Favorite foundation

I'm kind of confused.  I looked online and the reviews aren't bad, but they also aren't overwhelmingly good for my favorite foundation.  Shouldn't everyone automatically love what I love?  I kid. Well, I've concluded everyone has different skin types so we all have different wants and needs in a foundation.  What works for me won't necessarily work for you.  I have very oily skin, large pores, a super pink undertone and I'm breakout prone.  Sound like you?  Then maybe you'll love this foundation too. 

I've seen many beauty bloggers rave about Revlon Colorstay for Combo/Oily skin, so I decided to try it out.  My conclusion?  I just don't get it.  It smelled like paint, seemed oily, was so streaky and hard to blend and made me shinny.  No thank you.  I was on the market for something new, but I will stick to what I've been using for the past few years: L'Oreal Infallible Advanced Never Fail Foundation.  Loves it.  Why mess with a good thing?

Cost: $14.29 MSRP

Coverage: Medium

SPF: 20

Finish: Natural - looks matte/satin to me

Staying Power: Claims to last up to 18 hours, but let's be realistic ladies.  Nothing is going to last for 18 hours on your skin.  That's just a ridiculous claim.  This does stick with me throughout the work day.  I mean, it doesn't look like it did at 7 a.m., but I'm pleased with it.  I have yet to find anything else that covers all day like this foundation does especially with the greasy skin I was so lucky to have been blessed with.

Setting my foundation: I have extremely fair skin.  I do frequently use self-tanner so my skin tone changes depending on if I've been keeping up with sunless tanning or not (sometimes I get lazy and embrace the vamp look).  I obviously buy different shades of foundation; one for my natural fair skin and one for my self-tanned skinned.  A few years ago I started using Clinique's Stay Matte Sheer Pressed Powder in Invisible Matte for two reasons.  1) The foundation already provides medium coverage so I don't need a heavy powder as it would look super cakey.  2) Since my skin color varies, I can use the invisible matte no matter what color I am.

Pump: I love the pump on the bottle.  It's so easy to dispense the right amount of foundation without wasting any.  I've read complaints in reviews that the pump clogs. Yah, it's going to clog if when you dispense the foundation, you leave some product in the pump.  DURR! Just make sure you get all the product out of the pump and it won't clog.  It's not rocket science. I just take my foundation brush and poke the pump with it.  If it does ever clog, I just use my tweezers to unclog.  It's really not a big deal and this should be expected with any pump. 

Below is a swatch of the 2 shades I wear: Classic Ivory (603) and Nude Beige (605):

And a picture of my face wearing Nude Beige (605) in natural sunlight, and about 4 hours after initial application.  I'm wearing the foundation, Clinique powder mentioned above, blush and bronzer.  I have not touched-up.

See, it hasn't failed me yet!  It's still holding up well midway through my day plus it's a bargain compared to department store prices for foundation.  I will def be sticking to this foundation for now.  I'm sorry I ever cheated on you with Revlon Colorstay.  I promise it won't happen again.

Of course he's hot

Oh lawd geezus! Jerrod Neimann, I think I'm in love with you.  I had never seen the video for this, and that is a shame.  This boy is sessy.


I've been listening to this on repeat all week and the first time I ever heard this song on the radio, I BBMd my BEEF (Best Eva Eva Friend) Patty and said, "Jerrod Neimann, What Do You Want From Me ... listen to it now!" We both went through a break-up at the same time, which is when we bonded and realized we were soulmates.  I seriously don't know what I would have done with out her.  We worked together for 4 years and even went to senior high together, but for some reason we didn't become best friends until after college. We constantly ask ourselves WHY DID IT TAKE US SO LONG???  It's still a mystery. 

We literally BBM eachother about absolutely nothing and laugh out loud to our phones from the moment we wake-up until we go to bed.  I can't even tell you how many times my neighbor at work has looked at me like I was insane from busting out laughing while staring at my phone.  I recently read a quote that said "You can always tell when two people are best friends because they're always having way more fun that it makes sense for them to be having."  So us. 

