Bathing Suit Shopping

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Colleen
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Things that are better than going bathing  suit shopping:

  1. Traffic
  2. A stingy bar tender
  3. Math
  4. Taking a bite of pizza too soon after it comes out of the oven, resulting in burning the bejesus out of the top of your mouth.
  5.  Knowing that Ryan Gossling isn’t single
  6. Having to stop to get gas
  7. Stubbing your toe
  8. Sweet Frog being out of rainbow sprinkles
  9. That ravenous/belligerent feeling you get when you know dinner is still 30 minutes away and you’re thisclose to gnawing your arm off.
  10. Getting weighed at the doctor, while constipated, in the middle of the day, after you’ve eaten breakfast and lunch.


Posted in Life, Random | Tagged | 21 Comments

Workout Motivation

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Colleen
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Here’s the truth: Lately, my motivation for working out has been less than stellar. I know that it’s a combination of laziness, boredom, and the lack of a workout buddy.

Read: POOR EXCUSES.

When I find myself hating the gym, I have to hit the reset button and find a way to re-motivate myself. “Thin-spiration” doesn’t work for me; in all honesty it does the exact opposite.

via thinspiration-pictures.blogspot.com – yes, that’s real.

As cheesy as it sounds, motivational quotes have the ability to seriously get my ass in gear. It’s funny how Life works, because today’s Body Attack instructor told the class (at least three times):

There will come a day when we can no longer do this – but today is not that day.

That quote genuinely inspired me get through some awful, terrible, I-just-want-to-stop-this moments in class.

So, I TRULY want to know – what inspires YOU to get out there and sweat?! 

 

Posted in Workouts | Tagged | 19 Comments

Hillbilly Days

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Colleen
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This weekend, my mom, uncle and I made the voyage to Pikeville, Kentucky for quite the unique festival: Hillbilly Days.

FYI: This is real life.

So was the moonshine I drank with my cousin, Amy.

As was the first fried oreo I’ve ever tried. So is the fact that my life is forever changed. No big deal.

Speaking of fried food, there was no shortage of it in downtown Pikeville this weekend. While I didn’t get any porky cheese fries, I did try some butterfly chips (SO GOOD) and chicken on a stick.

Also real life: the amount of beer consumed by my mother, uncle, and cousin Kevin.

Our cousin Kevin threw one hell of a party on Saturday night. There was a live band, moonshine, tons of food, matching shirts and jorts. I mean seriously, what more could anyone possibly want?

While 15 hours in the car was painful (thanks to Danny for driving!) it was absolutely worth it. I honestly can’t tell you the last time I laughed so hard for such an extended period of time. I feel insanely lucky that my family members are also my friends!

 

 

Posted in Family | Tagged , | 12 Comments

Great Weather, Great Weekend!

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Colleen
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I don’t know about you, but since the weather made the drastic change from fucking miserable to absolutely gorgeous, I feel ecstatic. Even the simplest things are, like, the most fantastic things ever. 

And this weekend had no shortage of the most fantastic things ever.

Friday, it was my turn to host the monthly neighborhood bunco party. Nevermind the fact that I am becoming my mother, I had such a blast.

We all know that Susie Homemaker isn’t really my title, but I pretend to the best of my ability. I found this wine spritzer on Pintrest and it was a super huge hit.

On Saturday, after inhaling a bacon, egg and cheese bagel to quell my pending hangover, we spent ALL DAY doing yard work. It was so nice out, that I didn’t even mind the hours of manual labor.

Don’t let that dirt-eating grin fool you. That labor-loving feeling wore off on Sunday morning. We (read: Cory) are building a deck, and while I didn’t mind spending hours removing sod on Saturday, by Sunday, I was yelling across a 120-pound auger. Something along the lines of, Why aren’t we paying someone to do this?!, may have been thrown out there.

Regardless, Cory worked his ass off (he loves doing this kind of handy stuff) and I helped out where I could. As a result, I spent two days outside without sunscreen. I broke my cardinal WEAR SUNSCREEN rule and am ridiculously angry at myself.

