Lazy Sunday

Today has been the laziest day I have had in weeks, and it was just what I needed. I have been so busy lately that I have had barely anytime to breathe let alone relax. (Working two jobs is tiresome! I can not wait until two turns into one full time. Fingers crossed it will happen soon.)

So today, I wasn’t feeling the greatest and decided to call in sick to job #2 – formerly job #1 but since I started at my newest job it has been demoted to #2 – and it was the best decision I’ve made all week. I literally did nothing. I pinned on pinterest, tracked Irene to see if we would be hit, napped, and just lazed around.

And got lots of cuddles in with this pretty girl

Now I am refreshed and renewed for a great week ahead!

Which is going to include getting my butt back in gear for training for my first 5k. I have accepted that I might be running out of time to really train properly for it, and that I might have to have a few walking breaks but I am determined to do it.

So. True.

I don’t know if I can call myself a runner yet, but I will soon. I want to be, and isn’t that half the battle?

New Loves

Hi!

This is going to be such a random post, but I’ve been all over the place lately so I thought I would share some of my new found loves of the past week or so!

First up – Food!

I am *obsessed* with baked oatmeal, it seems to be the only way I make it lately. I based my recipe off of one I found on The Edible Perspective, except I made a few modifications:

• 1/3c rolled oats
• 1/2 banana
• 1 egg*
• 1/4t baking powder
• 3T milk (I used 1%)*
• 1/2T vanilla extract
• 1t cinnamon
• 1/4t ginger
• pinch of nutmeg/cloves
• 1 packet of stevia (I only have little packets like for coffee)*

Basically I just mix it all together, put it in a greased oven safe dish and bake for about 30-35 minutes! **And then of course add a gob of peanut butter on top Oh and the “ * ” are the changes I made. For the original recipe (with other ideas too - click here!)

Steaz Peach Iced Tea – SO good! I’m addicted, I can’t go to Superstore now without picking one up. I wish I could find them by the case though, it gets expensive buying them one at a time. Even a little 4 pack would be better.

Beauty!

Joe Fresh “Khaki” nail polish. I was pining over Essie Sew Psyched, but when I was looking for it at Superstore, I noticed this one on display. It’s the exact same shade but was $6.00 cheaper – yes please! It isn’t as good quality as Essie but I like to change up my nail polish pretty frequently so that’s ok.

 

GNC wellBeing Vitamins in beBEAUTIFUL. To be honest I have only taken these for a few days now but I have high hopes for them. All of the reviews I can find on them are great so I’m very optimistic they will work! They are supposed to strengthen your hair and nails (and supposedly help your skin too but I got them for the nails and hair benefits). I have super fine hair that breaks easy due to many years of highlights and coloring so I’m hoping these will help from the inside out! Also, my nails have been super “peel-y” and breaking way too easily lately as well.

Random!

I have been playing this song on repeat for the past few days. I love love love it!

That’s it for now! I’ll be back later this week with a more fitness related post.

xox

Busy Bee

I sure know how to pick a week to come back. I’ve been quite the busy, busy bee this week, and it’s only Wednesday!

For starters, I am working 50.5 hours this week. Yepp, you read that right, 50.5. Why am I working so much? Because…drum roll please…

I got a new job!  

Since I was offered the position after my schedule for my other job had been posted, I had to do some shuffling around with my schedule and this was the best I could do. I am going to stay at my old job for a while, but after this week it won’t be nearly as crazy because I can schedule it in advance around my new positions hours.

Want to know the best part about my new job?!?! It is in my chosen field! Yes, that’s right. I have finally found an Accounting position. I have found my “big girl job”!!! And I couldn’t be happier.

Now I have to really start meal planning and cooking meals ahead of time (probably on Sundays), as well as really making sure to schedule my workouts for the week. Even if it’s just a quick workout dvd when I get home, it’s better than nothing! I am going to try to get at least 3-4 workouts in a week.

Right now though, I’m exhausted so I am going to keep this post short. I just wanted to let you know what’s been going on with me and that I haven’t forgotten about this!