Anyway, in lieu of telling you all about Patty, here are some pics  from our past year of magical bestfriend-ness.  I can't even begin to describe to you the shenanigans we get ourselves in.  Yes, she's beyond gorgeous.  I love you BEEF!!!




Pre-drinking before a Ranger's game.  Yummm, ballpark nachos and hotdog!

Our last night in Vegas!

Random night out with Richard!  He's moving to LA, boooo!!

At Glorias for some super strong margaritas.  Limit is 2 and you are done.

What am I doing?

No words.  Love my BEEF!

Random Tuesday night out to Happy Hour.  This man is known around Dallas for dancing with ridic choreographed dance moves.  He whips sugar packets out in the middle of "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and sprinkled them in my hair.  Awesome.

HUGS!

No clue, but this one always makes me LOL.

From 5 p.m. HH to 5 a.m. after party.

Fitness Fail Friday: Week 4

How dreadful.  Last week I bragged about how great my FF posts have been in terms of holding me accountable on the fitness front.  I distinctly recall the statement, "How pathetic would I look if I went to blog a FF post and had only watched TV and drank wine?"  Welp, guilty as charged.  The neph's face says it all.  "Who me?"

Really I just wanted to show off this picture of him.  His dimples are to die!

I only worked out on Monday.  Major fitness fail.  Granted, I did a solid session of weights at the gym and then met my girlfriend Courtney for our "boot camp" at the park. It was strenuous, but still. There was no reason for me to slack on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  I am down to less than 8 weeks until my friend Christina's wedding in Scottsdale, and I refuse to look like a big blob in my bridesmaid dress.  The resort she's getting married at looks so gorgeous and I want to be able to enjoy myself.  Just look at pictures of this place:

 

The ceremony site.  Gorge, right!?

Anyway, so this week was just a little bump in the road, I'm getting back on track next week.  I didn't completely blow it because I have still been keeping my calories to around 1200 a day and the scale is down a pound from last week.  I guess it could be worse, but I need to step my game up.  Next week there are no excuses.  I must get the body of my doppelgänger, Miss Lauren Conrad ( I wish). 

She's my thinspiration.

My very own La Plate and antique oil lamp

Before I get into my La Plate and "Benjamin Franklin" lamp, I have to tell you excited I am that today has finally arrived.  Today is my PAY DAY.  This blonde took broke to a new level this month.  On Tuesday I charged a value-sized bottle of Barefoot Riesling and a loaf of bread to my credit card.  Necessary?  Absolutely.  

[via]

My dinner for the last two nights has consisted of wine and a PB&J and I wouldn't have it any other way.  This is a luxury only a single girl living alone can enjoy with no judgment.  I get to watch the latest ep of "Teen Mom 2" while laying on my couch, adorned in my Snuggie I swore I would never own but wear every night, one hand in a bag of White Cheddar Natural Cheetos (mine & my neph's new fave) with the other grasped around a glass of cheap wine. Y'all ... this is my life and I make no excuses.
  
As perfect Emily told Brad at the beginning of this season's Bachelor, "It's better to be home alone than home wishing you were alone."  Amen sister.  I get to watch whatever trash TV I want when I want, I can eat cereal for dinner and polish off a bottle of wine with absolutely no (OK, maybe a little) shame.  I don't have to forgo Desperate Housewives or Brothers and Sisters when the NFL takes over every man's Sunday night (been there, no thanks).  I mean, don't get me wrong, relationships can be fabulous, but so can being single.  Yes, I'll throw myself a pity party from time to time, but I've learned to embrace the single life.  This is the last time in my life I don't have to worry about anyone else's needs but my own, and I plan on enjoying every second of it.  I refuse to waste my twenties living in the future worrying about what is going to happen down the road.  My life is what is happening now, not worrying about when I am going to get married, buy a house, have kids, etc.  Ya heard???

