Paintball Madness

Today, I went paint balling for the first time in my life. I have been dying to go for some time now, desperately trying to convince my dad and brothers to take me with them.  My attempts have been unsuccessful, until today when I went with a group of friends. Now, if you know me, I take my sports very seriously. So, placing a loaded weapon in my hands may not be the smartest thing someone can do, but oh well, they'll learn.

I have to say I did fairly well for my first time. I played five games and out of those five I was usually one of the last few to get out. No, I didn't win and my team didn't win. I do have to give credit to the well strategically played game from the yellow team. Well, played boys, well played. Let me just remind everyone. I can only get better the longer I play.

Now, when we played girls team vs. girls team, that is where I dominated!!! It was five on five and I shot out all five. My team was a HUGE part in helping me sneak up on the others. They were determined, and aggressive! Holding our line strong and working together to tell me where each girl on the opposite team was hiding. I may have gotten the shot, but I needed that team. Good work girls! May we play such an incredible game again.

So, after having a taste of the paintball experience, I would love to try play again. Anyone up for it? I came out unscathed, no welts or bruises, just a little tired. Nothing a quick nap can't cure.

My First Outfit

So, I'm very excited to post to you my first outfit! This look is one of my favorites.  I wore a cream colored cardigan, paired with  a red ruffled tank top, black skinny jeans and black boots. At the bottom of the post I will tell you where I bought them. 

Okay, so the reason behind why I wore these things.
 Fist I will start with the jeans. I believe a pair of black jeans should be in every woman's closest. Not only are they slimming due to the black color, but they can be dressed up or down, which I'm all for versatile outfits. These jeans are ridiculously comfortable too. They feel like denim jeans, have a little bit of stretch, but always retain their shape! (At least for me they do) Also, it is a well known fact with my friends and family, I have no butt.  But when I wear these jeans, MAN do I have a FANTASTIC back side. Also, don't be afraid to buy skinny jeans. For awhile there I didn't think they would work for me,  I do love them! I even have to buy the super skinny because I have really narrow ankles! But skinny's are great. They are easy to wear boots with and I think just a fun staple to have in the wardrobe. Give it a try!

Next comes my lace ruffled top in red. I LOVE the color red. It is super flattering on my skin tone, and again, depending on the cut of the shirt it can be dressed up or down. This particular shirt has a simple, but cute razor back, so I could wear it without the cardigan, but for now I do and I will tell you why.. but when I talk about the cardigan.  What I like about this top is it has a bold yet feminine touch. The lace and shirt are super soft. Also, the ruffles help to camouflage those hard to hide places, while not adding bulk to my shape.  BUT LISTEN TO ME CLOSELY ON THIS NEXT PART!! I love lace, and I love ruffled shirts, but this is the ONLY, I repeat, ONLY ruffled shirt I own. Do not be fooled by people and style magazines when they say ruffle tops are super flattering for curvier women. THIS IS FALSE!! The RIGHT ruffled shirt can be flattering. Case in point-the one I'm wearing. But, in order to find this shirt, I tried on several different ones. From silk, to cotton, from non-lace to lace. This one worked for me. So, ladies, just because someone says ruffles are flattering, don't buy it, unless you try it on. AND if it makes you look like a box, you feel like a box, or if it doesn't make you look FABULOUS!!! DON'T BUY IT!!

I  shop by that statement. If I don't love it, if I sit there debating over it, I'm never going to wear it. Don't be pulled in by your best friend, your mom, or even your boyfriend when they tell you it looks good. If you don't feel awesome when wearing it, you will regret it.

Okay, sorry, I got a little off tangent. Back to the cream cardigan. This cardigan, is a nice soft neutral cream color, short sleeve and a soft cotton. It is very light and does not button up. It gathers nicely in front and down next to my hips as you can see. The way it sits on me and accents my shirt make me appear a little leaner than I really am.It emphasizes my hidden hourglass figure ;) What is great about this cardigan, is I can pair it will different colors, and several different belt looks. (Which those looks will come later)

So, that is what I wore, my hair was nothing special; just crazy curly. But now I will list where I bought the stuff. WARNING: I buy A LOT of my clothes at RUE 21.

Ruffled Lace Shirt Red: Walmart $10
Cream Cardigan: Rue 21   $3
Black Jeans: Rue 21  $12 (They were part of Rue 21's buy a pair of jeans get one half off)
Black Slouchy Boots: Payless Shoes  GIFT

YUMMY IN MY TUMMY

What I ate was almost perfect. I cheated in a few areas, but nothing to crazy. I'm going to give you a nice menu version of what I ate today:

Breakfast:

1 egg

1/4 cup egg whites

2 small corn tortillas

dash of cheese

hot sauce

Make breakfast tacos!!

First, warm up the tortillas using a flat top and canola oil spray. Next, scramble the eggs. Toss in the tortillas sprinkle with cheese and hot sauce! Easy, delicious and the eggs are a great source of protein for an after work out breakfast. 

Drink:

 

1 cup frozen pineapple

1 thing of light yogurt ( I did cherry flavor today, but you can do pina colada, orange etc.)

1 tsp. vanilla protein shake 

Water

(Blend together and enjoy!)

Lunch:

1 Lean pocket

Banana

Dinner: Chicken Spaghetti Squash Spaghetti

1 cup of Spaghetti Squash

Light Sweet Tomato Basil sauce

1/2 Chicken breast cut into 1 inch pieces. 

