The Christmas holidays for me this year included lots of family, sleeping in every day, far too much food and plenty of good times. I'd love to share with you some highlights of my 10 days off...
I kicked off my holidays right by staying in and ordering Indian take-out. The butter chicken wasn't the best, but that fact that I didn't have to venture out was a big plus.
The following morning, Christmas Eve, my sister and I hosted a birthday brunch for our Dad at her place. We made breakfast burritos (the birthday boy's request) and roasted potatoes and served vanilla and chocolate cake for dessert.
My sister and her fiance recently got a new puppy and named her Piper. Needless to say, I'm an obsessed Auntie.
That night, my sister and I headed over to our parent's place (tradition) where my mom had a massive spread of treats and goodies (I brought those ginger cookies I love). We pigged out and had a great time before all heading off to bed around midnight.
On Christmas morning, we awoke to a continuous snowfall (so pretty). We raced into the living room to see what Santa brought us (and Santa didn't disappoint!).
After we open our stockings, we always have breakfast before moving onto the presents. My mom made the (Pillsbury) cinnamon buns and croissants that my sister brought and I made everyone Mimosas.
We spent the rest of day lazing around, playing with our new gifts (yes, that is my new Michael Kors watch - a gift from my parents! Eep! So excited!) and of course prepping dinner.
For Christmas dinner we had turkey, stuffing, mashed carrots/turnip, sweedish potatoes, corn, peas, tomato aspec & broccoli salad. It's my favourite meal. Ever. Much later in the night, after my grandparents had left, my Dad broke out his mad bartending skills and made us all ceasers.
In the days that followed Christmas, the weather got worse and we were dumped with a lot more snow (but it was quite pretty).
I met up a with an out of town friend at a new-ish Italian place and we both enjoyed the manicotti. Afterwards, I did a little shopping and picked up the off-white top from Old Navy (among other things). A couple days later I attempted to make bite-sized baked brie (but they didn't exactly turn out great).
For NYE I headed up to cottage country where there was lots of relaxing (by the fire reading my newested borrowed book), card and board games were played, curried shrimp poutine was eaten, and the scenery was beautiful.
Overall it was a great Christmas and so nice to have an extended vacation. Hope your Christmas was as wonderful!
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Alfred Sung dress, unknown tights, Aldo boots, Ardene necklace, Swarovski, F21 & Costa Blanca
bangles & Charlotte Russe ring
I'm on a diet. Ha. Haha. Hahaha. That is laughable because I don't do diets (you think I have that kind of will power?). So, I guess I'm not really on a diet, but as I sit here and type this, my stomach is growling despite just eating (cottage cheese with berries). I am certainly watching my intake since completely over indulging throughout the holidays, and am trying to get back to eating clean. However, I'm starving. How starving? I just ate two Vitamin C pills to drown out of cries of my angry stomach.
Okay, so I'm not that hungry, I have eaten today, and eaten well. An egg white omelet for breakfast (with cheese and broccoli), an apple for a snack, turkey soup, (10) almonds and the cottage cheese. Tonight I have plans for grilled chicken (going to use my panini press instead of my oven) and a large side salad with cherry tomatos and low-fat feta. Are you bored yet?
I wouldn't say this is a New Years Resolution (that's far too cliché), just a kick start to get back into my regular routine. You see, over the past few months I have been indulging maybe slightly too much. Not to the point that's it necessarily noticeable to others (is it!?) but it is to me. And I don't like it. One bit. Something must be done. Also, I'm not really digging the way it's making me feel, and when that happens, it's time to kick your own butt, hence, precisely what I'm doing.
While perusing YouTube the other day, I came across a BodyRock.tv workout they had posted, which prompted me to their site (I had a friend who used to do their workouts and she raved about them). Sure enough, tight lean bodies, friendly (and likeable) attitudes, and simple (but killer) workouts you can do in your own living room (or at the gym, if you have a membership like I do). Awesome. I'm taking one of the workouts (it's seven minutes; pu-leeze, you can do anything for seven minutes) to the gym tonight and going to give it a try after I hit the cardio. Also, I was able to download the Gymboss interval timer app on my iPhone versus forking out the cash to purchase one, which means no waiting to try these workouts 'properly' and no excuses.
I find I often need some sort of variation, kick-start or newness for my workouts. Zumba seems to be the only thing I've stuck with consistently (almost three years) but everything else gets pretty boring. I recently tried Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. Phew! What a doozy. Seriously killer. There are three workouts (level 1, 2, and 3) and you do each for ten days before moving onto the next. I certainly couldn't discipline myself to workout for 30 days in a row, but when I was lacking motivation to hit the gym, it was nice to go home and have an alternative in my living room. That said, it didn't last long before I was unmotivated to workout from home, so back to the gym I went.