Wow.   I don't know where all that came from, but I'm glad that's off my chest. Now to the topic at hand.

So you may remember I had a La Plate on my Christmas wish list, and guess what?  Santa (aka my Grandma) came through!  My bedroom is chocolate brown, light green, some bronze and a little bit of white.  So I decided on brown on brown.  You likey?

Isn't she a beaut? 

My Grandma also has quite the collection of antique oil lamps, and she surprised me by bringing me my very own when she came to Dallas for Christmas.  This was bought from an antique dealer in the late 1970s by my Grandpa in Ohio and my Grandma estimates its about 100 years old.   I absolutely love it and I think it looks perfecto on my dresser turned "second night stand".  In this pic you can see the lamp plus how I use my La Plate as a trey/catch all. 

And a closer look:

Notice my Lafco House and Home Collection candle? This candle was featured as one of Oprah's Ultimate Fave Things this season.  I haven't really disclosed this yet, but I'm obsessed with her.  Every night I watch her show that I DVR during the day and now, I also DVR almost every single show on her OWN network.  Is she trying to ruin me?  I don't have any more room in my TV line-up.  UGH! 

And for inquiring minds, that is Aldi's Lacura - Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream and it's only $3.99, smells heavenly and I lather it around my eyes every night.  Just check out the rave reviews of it on Make-Up Alley.  It's now a staple in my skin care routine.

It really is the little things

Like my new cute embroidered make-up bag from Glitzy-Glam.  I get happy every time I look at it, can you tell? I took this picture to text my nephew's mom who was jealous of it.   (Now I know what to get her for Christmas)   

Me after a long day at work, don't I just look ravishing?



Isn't the packaging so super cute?  The bag comes in other colors.  You can also choose what font and color you want the embroidering done in and you can have it say whatever you'd like at no extra charge. 

That white spot is the reflection of the mirror (FYI).  There are compartments are all around the inside of the bag and on the lid. 

I absolutely love how girly it is (i.e. the bows on top, which are removable if bows aren't your thing), and all the compartments inside make it sooo much easier for to find what I'm looking for when doing my make-up.  I used to rummage through my bag looking for the right brush, the right compact, etc.  Now everything has a place, and that makes life so much easier.  Like the title of this post states, it really is the little things. 

*[Bargain Tip]
You may already do this when you online shop, but if not, before you purchase anything online, Google to see if there are any discount/promo codes.  I did this before I ordered this bag (which was already on sale when I purchased it a few weeks ago) and found a promo code for 10 percent off the price.  I ended up getting the bag + the cost of shipping for only $1 more than the full price of the bag.  The Bargain Blonde strikes again.

I seriously am obsessed and now I want more in different sizes.  Anyone feeling generous and want to buy me an early St. Patty's Day gift?  Mom, I know you are reading.

Tag You're It: Handwriting Fun

Saw this on a few blogs and couldn't pass up this fun idea since handwriting has always fascinated me.  I used to practice my handwriting in spirals as a little kid.  Nerd alert.

Basically there are 8 questions and instead of typing your responses, you hand write them.

1. What's your name / blogger name?
2. What's your blog's URL?
3. Write "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."
4. Favorite quote?
5. Your favorite song?
6. Your favorite band / singers?
7. Anything else you want to say?
8. Tag 3 ladies to participate

Lindsay, Kendall and Courtney ... Tag You're It!

Spray paint makeover

Happy (fake) Monday!  I was off work yesterday for President's Day, so today feels like a Monday to me.   I love a short work week, but find me someone who doesn't.

This weekend I finally tackled a project I've been putting off for over a year.   I had a small white shelving unit I used as a night stand in college.  When I moved to my current apartment over a year ago, I needed an entryway table, so I decided to use it as such instead of spending money on something new.  There was one slight problem.  The unit was white, and the color scheme in my living room/dining room area is deep brown and red. 

I always knew I was going to spray paint it (it's not real wood) a deep brown, but I wasn't sure exactly what color to use, what kind of spray paint to use and I needed the temperature outside to be right.

