Lady In Red

Hubby randomly took me shoe shopping the other night. Didn't even ask too. He really does know the way to my heart. ;-)

When we walked in the store, we both saw this cute little red number. So I took them home to rock out in them.


They were so cute, I decided to do a photo session of them. I love red shoes. ;-)

***

Yesterday's work out was pretty crazy. I was so sore that rolling over in bed proved to be a chore. But I'm keeping with it! I think my newest food love is garlic Hummus. I'd never tried it until last week, as I was trying to find healthier alternatives to sandwich dressings. Here's my yummy lunch from yesterday...

Whole wheat bagel with garlic hummus, lettuce, spinach, tomato & provolone cheese! That drink is a green monster, only it turned into a brown monster. haha. Apparently, I have been living under a rock, since I'd never had hummus on a sandwich. But I'm now an addict. "Hi, my name is Heather and I'm a chocolate AND garlic hummus addict." Yeah.

Thursday's workout:

• 2 Miles at the Track
• 15 Minute Dance Off the Inches
• Leg Workout: Leg Bends, Squats, Side Leg Lift, Scissors, Knee Lifts all in 2 sets of 20.
  

Well I'm off to find breakfast, then geared up for our crazy weekend ahead that we have planned...see yall next week!
PS. Check out follow me Fridays!!

Love Notes & Green Monsters

Josh came home the other night and asked me to come into the living room...I had a surprisewaiting...
Take out sushi, and some mushy gifts... ya know like a giant snoopy card and dozen red roses. Oh, and let's not forget the box of chocolates!

Yeah...I'm feeling pretty special. ;-)

So I mentioned on my last post I'd share my favorite Green Monster that I've came up with so far....sooooo in LOVE with it. Pretty much could drink one for breakfast, lunch, and dinner...but that of course wouldn't be well balanced. Too bad, it's just that good. ;-) (ps...just in case you aren't familiar with the green monster movement, check this out!)

Loaded Chai Green Monster

1 Cup Vanilla Soy Milk
1/4 Cup Oatmal (raw)
1/4 Cup Almonds
1 Tablespoon Greek Yogurt
1 Tablespoon Peanut Butter
1 Banana
1 Cup of Ice
2 Tablespoons of Chai Tea (I used powder form)
1 Handful of Spinach (fresh :) )

Mix ingredients in blender for several minutes...enjoy!

Yesterday, I only did a quick cardio workout and took the rest of the day off to catch up with work and spend some time with my family. :) Today...a different story. Here's my workout!

• 20 Minute Cardio Workout
• 30 Minute Pilates Workout
• Abs Workout: Crunch Bicycle (2 sets of 30), Sit ups (2 sets of 15), Boat for Abs (1 set of 8)
• Arm Workout: Arm Curls (2 sets of 20), Lat Push (2 sets of 12), Lateral to horizontal raise (2 sets of 12)
• 15 Minute Cardio Dance Workout

I think I'm pretty much done for the day. Now I got a ton of work to do on the computer and catch up around the house!

Love & Bullets...

I have too much to put in just one little 'ol post...so I think I'll just summarize in bullets...

• Can I just BRAG on my sweet hubster? Last night I had several projects that I needed to work on. While doing just that, hubby caught up on dishes, laundry, and picked up around the house. I'm thankful for a man who doesn't mind helping out, I know it's a blessing. :)
  

• Speaking of my man, we are celebrating 9 months of wedded bliss and eagerly counting down the next 3 Months for our 1st Anniversary AND 2nd HONEYMOON!!!! We are pumped!

• Our weekend was insane...dinner party on Friday night, where I cooked up a 3 cheese Baked Penna dish. I totally made it up as I went along. Everyone seemed pleased... ;-) We also did some flea marketing, where I found some old postcards from Paris (major score!)! Church, Hiking, and some good 'ol Leave it To Beaver episodes to entertain us!
  

