a winning combo!

What's that you ask? What is this winning combination?

Losing weight and getting paid!

Considering that I ate my way through nursing school stress AND I got my last paycheck this week, I'd say that this is right up my alley at the moment.

So my numero uno for this week's 5 on Friday is.....

<<1>>
DIET BET!

A whole bunch of bloggers have joined Diet Bet in an effort to lose 4% of our body weight in 4 weeks.  You put $30 into the pot (plus a $2.95 fee for first time users like yours truly) and then at the end the winners split the pot.  So basically, I can AT LEAST get my $30 bucks back assuming I lose the weight.  And hopefully realistically, some other peeps won't be successful and then I can make a little extra moolah!

Here's a video to help explain it:

And you can register for the DietBet here. Neon Fresh is putting the whole shebang together!

<<2>>
I'm officially on vacay! Granted, it only lasts until August 26th, but I'll take what I can get. My brain needs to relax and my body needs a detox from caffeine and fast food. Which leads me to....

<<3>>
I'm starting the Advocare 24 Day Challenge again for the third time. My attempt in June failed but I figure I've got all the makings of a successful run.  I'm motivated. B is back at work so I'll be on schedule even on break. B is back at work so I won't be tempted to get fast food as much at all. And I'll have adequate time to prep, which really worked against me in June when nursing school hit full swing.

<<4>>
Before I dedicate myself to eating clean, I'm enjoying all my mom has to offer. That's right, I'm hanging with the fam for a few days in Austin.  And there is no chance I can turn down a glass of wine from my mom or grandmother.  For example, we just went out for delicioso mexican food (re: margaritas) and now I'm enjoying this:

Wine + brownies. The dessert of bloggers everywhere!

<<5>>
My trial run for wedding hair & makeup is tomorrow! Follow me on instagram (@cregan85) for updates. And I'll be sure to post on how it all goes next week so check back!

<<6>>
I know, this is more than the linkup promotes. But if you haven't entered Sam's giveaway for a $25 Target giftcard then you've still got a few hours.  Giveaway ends TONIGHT at midnight, folks.  And it only takes seconds!

What have you guys got going on this weekend? Any guilty pleasures you're indulging in this weekend?

xoxo,
Cait

moley moley moley

Anyone else think of Austin Powers when you read the title?

via

I had big plans when I went to bed last night. And NONE of those plans happened today.

Let me back up for a bit. I visited a dermatologist a few months ago because I was having breakouts and couldn't get them under control. I was angry and frustrated that at 27 years old I had pimples. And, hello, I'm getting married next spring! The meds I was precribed at first did NOT agree with me. My skin was red, and super dry - I'm talking big flakes.  So I took the matter into my own hands and gave myself a ghetto at-home microderm abrasion followed by a few days of neosporin.

I DO NOT recommend doing this! It ended up working out but it also could have really scarred my skin. Once I recovered I continued with my meds and lots of moisturizer.

Fast forward to this Thursday...

I had an appointment with my dermatologist at 8am, so I set my alarm for 6:05 thinking I would get a nice, cool morning run in before heading off to my appointment.  Or, if I happened to sleep in (like I tend to do), I would go for a run at Rice University after my appointment.

If you live in Houston, you know how great the running trail is at Rice University AND how close it is to the med center.  Win win.

Well, you know that saying about making plans and God laughing? The old man upstairs had quite the gutbuster today.

I woke up at 7:28am for my appointment.  Which was at 8:00am. 25 miles away. In terrible traffic.

I threw on running clothes (still thinking things will work out, folks) and headed out the door.  No makeup? No problem - it's a derm appointment. She needs to see my skin. 

My skin is much improved but there are still zits hiding there.  Don't worry, you'll see them.  And THANK BABY JESUS for eyelash extensions!

What I was not thinking about what the fact that I was also getting a mole removed. See that mole under my right eye? Yup, got that sucker cut right off.

I had no idea that a tiny little mole would sidetrack my day. But oh, how it did.

No more mole! And lashes all globbed up with neosporin.  Can you spot the zits still lingering around?

The local anesthetic made me feel so weird. It was a tiny procedure but it really took it out of me.  My whole eye area was completely numb, the neosporin was gooping up my eye (and lashes!), plus it was starting to swell and bruise. 

So I headed home and napped. For 5 hours. And then went to the movies and got Chinese takeout. Because that's what you do when it looks like you got punched in face.

Great day for taking it easy and not having to wear makeup.  Not such a great day for working out and eating healthy.

But hey, there's always tomorrow. Right?

Any of you ever have those days where you can't accomplish anything?

xoxo,

Cait 

PS - Have you entered the $25 Target giveaway from Sam yet?  Well, what are you waiting for??

stds and website

Did you think this would be a pervy post? Shame on you!

We sent out our Save the Dates (STDs) last week, which meant finally finalizing the wedding website.  That thing was sort of the thorn in my side.  I enjoyed doing parts of it (like our story) but for the life of me I couldn't get B to write up his parts about the groomsmen.  I ended up doing it, but I feel like know the stories are much less personal than the ones I wrote about my bridesmaids. You win some, you lose some.

