Archive for September, 2007

I was just day dreaming about our next home that we plan to build in the future and what I would want in my dream kitchen. I love kitchens!! They are the heart of the home and where everyone socialize at during any occasion. Would you agree? Now, I definitely want a gourmet kitchen with all the bells and whistles such as granite counters tops, travertine tiled back splash, stainless steel appliances, display space for my china and fun dishes I have collected over time. I also want lots of storage space, and island for food preparation and entertaining. Another item I may want in my kitchen is a wine coolers.  I am not too sure if I want it because I have been brain washed by seeing them inside of every home builder’s model home or if I just want one for the ease of storage and preservation of the wine that we keep. Do any one you own a wine cooler in your home? If so, what do you like about having one? Is it worth my investment to buy one for our next home? Let me know!!

Tags: wine, drinks, food, home entertainment

After a few days of bad eating I am feeling so lethargic? Why is that? I am even doing my regular exercise routine, but when I am in the mist of doing the workout I feel so tired! Heck, I was watching a movie with my child and literally feel asleep on the spot. I guess my body is trying to get used to working full time again and working out 5 days a week and being mommy and a wife too. It can be exhausting!! But I am not complaining either. With my bad eating the past few days I am surprise my weight dropped a 1/2 pound to 159.5 with all my cheating going on. Go figure. I have seriously got to get my butt back in gear. My October goal was to weigh 155 and at the rate I am going I will not get there. Grrr! So saying that I will be eating clean for the rest of this month and kicking up my workouts too! I want to get toned seriously and get in gear before the holidays comes around again. This year I am not gaining but maintaining through this holiday season, so that I will be ready for next summer again and vacation too! We haven’t been on a real vacation since November 2004 and we all want to do something fun and in the sun ya’ll. I really want to go to France, but I will take Walt Disney World, a cruise to the islands or something to that nature.

Saying that I did get more exercise in today. I completed a really cool ab work out on exercise on demand with Violet Zaki. If you have cable you can access it for free on channel 1431, so no excuses for me, huh? The name of the workout was 1 Ab Session for 14 minutes. She blasts your core with conditioning move to enhance your abdominal definition and stability. I liked it because it was fast and easy. Then Later I did Body Sculpting with Gilad. Man, he has been around for a long time!! How old is he now? I know he is up there, but he look awesome for his age. But his workout was a mix of kick boxing and weights. I am going to be sore tomorrow, but I would rather be sore than to see the scale go up, lol. I have really got to stop weighing myself daily. A girl can drive herself bananas sometime. hee hee. Well, I am going to get my tired self in the shower and ready for some sleep. I am praying that our little one does not get up too early tomorrow morning. I really want to sleep in.

Tags: weight loss, weight loss challenges, diet, health, fitness

I was just reading my September issue of my Fitness Magazine and came across an article the gives ideas to mix and match Meals in order to rev up your meal plan. If you are like me and you get bored with food easily or if you are new to the weight loss game and need ideas of what to eat and how many calories you need to eat in order to loss weight check it out. The magazine shows photos of different entrees so that you can have a visual for the yummy meal ideas for a 350 calories breakfast, 400 calories lunch, 450 calorie dinner, and 150 calories snack ideas. I was so excited and tore out the pages and placed each of them in my recipe log, so that I can implement the new foods into my routine. If you don’t have a copy already click link provided and you can get an idea of how to get started. I just had to share.

Tags: weight loss, calories, nutrition, weight loss meals, fitness

Photography: Kohls.comHey everyone!! I hope that you all had a great Friday so far. I did since Arman was with Grandpa today I went shopping to spend my gift cards and had a blast!! I went to Cato and picked up a cute 3/4 sleeved brown striped layer top and a pair of really cute black sunglass with some bling on it!! hee hee. Then I headed to Kohls my favorite store.

OMG!! I was so overwhelmed because the must have just re-merchandised the store, but there was a lot of cute tops I wanted to buy. As I got into the store I noticed that they finally launched Vera Wang’s Simply Vera Collection and it was simply amazing. Sometimes I wonder when designers collaborate with department stores will the quality of the clothing stay the same? Well Vera proved me wrong. The construction and fit of the clothing was awesome. I swear if I was shopping for more career clothes I would have went crazy, so I was good. Put I did try them on for future reference. The style of the collection is comfort and style and a moderate price point which is awesome for that price conscious women that love fashion. I also was not aware that she was going to included handbags too. I am such a handbag freak. Her bags are not cheap at Kohls, but I hand to get one. Thank God it was on sale from 69.99 to 47.99!! It is so sleek and modern. I ended up getting her medium hobo bags which looks like this:

I love it!! Because it is not too big and yet big enough to fit my enter life of stuff, lol, to work and on the road. I also picked up a right hand ring that is silver and onyx like, and a eggplant layered top, and a Paris themed blue printed top. I love it because I so want to go to Paris, France next year for vacation and see the history, culture and of course shop like crazy too. Have any of you checked out Vera’s line at Kohls? What do you think of it? I can’t wait until shopping is back in my budget again because I will be heading back for more!!Well I really better go and do another 30 minutes of Tae Bo tonight, it is getting late, before I call it a night.

