booty blast circuit workout & weekly meals

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If you're anything like me, you took the weekend off from working out. Oops. And now it is Monday and you need a good workout that will get you back on track. I have been searching for a really great butt workout, and I think I have found a winner. I did this twice last week and my booty was SORE. Beware of the "fire hydrants" - they hurt!

Here it is:

• 20 squats
• 20 plie squats
• 20 donkey kicks per side
• 20 fire hydrants per side
• 20 circling donkey kids per side
• 20 frog jumps
• 20 side lunges per side
• 30 alternating split jumps
• 30 skaters
• 30 hip lifts
• 20 lunge kicks per side

Do this circuit 3 times and your booty will be burning!

My husband and I are doing a "drop 5" [pounds] challenge this week. OK, 5 pounds might be a bit much but we lovingly name it drop 5 in order to keep healthy eating and exercise top of mind. In addition to our daily circuit workouts, we have to eat well as part of the challenge. Only trace amounts of dairy and refined sugar will make their way into my shopping cart this week.

Here's what I have in mind. I usually have leftovers for lunch, so that category is not included.

Breakfast:

• Coffee or chai tea with almond milk and a dash of cinnamon
• Green smoothie with spinach, banana, orange and protein powder
• Scrambled eggs with diced veggies
• Husband - cottage cheese with mandarin oranges (cottage cheese is not my thing)

Snacks:

• Trail mix with almonds, dried cranberries and pretzels
• Apple and pretzels
• Protein shake
• Guacamole
• Grapes

Dinner:

• Spinach salad with baked chicken, avocado, slivered almonds and dried cranberries
• Chicken stir-fry with bell peppers, onion, and broccoli
• Parmesan crusted chicken with sweet potato and broccoli (using this Weight Watchers chicken recipe)
• Salmon with avocado-mango salsa

re-creating outfits

Some Saturday mornings are simply meant for drinking coffee and online shopping. Today is one of those Saturdays. Finding separates is a breeze, but I often struggle with putting outfits together. Pinterest is a great source for inspiration, but many times it is challenging to find affordable pieces to re-create the outfit. I thought I'd give it a try. The links will take you directly to the item. Happy shopping!

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Grey sweater: Forever 21
White wide leg pants: LOFT
Flat sandals: Zappos
Hat: Forever 21

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White blazer: Banana Republic *investment piece - higher quality so it's a bit more expensive
Striped shirt: LOFT - now 50% off
Green pants: Old Navy
Belt: Forever 21
Bracelet: Banana Republic

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Pink blazer: LOFT
White dress: Forever 21
Clutch: Banana Republic
Bracelet: Forever 21

dare to dream and find success

"She wasn't where she had been.

She wasn't where she was going,

but she was on her way."

- Jodi Hills

I love the quote above. I find it both encouraging and comforting because it hits close to home. Everyone has a different definition of success - both professionally and personally. We all know that success comes with very hard work, and that "nothing worth having ever comes easy." I have to remind myself of this mantra all the time, however I still give up too easily. Sometimes I won't even try something because I am scared to fail. But what do I have to lose? Do we get in the way of achieving our own success? Do we sabotage ourselves - perhaps even subconsciously? I know I do. 

In order to get myself back on the path of becoming the successful woman I know I can be, I am going to spend some time answering these questions:

What makes me feel great about myself?
What do I want my life to look like? 

What don't I want my life to look like?

What am I naturally good at?

What am I most often complimented on?

What do others look to me for?

What do I have the most fun doing?

What ideas, things, places and people am I most inspired by?

Here are some other things that will help you dare to dream and find your way to success:
Be able to laugh at yourself and learn to control your anger and/or disappointment when you fail. Emotions will get the best of you sometimes, after all, we are human. Resist resentment and practice forgiveness - to others AND yourself. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, not those who drag you down. Be a breath or fresh air to those around you by displaying kindness, peace, compassion, grace and beauty.

Most importantly, believe in yourself and keep going. Don't give up on and fight for who you are. Remember, you've got to go through the worst times in life to get to the best. Set your sights high and do not get distracted by smaller goals and endless to-do's. If the first 20 doors don't open, perhaps the 21st will. But you will never know until you knock on the door.