Right Now

I found this over at Caitlin’s blog, Eat Pray Pilate, and decided to do it too! (ps. if you don’t read her blog yet, you should. Definitely one of my favorites!)

Listening: Honey Bee - Blake Shelton

Eating: Nothing

Drinking: Sugar-Free Red Bull

Feeling: Sleepy and a little crabby, but it’s getting better!

Wondering: What I should wear on Monday.

Thinking: Trying to decide which TurboFire workout I want to do this evening, or if I should just go for a walk/jog outside since it’s finally nice out again.

Loving: This picture

[source]

                                                    (currently my desktop background)

Not Loving: The fact that I am completely broke and Sephora just opened yesterday at the mall. Bah Humbug :(

Needing: Highlight and a trim - desperately. It’s been ages since my last appointment. Ooh, and new work clothes.

Also on my mind: I hope this day goes by fast.. working on the weekends is never fun.

I’m Back!

I’ve shaken those awful “Mean Red’s” and now everything is back to a very happy shade of pink

I suppose I should give an explanation for my random disappearance though, I at least owe you that!

In a nut shell: I felt like everything that could go wrong was going wrong. I was getting exceptionally discouraged with the job hunt, was stressed and tired from work, was ashamed of falling off the healthy wagon yet again, and had a slight health scare.

My usual reaction when life starts throwing what feels like a million curve balls my way is to want to curl up in a ball and wish it all away. I couldn’t actually do that, but I “went into hiding” by taking a slight hiatus from blogging. That, a little vacay with Brandon and the in-laws, a couple of doctors appointments and some much needed relaxation/family time did the trick! I’m feeling great and have some good news to share soon!

I’m absolutely exhausted tonight though, so I’m going to leave it at this. If anyone still reads this, expect regular posts again! I’ve got lots to fill you in about!

The Mean Reds

I’ve decided to take a break… I will be back in a couple weeks but right now my hearts not in blogging. I’m going through some stuff right now, and just can’t find anything to blog about without being whiny or complaining or just depressing.

What I’ve got is a serious case of the Mean Reds.

If you’ve ever seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s you will get what I mean, if not here’s a clip for you:

The Mean Reds
Breakfast at Tiffany's at MOVIECLIPS.com

Part of my solution to get rid of the Mean Red’s? Watch this and many other movies like it – they always make me feel better.
Oh, and some quality time with Brandon too

For now, I guess I will “see”  you later! (I will still be reading all of your blogs though for sure!)

xox

She finally decided to show up!

Hey!

Sorry I have been a little MIA for the past few days. I have a good explanation though!

Wednesday night/Thursday morning, this little one decided to make an appearance:

Introducing my newest niece Julianne!

So for the past few days I have been no where near my computer. It’s been sleep, work, and going over to help my sister out. She also just moved on Friday (when she planned the move she thought she would have had the baby a little while before but of course she was overdue) so she needed help taking care of her girls and unpacking.

I’ve gotta say, it was so hard leaving them at the end of the day. I lived with my sister when she had my first niece Vanessa so I was spoiled with being able to see her so much! Luckily my sister is only a short drive away (but a long annoying bus ride!) so as soon as I can get a car I can visit a whole lot more.

I’ll be back later with a normal post!

xox

Lazy Post

Working the night shift this week has been awful for trying to stay on schedule for blogging! As soon as I get in the door all I want to do is crash, and that includes tonight. Hopefully tonight is my last night shift for a while!

I am going to keep tonight’s post light on words, with a couple pictures of the highlights of the last few days. I’m too tired to put much more effort in that that

My eats have been pretty good overall the past few days, but I had little to no will power when it came to sweets this week (damn hormones!). I tried to keep them in moderation as much as I could and I’m not beating myself up too much about my indulgences because I know I did really well with everything else. I even finished my first week of Couch to 5K. (Which reminds me, my explanation of why I switched is coming tomorrow)

        Smoothies are always better in a wine glass!

