Monday, January 31, 2011

My Body's too Zumbalicious...

I went to my first work out class this past Friday since...gulp...at least 5 years ago.  I wasn't kidding when I said I loathe working out.  I agreed to go to Zumba with some friends and wasn't exactly sure what to expect.  I had done ballet, jazz, and cheered in high school.  Let's not forget my mad Greek Sing dance skills in Theta (haha), so clearly I figured it can't be too much of a stretch.
 
Let me just say, Zumba is not your mother's dance class. Be prepared to channel your inner-coordinated-ghetto-self and to do some booty pops and shimmies to girly dance beats: Justin Bieber...check. Katy Perry...check. Whip My Hair and Shots...check and check.  At first I felt like I was at some sort of sober club with a bunch of white girls trying to break it down.  But, it was really fun and freeing when I just let loose.  Plus, it was a legit work out--I broke a sweat within 15 minutes of being there and my inner thighs were sore Saturday.  I even managed to work out my face by laughing so hard at the lone (asian) boy in the middle of the room of about 75-100 women trying to get down to Pretty Girl Rock.  His moves only consisted of waving his hands above his head--regardless of what everyone else was doing.   Awesome.  I plan on going three times a week now.

Another Zumba plus: I learned some awesome moves for the malpractice mixer that I went to later Friday night.  The mixer was basically a way for  the law, med, dental, and pharmacy students to together for drinks.  My bestie is in med school and one of my close friends is in dental so it was great to meet some of their school friends.  Plus, the evening ended with some late-night Goodfellas pizza--does it get any better than that?

Other than that, the weekend was pretty quiet and productive. I had brunch with some law school girls on Saturday morning and then worked on my Innocence Project case in the afternoon while my wonderful husband cleaned up the yard and washed the cars (I know, he is the best).  We cheered on the Cats and then just relaxed Saturday night. 

On Sunday we cleaned out the closets around the house.  For a chore I usually dread (and thus don't do), it was well worth it.  I found baby/childhood pictures of my dad that I forgot I had, a really nice Bose ipod system that was just hanging out in storage, and my jewelry box full of tons of jewelry that I thought was lost forever.  I was so incredibly excited with all my finds! Last night we had Cam's brother and his girlfriend over for family dinner.
Posted by Lauren at 9:31 AM 8 comments
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Friday, January 28, 2011

Friday Confessions

Hello! Here are moi's Friday confessions, PinkLouLou style.  

1. I wear house slippers--everywhere. I mean for real, they have rubber soles, which clearly means they are shoes that are just mislabeled. Another plus: they do NOT look like these:
But rather, I wear these ultra warm, ultra fuzzy moccasin style ones:

Again, note the rubber sole. See, all okay to wear out in public, right?

2. For whatever reason, I just can't get myself out of bed this semester. My first class isn't until 12 (or 2 on some days), so I've been sleeping until at least 9 (read--at least 10) almost every day. Those days I don't sleep in I've been so tired in the afternoon that I come home and take a long nap. Pathetic.  But, I was semi-okay with it because it's my last real time to sleep in. 
 
But now, I have been becoming an insomniac at night and then crashing during the day...I have got to quit this...


4. I do not work out. Never. Ever. I'm not opposed, I'm just that lazy.  
I am going to a Zumba class with friends this afternoon because, what girl doesn't like to dance around?  When they mentioned that they sweat and felt sore, I almost backed out.  But, I'm gonna suck it up and see if I like it because ladies, I confess that I need to get back into shape. 


5. Cam almost fell out of his chair last night because I not only cooked dinner, I drank water and told him about the above-mentioned Zumba class.  
This reconfirmed my need to be healthier and get back into shape. 

6. Second confirmation: I had a dream last night about graduation. BUT, it didn't involve me getting a diploma or anything--it was a true dilemma. There was a candy bar there, but you could only get one piece of candy. 
 I wanted sour patch kids and chocolate--what to do, what to do? I wish I was kidding.  Clearly, I am a fat girl stuck inside a skinny person's body who is just waiting to get out.

