1. On Shopping:
Unlike most weekends, I didn’t plan a shopping trip this weekend. Fate had other things in mind and as my H and I were on the way back from Home Depot picking up some things for the house, we realized we needed something from Target and the closest one was in a nearby mall. I ended up visiting a few stores, and even with my H in tow, which made the trip significantly better, I just didn’t find anything I loved. I don’t know what my deal is. Lately, I’ve seen things that are cute but I convince myself “I don’t need this” or “I don’t want to pay that price”—even if it’s on sale! I just haven’t felt passionate about anything lately. So, I ordered some books this week on Amazon.com and have been looking at shoes lately to satisfy my shopping urges. I got “I Do, Now What?
” by Giuliana and Bill Rancic and What to Wear, Where 
(by the Who What Wear style team—Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power.) Both books should arrive sometime next week.
Unlike most weekends, I didn’t plan a shopping trip this weekend. Fate had other things in mind and as my H and I were on the way back from Home Depot picking up some things for the house, we realized we needed something from Target and the closest one was in a nearby mall. I ended up visiting a few stores, and even with my H in tow, which made the trip significantly better, I just didn’t find anything I loved. I don’t know what my deal is. Lately, I’ve seen things that are cute but I convince myself “I don’t need this” or “I don’t want to pay that price”—even if it’s on sale! I just haven’t felt passionate about anything lately. So, I ordered some books this week on Amazon.com and have been looking at shoes lately to satisfy my shopping urges. I got “I Do, Now What?
” by Giuliana and Bill Rancic and What to Wear, Where (by the Who What Wear style team—Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power.) Both books should arrive sometime next week.
2. On Motivation:
I worked out both days this weekend—Saturday with my trainer and today (Sunday) on my own. I learned that I’m completely incapable of working out without a trainer. Okay, maybe I’m not THAT helpless—it’s not that I lack the motivation, it’s that I feel like I don’t know which exercises to do and what order to do everything in. I think I need to start bringing a notebook and documenting some of my fave moves and workouts so I have an idea of what to do. Something I also try and do when I’m sans trainer is to watch YouTube videos by the ToneitUp girls (Katrina Hodgson and Karena Dawn) while I’m working out so I can just sort of loosely follow along with the video.
I worked out both days this weekend—Saturday with my trainer and today (Sunday) on my own. I learned that I’m completely incapable of working out without a trainer. Okay, maybe I’m not THAT helpless—it’s not that I lack the motivation, it’s that I feel like I don’t know which exercises to do and what order to do everything in. I think I need to start bringing a notebook and documenting some of my fave moves and workouts so I have an idea of what to do. Something I also try and do when I’m sans trainer is to watch YouTube videos by the ToneitUp girls (Katrina Hodgson and Karena Dawn) while I’m working out so I can just sort of loosely follow along with the video.
3. On Meal Planning & Healthy Eats:
I went grocery shopping today and I’m really working on incorporating more veggies into our meals and preparing meals/menus in advance so my food doesn’t go bad. On this week’s menu, we will have a shrimp dish of some sort, a stir fry and fajitas. I also bring all of my lunch stuff to work with me. This week I have whole wheat tortillas with tuna, home made soup and turkey sandwiches as options. I am horrible a planning meals. This is also something I need to get better at.
4. On Hair:
My hair is yellow. Okay, it’s not all yellow, but the chunkier highlights I had added in on my last color appointment are yellow, but thank God, they are on the underneath part of my hair so they aren’t that jarring. However, this bothers me so I plan to get it fixed ASAP. What happened is that my colorist started with the underneath pieces when she was bleaching my hair, and those pieces were processing for longer and thus more color was lifted. I am thinking of having them toned to a softer caramel blonde or even a warmer, soft, light brown. It’s just a few pieces, but it bugs me enough to fix it.
My hair is yellow. Okay, it’s not all yellow, but the chunkier highlights I had added in on my last color appointment are yellow, but thank God, they are on the underneath part of my hair so they aren’t that jarring. However, this bothers me so I plan to get it fixed ASAP. What happened is that my colorist started with the underneath pieces when she was bleaching my hair, and those pieces were processing for longer and thus more color was lifted. I am thinking of having them toned to a softer caramel blonde or even a warmer, soft, light brown. It’s just a few pieces, but it bugs me enough to fix it.
okay, so maybe this is a little dramatic.
5. On House & Home:
We finally met with our Realtor and we are hoping to put our home on the market in the next month. We are having the guest bedroom carpet replaced next weekend (the previous owners had somehow stained it and we never were able to get the stains out). I am really excited and am just crossing my fingers that someone will love this house as much as we do.
We finally met with our Realtor and we are hoping to put our home on the market in the next month. We are having the guest bedroom carpet replaced next weekend (the previous owners had somehow stained it and we never were able to get the stains out). I am really excited and am just crossing my fingers that someone will love this house as much as we do.
How was your weekend? Any luck with shopping or other adventures to share? Comment below!
xoxo,
Veronika.
I can't wait to hear what you think about G&B's book–I've had it in my Amazon shopping cart forever and just haven't gotten around to ordering it! I wonder if they are doing another season of their reality show??
@jenn—I bet they will! they are such a fun couple, I love 'em!
I've read half of G&B's book. It's very down to Earth and sounds just like them. I'm sure you'll like it.
