O-M-G!! Happy Blog-iversary to Me!!

(You liked how that rhymed, huh?? I know you did!!)

I have been on here ALL day and don't know why it didn't dawn on me until now that a year ago today, I published my first blog post...!! One. Whole. Year. Wow, how time flies!! And I owe it all to one person: Danae AKA Le Thrifty Madre!!!

 

And thank you to you too, followers!! Thank you for being an audience to my rants, commenting and being generally helpful when needed!! To another year...



Weight Loss Check-in: Unexpected Inspiration

8/15

So my week without meat went pretty well! I did eat lobster twice but no beef, pork, chicken, etc. The following week I added poultry and fish back to the equation and that went well too! This past Sunday I weighed myself and I am happy to announce I'm down 3lbs from last weigh-in and I am officially in the 240's (248 to be exact!)!! Food is still my biggest obstacle though. I use an app to help me count calories and that has really helped a lot but there are some days where if I wanna eat a pizza, I'm gonna eat that whole pizza!!

8/26

I haven't been to the gym or done any sort of exercise in almost 2 weeks. I haven't made any real effort to eat healthy and I haven't counted a single calorie! I'm not happy with the way I look but after two and a half months of working hard with minimal results, I think I've given up. Maybe I'm just meant to be fat? Or am I?? I think back to times where I wasn't and it makes me sad because I honestly don't know how to get back to that. Then today rolls around...

I spent the night at my mom's last night and woke up wondering how much I've gained back. I mean, I had only lost a measly 5# since June 1st anyway. I hopped on the scale and closed my eyes real tight...I'm nervous! I don't really want to know (if I don't acknowledge it, it's not a problem, right??) Fuck it! I need to know!! I opened my eyes and the scale read: 243.6... This can't be right! I hopped off, waited 5 minutes and tried again: 243.4. I still don't believe this! Something is wrong with the scale, right??!! An hour later, One. Last. Time...243.6.

I don't know how I did it but somehow I lost 5 more pounds!! This may sound crazy but, I think my body wants to be smaller and I just have to try harder to figure out what it needs to make that happen. My granny made a roast today though, so that'll have to wait until tomorrow! LOL!!

Weigh-in Results

So yesterday I weighed myself, as promised...*sigh of frustration*

I don't know if it's because of all the weights in lifting but I'm not seeing the loss that I'm looking for. I'm not giving up though! I'm gonna keep trying different ways until I find what works for me!

I think my two biggest downfalls may be beer and eating late. I refuse to give up beer all together but maybe I'll stop keeping it in the house and as for eating late, that's gonna be a struggle!! I am the definition of a snacker...I can't help it!

Lastly, in light of this plateau, I'm giving up meat for this week to see if that helps. I'm not planning to become a vegetarian indefinitely but a week here and there can't hurt, right?? If any of you out there has any tips or suggestions, please feel free to comment or shoot me an email! Thanks!!

xoxo

I've Got a Love/Hate Thing Goin on With My Gym

I've had a membership with my gym since 2007. Seems like I'd be skinny by now...but I'm not! I'll go for a period but it never lasts long. The summer of 2009, my department at IKEA held a "Biggest Loser" competition. There were like 12 of us, we paid $5 each and the winner got the pot! I ended up coming in 2nd place having lost a total of 18.5 lbs!! While I didn't reach my goal weight, I got down to 202 lbs and I felt amazing! Now fast-forward to present day...

I've gained that weight back plus about 30 lbs!

At the end of May, I made decision to start again and really give it an effort. I asked my friend Jason (the buffest dude at work) for a few workout tips and he offered to let me train with him! We do a lot of weight training and some ab work then I do most of my cardio on my own. While I shoot for 5 days a week, if I make it 3 days, I'm happy.

I'm givng myself until March 1st, 2013, to get down to my ideal image. I've also set "mini goals" at 3 month intervals. I don't really like scales and I don't really have a number in mind but I know what I want to look like and that's what I'm gonna make happen! I've dedicated my mom's scale for my weigh-ins, just to make sure I'm on track. The last time I weighed was 2 weeks ago (or 2 weeks in) and I was down 3 lbs! The next time I weigh-in will be in a week and I'm hoping for another 5 lb loss.

Another goal I have is to post periodic updates sooo look out for those!!

Let's Shower Together???

Hey, hey, hey!!! Now I believe touched on the fact that Mujer is getting married in a recent post. It's less than 3 weeks away and I think I'm freakin out more than she is! How can I be the Maid of Honor and still not have a dress?? Let's not even talk about shoes or jewelry...I don't even have a particular color in mind!! UGH!! *deep breath* Happy thoughts...

Ok, this past Saturday, instead of the traditional individual showers, they opted for a couples wedding shower. While I can't say that it wasn't kind of awkward being a witness to all the shenanigans, I can say that I felt honored to 1. Make the cake for the occasion and 2. Be a part of making my mom smile!! She seemed so happy and looked absolutely beautiful! I just hope she enjoyed the cake as much as I enjoyed making it for her!

Happy Birthday 2 Me!!! :-)

So Sunday was the day, my birthday!! I'm not sure how I feel about this yet. People keep putting emphasis on my being in my late 20's... Is something supposed to change now that I'm 27?? If so, I don't feel it. As a matter of fact, a friend and I were just talking about how the older we get, the more we feel like we're 17!! Sure I have responsibilities (multiple jobs, bills, an apartment to maintain...) and I often think of having babies, but then there's a part of me that just wants to eat cereal for every meal of the day, paint every toenail a different color and dance around the house in my underwear like there's no tomorrow!! Growing up sucks!!

More on this at a later date...MOVING ON:

*Friday Night
Inviting 60 people to go bowling with you for your birthday seems like a lot, right?? Well not when you're stood up by 52!! Shout out to my peeps that showed up, thanks again!!

*Saturday
A difference of night and day! I spent most of the day at home doing exactly what I wanted: Watching old VHS's from the 80's, napping, getting ready at my leisure... That night I went out with Toya (big sis) and Joey. We had reservations at Wolfgang Puck Grille inside the MGM Grand Detroit and can you say AMAZING??!! Absolutely beautiful restaurant, delicious food and excellent service! Before leaving the casino, we stopped at the bar we ended up at for my last birthday. They always have awesome live acts! I was being serenaded with Brick House when we decided to leave for the club...LOL!! Our night ended at Orchid in Ferndale where Joey and I (separately) danced the night away and Toya sat in awe at the music videos they played! I got tons of birthday wishes and compliments on my dress! I also got thee best birthday lap dance ever by some drunk guy I danced with a few times!!! #EPIC 

*Sunday

I took a drive to Flint to finish out my celebration with my family. Pun'kin made Catfish, Macaroni, Greens, Yams, Corn on the Cob, Cornbread and Punch...she even bought me a cake!

I got some pretty awesome gifts this year too! Giftcards for T.J. Maxx, Speedway and Sephora, $50, noise-cancelling headphones and (drum roll, please!) these awesome G by Guess Mary Jane Pumps!!! *cheeze*

February 14th

Hi! My name is Dani and I am single...

While the rest of the world is celebrating Valentine's Day, in my world, today is just Tuesday the 14th...5 days until my birthday. I'm not bitter. If you're happy and in love, more power to you and I wish you the best but every year on this day it just reminds me of my singleness. I feel like an outcast...like if I'm not in a relationship and doing something on this day then I'm some type of freak!! Well I've owned my single status and if you're single, you should too!! Even though I worked both jobs today I made sure to do my face up and when I get done writing this, I will be treating myself to pizza, beer and Beetlejuice (I know it's late but damn it, SO!!)...it gets no better than that!!

If there's anybody else out there who is single and lovin' it too, I bid you a WONDERFULLY FANTABULOUS SINGLES AWARENESS DAY!!! I hope you made it a special one because you deserve it!!

xoxo,

Happy 45th Birthday Aaron!!

I guess I always took the enthusiasm my family has towards birthdays for granted. My mom's fiancee turned 45 on the 25th and his mother didn't even mention it, his own son didn't even call him until after 7pm...to take it a step further, he's never been thrown a party!! Everyone acts as though it's just another day! I sensed the hurt and disappointment in my mother's texts as she told me all this. He may not be my favorite person in the world but I'd do just about anything (in my power) to make my mom smile...I decided that if nobody else would then WE'D make a big deal out of his special day!! Mujer invited a few folks over, I cooked dinner for everyone, made a birthday cake and even bought him balloons!! (Not to mention the 2 BEAUTIFUL Michael Kors ties and 3-pack of Cole Haan dress socks I bought him as a gift... :-) ) 

I really think he liked the cake because as soon as he saw it he started taking pictures of it!!

The birthday boy (er, man)!!

What did Santa bring you??

So Christmas was a week ago and things are starting to get back to normal... I hope all of you had a fantastic (and safe) Christmas!! Although Christmas isn't really about the presents, I got some pretty good gifts related to the things that I love: Muffins and Makeup!!!

First up, Muffin got me a Cake Pop Maker and an awesome palette of neutrals! She also made me 2 bracelets...

It's supposed to be a muffin on the homemade card but I think it looks more like a cupcake...LOL!!

HERE'S A COUPLE CLOSE-UPS:

Flirt! Pretty Neutrals Ltd. Ed. Palette

Next, LaKendra got me the awesome Sephora MoonShadow Baked Palette (in In The Dark) that I'd been eyeing, a double box of e.l.f. lashes and an e.l.f. lipstick, plus 2 weird Avon lipstick/lipgloss duo thingies (more about those at a later date)...

Pun'kin bought me the slow cooker I've been dying for as well as a Martha Stewart Double-Decker Cupcake carrier...and to be honest, I f'in LOVE it!!!!!

And the mother of them all actually came from my mommy...LOL!!! She bought me the dopest metal train case for my makeup: It has countless drawers and compartments which are totally customizable...it even came with an extra lid and strap to make it into 2 completely separate cases!! That bitch on wheels too...LOL!!! Then to top it off, her fiancee got me a $50 gift card to Ulta!! *faints*

WHOOP-WHOOP!!!!!

How did you make out??

Cookies, Cookies, EVERYWHERE!!!!!

Christmas time is prime cookie making time!! Between cookie baskets, holiday parties and cookie exchanges, I've been super busy baking and this year, I think I out did myself!! White Chocolate Cranberry Macadamia Nut Dreams, Peanut Butter Blossoms, Butter Toffee Cookies, Brownie Bites, Oatmeal Raisin AND Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies!!!
While I do not have pictures of all these delectable confections, I do have this one from Christmas Day!

L-R: PB Blossoms, Oatmeal Cranberry, Butter Toffee



Christmas Joy???

I have been trying to get into the Christmas spirit for the past few months and with today being Christmas (plus a sneak attack toothache), I'd say I've failed...I kinda feel bad but oh well, I'm glad it's over!!

Anywho, many new posts to come in the upcoming weeks so be on the lookout for those!

Merry Christmas!

                     Dani, xoxo

IKEA Holiday Party 2011

I know I'm late, but our holiday party last Thursday was sooo much fun!!! Mostly everybody was dressed nice, good food, my boy Kerry on the 1's & 2's, great raffle prizes (even though I didn't win a thing!) and lots&lots&lots of dancing!!

Here are a few of my favorite pics from that nite:

*kisses*

*Dwan Peace Dance*

Joey and Muffin

Joey and Brandon

 

Muffin

*The Crew*

For anybody wondering, here are the products I used:

EYES:

*Primer Potion, Urban Decay

*Medium Brown, Bronze & Champagne Eyeshadows, Flirt!

*Eyeshadow in Brun, MAC

*Eyeliner Pencil in Phone Number, MAC

*Smoky Cream Liner in Must Have, Sephora

*BadGal Lash, Benefit

*Lashes #106 in Black, Ardell

LIPS:

*Lip Pencil in Cork, MAC

*Multiplex 3D Lipgloss in 3D, LORAC

FACE:

*High Beam, Benefit

*All Firm Makeup (Foundation) in Level 5 Warm, Good Skin

*All-Over Face Stick in Golden Peach, e.l.f.

*Harmony Trio Bronzer in Bronze, Sephora

*Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Peach Twist, MAC

OCM Update

So I've been doing OCM for a few weeks now and I'm really seeing a difference in my face. A lot of nights I can actually feel the hardened sebum that comes out of my pores! Sounds gross but it just feels like a few grains of sand or salt. What's really gross is while doing OCM the other night I actually saw blackheads coming out of my nose...LOL!!! Muffin says this sounds like "some icky oozy worm shit coming out of my face..." LMAO!!! I promise it is NOTHING like that at all!! :)

OCM Journey-The Beginning

So I've been doing OCM (Oil Cleansing Method) for 10 days now and overall I'm pretty satisfied with it. Since I'm just starting, I followed the websites recommendation of using Castor Oil and Sunflower Oil. I'm still working on the ratio but right now I'm cleansing with about 15/85 followed with a Cocoa Butter/Vitamin E/Jojoba mix as an added moisturizer (I get the WORST dry patches, especially in the colder months).

I do OCM every night before bed. Even though the oils don't smell bad, I added a few drops of Lavender EO and find that I sleep better. In the morning I use water only, rub a little of my moisturizer in and I'm set to go.

The first few days of doing OCM, I got a couple pimples and a few whiteheads. I didn't put anythng on them and found that they just went away on their own. My face feels soft and I can really tell that the discoloration I have is fading. I can't say that my skin is glowing or that the blackheads in my nose are 100% gone but I can say that my face feels amazing, looks beautiful and I feel better NOT using all the chemicals and man-made solvents on my face!

To learn more about OCM or to read about the journeys of others visit: www.theoilcleansingmethod.com

Ahhh!!!

Dear All,

        Help!! So it seems that I have a blind date on Sunday and I haven't the slightest clue what to wear! Should I go for bright and bold? Or perhaps ruffly and romantic? I did just buy this awesome dusty mauve transitional jacket that has ruffles on the front and sleeves... Suggestions please! Have you ever been on a blind date? How did it go and what did you wear for the occasion?

Overwhelmed,

Dani