Lucky Duck

Posted: May 31, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Breakfast, Cereal, Dinner | Tags: , , | 13 Comments

Hi there! Is everyone excited for an abbreviated workweek? You know I don’t like Tuesdays, but since I have a very short week this week, I can handle it 🙂

Monday recap 

Yesterday was such a great, lazy day. I love days that have absolutely nothing on the agenda. No “have to’s” of any kind. This weekend I slept 9 – 10 hours each night and it was glorious. I guess my body needed to catch up on some sleep!

I spent about an hour at the pool yesterday. Jesus Christ – it was 100 degrees outside! That’s a little too hot for me. I also limited my time both pool days because I know being in the sun isn’t the best. But, gooosh, I love having a tan!

Post-pool I came back and whipped up a smoothie in no time 🙂

Refreshing!

My spinach stash had gone bad, so this was a regular old smoothie (please note my extremely precise measurements):

  •  Just enough skim milk to get everything movin’
  • A handful of ice cubes
  • A dollop of blueberry Chobani
  • 1 1/2 tbsp PB
  • 1 banana
  • 1 frozen strawberry

It was tasty, and even though you cannot taste the spinach, I missed it!

Two for two 

I made a smoothie, and Cory made a baguette from scratch. No big deal.

He’s never made bread. He just felt like giving it a try. It turned out so well! I even snagged a huge chunk to eat at lunch today 🙂

Cory was actually 2 for 2 in the kitchen yesterday. We had a little cookout and he made the best burgers I have ever tasted in my entire life. Truly, they were out of this world. How lucky am I? Seriously.

Gross picture, I know. But this was the only one I took. The food was hot and ready to be eaten, so I really didn’t take the time to try and be creative. You forgive me, right? 😉

(PS – We didn’t have any butter for the corn, so I sprinkled some parmesan cheese on the cob and it was quite a nice substitute!)

Movin’ Out

Cory moves into our new place in less than a month (!!), so he spent a good chunk of time cleaning out his closet. Look at all this stuff he’s sending to Goodwill!

A good amount of t-shirts were Longwood related, and it was kind of sad to see them placed into the give away pile. I would see a shirt and think “You wore that on such-and-such date.” It was strange!

Tuesday Workout

Remember how I said I’ve been getting 9 – 10 hours of sleep for the past few days? Yeah. Well, when my alarm went off at the ass-crack of dawn, I didn’t budge. An afternoon workout is in my future.

Tuesday Breakfast 

I am running so low on food right now! Like I said, it’s a short week for me because I’m traveling this weekend, so I’m trying to avoid buying food that will go bad. That said, I went to the grocery store at 6 AM to buy juuust enough to get me through the next three days 🙂

Thank goodness I made the decision to go to the store – how would I have been able to enjoy my beloved cereal combo without milk?!

Quaker oatmeal squares, Special K Multi Grain Oats & Honey, Cheerios, banana, almond slivers 

Well, my friends – that’s the story so far! I’m off to make the bacon 🙂 I’ll catch you guys later!

Let’s chat:

 Have you ever made bread from scratch? I sure haven’t!  

 What’s your favorite smoothie concoction? Plain and simple: PB & banana, (and spinach) for me! 

Blueberry Monster

Posted: May 30, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Breakfast, Cereal, Workouts | Tags: , , | 15 Comments

Good morning and happy Memorial Day! I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday off from work or school 🙂

While it’s still a long weekend, I treated this Monday like any other and got in some cardio. It was such a treat though because I ditched the treadmill and pick up a pretty cute running partner 😉

I know many bloggers take pictures of themselves during and/or post runs – but you won’t see any of that here. I’m far too vain to show myself looking as trife as I do after a long sweaty run outside. I’m just not a pretty sweat-er. Plain and simple.

After our run, Cory and I immediately scarfed down some cereal.

My heart skipped a beat when I realized I had no bananas in my possession. What is cereal without sliced banana?! Thank goodness I remembered the blueberries that I had on hand.

Oh Lawd, these blueberries are fantastic! The pints of blueberries were buy one get one free when I was at Giant yesterday, and that was a deal I couldn’t pass up. I’ve single-handedly demolished a pint in about 24 hours.

Concern? 

