690 calorie cookie.

Last night, I had a lovely sushi dinner with some lovely ladies. We were supposed to have Kitchen Queens, but we decided to reschedule for next week because this week seemed to be a busy one for most people. Thursday, they suggested sushi, and I didn't have to think twice about it.

Hey, Colleen! 

Sarah and her California roll. 

After a spider roll and some edamame, we decided to grab a cookie from the mall before it closed.

THE Cookie
I rarely do this, so I figured I would get the one with frosting in the middle (I love frosting) and eat half then and save the other half.

After I ate the cookie (a little more than half), I had to enter the nutritional info into my WW app.


I was shocked. 

Yes, I know the cookie is bad. But I had no idea it would have the same amount of fat as a Big Mac-34 grams to be exact. And at 690 calories, it tops the greasy burger by more than 100 calories.

How can 94 grams of carbs be in something so small?

The whole cookie would be 19 points. I get 29 a day. Obviously, the cookie was a terrible choice. And honestly, I will probably never get it again. Yes, I will eat a cookie, but I will stick with a plain chocolate chip next time.

Molly was at our family reunion last weekend.
She followed her "dad" (aka my mom's cousin) around the entire day.
She makes me smile! 

Happy Friday! 

Wedding weight loss.

Guess what? My dress is in!

While tasty, Bubblicious isn't helping the situation. Goodbye, sugar!

After four months of waiting for it to arrive, I’m terrified to go try it on. Let’s just say I was between sizes and opted to go with the smaller one, positive I would lose a few LBS over the course of the past few months. Well, that didn’t happen. Shocker, I know.

But, I’m going to put on my big girl hat and call the dress shop this afternoon to set up a time to go try it on. I won’t start fittings until the end of August, so there’s still time (I know you’re rolling your eyes now).

If you’re married, did you lose weight before the wedding? If you’re not, do you think you will?

As usual, I’m in a weight loss competition at work, which is another motivation. I won last time! OK, so it was only five pounds and everyone else pretty much quit, but oh well.

Today's lunch was berry good. I had to.

So was our Fourth of July ice cream cake.

The past week has been crazy because I’ve had guests at my house and the boy was home. Everything is back to the usual level of craziness, which means I have no excuse to eat out every.single.night. It was fun while it lasted.

Colleen and Rachel, both bridesmaids. Rachel was in town all last week, and we had too much fun!

Happy hump day!

Five year college reunion and Mr. A's birthday.

This weekend, I had my five-year college reunion. What?

Not the best quality, but this is Megan and me.

Nikki and Katie, two of my bridesmaids.

Nikki and her wonderful husband, Paul. He also went to Hendrix, but he graduated before us.

Nikki and Alli.

I love this picture. Who knows what we were talking about.

You might be asking yourself what college has a five year reunion. Hendrix College! It’s a small liberal arts school in central Arkansas (affiliated with the Methodist Church—much like SMU in Texas).

Honestly, I really only saw the people I always see when I go “home.” But that’s OK because I love them!

Before the reunion, my Saturday started by working at the Northwest Arkansas Junior League's Touch a Truck fundraiser. Even though it was FREEZING at 7:30 a.m., it was fun to work with the girls on a fun event that supports such a great organization. I had to leave and immediately drive to Little Rock.

I shouldn't be dressed like this in mid-April!

The sun decided not to come out until after we finished setting up. At least it made an appearance!

When we got to Little Rock, we had a couple hours before the reunion, so I searched for an outfit to wear for this Saturday's engagement photo session. Unsuccessful. This is HARD! I bought this shirt, which is listed online as a cardigan (really?), but I don't think it is what I'm going for. And I don't know about a dress because I don't know if I want my legs to show. Also, it's supposed to rain Saturday. Great.

It looks completely different on me.

This weekend was also Adam’s 28th birthday! I didn’t do a special blog post for him because I’m 99 percent he doesn’t read my blog anymore. That’s OK. I love you, and I hope you had the best birthday ever!

The boy and I at the reunion Saturday night.

We had a great lunch with my family (so good to see them) at On the Border in Little Rock before we headed back to NWA. Then, it was time for Adam’s dinner choice—sushi! It’s pretty funny because before we dated, he thought he didn’t like sushi. Now he LOVES it. Dinner also included a huge cookie cake that I’ve successfully managed to make myself sick off eating way too much.

Since I’ve been eating so much cookie cake, I decided to really push myself during my lunch workout. We did our cardio/strength class outside, and I don’t know if it is because it’s the first time we’ve been outside this year or because I pushed a little too hard, but it killed me.