And now? Well now I just found out that my favourite Zumba instructor might not be teaching anymore (the only time I can actually guarantee I will get my ass to the gym) and I want to cry (dra-ma-tic). She was there when I started doing Zumba as a participant. She started out by helping another instructor, she would teach one song a few times, and slowly she would teach half the class until she took over and it became her class. She's amazing, and I don't want her to leave. Wah wah.
Okay, so I'm not that hungry, I have eaten today, and eaten well. An egg white omelet for breakfast (with cheese and broccoli), an apple for a snack, turkey soup, (10) almonds and the cottage cheese. Tonight I have plans for grilled chicken (going to use my panini press instead of my oven) and a large side salad with cherry tomatos and low-fat feta. Are you bored yet?
I wouldn't say this is a New Years Resolution (that's far too cliché), just a kick start to get back into my regular routine. You see, over the past few months I have been indulging maybe slightly too much. Not to the point that's it necessarily noticeable to others (is it!?) but it is to me. And I don't like it. One bit. Something must be done. Also, I'm not really digging the way it's making me feel, and when that happens, it's time to kick your own butt, hence, precisely what I'm doing.
While perusing YouTube the other day, I came across a BodyRock.tv workout they had posted, which prompted me to their site (I had a friend who used to do their workouts and she raved about them). Sure enough, tight lean bodies, friendly (and likeable) attitudes, and simple (but killer) workouts you can do in your own living room (or at the gym, if you have a membership like I do). Awesome. I'm taking one of the workouts (it's seven minutes; pu-leeze, you can do anything for seven minutes) to the gym tonight and going to give it a try after I hit the cardio. Also, I was able to download the Gymboss interval timer app on my iPhone versus forking out the cash to purchase one, which means no waiting to try these workouts 'properly' and no excuses.
I find I often need some sort of variation, kick-start or newness for my workouts. Zumba seems to be the only thing I've stuck with consistently (almost three years) but everything else gets pretty boring. I recently tried Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. Phew! What a doozy. Seriously killer. There are three workouts (level 1, 2, and 3) and you do each for ten days before moving onto the next. I certainly couldn't discipline myself to workout for 30 days in a row, but when I was lacking motivation to hit the gym, it was nice to go home and have an alternative in my living room. That said, it didn't last long before I was unmotivated to workout from home, so back to the gym I went.
And now? Well now I just found out that my favourite Zumba instructor might not be teaching anymore (the only time I can actually guarantee I will get my ass to the gym) and I want to cry (dra-ma-tic). She was there when I started doing Zumba as a participant. She started out by helping another instructor, she would teach one song a few times, and slowly she would teach half the class until she took over and it became her class. She's amazing, and I don't want her to leave. Wah wah.
That's all. Happy eating.
2011 has proven to be the most difficult year of my life, and while things didn't come up all roses, I do count my blessings at what I have overcome and how much I have grown. It also makes me grateful for each day, and each day that gets a little better and I get a little stronger. As one of my favourite quotes goes, 'Where there is no struggle, there is no strength'.
I am looking forward to continuing to put one foot in front of the other for this new year, growing and always striving to be the best version of myself.
Cheers and happy new year!
* click photos to enlarge
Years past:
I spent my NYE out of town, which was somewhat unplanned until the last minute. It was low key and sweet, and the scenery, as you can tell, was beautiful (and btw, those are not black and white photos).
I will be posting about my New Years Resolutions this coming week, so stayed tuned.
Happy New Year!
As mentioned, I played an Elf on Christmas Eve Eve (last day of work). Employees are encouraged to bring their kids to work on that day and seriously, when the kids saw Santa, they went nuts. Totally adorable.
Vintage (thrifted) blazer, Sirens top, H&M pants (last seen here), borrowed hat & target flats
The two main comments that day were, 'That's the tallest elf I've ever seen' and inquiries about whether or not I was in costume. I was not. All clothes were from my closet (ha).
I stopped by Value Village a couple weeks ago and had tremendous luck, this jacket being one of (three jackets) I picked up.
It's from H&M and a size 6.
It had a couple stains on it, but I noticed the tag said it was machine washable so figured it could be worth a shot. When I got to the cash, I mentioned the stains to the cashier and she gave me 30% bringing the price to a whopping $10! When I got home, I washed it (without any stain fighter) in the machine and it came out as good as new.
New jacket love all up in this piece.
Max Studio top, Sirens shorts, unknown tights, Suzy necklace & ring & Bay ring
I hope you all had an excellent Christmas, I sure did! My sister and I compromised and decided on a 9am start time for Christmas morning. I got up, showered, and proceeded to put on my comfy clothes (why did I shower? I packed an outfit to wear for unwrapping presents and ultimately decided I wanted to wear sweatpants and a hoodie. Still works).
