sunny side of life

You’re skeptical, right?

I’ll admit, I was too. Very much so actually. I mean, when you talk to any valid nutritionist, they’ll tell you that you can’t really lose more than TWO pounds in one WEEK, much less 4 in one day.

But I’m here to tell you that it can actually happen.

IT HAPPENED FOR ME!

How you ask? Well, I’ll tell you. This is kind of a long, drawn out process, but it’s worth it for the results I tell you. Heck, I’ll probably keep doing it until I get down to my goal weight!

Ok, so here’s what I did.

For lunch on Wednesday, I had half of a Buffalo Chicken Wrap. It had blue cheese dressing on it, the chicken wasn’t grilled, it was breaded and fried.

Now you’re really skeptical, aren’t you?

So there must have been something bad in that wrap, because from about 9:00 that evening through to 3:30 the next morning, I spent some serious quality time with just about every toilet in my house. (and someone else’s toilet, because it started at a friend’s house, nice right?)

Short of totally grossing you out, I will say that I didn’t know that I had that much…um…..fluids/solids in me at any point throughout the day.

Anyway, I got on the scale the next morning and sure enough, I lost 4 pounds. In. One. Day.

Maybe bulemics have the right idea, no?

“It’s sassy!” said SaintRAV

“Fancythis, you really should take a picture and send it to your husband, you look so cute!” said Kim

“It’s the style of the century!” (seriously) said Kathie

“Just adorable.” said Aunt Rita

Well, everyone’s talking about my new haircut in which I hacked (or really, Claire did) yet another inch off of my hair, something I swore I’d never do, even just 2 months ago. So, do you wanna see it? Here you go:

I did it right before McShann’s (”former youth leader”) wedding, which brings me to the long-awaited showing of the dress. You ready?

And of course a shot of the wedding crew (some of them anyway!), Congratulations Mike and Katie!

Their wedding was an absolute blast in which I danced the night away with good friends who didn’t let me sit out on a single song just because my husband wasn’t there to dance with me. (Of course, being that he’s not much of a dancer, it probably would have been that way even if he was here!)

Which brings us to today, which is certainly the most important in my world. Hallelujah! He’s alive. Happy Easter to you all, may you find hope in the resurrection of Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Today is the wedding of my former youth leader to his lovely lady and for the occasion, I had my hair did.  Just “trimmed”* and colored. Not like an up-do or anything, I’m not in the wedding.

Since DCRmom asked me to post a pic of the dress, I will do just that, but there’s also another surprise in it for you that has to do with the little asterisk mark above.

*I did NOT just get it trimmed!

But you’ll have to wait for me to put my face on before I’m willing to post any pictures.

You’re going to love it! I know I do.

Remember the dress I was telling you about that I bought for the wedding this weekend?

I don’t like it.

It came in yesterday, and I tried it on, and it is snug in all of the wrong places. Now, I do think that If I had lost 20 pounds already, this wouldn’t so much be a problem. But I haven’t, and so it is.

I do like the dress which makes me wonder if I should hang on to it for when I do lose the weight, but I haven’t decided on that yet. I do have to make that decision soon though, as I can only return it for my money back within 30 days.

My good friend Ellen, who you’ve seen comment on here before as “Juanita’s Mom” has finally (seriously, she should have done it MONTHS ago!) started a blog. She’s a former Enlgish teacher (I think) and so not only is she good at the whole writing thing, but she’s got a killer sense of humor and 2 adorable children, so you should really add her to your blogroll and check her the heck out.

She’s been blogging for about a month now, but I was just given the go-ahead to inform the masses of her newest venture. Stop by and pay her a visit!

Big dilemma, ya’ll. Huge. Monumental, even.

I need fashion advice.

I know, me. The fashion guru. The one who just watches E! and figures it out on her own needs your help.

So, 2 of my former youth leaders are getting married this year and within a couple of months of each other. I figured it would be the perfect time to get a new dress.

Well, I’ll be honest. The way my figure is these days, I was not looking forward to the prospect of dress hunting, but I never turn down a shopping opportunity, so I delved right in to the world of Internet shopping.

Through the lovely lady over at Frugal Fashionista, I found this little Internet clothing shop called Forever 21.

(As an aside, have you ever clicked over to the Frugal Fashionista? Well, you should because she takes some of the CUTEST celeb outfits and searches for you to find a very similar look at a fraction of the cost. Actually, once I hit my weight loss goal, I plan on treating myself by actually purchasing an outfit that I really like from her site that she bit and made cheaper. That, and I REALLY want a pair of Lucky Brand Jeans.)

