My Best Friend’s Wedding {Shower}

Outside Lands SF 2012

May have to make this one an annual tradition.

Outside Lands or bust!

We made it! First up, Passion Pit!

Day two learning: it’s a LONG ass walk. Hitched a ride from Carlton. He was bumpin’ Tribe Called Quest, in a Swagger Wagon.

And we were joined by a few friends.

Happy.

I ran into my primas Sam and Steph. <3

Then there was a little Stevie Wonder action. Bad. Ass.

And then in Cat’s best impersonation of the excited chick on her bus: “OH MY GAHHH, we got to see Skriiiiileeeex.”

Party on, Wayne.

Olympic Steez

Whatever country they’re from (USA! USA! USA!), Olympic athletes tend to rock the same trends within their individual sport. Some good, some gymnastics. These are just a few that I can’t help but notice every time I turn on the tube.

Soccer (Congrats Team USA!) – “The Headband”
I wonder if women’s soccer players discuss best headband practices and brands. Like, do you prefer Goody or Scrunci? Because the ones I’ve tried always end up slipping off my head, and really, Olympic athletes don’t have time for that shit.

Don’t get too happy Japan… silver awaits you. (Source CNN, Credit Getty Images)

These girls look better in gold anyway. (Photo credit Friedemann Vogel/Getty Images Europe)

Fun fact: Alex Morgan’s headband is actually not a headband at all, it’s pink pre-wrap (the stuff you put on before you get your ankle taped, I think). Maybe she has the right idea.

Track & Field – “The Chain”
This classic dates back to the Michael Johnson days. Well, probably further back then that, but that’s as far back as I can remember seeing it.

Do I look too flashy? Nah. (Photo credit Black Sports Online)

I’m a fan of this dainty chain on Lolo. Also a fan of her ABS. (Photo credit Chuck Myers)

Track & Field – “The Lauren Conrad Braid”
How cute is this look?! Weeerk.

You win the gold in the 400 and looking fly Richards-Ross! (Photo credit AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Another fine example of the LC braid. (Source diepresse.com)

Gymnastics – “The Loop”
This final look makes scrunchis look like child’s play. I have to admit, I’ve been a loop wearing culprit from time to time at the gym. And it really does feel pretty darn comfortable during a work out.

It’s a “loop off.” (Photo credit Thomas Coex, Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)

Which Olympic trend would you rock, if any?

Dare To Bare – Part II

This post is sponsored by Dove® ClearTone™ Deodorant – designed to visibly reduce underarm dark marks and even skin tone.

So remember that 21 Day Sugar Detox I mentioned in my last post? Well, I’ve never been much of a diet girl, but I was challenged to try it for a day. I didn’t think I would make it past a few hours, but I made it to day 12. Actually, once I got past the first day I knew I was in it for the long(er) haul.

Here’s the gist. No sugar, no refined carbs, no fruit, no alcohol. For reals. For more details check out http://the21daysugardetox.com.

Turkey lettuce wraps. 21 Day Sugar Detox friendly.

The first few days were rough. My energy was extremely low, and I was constantly hungry. Days 3-6 came the mood swings. Bad ones. Poor, poor, husband. After that first week I was back to normal, feeling pretty good and accustomed to the diet.

Also? No low-fat milk. Used this as a substitute. Pretty good.

Anyway, this last weekend was a rough one and I ended up going on a sugar bender. It all started when my Uncle Frank offered me a beer… but there were also the strawberries I ate while gardening. One for the box, one for me (repeat). Then, I started to get hungry. Real hungry. My husband mentioned pizza. C’est la vie.

Overall, I loved the challenge. I think I lost a couple lbs at most, but more importantly I hope to take away a few healthier eating habits, and maybe drop some of my not so great ones (oh you know, soda, flaming hot cheetos, and sugary Starbucks concoctions on the regular).

Closing thought — I’m definitely more of a work-out-a-lot-and-eat-what-I-want-girl.

Next up on my “Dare to Bare” do stuff to feel good in my skin plan? I’m considering a half marathon in the near future. Considering.