I am nowhere near where I want to be yet, but I know I'll get there. I have to tell myself everyday to take risks and keep knocking on those doors. Always do your best and create the life you want to live! 

focus on: south africa (part 1)

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We are moving to South Africa for a year, so I thought I'd do some regular posts on the country. I know very little about it and will be doing a lot of research in the upcoming weeks, so this will be a good place for me to share what I've learned. Wikipedia, Google, and Pinterest here I come!

South Africa (officially called the Republic of South Africa) is located at the southernmost point of Africa and is the 25th largest country in the world by area. The countries that border South Africa are Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Swaiziland. Losotho is an enclave surrounded by South African Territory.

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General Info:

• More than 51 million people live in SA - 80% of the population is of black ancestry
• 11 languages are nationally recognized; Most people speak English, but the most popular languages are Zulu, Xhosa, and Afrikaans
• Currency - South African Rand (ZAR). The current exchange rate is 1 USD = 9.1797 ZAR
• Mining - world's largest producer of platinum (hi honey, are you reading???!!!!!) and chromium
• Winters occur between June and August, so we'll be going right into another winter. Hello, self tanner!
• Johannesburg is the largest city, followed by Soweto and Cape Town
• Food is diverse but highly meat-based. Braals, or barbeques, are common social gatherings
• The country has become a major wine producer and has many vineyards
• The most popular sports are soccer, rugby, and cricket
• Kruger National Park has the greatest diversity of wildlife on the continent
• South Africa supplies 2/3 of Africa's electricity
• It is home to the second highest waterfall in the world, Tugela Falls
• There are more than 2,000 shipwrecks off the coast of South Africa dating back 500 years
• 80% of the population is Christian
• You can drink the tap water unless you are in rural areas
• There are three major airports

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Politics:

• There are three capital cities
• Cape Town - legislative capital and seat of Parliament
• Pretoria - administrative capital and seat of President and Cabinet. *considered true capital
• Bloemfontein - judicial capital and sea of the Supreme Court of Appeal
• It is a democracy, where the President is both head of state and head of government but depends heavily on the confidence of Parliament. Elections are every five years. The current president is Jacob Zuma, who has been sworn in since May 2009
• The highest law of the land is the Constitution, which was "born" on February of 1997. It is regarded as an example to the world 
• There are 13 political parties in Parliament
• Until 1994, the country was known for apartheid (which is basically when the white minority ruthlessly controlled the vastly larger black majority. This was a very dark time in the country's history)

Part 2 coming soon...

the start of a new month

I hope you had a nice and relaxing Easter weekend. Ours was low-key since we are still puppy sitting Buster, the Boston Terrier. When you have your own dog, I suspect that you get used to leaving it at home  - but we felt guilty! I was also worried that he would have an "accident" or destroy something if he was alone. Cleaning up after a puppy is not fun, I tell ya.

Don't forget that today is April Fool's Day. Even if you are not a prankster, someone may be planning a prank on you so it's good to be aware. Ha! Here is a prank I've always wanted to try...

{rubber band on spray nozzle - via}

But this year, I just feel like this...

(Someecards - their cards are the best}

It is also the start of another month and a perfect time to turn over a new leaf. Here are a few ways I plan to make it an Amazing April:

• Schedule a weekend trip away before we move
• Workout 4-5 times per week to relieve stress
• Try a few new recipes
• Buy a new laptop
• Invest in new stocks and/or mutual fund
• Buy a coffee press
• Finally rollover my 401k into my IRA
• Visit AAA and get my international driver's license

In other news, my March Madness bracket has proven very disappointing - BUT Louisville is holding strong! Did you see Kevin Ware's horrifying leg injury in the Louisville vs. Duke game? It made me nauseous. They say he'll be out for at least a year.

Did you hear about the Exxon oil spill in Arkansas?

Can you believe a photo taken by an iPhone and edited with Instagram is on the cover of NY Times? Here's the article.

