Ugh Ugh Ugh UGHHHHHHHH! It pains me to write this.  No, seriously.  BRB while I go bang my head against a wall.   

AHHHHH Hold on. I can't even type this right now.   

Ok fine, here goes.  

Sigh.....
Soooo uhhh, I own a pair of LuLaRoe leggings?   I mean I guess that's not a question, it's a fact at this point. Wait wait! Don't click away. I know you might want to because I would have before all of this went down.  And before you fret....no, I'm NOT a consultant and I never will be. 

Now first of all you all know how i feel about products like that and in-home parties.  I mean I wrote an entire blog post about it here. 


Well, LuLaRoe was something I always avoided like the mother flippin' plague that it has become.  People are obsessed with these damn leggings and they search for the design they like like a mad person.  It turns out, not every consultant gets the same stuff so if you see a design you really like, you have to hunt for it.  Now, that's all way too much work for me.  



If I want leggings I'll go to TJ Maxx and buy some on clearance.  James didn't mind the hunt though.  You see on Christmas Day I opened one of my gifts from him only to discover... GULP.... a pair of Chihuahua LuLaRoe leggings!   Now I knew these existed because many people have messaged me to show me a picture of them (always with the disclaimer that they know I  don't like LuLaRoe but they thought of me when they saw them).
  

So anyways, I asked James how he found them and he said he asked his sister (a LuLaRoe consultant - you can find her page here) if they had any Chihuahua ones.  She said she'd hunt around for some and she found them and he bought them.  He said they were $25. 



So I loved them right away because they have chi-chis on them and they were from James.  

Then....
I put them on. 
I PUT THEM ON!!!!!
I wore them with a tunic top and some comfy ass boots.  

OMFG YO! 

They were so soft and comfortable right away. Everyone always says they feel like butter. THEY DO!!! AHHHH! What the hell?!?!?! 

So honestly I figured I'd just give you a real ass review of what I really truly think as someone who isn't afraid to tell it how it is! 


They feel so good...
Really, they do.  They are super soft and super cozy.  They don't squeeze me funny or ride up or fall down.  I could literally wear them as my skin and keep them on day and night.  



They are adorable...
The designs really are so cute.   



They are reasonably priced so far...
I mean if these end up falling apart in two months I'll be super pissed.  $25 for a pair of leggings is still a lot to me so I wouldn't be buying a million pairs.  But as long as they maintain their good quality I won't mind investing in 2 or 3 pairs total.  



They don't hold in my gut...
Unfortunately I wish they were control top like I normally wear because I hate my midsection be all floppy sloppy everywhere. So I will have to dress in a way that helps conceal my belly. 



I don't really NEED them...
I am careful how I spend my money.  Honestly, I'm just as happy with cheaper leggings.  I can forgo the butter feeling.  So I won't be one of those people that gets carried away. If I see another pair or two that's cute I may get them but I'm not going to stock up on tons and tons because it's just not realistic for my budget.  


It's More than JUST Leggings...
Honestly, I thought it was only leggings but no LuLaRoe offers a ton of comfortable, colorful, flowy tops and dresses.  I am obsessed with dresses and tunics and long tops that I can wear over leggings so I'm in Heaven now !



So there..I frickin' frackin' fruckin' admitted to owning some, wearing some, and liking some of those damn leggings.   

So why was I so against them before this? Well, could it be that maybe the whole craze of consulting for products such as dietary supplements, diet plans, and skin products has ruined it for me? Yes, absolutely.   I still don't want people bugging me about buying some.  I prefer to shop privately and quietly on my own terms.    I also was never of a fan of how you  just get added to the groups. But knowing what I know now, that technically is kind of how consultants had to spread the word.  Now, the product sells itself so people seek out Lula groups. 

So since I began writing this post I actually purchased a UNICORN!  If you don't know what a unicorn is it's basically a hard to come by pair of leggings.  Lo and behold I got into a group my friend added me to and there they were. Chihuahua leggings with a black background. I mean they look just like Pixie don't they!

The other thing about Lula groups is that there are weekly giveaways in each group which is how I ended up winning the pair of leggings I wore in this outfit below with a LulaRoe top.

Then I went over to my future sister-in-law's house over the weekend and I shopped through her Lula and OMG.  CUTEST AND MOST COMFY STUFF EVER.

So now I own a ton of LuLaRoe stuff and I love it and GET why everyone else loves it.  And it's honestly not the same as all those other things that people sell.   So I get it, I really do.


