Week 1 Check In - Bikini Series Tone It Up 2015

Week 1 Bikini Series

Well here we are… at the end of Week 1. It wasn’t all that bad of a week, but I definitely have some things to improve on next week.

I didn’t start when I was supposed to (it started Sunday) but I didn’t really start following the plan until Tuesday. I haven’t had a problem eating 5 times a day; obviously because I LOVE to eat haha.

Here are my meals from this week.

Day 3
M1: Blueberry Protein Muffins w/ 1 cup strawberries & 1 cup almond milk 
M2: 1 banana w/ peanut butter & chia seeds
M3: Spicy Shrimp Wrap
M5: Coconut & Macadamia nut encrusted tilapia & roasted asparagus

Day 4
M1: 2 egg whites w/ 1/2 plum tomato w/ basil
M2:Chia pudding & small apple
M3: Mixed greens w/ 1/4 cup of blueberries & raspberries & pistachios w/ honey lemon dressing
M5: baked chicken breasts w/ 1/4 cup quinoa & left over roasted asparagus

Day 5
M1: 1 whole egg, 2 egg white w/ 1/4 cup green pepper
M2: 3/4 cup plain greek yogurt w/ 1 tbs of shredded coconut
M3: Mixed Greens w/ quinoa burger and honey lemon dressing
M5: I had a work dinner so it was a catered meal... boy did I splurge lol

Day 6
M1: Blueberry Protein Muffins w/ ACV shot mixed with apple juice
M2: 3/4 cup plain greek yogurt w/ 1 tbs shredded coconut
M3: Grilled chiken wrap w/ provolone cheese, baby spinach, roasted red peppers & tomatoes. added some balsamic vinaigrette the chicken was a little dry.
M4: Couscous primavera with red grains  
M5: 1/2 cup whole wheat pasta w/ turkey meatballs & 1/4 cup marinara sauce

Day 7

M1: Protein pancakes w/ raspberries and maple syrup. Also had the base for the breakfast banana bowl
M2: carrots and sundried tomato/basil hummus
M3: This is DEFINITELY not TIU approved but I had Mac & cheese. I was craving it so I treated myself. I didn't eat a lot just a 1/2 cup
M5: 2 grilled chicken wings and roasted beets

I have to admit that I only started working out on Day 6, so I only got in two days of the workouts. So I’m hoping to get at least 4 days working out next week. I know I have to workout everyday at least a little bit in order to get the results that I want.

My goals for Week 2: 

1. Do at least 3 BootyCalls

2. Try not to stray for the meal plan as much

3. Treat myself to a massage, my aching muscles will probably thank me!

The Tone It Up community is absolutely amazing! I’ve met some very amazing woman who are all about motivating each other and supporting each other as well! It is so nice to know that you have that support. I found a #TIUSister and we text just about every day and talk about our previous day and struggles and our upcoming day.

Going to the grocery store today to get all the things I need for Week 2. I’m on vacation this week so I’m excited to sleep in and get my #bootycalls in every morning (hopefully). I’ll be checking in at the end of each week, and I’ll post pics of me mid-way (Week 4) and then at the end of the Bikini Series.

That’s all for now!

xoxo

Brit

#BikiniSeries

LET'S GET THIS STARTED!

So beyond to start this journey of becoming a better me! I've tried over and over again numerous times to start becoming a better healthier, more beautiful me... but this time I am dedicating the time and the effort to follow through. 

On Monday, I am starting the Tone It Up 8 Week Bikini Series.

The community around Tone It Up is amazing and all the woman are supportive and the community is massive. I have found many people on both the TIU community, instagram, and twitter that are all willing to support and motivate one another to get the best results of the entire program.

#BikiniSeries 

#TIUTeam

I am beyond excited to start and have been prepping and getting everything ready for about two days now! YIPES. It's a lot of work but I know that I can complete this one. 

I'll check in again on Monday. 

xoxo

- B

12 Days of Christmas Swap Goodies!

Merry Christmas!

