It's Been a Rough Week

Red Cat Print Blouse - Forever 21

White Polka Dot Shorts - Old Navy

Black Tights - Target

Cheetah Bow Flats - Ross

I made it through the week. My week started off on a rough start. I was feeling completely off and I wasn't sure what was wrong with me. I felt tired and like I was forgetting something. On Tuesday, I made a huge mistake at work and I thought I might be put on probation or fired. I couldn't sleep and I couldn't eat. I felt horrible. On Wednesday I went to work, crying, and my boss and I spoke about what happened. She said I wasn't going to be fired so I felt some relief. I just couldn't get over the fact that I was so irresponsible and unorganized. The week ended on a good note when I went to a training. I felt refreshed and I learned so much. The above outfit pictures were taken on Friday. I felt super cute in my cat shirt. I even wore it out to get drinks with my friends. Some guy complimented my shirt which let's face it, it's funny when guys compliment clothing. 

I hope this week is better. It's definitely going to be shorter - three work days and two holidays. I need this four day weekend badly. However, I have so much work to get done this week. Here goes nothing!

Love, 

Hey girl, I like your style

I like a fierce chick who doesn't give a damn. Style-wise I like when people take risks and stand by their style choices. Today I was listening to this amazing song by Grace Potters and the Nocturnals called, "Never Go Back." I saw Grace Potter live about a year and a half ago and she was amazing. She has such a powerful voice and presence on stage and I literally fell in love. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals just released a new album called, "The Lion The Beast The Beat" and it's such an great album.

Aside from her music, she has a style that is uniquely her. Although I won't be prancing around in short skirts any time soon I definitely appreciate and love her style. It's rugged and tough and pretty all at the same time. Not to mention her hair is super cute.

Who is your style inspiration? My list goes on and on... 

Love, 

Jessica's Birthday Shenanigans

I've been playing catch up with all my photos because of my "mini hiatus."

Let me tell you a little something about me. I love going out with friends to restaurants and talking and laughing over delicious food. Since starting my weight-loss journey, it's been difficult for me to do that without going slightly overboard. However, Jessica is great because she loves fresh, healthy food and I can count on her to try anything with me. For her birthday we had sushi at Ikiru Japanese Restaurant. I have a slight obsession with sushi because it's always fresh and always has great flavor. This sushi restaurant is one of my favorites because of the variety of sushi rolls and the fresh ahi poke salad. After sushi, we headed over to Wine Steals to drink some delicious wine. I had a red and then a sparkling wine. Overall, a great night with wonderful people... oh and YUMMY food!

Ahi Poke salad with an amazing apple garnish

My splurge item: spicy calamari

the "Harbor Roll" with spicy tuna, cucumber on the inside and seared hamachi and fire sauce on the outside. 

With the birthday girl! 

Wine Steals - look at all that wine!

A peek at the menu

My red wine (wish I could remember the name!)

With Jessica and her sister at Wine Steals

Jessica with her sister on the "sexy red couch"

Enjoying some wine! Wish it was in focus! hehe

Happy belated Birthday Jessica!

Until next time, keep smiling.

Monday Weigh-In 002

Let's start with my Monday weigh-in. It's not a big change but it's a change. I told my sister today that I am out of the 220's and that I was never going back. It's so encouraging to know that my hard work is paying off. It's not easy - in fact, this weekend was really difficult. I was off work on Friday and Monday due to my sister's graduation from Cal Poly Pomona. When I'm not at work I tend to fall out of my routine and I don't eat when I should and if I am eating, it's not always "on plan". I feel that I had a great weekend due in part to a wonderful hike I had on Saturday (post to come). I, for the most part, logged all my food. I've stopped making myself feel bad for eating the "wrong" thing because let's face it, we all have bad days - or moments. It's okay. Food happens. 


I'm really happy that restaurants are starting to provide nutrition information. It's really helpful for me to get an idea of how many calories I am consuming. Applebee's, IHOP, and Mimi's Cafe does a great job of providing "Light and Fit" menu items. Although, I take the calorie value as a rough "guessimate," it helps me figure out how many calories I will be able to have throughout the rest of my day. Sometimes I get stressed out when I go out to eat with my friends and family. For example, tonight my parents wanted to go to a neighborhood Mexican restaurant and I stared at the menu unsure of what to order. I settled with a shrimp salad with Caesar dressing on the side. I also ordered a bean tostada - although it wasn't the healthiest option, I knew I had the extra calories to consume. However, I've noticed that heavy food like the bean tostada tend to hurt my stomach now. Is it a sign? I'll go with "yes!"

Friday

Shirt: Target, L

Skirt: Forever 21+, 1X

Sandals: Target, 9

Accessories: Earrings, Clarie's; Bracelet: H&M; Glass Ring, Hawaiian Market Vendor

Friday Night

My little sister graduates! Congratulations Karina!

Jacket: Target, XL

Dress: Target, XXL

Belt: H&M, L

Monday

Shirt: Forever 21+, 1X

Belt: H&M, L

Jeans: Old Navy, 18

Sandals: Target, 9

What a busy weekend! I wish I found more time to work out (Sunday/Monday) but driving from San Diego to Pomona and back to San Diego takes a lot out of you. I just wanted to relax before going back to work tomorrow. 


Although it was a busy weekend, I had fun with my friends and family. I am so proud of my sister for graduating from college! Now she'll be home and we can find ways to help motivate one another. One thing she already helped me with is cleaning out my closet. It's also a few pounds lighter! Awesome! 


Until then, keep smiling! 


Kristen 

The Way Things Fit

I've been working really hard to track my food intake this week. Some days I want to just throw in the towel and "guesstimate" how much food I'm eating but it didn't work for me in the past, so the more "educated" part of me know it's not possible to not track right now. Every day it's the same thing. I wake up, I make breakfast, I make my lunch, get ready for work, and I track. It becomes really time consuming. However, this week I made more of an effort to look nice enough though I didn't wash my hair. (Who washes their hair every day?!) Here are the outfits I wore this week. 

Wednesday

Dress: Target, L

Cardigan: Old Navy, XL

Belt: Old Navy, XL

Sandals: Target, 9

This dress hugged my curves (and my stomach) and at first I was self-conscience about wearing it but I figured, I better get use to it because it's such a pretty dress (and my boyfriend bought it for me as a gift!) A lot of my coworkers really liked the dress and thought it was cute. That made me feel good.

Thursday

Blouse: JCPenney, I Heart Ronson, XL

Cardigan: Target, XL

Pants: Old Navy, 16

Shoes: Target, 9

Friday

Jacket: JCPenney, L

Shirt: Target, L

Jeans: Old Navy, 16

Sandals: Target, 9

Accessories: Necklace, Old Navy; Blue Glass Ring, Hawaii Market Vendor; Large Silver Ring, Target; Flower Silver Ring, PacSun

I'm starting to feel good in my clothing and that's what's important to me. There was a time when I couldn't wear those brown dress pants from Old Navy. They wouldn't even CLOSE! I was embarrassed for myself - it's not like anyone outside of my bedroom knew I couldn't fit them anymore but just knowing that I had once again let myself gain weight made me upset with myself. I knew I had to make a conscience effort to fit these pants and feel healthy again. When I gained weight I felt sluggish, heavy, and all-round depressed. It's really draining to constantly tell myself that my body deserves better and then I don't follow through. On my 25th birthday I knew it was time to stop making false promises and to finally commit myself to a program that worked for me. What worked for me was actually GOING to the gym and keeping track of my food intake. That's the only way this journey can go... so far, so good. I cannot wait to have to buy NEW clothes! 

Until next time, keep smiling!!

Kristen