Monday Musings: So, About That Race…

Yeah, you know, that Cooper River Bridge one I mentioned I was going to be doing? Well, I didn’t. {GASP!}

I know, I know…I was so torn about the decision not to do it. Here’s what happened – remember Hubby’s and my plans to repaint the living room and kitchen this weekend? Well, we started working on it Friday, just cutting in and priming everything…and we were up until midnight-ish doing so. So for one, I don’t do well on little sleep, and I already get up at 3am three days a week. Hubby then asked me not to do the race so he could get started painting bright and early on Saturday while I took the boys out and entertained them so he could do so in peace. I reluctantly agreed it was the right thing to do. So no big race for me this past weekend, but I am getting back into training mode with running…and finding out which half marathon I want to do, hopefully this fall. And I wholeheartedly plan on doing the Cooper River Bridge Run next year – making no plans to paint any rooms the same weekend!

Anyway, here’s what my weekend did look like:

I Instagrammed this pic on Friday night to show what the house looks like when you decide to repaint it.

While Jake worked on it Saturday, I took the boys to the gym {to make up for missing the race, I had to at least workout.} Then we met up with my friend, Suz, and her kids at a play park and spent a few hours there. We ended the playdate with a Mexican lunch at which Suz and I had delicious margaritas. The weather was gorgeous, so we ate outside.

I spent Saturday night helping Hubby to finish the paint job and Sunday I was able to put everything back in place and start hanging pictures back up. I tell y’all, I love how it turned out. I’ll be sharing it with you soon. I am so happy and it is soooo much brighter – not like the dungeon it seemed like before.

Anyway, hope y’all had a great weekend! xoxo

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Just Another Manic Monday

I may be dating myself, but I still really love this song and can’t help but sing along {full concert mode} whenever it comes on the radio.

It’s already been a tad bit of a manic Monday here. My 1st grader is on Spring Break this week, and I opted to save half our daycare fee by keeping both boys home with me all week. {Luckily my job is pretty much working from home right now, so I am able to do so!} We had an exciting Easter weekend in which we accomplished THREE Easter egg hunts, went to our church service and spent the weekend with Jake’s parents and his brother’s family since they came to town with their little ones. I definitely didn’t feel rested when I had to get up at 3am this morning to work the opening shift at my gym. But, I did make it to barre class to hopefully redeem myself for some of the things I had eaten over the holiday! So needless to say, this song was on my mind today.

Anyway, this Monday post isn’t about these Bangles, it’s about THESE bangles:

{Forever 21}

I’m sure many of you are now familiar with the term “arm party“. I am in love with this trend…I remember playing dress up as a young girl with my best friends and we would pile on the jewelry. No doubt each of us would have our arms stacked nearly from wrist to elbow with beads and bracelets.

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Just so fabulous…I love it. This has inspired me to get some more bangles and bracelets so I can create all sorts of arm parties. Here are a few I’ve stumbled across – I wanted to share them with you.

This set at Target is sure to get your collection jump-started:

This one from Forever 21 will go with just about anything. Check out their collection of bangles and bracelets at great prices – most under $10.00!

{Madewell}

Have you tried the arm party trend yet? Do you like to be bold and fun with it? Understated, yet classy? There are so many ways to create an arm party – and they are a great addition to dress up any outfit – even just a tee and pair of jeans.

Happy Monday, y’all!

 

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Monday Musings: Meet Sugar

I want to first start off this post with saying that I miss Tundra. Dearly. I am still in pain over the whole ordeal and how it all turned out in the end. I loved that dog, and she, nor the dog that she was to our family, cannot ever be replaced. She was a great dog, she had a wonderful personality that was all her own and she will always have a huge piece of my dog lovin’ heart.

That being said, Hubby bought me an early birthday present…

Sugar is an 8-week old Boston Bulldog {English Bulldog-Boston Terrier X}. She is super sweet and super white – hence the name Sugar. It definitely feels good to have a puppy again…after all, what is a dog owner without a dog?

So far, her favorite nap spot is right here {seriously, she pummels me over just to get to lay here}:

The boys absolutely love her, she is so playful with them. It’s going to be a long few months of puppy-training…feels like there’s a baby in the house again.

Have a great week, y’all! xoxo

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Monday Musings

This Monday post is coming a bit later than usual…had to be at the gym for my shift bright and early this AM {4:30!!!} and then I took a barre class when I got off at 8:00. With all the festivities this past weekend, I just didn’t have a chance to put a post together.

How was y’all’s St. Patty’s weekend? I have to say I can’t complain, even though we were busy, I felt like it was pretty low-key. Unfortunately Hubby had to serve his USCG Reserve weekend though. The boys and I started out Saturday with the beach – Charleston was in the 70s this weekend! We met my friend Chrissy and her husband Doug out there. It was pretty breezy, so it was hard to lay out, and with my boys running all over the place it got a little crazy. We lasted a couple hours and then we headed home. Later, I went with Chrissy to Poe’s on Sullivan’s Island. {This island town is always going off on St. Patty’s Day!} We ran into many people we knew, enjoyed some beers and just had a good time.

Sorry for the low-quality pic, my iPhone has no flash! Ugh. #timetoupgrade

On Sunday, the boys and I bustled around town running errands, then I was so excited to finally see my friends David, Taylor and their baby Cruze who all had been living in Hungary for just about a year now…I was so glad to finally be able to meet her baby!

From Left: Taylor, Me & Coco – REUNITED!

 It was so good to see them doing well as a new family with a new baby. Cruze was just darling.

Here’s my St. Patty’s Day outfit:

Hope y’all had a great weekend! xoxo

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Monday Musings: Hooray for DST!

Did y’all enjoy the extra hour of sunshine last night, or what?  I surely did with a glass of wine out on the back deck.

 

Oh-em-gee, let me tell you how long I have been waiting for DST…OK, probably don’t have to tell you, but it’s pretty much been since it ended last November.

But anywho, Saturday was a pretty good day…I started off the day with barre class, then the boys and I took a trip to the library and spent some time playing outside. It was a pretty nice day, I was able to air out the house by opening all the windows – love when I get to do that.

Later that evening, we got to go to our favorite Mexican restaurant, Los Arcos, to celebrate Jake’s mom’s birthday…had been a while since I enjoyed a margarita {I call them Morga-ritas..tee hee}.

I started out Sunday morning trying my hand at my own little recipe for protein banana pancakes. They turned out delicious and I will be sharing the recipe with y’all here on Thursday. Guilt-free pancakes, anyone? I think so. The kids gobbled them right up, so I knew they were a hit. I have been more conscientious about eating clean lately…even with all the exercise I do, I know that abs are made in the kitchen and you can’t out-exercise a bad diet. Your body’s tone is about 85% dependent upon what you eat.

Yesterday was a BEAUTIFUL day…nice temps here in Charleston, SC…so we took advantage and went to the play park.

 

 

I know what you may be thinking, but no, Breckin does not suffer from Tourette’s…he’s just always being loud and goofy like that.

After the play park, we went home to recoup and then headed over to my friend, Suz’s house to play with her kids, Max and Ava. I love spending time with her and her kids because our kids are so close in age and play well together, while also occupying each other, so Suz and I can catch up and have some adult conversation! {Usually I work full-time outside the home, but haven’t for the last month and a half, so I definitely understand one’s need to get out and be with adults!}

We then went home and Hubby served us tilapia with a side of steamed veggies and it was delish. A great way to end a weekend. Of course with above-mentioned wine on the back porch.

Hope y’all have a great week! I’m starting off today working the opening shift at the gym and then barre class straight after. I’m loving this new schedule of barre class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays…I definitely feel the burn in my core, buns and thighs! Bikini season, here I come!

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Monday Musings

If y’all read my post on Friday, you know that this weekend was pretty difficult for me. We ended up taking Tundra to the vet to be put to sleep. After speaking with the vet, we were just told that of the few options we had, the chances were still not very good and with her already suffering just to breathe every day, we knew it was the right thing to do. To our surprise, the veterinarian and a vet tech of hers offered to take Tundra and try some things, but that involved us relinquishing our ownership of her to them. She said her chances would be like 20%, but they really wanted to try. So we figured at least this way it gave her any possible chance she had. So we did not have to put her to sleep. The vet is going to make her comfortable while trying everything they can, and if in the end it doesn’t work, or they can’t do these things while keeping her comfortable, then they will humanely put her to sleep. It’s been strange…it seemed like things just went from bad to worse so fast with her…and it was so awful to know I did everything I could for her from the day I adopted her 5 months ago, yet it wasn’t enough for her. On Friday I just balled and hugged her. This is one last shot I got of us together…it’s eery looking at her, it’s almost as if she knew.

We went to Charlotte that evening to visit Jake’s brother’s family and to meet our new niece, Peyton. I guess that helped keep my mind off things…but coming back to a dog-less house was hard. I walk around and expect her to be right at my feet. I miss her so much, but feel comfort that she is still on this Earth right now, and that every avenue to save her is truly being tried.

