Swinging kettle bells and toning the tush!

I want to let you guys in on a little secret. As much as I like to say/think to myself I want to eat healthy as often as I can, I absolutely cannot do it on a daily basis---I hate it!

Some days as I'm crunching on a piece of celery or eating a granola bar that tastes like the Sahara Desert, I can't help but want to scream. Why do we put ourselves through this misery! However lately I've just felt a little bit blah about myself. It's not that I hate my body, I just want to feel better about it, you know!?

Back in the day, my screen name was GymnasticChic--and for a reason! I did gymnastics quite a bit and at one point in time, had a killer, toned stomach! {Damn I miss that haha} 

The past month or so I've started to change a few things! Less handfuls of chips as I walk by them (still working on that), drinking more water, upping my workouts, less handfuls of crackers/chips...oy..but have seen major differences!

Last night I made the Tone It Up Perfect Fit Pancakes

And I thought they were really good!

Except I used Aunt Jemima Maple Syrup #ShitSorryHadTo

Jemime's knows what's up

And then Kurt cut me up a watermelon and gave me a slice the size of Russia

And then....let me just tell you this. I confided in my Massachusetts turned Southern Belle Christina/X-Tina about a workout that scared the absolute crap out of me.

Kettle bells....

dun dun DUN

I went out and bought myself a set, after promising Kurt I wasn't going to swing one into the TV, our fish tank, or his ball sack. Then Christina sent me a killer kettle bell workout series and I'm HOOKED. I am beyond excited to start using these for every part of my body! Watch out Kurt's ball sack, the kettle bells are in da house.

Truthfully for me, I feel like it comes down to eating better and making sure I stop snacking as much so I can make the process easier. Experimenting with different workouts is fun and exciting to me, to see a transformation, but the snacking bit---ooooohwee. I need help I would LOVE to know how some of you curb your snack cravings; and don't tell me to chew a piece of ice like some people tell me haha because how in God's name does ice taste like an M&M ;-)

Happy Hump Day!

Being a girl in this effed up, crazy world!

About a year ago, I remember going into Boston to meet some friends for a few drinks after work. We finished and I had about a 2 minute walk back to my car in a parking garage. Normally, my friends and I always walk with each other to our cars at night, but it was literally about 2 minutes away across the street. It was about 11pm and I had to walk through a sketchy area to get to the garage; I didn’t have to turn around to know that someone came out of nowhere and was walking behind me. They could have honestly just been walking to their car or to their apartment, but it still made me nervous! I walked faster; they walked faster, until finally I whipped out my cell phone and started fake talking on it as I pretty much SPRINTED to the garage.

I don’t know how much this news has been broadcasted outside of New England, but the past 2 weeks or so in South Boston, there have been 2 kidnappings of young women, by men, forcing the girls to take them to ATM machines, withdraw their money and then stabbed to death. One survived the stabbings but one didn’t. They haven’t caught the person(s) yet either! I cannot stop reading the news about these horrible events waiting for updates/answers/anything...considering this is so close to home!

When I hear news like that, I can’t help but be afraid! It makes me wonder what would possess grown men to do this to girls in which they have no idea who they are and know they are defenseless. One of the girls had just come home from the gym, at 7 in the morning, when it happened; broad daylight. The worst part is, I know this happens everywhere!

Whether I’m by myself or with a group of people, it’s unfortunate that I am always looking over my shoulder, getting nervous when I see people looking around at us all creepy, checking a parking garage before getting into my car. I know that this obviously happens to guys too, but since I’m a girl and it seems to happen pretty frequently, I can’t help but be afraid to be alone in places in this crazy world. The past few weeks listening to this news, has really just left me with a heavy heart.

As much as I try not to “let the fear win,” I think it does most of the time! Am I the only one who ever feels this way?! Better yet, how does one get over a fear like this, or do you think it's something that will never change?

Just something that's been on my mind lately that I wanted to share!

Weezy Cake, Monster Yachts and Birthday Love! {Weekend Shenanies!}

Hi friends! It's been a while, eh?! :-) I want to thank you all SO SO much for all of the birthday love last week! I'll tell ya...25 started off amazingly!

I thought I'd give a brief little recap of my birthday, since I love to extend my birthday for as long as possible haha! (I like to celebrate birthday weeks!)

Wednesday night, Kurt and I went into Boston straight from work to celebrate! We hit up Post 390 in Boston where we started the night with some drinks! Let me say...the Sangria was FLIPPING AWESOME!!

