#jks

LAB. STUDY. CLINICAL. HOTEL ROOM. CLINICAL. WEDDING EMAILS. FAST FOOD. FAST FOOD GUILT. SONGS. CEREMONY. FAMILY. SHUTTLE SCHEDULE. HOTEL. WRITE CHECKS. SPEND MONEY. APPLY FOR JOBS. EDIT RESUME. CAREPLANS. SLEEP. TRY TO SLEEP. HEART RACING. STUDY. FEEL GUILTY. STUDY. JOB APPLICATIONS. THANK YOUS. LAUNDRY. CAFFEINE. SLEEP. STUDY.

 8 more days.

Then all the sleeps during Spring Break.

Thanks for sticking by while I ignore my blog. But I'm am [somewhat] active on insta (@cregan) and twitter (@yfgblog).

xoxo,

Cait

An InLinkz Link-up

weekend of my favorite things

If you follow me on instagram then you already know that B was in NOLA this weekend for his bachelor party and my bestie came to town to visit.  Nice how that worked out, huh?  It was actually more like this:

Jenni ended up having some southwest miles to cash in so it worked out pretty perfectly.

And we were awesomely productive while she kept my mind off the fact that my soon-to-be hubs was getting wild and crazy in a town where there are topless chicks on every street corner, the booze flows like Niagara Falls, and I don't entirely trust his friends. I love 'em, but I don't trust 'em.

I think play-by-play weekend updates are a little boring unless you've got super big news such as a) you birthed a child and have lots of pictures, b) you got engaged and have lots of pictures of the ring, 3) you got married and have lots of pictures.  Since none of THOSE happened, I'll just stick to sharing some pics from the weekend.

No pictures from Friday night but this should give you an idea.

Dragged our asses to the gym. Have I mentioned how much I am loving Planet Fitness?

Attempting to shop for bridesmaid jewelry at Kendra Scott.

The original pin that inspired my love of navy dresses. Ideally I'd like to recreate this necklace look but it is proving harder than expected.

Basically I want this bracelet in necklace form.  Which is apparently as hard as hunting down Bigfoot.

I do love the look of these five similar but not identical bracelets, though.

Our wine for the night.  Monogamy was excellent but I we also started with it which means by the time we got to Bliss this lightweight would have drank anything.

Our super fancy cheese/cracker/meat spread.  Maybe I should have registered for a cheese platter and cheese knives?

My adorable date for the weekend.

Recent hashtags.  #winningatlife

Romo couldn't make it so we had a 2 1/2 hour FaceTime date instead. Totally normal.

Saying our goodbyes at the airport.  See you a few weeks, friend!

We also managed to go out for sushi, take a Pure Barre class, hit up Starbucks, find some amazing deals at Langford Market, and do way too much online shopping. I blame the wine for that one. On the upside, I may have found wedding earrings and a rehearsal dinner dress so stayed tuned for those updates.

The heinous adorable gift my hubby-to-be brought me from his weekend away.  He honestly thinks it would make a good caketopper.  Sorry honey, but no.  Over my dead body (see what I did there?).

If you've made it this far, send me some good vibes. I've got my final exam for pediatrics this morning followed immediately by my ATI exam in the course as well.  Oh joy, a morning of tests.

xoxo,

Cait

pearly whites!

I am supposed to be cleaning my house right now since my bestie is come to visit while B is away at his bachelor weekend but instead I'm snuggling the pups and blogging.  Sorry, Jenni!

Before I get into my Follow Through Friday business, can I ask you all a favor?

Would you please take 30 seconds to send a valentine card to a sick child at Texas Children's Hospital?  It's quick, easy, and free.  You can send as many as you'd like. You can share it on all your social media outlets.

I just wrapped up my pediatric clinical rotation at TCH and it was amazing. Even the floors that didn't really excite me were wonderful. The kids are absolutely inspiring and their families are so strong.  I know now that I want to work there and that is exciting and terrifying.  But in the meantime, consider sending a valentine card or two or ten.

*********************************************

So what's new in my Follow Through Friday?  Pearly whites, that's what!