Have a great Monday!

saturday wants

I am continuing Mission Stock-Up for items I will need in South Africa. Okay, maybe I don't "need" this stuff, but I have no idea what stores they have over there. Since I cannot take my entire wardrobe, I am trying to stock up on neutrals that i can style with accessories such as jewelry, belts, and scarves.

Here are a few things I have my eye on...

{Brightly-colored floral scarf from Loft}

{white skinny jeans from Forever 21}

{neutral flat from Zappos}

{black cardigan from Target}

if we were having coffee

After yesterday's post about coffee, I thought it was perfect timing to start a new series called if we were having coffee. In these posts, I will tell you what's on my mind as if we were sitting together at our favorite coffee shop. I saw this on Eat, Live, Run and loved the idea. Let's see how it goes!

If we were having coffee...

• I would say happy Good Friday and tell you that I've been thanking God all week for the blessings in my life. I'm trying to overlook all the bad and focus on the good. 
• I would tell you that I got my eyebrows threaded for the first time yesterday. I'm thrilled with the results AND it was only $8 and took 10 minutes. 
• I would tell you about the 9-month old boston terrier, Buster, that we have been watching all week. He is as sweet as he can be, but he is a pain in the rear! We have gone through a half can of carpet cleaner already.
• I would ask you if you watched this week's Nashville and then go on (and on) about how Rayna and Deacon should be together. And what a jerk Teddy is. And how it bothers me that Juliet is so mean in the beginning of every episode, but gets nice by the end. Pick a side, Juliet!
• We would talk about the circuit workout I did last night with a deck of cards. I would tell you that burpee box jumps are really tough. I will do a post on this soon!
• I would tell you that I am very stressed out about the upcoming move to South Africa. So much to do in so little time. Even though it's only for a year, we still have to do the same things as if it were permanent. 
• I would tell you that I haven't filed our taxes yet. That is my goal for this weekend. That will be another check on the ole' To-Do list. Yes, I am a list person. Love them. I also love crossing things off.
• I would tell you about the rosé sangria that I want to make this weekend (Cupcakes and Cashmere).
• I would also tell you about Smitten Kitchen's Chocolate Swirl Buns that I might make for Easter morning. They are amazing. Promise!

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Happy Friday! If it's been a crazy week for you, use the wisdom of this quote:

coffee maker love

Dear Coffee Maker,
What is wrong with you? Why does my lavish, pricey Starbucks coffee taste like bitter gas station coffee?

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I have slowly been converting to tea in the morning (which has been hard!), but a few times a week I need a good, strong cup of Joe. Today was one of those mornings and my coffee maker let me down. I turned to Google and quickly discovered that I needed to clean my coffee maker. Did you know that drip filter coffee makers need to be cleaned monthly to remove hard water deposits, leftover coffee oils, and other impurities? Monthly? UGH! Like I need one more thing to clean...

After reading several articles, I followed these steps and my coffee tastes good again!

1. Fill your carafe with one part distilled white vinegar and one part filtered water. Pour it into the reservoir and let it sit for 20 minutes so it can begin to break down impurities.
2. Brew the vinegar/water solution. Once the batch has been brewed, let it sit in the carafe for 20 minutes.
3. Repeat this process 1-2 more times depending on how long it has been since you cleaned your machine.
4. Dump the vinegar/water solution and brew at least two consecutive batches of filtered water. This is to get rid of any of the foul vinegar taste.

Other notes:

• If your coffee maker has a water filter, it should be changed every 2 or 3 months.
• If there are any other impurities on the coffee pot or maker after cleaning, soak an old toothbrush in vinegar and scrub away. Make sure to go through the rinsing process again so your coffee does not taste like vinegar.
• If you have a fancy coffee maker that grinds your beans, you can remove the grinder parts and soak it in a 1:1 vinegar/water solution for about 30 minutes. Rinse and soak the parts in filtered water for another 30 minutes. Let dry and then put back in the coffee maker.

