Surprise...

I know, you didn't expect to hear from me this weekend did you?

Well, surprise - I finished up a FANTASTIC trip for work a little early and have some down time to fill you in on life (as if you care - tough stuff - that's why I started this stinkin' blog anyway).

So here's what's on the agenda for today, feel free to peruse at your desire.

1. I TOTALLY ROCK!!!

2. The SOUTH totally rocks!!!
3. My parents, you got it, totally rock!!!

I love sales. Today.  I don't always love being in sales.  I think from the outside looking in it's glamorous.  People often see lots of money, expensive belongings, flexible hours, and a dream job.  Welcome to reality:  I fight for every penny I make.  I bargain, haggle, negotiate, provide endless hours of customer service only to have a potential customer tell me they are going in a different direction, not buying right now, don't have the budget, etc, etc, etc.  Often times it feels completely out of my control.  I think to myself, how could I have explained it better, what could I have done to prove the value, where did I misstep?  Simply, sometimes I'm spinning my wheels.  

I think my co-workers and bosses were a little skeptical when I told them I was "touring" North Carolina.  I planned three FULL days of meetings with various levels of prospects, and clients.  I have traveled over 600 miles and I haven't even begun my journey home.  Well fellow workers, take your skepticism and SHOVE IT!!!!!  In the past two days of my tour I have closed nearly $130,000 in business.  My Q1 quote $125,000.  Yup - two days of work; I deserve March off.  

I kid, sort of.  I should also clarify that I have $130,000 in verbal commitments.  In sales, verbal means next to NOTHING.  I don't get paid until they pay us, so even the contract makes very little impact on my pocketbook.  But regardless, I am willing to acknowledge that today - I am good at what I do.  I am proud of what I do.  This has not been easy - I rock!

Which leads me to my second point.  The physical and mental toll that 2 days of traveling, back-to-back meetings, elongated remote working, multi-tasking, and utter chaos that a "road warrior" faces often times seems insurmountable; however, I am unphased.  Why?  There's something about the South.  I don't know whether it's the cool breeze (or outright wind in today's case), the mannerisms of the local inhabitants, the complete and utter lack of traffic, or just simply the longitude - but, I'm in HEAVEN!  I have had two of the most strenuous and taxing days of my career and I'm still jubilant.  Excessive, maybe.  It's not so much that DISLIKE D.C. but I just love it here.  I feel much more at home.  Literally, everyone seems so nice.  Maybe it's just by comparison.  Even the gas attendant called me ma'am.  Usually I'd be offended because it was some sort of slight regarding my age, but here it's just commonplace.  Ahhhh, refreshing.  Don't get me started on the pace of life.  Have you ever noticed that when you travel from Virginia to North Carolina the speed LIMIT jumps at least 5 mph; however, the ACTUAL speed of the cars doesn't particularly change.  I know it's a bit dramatic but it just feels like they actually live for the moment here.  When can I move?

Enter point three.  I can not, or will not move, for at least the next 6 months.  My house, sadly, did not sell.  We had contracts - they didn't work - so is life.  I'm over the myriad of emotions that go along with that; however, I did find some silver lining.  My parents - TOTALLY ROCK!  In this case, I'm specifically talking about BEING my rock(s).  I think everyone goes through some sort of "turmoil" with their parental relationships.  Over the years that "turmoil" has resulted in me acting independently of them - for better or worse.  But when it all boils down to it, I know I can count them.  Throughout the roller coaster that has been selling my first home, both my Mom and my Dad have provided invaluable guidance and emotional support.  All I've ever really needed from them is emotional support.  This time, they 100% got it right!  They mirrored my feelings, changed my opinions, provided advice, and LOVE!

Yeah, yeah - I know the older I get the sappier I get but I'm also attributing some of it to the fact that I think we just understand each other better.  They tend to hear me out more than I ever remember them doing before.  They seem to comprehend my perspective while (occasionally) being able to offer their own - without imposing it.  I'm pretty lucky.  I'll take that!

Holy post - no pictures, all words, a little emotional.  I'll give you a break.  Happy Friday!

Signing off

Ok my dear friends,

I am signing off for the weekend. 

I will spend the next two days driving over 400 miles, meeting with 6 different higher education institutions and attempting to work remotely while traveling.

Sounds stressful huh?

I'm pumped!

I love meeting my customers.

Sitting in their offices, talking to them face to face, there something you just don't get over the phone and email. 

More than I love my customers (sorry) - I LOVE MY FRIENDS!

{natalia.mg}

My boyfriend will join me last Thursday evening and we will spend the weekend with dear friends.

Despite the 6 meetings and 400 miles between us, our friends, and our weekend; 

I'm pumped!

{bitz.n.pieces}

So I'm officially signing off to enjoy.
Enjoy your weekend!

{magic.and.mistery}

America's Bride

I mentioned in yesterday's post that our friends are getting married.

They have chosen 4th of July weekend as their big day.

If I was her wedding planner (which I am not) here are just a few of my favorite classic Americana ideas.

These beautiful red shoes are sure to take you home.

Nothing is more American than a Carmel Apple favor.

How handsome would a bridal party look in these simple ties, and clever nautical boutonnieres.

Another clever favor, smore makins perfect for a late night bon-fire.

Classic red dresses, and wonderful paper umbrellas highlight the brides beauty.

Any bride would love a signature cocktail themed to match.

The beautiful contrast between these dresses and flowers is awe-inspiring.

This is one of my favorite Fourth of July treats.  It's even grander in wedding scale.

No Americana wedding would be complete without a Sparkler exit.

All images via {the.knot}

Swoon-worthy

Our good friends got engaged at the end of January. 

It's gotten me thinking about weddings a lot recently.

I found this dress:

{Lisa.Lefkowitz.Photography~via~Style.Me.Pretty}

I'm DYING for this gown - one day.

SWOON-WORTHY!

I'm a Habitual Planner...

I'm a planner, always have been.

It manifests itself in several ways.

I plan my outfits for the week in advance.

I occasionally plan my blog posts in advance.

I'm already planning what to pack for my Florida vacation in 2 weeks.

I habitually plan restaurant week for my friends in August and January.

I, like most women, have been planning my dream wedding since I was 6.

I like surprises, but not in my schedule.

I'm a fan of plans and routines.

I like knowing the when, where, and who.

Trick is, you can't PLAN life.

Or at least, I haven't been able to successfully control that plan.

{flip.and.style}

It's uncomfortable for me, but I'm trying. 

So here's to flying by the seat of your pants, 

Living in the moment, 

& putting your trust in someone else to handle the planning.

{that's.absurd}

Happy Heart Day Y'all!

I owe y'all a "REAL" post very, very soon.

Things have been crazy-busy for me recently; however, I didn't want to miss the opportunity to tell you:

I LOVE YOU!

{inslee}

{Little.Thoughts}

{marina.zomer}

{pinterest}

I hate leftovers

I hate leftovers. 

They never taste as good the 2nd time around & to be perfectly honest, I get bored eating the same thing night after night.  Unfortunately, when cooking for 2 leftovers seems inevitable.  Are they always inevitable?  Is there no way to cook the perfect amount of food for the number of people you're feeding? 

I digress.

This weekend my boyfriend's mom invited over all the "children" to enjoy a spiral ham she received as a gift.  The stipulations: come, enjoy, spend time with the family, and TAKE HAM HOME.

So we brought ham home.

Normally, I would just use it in sandwiches; however, b/f doesn't take lunch to work & I don't particularly love ham so the thought of a week of ham sandwiches lunches was less than appetizing.  This was proving to be a bigger challenge than I expected.

I browsed a couple of recipe websites and found something I thought sounded delicious:  Cheesy Ham & Broccoli Casserole.

I made a few changes to the original recipe so here we go, my best shot at Leftovers made Delicious.

You Need:

• 1/2 Box macaroni noodles
• 8 oz broccoli florets (frozen or fresh - your choice)
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated cheese (whichever is your favorite)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional)
• Salt & pepper to taste 
• Leftover ham, cubed
  
  

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Boil macaroni - cooking until very al dente (almost done).  Drain & set aside.
3. Blanch broccoli florets for about 2 minutes.  Rinse under cold running water and drain well.
4. In separate bowl mix egg, milk, salt and pepper.
5. Mix cooked macaroni, broccoli florets, and ham.
6. Layer macaroni mixture with cheese throughout medium casserole dish.
7. Pour egg mixture over top using a fork to create avenues for the egg mixture to drain throughout dish
8. Top with breadcrumbs (optional)
9. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until breadcrumbs begin to brown.
   

I made this dish last night before heading to take my yoga class.  It only took about 35 minutes or so, including boiling the water.  We haven't tried it yet because I was prepping it for tonight. 

I will try to take some extra pictures before we gobble it down this evening. I hope it tastes as good as it looked last night.

Seems a little ironic that I made leftovers, with leftovers.  Oh well.

P.S.  Yoga last night was WONDERFUL.  The perfect follow up to Sunday's Cardio Dance class.  I'm a little nervous for Body Sculpt this evening.  All of my muscles still hurt but I also feel extremely conscious of my core today.  Baby steps to flat abs & a six pack. 

The Gym is Counter-productive!

Stay with me here.

How it SHOULD work:

You go to the gym to get/stay healthy and fit.

You literally work your @$$ off & you feel sexy.

Feeling sexy boosts your self confidence.

Your self confidence helps motivate you to go back to the gym.

You get sexier by the visit and stay healthier to boot.

{fall.in.the.rabbit.hole}

How it ACTUALLY works:

You notice your ever growing muffintop.

You go to the gym to get healthier and more fit.

You get to the gym and it's full of women that need to eat a cheeseburger.

You take a class to get back in the rhythm of working out.

You realize 15 minutes into the class exactly how out of shape you are.

You struggle through the remaining 45 minutes of class.

You leave the gym dejected, too embarassed to go back.

You vow to get in good enough shape at home before you step foot in the gym.

It's another 3 months before you gain enough confidence to exercise in public, much less a gym.

