Stuck

I've hit a rough patch.

Last week was tough, I didn't have a lot of energy and my schedule got in the way of getting to Title 3 times.

This week is also tough, I haven't stepped on a scale since before Christmas break and I don't like putting a # into the plan. 

We don't own a scale so it's never been tempting to look but I found one at the gym.

Wish I didn't.

Because it didn't make me feel better.

Now I just feel depressed about it and stressed.

And not feeling the best about myself today.

That's a lot of feeling right there.

Hoping it's a just a slump.

But it feels better to write.

We'll see how tomorrow goes. Veggies only for lunch.

Daily/Weekly Regimens

As a bride, you are given many checklists about what needs to be done before the big day. And while many are things for the ceremony and reception, as I was getting closer to the 6 month mark I found there were a lot that I was supposed to be doing for MYSELF.

Now, just like working out, I'm not very good about having a routine daily/weekly for myself or my appearance. I have always been AWFUL about washing my face {and still am}. I was one of the lucky few in middle school that didn't get acne or break out, so I never saw the need. I would only purchase face wash when I went to summer camps because all my friends did. But even today, I'm still bad at it.

 FOR FACE:

The checklist recommends I start getting facials...well, instead I attended a Mary Kay party over Christmas break and purchased the Timewise Microdermabrasion kit for $80. Twice a week I give myself a mini facial and the treatments will last up until the wedding. I've already noticed how much softer my face feels.

 


I also have become very self conscious about the fine lines and wrinkles I've been noticing around my eyes. Seriously, the amount of baggage I am taking with every where is getting ridiculous.

For that, I purchased the Mary Kay Eye Firming Cream {$30, I got half off for $15}, I put that on every night before bed. I haven't noticed a huge difference yet, but I know that stuff takes time and only reduces the appearance.

FOR HAIR

I have thin and dry hair that couldn't grow an inch if my life depended on it. It's naturally wavy, so as soon as I discovered the straightener in high school it's been flat ironed. I started highlighting it senior year of high school, box dyed it in college, and once I graduated I got it professionally dyed, but still always blow drying and flat ironing.

As soon as I got engaged I immediately cut out the flat iron and blow dryer. Now my hair sees heat one, maybe two times a week, and I don't wash it everyday. 

Last night I tried the Coconut Oil treatment. I've read many different things about it, but from what I see it's makes your hair softer, helps repair it, and when massaged into the scalp it stimulates growth. So I heated up some Organic Coconut Oil, drenched my hair in it, wore it in a shower cap for an hour and washed it out. I can already tell my hair feels so much softer today...and is less static.  I'm going to start this a few times a week. 
I found this in the organic section of the grocery store for $8.

I started taking Biotin last year and immediately noticed a change in the growth of my nails, not as much in my hair, but taking vitamins are always good. It's also hard to keep up with taking them three times a day, especially when they taste like dirt. 

FOR EVERYTHING ELSE

The last regimen I started was....bum bum...waxing. I don't think I need to specify where.

 But let me tell you, that is it not for the wimpy or light hearted.

 I was told I needed it done around 4 times before the wedding.

And I will not sugar coat it for any of you, it was down right awful. I cringed, I scream, I cried.

But I will be back in February for round two. I'm told it gets easier...she better be effing right.

This is what I was thinking of the whole time.
 And the appointment only lasts 15 minutes.

Oh the things we do for love and beauty. I'm pretty sure Brandon thinks I'm crazy.

We are slowly approaching the 4 month mark, it's all getting real.

Something Old

Today I created my very special something old.

I won't be sharing too much of my wedding DIYs till the wedding is over in order to keep some elements a surprise, but this one will be hidden under my dress and not be seen by many.

I decided early that I was going to make my own garter and I wanted it to have meaning and I knew it would be easy.

I will have lots of different something olds on at our wedding but my garter holds many something olds in one fabulously delicate piece.

My mom mailed me a few pieces from her wedding dress, her garter, and I had on a bracelet with three pearls that came from my Great Grandmother on my father's side. So this garter holds memories from both sides of my family. 

Bottom of the dress from 1983

I believe the pearls are from the 1920s

I found a tutorial HERE on how to make the fabric rosettes. I did a few practice rounds with some muslin and it was so easy. All you need is scraps of fabric in long strips (1-2 inches wide) and hot glue.

My mom sent me two different pieces from her dress, one from a ruffle that went around her shoulders and a strip off the bottom.

I used the eyelet ruffle to make two larger rosettes and the lace strip from the bottom to make a smaller one.

I hand sewed the three rosettes together.

I cut the blue bow off her garter, sewed on the three small pearls charm and then sewed that to the middle of the rosettes.

I found stretchy white lace at Hobby Lobby. I'm going to wait to attach the rosettes and measure the lace till closer to the wedding. As you know from my project wedding bod, I'm hoping to tone up my legs and hopefully shrink some inches off the thigh area.

This is my keep garter, I am making a second, more fun/playful, garter for Brandon to toss, but my idea is a surprise for Brandon, so it will be kept a secret.

Wedding Bod Week 1

How did week one of project wedding bod go?

I.feel.amazing.

And so proud of myself.

I don't want to get too far ahead, but so far so good.

I jumped right into Title Boxing and worked out Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Each class is an hour and is a mix of boxing, abs, cardio, planks, jumps, etc. After just two classes, I could already feel myself getting stronger, lasting longer, and trying harder. 

I can't wait to see how I do after a month.

My weakness is Diet Coke/Dr. Pepper and I haven't had one all week...which for me is huge, I LOVE soda. Especially, when we have a fully stocked fridge at work and it's offered at all our meetings.

I'm really not sure who I'm turning into, but it's not as bad as I thought.

Here are some tricks of the trade I've found to help reach my goals and make it easier.

My new favorite dinner: Morning Star veggie burgers, I like the Spicy Black Bean & Avocado; I pair with the multigrain sandwich bread and organic Ketchup {that I bought by accident}

120 calories

100 Calories

 Breakfast: I eat breakfast on the go and headed out the door, so these are great to start my morning. 20 seconds in the microwave and I get a chocolate treat on the way to work.










Before or after each workout I have a banana with peanut butter. Which deserves another pat on the back because I have never finished a fruit purchase before it goes rotten.

The biggest thing I knew I needed to work on is drinking more water. Some days I would go the entire day without drinking water.

I'm a soda and milk girl.

Then I saw these water bottles on Pinterest and it seemed the easiest way to keep track of my water drinking during the day.

I purchased two 32 oz water bottles from Wal-Mart for $5 each and I marked them by hour. My goal is the finish one before lunch at 11:45 and the second by the end of the school day 3:30.

I also drink another one the afternoons I work out, and drink one Venti-size Starbucks cup of water at lunch.

I did a lot of research on how much water is good and the best advice I got was to try for 1 ounce of water per weight. 

The first day was tough, especially being a teacher, you need to visit the restroom .a.lot.

Plus, I felt a lot of water weight/bloating...which is the opposite of what I wanted. But day two was easier, day three was even easier, and now I am choosing water over soda. {what?}

And lastly, the protein thing. I walked into The Vitamin Shoppe thinking there would be a whole section on women friendly protein shakes....hell no. I was so overwhelmed I didn't even know what or where to start; I asked for help but really didn't get any, just felt more confused. I ended up purchasing a few tester packets.

The chocolate ones...gross.

The vanilla ones...sick.

And I didn't want to have to whip up a blender-made protein meal every time.

I did find one that so far I can do, it may only have 6g of protein, but I figure as workout recovery it will be fine, and it tastes like lemonade and mixes with my water.

So there it is, week one done.

Hope I can keep it up!

Save the Date

I love our Save the Dates! Thanks to Pinterest I discovered this template from Minted.com.

As seen from our Paint War photo shoot, I like things a little out of the ordinary. Our wedding will be very traditional, with simple and clean colors, but I could have fun with our Save the Date.

So, are you in or what?

Photograph by Katie Day Photography

I was so impressed with the easiness and professionalism of Minted.

I was able to upload my photos into the template, change, edit, and adjust to my liking and 24 hours later I had a final pdf template. They also adjusted and edited it, changed the colors, and made it picture perfect.

It was ordered Monday night, shipped Wednesday, and at my doorstep on Friday.

Check them out for Weddings, babies, holidays, and stationary. They are fabulous!

Project Wedding Bod & HELLO 2013

Well, it's here. 2013. 

2.0.1.3

I get to say adios to Miss Kate Alexandra Hamlin & become Mrs. Kate Hamlin Alexander!

Ok, ok. CLEARLY it's not a huge change, just a little rearranging, but, as my friend Karli would say EEEEE!

I talked to my MOH earlier today and it really started to hit me how close it is getting. Up till now it's been slow and steady. I've been knocking off my to-do list one thing at a time, but I had my first wedding insomnia...what if I forget something small? What if a detail gets overlooked, did I forgot to send a Save the Date.....

But, I also can't wait for the days to come! Bridesmaid dresses coming in a few weeks, my wedding gown will be where at the end of Feb, my first bridal shower is two months away, and I will be kicking up my cowboy boots with my BFFs in three months in Nashville.

Till then, I have become hard core {loosely} in project wedding bod. I've never, ever, had good motivation to work out, I've always been active and done sports/dance my entire life, but going to the gym {getting off the couch} just sounds AWFUL and I usually get to bored while working out that I leave early. 

Plus, I love McDonalds, and carbs, and Taco Bell, and Starbucks, and salt, and pizza. {trust me, that's not changing anytime soon!}

My excuse the last 3.5 years was that I'll work out more when I get engaged..well, here we go, no more excuses. Every time I talk to others about working out I am always told I don't need to. I think people mistake working out for wanting to lose weight, and that is not my intention. I am healthy and right at a weight that is perfectly fine for my height and I have always been like that. I thank my genes. But being skinny doesn't mean I don't get winded walking up three flights of stairs to pick up my students, or that I can barely run a mile. I am also a girl, there are always things with my body I would love to improve.

I will be spending a week at a beach wearing bikinis and I want to feel awesome while I'm doing that. So, when I'm in pain in a plank or doing high knees, this is what's in my head:

Playacar Palace in Rivera Maya Mexico and this adorable, newlywed appropriate bikini from VS.

Right before break I signed up at Title Boxing Club. 

I had taken a few classes through a groupon last spring and really enjoyed it. I just didn't have the time or extra money at the moment. Now, I can sacrifice an outfit or HH here and there.

I loved Title Boxing because I am constantly moving and the moves are always changing, the instructors don't let you get bored, and not gonna lie, I feel pretty badass in my hand wraps and gloves.

Hoping to get there at least three times a week and last month, my friend Nicki and I started doing insanity, that nearly killed me. Then I got sick and was out of commission for a week and the next week Nicki got strep, and then it was break. So that will start up again soon.

I started working on my DIY wedding projects today. One included lots and lots of wine corks...thanks mom :-)

I hope you all rang in the new years in your own special way.

2013 is the biggest, most eventual year of my life thus far, I am beyond ready for my life to change this year and this says it perfectly: