"I RESOLVE" Revisited...

You know when the new year starts and you have all these dreams and ambitions and you are ready to conquer the world with you own two hands and aren't going to let anything get in your way or stop you because you are going to be bigger and better and everything you've always wanted to be THIS year?

Well, I think it's time to revisit my ambitions for the new year of 2012 since we are over 6 months in...

Let's see how my world conquering is going....



I am reading more books... by more, I think I'm at 3.  I've read Hunger Games 1 & 2 and have just stared 3.  I have also read a small book that I can't remember so it must have been good.  I feel like I finally have time to read so I've made a list. 

To Read List:

Mockingjay - started

What Remains - Carole Radziwill

Wife 22 -

New JK Rowling Book in Sept.

Brothers - a book about JFK and Robert I have at home

Most of the others I have done somewhat or am working on doing still...

I have had a rough few months with my non-sleeping baby.  Between her teething and her constipation, sleep has been little so some things have fallen to the wayside, blogging being one of them. I am going to get back on track for the 2nd half of the year!  I promise and I promise because I have so much to do and finally time to do it!  YAY!!!

I am using more coupons --- when I cut them.  Bahhahaa!!!  I wish that I could just have certain types of coupons sent to my phone and then when I got to the register I could just scan my phone to see if anything applies to what I'm buying... anyone know of an app like this?  I don't know if there is one because it's basically me doing no work besides setting up my preferences at the beginning.  Bahha...

I'm working on 12 in 12 too, but this is probably going to end up more like at least 6 for 12.  Although, I think we have 5 at least.... So I could probably get back on track and have 10 for 12.  I'm guessing we'll have the following -- August 18th (an outdoor concert), September 5th (a wedding), October (Halloween), November (Thanksgiving), and December (Christmas).  So that should be 10 for 12... we shall see.  I think this will be fun for Ells if we continue to do it every year... and we'll have a ton of family photos! 

And the gym... my non best friend.  I will be honest.  I have not set foot in the gym this year.  I was running outside and then it got hot and then I was doing Pilate's inside and then my back started bugging me so I've started to run again.  We did just change our gym memberships so I'm hoping we'll be able to get back into the swing of things... I found a much cheaper deal so long as we can figure Ells into the mix.  But with my recent jump into Weight Watchers, I will need to keep up the activity... So I can swap those points if I ever figure out how...

I am going to be honest... these are the things I have not done:

• Go to church
• Get Mr. K a new car
• Pay off debt and save
• Blog Monday through Friday

I will try better the 2nd half.  I must do better.  I need to conquer the world... or at least all my goals!  And I feel they are attainable... I think.

Jewel Be Gorgeous Feature at Vanilla Retro

Hey Guys! 

Go Check out Michelle at Vanilla Retro today!  She's got a little feature on my mom and her Etsy shop, Jewel Be Gorgeous where you can get amazing custom brooch bouquets!

Stella 24 Hour Sale & Ella

Here's a recent photo shoot of Ella!

Needless to say, it did not go well!

Happy Friday!!!

AND

GMA 24 Hour Sale on Stella & Dot's Corso Cuff and Corso Hoops! They are cheap at $17.70 and $11.70! Amazing Deal!

Go to www.stelladot.com/abbyk, click on Sale, then GMA Sale and you are set!

And grab a Tribute Bracelet too to support Ovarian Cancer Research!

*Sale ends at 7/28/12, 9am PT/12pm ET*

Weight Watchers... Again... & Recipes

Does baby weight just hang around on everyone?! 

It seems like it's not going anywhere for me...

Actually, I feel like I've gained weight aside from the baby weight.

So since that is the case, I figure I better REALLY do something about it. 

And when I saw a Weight Watchers promotion at Shop At home - sign up for $1 and earn $7 cash back, I figured it was a sign. 

Side Note - I love Shop At Home.  It's wonderful!

So I'm on the Weight Watchers train (again) and I'm hoping to be the new Jennifer Hudson... Yeah right!  I wish!  But yes, I have tried this before.  I tried it with my mom, but I'll be frank with you... I suck at diets.  They make me more hungry than normal and I always want things I shouldn't have.  I guess that's the point of a diet, but I enjoy food.  Which is why I chose this again because I will be able to eat, just not as much.

I'm going to work hard and I'm going to lose this weight if it takes me forever.  I feel uncomfortable, my clothes don't fit right, I only have a few things that I can fit into, and I'm just sick of being large.  I felt so good leading up to and even after my wedding.  To get back down below 150 would be wonderful!  I think that's my starting goal, but my real "ever-after" goal is to get down to 135/140. 

Aside from just Weight Watchers, I'm making myself do some-sort of activity every night. It can be running, a long walk with Ella, or my 20 min Windsor Pilate's (that makes me sweat), but it has to be something. 

My motivation:

1. I'll feel better!

2. I'll feel better!

3. I'll buy myself new clothes!

4. I'll look good in my new clothes!

5. It's good for me!

And... we might start to eat as vegetarians too, just to try to "health" up our eating...

Although, don't worry, I bought coney dogs to make this week!  Probably eat up all my points in one sitting!