We’re talking about getting another dog soon…and I actually found a Siberian Husky on Craigslist, but hubby is hesitant. We will see…I have a soft spot for huskies and they are hard to come by, so I almost thought it was meant to be that one was posted the same day. And we have all this dog stuff and no dog…and Breckin loved having a dog.

Speaking of Breckin, this guy got a big boy haircut. I went a bit shorter than last time:

And before hitting the road to go home yesterday, I made hubby take me to IKEA. I got a few fun things to get some projects completed with around here and can’t wait to show you. I definitely plan on making time to go there every time we go to Charlotte to see Jake’s family.

Anyway, I’m ready to take on this week, move on from the sadness of losing my pup, and just try to stay positive. Starting bright and early with a shift at the gym at 4:30 this AM and then a barre class afterward.

Have a great week!

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Monday Musings

Happy Monday, y’all! Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Saturday here was a soggy, rainy day. I don’t think it really ever stopped dropping water from the sky. It was definitely one of those days that makes you want to nap.

 

I wish I could say I was that dog on Saturday, but I was actually working the early morning shift at my gym – psst, not sure if I mentioned on here yet that I took on a part-time job there as the opener. It’s basically just for extra spending money {upcoming vacays and such}, plus I no longer have to pay for my gym membership. Also, being at the gym from 4:30am-8am makes it easy for me to stay and get a workout in before I leave. I’m still in lax mode with my 8:30-5 job, probably until April, so I don’t really have to be at the office. I’ve been working out 8am-9am on the days I work at the gym in the morning.

Saturday night, Jake and I got to go out on a date. We went and saw Safe Haven with Josh Duhamel {yum} and Julianne Hough. It was a really sweet movie. I love that Nicholas Sparks, I tell you.

Sunday was a much better day than Saturday in terms of weather. It was high 60s/low 70s and sunny. I took the boys to the beach.

 

Did any of y’all catch the Oscars last night? I really think that for the most part, my favorite stars looked really great. There were some questionable characters, but that’s what makes it interesting, right? I do have to say, this couple in particular was glowing:

Jenna Dewan Tatum is simply stunning, and she is no exception while pregnant. I must say I am a tiny bit jealous because I think I join the majority girls in wishing I was carrying Channing Tatum’s baby…just sayin’. {But I love you, Hubby!} Channing looks so happy to become a daddy; they are both so sweet.

Well, I hope y’all have a wonderful week! xoxo

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Monday Musings

It was kind of a weird weekend with Jake away in Chicago for his Grandpa’s funeral. He still isn’t back actually – he is supposed to fly in late tonight. The boys and I had some Mommy/Sons time though, which was nice. The weather in Charleston, SC was on the chilly side this weekend, but that didn’t keep us from playing outside.



{Love that vintage fire truck Jake’s dad had repainted for Breckin for Christmas. You don’t see toys like this at the store anymore! I think we’ll save this one to pass down to our grandchildren. On another note, please excuse the heinousness that is our grass. It always looks terrible in the winter…the grass in Charleston is yucky in my opinion anyway. Plan on putting down some more seed in the next few weeks for spring.}

Additionally, as promised, here is the pic of Jake and me when we got to meet The Band Perry on Valentine’s Day before their concert:

The brother to the left of me, Neil, was dying over my Minnetonka Moccassins claiming he’s “all about the fringe right now”. I told him to go get him some. Here’s a reminder of how my whole ensemble looked that evening:

Kimberly is so cute and so pretty {and I just adore her voice, always sing my heart out to their songs in the car}…hard to believe she’s turning 30 this year just like me {listen to me, I make it sound like we should look old and ragged or something!} She was a bit shorter than I imagined…she was wearing high heel boots and still a bit shorter than me as you can see in the pic – and my boots are heel-less! But her hair – TO DIE FOR. I can only dream of having that kind of volume and curls that stay.

On Friday, I officially started my new job. It’s sort of interesting right now…the office is just an empty space that they just started the lease on. Everyone I work for/with is either in Dubai or some other state. So I’m working, but not really working. I’m just basically on call to get the office things together – phone, internet, furniture, etc. and won’t officially start my main duties until probably April. Don’t mind getting paid anyway! Nice to have the somewhat lax schedule right now. I drove out to the office that day to check it out and get the keys and my lovelies, let me show you the view I will get to see every day:

I mean, have I upgraded from the windowless factory at Boeing, or what? I can’t wait to take nice walks at lunch hour – maybe I can even skip over to the Cooper River Bridge {that beauty in the background} and get some cardio in. I am starting at the best time too – spring. Spring in Charleston is lovely and the weather is perfect. I work right next to the South Carolina Aquarium, so anyone in Charleston knows how nice the place is.

