Home and Beyond

So it looks like this will be my last week in Houston! I would be completely lying if I said that I was sad. Work wise, I have learned a lot and I think I have really grown a lot in my position. However, I am ready to get HOME! I haven't blogged as much as I originally planned this summer, but I think this will definitely be something that I keep up going forward. I'm still finding my voice and figuring out what my blogging "niche" will be. I've been reading (mostly) healthy living blogs and fashion blogs for awhile now. It's a really good way to stay connected to real life things and see what other people of similar age are doing/through. The healthy living blogs have been a strong source of inspiration for me this summer. I am sad to say that my work outs have seriously diminished these past couple of weeks because I really don't have the mental energy to spend on it. My only focus this week is getting home. I am, however, super excited to get back home and back in my groove ( body pump!! I'm coming for you!).

Since last spring, I have really shaped up my life (exercise routine and eating habits). I wanted to get in to the groove of healthy living. I didn't want to diet...and I absolutely suck at it. But thanks to my favorite blogs, I have learned what it is like to be balanced. If I want a piece of cake, I can eat it. Maybe the next day, I am a little more strict about snacking or I add some time on to my workout. I don't feel deprived and I am not on a diet. I try to eat clean most of the time (except when I want cake..or pizza...or whatever). I've started watching what I eat more.. Sure I could live off of frozen meals and perfectly meet a calorie goal every day but yuck. I think about things like protein! Fiber! Sugar (lack there of)! Grains (gluten free)! Etc. And I exercise because it makes me feel good about myself. Not because I only weigh 100 lbs ( I definitely don't!) but because I feel strong. I like the feeling when I run just a little longer or lift a little heavier than I could last week. And I have gotten to the point where I feel like it's okay if I slack off for a few weeks because I have to think about my overall health..and my mental health is a big part of that. That's a big thing for me. I definitely have OCD tendencies and have felt myself slipping into the mindset of disordered eating or extreme guilt if I don't exercise X number of times that week in the past.

You might be surprised to know that my self-confidence has not always been the best. It's improved a lot thanks to the things mentioned above and also because of Kyle. When we first started dating, I didn't wear shorts. Period. And I usually wore a sweatshirt. In the summer. Yep. It's hard being a girl (and boy for that matter!) in today's world. There is always someone better than you, smarter than you, prettier than you. Sometimes it gets to even those of us who consider ourselves strong and not particularly susceptible to outside influences.

For those of you interested...Here are some of my favorite blogs.

Peanut Butter Fingers
Clean Eating Chelsey
Carrots N Cake
My Food N' Fitness Diaries
The Life and Lessons of Rachel Wilkerson
Kendi

Those are the ones I read just about every day...but there are about twenty that I frequent ( i.e. creepily stalk without commenting. Like You. You're doing it right now!). It's like reality tv minus the sleaze!!

I don't really know where this blog is going yet... a journal of my day to day happenings...a healthy living blog...a place to discuss current events and issues...a mixture.. I don't really know. So far this blog has been kind of a mix of everything, but as I continue, I really want this blog to have some kind of congruent voice. I guess you'll have to stick around and keep reading to find out which direction it's going to go! I do this for me...I love to write and often times I do feel like I have something worthy to say. But I also do it for YOU.  In the hopes that maybe something I say touches you in some way, or that you relate to it, or simply that you have better picture of who I am or my life. I figure if I could be inspired and feel connected to others, then maybe I could have something to offer as well. 

I do hope that you will continue to keep creepily stalking me! ;)

XOXO

Secret Post

Dear you,

I remember being in the car in 2005 ( when you weren't mine) and telling my friend in the passenger seat that there was something special about you and me, that we fit. It took a few years to really come to fruition but now I can't believe how true that is. I could never imagine a more perfect partner, my a little more Type A personality to your a little more Type B personality. Opposites don't attract though. In all of the major ways, we're the same person.

Home is where the heart is, so my home is where you are. If being in Houston all summer has taught me anything, it's that for sure. I'm a little less me when you aren't around. We aren't perfect and we have our moments but I wouldn't trade them for anything else. I admire how far you have come, the life changes that you have made for you, how smart you are, how kind you are, how funny you are (the same exact humor as me), and how handsome you are of course ( handsome and  naturally cool). I love the way that you research every little single part to any new hobby you are into, you never half-way anything. I love the way you are Mr. Thundercloud on weekday mornings but I am ABSOLUTELY NOT ALLOWED to sleep in on weekends (and wake up time isn't complete without a music quiz). I love how you baby the cats, most especially Danger ( I'm glad she's a cat, not sure if I could compete). I love how you can't eat your food until the setup of said food has been completed. I love how you have an idea or a tip for anything we make in the kitchen. I love that you can cook. I love how you know a good amount of information about almost any topic I can think of. I love how you can imitate almost anyone (but your rap voice is my favorite). I love your ability to make up a clever song on the spot. I love that you can sing all of the pop punk classics still. I love how you get stir crazy if youre a) in the house too long b) alone too long....exactly like me. I love how we accidentally match more often then not.

Basically, you're amazing and I love you. I wish that you could see yourself through my eyes because you would never doubt yourself again. I look up to you, I respect you, I adore you. Just thought you should know.

Birthday!

So yesterday was my 25th birthday!! Am I really that old?? I took Friday off to spend an extra day at home and it was wonderful!! It was so nice to sleep in my own bed that extra night. Kyle started off the weekend by welcoming me home with some birthday balloons and AMAZING gluten free cupcakes.

If you are gluten free or know someone in the Dallas area who is... There is an amazing bakery on Buckner behind the green spot. It used to be called Wholesome Foods Bakery but now I believe they have changed the name to Unrefined Bakery. Their food is incredible. Their banana nut bread is one of my favorite treats and now their cupcakes!! Thanks Kyle!!

On Saturday we spent some time running some birthday errands...starting off with a delicious brunch at one of our favorite spots, Company Cafe. They have amazing gluten free food but also just incredible food all the way around. Kyle's favorite dish is the venison tacos. We then went to do some birthday shopping which included some brand new toms.

Yes I am spoiled.

 

On Saturday night we had a family get together which was really nice. It was the biggest get together we have had in the duplex so far and I would say that it was a success! We're really proud of where we are right now and how great of a team we are, so it was really nice to share it with our family. And yes, I got many more delightful birthday treats!

Lately I have been in this ultra nesting mode at home and have really been wanting to finish (or at least not feel like we're camping!) our house. I spent some birthday money on Sunday getting a few items that have been on our "must-do" list for awhile.

Like curtains for the living room...

We got some curtain rods for the bedroom too but are still waiting to find the perfect curtains...When we were browsing at HomeGoods (one of my faves!), we stumbled across this gem...

 We have been looking for something else to go over the tv for awhile. Originally we had planned on putting a clock up but when we saw this painting Kyle and I both agreed that it was perfect for our room. Kyle's office building (and window!) is actually pictured in the painting. Personal and stylish! (We watch too much HGTV..and by we I mean me.) Those two seemingly minor additions have made the living room complete!

I love seeing our house come together like a home. Kyle and I are such a great team and it's really fun to blend our styles together and create things that are ours. I feel incredibly blessed all the way around! A special thank you to my mister for making my birthday weekend absolutely incredible. He does a pretty darn good job of making me feel special and loved all the time..not just on my birthday :)

Only a few more weeks here in Houston until I am back for good and I can't wait!!