So anyway, once I made my way over to Forever 21 I found this dress, which I totally already bought, so if you don’t like it, suck it up. I don’t need dress advice.

Problem is, I’m a shoe girl (purses of the Vera Bradley variety are a close second) and I REALLY want a pair of shoes that will match the color of the dress.

So I found these, which I love, but guess what? The mustard color doesn’t come in my size.

Figures.

Next, I found these, and this is where you come in my dear Internets. You MUST answer all of the following questions lest my head explode from all of the pondering and nail biting and such that’s been going on on my end of the monitor.

Are they mustard in color?

if so…..

Is the print on the leather appropriate?

if so….

Is the heal appropriate? That is, is it the right material? Are they dressy enough for the dress?

You see? Do you see what I’m going through? It’s just too much!

So if you don’t like the shoes for the dress, I need you to do one more favor for me….

Find me some stinkin’ shoes that will match!

And make sure that they come in a 10, my feet are kinda big!

Ok, first things first.

I do not think I’m fat.

But I am not happy with how I look. Below the neck. I don’t think I got such a rotten deal from the neck up. Okay, I know I didn’t get a rotten deal from the neck up. That is not conceit, it’s just the facts man.

Anyway, my BIGGEST goal while hubby is gone is to get into hawt body shape. (please note the intensity)

I feel that since he’ll be gone for so long, he deserves the hotness upon his return. Here’s the conclusion that I’ve come to, I cannot be unrealistic. If I’m unrealistic, I’ll never acheive my goals. I know what I’m capable of. And so, with the combination of a fabulous diet and some semi-strenuous workouts (designed by my brother Jake, who at the age of 17 has a sick body) I want to look like this:

I know this isn’t the greatest picture, but it was the only one I could find of her with clothes on. Ahem.

Anyway, why I picked Jessica Biel:

-She’s tall (5′7″ to my 5′9 1/2″)
-She’s not a bean pole
-We have sort of the same build width-wise

That’s it so far.

So myself and some women at my church are going to be meeting every Thursday (morning, during work hours!) to report our weekly progress.

But wait, there’s more!

I’m going to be reporting to you every week as well, and once a month, I’ll post a picture! How’s that for dedication?! So, without further ado, here are my stats:

Height: 5′10″ (we’ll just round up)

Weight: 180.5 (lbs)

Goal: 145 (lbs)

Current pictures: (UGH)

Here goes nuthin’!

So, I enjoy shopping.

And I guess this is apparent to people in my life, because my very dear friend Ellen wanted me to take her shopping and make her “fashionable”.

I was worried about this undertaking, not because Ellen is so far off the charts, but because there’s a lot of pressure involved when other people have such high expectations.

But I knew Ellen would be even more fun to shop for than even me because, well, even after 2 children, Ellen is a 4/6. More 4 than 6, but you know how stores are funny. Which is so ridiculously awesome, I don’t even have the words to describe the hope I have for myself now because of her. But that’s a different post.

So anyway, I’m just gonna cut to the chase. I ROCK at shopping for skinny people, I really should be one. I mean, like actually get down to a size 6 instead of the 12 I’m rockin’ right now.

As an aside, just before my wedding I was almost in an 8, but you know, marriage and food kinda got in the way of keeping up with that.

So anyway, this is the outfit we picked out:

With these boots: 

And can I just tell you? I’m good. I mean, she’s got the great body or whatever. But I know how to dress it man!

Oh, and I also convinced her to re-pierce her ears.

Because my persuasion skills are apparently out of this world.

I did get 2 pairs(I actually got a pretty mint-green color that they’re not showing there for some reason, but that’s the style) of shoes (I got those for $9, can you believe it?!) for myself as well.

So I’m now waiting for Britney Spears to request my services, because she needs me desparately to straighten her life out.

At least, her wardrobe life, she’s too far gone in every other area. 

I don’t know about you guys, but I love hearing about other people’s tips and tricks or anything that makes their life a little easier. Puts pep in their step if you will. Makes the daily grind a little less grindy. You get the point.

So I thought that I’d share some of mine with you and maybe your step will be a little peppier tomorrow.

The Works Tub and Shower Cleaner - Let me be honest here folks, I don’t clean my shower weekly like I should. Maybe every other week, or maybe even whenever the soap scum starts becoming irritating. I’m not so sure. What I am sure of is that this stuff if magic. I spray it on and the soap scum comes right off without scrubbing. Seriously. Go test it if you don’t believe me. The best part? You can find it in the Dollar Store! Not only does it work great, it’s cheap!!!! And also, the whole The Works cleaning line is just wonderful. Use it all.

