Pinterest Love

Sadly Spring Break is over and it's time to go back to work.  As much as I thrive on routine, I am sad to see the freedom of no schedule be over.  What a GREAT couple days off!!   Time with my family, relaxing and drinking coffee with my husband every morning, taking a bubble bath in our Jacuzzi garden tub in the middle of the afternoon just because I wanted to, and of course a few projects that I am super excited to share with y'all!! One of my favorites is our guest bathroom reno/spruce...I am just waiting on the new faucet to arrive and it will be completed!! But for a sneak peak here is the Pinterest inspiration for the bathroom: (for all of you who love this gray vanity, I found the perfect paint color)  Stay tuned for this project reveal

But for now I wanted to share a small Pinterest project that was super easy and turned out awesome!! (I apologize for not taking progress pics but it was so easy and fast that I didn't think to take a pic)

Here is the inspiration:

I love the color of the frames and the burlap mats!

  I bought 3 frames that were a natural wood color and I applied a light stain (Varathane wood stain in Sunbleached)- I am so in love with this stain!  I actually found 2 burlap mats (at Homegoods)  but I needed 3.... so, I took a regular white mat, cut some burlap, wrapped it around the mat and hot glued it on the back.   Voila! Pinterest project complete!!!

(cutest boys!) wink!

 I heart Pinterest!!!

Pickin' Perfection

Garage sales, flea markets, or antique stores...no matter the location; I love finding old things and turning them into treasures!  We all know how it goes when you are looking for something specific though...you can never seem to find it!  Well, my luck changed last week.  I have been looking for a sunburst mirror for my dining room for months, and guess where I finally found one?  At my neighbors garage sale for only $10!!! SCORE!  

The color was brown and not quite right for my dining room but nothing a little paint couldn't fix!! I forgot to take a before picture but here is the finished product!  I love the detail it has with the crackle finish on the "bursts"

 

 

Happy Pickin'!

Dragonfly Story

I'm often asked if there is a meaning behind all the dragonfly décor around my home. I tell them it reminds me to "smile."   Let me tell you why...

May 15, 1982 - The world was blessed with a girl- Jennifer Lauren Farrell.  I first met her in 3rd grade at Dowell Elementary.  She was the first person to speak to me on my first day at a new school.  She was as prissy as could be, a true ballerina. She had blonde hair and a huge smile...quickly we formed a friendship that would live in my heart forever.  As kids I can remember days of dancing in her kitchen and summers spent at the pool. Summers remind me so much of her! She loved the beach!

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same"

Jen was one of the happiest people I've ever known. She was always smiling and constantly on the go. She was a dancer and cheerleader and even danced in the 1996 Olympic opening ceremonies.  She loved life and her family!

                             Her mom was her best friend.

{this is a picture I have in my home of Jen and her mom Carol- I surrounded it with reminders of the beach and a frame "Joyful mother of children"...which reminds me of Carol}

Although raised in Georgia, Jen was "Born to be a Tiger." After high school Jen attended Clemson University.   From the football games, to her Alpha Delta Pi sorority sisters... Clemson was in her heart.

On Aug. 17, 2001 Jen was on her way back to Clemson when a car crossed the median on I-85 and collided with her car, taking her from us here on Earth. She was 19 years old.

                                    Dragonfly Story

"In the bottom of an old pond lived some grubs who could not understand why none of their group ever came back after crawling up the stems of the lilies to the top of the water. They promised each other that the next one who was called to make the upward climb would return and tell what happened to them. Soon one of them felt an urgent impulse to seek the surface; she rested herself on the top of a lily pad and went through a glorious transformation, which made her a dragonfly with beautiful wings. In vain she tried to keep her promise. Flying back and forth over the pond, she peered down at her friends below. Then she realized that even if they could see her they would not recognize such a radiant creature as one of their own."

Every dragonfly I see I can just "imagine" Jen looking over us

Around my home are reminders of this story, of the life Jen lived, of our friendship, and of her smile

10 years ago the Jennifer Lauren Farrell Scholarship was formed, with a "wish and mission to create something positive in Jennifer's memory that would also benefit others" (This scholarship provides an out of state student tuition to Clemson University.)   Each year a memorial golf tournament is held at The Walker Course at Clemson.  There are many ways to participate and contribute to this scholarship if you are interested please go to JenniferFarrell.com www.JenniferFarrell.com




"In Loving Memory of Jennifer Lauren Farrell"

             ...a life never forgotten...

"Radiance in her smile, Bounce in her step, Grace in her dance, Heaven in her eyes... if there ever comes a day when we can't be together keep me in your heart and I'll stay there Forever"

~ Love and miss you Jenny!