I few weeks back I mentioned that I wanted to start taking better care of my teeth and make them whiter.  I began by flossing every most evenings before bed and using a whitening gel a few nights a week.  I was seeing some improvement, and lots of bleeding from flossing, but really wasn't happy with the progress.  In particular I had a tooth that seemed really stained. I put extra whitener on it, flossed more around that tooth, and let my electric toothbrush just hang out on the tooth. But nothing was really doing it.

Today I went to a new dentist.  I hated the dentist I had to see on my old insurance - it was one of those box chain dentist stores.  Ugh.  But a friend who is from Houston recently graduated dental school and gave me a few referrals.  Note: If you're in the Houston area and need a new dentist, check out Dr. McEwen at Richmond Landing Family Dentistry.

I loved Dr. McEwen and his team!

WARNING: Do not judge my crowded bottom teeth! Or my uneven skin tone! I'm working on the skin and I hope to do Invisalign in the near future. (Yes, Mom, I should have worn my retainer. Or the orthodontist should have given me a permanent retainer like everyone else I know.)

Drumroll please......

I still feel like my teeth have room to whiten, but I've got a 2-hour Rembrant whitener kit that I'm going to do closer to the wedding.  But the big news is - LOOK AT THAT TOOTH! It was so stained (or so I thought) and turned out it was tartar that they could clean off.  Thank goodness (and eeew!!)! 

Latte through a straw is my new favorite thing.  And I think it will help keep my teeth nice and bright!

Now... anyone know where I can get one of those scrapey dentist tools? I'm sort of obsessed with having one since that my teeth are so clean!

How is Follow Through Friday going for you ladies? Any updates you want to share? Link up and check out the cohosts :)

xoxo,

Cait

which came first, the chicken or the ... funk?

I've been in a serious funk.  Not in all aspects of my life (wedding and school stuff is swell) but in terms of health... yikes.  Let me paint you an ugly picture: last week was my bachlorette which was amazing but full of booze, food, and no working out.  Then I had a terrible test to study for, which mean lots of Starbucks and fast food but, you guessed it, no working out.  I tried to work out Wednesday after my test but instead drove through Chick-fil-a before falling asleep at 7:30. No joke.  Thursdays are my clinical and guess what is right in the hospital? Damn Chick-fil-a.  And then last night, after a 13 hour day, my lovely beau called and I picked us up some, YOU GUESSED, mother-freaking-Chick-fil-a. AHHH.  Willpower, I don't have any.

But you know what else happened this week? I tried on my wedding dress with the alterations.  I love my dress but I am not happy with my armpit vaginas.

What does this have to do with my weird blog title? I'm getting to that. This is what happens when you blog while catching up on TV shows.  I've been in this funk. And eating lots of fast food... mostly chicken, which is actually a coincidence with this chicken/egg analogy.  So which is causing it? Am I in a funk and that's why I'm allowing myself to slide into such terrible habits? Or did I neglect my healthy habits which caused my funk?

Really though, does it matter?

So I did what any normal person would do. I laid in bed for an hour to debate going to the gym, then dragged myself there and posted a pre-gym seflie.  I won't lie, all those likes and comments certainly kept me going during my workout. Thanks, biatches.

In all seriousness I would love to just tone things up a scoach and slim down a tidge before March 8th gets here.  And it looks like that is going to mean buckling down with my fitness and eating boring (but predictable) meals like plain chicken, veggies without butter, fruit & spinach smoothies, and egg whites.  I also think I'm going to do the 24 day challenge. I ordered it today and will keep you updated when I plan to start. Thinking sometime next week but we'll see.

Gotta love the gym selfies, red face and all!

Alright, I need to write some thank you notes and shower before heading to Pure Barre.  That's right ladies, this chick is getting in TWO workouts today.  Booyah!

Be sure to join the link up with these kickass ladies! If I can link up at 3pm, so can you! Dream big!

Alright, really got to get my ass in gear.  Have a great weekend!!

xoxo,

Cait

currently...

I am writing this post at 12:30am on Tuesday while listening to a review module for tomorrow's exam.  It is basically talking about how toddlers are tyrants so it is also excellent birth control. Two birds, one stone!

