Working Out

So, it looks like I jinxed myself last week. I admitted to myself it was ok for me to miss my goals, and so what do you know, last week I did. The next two weeks, and this week included, are crazy for me at work, but that’s not an excuse (ok, maybe just a little one!), but I need to get better at reaching my personal goals. So, this week I am going to give myself some easier goals because…

A. it’s already Tuesday, and,
B. b. tomorrow and Thursday I have to work until 11 pm (again, not an excuse)


So this week, I need to work out at least twice and make it to kick boxing with my sis on Saturday. Something neither of us made it to last week.
I’m definitely disappointed in myself for missing my goals, these are important to me and I’ve definitely noticed a difference and in what I can do. The wii trainer definitely kicked my butt today! So I promise to do better, and get back in to more suitable goals next week!
To my friends, I’m still looking for your inspiration, motivation, and work out tips. Anything you can offer, I definitely appreciate it!

Reading: Its Good For The Soul

I love to read. I read every day. On the bus, in the bath, before bed, waiting for a friend, any chance I get. It’s very rare to find me in your company without a book. But don’t worry I’m not rude about it. I won’t make you wait while I finish a page, or paragraph, or a chapter. I’ll quietly fold the corner over of the page and we can get down to whatever it is we’re going to do.

So what do I read? Well, quite a bit, but not everything. I love any kind of chick lit, I love Jodi Piccuolt, Jennifer Weiner, Barbra Delinsky, Diane Chamberlain, and even a recent Nicolas Sparks convert! I usually love the Target Book Club books and have found some really great new books through their picks.

I love self help books on business, budgets, relationship advice, health, and green living

And I love mystery and law. Dan Brown, John Grisham, pretty much all the best sellers.

So right plan.

now I’m currently reading two books, I’ reading "Knit Two" by Kate Jacobs in my spare time and "The C Students Guide to Success" by Ron Bilwas. My goal is to read 1 self help book a month, as part of my "new year, new me"

plan.

In the future I’m planning on posting small reviews on the books I read, I believe it’s important to share good books with good friends. I’m always telling my friends to read this book or that, and often giving them my copy. So stay tuned to hear more about the books I’m reading.

Along the same lines, I’m always looking for recommendations. So, if you’ve recently read a good book, and want to recommend it, please leave me a comment or send me an email. Along the same lines, I would love to join a book club that reads the types of books I love. If you belong to a club, thinking about starting a club in Lincoln Park I would love to know more about it!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Working Out

So, last week I gave myself some workout goals. I’m happy to say I was able to surpass my goals. I worked out 4 days, went to the kick boxing class with my sister, and remembered to stretch after my workouts. I even did a little Pilates with Daisy Fuentes (on the wii of course!). So I’m really happy with my progression, week 3 is usually about the time I give up, but I’m working hard on it. Saying that I know that I may not always meet my goals, and I want to make sure I don’t get down on myself. As soon as I think I can’t do it is about the time I give up.

What I need from you:

So this week, I’d love to hear what everyone else does that keeps them motivated. I really want to stay with this and improve my lifestyle, but I definitely need help! Any ideas, tricks, methods, workouts, any advice you have, I’d love to hear it, so just leave me a comment!

This week, my goals are to:

work out 4 days this week, finish the calorie combustion Bosu workout, go to kick boxing with Shannon, and to have fun with my workouts.

Lucky in Love

Back in July my sister Becky married the love of her life, Emerson. It was a beautiful wedding, and much like Shannon's, we did a lot of the work ourselves.

It was a great experience and a lot of fun. It really brought my sisters, my mom and I together. Between the shower, the wedding, and everything in between we constantly getting together and crafting whatever could.

The theme of Becky's wedding was Lucky in Love. Everything was red, black, and white and had an Asian twist. The centerpieces were made from Chinese take out boxes, the napkins were folded in fans, everything revolved around being Lucky in Love.

Out of everything we did, my favorite was probably the candy bar. I still can't believe how incredible it turned out. We had all sorts of red, white and black candies in different vases, decanters, bowls, it was simply amazing! On top of that we made cute little labels to go on all jars.

Everything matched and looked great. Becky looked blissful, Emerson was in love and the cake was amazing! My sister was able to get a replicate of the cake in Because I Said So with Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore. It was amazing! Truly gorgeous, it makes me excited and hopeful for my own wedding someday. 5 years in counting, so hopefully its coming soon! And since out my sisters I'm the last I'll have to make sure to go out with a bang!

Working Out

I loathe working out. Its not fun, it takes away time I could be doing something else, and I just hate it. But this year is the year of the new me, and its time to get it done- especially since I've been paying for a gym membership for the past two years! Right now, I'm rocking the at-home workouts, at least until I'm comfortable going back to the gym and its warm outside. Who wants to wait for a bus or worse walk in this Chicago weather right now, seriously?

To round-up my at-home workouts...I'm a huge fan of the gazelle (thank you Tony Little!) the wii, and my newest purchase, the Bosu ball. I also love the blog Your Wishcake and totally support her Work it Out Weekends and want to join in the fun.

So to help me in my quest, I'm making myself accountable and writing about my workouts throughout the week. Don't worry, its not all I'll be writing about, but I at least want to make it a recurring post. Please feel free to share with me your success stories, obstacles, advice, insights, complaints, what have you. I'm a great listener and would love the feedback.

My goals for this week:

I want to workout at least 3 times this week, go to a kickboxing class with my sister Shannon, and work on stretching more after my workouts, maybe fit a little pilates in!

Welcome

Welcome to Splendidly Sweet!

All things about my life, my loves, and Lincoln Park.

For the past few months I have been busy planning both of my sister's weddings. We've had great fun with do it yourself ideas and I love to share our craftiness with others! I will posted a few pictures of what we've done, ideas we've had, projects that have worked, and thing we wish we would have done differently.

A little bit about the weddings....


Shannon's - Live, Laugh, Love

Shannon's wedding was an simple yet elegant affair. It was an afternoon garden wedding in the intimate setting of our grandparents beautiful gardens. Shannon was adorned in a striking haltered princess dress with many pickups and a beautiful black sash, she carried a beautiful bouquet of calla lily's. The bridesmaid dresses were a nice contrast, black dresses with white sashes and again the beautiful pickups.

We used a plethora of flowers from the garden - especially huge white hydrangeas that were used to dress up potted plants that served as the entrance to the garden as well as the table to offer programs (fans we made ourselves) and bottled waters to cool the guests off.

Making the fan programs was quite a task, and quite fun! We ordered large wooden sticks, spray painted this silver and let them dry for a few days. We then printed out the fans, with the wording we choose, and included a cute picture of Shannon and her new husband Dan, and then carefully cut the fans out in the shape we choose (a large rounded rectangle) punched holes and ran ribbon through the bottom. It was super easy, and super fun. For us, we like to get together on Sunday's meet to do a few craft projects, and have all the boys (my two brother-in-laws, my love Matt, and my brother Zach) come over for a nice huge family dinner.

Besides the fan programs, for Shannon's wedding we made our own nvitations, centerpieces, menus - you name it we at least tried it. Overall, the wedding and the event was beautiful. I promise pictures to come soon.