The rest of the weekend I spent just catching up on housework, etc…you know, the usual. Always something to be done around here, I tell you. I actually cleaned out Jake’s truck while he was gone…he can be such a slob with his vehicle, then add in the fact that he works in construction. So yeah – sawdust, tools, nails and random trash littered all about. I refuse even to ride in his truck if he doesn’t wipe out my seat. So I shop-vac’d and Armor-All’d the hell out of that thing. Can’t wait to see how surprised he is when he gets in it to go to work tomorrow.

Anyway, that’s all I have for this Monday Musings post…hope y’all had a great weekend! xoxo

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Monday Musings

I had a pretty great weekend. I think it definitely helped that I was not working all week, so I was able to get the “house stuff” done during the week and concentrate on having fun with my boys during the weekend.

And have fun with them, I did! We went to the library on Saturday to pick out some good reads {still doing good with that New Year’s resolution!} Then we went to a play park.

Tanner even met another Tanner.

I took a run out to my favorite spot near my house just in time to see this beautiful sunset.

Sunday morning was spent working on my Roxy photo shoot for Skinny Mom and Roxy. My good friend, Jackie, was so great to come out so early to Sullivan’s Island on a chilly, breezy morning to help me by taking the pics. {The post goes up on Skinny Mom on February 28th – I’ll be sure to post a link here when it does! There will be a giveaway for a chance for you to win some Roxy duds too!}

After we were done, and I had frozen my butt off in nothing but a sports bra and booty fitness shorts…we headed to Acme Cantina on Isle of Palms for some breakfast. And by breakfast, I mean a pitcher of mimosas.

I went home and then the boys and I packed up some beach toys and headed back out to Isle of Palms to watch Hubby play volleyball at the Windjammer and enjoy the beautiful day. We still had to wear light jackets, but who can really complain when they are able to enjoy the beach in February? {Especially when the Northeast is being slammed with snow…I definitely feel sorry for all the folks up that way.}

Love watching these boys playing nicely together to build a little sandcastle.

Breckin had fun chasing seagulls.

And Hubby had fun playing volleyball.

I love how in that pic you can see Breckin to the right staring at Daddy. He loves to watch him play…you can tell he’s his daddy’s biggest fan.

Hope y’all had a splendid weekend – I know a lot of my Facebook peeps were celebrating birthdays this weekend…I think I tend to get along with Aquarians {this explains the mass amount of birthdays amongst my friends at this time of year}…my husband is one too after all.

Enjoy your week! xoxo

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Monday Musings: Early Spring?

Happy Monday, y’all! Hope you had a great weekend with the Super Bowl and all. I didn’t particularly care either way who won the game this year…but I was definitely lovin’ the commercials – how about you? Oh, and I was so stoked to see Destiny’s Child make a surprise appearance during Beyonce’s halftime show – took me back down memory lane – singin’ in the car to “Say My Name” with my best girlfriends in high school…I loved that group. Though Beyonce has still done very well for herself since going solo.

In other news, I’m sure you all know that Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early spring this year.

CAN I GET A WOOOOOP???!!! 

I don’t even remember the last time he didn’t see his shadow…I always automatically expect the extra six weeks of winter, or whatever the old wives’ tales says. But to be honest, with the beautifully warm winter weather we’ve been having here in Charleston, SC, I can’t say I’m too surprised. And all of this warm weather is getting me even more eager for spring and summer weather…and to pull out the warm-weather wardrobe. I also can’t help but look around online for new things to lounge around the pool and beach in. I actually stumbled upon the cutest cover up {totally my style}:

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 Gah! It’s just too perfectly pretty and totally something I would wear. Something I’m GOING to wear…as I just finalized the purchase online a couple clicks of the mouse ago! Plus, doesn’t it look very similar to this one that I swooned over last summer?

I’m also due for a new bikini or two…I didn’t buy a new one last year. Hubby will balk at this because I have a whole dresser drawer full of them, but many are several years old, or just fit weird now {baby #2 definitely shifted some things around} so I think I’m going to finally clean out that drawer and hopefully add in something like this Roxy Free Rampage bikini:

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It would go just “swimmingly” with the maxi dress, don’t you think?

Enjoy your week! xoxo

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