Summertime is Berry Time

     Last Wednesday was my first weigh in for Weight Watchers and my first full week on the "diet."  I managed to lose 7 lbs - woo hoo.  I don't think I'll lose that much when I take my weight tomorrow, but whatever it is, it is.  The hardest thing for me is eating breakfast, but I've found something that I like - it's only 4 points - and I can actually stomach it in the morning.  I call it "Euge's Berry Breakfast," and it consists of the following:
(1) Single Service Chobani 0% Fruit - I like rasberry, strawberry, or blueberry best.  I buy a variety and try and alternate each morning.
(2) 1 cup of mixed berries - right now I'm buying blueberries, rasberries, and blackberries.
(3) Put it all into a small cereal bowl, mix it up, and voila - Euge's Berry Breakfast.
     I'd also like to bring up something else that I'm doing, which I started last Tuesday and is a 14 day commitment.  In my all things berry theme, I'm doing the Applied 14-Day Acai Berry Cleanse.  You have to take two vitamins with 8 ozs of water before breakfast and another two vitamins with 8 ozs of water before bed.  The vitamins taste like berries so they don't repulse me.  I figured that after a couple years of eating horribly what could doing this hurt?  So far, I've had no negative reactions to this, which I was worried about, but we'll see if it did anything once I've completed it (a week from today). 
     One thing that I've learned is that it takes a lot of work to be a disciplined and responsible person with food.  If you can find something that you actually enjoy eating and stick with that one thing each morning for breakfast it will make your life a lot easier.

Preppy at Bedtime

     Over the years - despite hating to iron - I have developed a love affair with button down shirts.  To me, nothing looks better than a button down shirt - it dresses up jeans & shorts and has a conservative sexiness about it that I find very appealing.  They scream Americana and summer is when I like to wear these button downs most.  For some reason, the light cotton and rolled up sleeves is surprisingly cooling in the hot summer months. 

     However, here is where I am forced to digress.  I have become obsessed with button down shirts for bedtime.  It all started about three years ago when my husband started giving me his old dress shirts that he no longer wore.  I started sleeping in them and really don't enjoy sleeping in anything else.  I was in Bloomingdales and discovered the Ralph Lauren button down shirt/dress pajamas and have started to build up quite a collection.  I'd like to encourage all of you girls out there to give these pj's a try.  Sometimes, they even pop up at Marshall's for $19.99 in the off colors, but it's such a happy day for me when I can snag one there. 

     Just like button down shirts for daytime need to be drycleaned and/or washed and ironed so do these pajamas.  I have discovered that if I air dry them out of the wash they look crisp and clean and great for sleeping in again and again.  If anyone else out there is in love with these for slumber, please let everyone out there know.  They really are wonderful!

The Un-Diet

     As most of my readers know, I've referenced the fact that I've been dieting for the better part of five years.  Maybe it was the Jennifer Hudson (she looks fantastic) commercials for Weight Watchers or the fact that I got on my scale and gained 20 pounds since I got married nine months ago, but I realized that it was time to make a change.  I've starved myself, done the cookie diet, got all hopped up on diet pills from GNC, eatten for my blood type, blah, blah, blah, but alas I always put the weight back on and then I get depressed.  So, I signed up for Weight Watchers online program on Wednesday, April 28, 2010.  I was going to weight myself today, but I got scared and decided against it.  I'm going to give myself a full week - until Wednesday, May 5, 2010. 
     I definitely feel thinner - my clothes felt a little looser today.  I've never been on a diet where I've gotten to eat so much food.  It's really unbelievable and counting the points is like playing a game. I will post my progress on Wednesday.  Wish me luck.  Maybe once I start dropping the pounds, I'll finally start running again.  FYI - what better time to start running than Florida in the summer time?

Spring Has Sprung

     Besides the April Showers and high pollen count - Spring has sprung and nothing to me says Spring better than Tulips.  I went to my local Field of Flowers this past Saturday to purchase some flowers for a bouquet on my kitchen island.  I chose redish/pink Tulips and Tiramisu and Scarlett Spray Roses.  Upon checking out, I received some interesting tips/trivia for Tulips that I did not previously know:
     (1) Tulips are one of the only cut flowers that continue to grow once they've been cut - interesting and now that I know this I've observed that over the past three days they've grown at least one inch.
     (2) Do you hate how Tulips and Gerber Daisies stop standing up straight?  I certainly do and to combat that you can place a penny in your vase.  Apparently, the copper from the penny does something and prevents the Tulips from drooping.  Three days in and my Tulips are standing tall.
     (3) Did you know that you can keep your Tulips color truer longer by placing an ice cube each morning into the vase?  I did not know this either and so far it has been working.
     I've attached a picture of my most recent bouquet.  I'd like to let everyone know that spray roses are an inexpensive way to get the beauty of a rose without the cost.  A bunch of spray roses is $3.45 (I purchased two) and a bunch of Tulips is $6.95 - I was able to make this bouquet for less than $15.00.  I also find spray roses to be a much more attractive "filler" than your traditional babies breath or greenery.  Let me know if you have any other interesting bouquet tips.