7. This said, I have the most vivid dreams of anyone I know.  My second dream (i.e., the one after I was awake from 3 to 6ish) was that I was lounging in a cabana at our honeymoon hotel/resort, but it was my grandparent's private home. 
 Clearly, our honeymoon was paradise. 
I woke up because I felt my face getting sunburned.  I legit woke up with a really hot face and was sweating.  Most of all, I was disappointed to be in my own bed and not in Mexico. 

8. But, I am still laying in my own bed, still cuddling my pup at 10:30. I am a  BUM who was GOT to get motivated...
Not my bed, but doesn't it look comfy?!

Posted by Lauren at 10:43 AM 10 comments
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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Wordless Wednesday: Best Response Letter Ever

 


Posted by Lauren at 10:19 AM 5 comments
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Monday, January 24, 2011

I'm Alive...

...but barely.  Although I have very strong opinions on the matter, I normally don't get on too high of a soapbox on the issue.  But, I am stepping on that box  because I was almost killed this morning.
Today I walked across Limestone (a very busy 6 lane street in Lexington) as I do every morning to get to school.  I waited for the light to turn red and for the green lit up pedestrian to appear. I looked both ways and was almost completely across the crosswalk when I heard the man in the hauling truck I was walking in front of shout the F word very loudly.  

I was so startled by this that I stopped in my tracks as a woman in a large black SUV barreled through the very red light about three feet away from me at about 30 miles per hour. 

She was, of course, chatting away on her cell phone and sipping her coffee.  She never noticed the red light, or that the other three lanes of traffic were stopped, or that I was standing in the crosswalk. In fact, the woman never once touched her brakes.  Thank God the driver of that truck saw her coming and yelled out so that it got my attention because I was not able to see her around his truck.  

The irony of this all? I spent all night drafting jury selection questions for my litigation skills class in which I am representing the defendant who allegedly hit and killed a female pedestrian while talking on his cell phone (it's a made up case, but still...).  AND, I wrote my graduation seminar paper last semester on the negligence of driving while distracted by your cellular phone.

Most Americans do not realize that talking on a cell phone while driving has been found to be more dangerous than driving while legally drunk.  Most recognize that texting while driving is dangerous; but, they are mistaken because the true danger is not holding the phone: it is the cognitive distraction.  Thus, it is just as a dangerous to talk on a hands-free Bluetooth device as it is to talk with your phone to your ear. At least 1/3 of all car accidents are caused by drivers using their cell phones. SERIOUSLY, hang up and drive. 

I promise you lady in the black Escalade, your conversation this morning was not worth my life. 
Posted by Lauren at 3:34 PM 15 comments
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Friday, January 21, 2011

Playing Hostess

Tonight is our book club night and this month's book was one of my favorites: The Glass Castle. I cannot recommend this book enough--I literally could not put it down.  It is a fabulous memoir by Jeanette Walls.  She spins such interesting tales and portrays her impoverished childhood in a fascinating and humorous way. Seriously, go pick it up (or for you tech-snobs with a Kindle, download it, not that I'm insanely jealous or anything...). 
I'm hosting the book club this month, so I'd thought I would share my appetizer recipes for tonight. I'm not exactly known for my cooking skills so trust me, these are easy-peasy to make. 

Cam and I braved the snow tonight to go grocery shopping. for it  We  also stopped and picked up wine because what book club is complete with a bottle or three? Definitely not ours. Once I made my selection, Cam pointed out that all four bottles I grabbed were Chilean or Argentinean. Apparently, my subconscious is already on vacation. I did intentionally grab two wines from vineyards we are looking to visit, so I'm excited to try those :)
 
Any Blonde Can Cook: 
Okay, I don't know the name of these, but they are from a friend's cookbook, Any Blonde Can Cook--which I think says it all. The cookbook is full of simple recipes that are 3-4 ingredients--just my pace. And, these are delicious. 

  • Slice up a baguette and bake the bread at 375 degrees until it is lightly toasted (my oven it's about 7-10 minutes).  
  • Remove from oven, and spread a layer of goat cheese on the slices.  
  • Sprinkle walnut pieces over the goat cheese. 
  • Drizzle honey and goat cheese over the walnuts.

Olive Tapenade Palmiers
This recipe is from one of my cookbooks, Small Parties. I have never made them before, but it sounds right up my alley: I love anything with olives.