I was done after we did sets of stairs. And that was the first thing we did …

Happy Tuesday!

Armpit pain.

After rockin' out at body pump at 5:30 a.m. this morning, I obviously needed a shower before work.

And since I've yet to fulfill my lifelong dream of laser hair removal, I have to shave my armpits (such a gross word).

This morning, I did something I've actually never done. I cut a huge gash (yes, it's more than just a little shaving nick) in the "corner" of my armpit (again, gross word).

I took a picture with my phone, but then I decided that would be weird to post (not to mention gross). There is such a thing as sharing too much.

Instead, I will share some fabulous iPhone photos taken at last night's Kitchen Queens. The weather got pretty bad in Arkansas late last night, but we were still up for a night with the ladies.

Mary Kate is such a wonderful hostess.

Let's just call the light reflection "art." It's a great picture of Katie!

More art of Mary Kate and Britani.

Katie made this, but I'm pretty sure she said her fiance decorated it. Perfect!

Weekending.

Two weekends ago
Last weekend (as in the one more than a week ago), two of my college friends came to visit--Katie and Nikki. Audrey also came. She's Katie's friend from nursing school, and she was a bridesmaid in Katie's wedding last June.

Girl weekends are so much fun. Something about having friends stay the whole weekend with you brings you back to the good old days of sleepovers--when your biggest worry was about the 9th grade boy you had a crush one.

One of our goals was to look at bridesmaid dresses, which we sort of did. By the time we got around to it Saturday, the dress store was closed. So, we did the next best thing and went to David's Bridal. There were a couple of dresses I liked, but they don't have the color I want, so it was pointless. But fun!

We also missed Body Attack Saturday morning. I think I'm to blame since I stayed up until 3 a.m. Thursday night cleaning (moving my junk into the garage).

Sarah joined us for dinner Saturday night at Wasabi.

I ran into Amanda, a friend and former co-worker, at 21st Amendment.

Nikki, Katie, Sarah, Allison, Audrey. Where's Colleen? She met us for dinner, too!

Scarlet and Katie met us at 21st Amendment. Beautiful girls!

Most recent weekend
This weekend was a different kind of fun. Mr. A's sister turned 30 Friday, so we went to the Hard Rock Casino in Tulsa to celebrate. A northwest Arkansas band (Boom Kinetic) was playing at the Casino's "club," Friction. It was a great night. Too bad all my photos are 100 percent blurry. 

Why so blurry super fab camera?

After eating two buffets at two different casinos Saturday (I make it sound worse than it really was because I don't love buffets; therefore I don't much), the boy and I decided we needed to get some exercise. So, we spent Saturday night throwing a football and took a long walk around the 'hood.

Sunday, Mr. A had to leave for El Paso. It's his last week there! Then he will be home for a week before he heads to Iowa (or is it Ohio?) ... his job is pretty glamorous.

As my life seems to be, this week is insanely busy. My Junior League placement for next year is vice chair of New Member committee, and tonight is our meeting for prospective members. I'm so excited about next year.

Also, with two weeks until our engagement pictures, I'm kicking my booty into high (a higher) gear and trying to magically make myself look like a Victoria's Secret model by next Saturday. OK, that's not possible, but you know what I mean. Good thing we're not doing a swimsuit shoot.

Eater's remorse. And a documentary: Seeking Happily Ever After.

Thank goodness it's Friday.

This is my "I'm so happy it's Friday" face.

This week  has been incredibly long.

My friends (two of my bridesmaids!) from Little Rock are coming up tonight, and I'm in serious need of girl time. I can't wait for them to hang out with some of my other ladies. I guess I should try to plan something ... but seriously, I made a to-do list, and I cried. OK, I didn't literally cry, but I very easily could have.

Remember how I said my friends were coming? Well, the "back" bedroom (aka junk room that's full of all the stuff I've never unpacked), had to be completely emptied so I could actually put the bed down. Guess when I started this task? Last night. I'm the ultimate procrastinator. It's true. Not my best trait.

Also, I'm not good at staying on task. I have to do 14 things at once. So, last night I chose to watch the documentary Seeking Happily Ever After. This award-winning feature-length documentary details why there are more single 30-something women in the U.S. than ever before, and whether women of all ages are redefining "happily ever after."

I thought it was fantastic, and you should definitely watch the film.

Back to the organizing.
How to complete this task? Move everything in the living room with the grand plan of unpacking and organizing it all.