I did some Google research and determined the spray paint I should use is Krylon Fusion (a little less than $5 a can). I made a stop at Wal-Mart on Saturday and during my nephew's afternoon nap, I got to work.  I cleaned the shelving unit, put it on a tarp on my balcony and started spraying.  After about 30 minutes of dry time, I moved my madeover entryway table back inside and I think the brown looks lovely.  Now I need to do some antique shopping to find some fun treasures to decorate the shelves with.  What do you think of the finished spray paint project?   

OK, so I lied

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Scratch my plan to work-out today as mentioned in the previous FF post. Instead, I'm going to Happy Hour to sit on a patio and enjoy a margarita with a few friends. I mean, it's 80 degrees here and a Friday ...

need I say more?

It's not going to be a total bust because I am going to request a "Skinnygirl Margarita", Bethenny Frankel's 100 calorie margarita concoction.  I am also going to force myself to do some extra cardio this weekend to make up for it.   You just can't say no to patio weather, especially when we were snowed-in a few weeks ago.

The Skinnygirl™ Margarita
"The margarita you love, only 100 calories."

Ingredients:
•2 oz of Clear Premium Tequila (count 1, 2 while you pour, no need for measuring)
•Tiny splash of Orange Liquor
•Juice of 4 Fresh Lime Wedges

Preparation:
To serve on the rocks, combine all ingredients over a glass of ice and garnish with a lime wedge

 
TGIF, enjoy your weekend.

Fitness Friday: Week 3

Welcome to week 3 of Fitness Friday! I’ve got to tell you, this FF post has been a great way to hold myself accountable. If I did what I really wanted to do every night after work, I’d sit on my couch and watch my favorite TV shows while sipping on some of the sweet nectar.

How pathetic would I look if I went to write a FF post and had done nothing but guzzle wine and watch trash TV? Every time I try to convince myself to skip the gym or indulge in unhealthy food, I remember 1) my ultimate goal to get fit and fab and 2) that I have to report my progress on my blog.

As I mentioned in week 2, today I’m sharing my favorite easy and healthy snacks. According to a self.com article, 64 percent of snacks aren’t planned. Unplanned snaking could easily lead to bad choices like processed, high-calorie food from your office vending machine. Instead, stock your desk drawers or office fridge with some of these healthy options that are easy to grab when you hit that mid-day lull.

Simple Cucumber and Cherry Tomato Salad:  Mix a cup of sliced, peeled cucumber with about 10 cherry tomatoes and a tablespoon of lite vinaigrette dressing (my fave is the Ken's Steak House).  I like to season mine with some fresh ground pepper.  Very refreshing and low in cals.  I'll make it the night before and bring some to work for an afternoon snack at my desk.

cucumber / tomatoes / vinaigrette / salad

Low Cal Cheese & Crackers: Cheese scares a lot of people who are watching their calorie intake.  However, there are so many reduced fat options now that cheese is no longer the enemy.  My favorite cracker for this snack is a water cracker.  I love the crunch, but more importantly, they have little flavor, which makes it a great neutral foundation so you can savor the cheese. 

crackers / colby-jack / laughing cow / cheese & crackers

Peanut Butter and Caramel Mini Rice Cakes: I like to dip mini caramel rice cakes into about a tablespoon of Jif Natural PB.  Some natural peanut butter's annoy me because you have to mix them and keep them refrigerated.  This Jif version does not have to be stirred or refrigerated, so I keep it in my desk drawer with a bag of rice cakes for the ultimate convenience snack.  I'm not a fan of caramel, but for some reason this flavor goes along great with PB. 

rice cakes / PB / Rice Cake + PB

Hopefully one of those 3 options sounds enticing to you.  Now on to the "fun" stuff.  Below is what I did this week at the gym:

Saturday: Went to a yoga class and then took my nephew to the park.  He thinks its fun to run from me so I spent the entire time chasing him and almost having a heart attack every time he made a beeline for the nearby street.  I would tell him, "Reese, this is not funny!" to which he would giggle, run and say, "Hahaha, yes it is Aunt Lindsey." Boys will be boys. 