  •  Unfold 1 package (17.3 oz) of a frozen phyllo sheet (puff pastry), separate the two sheets, and use a rolling pin to roll each sheet so that no folds are visible.  
  • In your food processor, mix together an olive tapenade (a blend of your favorite olives). When I make tapenade, I use 1 cup black olives, 1/2-3/4 cup green olives, 1/2-3/4 cup kalamata olives, 2 cloves of garlic, a little olive oil, a teaspoon of lemon juice, and a pinch of black pepper. You can do two different ones if you wish since there are two phyllos.
  • Spread this olive tapenade onto each phyllo sheet.  
  • Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded parmesan cheese over the olive tapenade. 
  • Roll each phyllo up halfway, starting at one end (i.e., roll to the center of one phyllo) and then roll from the opposite end so that the two spirals meet in the middle.
  • Slice each roll into 1/2 inch slices and lay each side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Bake each roll for 425 degrees for 15 minutes, or until golden and puffed.  Allow to cool.

Fancy Brownies
I found this recipe at Big Red Kitchen, and think the picture of hers' says it all...
  • Bake a box-mix brownies in a 9x13 pan according to the box's directions and let cool (leaving it in the pan).
  • Spread vanilla icing over the brownies so that the icing is approximately 1/4 inch thick. I plan on making my favorite: cream cheese icing. Just cream together one 8 oz container of softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup softened butter,  1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. 
  • In a saucepan, melt 1 stick of butter and 4 oz of semi-sweet chocolate chips until it forms a smooth glaze. 
  • Remove glaze from heat and pour the glaze over the icing-ed brownies evenly. Let glaze set and then slice up brownies and serve. 

Don't forget about entering the giveaway in yesterday's post!
Posted by Lauren at 7:46 AM 8 comments
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Thursday, January 20, 2011

Thankful Thursday Hodge Podge


Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.
-Brian Tracy
In everything give thanks.
-I Thessalonians 5:18
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say, "thank you?"
-William A. Ward

 1. Weather. I was a little nervous about class this morning, but I'd thankful I made it home safe and sound before this winter storm begins. 

2. Kindness of strangers.  I have begun interviewing witnesses regarding my Innocence Project case, and I was a little nervous that some of the witnesses would be hostile or uncooperative. Everyone I have spoken to has not only been kind, but has been so encouraging and willing to share their information. Fingers crossed it keeps going like this..

 3. Thursdays. I am thankful that this week is almost over--I have a relaxing girl's weekend planned, so I'm excited it's almost here. 

4. The Fabulous Hali B. My hairdresser is awesome, and I'm so thankful I'm going to see her this weekend to fix up this messy mop.  Is it pathetic I still drive to Louisville? Yes, but trust me, she's worth the trip. 
 


Also, people asked quite a few questions after the vlog.  First, the painting in the background is by an original from local Kentucky artist who is awesome. Her website is here, and I can't recommend her enough.  Second, I got the idea from Jessica, who again is adorable--again, everyone should check out her blog (and vlog of her accent).  I think it's gone viral, so everyone should play along as well :)



Finally, I have a giveaway :) This time, its promoting the Bluegrass and it's music.  Tiffany's fiance, Scotty Fields (who has been on Grand Ole Opry, awesome) is in the Bluegrass band, Driftwood. Scotty wrote 7 of the 12 songs on the CD Stronger Every Day and it was recently named one of the top ten best Bluegrass CDs in 2010.  You can preview (or purchase) the CD here, and you can enter below to win a copy of the CD.
To enter, please "like" Driftwood on Facebook and leave a comment below that you have done this.

For an extra entry (please leave a comment letting me know you did this):
  • comment on their Facebook wall about the giveaway.  
  • leave a comment on CDbaby.com 

This giveaway ends next Wednesday, January 26th at 11:59 PM.  I will draw the the winner at random on Thursday :) Good luck!
Posted by Lauren at 2:47 PM 6 comments
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Friday, January 14, 2011

Eeeekk...

I did a vlog because I loved Jessica's vlog of her super-cute southern Kentucky accent, and I thought it'd be fun to compare my ugly midwestern-ness.  I have to run to class, but here's my first ever (and probably last after seeing this awfulness) vlog. Feel free to make fun of me because after watching this and hearing my man-laugh, I am vowing to never laugh again. I promise.