Unfortunately, this isn't even everything. How can so much stuff be in ONE room?

My working shoes.

Honestly, except for the important stuff (like luggage), I should just throw it all away.

At around 1:30 a.m., I realized this was dumb and decided I would take it to the storage unit "shed" in the yard. 

This was dumb, too. I turned on the deck light, but the "storage unit" is in the corner. Did I bring a flashlight on my first (and last) trip? Nope.

As I turned the latch to open the door, I convinced myself there was a gang of burglars living in the wooden box, and I was immediately terrified. With a racing heart, I threw the boxes in there and promptly ran inside.

Yep, it's all in the garage now.

Things I needed to do this week that I haven't (some of these are one-time tasks; some are things I want to do more often):

• paint my nails (and toenails)--I might be skipping my lunch workout to do this
• work out more
• secure reception/ceremony music
• call cake people to reserve cake (have no idea what I want "cake" to look like, but that's OK)
• start using my Clarisonic more so I can have B-E-A-utiful skin for our engagement pictures (April 23)
• start organizing house so I don't have to shove all the junk into the garage; I'm tired of the cycle
• make a doctor's appointment I need
• several Junior League related items
• and on and on...

I'm just telling myself that this was one of those weeks where I needed a break. Next week, I'm a new woman. Or something like that ...

OK, on to the post topic: FOOD REMORSE

I might have eaten something for breakfast that was frosted. Why? Perhaps it's because of the above list. When we do things like this, I think it can be a wake up call to just take a second to breathe, relax and remember you can't let the to-do list take over your life. In reality, none of that stuff is more important than my health.

And frosted pastries are not the way to ensure that all of this work on the wedding will be worth it because I won't be able to fit in my dress.

I tossed the rest of the "food remorse" item in the trash, got some water and told myself that everyone has moments of weakness.

Cherry pie and Nilla wafers.

Breaking up with Diet Coke is hard to do. I’ve found that I’ve been drinking a little too much sugar (in the form of juice) since giving up sodas for Lent.

I need to control myself.

Even though you know a lot of the things you drink aren’t good for you, this list of the worst drinks in America (sent to me by my love co-worker, Kelsey) shocked me.

For example, one bottle of a Starbucks Vanilla Frappuccino is the equivalent of 32 Nilla Wafers. I think on the satisfaction level, I would much rather eat 32 wafers (if that’s even possible—that’s a lot of cookie-eating, folks).

One bottle of SoBe Green Tea is the equivalent of 4 slices of Sara Lee Cherry Pie. CHERRY PIE! The SoBe people managed to cram 61 grams of sugar into one bottle of tea. Woah. And just so you know, the recommended amount of sugar per day for non-diabetic people is 40 grams.

I need to think about these things before I buy the canned apple juice from the vending machine.

Happy Monday!

I have lots of wedding to-dos this week because Mr. A is home this week!

Photo of the day: Celebrating St. Patrick's Day (last Thursday) with good friends and green beer. Yes, I realize the photo is blurry.

Cupcakes and cigars.

Last Thursday, I had dinner at Noodles with two of my favorite girlies. Sweet Colleen brought Happy Engagement cupcakes. I love them! I might have eaten a cupcake for breakfast Friday, which could have explained why Body Attack was so hard.

The cupcakes had rings on top. I love it!

Saturday, I was up early to meet my friend Rachel at a rental company. She’s getting married in May, and I’m helping her get everything together. It’s great practice!

Mr. A returned home around 1 p.m. Saturday, and we promptly headed to our reception site, where we spent much of the day. Later, we met friends for dinner and drinks.

Sarah and Adam decided it would be a good idea to go next door and buy cigars.

The cigar turned out to be a terrible idea for Mr. A. He left not feeling so hot.

Colleen (the cupcake giver) and I did not participate in the cigar shenanigans.

Wedding questions for you!
Our date right now is Oct. 29. This weekend, I was 100 percent positive about the date. Now, I’m having trouble securing the date with the church. And I thought everything would be so easy …

Is eight months enough time?

Would you plan a wedding if there was a possibility someone who’s been a church member longer than you could take the date in the next two months? I don’t know if I would be OK with moving the ceremony location. My heart’s set on the church where I recently became a member.

Yikes!

ABCs of Alli

I saw this on pbfingers.com, so I decided to copy!

A. Age: 26

B. Bed size: I personally own a queen-size bed, and the boy has a king.

C. Chore you hate: Sweeping. I prefer to vacuum it all up!

D. Dogs: I love them! I can’t wait until I am able to get one, but as busy as I am now, it would be mean to the poor dog.

