Thursday Thirteen #11

Thirteen pieces of clothing that make me excited for Fall. I dress simple, most of these follow suit. 

1. Cute Purple Dress! I like the color and I like the simplicity. I think I could wear this to work or on the weekend. (From Macy's)
   

   

2. I love the classic style in this outfit from Ann Taylor Loft. It's very nice for work.
   

   

3. This outfit makes me want a bold purse in matching shoes! Another one that's fun for work and the weekend. (Ann Taylor Loft)
   

   

4. I like this outfit for work - I love purple, and the small details make it very cute. (Ann Taylor Loft)
   

   

5. I hope I can pull of the black tights because they're all over the place. (Ann Taylor)
   

   

6. I really like bows, and this bow dresses up an otherwise simple cardigan. Oh, and I like teal. (Ann Taylor)
   

   

7. I think this could be really cute to take into the Fall - if it's warm you can wear it alone, or you can throw a nice black cardigan on for a chilly Fall day. (Ann Taylor Loft)
   

   

8. This is just adorable! I will definitely go to Gap to try it on and hope it works! It could be paired with nice pants or jeans depending on where I am going...
   

   

9. And now here are a few sweaters and sweatshirts that I like for cozy weekends. I like the color of this sweater, and the nice style. (AE)
   

   

10. I went a long time without shopping at AE, but I really like their hoodies and I am in need of a new one
    

    

11. Who can resist polka dots? :) This is from AE, but I have seen a very similar style at Gap.
    

    

12. Scarves are everywhere! I like the brown and purple combo that this one from Gap offers.
    

    

13. This is a nice style and size, but I am not a big red person. (Macy's)
    

    

I am ready for Fall clothes and I am sure lots of these styles will make it into my closet this Fall!

I really like shoes, especially really cute ones (of course). :)  And I love bows almost as much as I love shoes!

I was thrilled to find the perfect pair of black shoes for my friend Jamie's wedding this morning!!  The bridesmaid dresses are a nice simple black, and I have been searching for the perfect pair of black shoes to go with it.  Luckily I have found just what I was looking for - a comfortable dress sandal without too much of a heel with a bow!  Beautiful!! :)  I love the purple too, as shown in the picture.  It's such a vibrant color.  The ones I ordered from Macy's are black, though, to match the dress.

After a week/weekend of being quite busy, I was very lazy last night.  It's not necessarily a bad thing, but I had planned to work out and instead all I did was take the puppies on a slow walk, then watch a movie.

On the bright side of laying low, I watched The Jane Austen Book Club and really enjoyed it!  I enjoyed all of the characters' stories, and now I want to read all of Jane Austen's novels.  I think I read one or two of them years ago, but I don't remember much about them.  So after I get done reading what's currently on my list I think I will move on to those. 

The Jane Austen Book Club made me think a little bit of The Hours.  I only saw parts of the movie, but I did read the book by Michael Cunningham.  I enjoyed the book, and just the way the characters are all woven together, reading the same novel (Mrs. Dalloway), makes me think of it.  I understand they're completely different, but in a way they're quite similar.   

I would definitely recommend The Jane Austen Book Club. :)

I am very tired right now.  This past week has been incredibly busy.  I have a four-day weekend coming up and it couldn’t come soon enough!!

Last week Bryan and I had something going on every night – it was crazy.  Tuesday night’s dog training went well.  We were able to try out these gentle leader harnesses that worked so great that we purchased them.  We are also working on sitting and staying with them.  I have barely had any time with them in the past week so tonight I would really like to work on that a lot!!

Wednesday night we had an association meeting with the condos in the development south of us.  They’re adding to their development and we wanted to be sure that it wouldn’t affect us too much.

Thursday night we went to the Switchfoot and Third Day concert.  It was really good.  I like Swithfoot, and enjoyed seeing them live.  Bryan was familiar with Third Day and I was not, but they do put on a good show.  I don’t think I would ever go to a concert just to see them, but it was enjoyable.  The tickets were great.  I got them from work, and they were very good seats so that can’t be beat.

Friday after work (around 1:00 p.m.) Bryan and I dropped the puppies off at Aunt Becky’s for the weekend and took off up north to Bay Harbor, Michigan.  It was very nice up there!  I will post pictures this week.

We stayed in a cottage with my parents and three siblings and had a very nice time.  We just hung out and had dinner on Friday night, then Katie, Kevin, and I went to the hot tub/pool that’s open 24/7.  Saturday morning Kate, Kev, my dad and I all worked out at the gym in the hotel.  It was a very nice gym that makes me miss Lifetime Fitness!!  I did an excellent upper body workout that I only wish would make up for all of the food that we indulged in throughout the stay. J

Saturday afternoon we had lunch at the Weathervane in Charlevoix then went to Petoskey State Park.  It has a very nice beach on Lake Michigan and my mom and I took a nice long walk along the shore!

