IKEA love

On Saturday, the hubby and I drove up to Cincinnati. I kind of hated to, since it was such a pretty day, but we'd planned so we went on with it. The main reason for the trip was that I wanted to visit the Ballard Outlet. I was soooo underwhelmed and incredibly disappointed. It is an outlet, I suppose, so I guess it is hit or miss. It just seemed very "picked over."

We did not let that ruin our day though. We then headed to the Cincinnati Premium Outlets (which are not actually in Cincinnati), where we spent several hours and too much money (ha). The place just seems to go on forever and ever. All the good stores: J.Crew, Banana, Under Armour, Coach, BCBG, Saks Off 5th, etc. We both found a few (i.e. several) cute things at the J.Crew Factory Store, where all women's was 40-50% off, PLUS I had a 20% off coupon I'd received in the mail. Sa-weet! :) I found 2 of my favorite workout shirts at UA in colors I didn't have so of course, I picked those up as well. The majority of the day's damage though...was yet to occur. We had to get back on I-75 South and head for....

Okay. We got there around 8:00 (they close at 9) and by the time we got parked and in the store, it was 8:15. We were in there "shopping" for 45 minutes. No "real" preconceived notions of what we were buying. We found 9 things we wanted/needed (about half & half) in record time...


2 bedside tables to match our Hemnes chest/dresser
(yes, we are grown-ups and have yet to buy legit bedroom furniture...)







A vanity for me (yay!!!!)
OK, quick story about the vanity. Not really a story, but more like a statement. I'm so excited about this--more excited than an adult should be, probably...but I've always wanted a vanity/dressing table. And by always, I mean since I was about 8 years old. My cousin got one for Christmas and I wanted one so bad. I didn't really have a place for it in my bedroom though. So yay, childhood dream fulfilled.




Other goodies: a plant for TJ's office (who knew they had live plants at IKEA?), some bathroom accessories (will use the first for jewelry), a new duvet cover, a picture frame, and a vase that he says looks like it should be holding a toilet brush. Something I just realized--I have no bedskirt for the new duvet cover. Looking at the IKEA website, they never employ the use of a bedskirt! Guess I'll be hunting for one elsewhere. Anyway, I told my friend Brandi, the real pleasure comes when assembling this crap. Every time we assemble a furniture item from IKEA, I swear it puts us on the edge of divorce. Main case in point? Expedit Bookshelf.

I'd like a little more time in IKEA next go-round, to look for the little odds and ends like glass bottles, frames, etc (things of the less-expensive variety) that jazz up the house! :) Next time I'm sure I'll document the entire experience through iPhone photos (took several this time forthe purpose of remembering the bin location of items, ha).

Today we have some mulching and landscaping on the agenda, not nearly as fun as IKEA. Considering the sunburn I acquired yesterday I think I'll be covering up in SPF 1000.

Happy Memorial Day to all! :)

Fightin the Fat {Friday}

So, I've been trying to hit the gym a bit more lately...and by that I mean at least more than once per week. This week I've gone 4 times and am trying to convince myself to go running w/my friend Chrissie tomorrow morning. I bought today's Bikram Yoga Groupon because I really DO want to try hot yoga (and it was $50, holy hell surely I won't let myself waste that).

Anyway, in trying to get myself to work out I've bought some cute-ish clothes. These are my latest new favorite workout pants and shirts...

Under Armour Form Fitted Capri

Under Armour Tech Tee

I've also been using the "LoseIt!" app on my iPhone, which is good for me because eating is my biggest challenge. Exercising and using the app...I have lost 3 lbs! I would encourage you to download the app, or use the website (loseit.com), if you're trying to lose weight. It actually gets me (kinda) excited about exercising because after a workout, it will "give" you more calories you're allowed to eat. Yay, cookie! ha. Logging all your food is incredibly eye-opening, though. Today, for example, I failed to take my lunch with me. I couldn't decide, so I had a Zaxby's Buffalo Blue Chicken salad. I'm not stupid, I know Zaxby's wasn't the best choice, but um I think I'll be staying away in the future! I looked up my food to log it in the LoseIt app...umm the salad w/ONE packet of dressing was over 900 calories. FAIL.

I need to work on drinking more water (less soda) and eating more vegetables. And definitely keeping up with what I've BEEN doing.

Last Wk's Weight (5/18): 138 lbs
Today's Weight (5/27): 135 lbs

Now, if you follow me on Pinterest, you probably know one of my favorite categories to "pin" is food. Don't let me fall off the wagon, people. I don't actually cook it all, I just admire it :)

Dear Blog...

...I know you think I have forgotten about you and I deserve the cold shoulder, I do. I understand you are upset with me. I've had a lot going on, and a lot on my mind....so I really hope you can forgive me.

My "assistant"-who's-not-really-an-assistant but has a rather long job title, is leaving me. Her hubby got a promotion and they are moving clear across the state. I've known for quite some time, but I've kind of been in denial. However, the end is near and I've been kind of depressed the past couple of weeks. No lie. Things seem overwhelming when I think about not having her! I've been interviewing, and I think I've got it down to the final two candidates, but I just don't want to make the wrong decision. See the little girl on the left? That's how I've been feeling. I just don't want to make the wrong decision and continue to feel that way...

I've also been feeling like this pouty little girl because last weekend, I dropped my iPhone. Talk about your day really going down the toilet...it sure did, literally. Needless to say, it has not been working. I will be at the Apple store on Sunday morning when they open the doors. Fortunately, I'm eligible for an upgrade, they just wouldn't let me have it 8 days early. So I've been using my work Blackberry. I used to have a personal Blackberry, back before I had the iPhone, and I thought it was hot stuff. FUNNY HOW THINGS CHANGE. Wow. I feel like I've been without an appendage or something. Clearly, I'm too reliant on that thing...

Today I took a vacation day from work! Yay! Last night I talked to my hubby on the phone (gone for work again), and he said "you sound happy." I'm like...I have the day off tomorrow and it is NICE to have something to look forward to!!! Even though I have nothing I HAVE to do, of course, I have a list of things to accomplish.

1. Gym
2. Walmart
3. Mow lawn
(this is questionable as to whether or not it will happen...just sayin...)
4. Mani & pedi
(want to try this shellac nail stuff everyone keeps talking about!)
5. Buy a baby gift for a shower tomorrow
6. Go get a spray tan

This is my list, but of course I have "other" lists (i.e. things to get at walmart, calls to make, other household stuff to try to do...) If I do not stop blabbing I'll never get off my tail and go do it...so I'm gonna go put on some of my under armour goodies and head to the gym! Otherwise my list will have no check marks for the whole day!

Don't forget about Pinterest. Always something there to make you smile! :)

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Have a happy Friday lovelies!

Make-you-smile-Friday, part deux

All pictures found through pinterest, which is so fun! So much neat stuff.

This first one sums up the lack of blogging...don't I know it!via

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how cute are these, twitter friends? via

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That's all for today kids! Have a happy Friday and a great weekend!

Some pics for your viewing pleasure

Hello bloggies! I didn't have a great week, so I just wasn't in the mood to blog...sorry. However, I return with a slight hodge-podge of photos for your viewing pleasure! Enjoy!

My wreath from Overstock arrived! I waited pretty much all week to put it on the door though, given the storms & weather we were having. I didn't really want to find it blown over to say Nich Rd Walmart or Tates Creek Center!

Loot from my Saturday morning excursion to Marshalls! I often "forget" to go to Marshalls because I don't ever really drive up in the little plaza where it's located. But I'm glad I went...I found a shopping cart full of goodies for my house!

2 orchids, 2 frames, 2 glass vases/containers, and 2 pkgs of decorative pears

New centerpiece for my kitchen table

My dog Taffy at the dog park on Saturday! We finally experienced a full day of beautiful weather (only to be followed by another night of storms), so we took the dogs to the dog park. I was hoping to get a little sun but I don't think that happened!

Most of these pictures were taken with my iPhone. Not the best, but at least it's something! Hope everyone has a great week! :)