Monday, November 14, 2016

Scenes From Our Weekend

Hello Monday morning.  
We had a fun filled weekend and even got a head start on decorating for Christmas! 

Thursday I headed to Lee Lee's Hot Kitchen for lunch.  If you love Chinese food it is a must!  

I love their dumplings.  The sauce that they are served with is so good.  
We also had the salt and pepper chicken and ginger beef.   We liked the ginger beef best because it had more sauce and flavor than the chicken.

Friday morning was spent at the gym.   This twist front tee is the best to toss on when it's chilly!


This sweet guy is growing up so fast.

Friday night I headed out to an event and dinner with girlfriends.

Saturday mornings I love slowing down a bit.  It is nice to sleep in (and by sleep in I mean til 7:30- ha)  and just sit and enjoy my coffee after rushing around all week.  I bought this robe after my sister in law had the same one in NYC.  It is so comfy and comes in several different colors. 

The weather was dreary and cold all the weekend so the kids talked me into getting our Christmas decorations out.  They were so excited.  I love how much they love Christmas because I remember being the same way as a child- heck I still love Christmas!
Several people asked about Frances Moon's dress and it is from HERE.  She is princess obsessed:)

Saturday night I made oven roasted tomato soup for dinner.  I will post the recipe on here soon.  Roasting the tomatoes brought out so much flavor!

Sunday it was rainy and so cold.  We went to church and then hung around the house.  It was all about comfort and warmth!  My sweater, scarf and leggings are under $40.
I even let the kid's go ahead and build a gingerbread house just to keep them occupied.  They actually did a really great job although 3 hours later it fell apart.  I think they need to make the house part not as dense because the icing can't hold it together.  

I was craving Mexican pizza so we made homemade ones with this recipe.   They were so good!  I left the tomatoes and onions off the kid's pizza.  

Major love for this fringe sweater.  It is 40% off right now with code FRIENDS.  I am wearing a size small.

Have a great start to your week.




Saturday, November 12, 2016

Weekend Style + Best Deals

Happy Saturday!  
Last night I headed out for a trunk show and dinner with some girlfriends.
I noticed my vince sweater that I wore is now on sale.  I own it in black and gray. It is so soft and such a classic sweater to add to your closet.  It is a great length and it works well with leggings too.   I am wearing the small.


I have been really loving plaid this Fall.  I bought this plaid blouse at LOFT this week and it's a real winner.  They are currently running their Friends and Family event so everything is 40% off with code FRIENDS.  I am wearing a size small.  Thinking I may wear it for Thanksgiving.  

I also really liked these few pieces I tried on.  
I am wearing a small this would be so cute with booties or heels.

I am wearing an XS this ran on the large side.
I am wearing a small XS/S.

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I ordered these plaid pj's for Christmas and I was so excited when they arrived.  They are super soft and come in a few other colors.  I am wearing the small. 

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Gigi New York is offering 20% off this weekend.
I love uber clutch, it is such a good size.  I have the Driftwood color and it is a great neutral.

I also love this cross body.  


Happy Saturday and Happy Shopping!




Friday, November 11, 2016

Beauty Buzz

With the holidays right around the corner (Christmas is only 44 days away!) so many stores are releasing some really awesome beauty sets.  They are such a great deal and a great way to try several colors/scents at once.  

Beauty Buzz
Two personal favorites that I ordered for myself are these 2 Beauty Counter sets. 

This set contains 4 colors and they are all gorgeous.  
I tried every single gloss on and all the colors are amazing although the red is my favorite!  Perfect for the holidays.


The colors in this set are stunning.  There is so much you can do with this set.  This set is only $58 which is such a steal for all these colors.  It contains eyeshadow, blush, bronzer and eyeliner.
The palette also comes in this Winter Warm Set as well.
Another BC set that is an awesome deal.  The body butter and body scrub are two of my favorites from the line.  
This is a great way to try out all the scents.  You could also separate these sets and use a candle with another gift.  This could make a great teacher gift separated and paired with something else. 
Another great candle set.  These Nest holiday scents are my favorite.  I ordered this set because I love all these scents for the holidays.  

You save almost $100 by buying this set.  
I swear by the Chanel eye liner and mascara,  they are all I use.  
This is a great deal it is valued at $149 but only $50!  This would be great for everyday or for a killer smokey eye at night.
This is another great Bobbi Brown set.  I always love her colors. These look like they would be flattering on everyone.

I love all the Glam Glow masks (yes I am a mask junkie).  These are really great and leave your skin super refreshed.  
So many great colors!
I use my Beauty Counter Charcoal Mask once a week.  It gets really tight on your face and then when you wash it your skin feels super smooth.  I also use it as spot treatment for zits.  
This may be the best deal of all.  This retails for $100 but is $25.  This would make a great stocking stuffer or you could even open the box and separate the lip glosses and tie them to gifts.

This retails for $120 but is now $54!  I love the gold glitter handles.  Sephora is also running their Beauty Insider sale so you can save even more!

I love these Nest diffusers.  I usually put them in our bathrooms and they smell so good!  These make awesome hostess gifts too!
I love all Tata Harper products, especially her resurfacing mask.  This is a great way to try them all out.






Thursday, November 10, 2016

Daily Diet + Exercise Plan + Workout Gear

Today I wanted to share a little bit about my current diet and work out plan.  I am always on a mission to tone up and get fit and I feel like I finally have a good routine down.  I am 36 and since I am most likely done having babies I really want to try and be in the best shape I can.  
My goal is to feel good in a bikini next Summer.  I always wear one pieces because I feel too uncomfortable about my body in a two piece and I want to change that.  I am not getting any younger so I want to proudly rock a two piece while I can. 

I recently started doing some one on one training twice a week and I swear 3 weeks in and I can already see small results.  I reached out to my barre teacher Ashley Morris (at Pivotal Fitness) about training me one on one.   She has an amazing body and I love her classes.  They are not typical barre and really challenge you in a good way.   I knew she would hold me accountable and help me see the results I wanted.  If you live locally and are interested in training with her you can email her at chucktownfitchick@gmail.com.  She is amazing and trust me her body is insane- major goals. 

Ashley wanted me to have 5 set workout days.  Some weeks I only make 4 days but 5 is always my goal.  I prefer to knock them out during the week so I can relax on the weekend.  I always workout from 8:30-9:30.  I take Sterling to school around 7 come home and change and get Frances ready for school then head to the gym.  Her school doesn't start til 9:45 so she comes to the gym nursery with me.  That was a huge reason why I joined this gym because of child care.  I am the type of person where if I don't work out first thing in the morning I will make excuses, so I like to get my workouts done early.  Now that I have been going more often I feel like my body actually craves gym time.  I feel so much better on my gym days.  

This is my current schedule:

MONDAY- 1 hour barre class
TUESDAY- 1 hour training session
WEDNESDAY- Red Zone class - this is a boot camp similar to orange theory lots of cardio and circuits
THURSDAY- 1 hour barre or yoga
FRIDAY - 1 hour training session

For our training sessions we do mainly weights and ab work.  I really didn't lift any weights prior to this so I feel like I am starting to get more definition.  We focus all over the body and do leg work, arms, butt and abs.  Either before or after we train she has me to the stair mill for 15 minutes at between a 5-7 pace.  That machine is the devil.  I hate it and I am always so sweaty afterwards but it burns a lot of calories in a short amount of time. 

After 6 weeks I will give you guys an update.  We did some initial measurements and I will be curious to see the results.  So far I have lost 3 pounds and I am feeling more toned, my stomach also feels flatter.  

D I E T 

As far as my diet goes for the most part I eat fairly healthy.   I have really tried to cut out processed foods.  This is really hard for me because I love crackers, gold fish, cereal, if its a snack food and processed you name it and I used to snack on it.   I am getting used to it though and don't crave that stuff like I used to.  On the weekends I give myself a little more leeway.  I am not super strict, I love food so if I have a dinner out I am going to indulge and eat what I want.  

Here is a sample daily diet of what I eat.  Keep in mind I am not a nutritionist this is just me trying to eat healthy and feel good.  Everyone has different bodies and body types so you gotta do what works for you! 

B R E A K F A S T 
I always start the day with hot lemon water.  Followed by one cup black decaf coffee.  My breakfast is usually PB on whole grain toast and a little yogurt. I have been too burned out on eggs to eat them. Ashley said the complex carbs of the multigrain bread and the protein from the yogurt were a good morning combo to eat before I work out.  Since I work out from 8:30-9:30 I usually eat breakfast around 7:30.

After I work out I usually hit up Starbucks.  Probably a bad treat but I love it,  They just opened a drive through Starbucks beside my gym and it is bad news.  I usually get a tall decaf almond milk latte.  I also like a non fat green tea latte.   I have mentioned this before but after I had Frances I gave up most caffeine.  It was making me feel jittery and anxious and I feel so much better without it but I do still love my coffee.  

L U N C H 
I usually try and prep a few salads to have on hand for my lunch during the week although I typically eat lunch out at least one day a week with friends.
This week was No Mayo Broccoli Salad + White Bean Salad

The week before was Greek Salad + Couscous.

Tuna + White Bean Salad and Hummus is another go to lunch.

If I do eat lunch out I try and do a salad.  This week I ate at Taco Boy and had the Chicken Salad.

D I N N E R 
Dinner is a little more of a wild card.  I have been trying to cook healthier on a whole.  A few recent dinners I have had the past few weeks.  
Arugula + Crispy Prosciutto + Blue Cheese + Figs + Roasted Sweet Potatoes



S N A C K S 
I honestly don't snack much.  If I do it is string cheese, olives or nuts.  

A L C O H O L + B E V E R A G E S 
Yes,  I still have alcohol.  I would rather cut back on calories during the day to allow for a glass or two of wine at night.  As far as other beverages go I only drink water, sparkling water or unsweet tea during the day.  


F A V O R I T E  W O R K O U T  G E A R

I bought these Nikes over the Summer and love them.  They are the TR 6 OC Training ones.  They are light weight and work perfectly for the exercises I have been doing. 
I have this black color, they are 20% off right now.





My two favorite workout pants are both high waisted.  After two kids I need all the help I can get sucking it in.  I highly recommend both of these.  Sizing wise I wear a small in the Zella ones and a 6 in the Lululemon ones.  

These are a bit more expensive but I promise you worth every penny.  These make me feel like a million bucks when I have them on,  The material is fantastic and they really suck you in and are so flattering.

I love this top because it is not too fitted and it has the cutest back.  I own this in a few colors.  

I am wearing it here in navy., paired with the black lulu pants and nikes above. 

I have mentioned before but I prefer tops that are not super fitted when I workout.  I love this style.  The cotton is so soft, I usually wear this for barre classes.



This is great to toss on over any workout tank.  It is so soft too!  I have the black but I am thinking of getting another color. 


This is my favorite jacket to toss on when it is cold.  I find it is super flattering.  I am wearing a size 6. 

This was a Christmas gift last year and I love it!  I like to bring my own mat for barre and yoga.
Also available in several other patterns HERE