Master Bath

I love all things monogrammed. I ordered this shower curtain today for my master bath. I am in love with the fringe at the bottom! I had the walls painted grey and I am combining creams and soft pinks. Too bad the curtain won't be delivered until January -- but I think it will be worth the wait! 

Dress

Blogging not only is a journalistic outlet, but is also a great place to showcase some things I need to get rid of! I sold my engagement dress (thank God) to sweet Pamela who is getting married herself next September! She said it fit perfect and I couldn't be more excited!

Next up: White House Black Market dress. Worn twice. It is a little too big in the bodice... enough so that I had to constantly pull it up last time I wore it. Sadly, I have to sell it but it is so beautiful! <3 this dress.

Asking $75 or Best Offer. Email me for sizing and further details.

Thanksgiving, Trees & a Girl Day

Happy start to the holidays to you all! I enjoyed my long weekend -- it was wonderful! Thanksgiving has never really been the big holiday for my family (Christmas is more tradition-based for us), so each year we wind up doing different things or seeing different family members. This year, we went out to Ray's on the River in Atlanta. It was fabulous! 

I did all my holiday decorating this weekend! I put two trees up -- reason being is because I am always drawn to the pink bulbs, but knew I couldn't do pink in my living room. So, I bought a smaller tree for the upstairs and it's now my "pink tree!"

So, the other day I get a facebook wall post from one of my friends from college. He is in town for a month before going out west to grad school and we both had no idea we were both in Atlanta right now -- like 15 min. away from one another! So fun reconnecting with Garrett.

And, can I just say that the weather here is so unpredictable?! Thanksgiving day was warm and the next day was frigid! This was my get-up for Friday shopping. Where did I go? Not GAP, Limited, or J.Crew.... I went to Target & Home Depot. woo hoo

Sunday was girls day! I met up with V for the Falcons game. Somehow though we always end up at the mall! Then we saw Love & Other Drugs! It had such a sweet ending... we left and I said, "Ya... if only real life love was like that." 

Hello!

Hi Everyone! I apologize for the little blogging break. It was unintended, I assure you. It was probably due to the busy domestic diva I have become as well as the lack of internet at my home. But, AT&T made a little trip out last weekend so I am good to go now! Thanks, U-Verse!

I can hardly believe it is already Thanksgiving week -- it does not feel like the holidays to me at all. Could be because this entire year has been a complete and utter blur. I've just sailed along. I am still however trying to take in the holidays all that I can -- starting with buying my first Christmas tree that is already up! 

I am really enjoying Atlanta and meeting some fun people! I am learning to be patient knowing that making friends will take time... I am trying not to be a hermit (which can be easy for me to do) and making myself get out more. It is paying off.

My job is going fantastic. I work with the most amazing people who are becoming fast friends. I seriously drive with my foot on the gas pedal each morning -- that is something rare and not to be taken for granted for I have never experienced that before. I love what I do and who I do it with. "Hello" to some co-workers who are reading this now. Yes, they know about my blog and I am perfectly okay with that! 

I am staying in Atlanta this Thanksgiving and we are... ready? Going out to eat! Ah! Some of you are horrified, I'm sure, but I love it -- no dishes. Christmas is the bigger holiday in my family anyway. 

Below are some photos of my house thus far... the last room (and most expensive I'm sure) is the living room, being why there are no photos of that yet. I got 4 rooms painted last week and will have 3 more painted in December!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and I will be back next week with a weekend re-cap! 

Upstairs deck off the master bedroom -- I need some rocking chairs! 

Last week I got to see one of my favorite bands, Dave Matthews Band, in concert in Atlanta! It was so fun!

Lastly, I was excited to write again for Lynchburg Living magazine (holiday issue) -- my article is titled, "Winter White!" I am writing for the January/February issue as well! 

Giveaway Winner!

Erika from Flip Flops & Sippy Cups is the winner of the white GG sport bra! Please send me an email with your mailing address! 

My New Nordstrom

I am writing this post at 4 am.... having trouble sleeping lately! Today, I had a family friend come out to the house and help assess some paint quotes that I have been given as well as help me measure for blinds. He proceeded to encourage me to attempt to paint some rooms by myself. After that boost of can-do motivation, I made my way to my local Home Depot, or my 'New Nordstrom' so I call it these days.

I loaded up my cart with all the painting necessities a girl could need. I was really excited to knock out my office in the pink berry color I picked out weeks ago. I get home, tape up all the trim, ceiling, etc. and began to get a little tired.

"Man, this part has taken an hour and I haven't even painted yet," I thought to myself.

I began to roll out color on my awful orange/mustard walls and got really excited. But, 1/2 a wall later, I put my roller down and called it a day. Drenched in sweat, paint on my legs, I decided that this was not the job for me and that I would just have to hire out.

Painting is no joke!

David's Giveaway

Jimmy Belasco candle -- David gave me one of these for Christmas last year and it was divine!

