Doing this One Stick at a Time

(I have the most butters but I earned most of those in month 1)

My office has been doing the "One Stick at a Time" challenge for 3 months now. For each 1/4 lb you lose, you put up a stick of butter. I have been slacking A LOT with this and need to get my butt in gear for May. The first month, I did fantastic. I lost 8 lbs. And then in the past 2 months, I've only lost 1 lb. It's pathetic. I will admit that I have not been trying very hard though. It is so hard to track what I eat and monitor portion sizes and remember to go to the grocery store so I don't get fast food. And working out has been non-existent.

So I'm recommitting to my weight loss mission (after I devoured 2 taco cabana breakfast tacos this morning). I'm going to do a 30 day challenge to help me along (actually 36 days but who's counting). I think now that I've lost 9 lbs., I've kind of hit a stopping point and need to do something to jump start my weight loss again. So for the next 36 days, I'm going to commit to some sort of physical activity each and every day. I'm going to try to go to the gym as much as possible but some days, there just isn't time. So some days taking Clark for a long walk might be my activity. Or walking around the neighborhood by my office during lunch might be good enough. Either way, I'm going to commit to moving around a little more in May.

I'm also going to commit to no fast food throughout the month of May. This is going to be hard and require some major planning on my part. I'm going to sit down this weekend and figure out some yummy foods that I can make quickly and easily. Because I HAVE to do something to get out of this rut. It's getting ridiculous around here. I'll report back at the end of the month with my progress. Hopefully it will be more than 1 lb :)

Have a happy weekend!  

To horoscope or not...

It's Wednesday. The week is half over (thank goodness). Only 2 more days until the weekend. I saw a post on facebook this morning about horoscopes and decided to look mine up. I am not a huge believer in horoscopes and I kind of think you make your own life. BUT this particular horoscope hit home. It describes me perfectly. There's not one thing in here that doesn't fit me. Strangely weird but exactly what I needed today. The past few weeks have been rough and stressful for a variety of reasons. Hopefully, it's getting better soon. The world works in mysterious ways I guess. Happy Wednesday!

Do you read your horoscope?

Another weekend bites the dust

Well another weekend has come and gone. This one was less eventful than most, which I definitely needed. Sometime, you just get worn out and need a break!

My weekend began a little early with a Thursday night happy hour with my law school peeps. we had a mini- reunion where I enjoyed this tasty drink from Mongoose vs. Cobra. It was sweet and citrusy. Yummy!

Friday morning I had to go to a mandatory Continuing Legal Education (CLE) course on ethics. It was a long 4 hours but I completed it and met the requirement so I'm all good to go. 

Saturday I got to babysit this little guy and his baby brother (no pictures of him) for a few hours while his mom was at work and hid dad went to an event. He spent most of the time "mowing" the yard. 

Sunday morning my dad and I took the pups to the dog park. 3 dogs in one car makes for a very unhappy Leo. It's hard to see in the picture but he was giving me that "please let me out" look. But no worries! He was happy when we got to the park!

Sunday afternoon I went to brunch at the Tasting Room for a Blogger Meet-up. I had only been to one blogger meet-up before and only 2 other bloggers showed up so this was my first official full blown meet-up. It was fun to see so many other women that are bloggers too. I have to admit that some of there blogs are intimidating. They are designed so well and they use them to make money and advertise products. I originally started blogging to keep in touch with people when I moved to Texas and to also document my life. My hope is to one day turn all my posts into an actual bound book (kind of like a scrapbook). Until then, I'll just keep writing away on the internet! I made some new friends, ate a yummy pretzel, and had a good time!

These 4 photos below were taken by Meg, another blogger, who has a real camera. You can find her blog here. See... I was making new friends. Darby is not only a blogger but a Delta Zeta. Sisters for life! And we also wore the same color pants. It was meant to be!

 I take a good iPhone pic!

 Listening intently

 The whole group! So much fun! Can't wait until next month and our picnic!

And then Sunday night I came home to find this. Louie and Leo sprawled out on the couch. I asked them if I could sit on the couch too and they just ignored me. I guess we know who rules the house!

At least this little guy wants to share a bed with me. Clark all curled up trying to sleep :)

What a fabulous, relaxing, peaceful weekend. Already looking forward to the next and it's just the beginning of the week! 

Weekend Shenanagins

This past weekend was perfect. There wasn't one thing I would change about it. The weather was fantastic, the company was great, and I wasn't exhausted on Sunday night.

Saturday morning my dad and I had a garage sale. I made $75 selling crap valuables that I don't need any more. Not a bad amount for a few hours of work. Then I got cleaned up and went to see the sorority girls compete in a softball tournament. The girls ended up winning the whole thing so it was fun times! Who knew that they were so athletic. This was not the case when I was in the chapter!

After the softball tournament, I went to dinner with my friend Becca. We went to Brooklyn Athletic Club to try it out. Neither of us had been before and we had tried to go one Sunday in March but they are closed on Sunday afternoons so we did get to try it. The place is mostly outside and has different games you can play so why on earth they are closed on a Sunday afternoon, I have no idea. Anyhow... the food was amazing! I had meatballs and pasta and Beccas had some sort of pork dish. Both were yummy!

For dessert, we wanted to try their s'mores bread pudding but they were out of it. The waiter did not disappoint though. He arranged for us to move to one of the fire pits they have set up so we could roast our own s'mores. It was amazing! I haven't roasted s'mores since I was a kid. We had regular chocolate s'mores and Reeses s'mores. Delish!!!   

And to top off the great weekend, my new Marley Lilly purse came in the mail. I love it!