Red Pepper Flakes

Pepper

Garlic Powder 

Garlic (for squash)

Butter (for squash)

Season Salt

Baked Asparagus.

Dessert:

1/2 cup of Chocolate Moose Track ice cream ( I know. I was naughty ssshhhh)

Cooking spaghetti squash is extremely easy. I have a great microwave method that frees up your time to worry about the other stuff. 

First, cut your squash in half and remove the inner seeds. Do NOT cut the skin in any other way. Also, cutting the squash is very hard. So get a really good knife and use your muscles.

Once you have it cut and cleaned out place one half  in a tight fitting dish cut side face-up. You don't want your squash moving around. Next, fill it with 1/2 cup water, then place the other have back on cut side down. You should have put the squash back together. 

Place in the microwave on high power between 10 to 25 minutes. Depending on the size of your squash. The way you can tell if it is done, when you touch it, it should be soft and the color should be a vibrant translucent  color. 

Lastly, drain whatever water is left, scrape with a fork, toss with butter, Parmesan cheese, garlic, or anything else you want or leave it plain.

Top with spaghetti sauce and enjoy!

For the chicken, I just tossed it with some red pepper flakes, garlic, and season salt. Cooked it till done and then added the sauce. 

Now is the really really good stuff!!! My asparagus has turned the most veggie hating people into mindless, asparagus craving fiends!! A.K.A my very very picky friends. (You know who you are, and you know I love you any way ;) ). 

 

First, you need to buy the slim asparagus. The fat stalks are nasty!!

Next wash and cut the ends of the stalk. 

Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Bake for 15 min. at 400 F.  Enjoy!!

OFF TO A GREAT START

Well, today wasn't the best day to show you any outfits, because today is laundry day. So I will be lounging around in my sweaty workout clothes while doing house chores and laundry. :s Better luck tomorrow.

Today however has started off on the somewhat right foot today. To be honest, all I wanted to do was lay in my bed curled in the fetal position praying for the womanly pains to go away!! But, I talked myself through it. I'm not going to get where I need to be if I let the pain an the oh so convincing persuasions of my bed keep me from the gym.  I crawled out, threw on my workout clothes, didn't even bother doing my hair (I'm going to get gross and sweaty any way) and went to the gym.

Today I did the elliptical for 1 hour. I usually run or do something else a little more strenous, but I tore the meniscus lining of my right knee, so until further notice, all workouts need to be low impact.  But anyway, back to the elliptical. I did it for 1 hour interval training. My intervals were low 4 and a high 12. I kept a steady pace of 110 strides per minute.  I pretty much wanted to cry, and again curl in the fetal position, due to the pain I was feeling. However, I did it. I worked through it and I couldn't have been more proud!

Now you may be thinking, "1 hour on the elliptical that is a long time." Yes, but it is worth it. I then went to the weight room and grabbed a mat.  I did a few stretches and then got back to work.
Thanks to Pinterest, I cam across a month long program for ab workouts that totally kick my trash

I know it says Mean Abs June. But this workout can be adapted for any month. Heck I'm doing it for October.  Listen up though, this workout gets intense, don't feel like you need to do exactly what the day says, if you need to repeat a day a couple more times, because you know it will continue to give you a workout, that is great! Keep it up! Right now I'm on day 12, and let me tell you, I feel the burn! After I do that, I work my arms out a little more. I do some of the machines- 4 sets of 12 reps. I'll try and mark these down better next time. 

So, that was my morning, it was about 1.5 hours of wonderful, bettering me time.  But, check back later tonight and I will post the foods I ate todayt!

WRITER'S BLOCK

Sooo, I know I haven't written in forever. Reason being- I couldn't figure out the direction I wanted to go. Well everyone, I have figured it out.

I'm going to write about fitness and eating well I know, I know. It sounds like just another fitness blog. We all have seen them, read them, and tried them. BUT! I'm putting a twist to it. Any guess what it could be. I'll give you a few hints. When people become more fit, drop those pounds and gain that lean muscle, what happens to their clothes??? Many people will stick to wearing baggy sweats, hoodies and t-shirts until they hit their goal. But why wait?! Why can't we look fabulous now! Without spending extra money and constantly having to buy new clothes.  So, has anyone guessed what I'm going to write about? Yes! NO! Maybe?  Okay, I wont keep you waiting any longer:

In this blog I will not only tell you the exercises I do, the food I eat, and the constant battling for delicious but OH SO NOT good for me food, but I will show you (or attempt to show you) how to wear your cute clothes differently while still loosing weight. I will try not to buy clothes while throughout this journey, pants being the exemption. (A girl can't walk around with a saggy bottom now can she?) So, let's hope this works. Let's hope I stay on top of it and everything looks good.

Lastly, I'm letting everyone know, I'm not a fashionista, I don't spend a lot of money on clothes, and I'm not into designers.  I'm not afraid to lounge out in sweats and a t-shirt either. There is nothing wrong with it! I would go CRAZY if I couldn't wear my lazy clothes every once in awhile, AND I have natural curly hair, so it will most likely be in its wild and bodacious form. No, this blog is simple. Affordable cute clothes, nothing to crazy in style, but tips and tricks to keep you looking AMAZING without having to buy a new wardrobe every two months or so.

So, until we reach my goal together, be prepared for my journey, have patience with me and let's look GORGEOUS! :D