Chat later

Tags: Vera Wang, Simply Vera, Shopping, beauty, fashion

This one is for the guys and maybe for some of us ladies that are looking for ideas to pimp out your home theater room of your home. I was just browsing today and come across this really cool store that offers a variety of home theater furniture. You will find home theater seating to even awesome movie like popcorn machines too. My favorite part of the store ladies is the Cinema Decor section. You will theater signs that you can customize for your home for example they had LED theater signs that you can name you home theater the “Jones’ theater” or whatever you want. Go check this site out if you have a chance and tell me what you think? My hubby just loved it and wants me to bookmark this site for the future when we build our next home. The next home is where we will build our own home theater and I know he wants to pimp that thing out!!

Tags: Home theater accessories, home theater decor, home entertainment

Good morning!!

I am feeling so good today!! I got a chance to sleep in since my little one is visiting grandpa before he starts school on Monday. Doesn’t it feel nice to sleep in a little later without the kiddos? So I feel so rested from my vigorious week of training with my new job. I have already washed dishes, put a load of laundry in, paid bills, and I even exercised for 30 minutes! I can’t believe it myself, but I needed to since I had too much fun at lunch yesterday and ate a juicy pita cheeseburger at Bennigan’s. I will be exercising later tonight too in order to keep that scale in check ya’ll. I guess I will be working out to Billy Blank’s Fat blasting cardio.

I just ate a health breakfast of scrambled eggs, canadian bacon, and an apple. I also go in 20 oz of water too. In a bit I am off to go shopping!! Remember I got a gift card from my mom and step dad from Kohls for $150.00?? Well since I am without child I am going to have fun and shop!! YAHOO!!!!

This is me today

Hee hee!! I also got another gift card to Cato my a great friend of mine and will go there in addition to picking up last minute school stuff for my little one. I miss him already and I can’t wait until he comes home tomorrow. Well, I am off to hit the showers and I am out!!

Have a great day

Have you ever wondered, how can I earn extra money from the comfort of your own home that would be simple and easy? I pondered that same question from time to time until my hubby said check out this site called Payperpost traffic generation. At first I was skeptical, but after giving it a far trial I loved it. I have to admit I am addicted to PPP and blogging more than ever. Why? Because I can blog about topics that interest me or topics that may help other readers of my blog. I just like to help me people you know?
I’ve been signed up with PPP for over a month now and I already made over $100+ just blogging occasionally starting after. Now, I do have plans on doubling that this month because my goal is to start purchasing some gym equipment for my home and family to enjoy. The first piece that I plan out purchasing is the elliptical trainer that I post about earlier this month. I am so excited because I will be at my goal soon and I will be stopping by Wal-Mart to pick up the baby and it bring it home!!

The other thing that I love so much about PPP is the community of friends that I am getting to know and build fun relationships with. We share tips on weight loss, make-up, and just keeping each other uplifted. If you are looking to my extra money for things that you want to have and have fun I suggest you take a trip to payperpost.com.

tags: pay per post, making money, blogs, people, community

The average person gains an average of five to ten pounds a year. And let’s face it, dieting is hard! Here are five tips to help you get the weight off and keep it off. If you don’t think you are ready to commit to all of the five tips right away then pick one today, right now, and just get started. Like Nike says, Just do it!!! No matter how you go about your weight loss journey, you have to remember to HAVE FUN or you will just continue to pile on the pounds and that’s not fun.

1. Attitude IS Everything

If you went into last year’s holiday season thinking you could eat like a sumo wrestler and deal with it January 1st of the new year, well, how’s that working out? Swimsuit season will sneak up on us before we know it and does it always come fast? It is now time to get your mind ready to realize a few things. One, you are not as young as you used to be,and two it’s going to take effort to get the weight off.

2. Eat exactly what you need

You should aim for a comfortable feeling of satisfaction at every meal not the full, I ate too much feeling. You will be amazed at how quickly your stomach adjusts. Besides, you can enjoy your meal and feel great afterwards too. This tip alone can save you hundreds of calories per meal. If you want to try all the courses, have smaller portions of everything you really want. This has helped me a lot!

