Week 9/10

I am still doing Zumba 3-4 times a week and eating as I should with the occasional cupcake every 3 weeks.  My goal is not to lose weight, but to feel better and be healthy. I never monitored what I ate and it was catching up to me. I also was not very active and felt it was important seeing that I was was having anxiety issues more frequently. Exercise helps greatly in trying to overcome anxiety and so far it has worked. I don't rely on my meds and my sciatic has not bothered me once.

I've noticed my pants are baggy and I have gone down a pant size which is a great motivator.  I try to weigh myself every 2 weeks to track progress and since January I have lost 9 pounds. I would love to be my high school weight again, but I will settle for just being healthy and happy.

Cat-tographer

Cat-tographer

My cat would not be amused.

Going Green

preserve

Came across this while looking for a new toothbrush yesterday. It's a recycled toothbrush made out of yogurt cups. Even the packaging is designed to allow you to submit your old toothbrush for recycling. I didn't buy it, but it definitely grabbed my attention. Maybe next time.

Super Cool!

Princess Diana's wedding dress is on tour in the U.S.
This iconic piece of fashion history would be a dream to see in person.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

msnbc

Endless Comparison

Lady Gaga's new single, "Born this Way" recently dropped and all the buzz I keep hearing is that it seems oddly familiar to Madonna's "Express Yourself". I compared the two and yes, the two songs seem interestingly alike, but what song doesn't? Nowadays, most songs rip off elements from music made in the 70's/80's, right? Everything about music today is non-original and is always copied in my eyes. I like her new single and yes she will always be compared to Madonna, but I think she is more original than most artists putting out stuff right now.

You be the judge:

thehollywoodgossip

Wedding Inspiration

From the beginning, my theme has always been "Old Hollywood Glamour" and I just love the whole era of dressing up to do anything and the sophistication it carried. I have been looking for inpiration to help me plan this shindig without stressing over all the details. I found it when I started to look at pictures of these lovely ladies. I then felt a sense of calm in knowing that everything will work out as it should. I have so many people around me willing to help and love from all over that will help me through this journey. Can't wait!

Wedding Jump Start

I stood in my last wedding of the year (so far, that I know of) this weekend. It is really amazing to see the personalities and differences between each wedding we've attended this year. This week, my goal is to finalize my wedding party and start looking into food options for the reception. The list is endless when it comes to picking the menu since Vegas is known for its great restaturants.  I also want to get started on my registry since people keep asking us and also get some ideas going for the invites. The list goes on and on. I just need to go step by step, so that I don't lose my sanity.

Jury Doodie

I was called to serve jury duty last week for the first time. I had a gut feeling I was going to be picked and my instinct was correct. I was chosen out of 280 people and had to spend an extra day at court serving on a civil case. It was an experience, but not one that I'd like to do again, thank you very much.

Fashion Prayers Answered

A second chance for fabulous fashion! Target is re-releasing a collection of several dresses by 17 of their most popular designers.
All of these dresses will be available once more March 13- April 10.

Designers will include these favs: Luella Bartley, Tara Jarmon, Paul & Joe, Behnaz Sarafpour, Proenza Schouler, Libertine, Alice Temperley, Erin Fetherston, Jovovich-Hawk, Rogan, Richard Chai, Jonathan Saunders, Thakoon, Tracy Feith, Rodarte, Zac Posen and Tucker.

My  favorite is this black Zac Posen worn by Selma Blair!

Get To It

Oh, man. It's time to bust out the wedding check list and get to work. I have my last wedding this weekend and then I will start up the planning process again. Luckily, the fiance and I are splitting tasks and working together!

Dress Blues

I am dying to see my wedding dress again, but it won't be ready for pick up until April. The funny thing is that every time I try looking for it in bridal magazines or the brand's website or even just googling, it never shows up in a search. To me, that's proof enough that I made the right choice. I would have reservations if I saw it everywhere. Yay, me!

Style Star

I have always admired Gwen Stefani's style and it's amazing the evolution she has had all these years. I can't believe I was in junior high when No Doubt first came onto the scene. I was and still am obsessed.

Head Case

I am going to my future sis-in-law's wedding this weekend in San Antonio. As noted on the invitation, all women must wear hats. I bought a headpiece online and really like it, but want to find a hat to wear. I was thinking of incorporating the headpiece into the hat I find for a more dramatic look since I will be speaking at the ceremony. I have been searching for a good hat store in Houston to no avail. I know people in Houston wear hats, but where do they buy them from? I thought this would be an easy find, but so far it's been a challenge. The pictures above resemble what I am looking for, but can't find! Hopefully I can find something soon 'cause times a ticking. Otherwise, I'll just have to settle wearing just the headpiece alone. Sigh.

Wedding Ideas

I started saving pictures of the lovely things I would want to incorporate into my wedding and interesting ideas based on my color scheme. The ideas are endless, but my biggest obstacle will be trying to fit everything on a plane to Vegas.

http://www.theknot.com/

Back Home

I traveled to Brownsville, Texas last week to attend the funeral, but unfortunately got stranded due to the icy weather. We ended up staying for a couple extra days and weren't home until Saturday. Needless to say my eating habits were not what you'd call healthy in any way. I tried hard to eat good, but the homemade tortillas and Mexican pastries got the best of me. As soon as I got home I got back on the healthy train by going to Zumba and eating right again. It hurt trying to work out after nearly a week of eating bad and not doing any exercise, but now I'm back on and happy to be home.

Fresh Start for 2011: Week 4

I feel a definite change in my body and am loving the results. My mom complemented me the other day and noticed a flatter stomach. Something I haven't had since college. I have been going to Zumba 3-4 times a week and can honestly say I am addicted. I have so much fun and can't believe it is an actual workout (well, not really since I sweat buckets and wake up sore).

My eating habits are improving and I find it easier to turn away bad foods.  What helps is that my fiance is doing it with me, so I have a work out buddy and someone who encourages me to order the right foods. It's a challenge, but I love the results and compliments. Week 5 here I come!

Love & Loss

In the middle of all the weddings we've had, we have been struck with the sudden death of my fiance's grandfather. He was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer over the holidays and underwent aggressive chemo and radiation treatments. These treatment injections caused an infection which led to his hospitalization last week and to what his family did not expect to happen.  It's very sad to see a family go through something like this especially when they have never experienced death so closely before.

With all this I am reminded of my grandmother's passing more than ten years ago. It was a very familiar situation, sad and painful but the love of my family healed the pain.

I pulled out of my future sister-in-laws bachelorette party to be with my fiance and was glad I stayed to help his family out while they faced this tragic loss. It's amazing the power of love a family can hold. His whole family dropped everything and drove miles across Texas to be with their grandfather during his last days.

I know that things happen for a reason and believe he was ready to go on even though he left behind so many people who loved him. My prayers are with his family and hope their love blankets their loss.

God bless you Juan Quintanilla. You will never be forgotten.