Tebow Visits Blast

So, remember this post where I raved about my new-found favorite fitness studio in Buckhead? Blast900 had a little visitor last week -- Tim Tebow! I was so bummed that I wasn't at that class! I mean, seriously.

Water for Elephants

AC and I went to see Water for Elephants last night and it was absolutely amazing! We did not expect it to be so intense, but it really is more than a sweet love story. It's a full-fledge drama. By far, one of my favorite movies this year and definitely a movie that I will want for my own personal DVD collection. If you go see it, make sure you are there from the very beginning or you will miss a big part of the movie! 

Just hangin'

Roomie and I went out Friday to RiRa for dinner. It was a slow, dead scene, considering it was Easter weekend and everyone goes home. With drizzle, low crowds and a fun couple of games of pool, it was a pretty mellow night. I headed home to Alabama Saturday and spent the day and Sunday Easter with my family. We took lots of photos -- will post this week. 

Budgeting 101

With only one more week to go in April, I have to say I will be glad to see it go and happy to bring May in. Due to all my freelance work I began contracting in 2010, taxes this year were not a fun treat like some of you experienced. I owed. Even with buying a home, I owed. Even with relocating for a new job, I owed. Even with donating to charities and trying to deduct everything I could, I owed. Boo.

Combined with moving expenses at the beginning of April and forking out a nice chunk to the U.S. Government, to say it's been a rather tight month is an understatement. I learned to coupon, though! That'll be another post for another time.

I used to think I was a good budgeter. Up until recently. It's called the dirty debit card. Swipe, swipe, swipe..... then I take a little look at bankofamerica.com and "HOLY COW!"

The truth of the matter is that I am a mid-20s, single gal. I don't have a man to support me like so many of you do. I don't get dibs from my family (nor do I want them) like so many fail to mention. I have me to provide for me. Therefore, I must become a better steward of my finances and budget accordingly.

I know I need to save more... I know I do. It's so hard though for me. My little sis saves every dime she makes like its a piece of cake. What's her secret? I need to know!

On the flip side, I need to be realistic with myself. Though I do not shop a ton, having a little money in the budget per month to shop would be nice. But I feel guilty...I say to myself, "I should be saving this."

Where does the line fall?

Please tell me I am not the only one who struggles with this?

So, Blog world, I am asking you! Are you a saver or a spender? What are some of your budget tips? What has worked for you or hasn't worked?

Adult Spring Break

Who says that just because you are out of college (and have been for several years), that you can't still take a little Adult Spring Break? Based on my previous post about getting plenty of physical and mental rest, I am all for a little vacation to clear the mind and have a little fun.

I am flying down to my hometown, Jacksonville, FL next weekend for a 5 day vacation and I am so excited! I haven't been to Jax in 6 years and I probably won't remember how to get around!

Plans include the beach... and the beach... the pool... and the beach.

Condo

Had a great weekend! Sunroof down, pretty weather, lots of sleep...the works. Thought I would share some photos with you of our condo! 

Core Nutrition

I have featured a lot of information about the weight loss, weight management and muscle toning products within Advocare.While these are amazing products, I would be crazy if I did not share with you the basic overall wellness category of products that Advocare offers.

If you are anything like me, up until last year, I always forgot about taking a multivitamin. We can get so caught up with our outward appearance and those supplements that enhance that, that we may forget that our bodies really just need proper nutrition.

I doubt many of us consume the appropriate amount of good nutrition on a daily basis. Nothing we are doing wrong, but with current schedules in our society compiled with work and family demands, it may be next to impossible to eat all the right things in the right proportions.

Our bodies are like sponges with gaps that must be filled to function properly. You may not see the benefits of  good nutrition now, but later in life, you will be glad you took part.

Again, I have shared the Trim line with you, the Active line.....now I want to introduce you to the most important line of all...The Well Line.

Coreplex is a blend of 36 vitamins & minerals for optimal health. This is a heavy vitamin and MUST be taken with food. This incorporates any and every vitamin you need on a daily basis: your As, Bs, Cs, Ds, and so on.

I haven't had one breakout in 9 months. I owe it to Omegaplex. This vitamin aids in the transportation of nutrients throughout the body and also contributes to a healthy immune system, cardiovascular health and speedier metabolism.  The added bonus is healthy skin & strong hair.