 

New Body Under Construction

With all the home renovations this past year, my husband and I have been "slackers" at the gym and have eaten out more than ever before. 

So it is time to get back at it!! 

I have had several people ask me about my eating and workout plan so here it is...

***Please note that I am not a nutritionist or a personal trainer, but through research and trial and error I have found what works for me***

This eating/workout plan is what I did a few years ago when I was in the best shape of my life, and I'm so ready to get back to that. My plan is broken down for my schedule so you will just need to adjust for what times work for you.

The best thing to do when you start a new training plan is tell others your plan and goals so that they can hold you accountable. Feel free to share your goals and I will be your accountability partner.

The following are my goal stats:

Weight: 125lbs-132lbs (this is where I look and feel my best)

Bust:34"

Waist:24"

Hips:33"

The following quote is found everywhere on Pinterest, but it is so true and these 3 principles are the heart of my plan

Eat Clean

I buy as much organic food possible, and try to eat fresh non-processed foods

**Prepare meals ahead of time and label and store portions in fridge so you just grab and go**

My prep days are Sunday and Wednesday

Basics 

**Eat first meal within an hour of waking up to jump start your metabolism

**Eat 5-6 small meals spaced about every 3 hours to keep your metabolism up

**Drink tons of water and get 7-8 hours of sleep

**Add supplements such as CLA-(helps with toning), Fish Oil-(helps with weight loss), multivitamin(helps with adding the nutrients needed while lifting weights), Vitamin C-(helps with immune system when working out a lot) and Flaxseed (aids in weight loss) BCAA's (help with growth and repair of your muscles) Glutamine (aids in muscle recovery, and digestion of protein, fats and carbs)

I have 2 different eating plans that I follow (Plan 1 and Plan 2), my schedule is Plan 1 for 2 days, then Plan 2 for 2 days then repeat. Remember this is the times that work for me cause I am a morning person, so just adjust as needed.

Plan 1:

5:00am- wake up (this is when I have my coffee with Stevia for sweetener and do bible study)

5:30-6-AM cardio on treadmill (doing cardio in the morning on an empty stomach has proven to help me burn fat the fastest, and it puts me in a good mood for the day)

6am-Meal #1: 5 egg whites/veggies (spinach or asparagus in egg white omelet) 1 serving of starch (steel cut oats with berries or 1 slice of Ezekiel bread) (take 1 multi vitamin, 2 CLA, and 1 Fish Oil, you can mix one tablespoon of flaxseed oil in your oatmeal after it is cooked.. don't heat up the flaxseed)

9am: Meal #2 Whey Protein shake 25g protein ( I use ISO 100 with unsweetened Almond Milk or water)

12pm-Meal #3 4-6oz lean meat (I usually eat chicken or tilapia), 1 cup of asparagus and 1 serving of brown rice

3pm-Meal #4: celery and 1 tblsp. Natural peanut butter

6pm-Meal #5: 6oz of white fish or chicken, 1 cup of green veggie (asparagus, broccoli, zucchini, or spinach salad with oil/vinegar dressing or balsamic vinegarette) (Optional: add one serving of starch like sweet potato or rice) (take 2 CLA, and 1 Fish Oil)

8pm-Meal #6: Casein protein shake

Plan 2:

Essentially the same as above but with these changes:

*Meal #1- use 1 whole Omega 3 egg and 4 egg whites

*Meal #3- add 1oz of Almonds with your meal

*Meal #6- 6oz of Salmon or lean red meat as your protein

***Limit Fruit to twice a day: I eat berries first thing in the morning with my oatmeal and will have a half of a banana before my workout

**If weight training in afternoon**

10:15-preworkout drink (I use one from Gaspari Nutrition) and (take vitamin C)

11-11:45- weight training

**I take Glutamine and  BCAA's before and after my workout**

**If weight training in evening**

4pm-preworkout drink and (take vitamin C)

4:45-5:30-weight training

Below are the foods I like and use:

Drinks: water, water, water, coffee in morning with Stevia in the raw, green tea

Condiments: mustard, calorie free bbq (I use the one by Walden Farms), reduced sodium soy sauce, hot sauce

Spices: Mrs. Dash seasoning (it's low in sodium)

Dressings: Balsamic(low sugar or sugar free) I like the one by Walden Farms, oil/vinegar

Oils: I usually cook with coconut or olive oil

Fat protein: avocado, almonds, natural peanut butter, salmon

Lean Protein: cod, halibut, flounder, mahi mahi, tilapia, grouper, egg whites, chicken breast, sirloin, bison, scallops

Flours: rice and quinoa

Sweeteners: Stevia in the raw, pure organic maple

Fruits: watermelon, blueberry, apple, orange, strawberries, banana

Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, spinach brussel sprouts, celery, asparagus, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, green beans

Dairy: unsweetened almond milk, greek yogurt, cottage cheese

Carbs: black beans, Ezekiel bread, steel cut oats, brown rice, sweet potato, rice pasta or Ezekiel whole wheat pasta

Cheat foods: pumpkin flax granola with almond milk if I'm craving cereal, Wholesome Medley mix (almonds, dried cranberries and dark chocolate) if I need chocolate.

