What Makes You Happy?

The other day I was trying to think of when I was happiest- and I realized it was when I put my health as my top priority. Not work, not school, nothing but my health. I was working out regularly and I was on top of my "diet" (I mean that as in what I ate, not calories counted etc). I was just all around HAPPY! It was such a joy to be on top of my health and finally crush all the naysayers and the food "addiction" (sweet tea, chickfila breakfast biscuits, yogli mogli... no dramatic addiction but in all honesty- the addiction that would make me get out of bed at 1 am and grab some ice cream and hostess rolls....) I was happy and a mere by product of me being on top of my health was the weight loss. The most important part was how I felt- how I looked in my skinny jeans was just a plus.

and naturally, in the months I give up my health and let it take a backseat- oh, surprise- there aren't many pictures of me anywhere ha. But lots of pictures of my BAD food. As though it's something to be proud of...

SOOOOO. All that being said... On October 28 my gym is hosting a paleo challenge... and it's actually the SAME challenge I did two years ago and lost all the weight for the wedding (I took the one month and did it for longer of course... but you know what I mean).


I'm excited to do this because my migraines have returned (the ones that vanished with Whole30), and after working out almost every day...(i'll explain later) I realized that abs are truly made in the kitchen... and I'm not seeing results as great as I was when I was paleo + gym. PLUS... I miss all the energy! I can't wait. I am only blogging because I want to be held accountable. From here on out, I don't want to post instagram food cheats or anything... It's all about accountability. Also, there's nothing for me to worry about since it ends on Thanksgiving. The 30 day challenge begins in 8 days and I wanted to post in case anyone else wanted to join in- I am giving myself a week to meal plan and prepare loads of my tried and trued recipes since the biggest set back is "fail to plan, plan to fail"... I want NO excuses for the challenge. If y'all have any good recipes that you love let me know! I have a paleo pinterest board I'll be going back through as well.


It won't be easy, but it will be worth it. I love hitting the restart button on my body every now and then. But it is a LOT easier than Whole30 haha.

True story. I have been known to eat an entire bag of Entenmann's powdered donuts in one sitting.

If you want to start this challenge with me I would love it! If you do, I highly suggest starting with MEASUREMENTS and PICTURES! and yes, weigh yourself on day 1 and day 30 and THAT IS IT! (DON'T FORGET THE ANTI-SCALE MOVEMENT!)

Anthro had a sale Saturday and I bought some AMAZING Mother jeans that are one size too small... I tried them and they didn't button and I said, "I'm one paleo challenge away... I think I'll get them." So, that's my motivation. The jeans and this awesome dress that I can't even zip. Yet. :)

So, what are you waiting for?! Let's do this!!!!!!! If you have any questions I bet you I have googled it/read a blog post about it and can help shine some light- I'm no expert but I can probably help a little. Also, for reference: our gym is using this link as guidance. Ignore the point system and just go down to the explanation of what is or isn't paleo. I also hope to utilize the "tag" feature of the blog and just have y'all click on paleo or paleo recipes for quick references. Hope I can help in any way, I know I will do better if I just have some accountability!

Productivity

Today was an extremely productive day! Forget that I had to skip my morning class to get things done... at least I didn't waste it sleeping in! I did miss my afternoon work out, and I totally hate it- but things had to get done! This might be a wordy post because I miss y'all and want to fill you in!

Let's just talk about how ridic the Bar Fitness App is... ummm, you really expect me to remember my Supervisor's name from American Eagle when I was 15?!?! I spent the entire day tracking down my traffic violations. I had a lead foot  1968 Mustang as my first car at 16- let's just say I definitely have more than the 4 tickets the records were pulling up... Hoping a trip to the DMV tomorrow will be more conclusive and I won't be penalized for a lapse in memory for forgetting a 2004 speeding ticket!

Anyhow, after a quick detour from the Fulton County Courthouse to my sister's house to play with the kids and take a nap, I finally finished our Save the Dates! I have to keep them a secret (I'm so bad at that) until I send them out and they get it... but let me just say- I'm obsessed!!! Can't wait to share! I know if you follow me on twitter you have seen sneak peeks!

Moving along- I have driven myself CRAZY trying to find outfits for the engagement session this Sunday!! I am SO NERVOUS. Ask my bff, I have spent a whole week looking for stuff and as if that wasn't enough, Ordy and I spent the ENTIRE weekend looking some more! (He needed new jeans and a wallet, I needed a new wardrobe!) In my defense, I have lost a lot of weight and want to lose more, so I couldn't wear some of the stuff that I would want to- but I still can't justify blowing money when I am just trying to get smaller! It's a tough predicament! The upside is after losing 30 lbs I actually fit in old clothes I haven't seen in 5 years, so it's KINDA like new clothes!

After a grand total of 13 different outfit options purchased (trust me, most are going back)... I realized I wasn't being myself. I am so nervous to look awkward or stiff, but most of all outdated. I'm such a classic person I realized I was going overboard with outfits that weren't "ME".

We finally had a successful weekend and I picked up a few classic staples:

I FINALLY got the navy and white gingham top (but can't find navy online) so here's the closest pic...

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and I'm so in love with this classic plaid... I have searched high and low for one and finally caved with this classic look. I love it. You know me and blue, I love the blue base on it.  I couldn't decide between three shirts, I'm happy I went with the two that I did....

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I was looking for a yellow cardigan everywhere and went with this mustardish yellow one... I figure it'll do great for fall weather when I usually wear cardigans... 

