driving, and it all hit me at once. I spent the day being very, very lazy. I did push myself to get groceries at Earthfare, create a new recipe, and food prep.

Tuesday was similar to Monday. More rest and doing things about the apartment. I thoroughly enjoyed my two days of taking it easy, but it was hard to get back on routine. However, sometimes we just need a break!

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Weekend recap with a big haircut and announcement!

It was a lovely weekend for me!

It was the first weekend I have not had to travel in a few weeks. I was able to take it a little more easy than normal and enjoy myself. It was low key, but a lot of fun. Plus, I only gained a pound, but still lost in fat mass. The scale was probably up due to water. Normally, I would not be happy at ALL about gaining weight, but after my long Memorial Day weekend paired with 4 days out of the gym, I was worried. I have been back on the grind though.

Friday after work, I went to my stylists house to get my hair done. She has been working so hard at building her home salon and it is really coming together. I am so proud of her. She is literally the best with hair; she's taught at schools, managed salons, and is so creative. If you live near Charlotte and want her information, let me know. She can do anything.

My hair ended up taking about 4 hours. Ugh. And well, it is quite a bit of a change. I had 4 inches cut off, side bangs added, and no red streaks. 

Here is what I thought about it...

I'm not happy. I'm working on getting there, but it is hard. Luckily it is just hair and I know it will grow back, but I do not feel like me. I love my long hair and my red streaks. However, my ends were really fried and stringy, so the cut truly needed to happen. Now time to embrace it and make the best of it.

After, I did an Ulta trip. I had $200 points to use and Redken products were 2 for $22. Plus I was out of translucent powder. I love the Sulfate free shampoo, it is wonderful. It's light and does not weigh the hair down. Which for me right now is essential. If I have the short hair, I want it BIG! Also, for the first time ever, I tried Bare Minerals.I bought the mineral "veil" powder and it is so soft. I am really enjoying the product thus far. Of course I had to get a hot pink brush to go with it... hashtag true Fitness Blondie style!

I was in bed by 11 and slept until 10 AM on Saturday. I have no idea why I slept so late. Once I got myself up and awakened from my zombie-like state, I downed a Quest Bar for breakfast then walked to the gym. It was a gorgeous, sunny, and breezy morning. I lifted and did 40 minutes of cardio.

Once I finished at the gym, I walked back home to shower and get ready for the day. I tried to work and play with my hair to try and manage it to my liking. I did OK, but I am not content with my bangs yet.

Once I was ready, I ran by GNC then met my friends Karen, Johnathan, and Alexis at the movie theater. We went to see "Maleficent". Y'all I cannot rave about this movie enough! We saw it in 3D and that made it that much more spectacular. Angelina Jolie is majestic... breathtaking... perfect. The movie was just so awesome. I LOVED the story, graphics, and acting. I would love to go see it again and cannot wait for the movie to come on DVD. If you get the chance, go see it.

Before the show, I wanted a treat. I did not want to get a huge popcorn or drink, so I asked the cashier if I could get a kids box, and I was able too, ha!

After the amazing movie, Alexis and I went to one of my favorite neighborhood spots "Cantina 1511". It was a gorgeous, breezy evening, so she and I had dinner and a cocktail on the patio. There was also a cute guy singing and playing the guitar, so I mean, it was totally an all around win. Also, since Lex and I had movie tickets, we were able to get free guacamole dip. Unfortunately I had to pass because avocados give me awful, awful stomach pains... even though I love it. Ugh. It was cool though - the waiter made it right in front of us! I sipped on the drink to the left; a mint and strawberry Mojito. I loved it - it was refreshing and best of all, no syrup. I cannot stand cocktails with that syrup crap.

After dinner and music, I went to Target and Harris Teeter for my weekly groceries (I know, I am rockstar) then spent the rest of the evening watching George Lopez and Roseanne comedy specials on HBO. Ha!

Today I left around 11AM to go to my happy place; hiking at Crowder's Mountain. I had 10 miles on the agenda.

I made it to the top as usual. However, when I was coming down, I took quite a tumble. I tripped over a tree root (I think) and fell into a tree. I'm thankful the tree was there, because if it wasn't, I'm sure I would have kept going. To make the fall even worse, of course there was a big group of people slightly ahead of me who heard me fall so they all came over. I was thankful for them checking on me, but it was still so freaking embarrassing. I was slowly able to finish my hike and the damage just seems to be a slightly swollen ankle with scrapes on my legs. I feel fine; just a little achy and very tired.

Once I got home from my fun adventure, I propped and iced my ankle and legs for about an hour. I felt better so I was able to get my food prep and cleaning done.

Now I am finally settled down and able to rest. But I have one more thing...

What an amazing opportunity. I am so excited to be able to host this giveaway. This book is for everyone - men, women, black, purple, white, yellow, young, old, married, single - EVERYONE. It will change your life! Seriously, ask anyone who has read Dave Ramsey books or listens to his show. The giveaway starts this Wednesday at noon EST. More details follow then!

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A Super Late Crazy, 3-day, Weekend Recap

Better late than never, I suppose! All I can say after this weekend is... wow. It was perhaps the best and worst weekend I have had in a long time. The family drama I witnessed and that ensued makes Jerry Springer look classy. My weekend with my mom was interrupted, of course, because that is how my life goes, but we made it work. Friday night after work, we went to our favorite restaurant "The Melting Pot" for dinner. We indulged in cheese dip and white chocolate brulee for dessert! It was so much fun. We only go a few times a year so it's always great to go. After dinner I met a new friend at a local pub for a nightcap.

Saturday morning we left Charlotte early to spend the day moving my mom into my brother's house. It was a long, long morning and afternoon. Hiking and weight lifting are great workouts but I think moving has to beat them all. Nothing exhausts me more. Once mom was moved in, we decided to stay the night with my brother, sister in law, and nephew instead of driving back to Charlotte.

Later that evening as I was getting ready, my nephew was watching me do my makeup and was so fascinated. It was seriously the cutest thing. He loved looking at himself in the mirror. As I was putting on my foundation and stroking the brush on my face, he was doing the same thing with a Q-tip. Seriously, no one can melt me like he can.

The above pictures are me with my sister-in-law and baby brother. I cannot believe my Bub will be 22 in less than two months... I mean that is just crazy to me. To my pleasant surprise, Saturday night turned out to be a really fun and good night.

Sunday morning my mom and I took off back to Charlotte. She and I both were exhausted. I haven't felt that kind of exhaustion in a long time. Plus not sleeping well on Saturday did not help either. She and I spent the day at my apartment taking it easy. I cleaned and got some food prep done. We then took showers and made ourselves look presentable.

We went to a really fun Mexican bar in Matthews for dinner and drinks. The drinks were awesome. Mine was so big though! I could not even make it through half, but it was delicious. I hate Margarita's, but the "top shelf" one I had was not bad. Mama had fresh Sangria, her favorite. It was strong - actually stronger than mine!

Monday, mom left early. I woke up aching. The soreness from the move officially kicked in. Nonetheless, I had a lot to do. I spent the morning running errands, spent 3 hours putting a desk together, and then more hours scrubbing my apartment and food prepping. Nonstop I tell ya! However, I can't wait to tell you guys all about my new little "home office space" I created and why! More on that next week.

Now it's time to tackle this work day, have a killer workout, and enjoy a 4-day weekend with my family! Have a great Memorial Day weekend everyone - what do you guys have planned?

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