We had the most amazing mexican dinner at Lolita Cocina and Tequila Bar! Okay so Kurt usually asks me what I want for dinner on my birthday and we go there. This year, I couldn't decide so I gave him 5 places and he chose! We usually go for Italian, seafood/steakhouse places so this Mexican was a little different for us!

I'd been here before and was seriously talking about their cucumber jalapeño margarita ever since so I knew I needed it!! Dinner was fantastic and with your check, they give you a heaping mountain of watermelon cotton candy--hell to the YES! 25, you are amazing so far. I think this is going to be an awesome year!

This weekend, we laid a little low on Friday night because Saturday my parents took us out on the boat for the day into the night for more birthday celebrations! My parents, sister, her boyfriend, Kurt and my 2 best friends since pre-school all went with us!

My friends know me too well. Not only did they show up with cake-flavored jello shots for me, but this cake. Which I absolutely DIED over.

Lil Wayne funfetti cake...equipped with the GRILL!

God I just love them!! :-)

We did a "floating pub crawl" in which we took the boat to tons of different bars in our area, docked, went up for food and drinks and had such an amazing time!

We also saw a 235 foot yacht named AVIVA the size of Russia come roaring by us into Boston harbor. It was from the Bahamas and after some research, we found out it's someones legit boat--not one that's chartered by different people! Unfortunately it wasn't Lil Wayne and the Cash Money crew who owned that boat, but if it was, you bet your ass I would have jumped out of our boat and swam to Aviva!! ;-)

It's days like these where I love just being with family and friends. We had such a perfect day, drank lots of delicious drinks, ate many different types of food and had great conversation! I'll say it again---year 25 is perfect! :-)

Sunday Kurt and I slept so late and then went to Costco for some things that we needed...aka an excuse for me to run wild and get as many samples as I can fit into my mouth. Costco samples=THE BEST. We went for a run around Boston as well, and went to stake out the Aviva yacht yet again. We saw 2 guys walking onto it. I wanted to flash them so they would let me on, but they would probably have to use binoculars to see my goods ;-)

All in all, it was a great weekend! Speaking of Lil Wayne, the next big countdown is on...I am seeing him this SUNDAY! Holla Freakin' Back!

Link up with Sami!!

25 years young today :-)

25 years ago today I came slithering out into this world!

I had a crooked nose

And bow-legs

My parents had to massage my nose for a few days so it would straighten out

And I also had to wear 4 diapers and special shoes for a few weeks so my legs would turn outwards

the guns just MAKE the picture..

It's crazy to think I'm 25 years old. A quarter century. Old enough to legally rent a car without paying an obnoxious fee!

I know that it's cliche to say that "life is short, it goes by s fast" but it really is so true. This past year especially I've been trying to slow down and enjoy every little thing that I cross paths with, but at the same time, I feel like there is so much more I want to accomplish in the next 25 years of my life! Cheers to that! I have plenty of time :-)

While I may be a little older

With a few more responsibilities

I still strive to be, feel and act young :-)

I hope you all enjoy this fabulous day because I know I will!

{Video!} Frio River Shenans are back!

Holy Moly Bajoleeeyyy!! 

I think I've watched this video over 10 times in 1 hour. 

When I was in Texas, I shot over 100 different videos (f'real Erica?!?) and finally compiled them into a 5 minute snip-it of an AMAZING vacation with AMAZING people. I really just need to let the video explain the amount of fun we had. It makes me cry happy and sad tears to watch this! We had a BLAST!!!

What you missed because it was too X-Rated for the video/blog:

1) Lots of dry humping plastic bats, chairs, beer cans and people

2) Ass shots (girls AND guys)

3) Explicit hand and mouth motions

Ugh!!! I will forever embed this video into my mind! 

There are no words to how spectacular this week was. 

I love all of these people!

To the Frio River in 2014!! :-)

High waisted long crotch shorts to back that ass up in

You guys...Massachusetts is a sauna. A sweatbox. The Sahara Desert. Death Valley. A man's crotch area. Any other wicked hot place. I've contemplated stripping down to nothing for the walk from my car to the office. However, I do love this weather and I can't complain---I just wish I wasn't sitting in an office for it! On that note, a few things on my mind as of late for this hot Friday.