• I've continued making small adjustments to our diet and exercise lifestyle. I keep reminding myself that it takes ONE STEP AT A TIME. Regardless, I am already noticing a much better overall healthy feeling. I don't feel so bogged down after meals!

• Thank you so much for all the encouragement and support that yall have given me on the last two posts. I can't thank you enough! I just have to say that so many of you set an awesome example, and have served as a great source of encouragement...KEEP IT UP!

Also... I'll be posting my working out/eating habits at the end of each post...I think it will help me stay focused and be more accountable to what I do. Feel free to overlook it...mainly it's there just for me. ;-)

I did manage to start my morning off with one of the best Green Monsters I've had yet, I'll have to share the recipe tomorrow!!

• Cardio: 20 Minute Fat Buster Dance Workout
• Abs Workout: 16 Side Planks/Twist, 16 Frog Push, Bicycle (60x's)
• Arm Workout: 24 Leg Lunge & Arm Curl, 24 Arm Curls, 24 Overhead Press, 24 Lateral to horizontal raise. (all in sets of 2)
  
• Cardio: 1 mile powerwalk at the track!

I had a post workout snack of a homemade Chocolate Chip Larbar, and a glass of water. :) Felt good today!

Awkward, Exercise & Jimmy Stewart

Well I survived my days without sugar, thanks to the METROMINT Chocolate Mint Water. To answer yall's question, I bought mine at a health food store. I'm sure places like Whole Foods or Trader Joe's would have it! Also, it has a very strong mint taste with a good chocolate kick to it. I absolutely loved it. Then again I had gone almost 2 days without chocolate, so it may or may not have affected my taste buds. Wow...do I sound like an addict or what?? HA!

This morning I woke up and made an awesome yogurt recipe for breakfast...I got the inspiration here from Oh She Glows web site:

I tweeked the recipe to fit my taste buds: substituting walnuts for hazelnuts, and used greek yogurt. I also added 2 tablespoons of Chai Tea! Also, I ate the it cold rather than cooked, hehe. I think I could have ate the entire batch, but I was a good girl a resisted the urge!!!! So here are the measurements that I used, in case you are curious:


Morning Yogurt Breakfast

• 1/4 Cup Almonds
• 1/4 Cup Walnuts
• 1/4 Cup Oats
• 1/2 Cup Greek Yogurt (Vanilla)
• Vanilla to taste
• 1/2 Cup Soy Milk (vanilla)
• 2 Tablespoons of dry Chai Tea Powder

Mix all ingredients in blender. Let it chill until set. Enjoy!!! :)


My work out routine today was crazy good, but I felt SOO good after all was said and done!

• 30 Minute Pilates Session
• 2 Mile Power Walk at the track (40 minutes)
• 30 Minute Cardio Salsa Dance Video...this is where I got the whole "Awkward" for my title. I really hope my life isn't like The Truman Show, because if the world could have watched me attempt salsa exercise moves...you would have all died laughing...or covered your eyes at the outrageous awkwardness.... ;-)

On top of all that today I got a lot of work done, had lunch with my hubby, made dinner for friends and ended the night with a classic Jimmy Stewart Movie, The Man Who Knew To Much. I loved the outfits Doris Day wore throughout the movie...does anyone else agree? I've never been a huge fan of hers, but enjoyed her in this film. And this picture is so classy!

Well enough of the rambling post!!!! Tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!! TGIF!!!!

Girl's Gotta Do What A Girl's Gotta Do...

On Monday, I started a super strict diet. You know the kind...no sugar, which of course means no chocolate. FOR THREE DAYS. Tea (w/no sugar of course) & Water have been my only drinks, as well.

Well, while eating my salad last night, I had quite the revelation. When a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do...she WILL find a way...


One of my brothers loves to drink Chocolate Mint Water.