I have discovered an excellent solution to our recycling problem.  Oh, you didn't know we had a problem? For the last year (or longer), we have just been stacking our recyclables in the corner of the bar counter in our kitchen.  It's relatively close to the garage and we can put all our recycling in one large container. So my wonderful solution is (drumroll please...) a brown paper bag! Now our recycling doesn't spread over the counter or fall on the floor. Plus, the whole bag just get thrown in our recycling bin.  I'm a genius.

follow me on twitter @yfgblog #shamelessplug

I'm kind of pissed that Grey's Anatomy isn't back yet. But seeing as though DirecTV users are no longer allowed on the ABC app, I'm mostly just mad at ABC. How rude!

I'm listening to all kinds of stuff on youtube trying to find our first dance song.  Any suggestions out there?

My diet is all over the place.  I think I might try to track my macros but we'll see how that goes. I'm pretty back at sticking to a strict plan like that if someone isn't actually giving me menu ideas for each meal.

I'm working on my PB challenge 30 classes in 40 days but I don't think I'll make it.  I'm out of town the next two weekends and can't ever make class on Thursdays due to clinical.

Speaking of out of town... my bachelorette party is this weekend! I'm heading to Dallas to meet up with a bunch of my girlfriends and my wonderful bestie is hosting the whole thing.  She is seriously a saint! Not sure how much will be appropriate to post, but you better believe I'll be on IG (@cregan85)!

Alright ladies, back to studying. Send me some good vibes this morning for my exam!

xoxo,

Cait

ps - thanks for the idea, roxy!

wedding lists

I'm feeling torn between relieved that it's already Wednesday and absolutely terrified that it is Wednesday so soon.  Does that make sense?

My mom came into town last weekend and spent a glorious 24 hours with me. Seriously, it was heavenly.  I don't realize how much I miss being around my mom until she's here with me.  Mom, want to move to Houston??

The main purpose of her visit was my first dress fitting! EEEKKK!  But along we way we managed to hammer out a few other wedding things as well.

dress fitting

ribbons for guest bags

guest book table decor

wedding ring

Sorry, you won't get to see more than this until the big day! via IG

But checking off all these things only made me realize how much else is left to be done. I thought I was on top of this wedding planning business. We got engaged in September 2012 and I had the venue and dress figured out by that Christmas.  Food and cake were done last spring.  Those are the big things, right?

Sort of. And wrong, too.  Turns out there are so many things I didn't foresee that really can only be handled in the last few months and that's where I am now.  According to our website, we have 53 days left.  And because lists makes me feel more at ease and more stressed all at once, let's see what's left to do, shall we?

ASAP
get in all RSVPs come on, people! this waiting game is torture and I really don't want to harass you
figure out final numbers for booze
find an officiant this is all on me, I know!
create seating arrangement
order wedding programs
order menus
print and frame family wedding pictures
figure out a guest book
confirm block of rooms at second hotel currently playing phone tag
order rehearsal dinner menus
dancefloor lighting options
slideshow rentals
ceremony readings/vows/details
find a new babysitting for receptions ours canceled
wedding card receptacle? birdcage? suitcase?

5 weeks prior (February 1-2nd)
give final counts for hair/makeup Feb. 1st
figure out timeline for day of - how/when are we getting to venue? Feb. 1st
final run through meeting with coordinator Feb.1st
finalize cake designs with cake lady Feb. 2nd
decide on bridesmaid jewelry Feb. 7th
arrange transportation with hotel Feb.8th
rehearsal dinner dress

3 weeks prior (February 15th)
edit photo list for photographer
finalize alcohol order

2 weeks prior (February 22nd)
give bar menu to venue for chalkboard 
freshen up hair cut & color

10 days out (February 26th)
give caterer final count

1 week out (March 1st)
give seating arrangement to venue 
finalize music for ceremony/cocktail hour/reception

week of (March 5-7th)
stuff and deliver guest bags to hotels
nail appointment
send in final payments
prepare tips for vendors

So how am I handling all of this?

Currently, I'm sipping on some Starbucks and snuggling with my pups to alleviate some of this stress.  I'm reminding myself that I like being busy. That having a plan will help me work through these things on the list.  I keep a little notebook in my bag which is where I write all my weddings things - phone calls I made, vendors I spoke with, checklists to do, ideas, and more.  In just 53 days, I will be getting married to the man of my dreams.  If the seating chart is wrong or we run out of vodka it will not be the end of the world. It won't even ruin my day.  The people we love will be there to see us begin this crazy journey together.  That is what really matters, and the rest? It's just icing on the yet-to-be-designed cake.

xoxo,

Cait

PS - If you can think of anything major that is missing off this list, please tell me!

please check out the co-hosts for Wedding Wednesday!