I'm off to enjoy another cup of coffee. Enjoy your day!

my latest picks from sephora

We are moving to a country with no Sephora. Yep, you read that correctly: no Sephora! I had a mild panic attack when I came to that realization, but then I decided to do a great Sephora stock-up and order double of my favorite three makeup products. I ordered on a day when they were giving extra freebie samples (and who doesn't love trying new beauty products!!!!), so I was even more excited when the package was delivered yesterday.

Here is what I got:

• Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation - This stuff is magic. It is white when you put it on your face, but changes color to blend with your skin. The argan oil keeps my skin dewy all day. No more worrying if your foundation is the correct color. 
• Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder - The best bronzer I have tried. I keep my face out of the sun as much as possible to avoid further sun damage and age spots, so needless to say I am pretty pale. This powder gives my face, neck, and decollate a nice sun-kissed glow.
• Bobbi Brown Blush in pretty pink - I love this blush. It is a great color and a little goes a long way. 
• I have not tried the other samples yet, but I will report back when I do

Have a great Tuesday!

trying to be healthy monday

This weekend was a blur of big decisions, errands, movies, and unhealthy food. My husband and I are preparing for a big move and we have been very stressed trying to make arrangements. Everyone handles stress differently, but I tend to bee-line for the fridge. Most of the time I choose healthy snacks (trail mix, smoothie, pretzels, etc.) but I allowed myself one "really bad" weekend of being totally unhealthy.

No workouts + pizza + tacos & nachos + cupcakes + chocolate chip waffles = time to get back on the healthy wagon.

I sat down this morning to make a grocery list and my weekly meal plan. I usually cook 3 or 4 nights a week and rely on leftovers for the remaining days. This week I decided on...

• Salmon with sriracha sauce using this Gwyneth Paltrow recipe
• Spinach salad with turkey, apple, avocado, almonds, and dried cranberry with this amazing salad dressing
• Tortilla soup with avocado using this recipe
• Ground turkey taco salad with avocado and tomato. No recipe, I just throw this together

By the way, I love my inov-8 shoes. If you are looking for a new athletic shoe, consider giving them a try.

Here are a few recent photos of my life lately:

{new Kate Spade watch}

{french toast breakfast at Casa Laguna in Laguna Beach}

{cool shot of giant wave crashing over a rock}

{Potter, the cutest golden retriever puppy in the world}

{whale fluke seen in Dana Point, CA}

inov-8

It's finally Friday! Is it 5:30 yet? A mojito sounds very tempting, but it's still too early and I need to workout tonight. Who decided that 5:30 is the widely accepted time to have  a cocktail without other people judging? I like Jimmy Buffett's idea that it's 5:00 somewhere...

Do you get extra motivated to workout when you have new gear? Like shoes. YES!!! I wonder if Carrie Bradshaw ever got excited about athletic shoes. Probably not, unless Manolo Blahnik made special edition trainers. Anyway, I have new shoes, called Inov-8, to try tonight during my circuit training W.O.D. (workout of the day for you non-Crossfitters). Several of my friends have Inov-8's and highly recommend them, so I thought I'd give them a try. I wore them while running errands today, and they felt amazing. Support in just the right places. I will let you know what I think after my workout.

I got mine from Zappos because I am a VIP member (yeah!!!!) and get free 1-day shipping. As with all athletic shoes, there are tons of different colors to choose from, but I am partial to the pink.

Have a great rest of the day!

bracketology

BRACKETOLOGY - the study of brackets...of the March Madness type. March Madness is back, baby! After competing for months, 64 teams have made it into the infamous NCAA Tournament bracket (aka the end of the college basketball season). The same goes for the women's division, but I only follow men's. Sorry, ladies! This tournament will come up in most conversations you have between now and April 8th. Yep, even the barista at Starbucks will want to know who you chose for the Final Four.

Fun fact: do you know why it's called March Madness? It is because there are so many games going on throughout the country, usually during the same times, and usually in rapid succession. Sounds like madness to me.

Have you filled out a men's bracket? If not, get one on ESPN.com. Even if you don't know a thing about men's college basketball, it is still fun to do a bracket. Sometimes, the less you know, the better your results will be. Anything can happen.