Hope everyone got what they wanted for Christmas & Santa was good to all of you! I did Chaotic Goddess' 12 Days of Christmas Swap and it was so much fun. I had a great time getting to know my partner Brandi and I couldn't wait to get my package in the mail!

After checking the mailbox every day it finally came :) I was so excited that I was so beyond tempted to open them all up at once, but... I resisted and opened one at a time.

Day 1: I got this cute chalkboard garland

Day 2: I got these cute gift tags and Mint Cookie Bites in a stocking

Day 3: I got these cute cookie cutters! There was a snowflake, Santa, gingerbread man, snowman, & Christmas Tree (I can't remember the other one right now)

Day 4: I got this amazing smelling lotion

Day 5: A cute pair of Santa socks

Day 6: A cute pair of Christmas themed socks

Day 7: Christmas tree shaped marshmallows, and chocolates

Day 8: A reindeer mug

Day 9: Santa post-its & a Santa notepad

Day 10: Wintery chapsticks

Day 11: Baker's thread (which came in handy when I was doing my Christmas cookies)

Day 12: Hot cocco & candy canes

Everything that I got was super nice, and it was exciting to have a gift to open each day. I'm hoping that she enjoyed everything that I sent to her! 

I will definitely be doing this again next year!

It's that time again....

Thanksgiving is over so you know what that means........ 

CHRISTMAS TIME!!

  

Although my Thanksgiving was fantastic and I’m so grateful for all the blessings in my life, I’m beyond excited for it to be Christmas time! It really is the best time of the year!

I started my Christmas shopping early this year (partially because I was just too anxious, and partially because I just wanted to get it over with to start paying everything off) I’m just about done after going out on Black Friday. The only thing that I have left to get is the last gift for Tyler (My boyfriends son). So I think I’m doing pretty good!

We went and got our Christmas Tree on Sunday. I was determined to go get it early this year because last year we literally went and got it the weekend before Christmas and I was so pissed. So I was going this weekend whether it was the last thing I did! Even though we got it on Sunday morning I still had to wait to decorate it, for all the branches to ‘fall’. So yesterday after work I came home and decorated it. It’s still not done need to do some final touches on it and get a star or angel to put at the top but I’m getting there!

Chris had to work Saturday morning so Tyler and I decorated the house for Christmas. Since my mom left & took everything to her new house with her, I’m still trying to get my decorations back to what they used to be but they are so darn expensive! Who would think?! Last year I had to go get all new ornaments and stockings so I had those from last year but this year I got some more personalized ornaments and Tyler, Chris & I are gonna do some fun DIY ornaments that I found on Pinterest this year. (I’ll make sure to post the steps of the ones we make!)

I also go some cute decorations for the mantel this year. I need more but for now this will work! I need to get bigger letters for the NOEL.

I also bought this awesome train set to go around the Christmas tree! Growing up we always had a train and especially now since I don’t live with my parents I want to make Christmas feel like it did when I was a kid.

Sidenote: [My parents when they were married used to go ALL out for Christmas like every inch of our house was covered in white lights. We had giant figurines of Santa in a sleigh, with all the reindeer attached. Mrs. Clause, Frosty, the North Pole. It was AMAZING! Absolutely loved it, and so many people drove by every night to see the lights! So Christmas has always been an amazing holiday for me]

Well until next time.

Xoxo

Brittney

12 Days of Christmas Swap!

Well, it has been a while, but I'm doing another swap :) 

I've seriously fallen in love with doing them. You meet so many new people and making a new friend is something that everyone needs in their life!

So the swap that I've signed up for again is 

Chaotic Goddess Swap's

12 Days of Christmas Swap

Christmas is my all time favorite time of the year! Just the whole Holiday cheer, the cookies, the decorations, it really is the greatest time of the year. 

I can't wait to see who I get paired up with!

I'll be in touch with more about the swap in the coming weeks :)

My Mug O'Comfort Is Here!