Welcome to Follow Through Friday!

It's the inaugural Follow Through Friday! Hip hip hooray!

If you want to stop reading here, then just watch this video. Chick is a bad ass.  It has inspired me and I may watch it everyday for the next 100 days to continue to motivate me.

Alright, onto the #FTF bizz!

I never really made any resolutions for the year so I guess now would be as good a time as any to figure some of those out.  Then, with the help of my lovely co-hosts and you guys, I can maybe stay on track with these bad boys!  I've never been that big on resolutions which is my way of saying I usually make them but haven't ever stuck to them.  But it seems to be a big thing to make "intentions" or find a word to embrace for the year, and those ideas are pretty attractive to me.  Unfortunately, I haven't been too successful at coming up with a word for myself and instead just want to steal everyone else's word.  If I come up with something grand, I'll be sure to let you know.

In no particular order....

(1) Pure Barre 30 in 40 Challenge
Starting on January 1st, I signed up for my studio's new year challenge to take 30 classes in 40 days.  As of today, we are 10 days in and I've taken 6 classes (this includes the I'm signed up for this evening).  I would have taken one Wednesday night but unfortunately couldn't make it there due to horrendous Houston traffic. I love my studio and feel great when I'm consistent about taking class so I know this one will be feasible.  I just to get my nursing schedule figured out!

(2) Run regularly
I don't have an exact meaning figured out yet for what I mean by "regularly" but I do know what it doesn't mean.  For the last 6 months or so, I'll run consistently for a few weeks, run a race, and then stop running for a few weeks.  Then it feels like such a daunting task to go out for that first run after taking so much time off. I don't know why I do it to myself because it is always easier to run when you're in the habit of it.  I've got a 10K coming up on Feb. 8th and I've done this distance enough times now that it doesn't intimidate me.  If I can run 3 times a week between now and then, I'll be content. No real training plan per say, but just getting out there and logging miles consistently.

Photographic evidence of my fastest 5K EVER and my first sub-30 3-miles!! This is after taking a few weeks off from running and it only motivates me more. Plus, it was at my potential new gym.

(3) Take care of myself
This one is so stupid it is embarrassing to admit.  I go to bed more often than I care to admit without brushing my teeth or washing my face or both.  And as a result, I've got zits like a 14 year old and yellow teeth like an 80 year old. HOT. Part of this is vanity for my upcoming wedding, but it's also just time to get my shit together.  I'm 28 years old! It's not like I'm coming home drunk every night and that's why I skip these things. It's generally because I've been blogging/studying/watching TV too late and I'm simply too tired. Well, no more excuses Cait - get it together!

(4) Take care of my house
Speaking of personal hygiene (I really am a clean person!), I need to also start being an adult when it comes to cleaning my home. I wish I had unlimited funds and could hire a housekeeper.  I love to wash dishes (seriously, it's therapeutic) but that's where my Suzie Homemaker skills ends.  Instead, I often neglect little chores for so long that it becomes this overwhelming task to clean my house, which causes me to put it off and then it just gets worse. Again, I'm a clean person! We don't live in a hoarder's house or anything. But I'm pretty sure I should vacuum at least once a week and if I did, then it wouldn't seem so bad.

I'm sure I could find another hundred things to improve on, but then I'd be in the same position as the last 10 years and I'd throw the whole list out the window.  Let's see how I manage on these things before adding anything else into the mix. 

Thanksgiving with my beautiful momma! Can't wait to see her this weekend!

Grab a button and link up to share what you're working on Following Through on and don't forget to share on IG and twitter with #FTF!  My mom's coming into town this weekend for my first dress fitting so I'm sure I'll have lots to share if we're friends on social media!

xoxo,

Cait

<div align="center">
<a href="http://yourfavoritegirlfriend.blogspot.com/" title="YFGB"><img src="http://www.fatchick2fitchickblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/follow-thru-friday.jpg" alt="YFGB" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Aubrey Leigh ALG Uninterrupted

Candra Camo & Lipstick

Jodi Love and Crayons

Mel 4 Kottez Runs It

Val Fabulous Chick Gets Fit

Jacquelyn Just Jacq

Jennifer Fat Chick to Fit Chick

decisions, decisions

THANK YOU for the feedback on my wedding problems yesterday! If you didn't already check it out, I'd love to hear your thoughts on invite etiquette and open bars.

