Work It Out Wednesday and My New Niece!

Hi gang!

In very important news, I would like to introduce you to my new niece, Scarlett Susan! She was born on 3/3 and is just the cutest little thing!

I can't wait to meet her and squeeze those perfect cheeks!

I never review my weekends on the blog, but I have to today. My favorite part of this weekend was getting on Face Time with Scarlett and my other perfect niece, Lizzie! Being an Aunt is the best!

Scarlett wasn't too happy there, but all of us sure were! Distance truly sucks but God Bless technology so I can at the very least spend some face time with those gorgeous girls. I'm counting down the days until we're all in one state again for Scarlett's Baptism (approximately 79 days!!!).

I could talk about my nieces all day, but for now I'll go back to our regularly scheduled programming.




However, I hate to say it, but I didn't try out any new workouts this week. Oh I worked out, but I just did Piyo and actually ran outside twice! What?!?! It's over freezing which means it's finally outdoor running weather again!!! I'll try a new workout next week. Promise. ;)

Weekly recipe:

I made the prettiest little skinny shrimp scampi on Friday. I adapted this recipe and added more veggies. It was SO filling and downright tasty!

We made SO much food on Sunday that we probably won't cook again until this Sunday. Not sure what we'll make yet!

Have you made any awesome healthy recipes lately? I would love to hear about them!

Weekly motivation...and Weekly workout sass, too:

Thanks again to everyone who likes my new Facebook page! I think I made my favorite image so far for it. It serves as both motivation and sass for the week, don't you think? Enjoy!

Have a good one!

Weekend Update

What a weekend!
I'm linking up with Sami, Leeann, and Meg!

My weekend luckily started on Thursday, by hanging out with Holly and Mike for the Ohio State game (Mike went to OSU and we're all from the area). We had an awesome time at Gaslight. I really like this bar! Mike even won a free raffle and received free tots and shots. I kind of love that combo!

Friday I said goodbye to them, and hello to Kim! She called on Thursday asking if she could drive in for the weekend. Obviously! It was also her birthday, so that was pretty amazing to celebrate and watch sports all weekend!

Speaking of sports, ... well, ... let's just not. Such a weird basketball weekend!

Saturday we took Teddy to a yearly check-up to our friend's vet clinic. He's overweight but otherwise healthy. Oops.

The rest of the weekend? Booze and food, man, booze and food. And sports. And nails. And Teddy motivating me to do yoga.

Also, it's Easter! O Happy Day!

Andrew and I received a picture of my niece today, and we recalled how we spent Easter with them two years ago. I did a quick comparison:

She's such a big girl!!!

How was your weekend?

Little Bit of Sass: 2013 Edition

Happy New Year, guys and gals!

I hope all of you are doing well and are recovering nicely from the holiday!

This post may make me seem like I'm a bit of a Scrooge...or I guess a Blogger Scrooge.

I didn't send out cute Christmas cards and barely decorated. I baked some cookies and made buckeyes, but that's about it. 

My Instagram was full of pictures of my super adorable niece and not much else.

{But seriously, why would anyone want to see pictures of me when they could look at Lizzie? Exactly.}

Also, I didn't wear sparkles for NYE.

Yes. I'm a bad blogger.

Nothing about this blog fit any sort of Christmas season blogger qualifications.

I'd be surprised if anyone is still reading.

What did I do?

I took a nice long break from the blog and responsibilities and instead spent time with my family, enjoyed myself, went skiing, got sick, came back to Chicago, and had a merry time ringing in the new year with the love of my life and our awesome cat.

I have goals for 2013, but seriously? You don't care. I know you don't. I barely do.

All I know is that last year for NYE I looked like this and vowed to not look like that again. Happily, one year later I am 23 pounds lighter. I have maintained my P90X loss and look forward for more loss in the coming year. I don't like how I look by any means, but I have one fewer chin, loose-fitting clothes, and feel pretty decent.

2012 was a good year. I love my faith, family, friends, job, and blog. 

Highlight? 

Duh, you all know the answer. 

Andrew proposed and we're pumped to tie the knot in 2014!! 

In other words, 2013 can hurry up. I'm ready for 2014.

If it hurries, maybe I'll send some Christmas cards next year.

Wedding Wednesday: How I asked my MOH and our Flower Girl

I am so excited to join the Wedding Wednesday link-up today with A Happy Wife in New Orleans!

If you've been reading a while then you know I have a big sister and a niece. I love them to pieces and miss them dearly - they live in California, so we rarely see each other in person. However, the Internet is awesome so we video chat once a week!

Lucky for me and Andrew, though, they came to town this past Friday for a quick visit!!!

They both knew their roles in our upcoming nuptials (because I told them, not asked, immediately after I told my sister how Andrew proposed!).

Even though it was no surprise, we still wanted to "formally" ask them to be the MOH and Flower Girl.

For Lizzie it was easy. The day after Andrew proposed in DC I hopped over to Eastern Market and bought her a handmade flower headband from one of the vendors.

