I'm Loving...

It's good to take a break sometimes to just appreciate all the things that are going right in our lives, don't you think? I wanted to take time to celebrate a few things I'm loving lately...

My guy blog followers. I'm flattered that anyone reads my blog to be quite honest and I continue to be amazed - especially as the blog nears 30,000 views! Yikes. So humbling. But recently it's come to my attention that I have quite a few guy followers (most of them not official followers - but regular readers). And I like that. I try not to be too terribly girlie on here but I'm still excited to have some guys that have been enjoying my writing. Just wanted to publically say thanks. : ]

Edamame. I'm somewhat obsessed with edamame lately. I buy this big bag at Sams Club that comes with smaller steam bags of it (and individual sea salt packets). They're delish. A great snack. And a nice jolt of protein in the afternoon before my post-work-workout. Love.

LC! I love Lauren Conrad and the fact that she's on this months People Style Watch (which gave me some good outfit ideas for NYC)...




And I just bought a trench on sale at Kohl's from her clothing line...


My tailor. She is awesome and she took up the straps on my latest dress for 3 bucks. 3 bucks! I may or may not be totally obsessed with tailoring things lately. Ack.

New York City. I am loving planning and daydreaming about my trip to New York City with Bryn and Nancy. It's going to be the best trip ever - I can already tell.

Invisible Children. What an incredible organization. Buy a t-shirt from their site - show some support - they're changing the world.

Being in first place! I love to WIN! And right now I'm in the lead for fundraising for this years Walk for Life. Check out my site.

Volunteering. I took a recent from my challenge to start using my skills to contribute. I've been helping out with our softball league and I'm loving it. I've made new friends, taken lots of pictures (hey Dad, see! I didn't waste those 3 years of photography school), and really it's just been fun!

Life is good and I wanted to celebrate, especially in light of recent more serious (downer) posts about my health.

Love,

B

Updates, Updates.

Hello Darlings.


Life remains busy in the bay area for this go-getter. Booked 2 more flights for 2010 this week - to Indiana for Candy's Wedding (free flight courtesy of Southwest - love ya!) and to Nashvegas in August for work. I leave in 12 days for Myrtle Beach & Isle of Palms with la familia (that's pretty much all the Spanish I know, be impressed). I fly as much as a bird these days...I may just forget how to keep my feet on the ground by December.


This weekend I'm staying put and spending time with my Tampa family - the Huhtas. Sweet Bryn's turning 18 this weekend! Can't wait to celebrate her @ Ellas in Seminole Heights (the cutest little place you ever did see!). Can't decide what to wear...what do you all think of this dress:

Image borrowed from here.

This dress was a fabulous on sale find at the local Marshalls btw - Dave Ramsey approved. I've tried it with nude Guess heels and with a Stella and Dot bib necklace and black peep toes. Votes are welcome for which to sport this weekend. I guess nude heels little or no jewelry would be more casual. Hmm.

Found a cute pair of jeans on sale at Gap for $13 bucks today. No lie. $13. Amazing. Every once in a while you walk in and hit the jackpot. I rarely even set foot in a Gap since preppy isn't really my style. I like a little more color and glitz in my life then the typical Gap shopper - but as with any store you never know what you'll find that you can work into the perfect little outfit.

You may have noticed I've been adding quickly to the book list on the left side of my blog. I am almost halfway through my 25th book of 2010. We're currently reading The Red Tent for book club. Jury is still out for me on how I feel about it. Fictional stories based on biblical characters are always a bit intriguing to me. Theres a little more of a sexual vibe to it then I care to read typically - maybe it just freaks me out that 4 sisters are married to the same man. Having 2 sisters of my own, it's hard not to be a bit creeped out by that...even realizing that social norms were different in biblical days.

For those of you who caught my video blog, you already know that I am now leading a small group (bible study) in my home! That is going amazingly well and I continue to be inspired and challenge by our current study entitled: Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild. She's refreshingly frank and I appreciate a to-the-point gal. I am pleased and grateful for how the group is taking off...God is so good.

Oh yeah, I can't believe I almost forgot... I won biggest loser (the work edition). It always feels good to win but honestly, the contest itself was great for all of us and together the 3 of us lost over 40 lbs in 10 weeks. So it was a great team effort to get healthy and fit for the summer (and forever). I considered showing you all my before and after pics but just couldn't bring myself to post my double chin on the internet. Gross.

Who's got exciting plans for the 4th of July? My only request is a tan and some fireworks. I don't care where or with who. Still working on those deets.

Love,

B