Blue and Gold!

My nails have been in some serious need of assistance!  So, I decided to try something a little bit different than what I usually do.  I usually like to give myself some type of french mani, but this time I did the exact opposite!  This mani isn't the best, BUT definitely better than what my nails looked like before:)

I'm loving the color combo!  I hope everyone is enjoying their day!!!

Thanks for stopping by:):):)

Until next time!!!!!

Flashback!

Whenever we have get togethers or just hang out with friends, I sometimes feel like I could be a paparazzi because of how many pictures I take!  I'm clicking pics all of the time because I don't want to forget those memories.  I also just LOVE taking pics!  Since I take so many pics, I'm constantly going through my old pics that I have taken and organizing them into folders and so on.  As I was organizing tonight, I came across some older pictures and I couldn't believe what I saw!  I know that I have posted many different photos of myself and my weight loss, but this just puts everything into perspective for me again!

So, I'm going to flashback to March of last year!

That is me 40 lbs heavier!

See that girl sitting right next to me....she is the one who inspired me, got me motivated, and helped me start this weight loss journey!  I owe her TONS of thanks!!!  She has lost a total of 60 lbs I believe in a matter of 2 years or so!  I will post her after picture down below.  She started trying to loose weight back in 2010 sometime...so this picture isn't the best picture to show how much weight she has lost, but you can definitely tell!

A completely different person-inside and out!

This is us now!!!!

 I never really thought about this before, but together we have lost a total of 100 lbs!!!!  That could almost be 1 adult....almost....  That is just A-mazing and crazy to think about it that way!  Soon, it will be a total of 120 lbs that we will have both lost, once I loose 20 more pounds.

I just wanted to give a HUGE shout-out and thanks to this girlie right here:)  Thank-you soo much, you have helped me with beginning this weight loss journey and changed my life forever:):):)

Here's to staying on track and continuing to shed those last 20 lbs!!!

Thanks for stopping by:):):):)

Until next time!!!!!

Ugly Christmas Sweater Par-tee!!

As many of you know, I LOVE planning parties and having them!  They are soo much fun to get ready for and great memories are shared when we do have them:)  Last weekend, we had friends and family dress up in their ugliest sweaters that they could find!  Let me tell you, there were some pretty creative and ugly sweaters!!!

We had too much food, played some games, and exchanged white elephant presents!  Here some photos from last Friday:

Showing off the buffet!

If you can't tell....I made my own Ugly Christmas sweater!  Well, I didn't sew it, but I bought the sweater and added some fun touches to it!  I bet you couldn't even tell...LOL!!!  Don't you just love it though?!?!?

Pics by the tree!

Lucy even had to have a sweater...BUT it wasn't very hard.  It's hard to find ugly sweaters for doggies!

The hubby and I:):)  Love this pic!

Austrian Raspberry Jam Cookies!

I can remember when I was growing up, that my mom would make this petite, and refreshing cookies, but I just never got around to making them.  This year I did though:)  They turned out wonderful and here is the recipe for you all to try, if you would like!

Side-tracked:(

I have been dreading this post for the past couple weeks, but I haven't really mentioned it..figuring that I would turn it around!

Via

 So, here I am now, telling you all, I have gained about 10 lbs:-0  I have been dreading to accept the facts that I have stepped off of the bandwagon!  This holiday season has been hard for me, to say the least!  Ever since I went to Florida, I have gained 10 lbs because of all of the holiday parties and get togethers.  I wanted to post this, so I will be held accountable and also to motivate me to keep on pushing on; even if I had a minor side-track!  I will not get down on myself,especially since I have come clean, BUT I will try my best to eat healthy and make healthy choices:) As long as I learn from my mistakes and just move on, I think that will be the best!

There will be ups and downs, but I can't give up and for those of you who are on this same journey with me, neither can you!   Never give up!!!  Brush yourself off, pull yourself back up, and keep on trying to reach for your goal!  I just have to keep on trying to make the right choices:)  I want to be the healthiest self I can be:)

Via

When I first started this journey, I wanted to lose 60 lbs in 6 months and to tell you the truth, I thought I could do this!  It was hard to lose 40 lbs in 6 months, yet alone 60!  I have also learned that plans can change and should be changed and if you don't make a goal by a certain time that's OK!  As long as I make it to my goal that is what matters!  My NEW plan and goal is to lose the rest of this weight by the beginning of March!  This is an attainable goal, I just need to set my eyes on the prize...lol!   I just came across this quote and I thought it was VERY fitting for what I'm going through right now:)

Via

I have gone through some hiccups along the way, but that's alright!  I'm ready to start fresh and get right back on track:)

Since I am talking about my journey, yet again, I wanted to thank you for ALL of your support along the way.  It truly has helped and kept me motivated:) 

Here's to jumping back on, staying on, and NOT giving up!!!

Thanks for stopping by:):):)

Until next time!!!!!

Tastiest Cookie Dough Truffles!

If you are a truffle girl like I am OR you LOVE cookie dough then this recipe is right down your alley:)  These have to be my fav, fav truffle recipe!  They are really pretty easy to make.  You will be happy to hear that this recipe doesn't call for any eggs what-so-ever!

Look at all of that deliciousness!!!

Lighter Fiesta Lime Chicken:)

Oh Yes, you read that right!!!  Lighter Fiesta Lime Chicken, like the kind you can order from Applebee's and it is so, so good!  I like to think of it as mouth watering, but with a whopping 1,280 calories and 47 grams of fat, I have to skip it; not any more:) If you have made a New Year's resolution to eat healthier then this recipe is for you and you should definitely pin this baby!!!

Yumminess Squared!!!

The Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies!!!

Happy Thursday to everyone!!! It's crazy by how fast my break has flew by already!  I'm one lucky girl because I don't have to go back to work until Monday...woohoo!!  I have to say though, it will be hard to go back after such a LONG break, but I must just push through!

Every year, it is a Christmas tradition that I picked up while growing up, my family and I would make TONS of Christmas goodies.  That's the tradition that I have continued every Christmas since I moved out of my parents house and each year, I add more and more goodies to be made on my "goodies list."  I can't wait to be able to share this tradition and the love of Christmas that I have with my own kiddos when the hubby and I decide to make our family bigger:)  Over the next couple days, I will be sharing with you all some of the delicious, but not so nutritious goodies that I have made!!!

Today, I'm going to share with you, the best oatmeal raisin cookies you will come across!!!

A Little Late: Happy Holidays:):):)

I'm just checking in with everyone to wish them a Happy Holidays, even though they are all over with!  I hope you all had a fabulous holidays filled with lots of time spent with family and friends!  Just in case you have been wondering what I have been up to all of this time, here it goes!  We have been doing A LOT of traveling to see all our family, especially since the hubby's side and my side of our families are on opposite sides on Iowa!

The hubby, AND our puppy dog, Lucy, opened up their presents the day before Christmas Eve!

Lucy sporting her NEW festive collar:):):)

You can hear her where ever she goes off to:)

3-D glasses for the hubby!!!