Archives for December 2015

How was your Christmas? Tell me what you got! Anything super unique, or just the usual basics? I had to do a quick post telling you about my new love…

I’m beyond excited about getting an official camera for blogging purposes! Woohoo! Santa sure was good to me. I definitely have a lot to learn, but I am loving this process and can’t wait to learn more. I thought it was only fitting to start with a photo of me using my new camera.

Here are some of the first photos documented on the Canon Rebel T5i!

We enjoyed Christmas morning at my parent’s house and did our usual Christmas Traditions. Meaning, we drank lots of delicious coffee from cute Santa mugs, saw what Santa brought us, and looked for the hidden pickle ornament.

The Tradition of the German pickle is to have the adults hide the pickle ornament on the tree after all the other ornaments have been hung. After, the kids search the tree and the kid who finds it gets an extra gift from St. Nicholas. This year, I found it! One whole dollar for me! And yes, I still qualify as the kid 😉 Ha. I think it will remain that way until little ones join the family.

I even snuck in some photos under the mistletoe. Colton was more into the elaborate dips versus a smooch but he at least played along!

I’m obsessed with this new trench coat by Michael Kors, purchased at R Meyers in Nichols Hills. You might as well go ahead and get used to this trench because you will be seeing A LOT more of it. Whats so great about this trench is that it will go with everything!! This trench has some great pockets and fun gold zippers. It also actually brings some warmth and wind breaking, which is great for Oklahoma in the fall time and basically any other season because it’s so unpredictable.

Got in some good snuggles and pets with the puppies, King Arthur and Lady Guinevere. These dears officially belong to my parents but I count them as mine too. And, then I got to hang with my niece pups Minnie and Belle. They are all sweet Shelties besides the King who is a fabulous, playful mix of breeds we don’t know. As you can see, Arthur doesn’t like to share any love with the other pups and will bite your hand if you even dare, or he may just be jealous of my beautiful new trench coat!

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

Less then one week until Christmas!!! The best way to keep on track during the upcoming crazy, busy holiday week is by planning a consistent workout schedule and sticking to it, no matter what absurdity occurs. And it will occur.

Create that consistent workout schedule!

You should treat your workout schedule as important as a work deadline, child’s Christmas play, or friend’s holiday get together. This is YOUR time to give your body some much needed attention during a stressful week. Do one better and keep that schedule for months and months. Then your body will crave the workouts and not be dreading them each day. It will simply become another part of your day and create a very positive change in your overall well being.

When we get into a habit of doing something, it becomes much easier. I personally have found that mornings are my best time to workout (besides the one Body Pump class I teach in the evening.) This is time that I know no one can mess with! No one is scheduling 5:30 am events or meetings. I feel like I have outsmarted the system 😉 When I can, I’ll take a walk after work but I just tentatively plan for that and don’t kick myself if I don’t make it happen.

One thing I’m going to start doing is focusing on one body part a day. I have personally never been a fan of that because the more muscles you work, the better the workout in my opinion. However, if you want to really fatigue one muscle, then it’s important to give it a break the next day. Decided I shouldn’t knock it before I tried it. So that will begin to be incorporated into my workout schedule soon and I’ll let you know how it goes!

I prefer to workout at the gym with all the classes that are offered but on crazy weeks if you can’t make it, these are my favorite workouts/videos to do… Popsugar Fitness, my A Latte Lipstick workouts, and Barre3 Online. I have also just started the trial for BBG and am loving it. Think it may become my new obsession. Have you all tried it yet?

What workouts will you NOT miss this week?

Want to know one of the easiest, yummiest cookies to make? Shortbread cookies.

These shortbread cookies are crumbly, perfectly sweet and great to pair with some warm rich cocoa. I love to add some fun uniqueness to them with sprinkled fresh coffee beans, or colorful sprinkles. The added coffee-ey taste from the coffee beans is delicious, but I also love the brightness the sprinkles bring to the cookie, especially if you have a kiddo! Each option is a good idea!

Literally all you need is flour, powdered sugar and butter. So basically, they are ooober healthy, ha! But if any time is the time to ease up just a little on the diet, I would say it is the Christmas season! Make sure to stir well and then it will form into a harder dough. Don’t be alarmed that it’s more dense then usual cookie dough. I also like to add just a pinch of salt. Leave the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before baking.

Does your family have a traditional Santa cookie plate? I loved to always set out the cookies and milk before going to bed, and we never stopped that tradition while growing up. Colton and I don’t have an established plate yet, but I think this one might be the winner. It is super cute and shaped as Santa. What’s not to love?

Not to brag, but I’m obsessed with our fireplace and definitely love having one! It makes the holiday season that much cozier. Living on the third floor has it perks, like high ceilings and fireplaces. When I someday get to build a house (hopefully) I will have many many fireplaces, maybe even one in each room? Is that a litte much? 🙂

What kind of cookie do you put out for Santa? Do you do that tradition?