But, instead of worry about that right now, I'm going to share some of my favorite found recipes from the website thus far!

Grilled Stuffed Jalapenos!

1 Pepper = 1 Point! 

Holla!

Beef Nachos!

4 Nachos = 3 points

Easily a good dinner!

Caramel Cappuccino Shake!

5 points

Angel Hair Pasta with Eggplant and Tomato Sauce!

6 points per 1.5 cups

Chicken Teryaki with Broccoli!

7 points per serving

So maybe it won't be that bad...

Even Chili Dogs are only 6 points... a lot less than I thought!

Happy Fat Tuesday!

*all pictures are from Weight Watchers*

Lighter Lighting - Reveal

Better late than never...

That should be my tagline...

"A blog about good things better late than never... "

Ha!  I crack myself up...

Ok, but seriously, I'm ready to share with you my "new" lamps in their "new" home. 

My sister is in there at the moment so pictures were a little hard to come by... aka the room is a hott mess!  So please don't be upset by the minimal range of these pictures. 

Remember the before --

And the teaser --

And the final product in it's new home --

What do you think? 

I think I'm going to recover the shades in a linen and see how it looks...

Until next time.

Inspiration - Gray Bedrooms

Recently I repainted my bedroom gray. 
I love it.  It's so much more calm and peaceful. 
But I kind of did this on a whim and now I'm trying to bring everything in there together on a $0 budget! 
Nice, I know.

I've reused a lot of items but am still wanting to replace the big pieces of furniture.  So, while I wait for my bank account to refill or just magically become abundant (2nd option sounds better to me) I have found a few inspirational pictures of gray bedrooms. 



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Hope you enjoyed and were inspired...

Anyone else have a gray bedroom?

Happy Friday! 

(TGIF) 

Happy 2nd Anniversary

Happy 2nd Anniversary to Mr. K and I!
(yesterday)

We made it... We made it... oh we Made it Yeah!  (sing it like the Dora Song "we did it") 

Yes, that's where we are in our lives now.  Baby times...

2 years later we:

*Still live in the same house
*Still have Lex and Lou
*Have Baby Kakes
*I still work in the same job
*Mr K is still doing hockey

Basically we live the same life...
Yep, we are overachievers I know. 
But the last two years have been a whirlwind of events! 

Remember how we spent our last anniversary?
I see this one going in the similar direction.
Mr. K has hockey.  Until 10.  Boo.

So, we are probably going to have a home cooked meal and go to bed!  Good times...

And Mr. K, just so you know...

Since I'm no good at writing sappy lovey things...

I love you to the moon and back.

Zuppa Toscana!

I am in love with Olive Garden.  They are seriously my favorite place to eat on the semi-cheap.  I mean what girl can't get enough bread sticks and salad?!?  We used to go to Olive Garden all the time with my family on Sunday nights when I lived at home.  Affordable option and great family times... we were like the commercials!  Ok, not really, but kinda. 

Anywho...
A few years ago I decided to change things up a little.  Instead of the salad, I decided to try the soup.  I'm not a huge fan of minestrone soup and my grandpa always got their Zuppa Toscana so I decided to try it.  I mean, potatoes and sausage, where could you go wrong?!

So I did and loved it. 
Like loved it so much that I got it every time instead of salad.
Like loved it so much that I talked about it to everyone.
Like loved it so much that I usually got two bowls even if I was full after the first.  It's unlimited just like the salad you know. 
Like loved it so much that I got my husband hooked on it. 

Like loved it so much that I had to have it more often than when we went out...
So, I found a copy cat recipe. 

And now...
Like love it so much that I will share with you! 
Because according to Mr. K - "This is something we'll be making for the rest of our lives!"
If you haven't tried it already, you must and if you have, let me know how much you love (or don't) it! 

What you need:

1 lb Italian Sausage

2 large russet baking potatoes, sliced in half, and then in ¼ in slices

1 large onion, chopped

¼ cup bacon bits (optional)

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups kale or Swiss chard, chopped

2 (8oz) cans chicken broth

1 quart water
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:

1. Chop or slice uncooked sausage into small pieces.

2. Brown sausage in your soup pot

3. Add chicken broth and water in pot and stir.

4. Place onions, potatoes, and garlic in pot.

5. Cook on medium heat until potatoes are done.

6. Add bacon.

7. Salt and pepper to taste.

8. Simmer for another 10 minutes.

9. Turn heat to low.

10. Add kale and cream.

11. Heat through and serve!

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Yummy for my tummy.

Lighter Lighting

I'm a huge fan of creams and whites now. 

Not sure why, maybe because it makes everything feel lighter and brighter...

So while attempting to put a couple finishing touches on the guest bedroom I decided to do some updating to a couple of Pier 1 lamps I have had hanging around since I worked there when we first moved into this house.  That was the best idea I've ever had... PT job at a furniture store when getting ready to move into our first house!  I got lamps, pillows, tables, chairs, and a sofa!  All at discount!  It was wonderful! 

Anyways, these lamps were a dark brown with ribs in them all the way around.  I love the shape and size, but with the room being that dark artichoke color, it was too much dark... and I love how the creams pop in that room now so I decided to try it.  I figured if I didn't like it, I could just repaint them, right?!?