{aishiteru.shit!}

Maybe it's just me but this seems to be the vicious relationship I've had with my gym.

I told you back in January, I was trying to hold myself accountable and get back in shape.

Don't get me wrong, I am very fortunate.

Whether it's my genetics, habits, interests, or just plain ol' luck I've never been anything but slender
(knock on wood - again, & again, & again).

Being slender does not necessarily mean that you are healthy or in shape.  

I have ridden that very roller coaster myself, & I'd like to get off the ride now.

My theory on the gym came up when I returned on Sunday morning.

I've been a few times since my promise in January; however, it was mostly because the snow and cold made it too hard to run outside.

Sunday I tried a new challenge.

I was bored with my running routine so I decided to try a group class; Cardio Dance.

I walked into a class where almost everyone was 2x my age.

I was a little concerned before class started that I wouldn't get a sufficient workout.

BOY WAS I WRONG.

These ladies were kicking my butt left & right.

To make matters worse, I watched it all unfold in the full length mirrors that lined the room.

I saw the 65 year old woman behind me bouncing along to the music joyfully as my spare tired jumped to the same rhythm as the music.

I left the class a little embarrassed that I couldn't keep up & completely dejected because I don't remember when it became so hard to stay fit. 

I'm forcing myself to go back.  

I'm too competitive (even if it is just with myself) not to beat this class.

I will at some point bounce through the class with as much joy as the 65 year old woman.  

Hopefully, sooner rather than later, my spare tire will get the notice that it's not invited to play and should probably TAKE A HIKE!

Until then - here's a sneak peak at my office, refrigerator, car, etc, etc.

Hopefully you can use it as a little motivation too!

 

Here's my gym schedule this week:

Tonight: 8:00 pm Yoga

Tomorrow: 5:30 pm Body Sculpt

Wednesday: 6:30 Body Pump

Thursday: 7:00 pm Body Pump

Friday: Day Off

Saturday: Running Outside

Sunday: 9:00 am CARDIO DANCE

What are you doing to stay healthy in 2011?

Wish

I love pretty snow but not nearly as much as I love the sun.

{planet.june}

I'm wishing you the happiest Groundhog's Day & asking you to wish for no shadow.

{the.picky.eater}
I have a trip to Florida in a little over a month and I'm hoping for blue skies, shades, sand, & good baseball!

On that note, I should probably go to the gym tonight.

{welcome.to.reality.kid}

Hairanoya

Sorry about the punny title; however, I need your advice.  I'm taking a leap of faith with my hair.
I hate having my hair done.  I know that seems weird but I honestly do. 
I feel like I have been in the awkward growing out stage off and on since high school.

I've made several MAJOR hair mistakes during my lifetime, oddly enough these mistakes usually accompany major life changes.

1. In the 3rd grade I switched to a new school.  To accompany this change I (my mom) decided I would look stunning with a bowl cut - think Thelma from Scooby Doo.  To add insult to injury, I distributed my new school picture to ALL of my new friends.  My best friend, whom I met that year, still has this picture and still taunts me with it today.  There is no doubt in my mind that I will walk into an event in my honor one day & everyone will be wearing a t-shirt with that horrific picture printed on it.
2. In 5th grade, I begged my mom to get my hair permed. OH MY!  My hair immediately turn into a dry, frizzy, triangular shape.
3. After high school graduation, my hair just barely recovered from the previously mentioned "perm incident," and just days away from heading off to Virginia Tech I cut my very long hair.  No big deal, EXCEPT, I cut off nearly 12 inches of hair.  My new hairstyle just barely reached below my chin & I was now off to meet all new friends.
4. After spending four collegiate years growing out the horrendous hair cut that followed high school, I knew better then to make the same mistake after graduating from Tech.  But I needed a new 'do, so naturally I colored my naturally blonde hair....BLACK.  Well not really, the plan was a dark auburn which depending on the angle looked black, or purple.
5. After very mixed reactions to the new hair color, including my mother telling me I didn't look like her daughter (which is ironic because my mom has auburn hair), I cut off all my long hair again.  The new short haircut was actually very cut - but this leads me to the point where I am today.  I have been awkwardly growing out this very haircut for 6 YEARS.

So now that you know my hair history - here is my dilemma.
I saw my stylist this past weekend for my standard trim, she was COMPLETELY appalled by my roots.
She asked if I wanted to update my highlights to which I swiftly responded no.  I'm trying to go natural again.
When I was younger, my grandmother used to brush my hair and tell me how beautiful my natural blonde highlights were.  She even went as far once to tell me, NEVER color your hair - people pay good money to have hair like this.  Well of course I didn't listen - throughout high school & college, the blonder the better.  I added bleach blonde highlights to my naturally ash blonde hair that then had to be maintained month after month. 

I've done some research and it appears the growing out your roots is the new "in" style, it's called Ombre. 
Here are just a few celebrities with the grown out roots.

{the.frisky}


{blonde.chicette}                                                    {lipstick.stars.and.killer.heels}

What do you think?  Should I go for it?