Open-faced tuna sandwich – I always seem to eat these and tuna melts a lot during the summer

Had my niece for a visit, we made brownies and she was quality control


Brandon and I went to Crystal Crescent Beach – it was a perfect morning at the beach!

                                                  Gorgeous!

Goodnight!

Winning!

Dontcha just love free things? Especially when you win them?

The other day on Facebook I noticed my local mall had a contest on to promote the new stores opening up this summer. Normally I ignore these but I decided to give it a shot. They had three t-shirts in a picture and you had to tag yourself in the one you thought was from one of the new stores. Apparently I was one of the people who picked the right one and my name was entered in a draw and I won! I thought it was for the t-shirt itself but it turns out it was for a mall gift card for the price of the t-shirt . Which I suppose makes sense, it’s a lot easier than having one of every size ready since they wouldn’t know what size I am.

I decided to look around the mall to see if I could find any good deals, and wow there were tons!
Who knew the end of the season was July ?

I finally settled on these shorts from Aeropostale - on sale for only $12 (regularly $39.95)!  Normally I avoid this store as it’s not my usual ‘style’ plus I find the sizes make me feel giant (definitely geared for younger shoppers) but they had some great sales and I really needed new shorts so I figured I’d give it a shot.

                                [source]

I kind of maybe want to cut out the tag with the size on it. Even though I know their clothes run super small, it still sucks having to buy a size much larger than I am used to. Colleen from The Lunchbox Diaries did a great post on buying what fits, not what size you wish you were/want to be. I made sure to remember that while in the fitting room today.

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Daily eats (No pictures unfortunately) but here’s what I had:

Breakfast – two pieces of French toast (whole wheat toast, 1.5 eggs – well I used two but there was still a fair amount of egg left in the dish afterwards so that’s what I’m guessing I used) and I tried to go easy on the syrup. Not the healthiest I know but I had a crazy craving for it.

Lunch – California Roll made with brown rice and a Nature Valley granola bar

Snack – A pita with peanut butter and jelly all wrapped up

Supper – A piece of salmon with a cup of frozen veggies (broccoli, carrots and cauliflower) + a peach.

Not bad overall. We are running low on groceries so I’m trying to get creative with what we have left.

Barbie got her toilet!

Today was my nieces 3rd birthday! 

I can’t believe it’s been three years already! I’m not even a parent but I’m still going to say it – they grow up so fast!

My sister threw a little family party for her which was mostly adults but she had one little girl to play with so she still had fun. We BBQ’d, ate cake, and best of all opened presents! She knew a little more about what was going on this year so all day she was asking to open her presents, the wait was killing her! She specifically asked for her “Happy Birthday Presents”.

She definitely loved her presents, especially her Barbie car from Brandon and I and her Barbie bath set including a Barbie tub and TOILET. She was so excited for that! For weeks she has been complaining that her Barbie’s didn’t have three things – a car, a toilet, and a Barbie daddy (that’s what she thinks Ken is) It was too funny, but she got all three! Barbie and Vanessa’s lives are now complete .

                                           “Clothes?!? Really?!!?”

I don’t know if you can tell from this picture or not.. but I have another niece on her way any day now! Hopefully tomorrow or Saturday while my Dad is still in town – fingers are crossed!

Can’t wait for another little princess to spoil That’s an aunt’s job didn’t you know?

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On another note – tomorrow I am going to start doing a daily eats post. I know I said I wasn’t going to when I originally started my blog but I feel like at least in the beginning it will be really helpful. 

xox

Letttt’s try that again…

So, I have a confession to make…

I kind of maybe super failed at my first attempt at training for my 5k.

Like big time failed.

Like out of 6 workouts in 2 weeks I only got in maybe…three?

I had the best intentions, really! And I don’t mean to make a bunch of excuses but last week I really was sick. Well, kind of sick. More like I had a migraine for 4 days straight. Seriously.. Monday-Thursday I was popping ibuprofen and allergy meds like my life depended on it. Allergies + a low pressure system + hormones = practically dying Meaghan.