Restore Ultra is my lifeline. I have never gone into the extreme digestion issues I faced the last 5 years. I saw several specialists. I like to refer to this as "Activia in a bottle." Restore Ultra works to put good bacteria in your digestive system to keep regulation. Good digestion is the key to any weight management or weight loss program. 

Calcium Plus  is pretty self-explanatory. Our bodies need calcium to build strong bones and this Calcium Plus contains 500mg. 

Purple Champs are a yummy vitamin for the kids! 

I am not here yet, but many readers are! My mother says Formula W is her new best friend because it has dramatically cut down on her hot flashes and emotional ups and downs that go along with female stages of life. If you are going through menopause or are in the beginning stages, I highly recommend Formula W.  

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions! 

Almost Left

In the last 48 hours, I have only been awake for 8 of them. I have slept and slept non-stop. I hit a mental/emotional/physical halt. I was exhausted. I think all the craziness of 2010 caught up to me. I had to listen to my body and just...stop. I have been awake to get a little workout in and grabbed dinner last night. But I was back in bed at 11 on Friday night. Then slept until noon today. I am feeling better and am more rested.

I attend Buckhead Church here in the Atlanta community. Last Sunday, the continued sermon series titled "Life Apps" was on 'Rest'. It was powerful, in that, rest is mandated by God. Our bodies need it. We need to take care of ourselves and rest. Being why I crashed Friday morning and just couldn't function mentally or emotionally. I need to re-charge. I needed a re-boot. I am feeling much better today. Thankfully. Ready to take on the next 90 days.

You may be wondering how this ties into my blog post, "Almost Left." Three years ago, I wrote my first little blog post and had one little comment. I never thought I would actually keep up with it and I never thought it would get to where it is today. I never thought I would receive countless emails from complete strangers on a daily basis saying that they can't wait for my next post.... I didn't think I was THAT interesting!!

My blog has had a major lack of content lately because I have been going back and forth with shutting it down. I think my initial comments about rest had a lot to do with this back-n-forth contemplation. Blogging, at times, feels like a part-time job! It can definitely get repetitive and exhausting after 3 years!

But, after thinking about it the last few weeks and after my mental veg state the past 48 hours, I decided that I can't just stop. I can't stop something that has been part of my life for 3 years. So, I'm going to continue.

Thank you for putting up with the lack of content as of late. But, I hate to blog when my heart is only 50% in it, being why I haven't very much so far this year. I want to give it 100% and I think I am now at a place when I can do that.

I almost left...but I'm not going anywhere.

Blast 900

On St. Patrick's Day, I went to dinner with a group of people in Atlanta. Some of which I didn't know. While there, one girl kept talking about how she attends "Blast" three mornings a week. She mentioned it several times, and with me being the inquisitive one that I am, I immediately googled it when I got home.

The first class was complimentary, which was a huge plus for getting me there to try it out! After that one Sunday afternoon class, I was hooked. I now plan my weekly schedules around my Blast900 schedule. I have been involved in many types of exercise and training for 9 years, and was even an aerobic instructor in college, but I do have to say that Blast900 is the best workout I have ever done. It pushes me to my limits. It leaves me breathless. It wears me out, but it feels oh so good. 

What makes Blast900 so great? First off, catch the 900. That's right -- 900 calories in 60 minutes. The class is an extreme interval training incorporating sprints of 11.0 speeds and inclines of 30. (Not your typical treadmill by any means). Knowing that I have preached to you all for three years about muscle being our friend, another reason I love Blast900 is because of the 30 minutes of muscle training it provides. 

Each class is different. My first class began with using a Bosu ball to do jumping squats off each side, but my second class consisted of using dumbbells for working every muscle in my upper body. Of course all combined with stepping back onto my (still running) treadmill to do 2 minutes of 10.0 sprint runs. 

When that 60 minute time clock hits 0:00, there is a silence in the room. People breathing, wiping off rivers of sweat, and feeling a slight excitement that the 60 minutes is over. As I walk out of that studio, however, I feel nothing short of amazing. 

Sorry, blogging world. Blast900 is only available in Atlanta for the time being, but they are wanting to open further franchises as soon as possible! How awesome would it be if Blast900 became a national explosion? It would be one fit America, that's for sure. 