Don't you love his cute little outfit?  Aunt Lindsey got him that shirt and those shorts at Old Navy for $11. 

Sunday:  12 mile mountain bike ride - NEVER AGAIN.  So my friend Kathryn and I went to brunch Sunday and while we were finishing up, she asked me if I wanted to go bike riding around a local lake since it was so nice outside.  "Sure," I said thinking back to my middle school days when I loved riding my bike around the neighborhood.  Reality check: Biking 12 miles up and down hills fighting the wind on a mountain bike is nothing like riding bikes back in the day.  I've decided I'm not cut-out for bike riding.  The seat really hurt and my booty felt bruised for the next 2 days and trust me, I've got plenty of padding back there. 

Monday: Valentine's Day.  After work I met up with my friend Courtney for Happy Hour.  We we're supposed to run hills and conduct a little "boot camp" at a nearby park, but for some reason wine sounded better to us.  Do you blame us?

Tuesday:  Bicep/Triceps + 30 minutes interval cardio + 10 min suana

Wednesday: Hamstrings/Quads/Calves + 30 minutes interval cardio + 20 min sauna

Thursday: Rested, legs we're sore.

Friday: After work I'm doing chest/shoulders/back and cardio.

Saturday:   I plan on going to yoga again and it's supposed to nice so I'm sure I'll be chasing my nephew again at the park.

Sunday: NOT going on a 12 mile bike ride.

What I'm Playing Thursday

I've never participated in a "link-up" before so welcome to my very first one via the blog We're Just Like You Only Prettier.  I thought this was a fun one to do because I love finding out about new artists from others.  Hopefully you'll see something you like that I'm listening to.  I'd love to know what YOU are listening to.

First up is a cutie I discovered on You Tube via his acoustic cover of Colbie Calliat's "I Never Told You".  It's amazing and I've listened to it more times that I can count.  He does crazy good covers, so I highly recommend checking him out via his Facebook fan page or his YouTube channel (Did I mention he's easy on the eyes?).   His latest cover is probably my favorite song on the radio right now, so I was more than excited when I saw he covered it.  It's "Grenade" by Bruno Mars:

Zac Brown Band is my favorite country band. I get all tingly listening to "Colder Weather" ever since I saw them play in live on a CMT special a few months ago.  I wanted to see them perform at the Houston Rodeo, but it's not going to work-out and I'm bummed.  Booo!  Maybe they'll come to Dallas soon, and someone will surprise me with tickets!  Ha, I wish.  

I was mesmerized when I first heard "If I Die Young" by the Band Perry for the first time and I just downloaded their debut CD to my itunes a few weeks ago.  Their latest single is "You Lie" and I heart it almost as much as I heart "If I Die Young".  "You Lie" is currently on my work-out playlist because it's a great 'girl done wrong by boy' song.  We can all relate I'm sure.

I think I'll stop with my top 3 favorites. I hope you enjoyed my first ever link-up. Have a great Thursday and happy listening!

Save on Spring 2011's Fashion Trends

After looking at my checking account balance today, I had to issue a self-imposed spending freeze. This made me wonder how long I’m going to have to wait to become a BOL (Bitch of Leisure). My BFF Liz coined the phrase, and her blog, “Future BOL”, is the phrase’s namesake (blog currently on hiatus).

In case you are wondering what exactly a BOL is, let me break it down for you: A BOL lives a life of luxury. She doesn’t bother with mundane household chores and she certainly doesn’t spend her days slaving away at the office with the common folk. Instead, her days consist of shopping with unlimited funds, lunching and making sure she constantly looks good. A BOL’s life is Liz and my ultimate fantasy. Definitely the stuff dreams are made of.

Key words: fantasy and dreams.