I know I haven't posted in a long time, I've been so busy with school work and I've gotten a bunch of additional tasks to train for and do. It's been nuts! But anyways...

MY Mug O' Comfort from Nikki came in the mail :) 

Here are the wonderful goodies I got from her! 

I got this clear box called a Box of Happies & I'd never seen anything like this before but I was pleasantly surprised with what was inside!

In that little pencil holder size box came all these great goodies! A tea diffuser, a beautiful pair of earrings from WordstoBeadBy, a cute bookmark tag, a reuseable make-up pad (which I'm in love with... helping the environment) and this wonderful mineral make-up from Simplicity Cosmetics. 

Absolutely loved doing the Swap with CG Swaps. I definately am going to do another one! it's a great way to get to meet other people and branch out! 

 <a href="http://cgswaps.blogspot.com/2014/02/mug-o-comfort-swap-signups.html"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinp6wugrOQ50c4aZVFL_fxWQNtyBgfwIt3qr5VJDckIwK2yx0TC3zgA-OVoRQWknjSouYAyr-Flb-9B2GwWAshBSsrOB2tuSWIWoBcpB_KCShx-5qwruf36mg80I3iy1uO3QbHcLgSGOa_/s1600/mugocomfortFEB2014.png"></a>

Mug O' Comfort

So I found this interesting thing and I figured "Hey, why not try it" 

I found it on Chaotic Goddess Swaps . I'm really excited to try it and what not. 

I will be posting an update when the swap happens :) 

Day 3: Graduation Parade & Town Pass

Today was the day that Troy becomes officially an Airman and part of the United States Air Force. The purpose of this Graduation Parade is to be presented in front of the superiors. It was in a gigantic field and there were so many of them!

We then were able to go into his dorm and see what he's been living like for the past 8 1/2 weeks. I've never seen my brother live so clean and neat. It's totally amazing, the boy who left grimey plates of old moldy food in his bedroom for weeks, dirty smelly laundry in his room, and all kinds of who knows what under his bed. It was incredible to see his shoes all lined up, his socks folded, tshirts rolled, everything had its place.

For town pass we were allowed to leave the base with him. The big site down here to see is the Riverwalk, so that's what we did. We went to lunch at this Texmex place on the river and it was yummy but we ate light because the one request Troy had was to get a steak. So after lunch we just walked around the Riverwalk and then we went to the Alamo. Very disappointing. There wasn't much of anything. 

Then we went back to base and bought Troy a suitcase so he could pack up all of his clothes and move over to tech school.  While we were at the BX I bought Christopher a sweatshirt because he's always in need of them! After the BX we went to dinner. We went to the Saltgrass Steakhouse which is right next door to the hotel that we're staying at. He got the biggest steak and biggest sweet potato I've seen in a while. He ate every bit of it too!

After that it was time to drop him off and head back to the hotel. As soon as I hit the pillow I was out. I didn't even call Chris like I usually do before bed. Being out in the sun all day is exhausting especially when it's 88 out!

Until tomorrow...

xoxo

🎀

Day 2: Coin Ceremony & Retreat Ceremony

Today's the day that I FINALLY get to see my little brother! All the anticipation and excitement is boiling over and coming to an end when we finally see him and get to talk to him and hug him!!! We had to get up at like 5:30 a.m. to get to base for the briefing first thing in the morning. It was only about 25 minutes long but boy was it jam packed with information and rules about what we could and couldn't do with your Airman and when on the Air Force base. There were so many rules and where we could and couldn't be and how we could address our Airman (for example, no hugging, kissing, or PDA for more than 3 seconds). After that it was off to the Airman's Run, which would be the first time that we would even get a glimpse of him for 8 1/2 weeks! Troy is in the 331TRS/FLT138. What that means is he is in the 331 Squadron Flight 138. There were 14 total flights that we're graduating this weekend including my brothers. Each flight had a different color for the Airman's Run, Troy's was black. We got his squadron is the wolfpack. They told us it was a good idea to wear the shirts for his flight so we went and bought them!  