E. Essential start to your day: Coffee and The Today Show!

I started my 26th birthday back in September with a nonfat pumpkin spice latte.

I even drink coffee while washing windows in Chicago.

F. Favorite color: To wear—black and red; that makes me happy—pink

Celebrating Colleen's 26th birthday back in December in red.

 Razorback folks love red!

G. Gold or silver: I wear more silver, but I like gold accessories. I remember being in junior high and high school and thinking I would NEVER wear gold jewelry.

Barely noticeable, but I'm wearing gold earrings. And my belt has gold on it.

H. Height: 5’8”

I. Instruments you can play: I can play “Lean on Me” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb” on the piano. That’s all, folks.

J. Job title: Assistant manager of corporate communication

K. Kids: None, but I would love to have two one day (a boy and a girl or two girls … but my mom and sister joke that I’m definitely going to only have boys) .

L. Live: Fayetteville/Springdale, Arkansas—basically northwest Arkansas. Di d you know this is where Walmart headquarters are located? Guess what tons of people around here do? I’m not one of them. We have two other GIANT companies as well.

M. Mom’s name: LouAnn

N. Nicknames: Butthead (thanks, Dad!), Alli

O. Overnight hospital stays: None that I can recall. Although, I’ve had to go to the ER in the middle of the night before.

P. Pet peeve: I have two that stand out. When people use “loose” but really mean to use “lose.” When people in the break room take their food from the microwave and leave cooking time remaining. Just clear it, people!

Q. Quote from a movie: “Do you ever put your arms out and just spin and spin and spin? Well, that’s what love is like. Everything inside of you tells you to stop before you fall, but you just keep going.” Practical Magic

R. Righty or Lefty: Righty. But in gymnastics and dance, I was always better at left things: left turns, left leaps, left cartwheels, etc.

S. Siblings: Younger sister, Kristin.

T. Time you wake up: Depends. Usually around 6:30 a.m.

U. Underwear: As long as it stays in place while I work out, I’m sold.

V. Vegetables you dislike: I’m a huge veggie fan. But I don’t really like canned peas. I love peas on salad, though.

W. What makes you run late: I don’t like to leave things in a mess (thanks, Mom!), so I spend time organizing, hanging up, etc. in the morning. Not smart.

X. X-rays you’ve had: Don’t you get them on your mouth at the dentist? Other than that, none I can think of. I’ve never broken a bone (and toes and fingers don’t count).

Y. Yummy food you make: I am a great recipe follower. Adam loves my chili. And I like to bake cookies.

This was a great recipe I made for Kitchen Queens. Paula Deen's ooey gooey butter cake.

Z. Zoo animal favorite: The monkeys!

OK, this isn't at the zoo. But pigs are cute, too!

I'm curious. How tall are you???

Friday = spray tans and no more small shoes.

Reasons I'm SO CRAZY happy it's Friday:

• Work has been ridiculous lately. So busy. I have to remind myself to eat lunch. OK, that’s not true. And I still make time for my lunch workouts (most days). But still, it’s crazy. Let's not talk about it anymore. 
• What’s not to love about weekends? I wish I was going to see my family Sunday at the horse races, but I think we’re going next weekend. And next weekend I get to see baby Vivie (my friend from college had a baby—she was born a couple months early, but everything is good now!).
• I always get a delicious salad from the lunch vendor on Fridays. This morning, I sort of forgot it was Friday and brought my lunch. I still got the salad. But the vendor was different today, so I had to put barbecue sauce on it because the only dressing they had was ranch. I didn’t know this until after I bought the salad. The sauce was good, though. The picture … not so appetizing. I’m weird and don’t eat the croutons.



I realize this looks completely disgusting. But I had to show you. :)

• There’s no more snow left because it’s in the 60s, ya’ll!
• This has nothing to do with Friday, but I had a great time with some fantastic friends last night. We extended happy hour into a full evening of fun. I’m not going to lie … it feels a little awkward to be at a bar at 10 p.m. in your work clothes when everyone else is … not.



Theo's (a super nice restaurant) is the best happy hour place in Fayetteville.
And they have delicious $5 appetizers.





I love Colleen and Sarah!





Colleen and Sarah: Take II!

• After Saturday’s spray tan, I’m addicted. I think I’m going to go get another today.
   
• I finally get to return my new workout class shoes (I must use different shoes for classes and running) because they’re too small! I used them once, so don’t tell Academy. How was I supposed to know they were too small until my feet went numb during a spin class?