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Ordy was feeling a little left out... haha so I scooped up this amazing comfy hoodie for him as a Christmas present. He hates that he has to wait :) 

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AND YESSSSSSS, I finally did it. After years of only owning BLACK riding boots, I'm the proud owner of the amazing Frye boots I was debating purchasing! They didn't have dark brown, so I'm still figuring out if I should keep the cognac until I can find dark brown somewhere... great investment. So excited!

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whoooohooo!

I want to ask you guys a question... RED PANTS, yes or no? Personally, I love them. But enough to have them in my pictures forevvveerrr? Hm. Not so sure...

Decisions, decisions... I wish I could have a wardrobe planner. To let me know what I will and won't regret! I have been looking high and low for a cute long sleeved navy lace dress, but no... only white, beige, or black. Madewell had a great blush one- but I decided to keep looking. Maybe within the next 5 days I'll have an outfit scream "WEAR ME!!!" and all my problems will be solved! Wishful thinking. Until then, pin away cute outfit ideas for me!

WIWW Summer But No Shorts!

I think it's hilarious that a compliment for me is when I'm told I dress "classy, like an older woman..." and when I get dressed and ask Ordy how I look, he says, "like a hot 50 year old!" <--- and that makes me happy. Am I weird?!?! 

Shirt: Gap

Pants: Forever 21

Watch: Michael Kors

Sandals: Sister gifted

Side Note: Light Hair!

Cardigan: Target

Undershirt: Old Navy

Linen Pants: Forever 21

Watch: Michael Kors

Shirt: Poetry

Jeans: JEGGINGS!

Sandals: 365

Here is the outfit in action hahaha with Ordy Boy just lounging outside hanging with family :)

White linen ruffle shirt: Banana Republic

Khaki: H & M

Sandals: 365

Last-minute hair-do = braid and headband!

Sweater: Gap

Pants: Limited

Sandals: Puerto Rican store

I was deciding shoes and this is the only picture I thought to take! I was asked to host at the restaurant I work at during the summer and this was it- only imagine two of those shoes :)

Top: H&M 

Black skinnies: Forever 21

Shoes: DSW

WIWW! Finally Back!

Is there a rule against combining three weeks of WIWW from your camera but couldn't post because of finals? Oh, Lindsey, I hope not! HAHA! Linking up with the Pleated Poppy for the first time in a LONG time!! Starting from Easter Weekend on...

Dinner out with Ordy Boy: 

Dress: Nordstrom Rack

Cardigan: NY&CO 

Easter Morning!

Cardigan: Same NY&Co one

Dress: Old Navy

Belt: Forever 21

Shoes: Puerto Rican store find

Necklace: BFF's Borrowed

Class Outfit: (I tricked Emily into thinking I wasn't wearing an elastic waistband like I normally do... I totally was. JEGGINGS!)

Shirt: Target BF tee

Jeggings: TJMaxx

Shoes: Same PR ones

Cardigan: Nordstrom Rack

Yard Sale Day:

Harajuku Lovers Shirt

Rich & Skinny Jeans

Puerto Rican shoe store (racking up on those sandals!) 

Final:

Thrifted Plaid Shirt

Rich & Skinny Jeans

Rainbow Sandals

Gap Terry Cloth Hoodie 

LAST FINAL EVER!

(Out shopping with my adorable Bobo!)

Shirt: Gift from my Step Mom

Seven Skinny Jeans

Gap City Flats

Premiere Night to Something Borrowed with my sis!

The lovely Emily Giffin (Author of Something Borrowed) and I!

Target Tank

NY&Co Blazer

Tory Burch Clutch

Black Skinny Jeans 

Adorable Shoes!

Running Errands- doing nothing- ENJOYING SUMMER!

American Eagle Tanktop
Target Cardi
Nordstrom Rack Cargo pants
Charlotte Russe Sandals


And that's that!! Hope y'all dont mind the mash up! I am so happy to get back into WIWW! Bring on the accountability :) Although, I will say... For my anniversary gift this weekend, I had Ordy get me running gear to get me motivated to start working out... so I'm afraid future WIWW might consist of athletic clothes! I HAVE TWO BEACH TRIP PLANS APPROACHING!! AHH!!! At least they're cute! Right?

WIWW-Pre-Snowed-In-Edition

While typing this post, I realize how NEUTRAL my clothing choices are... I almost feel repetitive, if not completely predictable... 

i spy a lazy mutt

It started off a beautiful day when I put this outfit on to run errands {go the the Apple store and my sewing class} but while in the mall, I walked out to my car in pouring rain- pools of water all around and it was cold! Definitely wishing I had my galoshes on instead! 

Sweater: X-mas present from my sis

Undershirt: Silk shirt from Gap- I LOVE

Skinny Pants: Forever 21

Shoes: GAP city flats = my fav. again, x-mas from the sis. 

 Shirt: Gap
Jeans: Level X
Shoes: TOMS {X-mas present from Ordy Boy}
Purse: Tory Burch, another X-mas present

Looking back, this sweater probably isn't the best for my larger frame, it drapes and just makes all my big features bigger!

Sweater: One I bought in France that one day
Jeans: forever 21 black Skinnies
Shoes: Burberry {random gift from sis}
Purse: TB

On our day antiquing in Madison...

Sweater: Gap

Jeans: Citizens of Humanity

Shoes: Gap City Flats, although it got so chilly I put on Uggs

Sweater: Gift
Shirt: GAP
Jeans: Seven
Shoes: Gap City Flats


Just know, the rest of the days of the week were spent in the same pjs on the same couch while this was outside the house: