Whole 30 and cr2f Prints

I'M TIRED OF BEING COLD! I get it, I'm not in the Northeast and the 6 inches of snow is just moderately inconvenient but really, winter, really? I'm just not equipped to handle the winter anymore. I don't have any super warm clothes and most of my sweatshirts are from college. Including the one I'm currently wearing and that was a long ass time ago.

There's a driveway under there.

To say I've been lacking in the motivation department would be an understatement. I've been buried in all sorts of work and the gym and good eating has really fallen by the wayside.

We even have this super awesome weight thing at the house, have I ever used it? Nope, no idea how, Funny story, it was in the house when we came to look at it. The previous owners had moved everything out except that. AND they moved out over a year before. Well, Kev decided he wanted it and we asked for it to convey. The owners protested and Kev kept pushing, Yea, we took their weight equipment. It would be better if we actually used it, 

Well, there aren't that many weeks to go until we get on a plane and head overseas and I'll be dammed if I'm going to look like a pudgy American. 

Instead I'm taking a 2 prong approach. I reached out to @loseitconkatie about one of her exercise programs. If you don't follow her on Instagram, you totally should. She's amazing. I'm 2 days in and OMG are my abs and shoulders sore, It's a good burn. I've committed to that for 30 days and I'm also starting the Whole 30 program.

Between the workouts and food, I'll be damned if I don't lose some weight and inches.

Of course I'm the one who starts the Whole 30 in the middle of a snowstorm. I though I would use my spiralizer to make sweet potato chips.

30 minutes later, burned to a crisp.

At least I did have the presence of mind to cook up some chicken and sweet potatoes last night. I think easy food is going to be the key. As long as I have easy protein sources to grab, I'll be fine, (hopefully) No bread, booze or refined treats.

There's going to be a lot more of this in my future.

I have to tell you about one of my favorite things. Since I won't be drinking delicious booze or driving into a jar of nut butter over the next 30 days, I might as well look at something pretty.

About a year ago, my friend Carrie started up an Etsy shop where she makes and sells super awesome prints. She's also a super talented photographer who did my profile picture. 

I really love the state ones. It's a great way to commemorate your hometown, where you and your Sig-O met, a honeymoon or even a favorite vacation. Carrie, I need one for our trip to Germany and France. :)

She's already made 2 for me and I love them so much, Both are KD related and this one is for the chapter I was initiated at.

This one is for my time as CAB Chair at NC State.

I could talk all day about how you should have her make you one but the real reason why I'm sharing is because she just added a new line of metallic prints! You all know I love me something shiny and I'm in love with her new designs.

She asked me if there was a certain phrase or song lyric that was special to Kevin and I. Unfortunately no, because we suck at things like that. A few months ago it took us 3 days to remember what song we first danced to at our wedding, Worst case scenario we were going to ask our moms, because they would know... It was Babe by Styx.

Well, we don't have a song but Kev had a great line that I feel needs to be immortalized...

I could keep her shop in business just with Kev's quotes.

You like?? well, Carrie has been so kind as to offer a free shipping code for my blog readers! From now through St Paddy's day you can get free shipping with the code "cookiescardioclothes" Also check her out on Facebook!

Have a great Friday everyone!

Linking up!

Confessional!

Oh look, another snowy day here in NC. Monday afternoon I checked the weather forecast and it called for snow on Tuesday afternoon, but only for an hour. Tuesday I woke up to a winter wonderland and it snowed all. fricking. day.

Our CEO was in town which meant no early dismissal but it also means that Sales people are too pre-occupied with what's happening outside to make sales. Grrr.

The good news is that during our drive back from the mountains I had plenty of time to think about blog posts and  most importantly, confessions.

The weekend before last was the annual Krispy Kreme challenge here in Raleigh. You run 2.5 miles, eat a dozen donuts and run back. That's the competitive version. If you just want to run it, you can go down, eat as many donuts as you want, and run back. Every year I have a bunch of friends do this race and there is no way in hell I would ever. ever. do it. Why? Because I'm not that fast of a runner. I'll get down to the donuts and by then most of the people will have already gotten down, eaten their donuts, and started the run back. You know what that means? Nothing but vomit. I think the run back will be flanked on both sides with people vomiting along the side of the road. Both of my interns ran it and yes, it was happening everywhere. #NoWayNoChance

I have to park in the same area of a parking lot depending on the store. For Target I always park along the side of the store, Whole Foods is the middle row, at the mall, it's only by the entrance near H&M. When Kev drives, he parks in different places and it makes me crazy.

When we take road trips I constantly think about the people who live in those tiny towns. What do they do for a living, where do they shop? I really can't stop thinking about it. On our way to the casino, there was nothing. Absolutely nothing. Why isn't there a grocery store along the way? It makes absolutely no sense to me. Kev explains that most people in the US don't live in cities, but they have to have a place to shop dangit! #NothingForMilesAndMiles

I also can't stop thinking about what I would do if I lived in the mountains in the boonies with nothing around. All I could come up with was that I would stand on my porch, holding a warm mug of beverage in both hands, inhaling deeply. I would also shop online, a lot. That's all I could come up with. #DrinkingCoffeeWithBothHands

There are all kinds of lists floating around about things that were popular in the 90s, like beanie babies. I remember back in the heyday I had one that was apparently really popular and I sold it to some random guy in for $80. I met him in a DQ parking lot like I was dealing meth. Nope, just a stuffed toy. In hindsight, that might not have been the best decision that guy ever made. #BeanieBabiesWereABadInvestment

Like this couple in dividing their Beanie Babies during their divorce proceedings

Did you collect anything that's now worthless? lol


Wednesday Link-Up!

Weekend Casino!

We are FINALLY thawing out down here in NC. I know everyone else in the Northeast is still digging out, and getting snowed in, and digging out again but for us poor folks in the South we can't handle this! We get snow one day and it's 50 degrees and melts the next. This time it stuck around for DAYS. I mean DAYS! My driveway was covered in ice and snow until it got warm enough to melt today. We don't own rock salt or a snow shovel, No need. Thankfully we're resilient down here.

Since we were a little stir crazy, Kev and I decided to take a weekend trip to Asheville and then off to Harrah's Cherokee Casino. I left work at 1230pm, got home, did the dishes, packed, and off we went!

I found these in the backseat of Kev's car and couldn't have been happier. Nothing says road trip like a bad of delicious Starburst.

We got into Asheville around 630 and had reservations at the Chestnut which was AMAZING.

Their version of a classic Cosmo. A little tart but really tasty.

Kev and I shared this platter of house-made meats and local cheeses. Asheville is really into their delicious hippie food.

Then I ordered the smoked salon "medium plate" for dinner. It was yum.

While we were at dinner, Carmen Sandiego walked in. I know it was cold, but she was fully decked out in her red coat and hat. 

She's in Asheville NC. Probably gone by now, but definitely was there.

We stayed over and when we got up, went to the Sunny Point Cafe. If you're in Asheville, you MUST stop here! It's absolutely one of the best breakfast places ever. Kev actually rates it as his 2nd most favorite breakfast place, which if you know Kev, that's saying a LOT.

I got the organic carrot pancake and bacon. It was one of the best things ever.

Then we got into the car and drove to Harrah's Cherokee, It was about 90 minutes away and we had to take a twisty, windy goat path to get there.

I have to say, I wasn't impressed, and that's not just because I didn't win anything. There isn't anything for miles and hardly any shops in the entire place. Really, there were 2 places to look at and they weren't awesome. I'm happy to gamble but I like taking a break and looking at things. There were no things.

Honestly, for as ling as it took to get there, I would have rather gone the extra 3 hours to Atlantic City. Or I would have stayed in Asheville and eaten more delicious hippie food and looked in the ecletic shops.

After a long day of not winning, we headed to the hotel and before we knew it, time to leave.

Of course we had to stop back in Asheville for another hippie breakfast. Yay.

It's was nice to spend time with Kev and go on a little road trip but I'm happy to be back. AND while we were gone, the snow melted. :)

Before I head out, please stop and check out my friend Kristen's Go Fund Me Page. She's been plagued with some medical issues and could really use some help. Anything would be appreciated!

Alight! Please don;t forget to stop by the link-ups!

Even More Confessions

Confession Time! - I'm TERRIBLE when it comes to staying home. I'm usually on the go constantly and it's difficult to take a day off, let alone two days. We were stuck inside Monday night during the snow storm and now the roads are clear but my car is stuck at the top of my driveway and I'm not going anywhere. I really really wanted to go to the gym and I can't for the life of me think of a way to get there.

My driveway is long and covered with ice/snow.

Kev is heading out to a special rehearsal and I'm sitting here at home with my computer, Netflix and the cats. I'm starting on Parks and Rec. I've never seen a single episode, but I hear good things. I also see some online shopping in my future. Sorry Kev, this is what happens when you leave me to my own devices. #EtsyHereIcome

Monday I was back on the low-carb wagon, and was planning on taking my new interns to lunch somewhere where I could get a salad. Then my boss and a co-worker decided to come too and we ended up at a Japanese place for sushi. OK, fine, a little bit of rice, I can recover. Nope! Get home and Kev decides he wants pizza, then I capped off  the night making chocolate chip cookies. If you're going down, might as well go down in flames, #IAteSoManyCookies

Sunday is laundry day but I didn't feel like folding everything and instead gambled on the office being closed on Tuesday. I still don't want to do it. maybe if I finish these few blog posts I'll think about it. I love folded, put away clothes but I hate doing it. #IWonderHowMuchLaundryServiceCosts

Saturday when I went to Kohls it literally took me an hour to find what I was looking for. I don't know, I just don't love Kohls like some people do. I get it, they have lots of deals and rewards to get you into the store but I don't love their clothes or prices. I get that if you use a Kohls card it's 30% off but I'd honestly rather spend more money than deal with a store credit card. #NoThankYou24%Interest

Today I braved the snow and ice and came to the conclusion that I'm a better winter driver than 95% of the people here. When you spend most of your life in the cold and yuck, you learn how to deal or you never leave the house. My #1 tip, don't stop! If you stop in the snow, and heaven forbid on a hill, you'll never get going again.

We switched back to Time Warner Cable (against my better judgement) and I've been watching a lot of On Demand while we were snowed in. Every other commercial is for 19 Kids and Counting, I know a lot of people love that show but I swear it makes me want to stab my eyeballs out. I get that it's wholesome good, family fun but they're so sickly sweet, it makes me want to scream. I have my own thoughts on their political views, but I'll keep those to myself. I do think it a matter of time before one of them breaks away and writes a tell-all. My money was on Jessa, I always felt she had a bit of a wild streak in her.

The other night we were flipping though the channels and saw that Lifetime remade Not without my Daughter!

Sally Field was perfection in this fantastic Lifetime Movie. They remade it with Ally Sheedy and it just didn't have the same spark. Stop remaking the classics! #NoAllySheedyJustNo

That's all I have to confess today! Be sure to stop by and show some link up love!

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Mug O' Comfort Swap!

The other day I was perusing the interwebs and came across the Mug O' Comfort Swap. Like other swaps, you're assigned a partner, the two of you chat and then you send your new friend a package full of goodies.

Well, I love getting goodies, sending goodies, packages, coffee, tea, and treats! What's not to love?

In honor of he swap, I thought I'd show you pictures of some of my favorite things.

This bar has CHANGED MY LIFE!!! OMG there's no soy in it and I can eat chocolate without pain for the first time in years! They might have been 2 for $5 at Whole Foods and I went back and bought one of every flavor. Theo Chocolate, I love you.

Even though I do love my Breugger's Bottomless Mug, sometimes I will pay for a nice cup of flavored coffee. Mmmm. Toasted Pecan.

As someone who was NEVER able to find their name on the rack of bicycle license plates, this mug is especially awesome. I would use it every day.

Cats on mugs are pretty awesome too. My cat thinks of nothing but being a pain in the ass and looking for places to pee. If I could capture that on a mug, I would.

I had no idea there were so many items on Etsy under "Lionel Richie, handmade". And really, what's not to love about circa 1984 'fro Lionel? Side rant, why didn't anyone else think that video where he was stalking that blind sculptor was creepy?? She didn't know he was there, he just followed her around and snuck into her house.