Train Mean

Cardio: 30-45 min in the morning 7 days a week (I feel better when I do it everyday and my best results are when I vary inclines with short sessions of sprints)

Weight training: I change my weight training every 4 weeks. 

Current weight training schedule:

Day 1: Chest/calves/abs

Day 2: Legs/Plyo

Day 3:Cardio only

Day 4:Back/Abs

Day 5:Bi's/Tri's/Ham's (biceps, triceps, hamstrings)

Day 6:shoulders/abs

Day 7:cardio only

Repeat

Right now I am doing 3-4 sets of each with 12-15 reps with lighter weight

I always use weight that I can get thru all the reps with good form but where you feel the burn on the last 3 reps.

I don't rest long periods between sets..around 30-45 seconds

Get Lean

Personal experience tips:

*Get a notebook- take all your measurements and progress pics (it's amazing how much your body will change) Seeing that change is my biggest motivator.  

*clean out your fridge and pantry getting rid of the junk-buy good food and you'll eat good food

*Set goals-tell someone- and set reminders for yourself (I have a picture of my favorite fitness competitor "Justine Munro" hanging on my bulletin board in my office so I see it everyday for motivation)-she is my same height and looks exactly how I want to.

*If you are new to weight training- it would be good to get a personal trainer to show you the correct form for different workouts

**Keep at it- it's not going to be easy, but it will be worth it**

Projects among Projects...dealing with chaos

Good Morning!!!

Well, here is the state of things around my house this week...(today is day 3)

Day 1: brought a wonderful feeling of relaxation.  For the first time ever, someone else was painting my house other than me. I curled up with some magazines and a cup of tea after work and enjoyed my house becoming beautiful without lifting a finger.

Day 2: 6am-3pm- Still enjoying the sounds of the Latin music that has filled my home this week. The plastic that blocks each area of chaos makes it easier to ignore the mess, and I am loving the results of the paint!!

3:01pm on Day 2: I'm done with work, I can't cook cause my kitchen is off limits, its freezing outside so I don't want to take a walk...so what does a "hiper,  decorating obsessed women do while someone else is doing a project for her in her home??....she moves on to the next project! :)

           Painting picture frames for my gallery wall!

One day after I tell my wonderful painter Felix that it's so nice to not have to paint...he walks around the corner of the foyer and there I am painting frames and dancing to this Latin mix like Salma Hayek in "Fools Rush In"   

Before- (I have another gallery wall on the adjacent wall with all black frames, so I needed to lighten it up a bit)

After: Love!

Day 3: (Today)...I have eaten out for 2 days straight, my dogs have been in their crates for 2 days straight,  my kids have been playing and sleeping in the media room (which now has a "boy" smell..anyone with boys knows this smell..."toots, dirt and feet") for 2 days straight.

  

  As much as I love my new found friend Felix the painter...I will be...in the words of Duck Dynasty..." happy, happy, happy" when I get my home put back together!

Lamps where are you?

 For months I have been casually looking at accent tables for the wall behind my couch.  (The one we had was kinda small-see pic below)

I had commented on a few but never really picked one out. 

Well, my wonderful husband found and bought me the most perfect accent table ever and a bigger clock for the wall!! They're so pretty! I love everything about them from the size, to the design to the finish...gorgeous!!

The table could not fit this wall any better!! Perfection!

I am in love with the colors and patina on this clock!

He captured my style to a "T" even down to the french crown and words "Dream Country, Paris"

(the family tree vase is my favorite decor piece on this table- perfect for the living room where we all gather and spend the most time)

When the table was delivered my husband said "Now you can get two of those lamps you see everywhere and love- cause now you have enough room on this table!" (Love that man!!) But the lamps that I see everywhere are gone.  :(

Why is it that whenever Im not looking for something particular I see it everywhere.... and when I am looking for it, it's no where to be found?? (story of my life!) 

I am very much a "buy in store" kind of person. I like to see it and touch it before I buy it, so online shopping is scary for me.  However, I am willing to give it a try.

 So far this these are the lamps I have found that I like...what do y'all think? 

                         ( I love the ivory distressed candlestick look and the burlap shade)

The distressing on this one is so pretty but Im not crazy about the shade

The colors on this lamp are so pretty, I love the touch of green trim on the shade.

Thoughts?