I posed a question to the twitterverse the other evening about Planet Fitness gyms.  I haven't been a member at a gym for a few years now, instead working out at home (mostly running) and taking Pure Barre classes. I know, I still need to write a post on these.  It's coming, one day, I promise!

When I first moved to Houston I joined an expensive boutique gym at the prodding of my roommate. I began by taking Sunday yoga classes with her, which cost $10/week, and eventually realized I should just pay the $49/month to have full access to the place.  But I was locked into a 2 year contract and then moved all the way across Houston before the two years was up.  In case you don't know, Houston is HUGE.  I tried going back a few times but basically just made monthly donations to their fat pockets until my contract ran out. It was still cheaper than canceling early.

However, I'm beginning to see the allure of a joining gym again.  First, I miss using machines and lifting weights. At home, I have two 5-lb weights and B has this contraption where you can change the weight with a click of a button. But this thing starts at 10 lbs (which is pretty much my max) and there is only one of them.  If I can't do both arms at the same time it probably isn't going to happen. Just keeping it real, folks.

Secondly, there is a social aspect to a gym.  It's nice motivation to go there and see people working hard.  When I used to take BodyPump at the Y, you got to know people and if you missed a week then they asked about you.  I like that.  When I don't put in P90X or JM for a few weeks, they don't ask where I've been.  Rude.  

Thirdly, my Pure Barre classes don't always fit into my schedule. Especially now that school has started.  Even though my lab got out early at 5:30pm last night, I couldn't make it to the studio by 7:00pm for class due to Houston's crazy traffic.  If I belong to a gym, then on days when I plan for PB but it doesn't work out, that doesn't have to mean skipping a workout all together. Instead I can just head on over to the gym.

And I'm almost embarrassed to mention the other reason I'm considering Planet Fitness. Yes, it's close to my house. Yes, it's open 24-hours most days.  Yes, it's affordable.  But you know what else they have? Free tanning beds for Black Card members.  And you know what pasty lady is getting married in 2 months? Yup, this girl.  I get pretty orange from spray tans (as a few friends can attest to) but tanning beds, despite all their evils, actually turn this pale Irish lass into an almost-bronze beauty.  And I would only do it until the wedding - then no more. I'm not trying to get skin cancer or leathery skin, y'all.

So I did what any normal girl would do.  I took the gym for a test drive.

Lots of #selfiepride going on here. Especially in that last picture when a homegirl walked in as the camera when "click" and totally caught me.  Note to self, turn the phone on silent so the selfies aren't as obvious.

And then when I got home I did the next natural thing.  Ordered new shoes.

I love these shoes but feel like the white is a little in your face with leggings and/or my nearly translucent legs.  Maybe when I have a tan I'll feel differently?

Do you belong to a gym? Have a gym membership story to share? I'd love to hear it before I sign my life away!

xoxo,

Cait

PS - Our Follow Thru Friday link-up starts tomorrow! Hope you come join us as we share what we're going to follow through in 2014.

I need a little help from you!

Being that it's Wednesday and the blogging world loves a good #weddingwednesday post, I'm here with a few problems for which I could use your help.  I'm certainly not Emily Post and my wedding isn't going to be a stuffy affair (no offense if yours was or will be!) but I still adhere to what I believe are the basic tenets of etiquette.  

So, with a little help from my favorite housewife....

First, RSVPs.  

We sent out save the dates waaaaay back in August since most guests would be traveling to the wedding.  Invitations were then sent out last month and the RSVP cards stated to please send in your reply by January 18th. That gives us a few weeks for stragglers so we can finalize numbers with our vendors before the big day.  I'm not even going to stress about the stragglers at this point - I'm sure there will be some and we'll cross that wedding bridge when we get to it.

