Super cleanse and chiavari chairs.

I stayed up practically all night Friday getting ready for our neighborhood garage sale.

Saturday morning, I was in the garage at about 6:15 a.m., and it was still chaos. Nothing was priced. The boy strolls out with a donut in his hand, pushing the button to open the garage as he walks out.

“Noooooooooooo!” I scream.

Doesn’t he know the second you open the garage, regardless of the fact that the garage sale wasn’t supposed to start until 7 a.m., people will flood in.

It worked out, but it was definitely stressful at the beginning. Luckily, people dug through the piles of stuff and almost bought EVERYTHING! Seriously. We made $400, and we didn’t have anything priced above a $20 TV. We sold TONS of clothes, which is unusual for a garage sale. I sold at least 20 pairs of shoes. That's $20, folks! Yes, it didn't matter the brand. I sold them all for $1. Let's just say a few people got some great deals.

And while I slept that afternoon, Mr. A loaded everything left and took it to Goodwill. The entire sale went undocumented by my camera (phone). But it's good because we were SO BUSY!

I feel a weird sense of accomplishment. I’ve NEVER gotten rid of so much stuff. Let’s just say I’m sentimental. I keep things like the shirt I wore for my 21st birthday, even though there’s no way I’d ever be able to wear that sequined halter top in public again.

I’m pretty sure it has a new, loving home now.

After a “nap,” the boy went to play golf while I read magazines by the pool. We originally planned to go to the lake, but garage sales are exhausting. It turned out to be a perfect Saturday.

Perfect spot to cool off after a hot golf game.

I'm definitely jealous of the fact that Blake is dating my man Leo.

Wedding Reception Detail
I've said this before, but our reception is at the Springdale Country Club. I can't wait.

My phone shots are stellar.

And this Saturday there was a wedding at the country club, so I got to see someone else’s reception setup, which was very beneficial. And I love the chair covers! I would love to have chiavari chairs, but at $7 each, it’s just not feasible—unless we went without … food? I don’t think so.

I heart chiavari chairs. 

Often times, I think chair covers look messy and wrinkly. And it’s totally a personal preference, but I don’t love the colored sash around the white chair cover. But I think these would be perfect.

I snapped this photo before they finished decorating,
but I love these chair covers (not more than chiavari chairs, but for chair covers, they're fab)!

Health Fair=Baked Cheetos.

We had a health fair today at work, which means free food for the vendors and those who worked on the health fair. AKA me! I can’t remember the last time I had Subway. I do know the last time I had Baked Cheetos was at the lake last summer. I was reminded how delicious they are.


Can I just say I’m so happy it’s Friday. This week was loooooong (and a little stressful). Good thing I function best when I have a lot going on.

Happy Friday to you! Do you have big plans? Unfortunately, it's going to rain all weekend in NWA. The weather has been nuts lately. Maybe all that talk about the end of the world isn't so crazy?

I'm alive! And a crazy ab workout.

I think I'm still recovering from an exhausting weekend with friends. And I've been ridiculously busy this week. The amount of things I have to get done between this very second and tomorrow is insane. Truly.

Once I upload the fun photos from my camera, I will post about the great weekend I had. And tomorrow is the start of another great weekend because Mr. A is here!

For your viewing pleasure, here are a couple photos from my phone that I took last weekend.

First, we had to go to Target to pick up some necessary items. Seriously, necessary though. Not just an excuse. Someone forgot her undergarmets. So, we all decided to pick up some.

Nikki and Katie are both bridesmaids in the wedding.

Ready for a night on the town! My friend Katie (the blonde above) let me borrow her cute dress.

AB WORKOUT

We have this amazing trainer who comes to my office twice a week. She works at the gym where I'm a member, and she's fantastic. Sometimes, I think she tries to punish us, though.

Tuesday's ab workout was a perfect example. Try it at your own risk!

