Build a Hump Day!


Bikini season.  Ready or not, here it comes.  I can’t decide if I’m bursting with excitement or screaming internally “I’m not ready yet!”  Regardless, we  are now down to 25 days before Memorial Day Weekend, and it’s time to get down to business.  

Today I’m declaring my focus for the next 2 months.  My booty.  Who’s with me??  Are you up for the challenge?  Ready to get the best backside you’ve ever had in your life?  Well, that’s my hope, and I’d love it if you’d come along for the ride!  Let’s set a few basic ground rules for our mission:

1.  I know that squats are the mother of all butt exercises and those I’ve been doing like a mofo (thank you Shaun T).  This week I’m adding in this series of exercises courtesy of Blogilates in an effort to get those muscles moving in as many different ways possible. 


Let's give these moves a go every day for the next week, and then look for a new set.  Each time we change up the routine, our body will have to adapt, and alas we’ll be confident in that bikini if it’s the last thing we do!   

2.  Cardio.  While we’re building and shaping those glutes, we can’t forget to burn off that fat too!  I’ve been doing T25, and although I’m loving it, I’ll probably start adding in a day or two of extra cardio each week, because my body can handle it and well.... 25 days.  Yikes!

3.  Drink lots of water.  You need water to build muscle as well as detoxify your body.  I know this. I am the worst at it. THE WORST.  I’ve got to be better.  Are you drinking enough water? 

If I had one of these, I'd drink a lot more water! ;)


When all is said and done, don’t forget to reward yourself with a hot pair of cheekies, hit the beach, and strut your stuff with pride!  You deserve it!  And be sure to check in each Wednesday for tips, tricks, exercises, and motivation.  Let’s do this together!  Hump Dayyyyy! 


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Pre-Cana Can Be Funny


This weekend the fiance and I had our first pre-cana class at the church we’re getting married in.  For those that don’t know, it’s a Catholic thing that you have to do to prepare for the sacrament of marriage.  I have to say I was completely expecting them to quiz us in some way or at least ask us to discuss or correspond with our soon-to-be spouses.  This was not the case.  We literally just sat there and listened to two couples talk about everything that has gone on in their own marriages for hours on end.  Quite bizarre, but hey, gotta do what you gotta do.  We also learned that a great thing to do in an argument is pray together.  I literally can’t wait until we have a fight now so that I can suggest we bow heads and pray.  I’m already laughing just thinking about that.  I'm sorry if that offends anybody, but it's just not us, and it makes me giggle.


Speaking of laughing, have you read some of the suggested readings for Catholic weddings?  We have a book with all of the options to choose from and let me tell you, freaking hysterical.  I’m almost tempted to choose the most bizarre readings possible because it is so funny, but I’m not sure the priest will read it with the same vim and vigor that I would.  Take this one for instance from the Old Testament...

“Hark! my lover--here he comes
springing across the mountains,
leaping across the hills.
My lover is like a gazelle
or a young stag.”  


Bahahaha I could cry laughing.

After class, we ran a few errands, almost came home with the cutest puppy puppy every (luckily a sound mind and logic set in), and set out to meet up  with friends before the Oriole game.  We never actually went into the game, but we had a good ole time drinking a few cold ones at the bars just outside.  

Since my Mom’s birthday is today, we celebrated on Sunday. I took her to get a facial (I got one too duh) and we went to lunch.  

I also ran into a lucky find and got bridesmaid gifts for my girls.  After, I planted flowers in my garden and got myself ready for the work week.  Quick weekend, but it’s always good when the weather isn’t freezing and the sun is shining!  

Next up.... May!  Have a good Monday all!


Dateless in Dallas 
still being [molly] Mingle 240


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Work, Work, Blog.... Friday Five!


Writing this week has been a struggle.  It’s that time of year when we’re in school a lot just trying to get everything in, and I don’t have a whole lot of time to do much else.  How do all the working people do it?  Find time for other activities and soul-inspiring stuff?  Anyway, I’m doing my best and hoping that warmer weather will fill my life with joyful happenings.  