My question for you all is, how do you handle it when you invited just the Mr. and Mrs. but the RSVP is for the whole fam damily? 

via

To give you a little more background info: we are having some kids at the wedding but very close kids - my nephew (the ring bearer), my little sisters, my cousins' kids who are traveling from out of state.  That's it.  This RSVP for couple plus 3 kiddos came from a relative but we are not close with them.  Additionally, they don't live that far from the venue (no hotel required) and my impression is the kids' grandmother lives close enough to watch the kids.  Call me a B if you want (bitch or bridezilla, take your pick) but we just don't want a lot of kids running around our wedding.  And the kids we do want are the kids we like have a close relationship with!  

via

Secondly, alcohol.

If you've planned a wedding or are planning one or are a wedding planner or a bartender, I NEED YOUR HELP!  B and I are having a really difficult time figuring out how much booze we need.  We do not want to run out of drinks but I'm not really interested in grossly overbuying either.

via

We're having a cocktail hour after the ceremony and then our reception will be about 4 hours long. Both will have an open bar - beer, wine, liquor, margaritas.  Our bartenders recommended more bottled beer than keg beer for two reasons that I thought were pretty excellent: bottled beer is faster to serve (pop a top and go versus pouring from tap) and you get to take it with you after the wedding. Can't take a keg you didn't finish back to the hotel! 

We're hoping to have between 150-160 guests and about 10 of those are kids.  So thinking about 150 drinking guests.  Maybe 50% of our people are beer drinkers, followed by 30% mixed drinks and 20% winos.  We're just making one batch of margaritas, which will serve 75 guests, mostly for the sake of having them since it's a Texas wedding in a barn.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this bar issue.   

How many drinks would you have between a cocktail hour and a 4 hour reception (with dinner)? Would you switch between drinks or stick to one kind?  If you've planned a wedding, please share with me what your bar order looked like and if you thought it was too much, too little or just right.

via

Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go pour myself a glass of wine while I anxiously await your suggestions!

Cheers,

Cait

Be sure to check out the co-hosts for the link-up!

long time no see

Helllllo everybody! I trust everyone has had a wonderful holiday season and happy new year!  While I haven't been very good about blogging lately, I have been fairly active on instagram and twitter.  Give me a follow, why dontcha? Or comment!

Nothing is more entertaining to me than "chatting" with you guys on IG and twitter. Consider this, while you enjoy your snow day or head back to work as I'm heading back to school today!

My break was pretty busy, shuffling back and forth between Austin and Houston to celebrate the holidays and taking care of wedding things.  Note - OH MY GOSH. I thought I was pretty well prepared for our wedding and then all of the sudden the world was like "HEY. You don't have enough going on with the holidays and starting your final semester of nursing school so let's load up the wedding crap, ok??"  I feel a bit like a chicken with my head cut off at the moment and have a sneaking suspicion that this feeling won't go away until March 8th (wedding).  Or April 25th (graduation). Or May whatever when I take my boards. OR EVER.

Breathe, Caitlin.

So you know what I didn't do a lot of over the holidays?  Work out.  I tried, sort of, if walking the dogs to Starbucks with your mom counts as exercise.  And with the exception of roughly 4 bottles of wine per week, my eating wasn't that terrible.

B's newest nickname for me is "lush."  Can't say I'm offended since it seems to be true!

But luckily this amazing blogging world has hooked me up with some pretty fantastic new friends and we're starting a link-up to keep each other (and you!) in check.

Make sure you come back on Friday for Follow Thru Fridays to share how you're staying on top of your goals.  Share your progress training for a race, staying on a diet, keeping your resolutions - whatever! They don't even have to be training related.  And if you're not a blogger you can still join in on the fun. Remember at the beginning of this post when I pimped out graciously shared my IG and twitter accounts? Well post there with the hashtag #FTF and we can check in on each other.  Hell, tag me in your post and then I'll have a little distraction from my mountains of studying!

Alright, time to get my larger-than-I'd-like booty to school.  Wish me luck on my last semester!

xoxo,

Cait

PS - Not quite ready to follow thru on your resolutions? Then just procrastinate a little more by checking out my co-hosts blogs.  Trust me, you'll love these ladies!

Aubrey Leigh http://alguninterrupted.blogspot.com/

Candra http://camoandlipstick.blogspot.com/

Jodi http://www.loveandcrayons.com/

Mel http://www.4kottez.blogspot.com

Val http://www.fabchickgetsfit.com/

Jacquelyn http://www.justjacq.com/

Jennifer http://www.fatchick2fitchickblog.com/