• High knees: 2 minutes
• Sit up and twist (use dumb bell): 10x each side
• Reverse crunches (hold dumb bell between feet): 20x
• Hip raises (feet to ceiling): 20x SLOW
• Upper body circles (with dumb bell): 15x each side
• Lower body circles: 15x each side
• Bicycle crunches: 30x each side
• Squat and raise dumb bells over head: 25x
• Alternate straight legs over dumb bell (set dumb bell upright on ground): 10x each side
• Oblique double crunches (on your side): 15x each side
• Throw downs with partner: 20x
• Reach up to toes: 30x
• Mini double crunches: 30x
• Seated “in and out” crunches (knees to right then to left =1): 20x
• Pushups with leg raise: 20x (10 each side)
• One leg bicycle crunch: 10x each side
• Cross over crunches: 20x each side
• Alternating hip raises: 20x each leg
• Stability ball crunches: 40x
• Scissor kicks (on back with hands under hips): 20x (right over left then left over right=1)
• Regular crunches: 40x
• Mountain climbers: 30x each leg

Melting tan. And Friday facts.

After spin this morning, the girl on the bike next me says, “You have brown stuff all over your chest.”


I totally forgot that the bronzer that is part of my spray tan would rinse off in the shower. Obviously sweat is the same as a shower.

Yesterday, I got a spray tan Toddlers and Tiaras style. I’ve always done the Mystic Tan, but I had someone spray me and it was fantastic. The wash off bronzer is awesome because you instantly have a tan while the spray tan “activates.” I just highly recommend taking a shower before getting sweaty. I probably freaked some people out with my discolored, melting skin.

Friday Facts

• I love Fridays, but I really love this Friday because this weekend is going to be fabulous. I get to see my parents, grandparents, some friends and go to the horse races in Hot Springs. It doesn’t get much better, folks.
• I forgot how happy working out in the early a.m. makes me. I’m so positive and energetic this morning.
• I paid 50 cents for a banana this morning. One banana. Aren’t bananas much cheaper in the store?
• I dyed my hair myself Thursday at 2 a.m.
• Wednesday, I opted for the purple nails since no one voted. I might look like a 12 year. I also might love it.



I love the way you can take pictures of yourself with the iPhone 4.

• Adam and I did something genius last night. You see, I tend to always order too much food at restaurants. Or I order the wrong thing. Especially when we have an appetizer like cheese dip. Well, last night, we had cheese dip, so we decided to share a meal. Genius, I tell you.
• I might have bought these sunglasses last night with part of my tax refund.
  
  
  

• I would be 100 percent embarrassed if my boss walked over and saw me taking these photos of myself. Or anyone else for that matter.

Happy Friday!

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?

Thinspiration. And weekends.

Don't forget to enter my fabulous Fiber One Fitness Fun giveaway here!

Do you use other people as inspiration? I think we all do. Whether it’s someone whose work ethic you admire, or someone who you think is just a good person.

Then there are people who we just want to steal their bodies. Sure, we might admire them for other reasons (but probably not). Not literally, but you know what I mean. Someone you see and think, I want abs just like that. Yes, I know we should all be happy with what we’ve got, but that can be hard.

For me, it’s not one particular person. But I do find myself tearing out pages of Women’s Health in hopes that these fit, healthy women will be an inspiration to me.

How can you not love Ashley Greene?

Do you watch Jersey Shore? I don’t really, but the ladies have been all over the gossip mags lately for their weight loss. I think J-Woww look s pretty awesome. The 5’7” Jersey girl has lost about 20 lbs. (I saw this picture on Skinny Runner's blog.)

She recently said she's completely stopped drinking. I'm not so sure about that.

Moving on.

My weekend was fabulous because I beat the boy in one game of bowling. Sure, he beat me in the other two games, but that one game is all that matters. I’m somewhat competitive. It was also fabulous because I got a pair of Justin Timberlake's William Rast jeans (from Target), and I'm in love. Go buy some now if there's a Target near you.

I'm third on the screen. He's fourth. :)

I can never do this right.

I promise I didn't crop out the Miller Lite in my hand.

Other weekend activities included dinner at one of my favorite places: Herman’s. We celebrated Steven’s birthday. Steven is the husband of Ragan, one of my BFFs from junior high/high school. I’m so glad she lives in NWA with me.

Mr. A's dinner. A hamburger patty with "The Gear."

My garlic chicken! The best sauce. Ever. I didn't eat the toast.

Happy birthday, Steven!

Ragan made delicious German chocolate cupcakes, but I ate it so quickly I didn’t get a picture.

Happy Monday!