Yall know where this is going, right? Hee hee. I asked hubby to take me to one of the local food markets that carries it. I found the Chocolate water, which is free of sugar. And bought 2 liters of it. I could hear angels singing...hallelujah, halleluja.... :D :D :D Just kidding.
So anyway, I've been dieting for several reasons:

• I needed a time for cleansing my body!
• It was time to start "reworking" my diet!
• The diet uses real food, not boxed, processed "healthy meals".
  

Once I'm off I'm ready to slowly start changing our diets. We both needed it and I want us to make healthier decisions! I have two major goals:

• Less processed food!
• More organic food!

Needless to say, all changes can't take place overnight, but one step at a time. I've also been working out a lot more (oh like 3 times more than ever). And it feels great!

Even though it is tempting to give up, I know that I can...as a friend reminded me (Rachel) with God's help I CAN! :)

What about you? What steps do you take to ensure a healthy eating lifestyle? Do you frequent any health/nutrition blogs? Any healthy cooking websites?


"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
--Philippians 4:13

On The Nighstand

I've actually managed to read a handful of books since November. I love reading, especially suspense novels, of which I've had my fill, so here's my recent book lineup...

I found this book on sale at Mardels. I've heard so much about it from friends, that I finally decided to read it. An amazing story of forgiveness and sacrifice!

Plain Truth was first up for my winter reading. This was my first Picoult book, and I enjoyed it immensely. The ending was so unexpected, I had to re-read the last few pages to get it in my head. All the joy of mystery & suspense a girl could ask for.


Sundays At Tiffany's was a quick, fun read. I enjoyed the book, but can't say it fell anywhere near the favorites category.



I picked up Against All Odds while shopping at a little book store in Branson.I'd never heard of Irene Hannon before, so it was yet another first author for me! This was probably my favorite book out of the stack. If you are an avid Dee Henderson fan, you'll probably love it. :)


This morning, I finished up My Sister's Keeper. Again, Picoult shocked me with the ending. I'd managed to keep myself from renting the movie...as I really wanted to read the book first. It was definitely an emotional and heart wrenching book.


So, what have you been reading? Now that I finished my stack, I need some new recommendations!



PS. I spruced up the Recipes page, just in case anyone wants to make Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies or Homemade Oreos... ;-)

Irish love.

Who can resist romantic comedies? Or better yet comedies with all the Irish loveliness a girl could ask for? HA, okay, yes I am Irish, so I'm a bit prejudice. But so is hubby, he's Irish too. Don't let the dark curls fool you, he's just as much Irish as he is Italian. He likes potatoes as much as I do. In fact his favorite meal is made of potatoes, not pasta! Needless to say I loved watching "Leap Year" this weekend at the Imax. Adorable movie, and I actually enjoyed Amy Adams in this movie better than Julia & Julia (i know, i know...crazy, eh?).

We shopped till we dropped, and finished off with dinner at Cantina Laredo. Their salsa is to die for!! I love salsa & chips; it is the best splurge food. Next to chocolate of course!

I also took the plunge this weekend at Sephora! I needed some new foundation and blush. So I chose Nars, after matching my color, and finding the perfect blush! This says a lot, I’m super picky about blush colors.


And a million thanks to all my blogger friends...I will be responding slowly, but surely to all your comments! Thank you for the congrats & well wishes... :)

How was your weekend?

Announcement...finally!

I have to say an e-mail arrived with the most exciting news I've had in the blog land in a long, long time!! I am being featured on SITS! I've been following their blog for a long time, and have met many wonderful bloggers through their website! So thank you to each one of you who are participating and sharing in my special day....it means so, so much!

I was planning on finally sharing "my annoucement" with everyone. A while back I had mentioned sharing the details, until I realized that it was too soon to share as a few details were needing to be ironed out. Everything has finally fallen into to place...I am super excited to say I officially resigned from my last job, and pursuing the job of my dreams! Without giving away too much information, I will say this...NO MORE TWO HOUR COMMUTES A DAY FOR THIS GIRL!! I enjoyed my job, but we both knew it was time for me to make some changes! I'm thankful to hubby for letting me pursue my dreams and believing me. I love him!