After the Airman's Run we had the Coin Ceremony. This is where they go from "Trainee" to Airmen. They all marched out onto the pad as it's called and stood in their ABU's by flight. We were lucky enough that Troy's flight was right in front of us in the bleachers. The ceremony was great they said their Airmen's creed and sang a song, and then they received a beautiful coin that they have to carry with them at all times now. 

After they were released from duty we had to go and "tap out" our Airman. This means exactly what it sounds like we had to go and tap on his shoulder which means he can leave the position in which he was left in. I was the lucky one that got to go and tap him out :) it was so amazing to FINALLY see him. When I walked up to him I had to take a real good look at him to make sure it was him because they all look alike and I didn't want to be that awkward girl to go and hug a stranger lol. But after I taped him out he was free to do whatever he wanted but he couldn't leave the base, this is called Base Liberty. 

We didn't do much, we went for lunch at Popeyes, then we went bowling... and of course I beat my brother (but only once). Then we went shopping at the BX (base exchange) for him because he wanted some new stuff. And by that time he had to be back to his dorm.

All in all it was a good day and I was happy to finally see him. He is a totally different person. He's a man. But he still is my baby brother and best friend, and I couldn't be more proud of the person that he has become and the person that he aspires to be.

I'll update you tomorrow on what we did day 3. 

xoxo 

🎀

My San Antonio Fun!

Well, here is where the start of my story and trip to San Antonio to see my little brother graduate from Basic Training in hype Air Force. 

First to make a long story short it was EXTREMELY hard when he left. As much as I complained about living with him and all the things he did to irritate me he's my baby brother and were very close so knowing that he was leaving and we couldn't talk to him for 8 1/2 weeks was very difficult to wrap my head around. But life goes on and you get used to writing letters every week letting him know what's going on in life and how everything's going. But back to my original point...

My journey to San Antonio, TX started at 3 a.m. this morning when Christopher and I left for the airport. It was not a pleasant ride to the airport because not one place was open which meant no coffee... And we need our coffee in the morning. So that was the start I met my mom, her fiancé, my dad and my aunt at the airport. We took a very small plane both times (we had a layover in Detroit) it was horrible both times I couldn't get comfortable at all to fall asleep. So needless to say it was a long morning! 

When we got to San Antonio it was just one of those "finally" moments. We're finally done traveling, we're finally close to Troy, we finally get to see him and talk to him. It was just a very happy moments ven though we couldn't see him at all today. So we did some exploring drove around for a while got some lunch at Texas Roadhouse (the rolls and the cinnamon butter are to die for btw). Then we came back and relaxed and I took a nap :) then we went and did some more exploring and driving around. 

But gotta go to bed! Got a long day ahead of us. 

5 a.m. wake up time and a day packed with all kinds of events.

xoxo

Chevron Nails

Chevron Sparkle Nails

I'm gonna show y'all how to make chevron sparkle nails today. First things first, what you're going to need is a base coat, two colors of your choice, a glitter nail polish of your choice, tape and scissors. The ones pictured below are the colors that I will be using.

The colors that I am going to use today are "Cute as a Button" and "Mamba" from Essie, and a glitter nail polish from Sensations.

First things first, paint all your nails with the base coat that you have. Then, which ever color you want as your main nail color go ahead and paint 4 of your nails that color. Then which ever nail that you don't paint with the main color, go ahead and paint it with your glitter nail polish. Do two coats. 

The next thing that you want to do is go ahead and cut small strips of tape. Then place the tape on one finger in a "V" pattern. I use only two "V's" because I have short nails. I use one small strip of tape to make a small "V" at the top of my nail (as you can see below)

Then with the other color that you chose, paint over your whole nail (you may want to do two coats if you have chosen a lighter color than the color thats already on your nail). Wait for it to dry, and then take off the tape! It's that simple. 

Finish it all up with a clear coat and you're done!

I hope you guys liked my simple little nail design. Give me some feedback on what you thought about it. 

Ciao!