I headed downstairs where my parents and sister were waiting to me. We went into the living room to see what Santa brought us and he was good to me, that's for sure! We then took a break, at cinnamon buns and croissants and drank coffee (which later turned into mimosas). Then we got busy unwrapping our gifts and I have to say I have been spoiled and am very, very blessed (I'm going to do a post on the gifts I was fortunate to receive).
We lazed around that afternoon, reading our magazines, trying on new clothes, playing with new gadgets, etc.
After hours in sweatpants I changed into the above outfit (and did my hair) for Christmas dinner. My grandparents came over and we stuffed ourselves. More conversation and good times after dinner (which included more baked treats, thanks to my mom) late into the night. I then proceeded to do some pre-Boxing Day online shopping late into the night and finished watching, 'What's Your Number' online (cute movie, the book is better, obviously).
I have to say it seems kind of funny posting an outfit without shoes, however, I wasn't leaving the house and we aren't wear-your-shoes-in-the-house kind of people (yuck. I'm a bit of a germaphobe so the idea of wearing shoes in the house grosses me out. Think of where you and your shoes have been... gym locker room, in your car, restaurants... public restrooms... 'nuff said), hence the no shoes. If I was going out, I'd likely wear black pumps or ankle booties.
I have always used Microsoft Powerpoint to edit my photos so I was shocked to see the mad changes (and improvements) that have come along with the new version (10) I have been given. There is a super cool function under the (Picture Tools) Format tab. In there, they have something new called, 'Artistic Effects' where you can modify your photo 22 different ways.
I, of course, took advantage of this and played around with various photos. So fun! Maybe I'm behind on this (I've been using my old version forever, and we all know how pricey Microsoft Office is) but it's new to me and pretty exciting.
Mouse over the photos to see which effect I used on each one (they are all different and there are still so many more to choose from; my fave are the last two). It'd be kind of cool to use one of these effects to print your own thank-you or greeting cards.
Merry Christmas! Joyeux Noel! Feliz Navidad!
Today is my favourite day of the year and are there traditions in my family, you ask? Oh are there traditions.
My sister and I always sleep over at my parent's place on Christmas Eve (also my Dad's birthday). We share a bed and she complains I always try to cuddle her and I complain that she won't let me. She wakes us all up uber early, like criminally early for a day off (we discuss this the evening before hand and the negotiating begins, 'We're getting up at 7am!' I retort with, 'How about 11am?' We eventually meet somewhere in the middle) and we all head into the living room to see what Santa brought us and open our stockings. Then we eat breakfast (croissants, cinnamon buns, fruit and mimosas) which we basically plow through in order to get back to the living room for the good stuff: presents! Then we spend the next few hours opening presents, listening to reggae Christmas music, taking pictures and laughing at my Dad's wrapping attempts (sorry Dad).
Later on, my grandparents will come for dinner and we'll have a huge (turkey) feast, which is my favourite meal of the year. We will all eat so much, lots of moaning and groaning will occur within five minutes of the meal ending, but ultimately, we will all be very happy.
Do you have simple Christmas traditions you repeat year after year? Share in the comments below!
Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas, and if you don't celebrate Christmas, a happy holiday season.
Mexx top, Smart Set cami, H&M pants (last seen here), Aldo wedges (last seen here), Emily Elizabeth necklace, Aldo & Charlotte Russe rings
I'm so excited; today is my last day of work for (get this) 10 days! I had to take three days worth of holidays and in return I get 10 days off. So. Pumped.
Today I'm playing Elf to Santa at work as employees are encouraged to bring their kids in. We always have a huge potluck and the kids get to see Santa. It's organized well, too; the parents buy a $2-$3 gift for their child, wrap it and write their name on it. Then they give it to our Admin who coordinates the whole thing. She ensures Santa gets the gifts so when the children sit on Santa's lap, they get a little gift. It's super sweet. I will be Santa's helper. A friend and co-worker will be taking photos so I'll try and get one of me and Santa to share with you all. Fun!
I have Christmas stress.
Okay, it's not terrible, as my shopping is all done, but the wrapping.
Oh the wrapping.
It's haunting me. Taunting me. And it's getting later and later with each minute. I have to do all my wrapping tonight. I slacked off last night (but did finish my shopping) on the wrapping as I promised I'd do it tonight.
And now, here I am, totally procrastinating.
On top of that I need to make a quiche for tomorrow's work potluck and some peppermint bark to give as gifts. I figured taking several minutes to post about this, instead of getting busy, would be the smart thing to do. Wish me luck.
Update:
I'm all done my wrapping. The quiche is made. There is no peppermint bark (oh well, it was the lowest priority). I'm exhausted. It's only taken four hours. Phew.
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