Lastly, welcome to my blog to those of you just visiting! You can read our love story on the sidebar if you are interested...or you can check out my favorite recipes, including Homemade Oreos and my husbands favorite, Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins (easiest recipe in the world!)...Or if you looking for fun free stuff or coupons, I blog my finds here: Fabulous Finds!

My Rebellious Confession...

This is the post that I wanted to title "Rebellious Housewife Confessions". But that would have been a mouthful, right? But, I digress...My confession is brought on by my last post regarding our living room table. Because you see, the pretty flower decor was not adorning the table yesterday...until I decided to take the picture. In reality, my Willow Tree Manger set was still on it. But I was at a crossroads...one where if I took the picture of the manger set yall would have labeled me one of the "those" women... the kind that never take down their Christmas trees. But, can you blame me? Isn't my tree just gorgeous??? (said with much humility!!)



In fact over the weekend we were visited by my awesome brothers and sister in laws. They were coming over to share in Creamy, Garlicky, Alfredo Tortellini and watch a movie. So as I was busy buying groceries for the fun affair, hubby was at home cleaning the house (don't worry I went home to clean too). Then he decided to call me and suggest that he take down the Christmas decorations. "NOOOOOOOO....you CAN'T do that" I screamed into the phone, nearly falling apart in hysterics. I all but threatened to ban him from pasta for entire month- to let him know I was serious. Dead serious!!!

But, today there is this inner voice telling me it really is time to take it down. If we have company and they see that I'm still staring at my pretty Eiffel tower ornament, they might be afraid to visit me again. Even if I do offer them giant mugs of cocoa, topped with whip cream...



So this afternoon I'll embark on the painful procedure of taking down the Christmas decorations...but not before I cuddle up one last time with my Christmas blanket, watching a Christmas themed movie, and eat another handful of double chocolate peanut butter cookies...

Like I said. I'm being a little rebellious housewife in this one little department. I hope yall still like me after finding out this confession...

I'm An Old Soul

I'm an old soul. Give me some Etta or Sinatra, Being or Armstrong, and I will be happy. Classic big band, a little jazz, mixed in with old movies, old values and a homemade pumpkin pie, and I'm in bliss! Even as a teenager, I loved anything to do with "way back when". For several years I volunteered at a nursing home, working with the elderly patients. Often, spending hours playing Dominoes, Spades, and Bible Trivia. I loved their stories, their outlook on life, and hearing about the good 'ol days. This love for the antique continues on in my blood. Most people my age are enjoying boy bands and shopping at malls...and on occasion I love that too. But nothing beats a day at antique stores, flea markets or even garage sales. I love finding old things and restoring them to new life. Its a way to take today and somehow pull the past into swing with decorations.

Since the holidays I haven't been able to do much in the DIY world, but months back, I mentioned I had several DIY projects to share with you. So here's is one of my favorites, that was successful thanks to my husband! Needless to say my summer and fall garage sale finds didn't end with just Martha Stewart books, I also found this little treasure of a table for $10:
Pretty bad condition, eh? I know. Most people probably wouldn't want the hassel of reworking this piece over, but I was convinced it would be gorgeous...refinished black! Josh sanded down the table, then I took a turn at sanding it down...here it is just before the painting:


We have mainly dark wood in our home, so I wanted a bit of change to get an eclectic taste for our living room:

Ta da...a nice black finish! I'm loving it. We've gotten more compliments on that piece of furniture. Most folks are surprised when I tell them we redid it...and it was just an 'ol garage sale find. I thought it was worth $10...er $13 after the spray paint cost!


So that's are latest DIY in the Southern Bride household...have you guys been up to anything?

So I digress...I'm an old soul. I even secretly would enjoy an old record player to dance to when no one is watching. Since I'm in the old soul funk today, I think I'll enjoy some Leave It To Beaver and dream of Soda Fountain days gone by. ;-)


You can check out more projects at A Soft Place To Land & Today's Creative Blog!

