A new look for "The BB" plus a link-up party for Friday Favorites!

Well, I feel like all I did was complain on the blog this week. Do you hate me yet?

In happier news ... SURPRISE!!!!!  Notice anything different?  The Bargain Blonde got a design revamp complete with a brand new About Me page and I couldn't be more excited about it.  My homie Jonalynn McFadden is a talented graphic designer whom I met in college at a Journalism leadership conference in Oregon and we've remained in contact ever since.  If you like what you see and are looking for a bloggy make-over, then she is definitely the woman for the job.

Check out her design portfolio and you can contact her here.  I promise you'll love whatever she comes up with!  Not to mention she's awesome to work with and a personal friend of mine.  What are you waiting for?

All righty, it's favorites time!

<center><a href="http://thebargainblonde.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e215/LindseyLeeTTU/ffbblogo.jpg"/></a></center>

$49 - Shop Here

I was so excited to see The Bachelorette Emily Maynard wearing Stella and Dot again this week!  I'll forgive that phony tail and bird necklace I blogged about yesterday because she knocked it out the park with her beach blonde hair and sun kissed skin paired with the turquoise Stella and Dot Capri Chandelier Earrings in turquoise. The Capri Chandeliers, which are also available in coral, are a steal at under $50!

Oh my goodness gracious. I'm all by my lonely laying in bed writing this post at midnight and I just let out the loudest, most unattractive cackle ever. Why? Because I just re-watched the clip of Bravo's (and my imaginary bestie) Andy Cohen getting attacked by the bird during the RHOC Reunion.  I could watch and will watch this a million times over. So funny.

Really Lindsey? Favorite pen?  I know.  But this pen is pretty much life changing.  If you are a cray like me, then you are very particular about your pens.  My BFF told me about the Pilot G-2 07 and on Sunday I picked a pack up at Target. Can't. Stop. Writing.  Seriously, this pen writes as smooth as butta. Get yo'self some.

This 100% all-natural Lucini Italia Bold Parmesan and Garlic vinaigrette is so amazing on salads and as a marinade. If I could drink it straight, I would.

Remember way back in November I blogged about a boot camp I was doing?  Well, now that I'm back into the swing of things thanks to Tone It Up, I signed up for another Boot Camp session with my friend and certifiable personal trainer Jeremy Jackson.  He started his own boot camp called GetFit Nation and convinced me to sign-up for his new camp that starts this coming Monday.  

EFF MY LIFE because when I signed up I didn't know it was a MORNING boot camp and if you know me, you know I do NOT do mornings.  My only saving grace is that Jeremy is really good at keeping you accountable and does not accept excuses, so I will be be dragging my ass up to the camp Mon/Wed at 6 a.m. and Tues/Thurs at 6:45 a.m.  I know my family reads my blog and I already know they are laughing out loud at the notion of me going to a 6 a.m. boot camp.  Guess I better start going to bed earlier.  

If anyone is interested in the boot camp, all fitness levels are welcome.  E-mail Jeremy or text him at 469.438.7898 if you have any questions.  Or check out the boot camp's Facebook page for deets. Let him know you heard about it on The Bargain Blonde.  Hope to see some of you Dallas area ladies there!  

Now it's your turn! Grab my button at the top of the post and link-up below!

The "Tone It Up" plan and me

I first stumbled across the Tone It Up girls, Katrina and Karena, via Pinterest months ago.  Wouldn't these toned bishes catch your eye too?

I followed the link to their Web site and saw that these perfectly sculpted ladies had a blog, nutrition tips, printable workouts, and lots of YouTube work-out and nutritional videos.  A lot of their stuff is free, but it you want their comprehensive diet and fitness plan including recipes, workouts and a 7-day slimdown, you've gots to pay.  You can choose between the original plan, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, gluten-free vegetarian or pescatarian and it will cost you $149.99.  Go to their site to read more about the pricing and what you get for your money.  

I was mesmerized by how perfect they looked, but didn't think much about it again until very recently.  You see, I'm completely out of shape and that's putting it nicely.

Simply put, I'm fat. I'm not saying this so you can tell me, "You are not fat. You are beautiful."  I don't need to hear that. I don't want to hear that.  No, I don't need to be craned lifted from my bed every morning, but I'm unhealthy, it's not cute, I'm not happy with body and it is time to do something about it.

Prior to committing to the Tone It Up plan, I stumbled across another girl on Pinterest named Laura who blogs/vlogs about her weight loss.  I spent hours watching her body transformation videos and started following her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.  She is truly an inspiration and has a blog Laura Must Lose Weight if you want to check it out.

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Girlfrand is brave because she puts it ALL out there.  We're talking filming a YouTube video in nothing but her bra and panties at her heaviest weight of 195.   As much as I'd love to be able to show you my transformation, you will not be seeing me in my bra and panties. Ever. Laura covered that one for us thank the Lord.  

Anywho ...


What I like most about the TIU girls and Laura is they are all about clean, healthy eating and working-out. None of it is a quick fix. It's not a fad diet.  It's about avoiding processed foods and eating balanced meals of carbs (yes, you eat carbs, but at the right time of day and the right portions), lean proteins and lots of fruits and veges!  You also eat fats, but good fats like fat from olives, olive oil and avocados.  You even can sneak in a few glasses of red wine a couple times a week if you like to hit the bottle.

The plan is so sensible.  It's not an extreme diet that inevitably sets you up to fail (i.e. cabbage soup diet, Atkins, egg white diet, etc.).  On the TIU nutrition plan, you eat five meals a day, you drink lots of water, you work-out and you have an entire online community of TIU members who are there to encourage and hold you accountable.  Hence, if you follow me on Instagram/Twitter, you have seen me blowing up your news feed with pictures of healthy meals.  These are called "check-ins" and that's what every member of the TIU community does on the daily.

Now you know more about the TIU plan and why I've decided to do it.  I am in no way associated with TIU or Laura. I simply stumbled across them and was compelled to make a life change.  With that being said, there are a few changes I've already made that are easy changes any of you can incorporate into your lives if you are looking to become healthier versions of your already fabulous selves.  Tomorrow I'll blog about those and some recipes that are easy to make and yummy!

It's only been a little over a week since I started TIU, but I'm extremely committed and determined.  I lost about 3 lbs last week.  Even if you don't have weight to lose, this plan could still benefit you.  The girls implore you to be TONED, not "skinny soft".  I'm an ex-gymnast so I can co-sign. I have muscles and as much as I'd love to, I'll never have the build of a super model.  Even if I starved myself.

So there you have it; my take on the Tone It Up plan.  I'd love to talk more about it with any of you, just leave your questions in the comments.