1. Let me also start by saying that the week began with a mild heart attack when a key wedding venue cancelled on us Monday morning.  That’s right.  Invitations printed.  Church booked.  Hotel suite booked.  Out of town guests’ flights booked.  And we might not have anywhere to go.  I can’t even begin to explain the heart palpitations I was having at this time.  Long story short, everything has been worked out and the wedding is back on, but it certainly was enough to leave me pretty much on edge for the next few days envisioning all of the horrible things that could go wrong.  I should have known wedding planning couldn’t have been this easy.



2. Thankfully, I had a happy hour lined up with my MOH on Tuesday which was a much needed distraction to talk about nothing but good.  Pizza and beer and a little shower talk and I feel like I’m almost back on track!


3. I’m also on my 3rd week of T25 and I’m still loving it.  I love that I’m getting to know the workouts and am no longer staring confused at the screen trying to get the moves right.  My form is getting better too.  Most of all though, I love how so many of my co-workers have stuck along for the ride and we all in there supporting and encouraging one another.  It’s really an awesome thing to be a part of.  


4. My fiance ordered gifts for his groomsmen this week, and I have to admit, they’re pretty awesome.  I asked him where he thought of it and he said he just Googled “groomsmen gifts”.  Why when I do that do things like “foldable star sculpture” and “jar of caramels” come up?? Looks like I’ll be using my own brain for this one.  Suggestions are welcome.

5. Oh yea, and it’s Friday.  Thank the dear Lord for that!  





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A Peek Inside the Man Basket!


Ok, I didn’t think I’d top last year’s “man basket”, but this one has to be my favorite yet!  Unfortunately with all of my hype about getting creative with the basket, when I went out looking on Thursday, I couldn’t really find anything that I was looking for, so I ended up pulling out the wine basket gift we got at our engagement party and reusing it as the Easter basket this year!  Take a look at some of the things I  put inside!


Most men love beer.  Mine is particularly a fan of IPA’s and trying new types and breweries.  Flying Dog is a Maryland Brewery, actually from my hometown of Frederick and we like a lot of their beers, so I figured I’d give this one a try.  The bottle is cool (which is obviously important) and I haven’t remembered seeing it before, so I figured my fiance would like it.  It is over 8% alcohol, however, so it may be lethal.


These glasses!  Ok, one of them is for me, but I thought they were the cutest things ever and that we could drink from them on our wedding night since we’ll be watching the O’s game.  I got them on etsy from Krafty Mama Boutique and could not be happier with them.  They are great quality and I was shocked by how quickly the girl painted them and shipped them to me.  She also was a great communicator and even emailed me to double check that we got the right glasses that I’d had in mind.  I highly recommend anyone looking for personalized glasses to use this vendor.  


Of course with O’s glasses, I had to get an O’s tee.  This one was at Old Navy and is super soft.


Found this funny towel at the Ellicott City Spring Fair we went to on Saturday.  It is from a store called Vintage Bliss Boutique (cutest store ever btw).  He’s been using one of my fuzzy bath towels that he stole for the bar to wipe up spills, so I thought this would be more suiting.


Threw in some protein bars because we’re trying to get in shape for the wedding festivities, and a few candy eggs, because it is an Easter basket after all.  


He totally loved it and I loved making it!  What do you put in your man’s basket??


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Easter Weekend Roundup!




I love spring.  I seriously love that we can start to do things outside and not be freezing our tails off, which I definitely did a lot of on this beautiful Easter weekend!

Friday.  I had off work and since it was Good Friday, the fiance also had off of baseball practice.  We took advantage of a free afternoon with a trip to home depot and a few hours of deck staining.  You know, married stuff.  It's good to be adult sometimes and feel like you aren’t letting your house fall apart ;)  





Saturday.  My mom came down and we spent the first part of the day watching my fiance’s baseball game.  He coaches high school and his team is pretty darn good so I’m hoping to be watching a lot more of them in the next month or so.  I love coming to his game and seeing the big smile on his face when he sees that I’ve come to watch.  He’s pretty adorable.  And wearing baseball pants.  



After the game, we made our way to the Ellicott City Spring Festival.  We are very big fans of festivals, craft fairs, places where bands are playing, and the like, so it was what I would call the makings of a great day.  We walked around all of the shops which I have sadly never actually been inside before and enjoyed a Mexican lunch outside.  Finally.  One of my favorite things about summer is coming to fruition.  