Also, anyone happened to see someone hit my car at the mall yesterday at Macy's and happened to write down the license plate number, I would be thrilled to death.  They cracked my back bumper so it's now hanging--not ghetto or anything I know have to fix my front and back bumper of my relatively new car after I've been hit and run, twice. Ugh...

Posted by Lauren at 1:01 PM 10 comments

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Thankful Thursday

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.
-Brian Tracy
In everything give thanks.
-I Thessalonians 5:18
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say, "thank you?"
-William A. Ward
 
 1. South America.  The wonderful trip Cam and I officially booked yesterday is to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Santiago, Chile, and the Chilean wine country. I couldn't be more excited for such a wonderful trip and thankful for the opportunity to cross another trip off our bucket list and see an amazing part of the world.  Anyone been and have any trip advice of what to see/where to stay?

2. Grades. All my grades are officially in and this past semester was my best semester of law school yet--I couldn't be more thankful for the wonderful outcome and that I did not stress or panic during exams too badly.  I prayed more this past semester than I ever had before and truly tried to trust in God to  help keep me stress-free during finals.  I firmly believe this had a huge impact on my grades and am singing His praise today.

 3. Snow. I know some (okay  all) people are sick of it, but Cam and I have weekend plans to go snowboarding so we are excited to have some fresh powder in which to play.  It is something we have never done together, so I'm pumped.  I also don't snowboard (but I love to ski) so I'm excited to try something new.
4. K-Love. I cannot stand morning talk radio, so I've recently been listening to K-Love in the mornings. I am so thankful for such a positive (and commercial free) way to start out each day. 

5. Birthdays.  I had a great, relaxing birthday and I'd like to especially thank Cam for that--he went above and beyond to be extra sweet to me all day.

6. Decent passport photo. I know this is ridiculous of me, but my previous passport picture was awful. I'm talking soaking wet from a torrential downpour of rain so that some hairs stuck to my face and is the rest is slicked back, no make up to be seen, head tilted back so I have a 3 foot wide chin, awkward 16 year old with braces bad.  So bad that my own mother looked at it and said, "You will regret this for the next ten years. You realize your future husband will see this most likely." So bad that I had to bring it in for the first day of legal work and the partner just looked at it, started cracking up, and said I won worst ID photo ever. This is my first international trip since I've changed my name last year, so I get to get a new passport finally.  And, while the picture definitely won't be competing for a modeling glamour shot, it's not terrible--which is a vast improvement from before.
Posted by Lauren at 3:15 PM 7 comments
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Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Best Husband Ever

We have officially booked our trip for my graduation gift. We are going here:

And here: 

And wine tasting here:


I couldn't be more excited!

Posted by Lauren at 4:47 PM 9 comments
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Monday, January 10, 2011

Happy Birthday to Me :)

As an extra special birthday present, I get to go back to school today.  It is actually bittersweet as it's my last ever "first day of school."  Being there until 8 pm tonight isn't so wonderful though...

Once I get home, I plan on celebrating with Gigi's cupcakes and a glass of wine, snuggling up with hubby, and watching the snow fall as Auburn whoops up on the ducks (let's go SEC!).  Boring I know, but we went out for drinks with our friends this weekend, so spending a night in is the perfect way to relax.

 I'll take the whole tray, please!

Happy Monday and happy birthday to me :)
Posted by Lauren at 9:34 AM 15 comments
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Friday, January 7, 2011

Story Time

 1. The Help. I enjoyed Kathryn Sockett's quick read. Placed in Mississippi in the 1960s, the book portrays the relationships between the white families and their black maids: "the help." I enjoyed how the book was narrated by both the the viewpoint of the maid and the white children they raise.  Sockett did a wonderful job of making the characters (although somewhat stereotypical in nature) come to life and created great visuals of the characters and society.  Honestly, while I cannot say enough good things about 3/4 of this book, I thought the end was a little too predictable and at felt aspects ended too abruptly or neatly--it was not a satisfying ending. But, I don't think this took away from the novel too much and definitely recommend the book despite the end.