Sunday night was spent cuddling with my boy. As annoying as he can be, he sure loves his Momma! And I love him!

Hollywood goes hiking

My last day in California was kind of unplanned. My training was supposed to last until 3 and my flight left at 6:45pm that night so my plan was just to head to the airport. BUT the training was over a noon so I had the whole afternoon to bum around LA before heading to the airport. I was staying in Pasadena, CA so I was really close to the first college I went to- Occidental College in Eagle Rock, CA. After graduating high school, I moved to Occidental for school and to play water polo. After a short time there, I realized California wasn't for me at that point in my life so I came home. But the school still holds a special place in my heart. Going back there and driving around the campus brought back all sorts of memories (good and bad). I think if I went there now, I would have do fine but at 18, it was a little much.

If this campus looks familiar, it may be because it was also where they filmed Beverly Hills 9021 The College Years. Every time I watch a rerun, I remember my college experience. 

The view coming down from the mountain leaving the college. 

After driving around the campus, I decided I really wanted to go see the Hollywood sign. I had gone the night before but it was getting dark already and even though I could see the sign, my pictures didn't show up so I wanted real pictures to complete my trip. There is one street in LA that gives you a direct view of the sign. If you drive up the street, the sign is right in front of you. And if you keep driving, it takes you into the Hollywood community and into the hills. The Hollywood sign was originally put up to identify the neighborhood below it. There are even the old gates at the entrance to the neighborhood. Now it has become this iconic symbol of LA and Hollywood but it wasn't originally put up for that purpose! 

After driving up as far as I could, I parked the car and decided I was going to hike up the rest of the mountain to get a better picture. There is a public park that you can go into to get to a spot where you get the good pictures. This is the view of the park-

And then the view of the sign from the mountain I was standing on. 

Well I guess that view wasn't good enough because I decided I wanted to get even closer. A bunch of people were hiking up a trail to get to the actual sign. I had some time and it was a nice day so I decided to try the hike. it couldn't be that far, right?!!?

Boy of boy was I wrong. It was a good hour hike. And I was not prepared for it at all. I had capri pants, a nice top, and ballet flats on. Not exactly hiking clothing. But I was determined. And when I got to the top, I wasn't disappointed. See in the picture above the tower looking power plant thing. That's where I hiked up to. The trail actually took us around the back side of the mountain and then to the sign. The sign is fenced off so you can only get so close. Here are a few pictures on the sign below me and the view of LA. I could have stayed up their all day. It was magical, relaxing, and so peaceful. 

But I was really thirsty and it was getting close to the time I needed to be at the airport. And with LA traffic, I knew it was going to take me a while to get there. So I hiked down the mountain (which was a lot easier than going up I might add), got in my car, and headed to the airport. On my way, I saw this place. I had never been to In-N-Out Burger but everyone raves about it. So I decided to get one last LA meal in. I would say that the burger was good but not all that. Definitely not the best burger I've ever had in my opinion but it was tasty.  

On the way to the airport, I also drove by this place. It's a famous LA hot dog place. There was a huge line. I wanted to stop but I was still eating my burger so I couldn't really justify getting a hot dog too. Maybe next time!

Finally, I got to the airport and boarded my plane. It was a fun 4 days and I was super sad to go home. The training was good and LA was amazing. There isn't much I don't like about LA but it was nice to get home and back to my real life. Until next time LA!!!

The Queen has Arrived (LA Day 3)

For the 3rd day of my LA trip, I decided to actually venture outside the city limits and travel to Long Beach for the afternoon to see the Queen Mary. This ship is amazing. It is like the Titanic (except it didn't sink). During World War II it transported soldiers but during times of peace, it was a cruise ship. It is now permanently docked in Long Beach and you can actually stay the night on the ship at the hotel. I just went for the afternoon and did the self guided tour.

This is the where the Captain would be steering the ship

And since I was alone, you get a self portrait. I really need to work on these...

But that is Long Beach behind me.

One day, I'd like to go back and actually stay on the ship so I could see the dining areas and ballrooms. Long Beach is also a short boat ride away from Catalina Island which I would love to visit one day. Ohhhh.... the places I'd love to go and the dreams I have of California living!

California Dreaming Day 2 (otherwise known as celebrity stalking)

The second day I was in California we were done with our training about 3:30 so it was off to do some celebrity stalking sightseeing. I pretty much ended up traveling all over the city while I was in LA. My first stop was Sunset Blvd.

Chateau Marmont- This is that hotel that all the celebrities go party at. 

Next up: Hollywood Blvd. 

I was hoping to find a Real House Wife of Beverly Hills here but no such luck.

(This place is owned by one of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills- Lisa Vanderplump. She also has a reality show called Vanderplump Rules which is based on the wait staff that works here.)

And yes... I do know too much about this place.

All this celebrity stalking sightseeing makes a girl hungry so I venture over to Melrose for some cupcakes. 

Milk chocolate birthday and lemon something. Yum!

Once I refueled, I did a little bit of shopping. Well, it was mostly looking in the windows because I don't know about you but I certainly don't have that kind of money!

Then went on a home tour looking for my future home. I found plenty to choose from.

Most interesting mailbox award goes to this house!

Still looking for my future home...

And then I found Brandon and Brenda's street. You may be asking yourself who is Brandon and Brenda? 

WELL.... Beverly Hills 90210 (my all time favorite show- like I still watch the reruns today) takes place at the main characters Brandon and Brenda's home on Hillcrest Drive.

And I ended the night with a drive by Paramount Pictures Studio

Sadly, I did not see any celebrities despite my efforts. Nor did I find a rich man to marry. But I did have lots of fun exploring the city. I love LA and all the craziness it has to offer!