We're Staying Put

     After several months of looking for a house (unsuccessfully) we've decided to stay put in the apartment that we've rented for the past two years.  This was initially a hard pill for me to swallow.  However, after I let the idea settle in I became okay about it.  We've decided to re-decorate, which I, of course, love.  Over the years we've amassed a hodge-podge of furniture and accessories.  I'm cleaning house.  We're breaking out the wedding gifts.  Tomorrow is the big day!  Our brand new wall unit is being delivered and assembled.  I will make sure to post some pictures for all of you once it's all set up and squared away.  The living room, the largest of the three rooms in my apartment, is undergoing a major overhaul.  Aside from the wall unit we've got a new coffee table on the way.  To make Matt go for any of this he had a price, which in man-speak is our new 50" plasma TV.  Don't worry, it will fit in the wall unit.  I've double checked. 

     I've got a beautiful, antique, barrel chair that my mom gave me, which I upholstered 2 years ago and will admit that I chose the wrong fabric.  Luckily, for me, I was given another antique chair from my mom that I chose the correct fabric for and I'm on a mission to correct my mistake.  I also bought a very nice ottoman from Home Goods 4 years ago.  My mom has assured me that she has a great new fabric store.  We're going to pick out fabric and have the barrel chair and ottoman upholstered to work in a set with my other chair.  I really enjoy picking out fabric and having my furniture changed by simply changing the upholstery.  Does anyone else enjoy this too? 
     I'm on a mission to find a new throw rug for in front of my sofa.  The sofa is the big brown elephant in the living room.  We vascilated about purchasing a new sofa too, but squashed that idea because that is something that will wait until we move.  Maybe, I'll pick out fabric and have a slipcover made.  I'm still not sure about that one.  I'll keep you posted.  Pictures to follow, my friends in the blogosphere.

I'm a Road Warrior

     This past weekend, Matt and I officially leased our first car together as a married couple.  What an experience!  It's a Monday so I'm exhausted, but my quiet and soft spoken husband is truly a master negotiator.  I was so impressed and it was nice to see how pleased he was with himself.  We've had such a nice time driving around together and taking turns driving.  While we don't have a huge need for our new SUV - I wanted to be a road warrior again - Matt is scared...If you see me on the road, make some room!

Olivia Riegel...I Love You!

     No - I'm not gay, but yes, I'm in love with a picture frame designer named Olivia Riegel.  I was so happy when I got to put together my wedding registry at Bloomingdales and I selected one of her frames and got it as a bridal shower gift (see left).  It displays the one and only photo that I have out of the wedding and it's prominately displayed in my living room.  I've even turned my mom onto her and she assures me that she is going to get them for me as gifts from time to time.  I absolutely cannot wait. 
     Here is a brief description from one of her retailers:  "Olivia Riegel products are gorgeous handmade enameled and Austrian crystal jeweled frames, candlesticks, trays, bottle stoppers, and boxes. We know that you will be extremely thrilled with the quality of these items, hand enameled, and decorated with Swarovski crystals. Olivia Riegel hails from Texas and her works are collected worldwide."
     I only collect her frames (for now), but I can definitely see why people collect her work.  She creates the perfect mix of flash and understated.  I've attached some of my favorite designs below.  Let me know what you think of Olivia Riegel - if you haven't heard of her before take some time to learn about her now.  I guarantee that even if you don't become obsessed like myself, you'll certainly appreciate her creativity. 
     The frames start at $50 and go all the way up to $300+, but on average these are very reasonable and will last forever.  They also usually go on sale whenever Bloomingdales has a home sale - unlike some other high end brands that use Swarovski crystals - the ones that come to mind are Jay Strongwater and L'Objet (these never go on sale).  If you're trying to think of a nice gift for a mom, grandma, or friend don't forget about Olivia Riegel!