I really HATE the high waisted shorts trend. I'm sorry! I don't care if you are as skinny as a pinky finger, I will constantly look at your fupa area. Something about them just makes that area look so long and weird; the long zipper, the long crotch area, you know!?Also most girls have them so high I can see their cheeks...and not the one's on their face ;-)

I've been looking at a bookmarked recipe of Mac and Cheese with bacon and caramelized onions for weeks now. Literally staring at it, hoping the flavor bounces off the page into my mouth which is sitting here wide open. I can only imagine the amount of calories and fat in that bowl of foodgasm, but at the same time I'm all like "who is this foodie genius and why shouldn't I make this? YOLO"

 I've been bumpin' to this jam recently. It's so so good to work out to! Gets me going!

I've also said crotch twice in this post. Yeeeeesh.

Link up with Whitney and back that ass up! :-)
Happy Weekend!

Pregnant with Lil Wayne's babies

I was listening to the radio yesterday morning about obsessive, stalker celebrity fans and the great lengths they go. Let's just say, one girl went above and beyond to convince her husband get cosmetic surgery to look like George Clooney #Scary

I wouldn't say I'm an obsessive stalker of celebs (okay I MAY have found the NJ Housewives addresses and made Kurt drive around to see them), but I do have my loves; Lil Wayne is a given. I was jamming to Wayne at the gym and wondered what our children would look like.

Presenting...my children. With Dwayne Carter.

Our son...

And our daughter...

Starting early with fluffy Beats by Dre headphones

I know...they're beautiful what can I say? Then there's Kurt and I's child.

Hmm....something tells me I must have had an affair with Ron Weasley because neither Kurt or I have red hair. I still think my cherubs from Lil Wayne are way cuter--sorry Kurty ;-)

This is also a little reminder to myself I get to see him in concert in less than a month. I better get mah grill ready!

Today--Sad Yet Special

Today is a sad yet special day. 

Today would have been my grandmothers 96th birthday. 

Today has also been 2 years since my grandfather passed.

In March of 2011, my grandmother passed away at 94. She lived a long, amazing life and was cherished by so many people! While it was unbelievable hard to see her go, we knew she was in a much better place after what she had been going through her last few months. But one of the hardest things to think about was my grandfather being without her. Before she died, they had just celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary--HOLY MOLY.

Fast forward 4 months later, to July of 2011. Kurt and I were being picked up from my parents at the airport after being in Florida, when I saw my dad come walking toward us and my mom crying. My grandfather had fallen in the middle of the night and after a few days in the hospital, he had suffered internal complications and didn't make it.

It was shocking, unexpected and just completely unfair! But the part that really lifted my spirits, was that he died on my grandmother's birthday--today, July 16th. To this day, I think that is so special. I'm a firm believer he knew it was his time, and knew my grandmother couldn't spend her first birthday alone up in heaven!

My grandfather, sissy and I Easter 2011!

I wrote the eulogy for both of my grandparents funerals. Those are probably my most cherished written pieces in my entire life, and to this day, I still keep a printed copy of each in my car! Just a little reminder that I know they are always with me :-)

Happy Tuesday friends! 

I'll tell you why I have a cowlick!

I asked Kurt to ask me 5 completely random questions that he wanted to know at that moment. This is what he came up with.

1) Why do you have a cowlick in the front of your head?

I apparently came out of my mom the wrong way. Really though, I have a little random piece of curly hair on the right side of my head that takes 9 years to straighten and keep down! I want it gone!

2) Why do you need to sleep in socks?

Socks make me feel cozy and warm! I know it's bad to sleep in socks, but it's either that or bury my feet in Kurt's ass for warmth.

3) How come you have a wedding book?

Haha! I actually do. It's by The Knot. My friend Haley recently got engaged and I bought it for her. However on the ride home from the bookstore I realized the back cover was ripped and I really didn't want to give her a ripped book, so I kept it haha! Weddings are fluffing EXPENSIVE, hot damn.

4) What kind of outfit did you wear on your first day of school of every year?

First off, this really makes no sense. BUT! I will say, I usually wore some type of skirt or dress. In my younger years, it was usually a plaid skirt. Then as I got older I sported the jean skort. Remember those? Skirt and shorts---had to keep the boyz at a distance.

5) Can I ever superman that ho?

I don't know where that question came from, but he must have been singing Soulja Boy. If you don't know what supermanning is, I suggest looking it up on Urban Dictionary! And to answer your question, umm...

And for a little music to back that azz up to...

I seriously wanted to be a bad bitch when I heard this

Link up with Whitney and have an amazing weekend!