My picks for the Final Four: Louisville, Gonzaga, Florida, and Indiana. 

Here's a hint of who I hope wins the National Championship title!!!!! I hope I did not jinx myself...

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dreaming of a new haircut for spring

It's time for a new 'do. I need a haircut to correct the last two bad ones.

Naturally, I turned to Pinterest for some "pinspiration"...

Now I need to make a decision and an appointment. Have a good day!

{long layers - love the color}

{medium-length with layers}

{shoulder-length bob}

greeña colada smoothie

Yep, that's "greeña" not "piña" colada. Would you believe me if I told you it tastes like the real deal (minus the rum, of course)? Actually, that gives me an idea! No, don't worry - I wouldn't dare diminish the health value of this smoothie by adding alcohol. Instead, I'll just listen to steel drums and envision that I have my toes in the sand while I drink it...

We've all seen and heard of these magic green smoothies. I find it's much easier to down a smoothie than to eat the ingredients separately - and it's easier for your body to digest because it's already mostly broken down by the blending process. They are full of pure nutrition, but the amount of vitamins you get depends on the fruits and veggies you use. Most fruits and veggies are high in vitamins A, C, & E. Green smoothies also provide an intake of alkalizing foods (to offset the acid) that helps restore the body to a balanced pH. There are thousands of different combos of fruits and veggies you can blend that will taste good; greeña colada is just one.

Note: it is very difficult to snap an appetizing photo of this drink. I have a greater respect for everyone out there who has successfully gotten a good one! I will keep trying, but until then, I will spare you.

Here is my favorite version of the greeña colada:

• 1c frozen pineapple chunks
• 1c coconut water
• 1 or 2 handfuls of spinach
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 banana
• 3 ice cubes

Blend ingredients until smooth and creamy. Add water if it's too thick or add ice if you want it thicker. 

Enjoy and picture yourself drinking it here...

spring cleaning

It's spring cleaning time! No, I don't mean your floors, pantry, or under your bathroom sink. I mean your closet. What do you store, throw out, or donate? Set aside a few hours, brew some coffee (or pour a glass of vino) and get ready to make some decisions. If it's been awhile since your last closet detox, you may consider splitting this task into categories, such as pants one day, tops the next, etc. 

You might feel like you have a lot less clothes post-detox, but the items you saved are ones you truly love and will wear. Getting rid of old or unworn clothes should be fun. After all, it makes room for new ones! Right?! 

There are many "golden rules" of cleaning out your closet, many of which I will list in this post, but consider this as the #1 rule: anything you haven't worn in a year or more should be tossed, donated, or stored. 

I like to make 4 piles: Yes, Maybe, Alter, and Get Rid of Immediately (i.e. why did I ever like this?).

Get rid of an item if...

• you have not worn it in a year or more
• the piece is beyond repair OR has lost its shape
• it doesn't fit and having the item altered is not an option
• you just don't like it anymore
• you have too many of a similar item - such as white tank tops, black tights, or grey workout pants
• the item is stained (I'm looking at you, armpits!)
• it does not pass the "two tries rule," which is that you have tried on the piece twice but decided on another item instead

Having trouble with the Maybe pile? If you have a classic, well-fitting item but are just bored with it, try adding fun accessories - scarf, necklace, belt, or shoes before getting rid of it.

After your closet is detoxed, it's time to organize. Organize by tops, pants, skirts, blazers, etc. If you're extra motivated, color coordinate within these categories. Also, make sure all your clothes are facing the same way. 

If an item is in very good condition, consider selling it on eBay or to a consignment store. Alternatively, you can offer some of the items to a friend, and then donate everything else to a charity such as a homeless shelter, onewarmcoat.org, donatemydress.org, dressforsuccess.org, or the old standby's - Goodwill and Salvation Army.

Before going shopping again, refer to this list of items every woman/man needs in his/her wardrobe. 

• Women: 50 for a Fashionista
• Men: How to Build Your Wardrobe

I hope this inspires you to detox your wardrobe. Here is my project for the next couple of days. Wish me luck! Stay tuned for my progress.

saturday wants

Good morning! I am feeling a little under the weather today with a sinus situation. I tend to get sick at almost every season change. Speaking of season change, we had to turn the A/C on last night. Crazy! I am thankful for the warmer weather, but I hope the hot, sweltering summer temps stay away for a couple more months.

