Eu sumi!

 Portuguese for I disappeared. But I'm back now with some updates- or just plain entertaining myself for the fun of it. Get excited.

First off I've noticed a pattern with other bloggers. When they disappear for a while, it's most likely cuz they're busy throwing up due to morning sickness- because they're newly prego.

I am also newly prego! But I am lucky-2nd time and I've escaped morning sickness. You probably hate me don't you. That is, if you're a girl, and you've gone through pregnancy, and endured months of nausea and misery.. I honestly really REALLY feel for you.

But the sad part is that I am hungry ALL the time. I'll be mid-workout on a treadmill and feel like I'm going to die unless I eat that mini bag of almonds I brought immediately. Lord help me not to gain 45 pounds again this time around...

I already miss my lean body... but I will get it back I promise you!

Almost 10 weeks, due end of January

So as previously discussed, I'm the office assistant out here, which means going through these stacks wads of paperwork, refolding them, checking everything, and sending them off to corporate. Super glamorous.

Oh my job wouldn't be glamorous at all... except for the fact that I've acquired a new guilty pleasure while I work.

Yes I am behind on the gossip girl craze, but now I'm on season 4 and hooked. I heart Chuck- just thought I'd throw that out there.

Please tell me anyone that reads this blog is also a fan of Bachelorette. Say what you will, I love Emily. Fake boobs (and veneers and nose) and all. I swear it's the first season where they actually pick the right people to go and stay! Am I right?!

Since there's a baby on the way, it can be very easy to get carried away, pining over nurseries and clothes and all things baby...

Just trying to hold off til I know what we're having.. and that's forever away. Boo

 Since I'm so busy "working" and whatnot, I just have to squeeze in a little time with my main man, Carter. We went down to Galveston last week with some friends. Nothing quite like the beach!

 I love my kiddo. Especially since he was so good in Madagascar 3 the other day, that I almost think the ridiculous $13 spent on matinee tix might happen again!

Some people just really have the vision...

 I'm not the hugest fan of Ikea. I think some of you may agree that it can look cheap and/or tacky, but sometimes, since the price is right, we go for it anyway. And for some simple, sleek Swedish furniture, hey, it works.
So when I see Ikea furniture transformed in a space to look expensive, I'm kind of wowed!
One of my favorite blogs by a Portuguese designer, Ana Antunes just did a makeover on a tv show with some AMAZING results. She also just posted some of her projects, using Ikea furniture. My mind is officially blown.

This console is the Malm console... You don't need anything flashy when you've got that gorgeous bench!

This striped lounge chair is the Karlstad chaise

K and awesome idea to use the Besta shelves to make cute shoe storage!

 And my absolute favorite: The Vittsjo shelves (normally black), and they were painted gold.

This space is divine. I must copy some of these ideas stat!

The Look for Less

I've become a little intrigued lately by fashion blogs. Good thing too, cuz between that and pinterest, I have no excuse to look like a scrounge!
I used to be somewhat annoyed by necklaces- I never wore them much because they were just in the way- plus I felt too dressy.
And here I am all of a sudden obsessed with statement necklaces. Thank you fashion blogs.

So if you're a fan of J.crew (or fashion blogs, hence a fan of J.crew), you may have seen this amazing piece of work:

It's got a $150 price tag... boo

via pink peonies

 via minimestyle

via pink peonies

To some, $150 is worth it.. and let's be honest, it's got some serious wow factor, and can jazz up just an old t-shirt!

BUT alas, I have found imposters!

From etsy!

This shop: ily couture sells an almost exact replica for $49! The two-tone ones are very cool.

But wait! If you keep reading this post, you'll be led to an even better deal! 

Another etsy shop: blue bird has a simpler version (although just last week, she had others that also exactly resembled the J.crew version) and it's $34 plus free shipping!

You see my friends, you can be fashionable and frugal. 

And you're welcome ;)

PS Go see Snow White and the Huntsman. It's bomb.

**UPDATE**
Thanks to my friend and reader, Danielle-
There's another site that sells em for cheap!
$39 each, and buy 2 get 1 free!

Guess these bad boys are even more popular than I thought ;)

Checking in

So I got a job. Not by choice though, and definitely not anything I have any interest in. Our office assistant here in Texas left, so by default, I became IT.  Needless to say, I've been busy with paperwork and such, but it's nice because extra money will be spent in the fall on furniture. My husband has no say in this matter. It's happening.

My awesome parents and sister came out to visit me and my lil man Carter last weekend. We loves visitors!! 

I also had an awesome birthday in which I turned 28.. yikes.

Anyways, my parents are remodeling their house. I am beyond excited. First off, they have a big house, but it's from the 70's- dated fixtures and whatnot, but some cool architecture. We've always loved that house. It's definitely time, though, for an update- and they've finally started on it! I'm basically living my decorating dreams through them. A- they have the house, and B- they have the money. 

It's gonna be ah-mazing. 

While my parents were in town, I took them to High Fashion Home here in Houston, because I knew they were in the market for some furniture.

My stepmom Aimee had several things ordered including two charcoal trellis chairs, a sofa, and a metallic twig table.

So I went to work, designing their living room- I just can't resist:

Behold.... (click to enlarge)

Things always change, but I'm digging the Phillip-Jeffries rivets wallpaper a lot. The next couple months I'm gonna have some major makeovers to share so stay tuned!

Fit Monday!

Happy Memorial Day! My birthday often falls on Memorial Day.. the 30th, it's just around the corner! Usually that could be cool, cuz it's like BBQ and parties on your birthday! Not for me though- my husband works extra hours on Memorial Day so that's a bummer. But today's gonna be a good day.. I got my morning run in and I feel soooo good about that.
And this is what I discovered on my run:

Nassau Bay!

I bought a jogging stroller- just from Walmart. I'd prefer just running by myself, but I feel limited if there's not anyone to watch Carter. So now I have no excuse!

And as you can see, he loves it =)

 You see, I've been trying to focus more on running lately. I love being strong, and having muscle but I've been so curious to see how my body can change if I let a bit of that muscle go. TOTALLY against everything I know as a trainer, especially since a lot of girls have a way hard time putting on muscle. Well, I'm up 10 pounds from my lowest weight before my competition back in March.. and no that is NOT all muscle. So I'm trying to bring it back down a few pounds, lay off the weights a bit (which is hard cuz I love lifting), and trying to just have fun with my workouts.

Yep, still a beast..

 I dunno about you, but I LOVE summer food! I made this kabobs in the Foreman the other night- with shrimp, turkey sausage, red potatoes, corn and cherry tomatoes. With hot sauce. They were legit.

This may look so disgusting to you, and it may sound even worse as I describe it...

I made it up during training for my comp, but surprisingly I still really like it.

I thought, apples are good with peanut butter...

and celery is good with peanut butter...

So I made up this weird concoction of:

nonfat Greek yogurt (1/4 cup)

2 tsp PB2

half an apple, chopped

2 sticks celery, chopped

cinnamon + stevia

It's like a weird peanut butter salad for 130 calories..

My husband is super grossed out by it, but if you're brave, try it out. =)

That being said, I'm trying to mostly eat clean, but I don't want to deprive myself, because we can see, the weight and fat I lost for my competition came back SOOO fast since I indulged in things I missed while I was on my "diet." Still working on staying in that healthy middle ground where I eat healthy but if I want some ice cream or a cookie or Mexican once in a while, I don't want to feel guilty about it.

And while I don't want to obsess about counting calories, or about my weight, I've come to the conclusion that I do not look good when I get above 120. It shows in my face, and my clothes are tighter. So I've gotta watch it, but as always, I am a work in progress =)

Speaking of which, I found this handy little thing on a friend's FB, and I wanted to share:

Sounds pretty simple right?!

I love the idea that if you're craving a treat, drive to the bakery, go eat it there, and get it out of your system. I have an obsession with baking, but I know we'll eat the whole batch of cookies or whatever... It's better for me to just not have junk in the house.

vintage trunks

The other day, One Kings Lane had a sale on vintage trunks... And when I say sale I mean instead of $3300, they're like $2000 now. =) So kudos to you if you can afford that...
But I about DIED, they were so unique and beautiful! Take a looksie:

YA.. amazing.  Why can't I run into one of these babies at like a flea market or garage sale... and listed at $20?

I love the look of using them as a coffee table, or tucking them under a console

images from decorpad and google

worst blogger ever

Indeed I have been MIA for over a week. I have no reason nor excuse. Just doin other stuff! This weekend I went up to Dallas (from Houston) to see one of my best friends ever, Jenna.. who is married to my cousin Bennett. A road trip with the toddler.. always a little nerve-wracking but it went just fine.

Me and Jenna at a Rangers game.. For not being huge on baseball, I sure go to a lot of baseball games! Had such a fun weekend though

Aaaaand I'm back home, took a little trip to the zoo with my favorite boys =)

I was at the grocery store the other day and saw the most amazing front cover of Southern Living magazine (in which I thought, wow I can't believe I live in "the south)" I bought the magazine that showcased this front entry/sunroom.. 

Check out this makeover!!!

From empty blah....

To totally amazing and summery!

I'm not even the hugest fan of pink, but I love how fresh this is