Anywho, I'm not totally comfortable putting our wedding website out there for strangers to see because what if a crazy stalker booked a room at our hotel to murder us showed up at the ceremony? But here's a screen grab of the site:

I found lots of those wedding site services to be sort of crappy (no offense, the Knot!).  None of them really spoke to me and the feel I'm hoping to get with this wedding.  And I do not have the time or the know-how to build a website up from scratch.  Big props to you ladies out there that do! Way impressed over here! 

The template I ended up using was from WeddingWire and for a small fee I could buy our own domain name. Plus, it is set up to play music. Sold and sold!

BIG NEWS!

This coming Saturday I am having a trial run for hair and makeup! I'm pretty excited and I've been pinning inspiration like crazy.  I will definitely be updating on instagram, so feel free to follow me (@cregan85).  Hopefully I will get a full post up about it next week for Wedding Wednesday!

Lastly, since we're on the topic of weddings...

3 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Got Married

This article is well timed for all those brides to be out there. In a day and age where divorce is all too common, it certainly can't hurt to keep things in perspective when it comes to the "happily ever after" idea of marriage.  The story doesn't end at the wedding... it is just beginning.

Note: I'm not hating on divorcees out there. My parents split a long time ago. Both remarried and my stepparents are a wonderful blessing to me! But my concern is people who get married and then divorced 6 months later - maybe it wasn't that thought out? 

Nordstrom Bridal Style Video

I've watched this video a few hundred times and I love it.  The basis is a gorgeous simple wedding dress that has been styled in multiple ways. It's under 2 minutes and reinspired me for making my wedding "my own" without feeling the overwhelming pressure to "out-pinterest" other brides.  Ya catch my drift?

Taaarrrrrget Giiiiiiveaaawaaaaaaay! (Oprah voice)
My buddy Sam over at Sam Ispa Loquitur has just survived the bar exam and in celebration SHE is giving YOU (or me, cause I'm going to win that bish) a $25 Target giftcard.  Head on over and enter.  Plus, there aren't ninety-thousand ways to enter, which I greatly appreciate!
Contest ends Friday night, yo!

Go check out the Wedding Wednesday link up!

xoxo,
Cait 

 

red badge of courage

Not a whole lot to say because I'm slaving over pharmacology for the next 2 weeks.

BUT.

I have a little treat for you!

warning: lots of period talk

I stumbled upon this on Buzzfeed (a procrastinator's best friend) and guess this is the ad campaign for a monthly service dedicated to your lady bits.  

Hello Flo.

Not sure I'll be subscribing to that one anytime soon but it makes for a hilarious commercial.

Any gems you've stumbled upon lately on the internets??

Love, Cait

This post was not sponsored by Hello Flo. I was not endorsed in any way. I just thought it was too good to share.

sunday social: foooood

Another week, another link up with Ashley and Neely for The Sunday Social.  This week's topic is one of my favorites... food!

1. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

For a girl who loves food, this one is pretty hard to answer. For the rest of my life? Uhhh... fruit.  I know, I know, it's kind of cheating but it's my blog and I make the rules.  Haha! 

Seriously thought, I could do a lot with fruit and it would satisfy my sweet tooth. Kind of.

2. What's your guilty pleasure/comfort food?

Dr. Pepper fountain drink with crushed/Sonic ice (not from a can, eww)

huge caramel Frappucinos from Starbs

candy

If you can get it at a movie theater, I'm all over that.

3. What's the weirdest/craziest thing you've ever eaten?

Rattlesnake.  I don't recommend it and I have an intense phobia of snakes.  

 

Sidenote: If you live in Austin or plan on visiting, go visit Hudson's on the Bend.  The food is excellent, they love wine, and they're always cooking up interesting meats.

4. What foods do you avoid at all costs?

Really fatty cuts of red meat. I love steak.  I crave red meat. But I like it medium rare and super lean.  I know that the fat gives it flavor, but I cannot stomach chewing on it.  B on the other hand will gladly eat the chunks of fat that I cut off from my steaks.

5. What meal reminds you of your childhood?

Mustgoes! At our grandmother's house, whenever she needed the fridge cleaned out of leftovers and small amounts of food, it all got heated up and set out. We filled our plates with whatever was there because Grandmother said, "It must go!" Whatever wasn't eaten that night was thrown out.

Or breakfast for dinner. Always a winner in our house!

6. Share one of your favorite recipes and the story behind it.

Confession: I don't cook really.  I can grill up some veggies or make a mean quesadilla, but I just don't have a huge interest in cooking. Plus, B and I have pretty opposite schedules during the school year (i.e. he is teaching and coaching until 9pm).  I don't know about you guys, but I think it's hard to cook for just yourself and I usually buy more food than I need so it gets thrown out before I can use it. And that is money in the garbage.

via

Cait's Famous Bomb Ass Salad

spinach leaves

feta cheese or blue cheese

hardboiled eggs (sliced)

craisins

sunflower seeds

cherry tomatoes

carrots (sliced, shredded, or baby)

avocado, cubed

strawberries, sliced

celery, sliced

red pepper, sliced

Briannas Blush Wine Vinaigrette

Make sure everything is washed. Slice and dice things to your pleasing. Toss in a bowl. Drizzle with Briannas Blush Wine Vinaigrette.  Impress everyone you know.

You can also add shredded chicken, if you're feeling adventurous.

Can't wait to see what delicious recipes you've all got!

xoxo, 

Cait