The reality is I’m on a spending freeze, which means I’ve come down with a case of shopper’s itch. The weather in Dallas has been in the 70s since Saturday and it’s made me want to update my wardrobe with some of my favorite Spring looks.

Since I can only look and not touch, I figured online “window shopping” was safer than a store where it’s much easier to swipe a card. And seeing as though I’m actually a BOB (bitch on a budget) and not a BOL, I found my top 5 favorite Spring trends at a price even a BOB will love:

1. Old Navy Women's Rugby-Stripe Pocket Tee - $12.50

2. Urban Outfitters Pins and Needles Strapless Floral Dress - $29.99

3. Gap New Wide Leg Trouser Jeans - $69.50

4. Old Navy Sheer Leopard-Print Blouse - $29.50

 

And my absolute favorite thing to wear all Spring and Summer to survive in the Texas heat is a Maxi dress.  I want this black Maxi dress from Nordstrom to pair with these gold acessories.

 

1. Nordstrom Velvet Torch Strapless Maxi Dress - $48

2. Charlotte Russe Twisted Mesh Chain Necklace - $12 (BOGO 50% off)

3. Charlotte Russe Mini Flower Stretch Bracelet - $8.50 (BOGO 50% off)

4. Charlotte Russe Floral Splendor Stretch Ring - $4 (BOGO 50% off)

Bargain brand name activewear

Cash burns a hole in my pocket, which is why I never go to the ATM and get any unless I need it for a "cash only" situation. I literally put everything on my debit card.  In college I once even tried to buy a 5 cent scantron on my debit card from the campus bookstore and the guy said, "Are you kidding me?  Just take it." No sir, I was not kidding you and thanks for the free scantron.

So I had some Valentine's Day cash (thanks Grandma!) and I didn't have it in my wallet for more than 24 hours before it was gone.  You can blame this one on TJ Maxx.  How was I supposed to resist a pair of Nike Dri-Fit Women's Training Pants for only $29 when they are regularly sold for $60?  You will never catch me buying a pair of $60 athletic pants, I don't care how amazing they claim they'll make my butt look. 

[left image via]

I really was only on the hunt for a new pair of pants, but I couldn't say no to this Fila work-out tank with built-in bra on clearance for $12.  The blue tag says "compare at $34", but the actual Fila tag had an original price of $38, which means it was about 70 percent off.  Geeze, I'm a math whiz.

[left image via]

I've been low on athletic socks for a while now (I seriously want to know what happens to missing socks), and I prefer thick ones because I feel like the thin ones slide down too much, plus I like the added cushion.  I got this 3-pack of thick Puma athletic socks for $5.99, and they are regularly $12. 

I almost didn't put this picture up because my manicure (or lack there of) is so atrocious. I was sitting in a meeting yesterday with our Senior Vice President when I caught a glimpse of my nails and immediately tried to hide them. Did that stop me from coming to work with them looking just as horrendous today? Nope. I will be giving myself a polish change tonight if it is the last thing I do. Try not to judge me too much. I'd judge me.

2011 Glamour and Glitz Grammys

Last night was full of glamour and glitz thanks to all of the metallics and golds on the red carpet.  I've mentioned previously how much I want a pair of glitter heels (still haven't purchased) and how I'm gushing over glitter nails (OPI Burlesque glitter collection has been on my nails for the past few months).  Shimmery nails and shoes are easy and affordable ways to incorporate some glitz and glam into your wardrobe. 

My top 5 favorite looks from the ladies at last night's Grammy Awards:

1. Selena Gomez in J. Mendel.  Hair, make-up and dress are flawless.  Too bad she has Beiber Fever.

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2. Jewel looking perfectly preggers in a pale yellow Pamella Roland gown.   This is how you do it Natalie Portman.

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3. Jennifer Lopez in a mini metallic silver Pucci.  Hot shoes and clutch + even hotter dress = Grammy perfection.  

