Setting and Accomplishing Goals

If you know me, then you know I'm such a goal-setter! I'm always thinking of new ideas and activities that I want to do. I was just telling my parents over the weekend that I'd like be to a little more domestic, you know with cooking, sewing, gardening, that sort of thing! I know the basics of cooking, don't know a thing about sewing, and eventually I'd like to get into gardening (once I have a home of my own with a yard!).

Although I have such a sweet tooth, I'm really into eating healthy meals. I also work out 3-4 times a week after work, which doesn't leave much time to cook a healthy, homemade meal every night. My goal is to start looking up recipes on Cooking Light, and making some healthy, more challenging meals for dinner. I'll also attempt to make some of the meals from the wonderful recipe books that my mom compiled for me containing family recipes passed down through the years. These meals aren't as healthy as I normally eat, but are so very delicious!

As for sewing, my mom said she's going to teach me how to sew a button on a sweater this weekend, and I'm super excited! How sad is it that I can't even sew a button?! I never had to take home-ec because I was an advanced learner and had the privilege of taking Spanish classes earlier in school. That seemed like a great idea then, but now I could probably benefit a lot more if I knew how to sew a button instead knowing when to use the preterite vs. imperfect tenses in Spanish. Hablaba anyone?!

So, I will continue pursuing my goals however big or small, and will eventually be well-rounded in all domestic areas of the home! Adios amigos! ;)

Morning Work-Outs

I finally got back into my morning work-out routine by waking up at 5:50am and running 2 miles! It actually felt like nothing after the much longer and hilly run this past weekend with my boyfriend. I always feel better when I work-out first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. It's a good feeling to wake up and feel so accomplished by 6:30am, the time when my alarm normally rings! Seeing as how I have to be at work tomorrow morning at 6:30, I probably won't run before work, so we'll see how Thursday morning goes! Wish me luck!

Washington Redskins!

Although we lost to the Houston Texans tonight in overtime, we killed the Cowboys last weekend and that is the most important game to win in the whole season if you're a Skins fan!

Being a Redskins fan wasn't necessarily a choice for me as I was raised in Southern Maryland surrounded by Skins fans, including my parents. Then, I went to college in Virginia, where there were also a lot of Redskins fans. That is where I grew to like football and actually understand the game! Don't get me wrong, I went to almost every football game in high school (I was part of the half-time entertainment aka dance team!) and a few in college (Go Duuukes!), but watching the Skins game every Sunday in college is how I finally discovered my appreciation for football and learned to root for my hometown underdogs...the Redskins!

With a new coach this year and a new quarterback (thank goodness!...so long Jason Campbell!), I'm feeling pretty confident that we'll have a decent season and not let the Lions beat us again (sorry boyfriend!). I've been wanting to buy a jersey the last couple of seasons but have been holding off for the right season, and I think this is it. Any suggestions as to whose jersey I should get?!

Wedding China

Call me old-fashioned or too traditional (I call it classic!), but one of the reasons I look forward to getting married is picking out an amazing china pattern with my husband! (Not getting married anytime soon, but just thinking ahead!) I know that some people decide that they don't want to register for china because they think they will never use it or never entertain for nice family gatherings, but when in your life would you ever buy it for yourself? Never! Maybe I just look forward to it because I love entertaining and adore many of the new, delicate patterns that have come out over the past couple of years. Entertaining is a huge part of my family traditions, and I'll be so thrilled to carry out this tradition when I have a home of my own as well as a china set to impress!

Clinique Products

With the changing seasons/weather, I've been noticing that I need to revisit my daily skin care regimen. That being said, yesterday after work, I visited the lovely ladies at the Clinique counter in Macy's. Because I have extremely sensitive skin (cannot tolerate any products with fragrance!), I find Clinique's products to be the most simple, clean, hypoallergenic, oil-free, and effective! Not to mention, their products aren't ridiculously expensive either.

