Fa La La La La (you’re totally singing it in your head as you’re reading this)

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

1.Yesterday, my wedding dress came in. If I could, I would have visited it right away, but it’s in New York. Since we are having the wedding there, I figured I might as well get the dress there, too. I don’t want to deal with customs for it. At all. So yeah, I’m really excited. I’m also interested to see how much it’s going to need to be altered since I’m 15 pounds lighter than when I bought it in August. Iiiiiiinteresting.

2. I went to the mall to get some Christmas gifts for Tyler. Don’t tell him I got a few things for myself as well.

3. I made 4093752039527059 cookies so far this week. Some were for fun, some were to eat, and some were to give away. I’m going to wait to post the recipe for the ones I sent for the cookie swap. They are seriously good. I only hope they’re still seriously good when they get to her!

4. Layla got her nails done yesterday.

Now she’s super stealth getting around the house. No more tap tap tap tap tap tap tap…I’m sure the tapping will be back soon.

5. I took her to the park immediately after so that I could wear her out. She is the weirdest dog at the park- she just sprints around paying no attention to the other dogs. Or she will sprint to them, then get about 4 feet away and realize she’s anti-social, and sprint right back to me. Whatever. She also gets diarrhea. Now riddle me this: diarrhea is pretty impossible to pick up with a poop bag, but I feel obligated to pick it up when people are around. Is it cool to just leave it?

No, no no. Don’t answer that.

6. Last night was supposed to be a cute couples night at home. We were going to decorate cookies and watch Love Actually since Tyler has never seen it. Me being the gym junkie that I am, cut the movie off about 30 minutes before it was over because I wanted to work out before the gym closed. Not romantic at all. At least we got to ~~eat~~ decorate a few cookies though.

7. So I sweat a lot when I workout. A LOT. But yesterday I must have been in beast mode because even the tinted moisturizer I was wearing was starting to drip all over the bike. Woof. I also forgot to put my ring back on after baking so people at the gym were probably all like “Hey look at that single girl on the bike. She’s sweating No. 03 Medium Nude” (Ok, first of all, no guy will know tint shades and second, how can NUDE have more than one shade?)

8. Now that I am 100% bored, I need suggestions on what to do. OTHER THAN: baking, working out, watching House Hunters, doing crafts or napping. Seriously, it’s hard to think of something!

9. I have been singing Deck The Halls all day. It’s freaking out my dog. Especially the Fa La La La La La La La La part.

10. I feel like God needs to invent more kinds of meat. I run out of ideas for dinner with chicken, beef and turkey. I could totally make every meal with bacon, but I want my life expectancy to be longer than 33 years.

11. My eyelids are peeling.

12. I haven’t ‘done’ my hair in almost 3 weeks. I’ve only put on makeup once in that same time period. Don’t even get me started on bra wearing. I feel like an ugly dump.

I gotta go. (Not go as in pee, but go as in work out, take my dog to the park and get dinner ready) Peace.

Weekend Catch Up. And free lululemon!

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Ok, I think I can get back to normal now. School is over and grades are in. 2 A’s to finish grad school! My cumulative GPA is 3.751. Not. Too. Shabby. I am really glad it’s over. The other night, I dreamt that I hadn’t finished all my work. But I also dreamt bears were chasing me, so I couldn’t take it too seriously. I finally checked yesterday morning and had to refrain from hooting and hollering because Tyler was still sleeping.

Made me feel even better about getting this puppy from Tyler as a graduation gift:

I have already made a batch of chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies and biscotti. The chocolate chip recipe that was my go-to recipe has been officially taken over by a new recipe that came with my mixer. Tyler and I agreed that this batch was the best because it wasn’t as sweet. I thought they were chewier, too. Makes them last longer (or not). I am still on the hunt for a savory dish to make with this. But why rush, when the obvious thing to make during the holiday season is tons and tons of cookies?! I loaded up on sugar, flour, brown sugar, powdered sugar, eggs, BUTTER, and food coloring in preparation for the madness that will be my kitchen in the next few weeks. PS: If you have any cookies recipes you’re dying to share..PLEASE DO!

Saturday was a busy day. It was a FUN day! And, after two weeks sans makeup and normal clothes, I got myself dressed.

I rocked some red corduroys, brown leather boots, a plaid long sleeved tee, and my wool scarf from Zulily. If you haven’t heard of Zulily, I highly recommend you check out that link I provided. There are some insane deals on there! (The girls got their bridesmaids earrings from there!)

We had a Groupon for Fatburger that was due to expire this week, so we decided to make the trek to the NE for some fat-kid food.

