beautydetermined: Archive

“Making resolutions is a cleansing ritual of self assessment and repentance that demands personal honesty and, ultimately, reinforces humility. Breaking them is part of the cycle.” —

Quoted by Eric Zorn

Ahh, so it’s time for a New Year’s Resolution update! Today is the last day in January… where did the last 31 days go?

1.) Curve saying “F”!

There’s been improvement. I’m now AWARE of when and how many times I use this faaavorite word of mine. I like to add “-er” “-ing” “-ed” on to the end so I’m easily able to fit this lovely word into PLENTY of sentences. At least I have a whole year to work on this, right?

2.) Run a half marathon! Get excited, I start training this week. I ran 6-miles of hills on Saturday and had a 3-mile interval run on Wednesday. More to come as the weeks go on… and my ankle continues to heal.

3.) Stay in shape! I’m doing great. Continuing to eat lots of vegetables, fruits, proteins, whole grains, ~~peanut butter~~, ~~cupcakes~~, and ~~cookies~~. It’s all about proportions and exercise! I’ve lost 14 lbs since October and feel great.

4.) More art work! Decorating cupcakes count right? Ugh, I refuse to break this resolution and am glad I’m giving myself a monthly update. Projects will come! Projects will come!

5.) Read more! SCORE!

I just finished Jonathan Trooper’s “This is Where I Leave You” (an easy and perfectly sarcastic read that I should have read for book club over a year ago). Maybe my group won’t kick me out now?

I also read “Room” by Emma Donoghue for my 2nd book club group (I know, what was I thinking?) I loved this book! I thought it was extremely gripping with emphasis on a universal story of parenthood and childhood. The book was also written in the perspective of a 5-year old boy… pretty unique, right?

I’m trying to finish “Dark Vineyard” by Martin Walker by tomorrow evening to make that 3 books for January! The translation from French to English makes the read awkward at times, but overall I love the plot.

BOOM. 3. BOOM. 3. BOOM

6.) Tyler!

We celebrated an awesome couple of days of “11 years of Making Out” this weekend. Wine tasting at Triangle Wine Company for McManis Family wines by one of our Wisdom sales reps and then date night at Bella Mia’s in Cary on Friday, which has become one of our favorite restaurants… http://bellamiacoalfire.com/

Saturday, awesome blow-out fight over cleaning the house - yes, this happens to completely happy-in-love-couples too, don’t worry, we followed that with snuggle time and a great dinner with our friends Bart and Kristy at Capital Club 16 in Raleigh, which has also become one of our go-to date night restaurants! http://www.capitalclub16.com/

Sunday, we shared a wonderful breakfast at La Farm Bakery in Cary on Sunday with the Dellisanti’s. Yes! Two dates with them! Lucky us! Followed by a visit to Wilson to spend time with Tyler’s parents. Cookies and freshly baked bread in tow, great conversations, much-loved company, and a yummy dinner made for a wonderful end to the weekend.

I say… I’m doing well with my 2012 resolutions this year! Now to fit in some ART WORK.

How are you guys coming along with yours? Should I get out my pom-poms? I don’t have any, but I’ll gladly make some. :)

xoxo

Jan 31, 2012

#resolution #weight #healthy #shape #read #walker #half marathon #bellamia #theroom #capitalclub16 #lafarm #trianglewinecompany #mcmanis #darkvineyard #thisiswhereileaveyou

Jan 30, 20122 notes

#bakerella #chocolate #cookie #cookingwithelise #mason jar #pinterest #baby #shower #thankyou #allrecipes

“I have sporadic OCD cleaning moments around the house. But then I get lazy and I’m cured. It’s a very inconsistent personality trait.” —

Quoted by Chris Hemsworth

Boo! Today is early spring cleaning at Beans and Rosco’s pad today. Tyler is off work and I’m full of energy and caffeine after a great 6 mile run, so we have NO excuse to NOT get this house in tip-top shape. I love a clean, organized house and we’ve been so busy since the holidays, the mess has really caught up and I’m going NUTSO.

Back to back weekend events like; New Year’s weekend, my wisdom teeth removal, Tyler working every weekend, lots of cupcake orders means shoving the clean laundry piles on your living room couches into your bedroom and stuffing as many “I’ll go through this later” piles of paper into your drawers. And, was that a bunny I just saw in the corner of the bathroom? Phew, no… just built up dust and hair. AWESOME. Enough’s enough… no cupcakes or fun crafts today. My project is CLEAN HOUSE.

Waaaaaaaaa…

xoxo

Jan 28, 2012

Jan 26, 20122 notes

#cupcake #etsy #getthepartystarted #groceryadvice #party #shimmerink #toppers #cricut

Jan 25, 201211 notes

#tier #cupcake #america #love

Jan 24, 20124 notes

#cupcake #dessert #patriotic #4th of july #party #cake #icing

Jan 21, 20126 notes

#cupcake #tier #cupcake stand #The Loft #Natty Greene #craft

Jan 20, 20123 notes

#dog #cupcake

Jan 20, 20122 notes

#valentine #wreath #decomesh #pinterest #craft #homemade #lillyspace #sheskindacrafty #thriftydecorating #design-aholic #tipjunkie #tatertotsandjello #cupcake liners

The Hunt for the Best Tomato Basil Soup

I didn’t blog yesterday so I could participate in the blackout for SOPA and PIPA: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16628143… please read if you’re a blogger, enjoy pictures, etc on the internet, or a social media junkie like me. I feel we need to fight for the future… no more censorship. The Patriot Act was enough and we should have fought more to stop that in 2002.

I don’t always voice my political opinions since in the past years with social media, I feel people hide behind their computers and attack incognito or as themselves. Hmm, makes it so much harder to voice your opinion and be mean to your enemies in PERSON!