I'm addicted to several products in their 3-step skin care lines as well as the High Impact Curling mascara. I've refused to use any other mascara since I began using this one about 3 years ago. If you are looking for a non-clumpy, curling mascara that lasts all day, I highly recommend this one. I hope they never discontinue it!

Ultimate Skinny Jeans

Last week, after I stopped by the Clinique counter in the mall to pick up my skincare products that I needed, I decided to casually browse in J. Crew and Banana Republic to check out the new fashions for fall. BR was having an amazing sale on denim, and since I don't own any BR jeans (or hadn't at that point!), I thought it would be a good idea to just try a few pairs on for fun. At first I stuck with the straight leg, thinking they would look better on my body-type. The manager came over to help me and demanded that I try on their ultimate skinnys. I was reluctant at first, but as soon as I put them on, they magically fit me perfectly! It was just like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants! It's always when you aren't looking for something in particular that you end up finding the best buys! So, now I am in love with these jeans and wore them for the first time this past weekend at my sister's bachelorette party in Cape May. They are so comfy and soft, I could almost sleep in them! What can I say? I heart my ultimate skinnys!!

Mixt Greens

My lunch plans for today changed, so I decided to hit up my absolute favorite salad shop just 1 block away from work, MIXT GREENS! They make the best organic salads in the neighborhood with the freshest ingredients too! I always create my own salad when I go there because I don't want to be the annoying customer who substitutes everything in their set salads on the board, and my salad creations are always much more tasty/healthy!

Today, I had the mixed greens lettuce with grilled chicken, edamame, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, chick peas (aka chick butts, for those who know that inside joke!), and a pinch of red onions for a little bit of flavor. It was topped with fat free balsamic vinaigrette and was delicious! I usually always get the mango citrus dressing, but decided to switch things up today. Crazy, I know! Anyway, if you haven't been to Mixt Greens yet and you live in DC, San Fran, or LA, I highly recommend it. Check it out! http://www.mixtgreens.com/gui/2008/default.aspx It was incredibly refreshing today too since it's 90 degrees outside!

Running with my boyfriend!

My boyfriend is training for a 10K, so this weekend while we were in Michigan for his cousin's wedding, we went for a couple of runs around his dad's neighborhood. It's nice running with someone else because it's not so boring, and I always end up running further because the time passes much more quickly. On our run, we picked out our favorite houses in the neighborhood and ended up racing each other home. Of course he won, but he's a guy, so I guess that makes it okay!

I'm glad I got back into running this weekend because I was starting to get bored with my elliptical workouts and running works my legs muscles differently than the elliptical. My legs felt a little sore after running, so I'm pretty sure that means it was a good workout! Great way to start the week!

Motown Music

I'd like to thank my dad for introducing me to the wonderful world of motown sound when I was just a few years old. I loved "My Girl" by the Temptations, which is probably one of the most popular motown songs and is now the most popular father-daughter dance song. My love for motown music (The Temptations, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Four Tops, Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, to name a few!) has grown so much since I was younger. The Temptations movie (you know, the one that's always playing on VH1) changed my life! Soul music always puts me in a good mood, what can I say? I love it!

I felt this post was appropriate since I will be flying into Detriot tomorrow, Hitsville USA baby!, with my boyfriend to attend his cousin's wedding in Ann Arbor on Saturday! Speaking of, GO BLUE! (that was for my boyfriend!) Anyway, I am excited to see Ann Arbor since I've never been there before, and it's kinda cool that I'll be landing in Detriot, where all the motown magic happened a few decades ago.

Starbucks Iced Coffee!

I'm convinced that Starbucks puts a little something extra in their coffee that makes it taste fabulous and better than any other brand. Illy from Italy is a close second. I don't know what it is about Starbucks, but everytime I drink it, it puts me in such a great mood!

So, I was having a sluggish morning and decided to stop by on my way to work this morning. I got an iced regular coffee with a shot of sugar-free caramel! This was my drink of choice on vacation this summer because it's refreshing, sweet, and still low on the cals! You should try it too!