(In case you didn’t know, I am the unofficial spokesmodel for Elmer’s Glue.)

I’m sure you’re upset that you weren’t here to witness the romantic pathetic act of Cory rubbing aloe all over my burnt, burnt body.

And that, my friends, is my mostly perfect weekend in a nutshell!

*If you take nothing away from this post, trust me on the sunscreen ;)

 

Posted in Friends, Fun Things | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

New ‘Do: Pixie Cut

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Colleen
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I have to publicly apologize for being that girl on several social media avenues this past weekend. I was self-absorbed and probably forced several of my instagram and facebook friends to roll their eyes and say “We get it, Colleen, you got a fucking haircut.”

But, as I was explaining to Cory, as a female, my hairstyle is a ginormous deal.

I’ve envied girls with pixie cuts for-ev-er, but never had the guts to do it myself. You know, I’ve had serious concerns.

What if I cut off all my hair, and then I realize that I’m SUPER ugly?!

What if I cut off all my hair, and I end up looking like a boy?!

 What if Cory hates it?!

What if I hate it?! 

I’m glad to report that none, not ONE, of those concerns were worth taking up space in my pretty little head.

I LOVE this haircut. I love it so much that I don’t even care if anyone else likes it (Cory does loves it, though.) I could have never imagined the sense of self-confidence that could result from chopping off my hair.

It’s liberating, really. I feel like a total bad ass, because I know it takes a whole lotta guts to cut off the beauty security blanket that was my hair. I know it takes guts because I was missing them for years!

Let me say, I’m so glad I could finally muster ‘em up ;)

** PS – Thanks to these two beauties, along with this website, for serving as some of my inspiration!

 

Posted in Fun Things | Tagged , | 40 Comments

Totally Truthful Thursday: Expectation vs Reality

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Colleen
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Expectation: On my day off, I’m going to take the time to make a clean, healthy lunch.

Reality: On my day off, I took the time to make a clean, healthy lunch. Followed up with M&Ms for dessert.

—-

Expectation: My mom will go to the grave having never worked out a day in her life.

Reality: My mom has started fitness routine and on Tuesday, we went to the gym together for the first time EVER. I’m so proud I could burst.

She’s so cute I can’t even handle it. (She’s upset her hair and make-up aren’t done.)  

Expectation: Driving to class will take me exactly two hours, as it normally does.

Reality: Driving to class took three and a half hours, I was late, and as a result I wanted to hurl myself from a tall building.

—-

Expectation: I will hate my current wardrobe for the rest of time (you know the feeling.)

Reality: My mom took my shopping on Tuesday and bought me several new things, thus making my life exponentially better!

Expectation: I will do yoga 5 times this week.

Reality: Ha.

—

Expectation: Wednesday will be the worst day ever. I have to give two trainings in Norfolk to a crowd of approximately 150 people. I will be the first person to literally die from death by public speaking.

Reality: FUCKING NAILED IT.

My colleague sent me a picture of this evaluation – made my day.

Sometimes things work the way I planned, and sometimes they don’t. I guess that’s how this whole “life” thing works, huh? ;)

Posted in Fun Things | Tagged , , | 27 Comments

Simone France Review [Video Blog]

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Colleen
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  • Check out the Simone France products (The “Sandwich” routine is what I use every morning)
  • I apologize for my “self-conscious” brain fart at the end of the video.
Posted in Product Review | Tagged | 7 Comments

I’m Getting Paid for This?

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Colleen
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Hey, friends! Happy Friday! Man, this week has totally flown by, hasn’t it? First of all – thank you so much for supporting my friend Shannon. I can’t wait to hear the results! I’ll be sure to keep you all in the loop :) The winner of the Love Grown Granola is:

Congrats and a huge thanks, Megan! Please email me your shipping address to lunchboxdiares[at]gmail[dot]com :)

———

Yesterday was such a blast of a work day. It was one of those times when I thought “I’m getting paid for today? Seriously?”