River rats and learning to two-step! {Texas Surprise Blate Finale!}

I can’t begin to describe the rest of our trip. We made so many memories that will last a lifetime! I know that sounds wicked cliché, but it couldn’t be more accurate. I somehow managed to snap about 278 pictures on my iPhone and a few on my camera (even though most were mishaps from Kurt who takes a picture so fast that he barely captures anything…and if he does, its someone’s boobs or ass)

 Katie got these AH-DORABLE headbands from TheLittleCanaryShop!

We spent the rest of the week living it up like freaking GANGSTERS in the Frio River with each other. I think the guys made about 500 booze runs, and let me tell you…spending the days in the hot sun in Texas, ya need the liquids! We danced to the Macarena, The Dougie, country music, 80s/90s music, played Dizzy Bat (I completely fell over twice doing it), floating beer pong and everyone experienced me shotgun my first beer. It. Was. A. Huge. FAIL. Hahah!

 I made the girls and guys these lil Frio River Tumblers!! 

I also must say I loved that almost every day we made breakfast and dinner together, eating together talking, laughing and just enjoying each other’s company. It was so perfect.

It’s always so sad to think about the end of a vacation, so I think it’s pretty self-explanatory to all of us that we went out with a bang on our last night at probably one of the coolest bars I have ever been to (I swear!) It was definitely a country bar, half outside half inside, multiple bars, country music followed by rap music, and lots and lots of guys and girls in cowboy hats, boots and giant belts. Steph and Beau's friend Brian taught me how to two-step, and then I taught Kurt! (um…let’s just say Kurt can never be a cowboy LOL)

This is also the night Katie and I tried Quail (the bird) thanks to Beau, sent our vodka drinks back because they weren’t strong enough (I love us haha!!) and watched a Texas country singer who was so insanely good. I also met a Texan who loved Boston (and had a Sox tattoo) who noticed an accent because apparently when I went to order a vodka soda water at the bar I sounded “non-Texan” to those around me ha who knew?!

The last day was hard to get up because I knew it was time for us all to leave. I got teary eyed in the morning in the bathroom getting ready to go because I didn’t know when the next time all of us girls would get back together again but I know it will be soon enough! :-)

Shay, Steph and Katie 

Holy moly. Thank goodness I started blogging that one day back in September 2010, otherwise I would never get the chance to meet such gorgeous (inside and out) girls who have taught me so many things. You are all such amazing people and I am so thankful you are in my life! This trip was definitely one for the books (mostly Rated R books haha!) Kurt absolutely LOVES you girls and he can see the happiness in my eyes when I am with you all (and the sadness at the airport and the car ride home).

Beau and Drew 

You are such fabulous bloggy husbands and the fact that we all pulled this off with flying colors makes me so happy! Kurt and I loved getting the chance to be with you guys! We had some of the most hilarious conversations and we loved being able to act silly with you both! Beau your singing voice is magnificent and Drew it makes me SO happy you sported a Boston hat all week :-)

Brian, Ashley and Todd (if you’re reading this!!) 

I am so happy we got to meet Beau and Stephs REAL life friends!! Y’all made the trip just that much better and Kurt and I enjoyed so much getting to hang out with you all! Brian in his daily speedos, Todd and Ashley’s top-notch playlists and all around fun! I’m looking forward to the day we all get to hang out again. I also am super excited to stalk your wedding! (From instagram…not from behind bushes or anything ha!)

Aunt Frances 

I cannot thank you ENOUGH for letting us all spend the week in the gorgeous ranch you are so lucky to call home. I loved hearing all of your stories, getting to interact with all of your animals and see things I’ve never gotten the chance to see. Don’t be surprised if Kurt and I book a weekend in one of your perfect homes---we will be back for sure!!

Miss Oakley 

I am SO happy I finally got to snuggle her cute face. She is one of the spunkiest, happiest dogs I’ve ever met. She’s so lucky to have fab parents like you two, Steph and Beau. Oh and also…I am happy I got to go home with a few battle wounds from her puppy paws, including one long scratch on my forehead which I think is the funniest one haha!

*** Oh…and I must tell you all. I took about 3 hours worth of HILARIOUS INSANE video footage (good…bad…and just plain too X-rated for the blog) so look out for a video I’m compiling sometime next week! It’ll be a good one haha!

Cheers to the Frio, Fourth of July and Friggen Fabulous Friends!