Now Cory and I are off to the grocery store to pick up some eats for our Memorial Day cookout for two. I see a big, juicy burger and some time by the pool in my future – and I don’t hate it 😉

While it’s true that I’m lovin’ this day because it gets me a long weekend, but I would be remiss not to thank all the brave men and women who serve, or have served, in the armed forces. Thank for your service.

Let’s chat – Are you going to a cookout today? We didn’t make plans for today, so we’re just having a little cookout for ourselves 🙂

What’s your favorite cookout food? I love a good burger and baked beans!

Can you kill a pint of blueberries like I can? It’s okay if you think I’m a little out of control 

Impromptu

Posted: May 29, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Date Night | Tags: , , , , | 16 Comments

Today was a day that I thought was going to be sucked away by furniture shopping, but it actually turned out to be a fun one!

We walked away with beautiful living room and dining room sets 🙂 Chelsey’s advice to buy quality pieces, rather than one’s that “will do” was right on target with what we wanted to do. We haven’t found a bedroom set yet, but we will in time. Good things come to those who wait, right? 😉

We celebrated with some cool refreshing Starbucks coffee.

Can you believe that this was my first iced coffee of the season?! Me either. What have I been thinking? This iced sugar-free vanilla coffee was on point. Cory raved about the caramel macchiatto as well 🙂

We came back to Cory’s apartment to for some lunch. I had a turkey, cheese, avocado and lettuce sandwich with some blueberries on the side.

After a quick lunch, I headed to the pool to do summa this

I hung out at the pool for about an hour, and Cory and I decided we didn’t want to sit at home for the rest of the night – so we went on an impromptu date and went to the movies!

Oh my gosh! If you liked the first movie (come on, who didn’t?) you have to go see this one! It was pretty darn funny 🙂

I also thought it was funny that everyone in the theatre brought their own snacks. The girl next to me had a whole Chipotle burrito. And I thought we were being smart…

Okay friends, I’m off to watch five more an episode or two of The Tudors 😉 I’ll catch ya tomorrow!

Let’s chat – What was the last movie you saw in theaters? Do you bring your own snacks?

Whirlwind of a Weekend!

Posted: May 29, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Breakfast, Fun Things, Workouts | Tags: , , , , | 13 Comments

Hi, friends! Long time no see 🙂 I didn’t post yesterday because my day was jam-packed busy. So, let’s go through the highlights, shall we?

Best Eats

Cory and I went to Jason’s Deli for dinner on Friday and it was stellar. I think I may have found my new favorite sandwich

This, my friends, is the Grilled Portobello Wrapini- grilled portobello mushroom, organic spinach, asiago, guacamole, pico de gallo. Pressed within an olive oil-basted organic wheat wrap.

Seriously. If you have a Jason’s Deli in your area, run – don’t walk – to go order one of these bad boys. It’s sandwich heaven.

We also stopped by Sweet Frog for a little treat.

This was my second visit in two days – concern? I like self-serve fro-yo because I can get just enough to hit the spot. Usually when I order pre-made desserts, they’re of behemoth stature and they can be a total waistline danger.

Home Away From Home

The bulk of our weekend has been spent in furniture stores. I had dreams of laying by the pool and soaking up the skin cancer sun, but alas – Real Life stepped in the way.

Here’s the thing. Brand new furniture is expensive. At 23 and 25 years old, Cory and I do pretty well for ourselves, but we’re in no means rollin’ in the dough.

After a certain point, I just want to find something and buy it. I’m also easily persuaded by salespeople.  I’m so grateful that Cory has enough sense to actually shop around before dropping several thousand dollars 😉

New Obsession 

Oh my GOD! I have spent an embarrassing amount of time in the past two days watching season 1. I read the Other Bolyen Girl a few years ago and have been obsessed with the Tudors ever sense. I don’t know why I never watched this show. Maybe because it should be X-rated?

Today

So before we head out for the day, I got up and spent about 40 minutes in the gym lifting weights and completing a quick mile and half run.

I refueled with a huge green monster and the comics 🙂

Am I the only one who still enjoys reading the comics? 

Into the green monster went:

  • A handful of ice cubes
  • 1 banana
  • A huge handful of spinach
  • Handful of blueberries
  • 1 tbsp PB

Okay folks! That’s where we are up to this point! I keep forgetting that the weekend isn’t actually over today.  It’s like Saturday Round 2 😀

I hope you are all enjoying your holiday weekend!!

Let’s chat – 

Have you seen The Tudors? 

Ever been to Jason’s Deli? 

If you’ve ever shopped for furniture – is it something you love or loath? 

 

 

Guess What?

Posted: May 27, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | 29 Comments

I GOT THE JOB!!!

Waahooo!!

More deets on the job to come, but for now – thank you for all your well wishes, good lucks and good vibes!! I appreciate each and every one 😀

Surprise Gym

Posted: May 27, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Breakfast, Cereal, Workouts | Tags: , , | 26 Comments

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

Source

While I don’t normally bare-ass it on Fridays, I do enjoy the more casual and laid back feel of the work day 😉

Workout

The gym that I normally go to on campus is closed for the summer, but little did I know that there is another equally large gym right around the corner.

Well, wouldya look at that…

This blows the mind of a girl who went to a tiny school with only one gym and only one dining hall. This morning I did intervals on the ArcTrainer for 30 minutes. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again – with the right resistance, that baby can give me a good workout!

Breakfast

Today is the “sell by” date on my milk. That always makes me a little wary. I did the smell test. Not too abnormal. I did the shake test. No chunks (thank you, freshman year, for proving that happens). With all systems go – I made a hearty cereal combo 😀

Quaker oatmeal squares, Honey Nut Cheerios, Corn Flakes, chia seed, banana

Today is part two of the interview process so I better go get ready! I hope you have a fabulous Friday! Here’s to a long weekend full of fun, family and relaxation! 🙂

Let’s chat – Do you have any plans for the long weekend?! Do you drink milk on/after the sell by date? I drank it today, but I probably won’t drink it tomorrow. It’s not usually a problem I have – I go through milk so quickly! 

Couches, Tables and Beds – Oh, My!

Posted: May 26, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Eating Out, Fun Things, Workouts | Tags: , , | 15 Comments

This afternoon I had to say farewell (for now) to my BFF, Jamie 😦 Her brother is getting married this weekend and then she’s headed back to live in Richmond for the summer.

Of course we had to have frozen yogurt as our goodbye snack 😉 My favorite fro-yo place in Richmond just opened a shop in my neck of the woods! It’s a good day, my friends.

Surprising Afternoon Workout

Some of you may know that I’m usually an AM workout gal, but it wasn’t in the cards this morning. So after my fro-yo extravaganza, I made a pit-stop at the gym and was able to get in a 4-mile run.

Can you believe that? I sure can’t. I was just trotting along, and when I got to about 2.5 miles I realized I wasn’t really tired. I even ran one mile at 7.0 mph, which is a little bit faster than my comfortable 6.3 mph. I was proud of myself!

Couches, Tables and Beds, Oh My!

Cory and I spent the evening furniture shopping. Woah. Doin’ big things, I know. But as lame as furniture shopping may sound, it was actually exciting! I’ve never owned my own furniture and I’ve never owned anything with Cory – so this is all very fun 😀

All that sitting on couches and Ooohh-ing and Ahhh-ing over memory foam beds worked up our appetites. Once we got in the car my hanger level was at a solid 7, so I told Cory “just make a decision. I don’t care what or where we eat.”

He made a good decision! El Fresco it was! 🙂 I ordered two soft grilled chicken tacos with black beans and rice. Delish.

I know it is Mexican food, and I understand that many would dispute the healthiness of it all, but the ingredients are always so fresh here!

Look at that fresh salsa, fresh guac and grilled chicken. I’m also a huge fan of black beans – so all in all, I left stuffed, but I didn’t feel totally bad about it 🙂

Now my night includes doing a whole lotta nothin’! I hope you’ve enjoyed your day, friends!

Let’s chat – Do you live near your best friend? Mexican vs Indian food? 

Totally Truthful Thursday

Posted: May 26, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Totally Truthful Thursday | 32 Comments

Hello, hello! Who’s ready for this week’s edition of Totally Truthful Thursday?

To tell the truth… I don’t watch much TV. And I never watch TV in the middle of the day. Well, except for yesterday. I tuned into Ellen because I was tipped off that it was the Justin Bieber episode. Weird? Probably. I own it, though 😉

To tell the truth… Every so often (read: every 28 days, ladies) I lose every and all desire to workout. It literally feels like a chore.

