1. College football is officially over and the SEC dominated another season. It was such an exciting season. I wasn’t sure, really, who to cheer for last night. I’m not an LSU fat at all, but really wanted there to be an undefeated team in the end. But I found myself pulling for Alabama and the Crimson Tide won. The Gamecocks ended on a great note and our orange-wearing friends in the Upstate weren’t so fortunate. (Sorry, friends, but TC insisted I include a mention about Clemson’s loss.)
2. We had the yummiest sandwiches from Cooking Light last night. It was a grilled ham, muenster and spinach sandwich with chow chow. It was so delicious and only 315 calories! Take that, My Fitness Pal!
Some people asked me what chow chow is. This is chow chow!
3. P.S. I’m starving! TC put a bunch of Take 5 candy bars in my stocking and I have been really tempted to eat them. Then I discovered that they’re GONE. He ate all of my Take 5 candy bars. It’s probably for the best anyway, right?
4. I’ve started Downton Abbey on Netflix Instant. I highly recommend you do the same!
5. My first day of waking up early and very carefully budgeting my time throughout the day went really well. I felt much less rushed and when we put the boys to bed at 7:30 p.m. there weren’t any chores left to do. We got to hang out and relax and watch some football.
6. My mom is back home in Indiana. We had an amazing few weeks with my parents. It’s always sad when it’s over, but we know we’ll see each other again soon. I’m so thankful for such a great visit at our house and then at their house. What a nice extended Christmas!
7. Have I mentioned I’m starving? Okay, I’m not really starving, but I sure would love some ice cream. My Fitness Pal has really opened my eyes to how much and how badly I had been eating. When my calories are limited I’m just so much more selective about what I’ll eat.
8. An update on the Diet Coke habit kick… I’ve only had one since January 1. And I had that one on a day where I felt really tired and dizzy and thought sipping on a little DC might help me feel better.
9. One of my goals for this year (and I promise I’m going to do a full post on all of my goals for 2012) is to stop making impulse purchases. If there’s something I want to buy, I need to think about it and really decide if it’s something I want. I’ve actually limited myself (ourselves) to one new clothing item per month and one new kids item/clothing item per month. I think it will make me think through my purchases more.
10. In December, I bought this dress to wear to our Holiday Market Preview Party with the intent of also wearing it to a couple of upcoming rehearsal dinners and weddings. (The same people don’t attend every wedding, so why not wear the same dress over and over again?) I have worn this dress 5 times since I bought it and wore it again this weekend to a wedding. I’d say it was a good purchase.
11. Today will be spent organizing my closet while Hudson is at school and Hayes is napping. I also need to do another clean out of Hayes’s closet. It’s never-ending!
12. Hudson’s big new thing is saying, “Oh my goodness!” or “Oh my gosh!” I say both of these phrases really (too) often, so it comes naturally to Hudson, too, I think. He is hilarious and SUCH a boy!
13. It’s kids clothing line trunk show season and I have a few “trunk shows” coming up on my blog for all of you to browse. So many of my friends sell adorable kids clothes and I just wanted a way to help them out. I’m so excited to see the sweet little outfits!
14. So, Hayes normally sleeps until 7:30, but he has been waking up thirty minutes earlier. I think he knows his mommy is awake and he wants to play. I really do not want to move my wake up time to 5:30 a.m. to re-gain those thirty minutes of “me” time in the mornings. What up with that?
Impulse purchases are my downfall too! I organized all our bills from 2011 and while not in complete shock of what we’ve spent, but had high hopes that this year, I will think more when making a purchase (am I going to wear, use, use again) that?
Yes, that dress was a good purchase. Looks GREAT on you! And I can’t tell if that’s a watch or bracelet, but it’s gorgeous! I’d never thought about a limit per month on new clothing items. I really think that’s a good idea…might need to try it.
Whoa-Oh… WHAT UP WITH THAT? haha, thanks for getting that song in my head 🙂 In truth, it is in my head more often than not. If it makes you feel any better, Isla has decided to start the day at 5:30am, so my “me time” in the morning is nil, unless I wanted to wake earlier (and I don’t!)
LOVE Downton Abbey! Watched the entire first season with my girls in a weekend. We are addicted!
Love the dress!! Do you mind if I ask where it’s from???
I really need to get on track with my eating! It seems like you eat such yummy stuff with your healthy eating! I need tips! I downloaded My Fitness Pal, but I have no “friends” so I have no one to keep me motivated! I think I need that! I also feel like I eat the same (unsatisfying) things over and over! Do you have any tips? Any resources for yummy recipes that aren’t full of Cream of Mushroom soup and stuff like that?
Thank you!! Love the dress 🙂
The dress is stunning!
I’m on a little spending freeze myself! Since January 1st I’ve made myself stop and evaluate and impulse purchase I was thinking of making, and I’ve already noticed a difference in my bank account. I never really have big spending splurges, but swiping the debit card here and there adds up REALLY fast. It’s exciting yet a little “blah” to think of how much money I’ve wasted that could have been saved. Ah, well– we live and learn, right? Also, you are now the FIFTH person in the last two days who has mentioned Downtown Abbey. I’m thinking it’s time to jump on the viewing wagon…
I loooovvveee that dress!! It looks fabulous on you!! And your hair is gorgeous! I’m trying to be the same way with impulse purchases- other than food and diapers in this house, I can definitely think about something and it’s necessity first! Thanks for a great read!!
One of my resolutions is not to impulse buy too. I get all sorts of random stuff and never use half of it.
I love that dress! Where is it from?
I need to do a serious clean our of all of the closets, especially since we want to move this year.
I have the My Fitness Pal app, and once I’m done breastfeeding, I’m using it! I’ve lost all my baby weight and then some, but I eat so much now because of nursing and I know if I continue that when I’m done that I will gain a lot of weight. I need something to keep me in line.