Not gonna lie, I own this one and it's proudly displayed on my desk at work. It's never vodka but I really wish it were.

And the best candy of all time? Skittles. There is no other. Unless you wanna throw in a bad of Starburst jelly beans, those things are the best part of the Easter season.

Make sure you check out all the details and the other fabu folks participating in the swap over at Chaotic Goddess! I can't wait to get my swap partner and get started!

I'm just not a fan of Valentine's Day

Is everyone staying warm? I really can't believe all of the crazy wind chills I'm seeing all over the news and Facebook. I love my Northern family and friends but there is no. way. I would EVER move back there. Nope nope nope...

They're calling for wintery mix and 1-3 inches of snow Monday night into Tuesday. If that happens, Raleigh will close down for 3 days. I'm actually gambling that the office will be closed Tuesday. That's why I'm not folding the laundry tonight. Yep, that's my story.

Over the weekend I saw a bunch of Valentine's Day posts. Some people really love Valentine's Day and some could take it or leave it. I'll be honest, I'm one of the leave it people. It's not due to a bad experience or anything like that. When I was in college and right out of school, my 2 main jobs were waiting tables and selling jewelry, both industries are inundated with people trying to make nice on Valentine's Day. 

I've sold more pieces of heart shaped crap and processed returns for almost as many. I've seen people wait upwards of two hours for a table just so they can say they went out on the holiday. News flash folks, the food and service are better the day before and the day after. Especially since the tips are generally worse on Valentine's Day. Your tables are full of people who go out to a restaurant one or two steps above what they can usually afford and they just don't bring enough money to tip appropriately. And heaven help if you get a high school kid who's mom gave him money to take out his girlfriend, you're getting a $2 tip there. 

OK, I  thought I'd gotten over it but I guess I still carry the scars.

I actually feel a little bad for Kev. I don't like going out on the 14th, I don't want heart shaped jewelry, I'm allergic to soy and can't eat chocolate and I don't like perfume. Sorry babe. 

Even though I'm not a fan I do love feeding those around me. I bought a ton of chocolate and sugar to feed to my team.

They ended up crashing around 2pm on Friday. They were in a slight sugar coma.

I'm extremely transparent with them and they know I can be bribed. One of them made me no-bake cookies which are the BOMB. So freaking good, they're as good as mine and mine are awesome.

I also got a chocolate rose from my intern. She really is the most precious thing. She's ridiculously competent, creative (draws, arranges flowers, makes pottery) and is the nicest person I've ever met. She's like a Disney Princess.

I don't need to go out on the 14th, but I'll happily take a reservation on the 13th. Kev and I went to Bolt Bistro in Downtown Raleigh. I had a delicious Cosmo (fine, it was two)

I've been wanting a good French Onion soup and theirs was delicious. It didn't have a giant soggy hunk of bread floating in the bowl which made me a little sad but it was still really good. Since I was having a cheat night I would have preferred a giant soggy crouton in my bowl but I thought it was pretty cool that it came in a hollowed out onion. 

On the 14th we had a pretty low-key day. We had breakfast at Whole Foods, I got my nails done and took a trip to Kohls. We'd thought about going to the movies but instead I made Kev watch Glengarry Glen Ross. It might be the greatest thing I've ever seen.

As a Sales Manager I LOVE movies about sales and this one was freaking awesome. I love me some Alec Baldwin and he was in fine form in this movie. 

I was also a little jealous of his podium and tiny brass balls. I wonder if I could convince my boss that I need those things for the office.

Sunday morning I thought going for a run sounded like an awesome idea. I'm pretty sure the gym will be closed Monday night and probably Tuesday and I saw this as my one chance to get in some exercise before the storm. 

It was 19 degrees out and OMG was it cold! I've had better ideas.

Running in the cold is hard. Breathing is hard. Breathing when your nose is constantly running is hard too.

After my run I decided to go ahead and run my errands and get groceries for the week before all the bread and milk was gone.

It was really cold. Thankfully I haven't really cleaned my car in a while and had a bunch of winter running clothes in my trunk. I looked a little like Joey by the time I was finished.

Is it cold where you are? Because I'm not equipped to handle this kind of cold any more.

Winter running, yay or wait until April?

