Workin' On My Fitness

A couple of months ago a couple of buddies and I decided to try out the new barre workout fad. Believe it or not, I'm getting pretty into it. My biggest struggle has simply been sticking with a routine during the crazy busy summer months and days, but I'm sure that goes with anything … so I'm still going to say it's a win.

If you've ever taken a barre class you'll really appreciate this blogger's post. I feel compelled to share it with you simply because it is hysterical and so completely on point.

But anyways, back to the topic at hand: Fitness Fashion. Recently I posted about some lustful items I've been eyeing for my birthday list.  So, today I'm gonna share some new workout gear I've got my eye on. A new season doesn't just mean regular clothes refresh, workout gear need some freshening too … am-i-right?!

Daybreak Hoodie | Intention Cover Up | Cochise Jogger Shoe by The People's Movement (MOVMT) | Pallabrouse Baggy Boot by Palladium  | Powerhouse Mesh Tank | Odyssey Cami | Fast Track Tank

First, you'll notice this list does not include anything lulu lemon. And let me mention, if I could afford it and all its glory I would likely have listed all new lulu items (since I seem to the be the only one in my classes that doesn't rock it 24/7), but I can't so I don't even know what size I would be and all that jazz. So, I'll stick with my trusty Athleta and Gap brands … they're working juuuuust fine. 

Second, the tanks: I'm sort of obsessed with all things strappy when it comes to work out tanks right now. I still love the tried and true racer back, but something about the strappiness makes me feel really feminine and dare I say, a little pretty?

Third, the hoodie and tunic cover up: nothing says fall like a great jacket. These are on point.

Fourth, the shoes: no, you don't wear shoes to the barre, but I mean seriously. Those tennis?! How fab would those be with a good ole' pair of boyfriend jeans. And the boots, I love the sneaker feel while combining them with my ultimate love: boots. Simply can't go wrong. 

Okay, I'm off to move no more than an inch, but it will be the hardest thing I do all day. (Fellow barre goers … see what I did there?!)

Love it and Lust it

Well hellloooo Friday. And hello month before my birthday!  I'm starting to swoon over new fall items that are making their way to my inbox, store shelves, and favorite websites. I can't help but think I better start putting together a wishlist for the ole' bday :) hehe.

My current items I'm lusting over include these beauts. 

Cotton v neck sweater | J Crew quilted vest | Ankle booties | Ankle booties | Frye Veronica Short | 

Boot EXTENDED SIZES AVAILABLE | AG Adriano Goldschmied The Legging Ankle | Piperlime

Ahhhh, September you're such a great month. I'll welcome you with open arms. 

Recipe Monday: Sun Tea

Okay, my girl Miranda Lambert came out with a song this summer titled: Automatic. Besides the fact that it's a super stellar tune, there is a lyric in the song that goes "Quarter in a pay phone, drying laundry on the line, watching sun tea in the window, pocket watch, tellin' time"

If you wanna check it out, here's the tune:



Otherwise, just take my word for it and the fact that "watching sun tea in the window" has been my real-life little rascals' example of "babes are like a bad song … once you get em' stuck in your head you can't get em' out again."  Yep, that's me … just gallavanting around all summer long jamming to Automatic in my head.

Catchy tune aside, finally I decided to not only sing it, but bring back a fond childhood memory of making sun tea with my momma. Nevermind the fact that as a small child I HATED tea and my mom didn't like it either, so I INSISTED she make it with me time and time again only to throw the entire pitcher away an hour after it was complete.

But now, I am a poised adult who thoroughly enjoys not only making sun tea, but actually drinking it this time around. So I've devoted hot summer days to do just that. And I am happy to report my husband and small toddler also enjoy drinking said sun tea. Today, I share it with you!

Sun Tea Ingredients:

• 12 cups hot water 
• 8 tea bags
• 1 cup sugar
• Fresh mint sprig
• Lemon slices

Alright, now for the hard part, the extremely complicated seven steps of completion (TOTALLY kidding). I forgot to start taking photos until I actually got it outside, but hopefully you can imagine what adding water and sugar to a container looks like :)

Step 1: Place 12 cups of warm-hot water in large glass jar with metal top. (Mine has a plastic top and it doesn't freak me out, but a plastic container may. All that heat and those BPA conversations … I don't know, it's enough to just use glass .. k?)

Step 2: stir 1 cup sugar into water until dissolved.

Step 3: add tea bags and close the lid.

Step 4: Walk your happy little booty outside and put the container in the SUN. All sun, all  day err day. Turn right around and walk back inside WITHOUT the container in hand. Leave container in said sun spot 4-5 hours.

Step 5: Get a big ole' glass of ice ready.