One cool (small) part of my job is going to health fairs. Normally, I talk to people about mental health, but yesterday was different because everyone involved brought a healthy snack to share with the employees, so I got to talk about food!

My colleague, Mike, made a fantastic Indian dish that was a huge hit. But we all know that homegirl isn’t allowed in skilled in the kitchen setting, but that doesn’t mean I’m a stranger to healthy snacks.

Enter: my two of my all time favorite companies!

Love Grown Foods

Chobani

My table was stocked with the best of the best, and the NASA people were psyched about it! Like, so psyched, that not one thing was left by the end of the event. (Cory was actually a little upset that I came home empty handed! He’s been wanted to try the Chobani Flip, and he loves some Love Grown Hot Oats)

I loved spending a few hours talking about my favorite products and telling people how genuinely kind these companies are. People were quite impressed! Several people asked if I worked for Chobani and/or Love Grown – my answer was I WISH! ;)

 

Posted in Food, Fun Things | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Boho Cycle Studio

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Colleen
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Hi, friends! I have something real exciting to talk to you about today. I am super impressed with my friend Shannon - whom you may recognize from the delicious blog, Thirsty Richmond.

She’s freakin’ gorgeous.

Basically, Shannon is amazing. Not only is she stunning, loves food, and is genuinely likable – she’s started her own business, Boho Cycle Studio. Yeah, you read that correctly – HER OWN BUSINESS.

Shannon tells me that:

Boho Cycle Studio is Richmond’s only fitness studio specializing in and dedicated to indoor cycling. We have taken elements and ideas from yoga, mixed them with what it feels like to dance all night at a nightclub, and put it on a bike!

Unlike big gyms that offer indoor cycling, we dedicate all of our energy to making every class an exceptional ride. We have created a format that is a full body conditioning experience, geared to riders at every fitness level. There are no contracts or commitments required as we operate on a pay per class model.

We are dedicated to giving back to our community by promoting a healthy lifestyle. We provide discounted rides to students, fundraising rides for local charities, and healthy resources to riders and neighbors. Riding at Boho is not just a work out. It is an experience. A party on a bike!

Clip in. Let go. Enjoy the ride.

Here’s the cool part: Boho Cycle Studio, has been entered in a Start-Up Competition through the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and needs votes to get to the finals.

Voting starts TODAY and ends on THURSDAY. Here is what you have to do to vote.

1. Go to http://www.ie-rva.org/contest/start-up-competition-2013/

2. Click to vote and select Boho Cycle Studio

3. Repeat once a day for three days

4. Imagine Shannon and me high fiving you in amazing gratitude and thanks!

I realize that you, dear reader, may not be all about indoor cycling or even from Richmond, but at the end of the day, it is about so much more than that! It is about supporting a woman owned business that spreads the message of health, wellness, and having a great time!

I’m also not above a little incentive.

If you go and vote for BOHO (you DO NOT have to be a Richmond dweller) leave a comment telling me you did. I’ll put you in the running to receive some Love Grown Granola from my own pantry.

Thanks, friends!! Voting ends Thursday, so I’ll announce the LFG winna on Friday! :)

Posted in Fitness, Friends, Give aways | Tagged | 37 Comments

What More Could I Ask For?!

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Colleen
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It’s been a little over three months since we moved into our new house, but this weekend we had our official housewarming party!

Don’t you adore these cookies?! Check out Kate from Kooking in Kate’s Kitchen - she’s amazing! 

Although we’ve had several parties since we’ve moved in, this was the first visit to the new digs for several friends and family members. That said, many of the “regulars” were here, and it was a great time!

My mom is the cutest.

There was more than enough food….

And the bar was stocked…

Cory’s favorite: bourbon & ginger

And we spent the afternoon hanging around the people we love the most. Although I was nervous to have a party all about my house, it was a perfect day, and my heart is full. What more could I possibly ask for?!

…Maybe for a one certain university to cancel night classes? ;)

 

Posted in Family, Friends, Fun Things | Tagged | 11 Comments