When we asked after dinner on Friday she shyly and sweetly said "Yes!" and then wore the headband proudly on Saturday.

She will be 3 by the time we get married. I think she's ready now, though!

For Kate I got a little more creative, thanks to the inspiration from Callie and picture hunting from my parents.

That's Kate holding me as a newborn! She can add a picture of us from the wedding in the bottom frame.

Obviously Kate said yes. I wouldn't let her say no anyway. I need her!! :)

Now I need to get creative about asking Bridesmaids!
To be honest, I am having a tough time choosing among my wonderful girlfriends. It's really tough!
Any advice is welcome!

Friday's Fancies...A Week Behind

{via}
So I was a little busy (!!!) last Friday and didn't get to post my outfit for Friday's Fancies on long distance loving.

Here we go, a week late!

Friday's Fancies Fireside Chat by mkrulia featuring logo bags

I would love to wear this over the weekend and sit by the fire with my fiance (!!!).

I'm not entirely sad that this won't be happening, though. My sister (and my niece!!!!) are on their way to the Windy City! I can't wait to see them!

Hope you enjoy your weekend!

Please enter the Classy/Sassy Giveaway, too!

(Click here to enter or just scroll down to yesterday's post)

Way Back {When}sday

Two years (and two days!) ago, on my mom's Birthday, my sister had her baby! 

Here's the first time I went to visit when Lizzie was five weeks old:

And here she was yesterday, playing with the toys Andrew and I got her for her Birthday!

She's such a big girl, and don't even get me started on those pigtails! Cute!

OK and here's a video of her learning to walk...really it's a succession from crawling, to walking, to swinging, and all of the adorable smiles in between. It makes me misty-eyed every time!

Ugh. Tears. hahaha I miss that little tike!

Halftime = Blog Time

Hey everyone!

I hope your weekend was fun and/or relaxing. Mine was thankfully both! First and foremost, my sister, her husband, and their daughter Lady Lizzie are in town! We met up for a yummy breakfast, went to my brother-in-law's sister's baby shower, Andrew and I babysat Lizzie, went to Mass and brunch today, and they're going to visit me for lunch tomorrow before heading back to California. It's been fantastic! It is incredible how quickly Lizzie has grown since I saw her in May - she is now walking and talking! Her favorite statement? "Happy day!" Yep. She's a happy baby and it's awesome. Enjoy a few pics and Go Steelers!!!

OK fine this is from two weeks ago, but c'mon - that's an amazing trick-or-treat outfit!

Lizzie all dressed up for her future cousin's baby shower!

This one is going in a frame. Andrew and I loved babysitting her!

Elizabeth knows how to use a cell phone! lol

Lizzie Lamb!

Mary's Musing Monday

Good Monday, Readers!

After being sick at the end of last week, I am bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready for Labor Day Weekend on Lake Michigan! My only obstacle is this week haha - must get through it first. A couple of things are keeping me going, though:

1) The sound of jackhammers Friday night were music to my ears, even though I had a headache and was sick. Why? Well, it meant that Saturday morning I actually showered. Yes, a real, pitcher-free shower. Hot water too! The City of Chicago Water Department completely re-routed the street, dug two giant holes, and fixed the pipes leading into the building! Andrew and I were beyond happy that our incessant complaining paid off. Below is a terrible picture of the process. They were on our street until after midnight, but it was worth it to be able to shower and finally wash our dishes!

2) I just read on one my favorite blogs My Two Cents (...before I spend it!) about Essie's new Fall line. I want every color, but I think Power Clutch, Carry On, and Very Structured are particularly saying my name. I guess this isn't something that's getting me through the week, but it makes me excited nonetheless.

3) Andrew and I have made anniversary plans and I'm so excited for our presents to each other: a silly $10-limit surprise gift; a long weekend to DC and Pittsburgh to visit friends, family, and see a Steelers game; and purchasing and framing pictures from this incredible Etsy store: there is a deal for five cities, and wouldn't you know it? Between us we've lived in five! Check out Bird Ave's store - it's so awesome!!

4) Last night Lizzie and I had a fun video chat. I love how she responds to what I'm doing. Here are a few screen shots. Sorry if you already saw these via email or Facebook. I'm just a proud aunt. I printed one of them to have at my desk, so all I have to do is turn my head to the right, see the picture, and smile. She's so cute!

How are you going to get through the week? Any fun Labor Day plans?

Little Bit of Sass Thursday

This week my niece inspired my sassy Thursday. Today I thought about her being cute and sassy when we "chatted" via iChat on Monday, and all week I have added some sass to my day in one way or another. Whether it's a comment in the office, obnoxiously announcing that I was the only Nats fan at Wrigley, or teasing Andrew at home, I try to make little jabs here and there as a reminder that no one should be fooled by my pearls. I hope you always remember to let your sass out when you can!

Mary's Musing Monday!

So yet again no vlog, but I have the perfect reason! I was indeed on screen, just chatting with my niece instead of with all of you. Here's my weekly musing: can you believe how big she is?!?! She waved to me!!!