That’s all for now! I’m a little hot and heavy with all the political information being posted on Facebook, Twitter, etc these days. I just wish people would actually educate themselves instead of just posting what they find on underground websites or through a MIL forwarded email. Some of the pictures and quotes I see are just ridiculous and completely un-educated thoughts, but thankfully we have the freedom of the Internet to embarrass ourselves on Facebook.

Thank you America… your voice in opposition was heard this week, now let’s do this again for a stronger topic!

___________

Onto my FOODIE thoughts for the day. I am on a quest for the BEST Tomato Basil Soup! Tyler and I tried a very simple recipe last night: canned tomatoes, garlic, onions, olive oil, fresh basil, salt and pepper, but it left us craving more! I found Ina Garten’s recipe for Roasted Tomato Basil Soup that I will try this weekend, but ultimately I need to make something like the soup my friend Tracie bought me this week from Tobacco Road: http://www.tobaccoroadsportscafe.com/menu/soupsandsalads.html

So yummy and thick! Since I’ve had my wisdom teeth out, Tracie was very concerned about trying to feed me for our date this week. She baked diced sweet potatoes and served chucks of lightly salted avocados to me with my Tobacco Road Tomato Basil Soup. She’s a keeper! I was very thankful for her company and a healthy meal. <3

NOW, if I could just replicate Tobacco Road’s Tomato Basil Soup! Anyone have a good recipe? Be sure to get a bowl when you go… a cup’s not enough.

XOXO

Jan 19, 2012

#Tobacco Road #Tomato Basil Soup #wisdom teeth removal #SOPA #PIPA #tracie

projectbabyblog:

I stumbled upon a blogger message board last week. The topic of discussion was if mommy bloggers are “real” and do they make other moms feel crappy about themselves. At first I was stunned to read this. There were HUNDREDS of comments. One person said that some new moms blame the …

Jan 17, 201222 notes

#baby #new mom #why i blog

Jan 16, 20125 notes

#cupcakes #cuffedforlife #baked #desserts #art #icing #apple #cinnamon

What I Am Craving...

I really want a greasy cheeseburger… and some crunchy chips with salsa or a terrible cheese dip for me. Eating soft foods for days is miserable! I need food people.

I’ve been drinking protein shakes, eating mashed sweet potatoes, and my mom’s carrot soup! YUM, thank you Mama! As soon as I’m in the clear, I’m taking Tyler to Char-Grill or Five Guys for a cheeseburger date… with tons of french fries. Surely he won’t mind!

Luckily enough, my wisdom teeth removal went very well. I’m healing quickly and the pain killers forced me to rest this weekend since they make me very nauseous, so I definitely didn’t get too much done on my “to-do” list. That’s ok, right? It’s already giving me anxiety! I thrive on productive weekends…

I did learn some new really cool recipes! I basically tortured myself watching FoodNetwork the past few days, while I really couldn’t eat or do anything really. Paula Deen (who has diabetes now… sigh), Giada de Laurentiis, Ina Garten, Chuck Hughes, and others made me salivate this whole weekend. I just frantically took notes as ALL of their appetizers, entrees, and desserts looked AMAZING.

Any good soup recipes out there? I need some ideas for the rest of this week. Protein shakes aren’t going to cut it!

Eat a cookie for me. Sleep tight!

xoxo

Jan 15, 20126 notes

#Five Guys #wisdom teeth #carrot soup #foodnetwork #giada

Jan 13, 20122 notes

#brown sugar scrub #jet pitch #homemade #gift

AHH, I’m freaking right now, because when I wrote this blog I actually queued it to post AFTER my surgery. SO, technically I still have my four wisdom teeth right now….. BUT as you read this, I really don’t!

Get it? Surely, I don’t… I’m sure I’m super drugged right now.

I thought this artwork on teeth would be perfect for my events of the day! Click on the blog title… different, right? Who even knew there was an industry for art on teeth.

And, no… I won’t be keeping my wisdom teeth like Tyler did. YUCK! I don’t want to see those gnarly things!

I’ll be MIA for a few days, so have a great weekend! Love to you all. Be sure to eat cakes and cookies for me since I’ll be eating slimy baby food and boring yogurt for a few days. YUM!

xoxoxo

Jan 12, 2012

Jan 10, 20121 note

#cupcake #cake #dessert #valentine #hearts #sampler

Jan 9, 20121 note

#heart #valentine #marshmallow fondant #cupcake

Jan 8, 20124 notes

#cupcake #owl #marshmallow fondant #emboss #baked #icing #baby shower theme

Jan 7, 20127 notes

#marshmallow fondant #cupcake toppers

Update on New Year's Resolutions

1.) Curve saying “F”! I say “F” a lot. Help me. Please.

2.) Run a half marathon! I’m slowly but surely getting runs in. My poor ankle’s having a tough time with hills, which I honestly love to run, but at this point I’m just thankful for each mile I’m able to complete.

3.) Stay in shape! New Year’s was way worse than Christmas. I didn’t even have a glass of wine or beer, but I definitely made up for those calories in desserts and eating out. This week has been a recovery week with less sugar, more veges, lots of water, and good proteins.

4.) More art work! Working on some small projects, but nothing major yet. I need a non-event, solid weekend to get going. I’m scheduling in some hours for Saturday and Sunday.

5.) Read more! Yay, I’ve read every day this week… other blogs count too, right? :)

6.) Tyler! We need a date night for just us. Hopefully Sunday night!

Did you notice I had 6 goals? Not 5? I miss-typed the numbers on my blog post for New Years… oops! I guess I have a stretch goal this year.

How are you coming along? No excuses. Get moving!

xoxo

Jan 6, 2012

beautydetermined

February 2012

20 posts

January 2012

24 posts