High Five for Friday!

I skipped last week, but I'm linking back up again with Lauren this week with High Five for Friday!

1. I made Christmas cookies earlier this week with my niece and nephew. So fun!

2. I've totally enjoyed choosing and wrapping gifts this year! This was my first Christmas as a married woman, and I so cherished it.

3. I didn't get any photos of Matt & I with his family on Christmas day, but here's a photo of us making the 2 hour drive up to Grand Rapids. We had a great time.

4. This stuff. Everywhere. I actually honestly hate snow, but this was only the first day we'd gotten it, and there's always a small (very small.. like miniscule.. almost nonexistent..) soft spot in my heart for the first snowfall of the winter.

5. Day-after-Christmas shopping. All I can say is Old Navy and Bath & Body Works: God bless you and your crazy sales. I went to a few other stores as well, and I came home with this loot you see here: retailed for $219, and I paid only $93. Success, ladies. Success.

High Five for Friday!

It's that time again, people! Linking up with Lauren from From My Grey Desk Blog. Highlights of my week:

1. This past Sunday I was in a Christmas concert at my church. It was a blast! One thing I've not really mentioned on the blog is that I sing on the praise and worship team at my church, and I love it!  

2. By day 4 of not washing my hair, all my hair is willing to do is this: sock bun. I'm getting better 'n better at it daily. I think. At least you can't see the sock this time..

3. 25 calorie hot chocolate and all the mini marshmallows you could dream of?! YES, YES, YES! My favorite way to "indulge" on my FAVORITE holiday treat as of lately! 

4. After giving Rue 21 a little bit of a bad rap in this post recently, I decided to stop by there this week and see if they had anything that drew my eye. Guys, I got a pair of boots, a cowl neck scarf, a necklace, a watch, a bracelet and two pairs of earrings for under $50. Rue 21, you have formed a loyal fan. I cannot stop.

5. In attempts to fight back the typical holiday weight gain, I've been trying to step up my game at the gym. Which means the treadmill. What else were you thinking? I love working out, but timing my miles has never really been my thing. Until tonight. When my first mile was 14 1/2 minutes. And I threatened myself that I was going to post this on the blog, so my next mile better be good. Hence, the next mile: an 11 1/2 minute mile. Nothing keeps you accountable like posting all your biz on the Internetz!

Anyone else trying to fight off the inevitable holiday weight gain? I was starving after my workout today (I burned over 600 calories!), so I came home and my husband cooked this high-protein/low-carb meal for me:

Broccoli with cheese sauce, scrambled eggs & turkey bacon.

Weird dinner? Maybe. Under 400 calories, nutritious and delicious? Yes, yes, and yes.

High Five for Friday!

Another week of High Five for Friday! Linked up with Lauren at From My Grey Desk blog. Here a few of my favorite things from this week :)

1. That hot guy right there is my husband, Matt, and yes, he has my purse draped around his neck and is carrying my clothes as I shop. He is my favorite person ever to shop with because he absolutely insists on carrying my purse and clothes so that I'm free to shop. I don't argue. ;)

2. If you are unable to tell, that is me wearing a cape. When the broker at your office buys you a cape with the company's name on it, you put that cape on and wear it like you're proud. No questions asked.

3. I already talked about this purse earlier this week. I found this beauty for under $9 at Target, and I'm obsessed. It's big, it's structured, and it's leopard print. Three things I can't say no to in a purse!

4. I didn't mention it, but I also got this planner from Target. Isn't it darling, and super Kate Spade-esque? They had white and gold striped ones, red ones with gold polka dots, etc. And only $7.99. If you're like me and can't function in daily life without a planner to refer to, you should pick one of these up!

5. In the months that Matt and I were engaged, we watched wedding shows constantly. To the point where Matt knows way more about dress fittings and flowers than any man should have to know. Now that we're married, we've moved onto a show about buying houses & fixing up houses. Matt is gaining his manhood back by the episode, and I just really enjoy this show. Anyone else addicted to home buying/selling/redecorating shows?!

High Five for Friday!

Lauren at From My Grey Desk Blog does this brilliant thing each week called High Five for Friday, highlighting five little things that made her happy that week. One thing I'm always working on is looking at the bright side of things, no matter how bad things seem, so here we go! My five favorite little things of the week:

1. Holiday times means green and red everything, including cookies. This was my lunch and dinner on Wednesday. Don't look at me like that. 

2. Holidays also mean ridiculous amounts of hot drinks. This is twice this week that co-workers have arrived to work with minty chocolatey drinks for me. Lord knows I never turn down free chocolate, and holiday calories don't count, right? Don't quote me on that.

3. Wearing these little booties nonstop. I spent 45 minutes trying to decide whether or not I wanted to pick these up at Forever 21 a few weeks ago, because they looked like "moon boots" to me (I don't understand my fashion logic any more than you might), but now I can't stop wearing them. With everything. I almost wore them into the shower this morning. Just kidding. But I did wear them for my morning work out.

Just kidding.

4. My husband tried his hand at taking photos earlier this week, and I must say I'm pretty impressed with how they turned out! It's fun having your husband take your pictures. In 30 degree weather. By a body of freezing water. 

5. Cats. Need I say more? Okay, I will. I stopped by my parents house yesterday to visit (and do laundry) and my two cats were all over me. This little sweetie is Meeko, and she's old but still a doll!