Started with the lamps on an old piece of plywood.  I decided to wrap the top parts with a plastic bag and tape around the top rim to make sure that the "parts" didn't get painted.  I did the same thing with the cord at the bottom. 

I used Krylon Dual Paint & Primer in one.  Love this!  This is the second time that I've used paint and primer together in the spray paint and I don't think I'll go back!  It coats like nothing!  These only took one coat and they look great! 

So, what do you think?  Here's a sneak at the finished product!  Love it! 

Check back tomorrow to see them in the room! 

I need to clean it up a little first...

Happy Monday!

Shop At Home

Eva' heard of it?!? 

I hadn't either until A Thrifty Mom introduced me to it and now I use it every time (that I think about it) that I shop online!  It's amazingness!  Serious Awesomeness!
ShopAtHome.com is one of the largest websites offering free online coupons, grocery coupons, cash back rewards, free samples, restaurant coupons and contests. The site is unique from other online deal sites because it gives cash back to shoppers for purchases made through ShopAtHome.com.

I mean, who couldn't use a little cash back?  And then they have coupon codes, deals, specials, giveaways, etc!  It's seriously a place you could get lost in! 

So far, I've used this at Lillian Vernon, Home Depot, CB2, Dell, and Target!  And racked up almost $30!

Go ahead and check it out here!  You are going to love it!
And get to shopping!


*This is not a sponsored post, just something I thought I'd share with you!

It's here! Along with other goodies!!!

So this past weekend was Stella & Dot's Yearly Hoopla!  This year I could not make it... too much going on with Ella, work, etc... but I did go last year and had an absolute BLAST! 

With Hoopla! comes the new and highly anticipated Fall 2012 Line. 

Ladies, let me tell you... it's so amazing that I literally want EVERY piece for my collection.  I want them to never sell, but to just have forever!  They are gorgeous!  Lots of Bold Statement pieces, LOTS of new delicates, an UNBELIEVABLE new charm collection that is to die for, and of couse BRACE YOURSELF for more bracelets that are must haves for your arm candy collection! 

Want some Mod-Safari in your life?!  We've Got it!

Feeling Charming?  Well, we can charm you don't worry!

Feeling a little Romantic?  We have a new romantics collection you'll fall in love with!

Or are you just looking for the everyday essentials?!  Don't worry, we have those too! 

And don't forget over half the line is under $50! 

We also have great bonuses for the hostess these days!  Who doesn't love ikat?  Remember my Ikat Inspiration post?  Well, here's a little more inspiration for you!  Earn this ikat tote free by hosting a trunk show anytime now through August 31st, 2012.  I'd love to help you get one!

So... here are my favorite pieces...

With Love

Ginger

Kalahari

Elizabeth

Trilogy Ring

Do you have a favorite from the new line?  I'd love to hear!

Happy Shopping! 

Getting back on a schedule so DIY, house, baby kakes and more types of posts are on their way!

Revisiting Home Goals 2012 - Progress?

Ok, so it's been 6 months now and I'd like to share what has happened at our house since January! 
Basically a whole 'lotta nothing. 

I've been working on decluttering my life. 

So....

Kitchen
Goals were to build in banquette and paint cabinets. 
Progress...  None.
New picture though... (could be the same, but it isn't)

Living room
Goals were to get new floors (hardwood), add new furniture, and redo current furniture to work better in there. 
Progress... Some. 

I've changed the furniture layout, but not really much else.  I'm working on getting a new sofa table and I have an idea of something to around the TV and I'm hoping it works!



And let's not judge the baby blanket.



I am still really in love with this idea (below) that I posted back with my goals. But for now, the pack and play must stay... could possibly move.



Loft
Goals were to CLEAN UP and declutter!  Check and check!  Well, I've done a lot to the loft as far as "getting rid" but there are still many decorating things to come. 

Progress... Some.

We painted, sold the ottoman, ikea chair, and bookcases.  We'll keep the current sofa until we can get the sectional I want up there.  I'm probably going to reuse a current furniture piece as the TV stand and we'll redo the current "pink" chair in a coordinating fabric... once I get it all together.  But, it does look A TON better than before! 

Master Bedroom

Goals... A lost cause!

I hate our bed, dressers, end tables, everything!  None of it works! 

Progress... Some.

I've rearranged it back to how it was previously and have repainted it to a gray pottery barn color.  I think the blacks work better with this color, but I want to get an upholstered bed/headboard,new dressers, and a chaise for by the windows.  I also want to do new art in there... I think all black and white pictures would look neat in a gray room...

Oh, to have this room....

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Or this one...

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So anyways, there's the not much progress.  Remember, we did have a baby in February so we've done a decent amount I think for the time frame (not really, but I'll keep telling myself that). 

Still on the decor to do list:

Kitchen -
Banquette
Paint Cabinets
Add light fixture

Living Room -
Art behind TV
New Sofa Table
New Floors

Loft -
New Sectional
Paint TV Stand
Reupholster "pink" chair

Our Room -
Upholstered Headboard
New Dressers
New Art
Repaint bedside tables

Off to do some work...