Now if you've read this far it means you might also be a LuLaHoe! Just like me... and if that's the case you're in luck because I'm hosting an ONLINE LuLaRoe PopUp on Thursday, January 19th at 7 pm.  For 24 hours you will be able to shop my hosted party through the Facebook albums!  If you are interested let me know in the comments below and leave your email address so I can send you the link for the party. I will be there the whole time to help you with any sizing or product questions and so will Vicki!  It will take place through Vicki so if you want to join her group in advance follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LuLaRoeVictoriaLynn/ 


So.... now that I got that off my chest... what do YOU think about LuLaRoe?  Have you been a LuLaHoe for a long time now?  

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Wedding Planning [OR NOT] - A BIG Announcement

So obviously, you know I got engaged in December.   I was never much of a girly girl/dream wedding type person but I love the idea of planning and organizing things so shortly after I became engaged, I started thinking of plans. 

The date will be in the Fall of 2018 which you think is a long way away but it's now less than 2 years. 

Our budget that we were shooting for is under $6k.  We were each planning on paying half so that means I'd have to come up with $3k of my own money by then.  Honestly, that normally would be possible with my blogging income, but with all the vet bills from the dogs now (which is where all my extra income goes) I was really going to have to stretch every last dollar and cut back where I can in my everyday life and budget.Not only that but I have some things I want in the near future like Lasik for my eyes (can't stand paying so much for glasses and contacts each year), things for the house, and just other things that we would be happier spending our money on. 




So we decided on the best thing that works for us....


We will be going to a JP in the Fall and getting that over with and then we will be inviting all of our friends and family over to our house for a backyard BBQ! This way we don't have to limit our guest list, we can have people pitch in to help with some of the food, and we can do everything in the comfort of our own home and not have to worry about going anywhere and planning much ahead of time.  I mean how hard is it to throw a backyard BBQ.


This is ideal for us and we couldn't be happier!   It'll be super budget friendly because we will just have food and drink costs but we will know exactly how much we will need of each.  So woohoo!! I get to save money and have an even bigger bash!  


Cheers to 2017!

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So It's A New Year and You Want to Purge Your Stuff....

We are just one week into the new year and already I know that many of you have one big goal in mind for a fresh start.  To go through all your things and get rid of all that clutter and junk. 

So many people have reached out to me lately saying they want to do this but they just don't know where to start.  I mean really, it is a daunting task. 

Read more »

5 Helpful Tips for Homeowners in Need of A New Roof

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It's inevitable when you own a home - things will break and things will need upgraded.  At the end of the day you HAVE to understand it all or else you can't possibly make a smart choice on who to do the repairs and how they need done. 

One of the biggest investments in a home is the roof.  If you plan to live in your house for a long time, you will more than likely at some point need to look into replacing your roof.  Sounds scary doesn't it? Do you even know the first thing about roofing? Probably not.  But relax! There are a few tips that can help you when you're in the market for a new roof.

Choosing a Contractor

When it comes to choosing a contractor, you totally have the right to basically interview your options.  You can ask for recommendations from friends and neighbors or you can look on the internet for some in your area.  Then you will need to have a sit down chat with each roofing contractor individually.  The post I linked to has some questions provided by Long Roofing in Harrisburg that you should ask each contractor to help make your decision like whether they carry insurance and what references they have.
  

Choosing A Roof

I know I know.  You think it's just a roof but no.  There are all types and styles of shingles.  Make sure you do your research when it comes to choosing the right style of shingles for your roof. Roofing shingles are made from different materials and what's best for your home may vary depending on the location you live in, the type of weather you get, or the amount you want to spend.

Understanding Roof Warranties

When you are spending money on a new roof you need to make sure your investment is protected.  Roofing warranties are crucial because they cover defects, improper installation, and much more.  Plus, it's one of those things that if you don't have a warranty on it, you'll end up wishing you did.

Understanding Your Roof

I know it seems simple - it's just a roof, right? Well, nope, not quite. There are different components of a roof and each one has a different name.   You also should learn about roof slop and pitch.  Then of course there's ventilation and decking and and all the materials used for a roof.  Learning about these terms can help you understand more of what you're actually purchasing and you'll feel more confident about your decision. You can learn more about roofing terms in this post from Long Roofing.

Roof Inspections

You should get a roof inspection from time to time, especially if you want to know if you need a new roof just yet.  The post I just linked to explains what to look for during a roof inspection. There can be missing or broken shingles, moss and mold, and even issues with ventilation.  An expert knows what to look for so it's important to understand what they'll be looking at and what information they will relay to you.