BUT – I’m going to say that was just bad luck/bad timing. And is not going to be a regular “excuse”.
So, I am starting over tomorrow. For real this time I have already scheduled my workouts into my planner for the week so I can’t pretend like I don’t have the time!

Now that I have that off of my chest – lets catch up!

I haven’t blogged in a week or so (something I am also blaming on my headaches.. I stare at a computer screen at work all day and couldn’t even consider looking at it when I got home too).  So since Mon-Thurs was very uneventful, lets talk about the weekend!

Friday was the first day in a long time I finally got to spend some QT with my kitchen. I hadn’t baked or really cooked in way too long (true story – Brandon has been cooking a lot for me lately, or we have been eating quick little meals…not cooking to enjoy but to eat. Boring!) so I itching to get cooking!

First, I made Andrea's marinara sauce.

Can I just say how much I *lovelovelovelovelove* this sauce?! Because I really do.

I’ve made it a couple times now and the love is only growing stronger. If you haven’t made it yet, do it. Now.. here’s the link. No excuses now!

Mmmm – it smelled "*so* good! Lots of garlic and onion – how could it not?!

The finished product! Not the best picture I know (and not even all of it!). I had already started putting everything away and I realized I had super slacked on the picture taking so I quickly took a picture of this container.

After the sauce was finished, I decided to get my bake on and make some delicious looking cookies I found on Jessica's blog. Brown sugar blueberry cookies to be exact!

Blueberries were also on sale for 1.99/pint this week so I took it as a sign I just HAD to make them

Except mine didn’t look quite as pretty as her’s… in fact they didn’t even really look like cookies.

 

 

 

 

  vs.

 

                                                                                 [source]

More like random mini scone type things. Which is weird because I followed it to a T (tee? tea? I really don’t get that phrase…oh well!) and apparently I wasn’t the only one. I read through her comments and it happened to a couple of other people as well. At least they still tasted great!

Another great thing about this weekend? 
EARLY BIRTHDAY PRESENTS!

Brandon, the wonderful man he is, decided to give me my birthday presents a couple days early. He knew I was having a rough week (on top of the headache I also found out I didn’t get that job I interviewed for a couple weeks back) and knew just how to cheer me up.

(plus some unpictured/already devoured chocolates from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory)

He listens to hints well . I couldn’t really think of any one thing that I really wanted this year but he knew I have been eyeing some new products at MAC, knew I desperately needed a new planner, and have been wanting to try the shatter nail polish! I couldn’t have asked for more!

I’ve already tried the shatter a couple times (it’s a real b*tch to get off!) and this is my favorite combo so far:

The picture doesn’t do it justice really… the blue is actually much darker in real life. And don’t mind my little kid hands haha.

And that’s the highlights of my weekend! Now I am going to spend the rest of my birthday eve curled up watching my favourite movie of all time (Funny Face) and get my beauty sleep.

How was your week/weekend?? What’s your favourite movie?

Training has begun!

Hii! How are ya?!
I am in SUCH a good mood today!!  

The sun is shining, it’s the perfect temperature out – super warm with a nice breeze, and I have the day off! I couldn’t ask for more right now. Especially since it has been raining for over a month! Seriously, a couple days ago I read that it had rained 35 out of the past 40 days here in Hali. So to finally have a nice day AND be off to enjoy it is amazing!

So far my day has been pretty great. I woke up without an alarm, made some toast for breakfast and watched last nights Bachelorette episode.

Speaking of which – how the heck is Bentley allowed to stay?! Judging by the “on the next” preview he seems to be leaving, but on his own accord! Shouldn’t the producers have done something first? I know it makes for more dramatic episodes but that’s just not right. Oh, and mask boy needs to stop being so creepy! *When there are this many people I can’t keep all of their names straight.. so random nicknames will be made up

During the rose ceremony I decided to start getting ready to go outside for a walk… then this happened:

Don’t worry. I still ended up wearing sunscreen, I just got distracted that’s all! Even with the sunscreen I am still a little red in my face.. I’m thinking I’m going to have to bump up my SPF 30 to 50 or something along those lines. And buy some hats.. big pretty floppy hats. Actually that’s probably not going to happen. I look like a complete tool in hats. I’ve tried.. but I just look silly so I have basically given up. Oh well!

