Where have I been?

So I had the best intentions to keep this blog going through my entire whole30...but that came and went and I didn't blog. I actually completed another whole30 after that one, and then 2/3 of another (I got bored). Since my last post...

• WE MOVED! 
• Still living on a college campus, and the same college campus, but moved to a new bigger apartment!
• WE GOT MARRIED
• Chris got his MASTERS! (and a new job)
• Winnie has continued to be the cutest pug EVER!

So a lot of excitement...a lot of fun...with a LOT OF FOOD! Looking to get back paleo soon, and get myself on track. Hoping to blog and that this will keep me accountable. If you're out there let me know!

Pale-oh boy! Whole30 - Day 1!

Today I started a Whole30.

For those who are unfamiliar with the Whole30 (you can actually get real information about the Whole30 here, its a version of Paleo that focuses on clean eating. From what I understand of it, Paleo basically focuses on eating foods that can be hunted or gathered. That means sugar, dairy, grain, and a few other things are out. The Whole30 differs from Paleo because it limits food intake even more, and focuses on clean eating. I will be doing this for 30 days, hence the 30 in Whole30. I am VERY lucky to be on this journey with my friend Justin, my boss Kat, and the great Paleo guru Heather.

I decided to partake on this journey for a few reasons.

1. My wedding: On June 22 I will be getting married to my best friend and I've waited far too long to lose weight. I loved my wedding dress when I bought it, so I know I will continue to love it, but I think it would benefit me to drop some weight.
2. My skin: I have had psoriasis, an autoimmune disorder, since I was very young. It was brought on originally from a really stressful time in my life, and since then it has covered anywhere from 15%-85% of my body. Its itchy, red and scaly. I am on a biologic (yup I inject it twice monthly) medication but I'm hoping the Whole30 will boost the medication.
3. My life: I want to feel better. I was talking to my friend Justin, who I am on this Whole30 journey with, and he was explaining to me how often people are living in the status quo, how they 'think' good feels...but how do we know? This time of clean eating will benefit my body entirely.
4. Pure Barre: I want to boost my results with barre. I have been attending Pure Barre Burlington. Since late September. Pure Barre is an exercise which focuses on different areas of your body: arms, thighs, seat and abs. The work out is sometimes very painful, but always beneficial. I never leave barre without feeling accomplished. 

So what did I eat today?

Breakfast: Peppers, onions and sweet potatoes cooked up in a skillet with an egg on top. I also had an orange.

Lunch: Chicken and Broccoli with garlic. I paired this with a Cashew Cookie Larabar. Larabars are seen differently by different bloggers. It was delicious, but I'll be keeping them to a minimum during this 30 days.

Dinner: Taco turkey meat, homemade guac, plantains and a sliced pepper. I also had a small spoon of almond butter with my dinner.

Ok...day 1 down, 29 to go. The hardest part is giving up diet coke...I do miss that stuff.

Well that's all for now

I DIY-ED and I liked it!

Lately, I've been thinking my apartment is rather drabby. Its hard to commit to too much decorating in a place that you don't own but I've really been longing to make it feel more like a "home".

So I decided to start decorating a little more, to make this place my own. I started with my bathroom and I came up with this...

...for under $12!

3 glass vases from The Dollar Tree @ $1 each 

3 small bottles of acrylic paint from Joann's @ .59 each

2 floating shelves from Target @ $1.78 each (a steal! i'm still pumped about it)

8x10 frame from The Dollar Tree @ $1

Printable from hollywould blog which I found on pinterest @ $0

Colored print from Staples @ $1.89

A candle I got as a gift! (I'm not huge into burning candles, but they are cute decorations!)

I began by taking some tape (that I had on hand) and wrapping it around the vases. I then painted each vase once and put it next to the heater to dry. I then did touch up on each vase. After they dried, I pulled the tape off, I noticed some imperfections (use painters' tape if you have it! I only had masking on hand so it didn't do as well as it could have) so I used some Q-tips to get the extra paint off. I placed the vases upside down on a baking sheet and put them in the oven, which I then turned to 350 degree. For 30 minutes I left the oven on, then I shut it off and let them cool. To make them more 'bathroom-y' I stuck bandaids in one, cotton balls in the next one, and Q-tips in the last. 

The picture I made in the summer. I downloaded the free printable onto a usb drive and went to Staples. The print took seconds. 

I then mounted the shelves...so easy! Much easier than I imagined. The directions are simple, and the most difficult part is making sure they are level (which you can fix a little if the screws aren't exactly right).

I put it together and WALA.