Take a look at what Blast900 is all about in this video below! 

Recently... Blackberry Photos

Thought I would provide some recent shots from the phone...

Fun with new roomie last weekend

Perfect Spring Trench! Love it.

Also a new fan of the W hotels.

Awesome restaurant in Scottsdale, AZ serves cotton candy for dessert!

Melt my heart... this is a note from the family I gave Tyke to. It's hanging in my office.

I swear I am not trying to be vain posting pictures of what I wear. I feel like that is what comes across, but that's not the intent at all! I just like to show some recent outfit combinations! 

This little jacket is actually from my Mema's closet! So is that striped trench above!

A new favorite -- protein drink. Only 90 calories. Found in organic section of Kroger.

Before roomie night out in Atlanta. I pooled it that day with friends and got some major sun! 

Te he he

I got an email this week from the Country Club in VA where the reception was to be held. Here we are a YEAR later, and they email me asking for my address because they would like to send me my deposit back even after we were told 'no' over a year ago.

Such a blessing & such a 'te he he' moment. My sweet daddy deserves every penny of that back. It was just so random, but such a welcomed surprise!

Just a little tid bit of praise I wanted to share! This week has been so busy for me with unpacking, work, adjusting to new surroundings again, tending to my new tenant, etc. I have had a lot on my mind and a lot of posts brewing.

Catch you all soon,

B

Jen's Birthday Weekend

Jen's birthday weekend was last weekend and I am a tad bit late on loading pictures! Dave, one of our best friends, came into town and we had a great time!

We made red-velvet cupcakes for Jen because they are her favorite. The easy recipe from Paula Deen is here!

I love the KitchenAid!

The birthday girl with her basket sent from her mother in California.

One of my bests, Jen! We have known each other four years and have been through a lot of changes together. Notice: the knot & healing gash on my head. I do not think I told you all about this! I tripped two weeks ago and slammed my head into the edge of the back door. I have a lil scar. =(

Move.

I have done this a lot. I feel like a pro by now. Moving? No biggie. Change? Used to it by now. I think the blogging world, and my real world for that matter, may be a tad confused as to where all I have been in the last few years. So, I thought I would draw it out for you. I have moved 6 times in the last 3 years. Here we go....

I grew up in Jacksonville, FL. After high school, my family moved to Alabama and I took off to college in Virgina. We'll start there.

DC: After graduation in 2008, I moved to Washington DC for a job. This was my 2nd time living there as the first time I was completing an internship on the Hill. My dad flew up to Virginia and we moved my things out of my 3rd story apartment with stairs only to drive up 3 hours, get the UHaul searched by Capitol Police, and move my things up 4 flights of more stairs all in one day. I have an awesome dad. We were tuckered out.

Virginia house: I fully planned on spending many years in DC. I loved it. After being in DC 4 months, the non-profit I worked for closed up shop and I got out before it happened. I was blessed/lucky enough to secure a job back in Virginia within one weekend, so I packed up that DC studio apartment and moved into the 'big white house' with the 4 girlfriends who are still so close to me to this day. I lived here November 2008 to November 2009.

Virginia Apartment: One of the roomates and I from the 'big white house' decided to move out on our own and get a 2 bedroom/2 bath apartment. I got engaged during this time and knew my time wouldn't be long there. Well, cough cough, we all know what went down. I lived there November 2009 to August 2010 when I subleased my share of the space and moved down to Atlanta one random weekend.

Grandparents Homes: During August 2010 and November 2010, I lived between both of my grandparents homes while I was starting my job here in Atlanta and trying to find a place to live. I found a beautiful townhouse and closed on that in November.

Townhouse in Burbs: November 2010, I flew up to Virginia and moved all my things out of my apartment and drove back down to GA to move everything into my townhome. I thought I was good to go for a long while and was excited to be settled. I lived in the townhouse November 2010-March 2011.

Condo in City: Not so fast! Five months later, and many lonely days later, I decided that I made my decision to purchase too quickly without living here very long. April 1, L and I moved into our condo together and I leased out my home to renters. I am so excited to not be living alone anymore. It's really not all cracked up to be like some may think. We have a 13 month lease here so at least I will be here until May 1 2012. We'll see what happens from there.....

That's my crazy life of moves since 2008.