$25 Starbucks giftcard

Year subscription to Elle Decor magazine

My best friend, David Trump, is hosting an awesome giveaway for his 50th post! Check it out here!

Gracie's Gear Giveaway

I met Gracie's Gear for the first time in June when I was a vendor at the ZOOMA Annapolis race in Maryland. I was so intrigued by her product, that I could hardly stay at my own booth. I kept finding myself venturing over to her booth to check out all the cool sport bras and sport tanks!

As a runner, I often found myself running and carrying my BlackBerry in one hand and my keys in the other. How annoying is that? Also, as a weigh-lifter, I always find myself toting my locker keys with me from one weight station to the next.

Problem Solved -- Enter Gracie's Gear. Gracie's Gear is not just your average sport bra or sport tank. It is manufactured accordingly with a unique front pocket to hold that BlackBerry, iPod, iPhone or pepper spray. But, it doesn't stop there. Ever get annoyed by your iPod cords hitting your face while you work out? Gracie's Gear designed a unique loop of fabric that you can easily slip your cord through to keep those cords in place.

During the month of November, being that is is my own self-proclaimed National Fitness Month, I have teamed up with Gracie's Gear to give away three unique products from her line! One each week! 

This week's feature is the White Short Sport Bra. To enter, please visit the Gracie's Gear website and leave a comment letting me know what you think of the product line! How would you use it? What would you carry in the front pocket? How could this product simplify your workout? 

Giveaway winner will be drawn this Sunday night, November 14. One entry per person.  

Bo the Beagle

I swear I have the most hilarious & random things happen to me. Around 8:00 last night, I was on my way home from the gym. I pulled into my neighborhood and saw this little guy gingerly walking across the street. I got out of my car and called, "Puppy? Do you have a home?" No one was around and I was not about to leave him alone where he could have been hit by a car. I scooped him up and put him in my trunk and took him home. 

After several attempts of calling the number on his tag to get in touch with his owner, I found out his name was "Bo." Bo, the Beagle. Around 11 pm, I began to make the assessment that I just may end up having to keep this dog if no one claims him. I fed him some turkey (because that's all I have right now) and got him some water. We went to sleep and cuddled... he was adorable!! 

The owner called me.... at flipping 1:00 in the morning. She sounded dazed & a little out of sorts and frankly, a bit rude. She declared that she was coming to collect 'her' dog. Almost making it sound like I was trying to steal sweet Bo. 

I feel like I did my good deed for the month, whether the dog owner appreciates me saving her pet's life or not. At least Bo was safe and not wandering the streets. 

Excuse the boxes -- still unpacking, obviously! 

This has nothing to do with Bo, but I thought I would get back to posting a favorite Outfit of the Week now that I have my full-length mirror again! 

Welcome Home!

Thank the Lord, I got all moved in tonight! Knowing me, I will be up super late getting as much unpacked as possible. It feels.... really weird being here. Almost like it's not mine, but it is. There is still much to be done (painting, carpets, and major cleaning), and I am excited to get started. Although, I don't think my wallet is on board just yet! 

Mom is coming up tomorrow for the day to help me clean while I am at work. She is awesome! So thankful for her. She started boo-hooing when I called her to tell her I finally closed on the house. She has been such a strong shoulder for me this year. 

Cheers to a new 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhome! 

Pulling Back the Reigns

I have a confession to make. I have gained a few pounds. Yes, yes, it's true. Not an overly mortifying amount, but a good five pounds enough to notice my jeans fitting a little more snug than they were this summer. I figured that I blog so much about health and fitness that it was only fair to all of you to share that I.Struggle.Too. Just like you! The part where some miss the mark is identifying when those times are when they need to pull back the reigns and re-evaluate.

Since I have been seriously living out of my car for three months, I have not been able to cook nice meals in a good while. A nice meal meaning lean protein, vegetables, etc. I have relied on Chik-Fil-A and random late night snacks to get me by everyday. No bueno.

I know some may be balking at me right now, because I still don't even hit 130, but for me, I have a happy weight of about 123(ish) and when I was that weight in the spring, I never felt better. I have to blame it on the stress of this move and the new life as the culprit. I also haven't been able to run five miles several days a week like I was this summer.

However, today I launched "Healthy November" and it's my time to really zone in on revamping my healthy lifestyle this month. I am tweaking some bad habits (late night snacking being my worst downfall) and monitoring my carb intake. Making sure I do cardio at least five days per week for 40 minutes, etc.

I plan to check in with you on December 1 (giving myself a good month to trim up a tad) and I will be back with the stats. You guys are keeping me accountable!

I wrote this because if you know me and if you have been reading my blog, I am always transparent. I rave about the highs, but am also not ashamed to talk about the lows. As a female, of course watching weight is always a hot topic and can really be a struggle. That's why I wanted to share with you so that I can encourage you! I struggle too with the same issue -- but the good news is that we can all do something about it!