I was compensated for this post as a member of Clever Girls Collective. All the opinions expressed here are my own.

Dare To Bare

This post is sponsored by Dove® ClearTone™ Deodorant – designed to visibly reduce underarm dark marks and even skin tone.

For much of my life body image was something I never gave much attention. I made it all the way through high school without giving a second thought about how I looked. I should caveat, it was a nice body. I was a cheerleader and played softball, so I got plenty of exercise. It really would have been eye-roll worthy for my former self to complain. However, given our society and the images young women are bombarded with every day, the fact that I made it through my late teens without a care in the world seems like somewhat of a rarity.  (*Thank you mom and dad for instilling that much confidence in your daughter)

Me, in highschool. Apparently feeling pretty good about myself and hamming it up, as usual.

Ten years later.

Everything is different. My metabolism has slowed. My enthusiasm to work out is gone. My confidence in terms of body image is still pretty high, but I realize I married a guy who will literally tell me I look good no matter what. Do not trust him, Edita. Trust the mirror, and the fact that my favorite pair of jeans ripped as I did my lunge and tug routine to get them on (and they weren’t F21, people!). I figured I would be okay through winter, but as soon as New Year’s approached and the gyms started to bump up their “New Year, New You” marketing campaigns, I knew it was time. I needed something that I could get addicted to, but the gym just wouldn’t cut it.

Since then, I have found two lovely addictions to help whip me back into shape.

For the first few months of this year I attended The Dailey Method regularly. If you haven’t tried or heard of it, the workout is sort of a combination of Pilates and ballet. I always wanted to be a dancer. In a dream life I would have made it to the Top 20 of So You Think You Can Dance. Sigh. The great thing about The Dailey Method, is that when I shut my eyes and stretch against that ballet barre, I can imagine, if only for a few seconds, what it would be like. Plus, the work out will eventually have you looking like a long and lean dancer if you stay committed. Then came March, and my membership expired. These types of barre studios are pretty expensive. Fantastic, and totally worth it, but expensive.

Around that same time, my husband encouraged me to attend a new bootcamp he had tried called Fitness Never Sleeps. I protested until he told me about a Yelp deal they were having for first-time members. Afterall, micheladas and a good deal are the way to my heart. We joined and five months later are still going strong. Yes, WE! We found something we can do together, which is awesome. Also? I like the way my arms look in photos now. Summer clothes? Bring them on!

Admittedly, there are still certain parts of my body that I don’t love– but the point is my confidence is back up and I feel great.

At the top of the PG&E trail last weekend.

Next up, we started a 21 day sugar detox. No sugar means no classic sweetener in my Starbucks, no refined carbs, no alcohol or even fruit! I’m on day two. Yikes. I’ll follow up in the next couple weeks to let you know how it panned out.

What do you do to feel great in your skin? Any tips, tricks or regimens?

I was compensated for this post as a member of Clever Girls Collective. All the opinions expressed here are my own.

The Time My Friend Got A Book Deal

Congratulations to my dear friend Marina who just signed her 7th book deal! I got to host a surprise shin dig at my house to celebrate this awesome accomplishment. You can pre-order her 1st published book “Tucker’s Crossing” on Amazon now!

Here are a few pics from the food and drink set up.

The Best Models I’ve Ever Worked With

Just look at these two! Makes me melt.

Sigh. The end.

Cinco de Mayo, Laughing Pooch, GTL

Just another week in Instagram.

This DJ rocked the Cinco de Mayo party we went to.

Eric took a day trip to work/golf in Seattle.

I ate a Zot.

Pickle laughed at Eric’s joke.

We got our end of week GTL on. It was florescent Friday, obviously.

Husbands Love Them Some Kate Upton Cat Daddy

As promised, here is the video of our husbands watching the Kate Upton video.

Nerds.

Pretty, Pretty Necklace

This little lovely came all the way from Korea to find its way to my neck. I purchased the necklace for $15 from the Laonato shop on Etsy. Likey?

I tried to photoshop my flyaway baby hairs in this last pic, but it just made it look weirder.