So after you educate yourself, you may find that you are ready for a new roof. If that's the case, consider Long Roofing as they serve the PA, MD, VA, and DC areas. Learn more here: http://www.longfenceandhome.com/roofing/harrisburg-pa/  

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Steal My Workout Routine (Free Printable)

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So in case you've missed all my posts over the past few weeks, I'm already living a whole new lifestyle where I'm eating healthy and staying active. 

So today I'm going to share with you my workout plan.  I workout every day in one way shape or form. I have 3 different strength training routines that I rotate one after the other. 

Right click the above image and you can print it and keep it near your weights!

I use 10 lb weights.  You can use whatever you are comfortable with.

I rest for 30 seconds between each set.

Day 1 - Chest and Triceps

Dumbbell Bench Press [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Dumbbell Incline Press [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Cable Fly [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Kickbacks [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Overhead Press [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Skull Crushers [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Day 2 - Back and Biceps

Dumbbell Row [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Dead Lifts [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Bent Over Flys [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Good Mornings [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Seated Dumbbell Curls [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Seated Dumbbell Hammer Curls [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Band Curls for one minute

Day 3 - Shoulders, Legs, and Abs

Lateral/Front Raises [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Upright Row [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Seated Dumbbell Press [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Squats [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Lunge [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Calf Raises [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Sit Ups [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Leg Raises [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Side Bends [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Planks [30 seconds] (3 Sets)

Pushups [10 reps] (3 Sets)

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday I do the elliptical for 35 minutes (routine here) in addition to my strength training workout.

Also, it's very very important that you wear the right attire.  In the photos in this post I'm wearing the Snakeskin Crop Bottoms from Define Your Inspiration.   They are adorable but super comfortable too. They are high waisted and really help to keep my all held in tight.


What kind of strength training routine do you do?

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How I Changed My Relationship With Food

If you read my recent post about how I'm on the path to a new healthier lifestyle, you'll notice I changed my eating habits.   But today I wanted to get more in depth with that topic.   In order to change my eating habits I had to change my entire relationship with food.  That's not something you can just do overnight, trust me.  Even if you do it with in a week, it doesn't mean it will stick.   So here I'm going to break down how I changed my relationship with food in a natural way so that it's now part of my lifestyle.

Educate

In order to understand how food benefits you, you need to understand the point of food and look at it as something that nourishes your body rather than something you do for fun.  So I read all kinds of books about food and nutrition, but my favorite was The Body Book by Cameron Diaz.  I actually took notes and memorized information on things like simple vs. complex carbohydrates.  What clicked for me was remembering back in the day before I was ever even on this Earth, when humans had to work hard at every single thing.  Back in the primitive days all you did was move and expend energy. You woke up, tried to keep warm, explored, hunted and prepared your food, etc.  Everything you did burned calories.  Food in turn, was a way to give your body nutrients it needed after all that hard work.   

I had to channel my inner cavewoman.  If I were living out in the wild, what kind of things would I eat to survive? It certainly wouldn't be processed and pre-packaged foods. It would pretty much all be things found naturally outdoors.  Heck, I wouldn't even be eating bread.  Bread is processed from wheat.  So technically I would be eating meats, veggies, fruits, nuts, and grains.  Ever hear of a paleo diet? Yup, that's what it pretty much is.

The next step was reconfiguring what I allowed into my body on a daily basis.

Carbs

So here's the thing about carbs, some people avoid them, some people don't.   I started to pay attention to what carbs like bread did to me.  It made me feel full but also made me feel tired the rest of the afternoon.  I don't like that feeling.  We all need carbs of course but the way you get them is what you need to focus on.   While I love burgers, I don't like how the bun makes me feel, so I began having burgers without buns or even just with two pieces of lettuce as the bun.  I noticed that I actually had more energy.  And I never felt sickeningly stuffed.    I also changed my relationship with potatoes.  I love sweet potatoes and they are just a bit better for you than white potatoes so I always make my own sweet potatoe fries at home and I love the sweet taste that comes naturally with them.

Sugars

Ugh sugars.  Added sugars suck! They totally mess me up.  I feel hyper, then tired, and I know it's nothing but crappy calories.  So I cut out added sugars.  I don't put creamer and sugar in my coffee anymore.  I learned to like it that way after a few weeks, too.  I noticed how sugar was in SOOOO many things.  I love cereal but man, there's too much sugar in it for my liking.   So as I started to choose more natural foods (like paleo diet stuff) I realized sugar wasn't in them.  If I have a sugar craving I'll eat some fruit but even then, I get gassy and bloated feeling from certain fruits so I'm always mindful of what I choose.  Because I took the time to pay attention to what I was eating and then how I felt because of it, I realized what foods were worth eating for me and what foods weren't. Another great benefit of doing this, was that the less I had sugar, the less I craved it. 