I have found that online shopping usually eases my sick symptoms. Here are a few of my Saturday wants...

{Bobbi Brown blush in nectar}

{loving the bright blue in this The Limited dress}

{outdoor decorative pillow from Crate&Barrel}

friday randoms

It's finally Friday! I still haven't decided what to do this weekend. We went to Santa Monica this past Sunday. I love Santa Monica. There is a great shopping area called Third Street Promenade where people-watching is at it's finest. If you go on the weekend, you'll be serenaded by local musicians and other performing artists. Celebrities are often photographed in SM and I am hoping to see at least one. I should go on a random day, like Tuesday, because everyone knows celebrities don't go anywhere on the weekends. Right?!

Here are some Friday randoms...

• St. Patty's day is on Sunday! I need to find something green to wear...and an Irish Pub. I found this cute green maxi dress from Old Navy, but it is on backorder until after St. Patty's. That won't help me. I guess I should have started shopping earlier. 

• Why is everyone obsessed with kale? I have been scared to try it, but found it on sale at the grocery store so I caved and bought it. I am going to start with Smitten Kitchen's recipe for baked kale chips.
• I'm loving The Lumineers. I cannot stop listening to their album on iTunes.
• I made these shrimp lettuce wraps with mango avocado salsa on Wednesday night and they are really good (and husband-approved!).
• I need this installed immediately. Definitely "organizational porn" for me.
• Take 2 minutes to read this article called "19 Ways to Love Yourself." Even though life is fast-paced, it is important to treat yourself. I love #2. Lighting a scented candle makes me happy.
• Meet Scooter, one of my Dad's jack russell terriers. You have to smile when you look at this photo.

Have a great day!

what I'm loving lately...

Spring has officially arrived here in Southern Cali, and the warmer temps and longer days have re-invigorated me. It's amazing how the start of a new season can lift your spirits. Gone are the dark-at-5:30-nights. Now there is time to workout AND eat dinner before falling asleep on the couch at an hour much too early to publicly admit.

But where are all the TV shows? Just when I have the energy to stay up later, my nightly line-up is mysteriously on hiatus. Nashville, Deception, Chicago Fire, Necessary Roughness, Suits - come back!

Here are some things I'm loving lately:

{pint of Guinness at Sonny McLean's Irish Pub in Santa Monica}

{beautiful sunset in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico}

{this quote by Audrey. inspiring}

{blast from the past! makes me feel like a kid again}

{fresh flowers - my favorite - gerbera daisies}

{red wine. a perfect way to end the day}

the best hair ties & headbands

I wanted to share the most comfortable hair ties and headbands that I've ever worn. Seriously, you need these! I found mine on etsy - CocoChicCouture. They come in lots of different colors and fabrics. I love how they brighten my typically boring gym outfits.

I love the headbands because I am growing out a horrible haircut (bangs and wayyy too many layers) and need something to keep the hair out of my face.

This type of hair tie is also sold at many stores including Anthropologie and Sephora, but I love supporting small businesses (and also love the lower prices on etsy!).

I hope you're having a good week!

mammoth lakes, california

Hi! Have you been to Mammoth Lakes, California? If not, you should! The air is crisp and clean, the views are stunning, and the people are friendly. It's basically a lazy ski town. What's not to love?! My husband and I love hiking and the outdoors, so it was a perfect weekend getaway for us.

We hiked Mammoth Mountain for a total of 6 hours to an elevation of just over 11,000 ft. on a snowy trail. Luckily it was slushy and not icy!

We were only planning to hike half of what we ended up doing, but we met two hikers along the way who suggested we make the trek to Duk Lake. Why not? We were almost there. Wrong! It look another 1.5 hours of hiking to get there. But, it was absolutely worth it. This is what we saw:

If you are looking for a great place to hike, head up to Mammoth Lakes. You won't be sorry!