Heart Happy

Last week was a rough week filled with traveling and way too much work stress. This week, I am starting out with a positive attitude and recognizing all the things that are making me happy.

1. These little monsters! Do you not just want to trade places with them?? Seriously, I will take laying in the sun all day instead of working/traveling!

2. This handsome man. I am always thankful for him and last week when I was gone all week and he got stuck for an extra night on his work trip, I was reminded how lucky I am to get to spend almost every single day with him. (I did get to catch up on lots of tv shows the night he was gone and that made me feel a lot better. BTW, I am so happy that Shahs of Sunset and RHOBH are back on!!)

3. This song. We used this in our wedding video but I have loved it all my life. Something about this song makes me smile every. single. time.

4. My new "winter" beverage - Coco Spice. It's just hot coconut milk, agave or stevia, and pumpkin pie spice. It's vegan, low cal and SOO good! I'll do a separate post on this little treat later because I am obsessed! :) 

5. Shaun T's FOCUS T25 DVD Workout - Base Kit . All the benefits of Insanity in 25 minutes. I'll take it. Call me crazy but I can actually do this AND get a gym workout in. I'll be bikini ready by Spring in no time! 

What are your happies this week?

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I won...

...the worst, most inconsistent blogger award.

Yup, I totally gave it to myself but I so deserve it. I have really good intentions of posting and have all these half written posts all ready to go but time just keeps getting away from me. Ugh.

But, with my big trip over - Hawaii recap to come - I am getting back into the swing of things and plan to be better about consistently posting.

As I finish up some of my half posts and create some new ones, Amanda and I are getting ready for our big So Cal Blogger Meet Up on Nov 3 in San Diego (note location change). Our list is growing so if you are in So Cal and want to meet up with us, let me know and I will send you the event details. If you can't make this one, there will be PLENTY of others to come!

Hope you all have a fab week & a happy Monday! :)

From So Cal? Visit our site and join us! 

Insta Weekend: Fun, Flats and Sunday Funday

Hi everyone! So I am keeping it interesting by posting with no set schedule or frequency. I like to keep it fun. :)

I am super happy it's Monday this week...only because that means 4 DAYS TILL HAWAII. The only Monday I ever really like is the Monday before Hawaii and here it is! Yay.

We spent the weekend getting excited and preparing for our trip.

Starting with drinks and the most amazing pizza to celebrate our upcoming trip!

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Note to SD ladies...if you have never been to Blue Ribbon Pizza - GO! It's the best. And get the truffle popcorn...yum.

On Saturday, we spent the morning running errands and looking at cars (TBD). The best part of the day, however, was that I got these babies in the mail! Just in time for traveling!

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If you don't know about Tieks, check out this post. They are the best flats ever. I got the mint ones from their new pastel collection and am in love with them.

On Sunday, I had a first...I went to a bar in gym clothes. To be honest, I went to a bar once in PJs but that was like 10 years ago and involved quite a few barcardi and diet cokes. Backstory: I was totally late meeting some friends so I went straight from the gym to catch the end of the game. I obviously did not die from it but probably not something I would do again - on purpose.

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Like my slicked back gym sweat hair?? Gross! 

While I was drinking watching the game, my darling husband went out to run some errands and surprised me with a iPad mini for our trip. How cute is that? He even got me a cute green cover! #luckygirl

We ended the night with a BBQ and another amazing Cardiff sunset. Pretty much an awesome weekend...can't complain!

How was your weekend? What did you do??

Linking up with Ms Sami today! 

If you are a So Cal Blogger - be sure to come to our Group Blate in November! 

So Cal Ladies...Save the Date & Join Us!

Hey all...

I know I have been a bit MIA lately but it's because I have been working on this awesome "meet up" with the beautiful Amanda from A Beautiful Mess. Ok, that is totally not why I have been MIA, it's still just summer catching up to me, BUT I really have been working with Amanda on this event and we are SOO excited about it.

First, if you don't know Amanda...please go over to her blog and check it out. If anything, you have to see how adorable her dog Luna is - she even has her own blog post! 

Now back to the all-star event...Amanda recently moved to the LA area and I have been in SD for a few years now but we thought it would be totally fun to have all the So Cal girls meet midway between LA & SD (Laguna Beach) for mimosas, blog talk and of course girl time. We are aiming for Sunday, November 3 (seems far but time is flying by so it will be like tomorrow before we know it).

Since I am completely paranoid about the crazies on the internet (sorry...but there are) we are not going to disclose the specific location details but if you are interested in meeting up with all of us, please email us or leave your email below and we will add you to the invite. And if you are not a So-Cal-living lady but are in the area and want to join us, we would love to have you!

We even made a special blog to post updates to the event and grow this little group of ladies.

The blog is still new and has a lot of work left on it, but we would love to have you guys follow along and contribute if you are interested. If at anything, let us know if you want to be added to the blog roll and if you want to do a guest post...we would be thrilled to feature you!

We hope to see you at the meet up/group blate and over at So Cal Sistas!

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{WIOW} - I Hear Bells...Kettlebells!

For today's WIOW (Work it Out Wednesday) post, I am sharing my new obsession with all of you...

Kettlebells.

These little monsters look innocent, but they are far from it. When used correctly, these give you an amazing full body strength and cardio workout like no other.

What is a Kettlebell, you ask? Great question. A Kettlebell is a cast iron off-center weight with a handle on top. Very different than a barbell or dumbbell. Apparently the off-centerness helps increase your workout as you need your core and additional strength to compensate.

Kettlebells provide a quick, but efficient workout. Since you use lots of different muscles in each exercise, you burn even more calories. And Kettlebells are known to tone you up, but not bulk you up. What we all want, right?

I created my workout above based off classes and online workouts. After doing them for a few weeks, I totally see a difference in my arms and abs. And I am pleasantly tired and sweaty after a 15 minute workout which is just fine with me.

On Kettlebell days, I usually do a quick run or eliptical workout (20 minutes) and then finish with Kettlebells and some ab work. I am always sore the next day which means I did it right!

If you follow the workout above, keep the following in mind:

1. When you do the swings, swing from your hips. I have heard many instructors and bloggers note the "bend and snap" from Legally Blonde as the correct form. When I tend to squat too much, I remember this little piece of info to correct my form.

2. When doing side bends, keep the arm with the Kettlebell up straight in the air as you lean to the opposite side. It helps to move your palm along your leg to stay in-line. These seem easy at first but once you hit 13-15, you really feel them. Great for obliques!

3. For the Up and Overhead, grab the Kettlebell from the top handle. As you lift it across your chest and above your head, quickly move your hands to the sides of the handle. It's almost like a little toss. That extra movement helps to target even more muscles and helps you hold on tighter to the Kettlebell as you lift it over your head.

4. Pick up the Kettlebell like a dead lift (bend your knees and use your legs) so that you don't pull your back.

5. I am not a personal trainer, nor do I have any professional experience. These are just suggestions based off my own workouts. Don't hold me to anything...if you want professional advice, please contact a personal trainer directly.

Now that we got those things out of the way, feel free to do this exercise once, twice or even three times. If you want to see some of these moves in action, check out Katrina from Tone It Up's video. She does some of the same moves but her workout is just as good! Love those TIU ladies!

If you try this out, let me know what you think. I would love to hear your feedback or any tips if you have them.

Have you used Kettlebells? What are your favorite toning workouts?

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When Life Gets in the Way...

Have I been the worst blogger or what?? This summer is really kicking my butt. I have every intention of blogging but then things get crazy and I decide that a nap or a quick workout is a better choice. I know none of you are dying due to my lack of posts but I do miss writing them and hearing all of your comments.

I gave my little bloggity a mini makeover over the weekend and came up with the quote above while refreshing my FAQ section. It's like my life motto :)

I am traveling the next couple of weeks but I am definitely going to try to post more. I can't promise anything but I am going to give it 100% effort!

Ooh and be on the look out for a fun collab/event that Amanda from A Beautiful Mess and I are putting together.

Happy Tuesday!

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My Not So Secret Addiction & Running Shorts Update

Darn it Lululemon...every time I find new short or pant that I love, you come out with an ever newer version that I love even more.

Remember this post where I told you about my favorite running shorts? Well, here is my newest update...so much has happened.

First, I ended up ordering the Run Track Attack Shorts in Pizzaz (orange) and LOVED them - even better than all the others. The waistband is definitely my favorite part. It is super comfortable but also says up. Absolutely no muffin top from these babies! I loved them so much I got a new blue pair. See...

I justified the new blue pair because I didn't actually like the red ones I ordered.

Although these LOOK cute, they were way too short for me. And I am short so I can only imagine what they look like on tall people. If short shorts are your thing, get these. But if not, stick to the Track Attacks!

So when I thought I finally found my fave shorts, enter in the Shake & Break short in the cutest check pattern ever.

These seem like a cross between my Work it Out Shorts and my Track Attack shorts and they combine the things I love about both in one (WIO - pockets, TA - waistband). Of course, I ordered them. And I am glad I did because this pattern sold out in just hours! I will keep you posted on fit, but I am sure I will love these ones too.

I just hope Lulu doesn't come out with an even newer, more awesome short. My bank account can't take anymore cuteness.

Have you ever bought something to have something even better come out just days later??

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