Step 6:  Walk your even happier about-to-have-sun-tea booty back outside to retrieve container and bring inside. Or leave it outside and pour straight from the sun and then put it in the fridge … we couldn't wait a second longer!Pour the delicious concoction over a big ole' glass of ice.  (Yes, that is our horrible looking backyard. We had like 11 trees removed last fall and still have yet to take care of it. Our poor neighbors.)

Step 7: Add a mint sprig and some lemon if you're feeling fancy. Kick up your piggies and REFRESH. Sun tea peoples.

Getcha summa that good good.  Helllloooooooo summatime.

Confessional Friday: No More Rolls or Curls

It's been a while since I've played along, but I decided to link up with  Leslie today for Confessional Friday and get some stuff off my chest before we head into this AUGUST weekend ... sayyy whhhaaaaa??? Uhm am I the only one wondering where in the world July went? How is it seriously possible that all of the little tykes in my neighborhood go back to school in less than two weeks? DON'T GO SUMMER, DON'T GO!

So, let's start with that shall we?

I confess ... I am so not ready for summer to come to a close. I have had one of the best summers to date. Chalk it up to my first ever summer as an adult working from home, so I get to plan my days accordingly to ensure pool time, walks in the summer breeze heat, extended weekend trips, impromptu trips to the zoo and other excursions, fun extravaganzas with my mom, beach trips with the fam, hang out days with my boys, and just everything that summer has to offer + a tiny human to share it with. Thank you Summer 2014, Thank you. We have loved every second of you.

I confess ... The outlet malls 20 minutes from my house grand opened yesterday and the news is all warning everyone that traffic will be terrible and you should wait a few days to go and blah blah blahh. Buuut, I realllly want to be part of the crazy madness and see what it is all about. Today is supposed to be sort of low humidity, so I'm tempted to get a cram work session in the am and take little dude out for a stroll to snag some late summer deals. Can I get and AMEN for outlets that are FINALLY less than an hour away?

I confess ... When it comes to laundry day at my house I come dangerously close to losing my cool, EVERYTIME. Why you ask? It probably has something to do with the fact that my husband is a spoiled brat that has NEVER done his own laundry and therefore acts as such. My husband innocently and absentmindedly forgets helpful tidbits that make laundry day run a little smoother. Socks, Shane. Socks. Am I the only woman out here who's husband is not capable of taking his socks off properly? It's like he is psychically unable to remove them in a normal fashion and instead takes 20 minutes to roll them into a little ball.  Said balled sock, takes me an extra 20 seconds to first play seek and find in the hamper to ensure I have retrieved all of them; second carefully untangle the over-the-top mangled ball of colorful cotton combination slathering my hands in your previous weeks foot sweat - which inevitably makes me gag 10 times over; and third kindly place back in the pile containing the other 100 socks and 50 pairs of boxer briefs you managed to dirty in a mere 5 days. (the number of grammatical errors above is enough to make the socks unravel themselves, but I'm all worked up ... so I will not apologize) Let's ask one more question: Katie, why does it matter how he takes his socks off? Just put them in the washer all balled up and then deal with it later. Uhm, how bout NO SCOTT (Austin Powers anyone?). If you do this little number, THEN when you go to wash them, they remain damp, and almost still wet if I'm being honest. And THENNNNN they smell like mildew, and they are never clean. It's a vicious cycle. Whew. Okay, I digress ... until laundry day rolls around next week.

I confess ... There are so many things happening in my life right now I feel like I need an entire week to sit down and process. Some I can share, some I cannot, but good grief I'm hanging on tight as to not spin out of control! So many emotions, so little time, so much to comprehend. EEEEEK.

I confess ... Our little dude got his first haircut last night. Because of said mop chop, I feel personally victimized for my decision (I kid ... sort of). Hubs and I just took the approach, when our son started resembling Joe Dirt more so than his next of kin ... it was indeed time. It was really sad to see the baby curls go, but all in due time. He did pretty good, had a mild meltdown, but mostly okay. He is now sporting a much more savvy baby boy do and looks mighty dapper if you ask me! And he got a sucker and a balloon to make it all worthwhile! The Mohawk will not be the daily style, we were just being funny to make it official.

 

I confess ... I was a sucker at the Kid O Cuts and paid the extra moolah to get a commemorative first haircut certificate, baby curls included. (I blame it on my mommy hormones and baby curls).

I confess ... In less than 3 weeks I am headed out on a much needed gals trip to celebrate our pretty bride to be - JENNI B! We're headed to DC to wreak havoc on the streets and giggle until our little hearts are content and I am Oh SO excited. Word on the street is an American theme is on the table. Oh lawd.

I confess ... I bought the cutest pair of jeans from the Gap (HOLLA for the 40% off right now) and it's making me so excited for fall and a new pair of camel toned boots. I'm not wishing away summer, but man oh man do I love fall.

I confess ... it is almost noon and that means it's basically the freakin weekend. YAHOOOO!