The voucher was for the standard burger, fries, and soft drink. A meal that is totally out of my norm. I managed to finish most of the burger which was OK, and a couple of fries. Had to force feed those, since I am NOT a fry person. The best thing I can say about that meal was that it wasn’t greasy. So I didn’t feel like a tub-o-lard that I planned on feeling like.

While eating the meal, I spotted a Bulk Barn across the way. I had never been to one yet, and I really wanted to sneak a peak on what goodies they had to offer. Yup, it was heaven. I was surprised by the variety of things they had- coffee to spices to baking ingredients to candy to nuts to….everything.

I managed to restrain myself, and we walked out with only a couple of goodies:

Irish cream coffee beans, hot tamales, corn nuts (for Tyler). and silver sugar pearls. I was entirely too excited to see the pearls because I remember my mom always having them in the cupboard, ready for baking. I guess the store we went to stopped carrying them or they were discontinued because we couldn’t find them for the longest time. Tonight, we will be definitely using them to decorate christmas cookies- made with my new mixer 😉

We also stopped by this shop that was within the same neighborhood- and we got a home brewing kit! Tyler and I LOVE drinking beer, and Tyler has been interesting in making it at home. We ended up getting the kit and a box of wort for mexican cerveza.The guy at the store said it was more like Dos Equis than Corona. As soon as we got home, we got right to it!

I can’t wait to see how it turns out. We have already been looking into other ‘flavors’. I’m rooting for Apricot!

After the beer was all set (it is currently still sitting in the basement fermenting. Or doing whatever it does), we got to our gingerbread building. I opted for the traditional house, while Tyler mixed it up and got the tree. I think they turned out pretty good. Mine included red and green fondant that I had to roll out and shape myself. I now have a new respect for wedding cake bakers. But I’m still going with cupcakes.

We rounded out the evening with Caesars and Home Alone.

And Layla drooled all over us. Typical.

Sunday was nothing unusual. Except for the fact that I wasn’t bogged down with homework! Tyler watched football while I did laundry and napped and snuggled with the pup. I was feeling pretty blah and didn’t want to go to the gym, so I did a pretty quick- but effective strength circuit:

50 left reverse gliding lunges
50 right reverse gliding lunges
50 overhead presses
50 shoulder presses
100 stability ball situps
50 right single leg deadlifts
50 left single leg deadlifts

Yesterday’s workout was Workout A from Best Body Bootcamp– 6 rounds of tabatas, with each alternating between two moves (this is my favorite series for arms, because I have seen immediate results after both last night’s session and last Monday’s session. Score!) I also got to the gym and did a 30 minute treadmill interval workout.

I think that makes me sufficiently caught up. What’s going on with you?

PS: Don’t forget, if you’re looking for a fitness-related gift for you or someone you know, check out the monthly fitness apparel subscription box from pv.body. If you click here, you can get 20% of regular price! AND IF YOU SIGN UP BY 12/13 (THIS THURSDAY) YOU WILL GET A FREE $25 LULULEMON GIFT CARD!!!!!!! (You can thank me later. Or now. Or send me cookies/lululemon gift card)

Layla’s lucky day

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Well, folks. I did it. I turned in my last exam of grad school yesterday afternoon. I am officially done with school and have my Masters! Woo hoo 🙂

I started yesterday off quite sluggish- I wasn’t really looking forward to tackling some of the final calculus equations

But I persevered through it and was done around 3pm- plenty of time to get to the gym and the grocery.liquor store before Tyler got home! I picked up a bottle of bubbly that came with free chocolates (which oddly enough, have yet to be consumed)

Then I whipped up some grub and we had our champy and dinner in front of…..the football game.

This morning, Layla was looking a little glum.

I think she was bummed that I had more free time to bug her while Tyler’s at work. She was soon un-bummed when a package from my parents arrived at the door. My mom had strict instructions that Tyler and I couldn’t open our gifts, but Layla could. Rawr.

She seriously lucked out! A cute christmas toy and a fleece!

I decided to add to her day of excitement by taking her to the dog park. She doesn’t ever play with dogs. No. Even when there are about 3 dozen dogs (which there were today) mine is the one by herself rolling in the snow. Her and I both have social complexes, I guess.

Alright, time for me to go and get my workout over with. If not now, I might be tempted to go grab more champagne or something. I’m going to milk the celebration for as long as I can.

Random:

I got $20 from the bottle return today. HELLS YES.

If you haven’t already, I highly urge you to check out PV Body. It’s a monthly subscription program where they send you one athletic top and one bottom. It’s only $49, but if you click ON THIS LINK, and sign up through me, you will get 20% off! What a great Christmas present 😉

11 things

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Last night, I saw in the bloggy world that I was nominated yet again for a Liebster Award. (insert dusting off shoulder here). I don’t want to go through the WHOLE thing again, since I just recently did. But for the sake of procrastinating work, and talking about myself (love to do that), I decided to answer the 11 questions posted by liv.
1. What are you wearing right now?

jammies!

2. What was the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

define ‘crazy’ all of my actions are completely rational (hahahahahahah)

3. You can go anywhere in the world right now. Where would you go?

home (NY). Ok, ok, that was a sentimental answer. How about Fiji?

4. What is a secret talent you have?

I can dislocate my shoulder. And make pie on my forehead.

5. What is one piece of technology you can’t live without?

my iPhone. NO WAIT. The refrigerator. That’s technology.

6. If you were dying, what would your last meal be?

In-N-Out burger, my mom’s wacky cake, and a Pyramid Apricot Ale<—my ALL TIME favorite beer on earth. SOMEONE PLEASE SEND ME SOME?!!!!!!!!!

7. Target or Walmart? Why?

TARGET. Because of this:

8. Lake or beach? Why?

Beach. I was born in one called NEWPORT (maybe you’ve heard of it?) Also, I’d rather risk being swept away and eaten by a shark than swim in a dark dank nature-pool full of grody fish.

9. Do you have any siblings? How many? Are you close to them?

10. Write down the last song you listened to?

http://youtu.be/pz4Gd_u98ok

11. If you had a million dollars, what would you do?

Pay off my wedding, the house, buy a car and book a vacation.

Workouts and Christmas Gifts!

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Hey, internets. It’s me, Jen. I’ve been SUPER busy the last few days working on my finals. MY.LAST.FINALS.

EVER!!!!!!!!!

I actually turned one in Tuesday night and already got my unofficial final grade (it’s an A 😉 )I have a little more to complete of my other exam, then DONE!

The only breaks I really took were to workout, make dinner, and watch Ellen. Priorities, people.

My workouts have actually been following this phase from Best Body Bootcamp! I have been feeling pretty great this week- even under all this stress!

Monday: 30 minutes of sprint intervals on the treadmill. I made up my own intervals: 2 min run, 1 min run faster, 1 minute SPRINT. This was done quite a few times through- each time shortening the ‘rest’ intervals in between. Thanks, Pitbull and Will.i.am for getting me through. I waited until I got home from the gym to do the strength portion of the workout: tabata style! Tina had planned Monday’s strength tabatas to be focused on upper body moves. I seriously couldn’t stop flexing all night because I loved how awesome my arms looked! (and it only took 24 minutes. I didn’t get bored. AND I wasn’t even listening to music!)

Tuesday: 30 minutes of spin. I have been actually really good at motivating myself and pushing myself on the bike lately- since I haven’t liked ANY group ex classes since moving here. On the Keiser bike, I noticed that I was getting in about 12.5 miles per 30 minute session on the bike. I know it’s not about the distance- especially since I love to dial up the resistance once in a while, but Tuesday I decided I wanted to ‘beat’ my average. I kept using the varying resistances, but I really pushed myself and got an extra mile in. SUCCESS! I also did 100 stability ball sit ups at home.

Wednesday: I knew I didn’t want to get to the gym (I really only go there now to run or spin) because I didn’t want to overdo it on the same type of cardio I had been doing this week. So, before I got in bed last night, I managed to get in strength Workout B from BBB. This one was focused on lower body, and after 24 minutes I was nice and sweaty! Great way to end the day and snuggle in bed.

Today: since my legs feel rested (ok, maybe not completely rested after last night’s workout) I am looking forward to mixing up my cardio at the gym with a combo of sprints, spin and rowing! Then maybe some abs at home.

A while back, I signed up for a blogger Christmas swap that Leigh set up. I was paired with Jolene, whose blog I had not yet come across. We swapped some emails to get an idea of what each other liked, and began reading each others blogs. On Monday, I received my package from Jolene, and I was blown away with all the awesome goodies she included. They were so ‘me’.

She had individually wrapped everything, so of course I was super giddy. The dog looked at me in horror as I ripped and threw paper around the room, gasping with each item. Not to mention, the paper was SUPER cute. Here’s the loot:

Along with a cute card came Lindt chocolates, Toffifee, taco scented stickers, a face mask, 2 different perfume samples, lotion, chapstick, ESSIE nail polish, chocolate cake vodka, shampoo/conditioner, BACON SALT, and some treats for Layla!

The Lindt chocolates are already gone (they were PEPPERMINT flavored. Of course I ate them already) and half the box of Toffifee has been eaten (only 2 pieces from me. Tyler loved them too!) I actually never had them until Jolene sent them to me, and now I can officially say they’re on my list of favorites!