Adorable dress! Love the eyelet details.
What is chow chow!?!?
Emmy normally wakes up about 7:00 on the dot, but slept til 7:30 today. I did notice when her first two teeth were coming in, that she’d wake up between 6:30 and 7:00. She normally just rolls around and “talks” though, so I leave her in there until I can get the coffee and bottles ready. I like your idea of getting up early in the morning. Letting her be the alarm clock can be kind of stressful at times.
Rob and I joined my fitness pal too. Man, my mexican food habit is just plain ol’ BAD NEWS. (and the margaritas or coronas don’t help much either!)
Glad y’all had such a wonderful Christmas. xo
Okay, so I first have to say – you look so good!! You are tiny.
Second, the mini Take 5 bars are what I would snack on while losing weight with My Fitness Pal. I think they have 95 cals but it was a good way to feel like I was eating a candy bar when I was needing a chocolate fix. Go get you some more! 🙂
We are on the cash system for 2012 and I’m so excited. I think it will make me stop and think about every single item I purchase. I also think it’s going to save us a lot by the end of the year. When Alex told me how much we spent on eating out in 2011 – I got sick to my stomach – such a waste of money. I could have cooked more. That’s one of my goals for 2012 – cook at least 4 meals a week.
Why do I ramble on when leaving a comment on your blog?? So sorry!
You make me laugh!!! Thanks 🙂
I love your dress! Is it Lilly? Its amazing when you buy something and end up wearing it time after time! It makes the purchase even more great!
Loving the color of your hair too!
Addison is saying “oh my gosh” too. hahaha. and she also says “Damby drivin me nuts” SUPER! haha. Guess I better watch every little thing I say!
Also, you look absolutely gorgeous (and tan) in that pic. I need that dress. Where might I find this 🙂
Proud of your resolutions. You’re inspiring my friend!
Oh my goodness, we’re making the same Cooking Light sandwiches this week sometime for dinner. I out it on my menu monday for this week! Love your dress btw!
We ate at Paula Deen’s restaurant in October and we asked our server for some chow chow and our server there didn’t even know what it was! I was shocked!
Love the dress, btw!
I am in love with Downton Abbey!! My husband and I started watching last year and were so excited it started back on Sunday night. Cute dress!!
Love that dress on you!
How cute! My 2 year old is saying the same thing plus Are you serious? Love it. Im going to have to watch, been hearing tons about that show. Good luck with the goals, sounds like we are on the same page! Ive found that HonestTea is helpful on those sluggish days, ok everyday, but green tea is goid for you.
I am still a little unclear as to what chow chow really is? I love that dress and your hair looks gorgeous in that picture! Do you use hot rollers?
I love your phone cover! Where did you get it?
Love that dress! Where is it from? I’ve heard so many great things about Downtown Abbey recently – I think we need to start it! And I’m starving too… though I’m pregnant so that’s pretty much the norm these days! : )
Everyone talking about my fitness pal on twitter has gotten me motivated to start counting calories again and I know just what you mean about feeling like you’re starving constantly! It’s so hard to go back to calorie counting after eating whatever I wanted the past month! LOVE your Lilly dress!
Oh my goodness, where did you get that dress?!? It is stunning! Very Kate Middleton! I hear you about impulse purchases. At least twice a month I go to Target for a few specific things, but I end up with a cart full of stuff and I’m $100 poorer! I need to put a kibosh on the impulse shopping.
I was reading your blog yesterday and thought to myself, I would love to get up at 6 or 630 to have me time but I know that my daughter would hear me and want to wake up. Today is our small group day. She was still sleeping at 7 AM. I tip-toed downstairs to start the coffee and just like clock work, I heard Mama? Mama? Hopefully you won’t have to wake up earlier! I am going to work on it too.
My husband and I just started watching Downton Abbey tonight and already watched 3 episodes! It is so addicting!
Very nice dress!
I was wondering if you ever called a winner for the Baby Einstein giveaway?
You got me hooked on MyFitnessPal and I totally agree…I have become much more selective about the food that goes into my mouth! Such an eye opener! Love the dress as well!
I love the What Up With That pic that you threw in there at the end 🙂
Also, I am with you on the calories. i’m starving every night, but I know it’s only because I was eating so much junk before!!
L-O-V-E that blue dress! And full agreement on MFP…in fact I’ve found myself staying off of it recently just because I’m scared to see what the damage will look like. But I’m devoted to that site for spring since I really need accountability!
You’ve totally gotten me hooked on MyFitnessPal. Addicted and loving it. But I’m still not giving up Diet Coke!
Also, where did you get your iphone cover? Been looking for a new one and love yours!
You look GORGEOUS in that picture from the wedding! I have major hair envy! 🙂
Love the dress & hair! Um, how do your kids sleep until 7.30am??!! Please share your tips! My Hudson wakes up anywhere from 5-7am.. more towards 5am though to be honest!
I have a rule that I stick by for purchases…If I LOVE it, I go home and wait a few days. If I cant stop thinking about it after 4 or 5 days, I go back and purchase. If I forget about it, chances are I didnt really need it anyway. I find that most stuff I can live without and its the initial want that gets me! …I do have to say though, your dress is fab and if you need an impulse buy for cute earrings to match, in Stella & Dot’s Spring Collection are these lapis colored earrings would match it perfectly!! http://shop.stelladot.com/style/lounge_en_us/shop/earrings/earrings-all/serenitysmalldrops.html?s=laurentrain
Don’t you love how toddlers will pick up on something. Apparently I say “good gracious!” and BB has started calling me “hun” like my hubs does. Does H call y’all any names like that?
You look stunning! Love the dark hair!