I actually like Mondays because it’s always nice to get back on the healthy track after a few weekend mishaps.

I'm country strong.

I'm going to see this movie tonight, and I could not be more excited! I desperately wanted to learn how to play the guitar when I was younger. I mastered a few chords ... but I couldn't sing so there really wasn't a point.

Does anyone else want to see it? I love Gwyneth. And Leighton. You know I'm obsessed with Gossip Girl.

P.S. I didn't make it to my giveaway this week. I will definitely do it next week!

'Tis the season.

Christmas is my favorite. I love the smell. The decorations. The sounds. And the spirit.

It means time of joy and celebration with your friends and family. I love Christmas because it brings people together.

Last night, the boy and I celebrated Christmas because he’s going back to Wisconsin today for work. He won’t get back until Dec. 23, which is when I’m heading to central Arkansas for Christmas with my family. So, we won’t see each other until Dec. 28. And I prefer not to celebrate events after they happen. Call me crazy.



We stopped at Starbucks before opening gifts.
Nonfat white chocolate peppermint mocha with no whip please.
Longestcoffeenameever. 



Yes, those are all gummy things. Except for the Pez. I love all things gummy. Obviously.

Playing with new Ipod.

Yes, it's Lauren Conrad's book on style.
Adam informed me this book is in the "Tween" section. Hmm...

We had a wonderful time eating, laughing and exchanging gifts. He’s a great gift giver, and got me something at the top of my list: a new camera. I LOVE IT. I can’t wait to take pictures in Chicago.

Guess what we did after opening presents? Played Super Mario on the Wii for hours. Yes, hours.

Funny story: We got each other the same card. I knew as soon as I saw the envelope to the card he got me because it just fit for us. I’ll show you the card tomorrow!

Saturday night, the boy got back from his work travels and we headed straight to his sister’s for a Christmas party. We spent the night playing Apples to Apples, which made for a fun evening. And the food was delicious.

Delicious, and not even half of the food.



Candy canes have been a theme this year.
I found them hanging from the stocking holders
 after "Santa" came to visit.



I could eat 50 of these peppermint pops.

Merry Christmas!

Homeward bound.

Whew. I’m glad I got yesterday’s post out of the way. The sweet comments (and phone calls from my friends) really made my day.

Moving on.

Let’s talk about Thanksgiving.

Homeward bound.
Did you love that movie as much as my sister and I loved that movie?

My grandparents were wonderful hosts, and the food was delicious. As we get older, I’ve noticed my sister and I are more involved in the kitchen. And it’s fun! The food was definitely a collaborative effort.

Turkey time!

Cranberry delight.

Around the table: My grandparents, parents, aunt and uncle, sister, sister’s bf, my bf and me!

Last year, I participated in the Cold Duck tradition with Adam. It's too good not to carry on.

This guy was at the table, too.

Surprise! My grandmother is a great cook!



Smile! So are you, Mom!



We had a merry ole' time.



I participated in the merriness. Totally posed picture.

We also spent time Friday night watching a northwest Arkansas friend play at a local bar.

Hello!

Awkward hand placement.

The rest of the weekend was full of shopping, family time, movies, and more food, of course.

He went SHOPPING with me Saturday. Just not at 5 a.m. with the rest of my fam (except Dad).

Saturday night, my mom and I went to see Love and Other Drugs. Go see it. It was especially touching for my mom (and me) because Anne Hathaway’s character had early-onset Parkinson’s disease, which is what took her dad (my grandfather’s) life when I was just a pre-schooler. It was also a touching, funny love story that is VERY different from your average romantic comedy. I give it 4.5 out 5 stars. Plus, Jake Gyllenhaal is pretty dreamy in the movie.

Tomorrow, I’m going to tell you all about my New Year’s Eve plans. Hint: I’m going north.

Wine and cheese, please.

Please stick with me. I have a BIG magazine deadline at work, and it is consuming my WHOLE life. I'm serious. The only thing I've done outside of work since Sunday is sleep. And I snuck in a spin class at lunch today. Shh...don't tell anyone!

Tomorrow, I will have the real post about the wine and cheese party I attended this weekend. For now, these pics will have to do.

It's almost time for a long weekend, ya'll!

Alli and Megan

Too much wine or too much cheese?

Guess whose hand that is?