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4. Miranda Lambert has struggled with her weight in the past, but she is looking fit and fab!  Here is proof a healthy lifestyle pays off. She is one of my favorite singers (I'm obsessed with Country music), and I just adore her and Blake Shelton together.  It doesn't hurt that she's a Texas girl like myself.

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5. Last but not least, Julianna Hough in a ruffled print Malandrino.  There is no way I could pull this plunge neck off, but it looks amazing on her tiny frame. 

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What was your favorite look or trend from last night's Grammy Awards?  Do you love the glitz and glam as much as I me?

What I miss most about Valentine's Day

Other than how it used to not be a day that so cruely reminded me I'm single, I really miss getting to decorate shoe boxes to collect cards from all the other kids in your class. Remember how excited you would get if you had a crush on a boy and you got a card from him? Or was that just me?

If I got to decorate a shoe box for my desk at work (ha!), I would want it to look like something like one of these: 



1 / 2 / 3 / 4

 

Fitness Friday: Week 2

It’s a Christmas miracle! Not really. I shouldn’t be excited about this, but what I call my “fat work pants” fit comfortably again. Yes, sadly there was a time there when they didn’t. I slip up on my fitness for a few weeks … Oh, did I say weeks? I meant months … and before I know it, I’m laying on the ground praying to the skinny gods that my pants zip up. We've all been here:

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Cue: “Fitness Fridays”, and here is what I did this week:

Nutrition:
I’m trying to stick to around 1200 calories a day. To help achieve my 1200 calorie goal, I’m making a concerted effort to not waste unnecessary calories on things like coffee creamer, boredom snacking and booze (although I really wanted that glass of wine during The Bachelor this week).

Also, I have a diet and fitness journal I bought on Amazon that I use to track calories, but I certainly don’t use it religiously. That’s no way to live. I’m just making sure I’m aware of the calorie decisions I’m making and holding myself accountable. The journal's description claims those who keep a diary and record their progress lose twice as much weight as those who don't.  We'll see about that.

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Fitness:
Typically I’m at the gym for an hour to an hour and a half. I start out by stretching then 30 to 45 minutes of weight training followed up with 30 minutes of interval cardio. Interval cardio gives you the most bang for your calorie-burning buck.

To set up your own calorie-burning interval workout, simply increase your intensity to a hard pace for 1 minute followed by 2 minutes at an easy pace; repeat for up to 30 minutes. If you don’t want to take my word for it: read this article about the benefits of interval cardio. 

[via] I need this pillow in my life!

My routine this week:
Monday: Biceps/triceps then 30 minutes elliptical and treadmill intervals (20 mins elliptical & 10 mins treadmill because I get bored if I stay on just one machine.)

Tuesday: Quads/ hamstrings/calves + 30 minutes elliptical and treadmill intervals + 20 minutes in sauna (Ladies … if you are looking for some eye candy, come hang with me in the sauna. Oh my!)

Wednesday: Chest/Shoulders/Back + 30 minutes elliptical and treadmill intervals + 20 minutes sauna + Jackie Warner core video for abs via On Demand’s free Fitness TV (I just discovered Fitness TV. They have so many FREE work-out videos like Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred, Jackie Warner work-outs, Body by Bethenny yoga, etc. Check out your local listings to see if you get it in your area. It’s a great way to burn some cals from your living room.)

Thursday: REST DAY! I had a few errands to run after work and my brother and nephew decided my apartment doubled as a grocery store, so I had them over for dinner.

FRIDAY (Today, obvi): I have my brand new Texas Tech gym bag (arrived on my doorstep Tuesday & I love it!) packed and ready to go under my desk. I’m going to focus on abs/back and of course get in 30 mins of interval cardio.

WEEKEND: My goal is go to a yoga class and get at least one session of cardio in. I'll have to let you know how that turns out next Friday.

In next week’s FF, I’ll track my progress again and I’ll share some of my favorite easy on-the-go healthy snacks that are perfect if you have to snack at your desk like me. If you have any easy, healthy snacks you heart, leave them in the comments and I’ll feature them in next week’s FF!