To tell the truth… The whole Arnold Schwarzenegger having a 13-year-old “love child” with the maid thing really busts my buns for some reason. Who the heck does he think he is? And really. Have you seen her? If I was Maria, I’d be so pissed.

Source  

To tell the truth… I don’t go to bars often, but when I do, I look at some girls and just want to give them a hug. Seriously, if you’re dressed like real life hooker, I suspect someone didn’t love you enough as a child.

To tell the truth… I stopped in the middle of the road this morning to take a picture of this precious baby! He just stood there for the longest time to let me get out my phone and take a picture. He was probably scared shitless, but I like to pretend that he has aspirations to be a Disney model.

Either way, he totally made my morning.

Let’s chat – Come on, tell me something that’s on your mind today!  

We’ve Got an App for That.

Posted: May 25, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Breakfast, Cereal, Workouts | Tags: , , | 20 Comments

Hello and happy Wednesday!! Yes, I think that is a long weekend that I see on the horizon 🙂 Once again, thank you so much for all your kind words. Who knew that there are so many directionally challenged girls out there?! (No men are allowed to answer that question.)

——

Workout

I’m still living on campus, and the gym that opens early is now under construction for the summer. Womp. So it was back to P90X this morning.

I did lunges and squats until I was blue in the face. Okay. Not really, but I think you get the point. It was a legs and back day. 

Breakfast

There’s nothin’ that can make my morning great like a perfect cereal combo. It seems silly. I know. But there’s something about a bowl of cereal that I just love!

I have to eat my cereal with just enough time left before I have to leave for work, or I’ll pour myself a second bowl without hesitation 🙂

Blogger App?

Who out there has an iPhone?? Well, I think I may have found the app for bloggers and foodies. Have you heard of Foodish? Cory found it on Gizmodo and sent it my way, and I think I’m going to purchase it.

Source

You take picture of what you eat (many of us have that covered to some extent) and then you give it a smiley face rating on how healthy it is. It gives you a visual representation of what you’ve eaten for the day, or even for weeks at a time. There’s no calorie counting and no food weighing. It just seems kind of fun!

That said, I’m off to pack my lunch and head to work!

Enjoy your day! I’ll catch ya later! 🙂

Let’s chat – Is the Foodish app something you’d use? Do you already have it on your phone? 

Directionally Challenged.

Posted: May 24, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Eating Out | Tags: , | 15 Comments

Hey there! Thanks so much for all of your good luck vibes you sent me this morning 🙂 Overall, I think they worked!

When I Googled the place of my interview this morning, I thought no sweat.

I know you may be thinking But, Colleen, you get lost in your own home.

Yes, yes. While that is a slightly fabricated statement, it rarely occurs that I venture to a new place alone and feel confident in my directional abilities.

But Google maps told me my destination was only 3 minutes and two turns away. How could anyone mess that up?

Oh, that’s right. I could.

Good thing I left myself 45 minutes to find my way to a building that was 2.1 miles away from my home.

On my first attempt, I missed the turn. I said to my GPS, No Gertrude. You can’t possibly be right about this one.

Who am I to tell Gerty that she’s wrong?!

After she said route recalculation for the 5th time in her annoyed British accent, (yes, I know she was annoyed) I decided to pay attention. I ended up doing a huge loop only to come back to the left turn that Gertrude had suggested in the first place.

And I took it. And she was right. Go figure. 

At this point I still had 20-ish minutes to find the actual building. And yes, I did stop a man in a suit to ask if he could “point me in the right direction” after I had turned off Gertrude in a fit of rage.

To make a short story long, I ended up on time.

Just a little sweaty.

The interview went swimmingly and I’ve been asked back for a second interview 🙂 So here’s the deal: I don’t really want to celebrate this call back yet. And I contemplated not saying anything because if I don’t get the job, I’ll feel stupid.

But, such is life. Everyone has interviews. Some go well and some don’t. I’m thrilled I was asked back, but I’m also finding a sense of calmness in the cliche: If it’s meant to be, it will be. 

Now I’m going to enjoy my fine dinner and get on my way to volunteer!

PS – Sorry for the lack of photos. I’m in a Panera and my computer is running so slowly! 

Let’s chat – Are you good with directions? Do you ever eat out at a restaurant alone? I’m eating out alone tonight, and I kind of enjoyed it! Not something I do on the reg., but it wasn’t too shabby 🙂

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