Congrats on working out both weekend days! I did, too! I worked out 5 days last week so I am feeling really good. And, I've worked out everyday since Thursday (It's Monday here). If you aren't sure what to do at the gym alone, I definitely recommend just writing down some ideas on a piece of paper before you go. I do that sometimes, when I'm trying a new workout or something. I also go to womens health online for ideas – I look through their workouts and I just take bits and pieces I like and create my own.
Mmm can't wait to get back to the US so I can eat turkey sandwiches! Also on food – I find when I'm working out so much, it really makes me eat healthier because I don't want to waste all my efforts. I've been eating really healthy lately, with the exception of 2 small squares of an almond covered chocolate bar (each day). I think that is more than reasonable!
@mshark—good idea on looking up workouts online in advance! and i agree–everyday little indulgences are necessary!
I love new books! Lol at the yellow hair pic, I'm sure yours looks just fine! Yay for more veggies, I've actually been succeeding at this lately, they're so filling and delicious and easy to make.
As far as working out goes, I bought Bethenny Frankel's yoga video and I think it's the right amount of instruction and snippets of funny commentary. I found that if I set my mat/weights out before bed I'm much more likely to spend an hour in the morning doing something in my living room. Maybe try a dvd in addition to youtube if you can motivate yourself for an at-home workout!
Also, I've decided to be vegetarian for a little while, and I know that doing the prep work is the worst part. My favorite fast lunch is hummus cucumbers and sliced carrots in a pita, with some kind of fruit yogurt for dessert : )
I recently started meal planning and I find it so so helpful both for staying in budget and for making sure I am eating healthy. Recipe and cooking blogs have become my new favorite kind to browse. I find so many easy and healthy meals to make, and I always have leftovers for lunch the next day. I always make some kind of veggie on the side like broccoli, asparagus, or green beans and I like to roast them with a bit of garlic and oil to make them more flavorful.
Yay you on eating healthier! And, I'm also feeling to same way about shopping. Since I'm getting married in a few months, wedding related stuff is all I care to buy.. unless I'm grocery shopping. Grocery shopping has taken over my clothes shopping. Funny you like TIU too! I'm actually on their "regular" diet plan, and am loving it–hence, why I like grocery shopping so much : ) Good luck on selling the house!
– R
Oh I really want some new books as well, let us know how you like those!
You've mentioned before that you subscribe to fitness magazines. I'm not sure which ones you get, but once I've read through mine several times I rip out the routines I like and put them in a binder and organize them by body part. My favorite is Oxygen magazine. Their workouts are simple but get the job done and really the target specific muscle groups listed.
As far as shopping goes, take advantage of the $ your saving in the malls and get a massage or put it in your piggy bank for Vegas : )
Have a healthy week!
I <3 meal planning. Once you get the hang of it, it's fun. I am bad about overbuying, though, and I always end up throwing about 1/3 of my produce out b/c it goes bad before the end of the week. Don't be like me!
Or buy half fresh and half frozen, which is what I should be doing.
I had a good little trip to J.Crew and Gap this weekend…a bunch of J.Crew's new spring stuff is already on sale…which is great for me, since it's cold here still and those things aren't moving as quickly. Also got some City Flats in coral from Gap for $5! Not bad!
Have your trainer write down what you need to do on the days he's not there. Randy was super about doing this for me!
I haven't shopped for me in forever – maternity clothes just aren't that fun! I posted some of the baby stuff I bought.
Oh man, I had a serious shopping spree this weekend! I decided to revamp my make-up drawer and get new make-up brushes and a few new bottles of nail polish! Very exciting!
Please let us know how you like the books – especially the "I Do, Now What?" I am interested in that one.
I hope your house sells quickly for you guys!! What sparked the decision to put it on the market? Are you just looking for something bigger?
This stuff is the best for brassy-ness. I am a highlighted blonde and I swear by this: https://www.sallybeauty.com/Red-Gold-Corrector-Plus/SBS-240817,default,pd.html?green=21314243598&cm_vc=MYBUYS
I put it in shampoo, leave-in conditioner, and even styling products (I have that Phyto stuff you use and I put a few drops in that). It really helps keep brassiness at bay.
I've been reading your blog, and I love it! I haven't commented, but I wanted to let you know of a secret to getting some veggies in your diet – green smoothies! My husband and I are on a healthy eating/exercising routine right now and just trying to incorporate better stuff in our diet. Anyway, green smoothies are amazing and taste delish. Here is what we do: 2 packed full cups of baby spinach, 2 cups of mixed frozen fruit thawed under warm water, a banana, and about 1/3-1/2 cup of cold water. Mix it all up in a blender so it's pureed, and it makes about two smoothies. And, SO healthy. There are also other recipes for green smoothies on the web.
Have you done the TUI diet plan?
@anon—I have not tried the tone it up diet plan because it's like $150…but I am contemplating it to learn how I should be eating. We shall see! You do get a lifetime membership which is nice so anytime they update it you get those updates.
elissa—thanks for the tip and recipe—i will have to try that 🙂
@rachel—yes, basically, we'd just like a larger home 🙂
Also there's this great stuff by Clariol in a purple bottle at Sally Beauty that is a highlight brightener (I forget the exact name but this is the only place I found that has it). It's great because its not a dye but takes out the yellow in blonde hair.