PS...please tell me I'm not the only old soul trapped in a young body out there!

Ridiculsouly In Love

From our Engagement Photo Shoot.

Am I the only one, or does it feel weird to say 2010? It usually takes a month or two before I start writing down the correct dates...but anywho...I can't move along in blog land until I reflect on 2009, pretty much the most amazing year of my life...(hm...bet you can't guess why...;-))

On a hiking trip, shortly before our wedding.

We started off 2009 jumping head first into planning our wedding and finalizing my dress fittings! We celebrated our first Valentines together, where Josh suprised me with Four Dozen Roses, one in each of my favorite colors (for roses)...and a ton of Starubucks yummmies and Godiva! I made him a fresh batch of Cinnamon Rolls, and gave him a gift card to Olive Garden. We also celebrated my birthday, in which I got a fun shopping spree at White House Black Market.

At Meg's wedding.

March was a busy time for us as we were both participating in Meg's wedding.I was a bridesmaid and Josh played Cello for their wedding. During our dating and engagement days we spent lots of time together making ridiculous amounts of inside jokes and junk food together.

Our wedding Day, April 25th 2009

April of course, was the biggest month of our lives...on April 25th, we both said "I do", and savored every minute of our wedding. A week before the ceremony, but sweet friend Courtney (and bridesmaid) came to spend a week with me. Lots of girl time and movies ensued! After the wedding, we rode off into the sunset...and headed for France. We spent 6 days wondering the streets of Paris, taking in all the beauty, celebrating our first days of marriage, and ending it with a meaningful trip to Normandy France, in which we relished the beautiful countryside of France. Highlights of the trip were dinner at the Eiffel Tower, Viewing downtown Paris from the Arc De Triumph, visiting the battlefields at Normandy, and of course the Nutella Crepes. ;-)

At the Smokey Mountains!

We returned home, and started the month of with a bang. We were home only a week before we packed up and headed out for another road trip. For Josh's birthday I'd arranged a camping trip to the Smokey Mountains. We enjoyed a detour in Nashville, camping and hiking in the Smokey Mountains, crossing into North Carolina, and walking through the streets of Gatlinburg.



June & July were busy months working, visiting with family, and a new car for our household! We tucked in an overnight camping trip in a nearby town, where we hiked, and enjoyed our fair share of Smores! In August we celebrated being together for one year! It was also the first major giveaway that I ever conducted on my blog, in which Josh help me orchestrate! Lots of fun. :)
September was a tough month for us and many others in our family. As we faced trials and tribulation we were once again reminded the beauty & grace of God.

St. Louis Arch

October was another road trip month, where we headed to St. Louis for a few days. We enjoyed visiting with my cousins and friends! Lots of site seeing was crammed packed into the trip! I also did a photo shoot for a friend of ours senior year! November of course was filled to the brim with planning and preparations for Thanksgiving! We also road tripped to Branson, MO a favorite place shop & dine! Our friends also stayed with us and we enjoyed catching up on their life and shopping with them!

Christmas Eve!

December has been a insane month as we adjust to new changes in our life! We celebrated a fabulous Christmas, surrounded by our loved ones. Our first Christmas together was special and sweet! I'm thankful for our handful of ornaments that we picked out this year to represent our "First Christmas" together as a married couple!

The best memory? Definitely walking back down aisle as his bride for life! Love you babe...thank you for all do you for us, for me, and our marriage. You are amazing and I love more and more as each day passes. Now here's to 2010...let the good times roll, eh?

Still ridiculously in love...

Advertising on Mrs. Southern Bride

Advertising Rates:


1 small Banner Ad on Sidebar + a featured paragraph within a post regarding your business.
For questions, please e-mail: mrssouthernbride@gmail.com

1 month = $7

2 months = $12

Please note, payments are only accepted via Paypal.