3. MOVE!

Give up the couch this winter and break out the gym clothes. If you really can’t get to the gym, do a few exercises at home with exercise DVDs or go for a walk. By doing these activities will not just burn calories; it will keep you in touch with your desire to get skinny and healthy. Also keep as active during the day as you can. You know the routine; use the steps, park farther away. No matter what you chose remember that a journey of thousand miles begins with the first step!

4. Trash Day

Time to clean out the cabinets. That’s right! This is the single best tip you can put into place today. Why? Let’s say you are watching reruns and you get the craving to eat the entire pint of Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia, if you don’t have it in the house then you are less likely to get in the car and go get it.

5. Relax!

Stress makes us do crazy things to our bodies like smoking, drinking, and oh yes, eating. You have many reasons to reduce your stress levels as you do drinking your thousand-calorie Starbucks Frap.

If this describes your pattern of eating you are not alone. This is the single highest response given when asked why people eat the way they do, the nervous eater. If you can recognize it and at least alter the foods you are taking in, you can save yourself thousands of calories a week. So, no matter what you chose, just get out there and do it!

Tags: weight loss, weight loss tips, fat, diet, healthy living, fitness, nutrition

I was surfing the net really looking for clothes and more school stuff for my little boy when I came across this cute website totally geared to moms. This site is called baby slings. Now mind you, my child will be turning 4 this November, so he is way to old but I sure wished I knew about this site when he was a newborn/infant. I remember carrying him in this awkward bijorn which was fine, but this sling seemed to work naturally and comfortable for the infant and the mother’s back. Are there any moms out there that would agree?

These pouch slings have some really great features:

-They are the easiest and most versatile carrier to use, whether for a newborn or a 3 year.

-They are quick and easy to put on and take off compared to the traditional carrier. Moms you know exactly what I am talking about. Remember all of the snap of clicks to due inorder to wear the darn thing and then to take it off was crazy. So new moms I totally recommend you checking this out to save you some time.

-compact to pack in a purse and diaper bag. -easy to care and you can pick out from a variety of fabrics to depict your personal style which is cool!

If you know someone that will be having a baby this would be a great gift or site to recommend to her.

Tags: parenting,baby slings,new moms, shopping, women

Hey everyone,

I hope that you all are having a great week and preparing for a fun filled weekend to come. I know I am going to go shopping since I got a awesome gift cards from my mom and step dad and a good friend of mine for my birthday the past on Sept 2nd. Then I will just rest up and have fun with my family too.

Anyway, did you see the premier of the Biggest Loser on Tuesday night? What a great selection of contestants they picked. I swear, I am so emotional I was crying when each person was explaining their struggles with their weight and why they were so happy to be on the show this season. I was only crying because I can so related. I remember being the biggest cheerleader on the squad or the biggest fashion design major in college modeling in the fashion show each year. It’s tuff! Which contestant did you relate to or just began to fall in love with? I think for me it was Gerry. I was blow away with him in the first challenge. You have a 62 year old man competing to be a team leader against all of the younger contestant which I thought was FABULOUS!!!! Go Gerry!!

The show also twisted my heart strings when the two team captins had to chose there team leaving the 6 remaining contestants thinking they were going home. Then surprise hear comes awesome Jillian, which by the way has an awesome body and outstanding kick butt workouts, to there rescue. Wasn’t that cool?  I am so with Team black, since Jillian is training. So go black!!! Either way it goes I am just so excited so see everyone’s transformation.

Did anyone see the second half of the show? I missed the second half because I had to go to the grocery store before my hubby left to pick up my brother in law from the airport. I thought that I had set the timer on our lovely VCR to record, but when I got home to watch it and all I got was snow. Oh man!!! I really need TIVO. Could someone be so nice to let me know how the weigh ins went? Did anyone get booted of the show yet? Okay, I answered by question and went to NBC.com and saw that Amber went home this week, but wowza!! She has already lost 65 pounds and is still working on losing more and she is just looking wonderful. I am just excited!!! But talk to me!!
Also what did you all think of the new host this year? Allison Sweeney!! I think she did a great job and displayed a great enthusiam for the contestants. I sure wished I could have seen the weigh ins ya’ll. It gives me motivation to get tone and it my new goal of 155. Do you think that they will re-air the premier? I wish, but anyway I am off of get some exercise in before my eyes close up on me. I had a long day today at work and I hoping that I passed my certifications. I will chat back later

Tags: The biggest loser, weight loss, diet, health