I went home only to turn back around and go back later with the fiance with a night out and a few too many beers with friends.  It was fun though, and I got a workout in with all the walking.

Sunday.  HAPPY EASTER!  I surprised him with his “man basket” (even though he totally knew he was getting one.. so I guess it wasn’t a surprise lol) and we went to church with his family.  After, we went back to his parents house for Easter brunch.

Later the rest of his family came over for dinner and we did the usual stuffing of faces until my food coma set in, at which point I ate a cupcake, naturally.  I pretty much ate and ran since I get up at 5 a.m. for work, but it was enough to get to visit with my soon-to-be new family.  I’m a pretty lucky girl, I know.  


Grandpa

Looking for eggs with this cutie pie

Oh, and I also drank my first glass of wine in 6 weeks.  I was actually dreaming in church about which bottle I wanted to open and am so proud of myself for making it that long.  All you pregnant ladies, I do not know how you do it.  


Now back to the grind and trying to work off those Easter treats this week ;)  

still being [molly] 
 Dateless in Dallas Mingle 240



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Five 90's Fashions I'm Excited to Wear Again




These recent IG posts from Tiger Mist Boutique... oh my word.  If these looks are not straight out of 1992, I don’t know what is.  I’m not sure if I’ve been living under a rock, but the speed at which these early 90’s fashions have been rushing back to stores is shocking me.   And to make me feel even more like I’m at a theme party, Opposites Attract and Straight Up Now Tell Me have been blaring in Charlotte Russe the past 2 times I’ve gone in.  It’s now that I’m finally kicking myself for not accepting the trash bags full of hand me downs from my oder cousins, for I would surely have on my hands a goldmine of spring fashions had I kept them.  

Although I can’t say I’m ready for every flashback trend I see (the fuzzy crop, the combat boot inspired shoes... nope. sorry.), there are plenty of 90’s styles that I am secretly so friggin excited to see back on the scene.  

From Charlotte Russe
1. Skater skirts.  The ultimate girly look and super summery if I do say so myself.  Gotta make sure those legs are in tip top shape for this one!
2.Floral.  With all of the colors in these floral prints, you can’t wear it without oozing happiness.

Also from Char
3. Side tie shirts.  My friends know that I refused to wear to a full length shirt in my younger years.  And although my stomach isn’t quite what it used to be, I’m game to give it a go for one more round.

From White Plum
4. Palazzo pants.  Ok, I don’t think I ever actually owned a pair of these, but I do think some of the prints are super cute.  Unfortunately I 100% see that these could be a trend that only girls can appreciate and my fiance will despise.  I could be wrong, but I’d be willing to bet on it.

From Dana Bands
5.Flower headbands.  Remember all the headbands you had when you were younger with bows, ribbons, and other interesting crustaceans coming off the side.  Well, they’re back, and I’m ok with it.  Maybe just a slightly more mature version this time ;) 


What were your favorite 90’s styles and what do you see yourself wearing again?  



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Easter Basket Alternatives for your Man!

First let me preface this post by saying that I don’t have kids yet, so I am purely viewing this Easter basket thing in terms of the “man basket”.  Yes, I leave an Easter basket for my fiance.  I mean he’s practically a kid at heart, and I love leaving little surprises out for him to find... Easter, birthday, heck, I even left his a Valentine “basket” in a cup.  If I’m doing this for a grown man, I can only imagine what I’ll be doing for my kids one day, but to be honest, I think adult baskets are a lot more fun ;)  

One of my favorite things to do for a man basket is to forgo the actual basket.  Find a useful container- one that you’ve been searching for anyway - and fill it with the goodies that would have gone in the basket.  Here are some of the neat man-friendly thoughts I’ve been brainstorming...

A. Beer tub  


Last year was our first summer in our new house so I had gotten a beer tub basket and filling it with Easter grass and lots of little gifts.  We have definitely gotten our my money's worth out of it!
This thing got so much use over the summer!

Now the actual basket for this year is still TBD, but I’ll be sure to link back up after filling whatever it is with treats.  Can’t give anything away ahead of time!  You never know who’s peeking!  ;)  What will you leave out for Easter this year? 


  



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