Yankee Candle Iluma Lids - You’re just like me aren’t you? You think they’re a scam Yankee has out there to make you spend more money in there already-easy-to-spend-money-in-store. But, you’re wrong. When you put this little lid on top of your Yankee Candle, not only does it stop soot from making its way onto your ceiling BUT it also helps your candle to burn evenly! For real people. This thing is a God-send. I love it. Go buy one.

The Skinny Chef - No, I’ve not turned away from the food network, I’m just using this as an outside resource. The skinny chef has lots of little tips and tricks on how to eat and live healthier. She’s even thrown some recipes on there! Go check her out, you won’t be sorry.

Maybelline Intense Volume XXL Mascara - I know this may not apeal to you men, but ladies listen up! Maybe you’re not thrilled with your lashes. Maybe they’re not as long or as thick as you’d like. Then this is the answer to your problem. My lashes, I swear, are longer and thicker than ever. I’ll never use another mascara. As a side note, if you like the curl in your lashes to last all day, wait until after you put your mascara on, heat up your eyelash curler with your blowdryer and then curl your lashes. Instant curl that doesn’t go down!

Pandora - Not the box, the online radio “station”. All you have to do is input an artist you love and pandora will play other music/artists similar to it. All with no commercials! Go check it out!

Natural Ice chapstick - OH! The tingles! This is the best chapstick in the world. It’s minty fresh and it tingles leavy your lips moisturized and just, well, wonderful. I’ve been able to find it at Happy Harry’s and I heard a rumor that you can also get it at target.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my little insight and find it useful. What are some of your favorite things?

You guys, no one told me that tattoos H.U.R.T like that. What the heck?! Where are the people to help you out when you need them?

Ok, but for real though, I do not understand how people get these gargantuan tattoos on themselves. I just got two little Lilies on my foot and I was the biggest baby about it. I’m sure B (the tattoo artist) walked away from doing mine like he wanted to quit the business. I didn’t cry, but that’s all I didn’t do. Well, besides kicking or hitting him.

Did you know that if you take a razor blade, turn it sideways and run it down your skin, that you’ve pretty much had the same sensation as a tattoo? Did ya?! Well, if you have, and you can handle that, (as a side note, you probably need help if you have, that’s called cutting) then go get one because at least there’s something pretty after the pain! Sheesh.

Also, if you want to see what it looks like, go visit lemons because as I predicted, I cannot find the cable thingy which means no pictures for you! Mine is on the left foot though, just so you know.

No pictures also means that for the time being, you won’t get to see the fabulousness that is my beautiful blonde hair! (Except of course for lemons and DDTM who both saw me yesterday) I. LOVE. IT. The girl who did my hair is just adorable and she’s a couple of months younger than me! She was very thorough with the task at hand and I ended up paying less than I do with my former hairdresser! For example, with former hairdresser I would get the following:

Wash
Cut
Partial Highlight
Blow-dry/Style
Lip wax (because my Italian-ness only comes out in the hair on my upper-lip)

That would all add up to about $170, give or take a few bucks.
Yesterday I got:

Color Treated my dark roots (so I wouldn’t have any after the highlight)
Full Highlight
Coloring of the hair that wasn’t in the foils
Conditioning Treatment
Cut
Blow-dry/Style
Good Shampoo (to take home)
Good Conditioner (to take home)
Take-home conditioning treatment
Eyebrows Waxed
Lip Waxed
Eyebrows color-treated (so there wasn’t so much of a contrast between them and my hair)

I paid…..$165. At a high-end salon. Unbelievable. Had I known this, I would have switched years ago! To boot, I got everything I asked for and am not the least bit unsatisfied. Yay! The great part is that she said I won’t need to do all of the aformentioned stuff to myself every time, so It’ll be even cheaper the next time! I paid that every time with my former lady.

The switch is official! I just hope she doesn’t read this blog….

We’re actually going through with it. This isn’t just some idea that popped up in conversation and then faded away, never to be heard from again. This is real.

Lemons and I are going to go get inked. For serious. No joke. Today.

It’s just the day for changes all around for me. I’ll be blonde and inked by the end of the day. I’m not going to tell you what I’m getting, because really, I don’t want to hear any stupid remarks about how I shouldn’t get that, I should get this and blah, blah, blah. You’ll just see it and have to deal with it. So there.

For my hair, I was thinking Avril Lavigne blonde.

I love it!!!! And I think I could pull it off, so we’ll see how it goes!