 2. Love in the Time of Cholera. This classic masterpiece by Nobel prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez has been on my "to read" list for a while. This book is a look into all types of love: young love, old love, everlasting love, love of country, love triangles, passionate love, lost love, familial love, love after death, love in friendship, and on and on. By including all the types of "love," Garcia Marquez creates a great comparison of true love, lust, and admiration.  It took me longer than usual to wade through the book (I was also trying to read it in a car and on the beach), but it was well worth it as the book is beautifully written. It reminded me of a Hispanic Romeo and Juliet and made the hopleless romantic in me swoon.

Posted by Lauren at 10:58 AM 7 comments
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Thursday, January 6, 2011

Thankful Thursday

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.
-Brian Tracy
In everything give thanks.
-I Thessalonians 5:18
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say, "thank you?"
-William A. Ward

Book reviews will have to wait until tomorrow--I forgot it's Thursday and I have so much to be so tremendously thankful for this week. Sorry guys, but this week it's important to me.
1. Cam's job. I haven't said much on here about this, but my hubby's job was  shaky over the holidays. For the past few weeks, we were pretty confident he wouldn't have a job today.  I literally sat at home during his meeting this week and said the entire rosary (not only one rosary, but one for each mystery--Mom, I know you'd be proud). It is honestly by the grace of God that he not only still has his job, but it looks like he is getting recognized with a promotion (and raise)! I am so incredibly proud of him and all the hard work he does. This has been a huge stress on our family and the holidays, and I am so incredibly thankful that it couldn't have turned out any better. 


2. Supportive family. The job situation taught me to be so incredibly thankful for both of our families.  Both of our parents are divorced, so we had 4 wonderful families that stuck by us. I cannot express how grateful I am that everyone pledged to help get us through in whatever way they could. We could not ask for or imagine a better family than the one with which God has blessed us.

3. A fun, safe trip. Cam and I had a awesome, relaxing vacation in Naples and Marco Island, and we are thankful to have made it there and back safely. 

4. 3 weeks vacay. I've had three weeks off, and it has been so nice and relaxing.  While I'm a little sad it's my last week, I'm so grateful to have had the time off. 


5. Ritzy doesn't hate us. We took the cat on vacation with us, but had to board the dog for 10 days.  Generally, she is in depression after being at the kennel: she just mopes around, won't eat, and won't look us in the eye.  Well, it seems like this new kennel is her Disneyland. She was so happy when I picked her up that she wasn't even excited to see me and is acting like the same lovable dog I dropped off.  This was a big relief because normally it takes weeks for her to be back to normal.
6. A TRIP! Now that Cam's job (fingers crossed) is steady, we are ready to look at a FABULOUS trip.  He has been wanting to take me on a big trip to celebrate my graduation, but with him possibly being unemployed it would not have been an option.  So, I am beyond thankful that we are now planning THE PERFECT vacation. Once we finalize it, I'll share all the details. But between now and then, I'll give a few hints to see if anyone can guess it. First hint: it's on our bucket list.

Here's the link up to play along for Thankful Thursday: 


Posted by Lauren at 9:00 AM 5 comments
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Wednesday, January 5, 2011

What Kind of Mascot is a Quaker, Anyway?



Okay, so this is clearly a post you Kentucky girls will appreciate. Cam's brother got us tickets to Monday night's UK/Penn game as our Christmas gift--it was so great to finally go to a game coached by Cal, and it went perfectly with my UK themed Christmas for Cam. Thanks Drew for such an awesome present!


The game was closer than I would have liked in the first half, but we looked as fabulous as I expected in the second. Love my CATS!

Here are some of my pics:
 Cam in his UK embroidered pants, being the "Y." His pants were such a hit that Brandon Knight's mother stopped him and took a picture of his pants.
Love him.
  Crazy guy who dances in the aisle in the third quarter? Oh yeah, he was two rows in front of us...comedy.

 Cam's brother took us down to the tunnel to high-five all the players after the game.  Don't worry, I haven't washed my hand since..
Hope ya'll have a fabulous Wednesday! My car's headlight went out, and when I took it in, they told me (surprise, surprise) that my car's part of the recall so I'm going stir crazy today and just reading some books until its ready, so be ready for some book reviews tomorrow...
Posted by Lauren at 12:02 PM 9 comments
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