Saturday night we barbequed for dinner and then headed down to the hotel area for the bonfire then to do some swimming at the pool.  We also saw a beautiful sunset over the water!

Sunday was a bit crazy of a drive home, but that’s okay! 

This was the first weekend that my whole family has been together on vacation since my senior year of high school in 2003!  We hope to do it again next summer for sure.

After a very busy week and weekend I hope that this week will be a little less hectic.

Not too much has been happening lately, which I guess is not a bad thing. 

I took last Friday off and it was great!  I definitely enjoyed having a three day weekend.  On Friday I took the dogs to the bark park, got some stuff done around the house, went to the doctors, and visited the Township to get information about a potential new development next to my subdivision.  It was quite productive. J

On Saturday Bryan and I took the puppies to the bark park again.  It’s so funny to see their personalities come out around the other dogs.  Graham is a little scaredy-cat around other dogs, but he’ll be friendly and give love to every person he sees!  Thatcher has very little fear at the park, even around huge dogs.  He runs right up to play with whomever he chooses - it’s very cute.

Saturday afternoon we went over to Becky’s to lay out at her pool and visited with her, Paul, Sharon, and Greg.  Their kids were running around as well, but we just sat and talked for the afternoon while enjoying the wonderful weather.  Bryan and I had reservations to go to The Whitney at night, but we cancelled (for the third time) when we didn’t feel like leaving the pool.  At night we went down to the Woodward Dream Cruise instead.

Sunday we visited with my parents for a BBQ in the afternoon.  We brought the pups – they are definitely bigger than my parents’ dogs Millie and Darla!  It’s so sad – they’re growing up.  Two months ago they were so little comparatively.  Now I think both Graham and Thatcher have surpassed 25 pounds. 

Tonight we’re starting puppy training in an attempt to calm the beasts.  Maybe then Jamie will like them, because right now she looks at them in disdain and it breaks my heart. ;)  Let’s hope it goes well and we don’t get kicked out on the first day because we’ve got some wild puppies!!

Next to Darla on May 26.  Thatcher's head is now bigger than her's and he's now taller as well...

Thursday Thirteen #11 - Thirteen authors that I like.

Eleven authors that I tend to follow... That is, I have read almost all of their books and am always anticipating their next novel.

1. Janet Evanovich. Her Stephanie Plum series is quite funny.
2. Sophie Kinsella, author of the Shopaholic series
3. Jane Green - good chick lit
4. Emily Giffin - good chick lit
5. Marian Keyes - more serious chick lit
6. Jennifer Weiner - good chick lit
7. Jennifer Crusie - good chick lit
8. Mia King. She’s only had one book so far, but I can’t wait for her second (it comes out this Fall)
9. Jayne Ann Krentz - mystery romance for the most part
10. Linda Howard - mystery romance
11. Elizabeth Lowell - mystery romance

And two authors that I would like to read more of:

1. Catherine Coulter
2. Whitney Gaskell

Update: August 2008 Goals

1. Drink 80 ounces of water each day. This really helps me cut back on diet soda, and water’s really good for you overall. I have been able to drink 80 ounces all week, so I think I can keep it up!
   • I have been doing this without a problem during the week! On the weekend I am not keeping track, but for the most part I drink my 80 ounces on Saturday and Sunday as well.
2. Exercise for a minimum of 20 minutes six times a week. I know it’s not a large number, but it should be obtainable.
   • I am definitely doing this and it's great! I feel much better about myself and I already have more energy.
3. Within the 20 minutes of exercise, I would like to target my arms and legs, as well as a total body strength workout for three of the six days. I think doing more than just cardio will help keep it interesting.
   • I have been pretty good about my arms and legs; tomorrow I will do my first total body workout. I have also been good about getting in my cardio.
4. Walk the dogs each day. This is in addition to the 20 minutes of exercise (#2). Ideally I would like to walk them in the morning once or twice a week with my husband, but unfortunately I am not much of a morning person. So I will walk them right after work, before starting dinner.
   • Yesterday I worked out after work and then was beat (I worked HARD) so I did not walk them. Other than that, though, I think I have walked them every day. This morning we went on a nice long (45-60 minute) walk together!
5. Take the stairs at work. I work on the 6th floor and almost always take the elevator. In fact, I think it’s been a few months since I have taken the stairs. By the end of August I would like to take them 100% of the time.
   • Last week I only took the stairs. This week I have taken the stairs most of the time. I need to get back on track with this.
6. Eat small, nutritious meals consisting throughout the day instead of one or two large once. This will help with portion control and satisfaction.
   • I really like eating the smaller meals throughout the day, although occasionally I forget. It's going pretty well, though.
7. No fast food. I guess I don’t eat much now (maybe once or twice a month) so this shouldn't be a huge deal.
   • No problem here.
8. Less going out to eat. When I do go out, I will choose a place where I am familiar with the menu so that I can make a wise choice that I will enjoy.
   • We've gone out a few times, and I was able to make wise decisions for the most part.
9. Bring lunch and fruit to work everyday. This will help minimize unhealthy snacking or eating the random food that people bring in.
   • I went out with Erinn yesterday and got a yummy salad. Other than that I haven't eaten out at lunch in several weeks - it's a little intense!
10. Limited ice cream consumption, where limited equals less than once a week. This is a necessity.
    • Somehow I have controlled my ice cream addiction! I had ice cream on Saturday, and that's it! And it was a planned consumption. ;)
11. Eat a minimum of two different vegetables a day.
    • I think this could use a little more work.
12. Eat a minimum of two different fruits a day. Right now I love plums – so delicious! And apple season starts in about a month – I can’t wait to go picking.
    • Right now I am only eating one fruit a day, and so I need to kick this up a notch.
13. Plan out meals each week. This should help with eating healthy as well as time management. I am sure I waste time making an extra trip to the store because I am missing one ingredient, etc. It will also help with not going out to eat as much.
    • I haven't done this yet. Maybe this weekend...

Overall I am doing pretty good at staying on track. Let's hope that I can maintain it. Right now I am enjoying feeling (somewhat) healthy, so I should be able to stick with it.

These past two mornings I have tried to get up an hour early to workout.  Yesterday I wanted to run, and today I wanted to focus on my lower body.  Unfortunately (no matter how much I try) I can't get myself up any earlier than I have to.  I think it's because I know I have time when I get home from work, so why ruin my sleep?  I am not sure...

Last night I did get in my exercise, and I will tonight after work as well.  It would be nice, though, to not have to do anything after work!

My weekend was nice.  I guess I did not do anything productive around the house, such as paint the downstairs bathroom, but there’s nothing wrong with that. :)

Friday night Bryan and I, along with Clint and Emily, went over to Jamie and Ryan’s for a barbeque and to watch the Opening Ceremony for the Olympics.  It was quite the performance!  I am not sure what my favorite part was since it was all pretty cool, but I guess I really liked the neon green men in lights.

Saturday Bryan, the puppies, and I went to the Clarkston Farmers Market! It was great; I love farmers markets.  I even rode my bike there (and it was a very hilly ride).  I got some fresh corn, potatoes, carrots, and broccoli.  Delish!  Saturday afternoon my parents and Katie came for a visit and we went to lunch at Hamlin Pub and then to Cook’s Farm Dairy for ice cream.  I enjoyed some delicious Cow Pie – double dark chocolate ice cream with chocolate covered nuts.  Yum!!

Saturday early evening was my cousin Richie’s second birthday party.  He’s growing up so fast! ;) He was very cute, and it was fun to see family.  Saturday night Bryan and I just hung out and relaxed, and watched Phelps win a Gold medal.

Sunday we didn’t do too much.  It was pretty cold outside; it felt like Fall! We hung out at Starbucks while Bryan worked and I went through the paper, then went to Great Lakes Crossing so Bryan could look for a new pair of glasses.  For dinner we grilled chicken and enjoyed some of the fresh veggies from the market.  Last night we watched synchronized diving and gymnastics prelims, but we missed the swimming, which I hear was just awesome!!  I will have to watch it tonight on NBC.com. 

This week there’s not too much going on.  This weekend we’re going to try and go to dinner at the Whitney, and that should be fun.

13 places I would like to go (in no particular order)

1. Egypt. There’s something very fascinating about their culture.
2. Greece. It looks so beautiful!
3. New Zealand and/or Australia. No explanation needed.
4. Tahiti and Bora Bora (this is last on the list, for sure, but it would be awesome to visit).
5. China, especially Shanghai. Another facinating culture and city.
6. Venice, Italy. I find this city to be very interesting.
7. Hawaii. Also beautiful.
8. Grand Canyon. I think the Grand Canyon would be incredible.
9. San Diego. This dates back to when I was in elementary school.
10. Seattle/Vancouver. I have heard very good things about Vancouver.
11. Alaska. On a cruise, of course. ;)
12. Colorado.
13. East Coast tour of the United States. There are so many cities to explore on the east coast!