I went for a 3 mile (5k) walk on a beautiful trail that is super close to my apartment. I haven’t gone on the trail in a while and I forgot how much I loved it! Its got some crazy steep hills too so it was a little challenging too. I was a hot and sweaty mess when I got home and couldn’t have been happier.

Today’s walk was actually day 2 of my 6 week program to run a 5k! I still want to run in the Valley Harvest Marathon and have convinced my mom to join me so I have to get my butt in gear for training! I have a friend from work who is actually going to be doing it too! I’m still trying to convince Brandon to do it.. we’ll see about that! I was trying to figure out a way to show you the plan on here, but it won’t work so here’s the link. I made it into a spreadsheet so it is easier to follow and will be printing it off and putting it on my fridge to keep track! I might also buy stickers to mark off the days as I complete them – who doesn’t love little gold stars?!

For the rest of the day I am planning on getting busy in the kitchen. I am going to make some blondies, maybe some marinara sauce I have been meaning to make, and prepping for tonights BBQ! I am making my first homemade burgers so I will let you know how they go!

xoxo

Grad, Dad, and an Interview!

Hey!!!

I’m backkkkk! My internet is finally fixed and life has calmed down a bit for now so I can finally get back to normal!

So what’s new? Well first of all…

I am officially a University grad! The ceremony was ridiculously long, but so worth it. I am happy to report I did not trip! But I didn’t pause long enough for my picture to be taken so I had to awkwardly back track a bit. I was just so focused on getting across that stage! I was so happy that all of my family was there as well. I had quite the entourage – they took up a whole row! The Chancellor actually told me “I can tell which row is yours!”

My Dad and Step-mom flew in from BC for my graduation. It was such an amazing visit. My dad finally got to meet my niece in person (they have only talked over skype until now), and meet my sisters boyfriend fiance for the first time as well!

We made sure to do/eat as many quintessential East Coast things as possible while they were here – there are some things we just do better out here!

We had donairs, went to the Lower Deck and the Old Triangle, and on the last night of our visit we had lobster (or spiders as my niece wanted to call them ) for supper – oh and mussels too!

(My Step-mom, sister and me!)

Oh and you can’t forget the wine – Nova Scotian as well! It was from Jost but I can’t remember the name of it.

We also got to use my graduation gift while my Dad was here:

I don’t have any pictures of when we actually used it while he was here, but I just needed to show you anyway!

I really wasn’t expecting a grad gift, because honestly I know flying across the country isn’t exactly cheap so to me that was a gift itself, but I am so excited I finally have a BBQ! And this one is SO much better than the cheapo one I was planning on buying from Wal-Mart!
I basically plan on BBQing every meal I possibly can now especially now that it is finally starting to get hot out!

So remember that phone interview I mentioned last week? Apparently I rocked it because on Tuesday I got a call asking me to come in for an actual interview on Thursday!

I think the interview went well – I made sure to prepare as much as I possibly could. I researched the company, practiced answers and googled as many possible questions as I could. And since this all happened so quick – I seriously didn’t think I would get a call that fast – I had to run out and buy a suit! I really didn’t have anything I thought was good for an interview so a last minute shopping trick was in order!

This is what I ended up with :

I felt so professional!  

Now it’s just a matter of waiting. They have my references and said they would be making a decision by the end of this week so I have all my fingers crossed until then. It would be so amazing if I could get this job. I’m trying not to get my hopes up because I know they were interviewing other people as well but I can’t help but daydream about how AWESOME it would be to get it!

Plus – they are right next door to a Goodlife! Which means I would have ZERO excuse not to go after work most days!

So that’s what was going on with me when I disappeared! It was a great and crazy week and I loved every second of it.

xox