Salt

UGH! Salt!!  Sodium is in so many processed foods especially lunch meats.  While we all need salt in our diet, there's an appropriate amount we need and most of us go well beyond that.   So I started looking at every label of everything I would buy and eat.  I noticed that if I was at a restaurant and ate something that left me feeling thirsty, it probably had a lot of salt in it.  I don't feel bloated and my skin doesn't seem so swollen all the time like it used to from eating so much salt and added sugars.

Processed Foods
I quickly learned that eating packaged and preserved processed foods was a recipe for disaster.  Most of it contains tons of sodium and too much sugar.  My excuse was always "But I'm too busy to eat anything better." So I stopped using that excuse.  I learned about fresh foods that could easily be whipped up for dinner. I make my own pizza instead of buying frozen pizza.  When I got a craving to eat something out of a bag or a box as a snack, I instead snacked on fresh veggies with hummus or guacamole.  They are still easy snacks but they aren't full of crap.   Am I perfect? Absolutely not.  Do I claim to be? HELL NAW!  For instance, the way I am in the morning I need to eat fast and do my routine.  So I eat Belvita Breakfast Bites.  I know, they're processed foods.  But it works for me.  And I try to keep that the extent of it.  For lunch I have guacamole, carrots, and some peanut butter on a whole wheat tortilla (I roll it up, it's something I ate as a kid and it's quick and easy to eat at my desk at work).   For dinner I eat fresh whole meals.

Shopping Habits

My entire set of shopping habits transformed within no time.  I BARELY visit the inner aisles at a grocery store.   When I worked in retail many years ago someone told me that grocery stores are set up with all of the healthy and fresh ingredients on the outside aisles.  You'll know you're doing it the right way if you barely even visit the inside aisles.  It's true!   Grocery shopping is so much more enjoyable now because I'm not weaving in and out of every single aisle.  Sweet potato fries in the frozen section are cool, but I like to make my own... so I don't even have to go to the frozen section that often unless I'm getting frozen veggies (onions, corn, etc).   

The other thing with my shopping habits is that I save a lot of money.  People think buying fresh and wholesome foods is expensive but actually, packaged foods are more money.  I have receipts to prove it.  So I have been saving money, and the food I buy keeps me full so I don't feel like snacking all evening. When you eat more nutritionally dense foods, you are satisfied for longer.  Think about it. Ever notice how you feel completely stuffed after you eat Chinese food, but then within 2 hours you're hungry again? That's because there's no nutritional value to it so it just goes right through you.  But if you eat protein and vegetables, it makes you feel satisfied for hours to come. 

And I now have a rule that if I shouldn't be eating it I don't buy it.  If I buy crappy food, I'm more likely to reach for it when I get a craving.   I still get cravings, trust me! But the most damage I can do is tearing into a bag of chocolate chips (for baking) and munching on those.   Still less damaging than eating a ton of oreos and chips!

Food As A Reward

I used to allow myself to eat bad food on a "special occassion".  The second I stopped that, it was easier to keep myself in check.   The more I justified eating crappy food, the easier it was to get into poor eating habits again.  So when there is a celebration at work, I don't eat.  I actually walked into the conference room one day and instead of seeing cookies, a flour/egg casserole, and fruit I literally saw it as - Added Sugars (wired then tired all day), Carbs (snoring by lunch time), and gas attack in the office (the fruit).  So it was easy for me to say no because I knew I didn't want to feel the way those foods make me feel.  

Food As A Habit

Whenever I was happy I ate. When I was sad I ate.  When I was bored I ate.  When I was busy I ate.  I had to stop that.  So I did.   I always log what I eat on my Fitbit because it makes me more mindful of when I'm eating.  I've actually stopped reaching for a snack because I didn't feel like logging it.

Now what happens when I'm on the go and I don't have time to eat right? Do I get fast food? NOPE, never.  Unless it's the only thing around and I'm in the middle of nowhere, I won't do it.  I won't even eat at Subway anymore because I know the bread and lunchmeat combo isn't best for me.  Instead I'll stop in at a grocery store and get a salad to go. 

I also plan my day around my meals.  If I need to run an errand, I do it either before or right after lunch so I can eat at home.  Or if I know I'll be out and about over lunch, I bring something healthy to munch on.

So I hope that my experience has given you some tips and maybe even some motivation to work on your own eating habits.   Remember, the first step is to educate yourself so get out there and do it!  

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