Linking Up!

Don't even think about it Internet Explorer

Dear Internet Explorer, you are that tiny man who wants to grind up on you at the club. You're a tinder creep who won't stop asking you to sleep with him. You're that strange kid at the coffee shop who gives sits there with 1 cup of coffee your entire shift. Waiting, hoping that one day you'll have a moment of weakness, agree to go out with him, then he'll try to brush his arm against your boob.

Let me break it down for you, I will NEVER agree to going out with you. Ever. ever. ever. Stop asking me to let you be my default browser, it won't happen. Stop Asking. Believe me, I have no idea why that one website works best with you, I really don't and I promise that I'm only there because I absolutely have to be. #NeverGonnaHappenInternetExplorer

Sorry, I had to get that out. I have to use Internet Explorer to access the site that houses our call recordings and I don't understand why there's no way to tell IE to stop asking me if I want it to be my default browser.

It's Wednesday and time to confess my sins and throw up some hashtags. Let's get started!

Sunday my asshole cat was sleeping on the bed as always and he got locked in the bedroom. He apparently had to go to the liter box, and I get that he couldn't hold it but did you really have to take a dump on my boots?!?! Seriously. How about in the bathroom on the tile? Even on the bathroom rug would have been fine. Anything that could be thrown into the washing machine. Nooooo.... #mycatisstillajerk

Replace pee with poop...

While I was typing this post... He was on my chest and I couldn't breathe.

Last week I confessed that we're moving. or maybe that was 2 weeks ago. Any who, we decided to hold off. We just refinanced and decided to wait 9-12 months until making the switch. It's totally fine, we now have a little breathing room and time to have a massive garage sale clean out this summer. #pleasebuymycrap

This is a pretty exciting confession, We're heading to Europe in April!! I've never been overseas and am seriously so excited to go. We're flying in to Munich, spending a few days there with a side trip to Salzberg. Then taking the bullet train to Paris and flying home from there.

Get ready for endless posts on what I think I need to pack and my thoughts on all the tips I've already gotten. My mom is super excited for me to go as well and she watches a lot of Rick Steves on PBS. Rick Steves considers himself to be "America's most respected authority on European travel" (his words, not mine). I was looking at his website and Rick only suggests that you bring 5 pairs of underwear for a week in Europe...

I'm assuming he wants you to wash your dedicates in the European sink? Sorry Rick, no dice. And I won't buy your money belt either. Oh, he really wants me to buy his journal and document my thoughts. No Rick Steves, no. #NotWashingMyBrasInASink

Heh heh heh.. I swear I won't.

There's nothing that annoys me more than instructors who create unrealistic expectations of calorie burns. There is a crazy instructor who insists that you'll burn 800-1000 calories in a 45 min spin class. No.. No you won't. I busted my ass in a 45 min class, warm up and cool down, 500 calories. I know that HRMs are unreliable at times but i think it's pretty close.

I generally burn 100 calories per 10 minutes of hard work. My HRM is in a burning range and that's what I get, every time. I just get angry when people who look to these professionals for advice are being mislead. #DontEatABunchOfCookiesYouDidntBurnIt

Continuing my 50 Shades of Grey rant... Vermont Teddy Bears has a Fifty Shades Teddy Bear. Are you freaking kidding me?!?!?! The damn bear has tiny handcuffs and a little mask.

This sounds terrible but I'm really concerned about the fate of this generation, I feel really old saying that and I'm sure our parents said the same thing. We have a recent grad in the office and he as going on his first business trip. We weren't sure if he was going to be able to get on the flight and get to the other office my himself.

We talked about "Paddington Bear-ing" him which is basically pinning an address to his shirt in case he gets lost. We were also really concerned if he would have warm enough clothes to wear. Before he left for the airport he might have had 5 layers of clothes on. We explained that the plane wouldn't be that cold and he's have to remove all of those when he went through security.

The other day we had a talk about slacks and how they were important to own. I taught him the difference between khakis and slacks and his mom went and bought him a pair. We'll get him there but this is a smart kid, recent college grad and I'm afraid that this is what happens when kids of helicopter parents grow up. #ImALitteScared

Linking up with the Weds Crew!