Mardi Gras!

Happy Fat Tuesday! I've had my Fat Sunday and Monday, so today I'm back to healthy. I love long weekends, however this one wasn't as good on my waistline! I don't really celebrate Mardi Gras, but if I was in New Orleans I would have the fun mask with feathers and green and purple and tons of beads. Although I'm not a flasher, so I'd have to probably buy my own beads, haha.

I am not Catholic, however I do want to give up something for this Lent time. (Lent is the time between Ash Wednesday, which is tomorrow, and Easter Sunday. During this time Jesus was in the wilderness and fasted for 40 days. This is the 40 days Christians today use to give up something. In ancient times they would give up all animals products except for fish. But today it is much more relaxed, it would usually be something like alcohol, dessert or red meat. I usually like to revisit my New Year's resolutions as well as give up something that is a little more difficult for me.) I will let you know tomorrow what I plan on giving up, I still haven't decided. Are you giving up anything for Lent or would like to?

Even if you're not a Christian during this time you can devote a little alone time to meditate or do some calm breathing and a couple of yoga poses for a month. It can't hurt!
By the way, I personally love yoga, it is so calming and centering and the breathing brings down your blood pressure and can help reduce your heart rate.

Whatever you plan to do in the next month and half I hope you are physically, mentally and spiritually healthy.

Box of Dog Toys

Back in December I found the website of one of my dog's favorite toys. The good thing about his favorite toy was that he couldn't tear it apart! He's a boston terrier (sometimes terror) and loves to pull apart toys and take the squeaker out.
On the website they were giving away toys to those that entered the contest and I thought I might as well try. Rocky could definitely use some toys that he couldn't destroy. I signed up for the contest and then forgot about it.

Less then a week went by and I got a box and thought nothing of it because it was Christmas time and I thought it was a gift. Then when I actually looked at the box I realize it said Rocky's name on it and I still didn't put two and two together. I open the box and it is FILLED with dog toys. I was so excited! Rocky got a couple toys at first and I have to say he did destroy 1 or 2, but there are some that continue on!

It always excites me when I win things and makes me try again for more contests. You never know if you're going to win! And even if it's not something you need, it could be your best friend's lucky day!

If you want to check out these dog toys the company is JWpet.com.

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Decadent Mini Treats

I read blogs with many pictures of delicious food, especially sweets! I have to tell you that I am in the process of losing weight and so far have lost 10lbs! (yay for me!) However, this poses a problem for me because I can't bake for myself, not because I can't bake, but because I will probably have a lot more then I should! This is why I have to find small portions out in the world and not keep a costco size quantity of sweets, especially chocolate, in the house.

The other day I had a coupon for a starbucks cake pop so I had to try it. I got the raspberry truffle cake pop and it was divine! The cake was so moist, the dark chocolate on the outside was wonderful and the beautiful raspberry powder on top looks like pretty red snow sprinkled on top. It was a perfect portion and it wasn't too bad in terms of calories or points plus if you're a weight watcher like me. (160 cal/5p+)

I'm not sure if this is just a valentine's day cake pop or if it's going to stick around. If you're in need of a little something sweet, don't want to go too crazy with calories, and you enjoy delicious chocolate raspberry combination this is a treat you should check out!

HOT LIPS

I bought some YSL (Yves Saint Laurent) lipstick. My first lipstick from them and I just love how soft it makes my lips feel. I also got it in this crazy hot pink color. I love this color, I wish I wore it more often!



The one thing about this color pink is that you need some really nice white teeth to pull it off. I had to freshen up my teeth with those crest white strips. I wish I had held off on the crest white strips because Sephora just came out with a fabulous new whitening kit called GLO. Dr. Oz had it on his show the other day and it was so easy to use. Next time I need a freshen up I'll have to get it!

I also got YSL creme de blush and it is soft and easy to smooth on to your skin. These are my first two YSL products and I'm very impressed with the quality of these two products. I'll let you know if I purchase any more!

Lipstick is Rouge Pur Couture #7 Le Fuchsia.
Blush is Creme De Blush #5 Fuchsia Temptation.
This color has blue undertones so make sure it's the right color for you!

Trip to Hoboken

Friday was my birthday. Yes, Friday the 13th! Thank goodness I'm not superstitious. Or as Michael from The Office says "I'm not superstitious. I'm a little stitious." For my birthday we went to Hoboken, NJ, which is across the Hudson River from Midtown, NYC!



On the way to Hoboken, I got to see Lady Liberty in the distance. She is one of my favorite things about NYC. Such a great beauty on her own island overlooking the city.

Once in Hoboken, we immediately past Carlo's Bake Shop. Also known as the Cake Boss show's bakery! We had been told that the wait to get in could be about 2 hours. Luckily, Friday the 13th was actually lucky for me, I pulled a number and I was only 7th in line. We got lobster tails, eclairs, pignoli amaretti, italian butter cookies and macaroons.



After getting our giant box of goodies from Carlo's, we went to the Frank Sinatra Drive and looked at the beautiful city scape from Hoboken and then had dinner at 3 Forty Grill. I was dying for some crab cakes and they did not disappoint! This place had a very cool vibe and really fun mood lighting.

On our way back to the car, we decided to walk the long way back and several times we saw a guy dressed up like Michael Jackson riding his bicycle around with music playing from speakers on his bike and he got off his bike at a bus stop and started dancing. It was too funny. I actually got it on tape! Check out this youtube link!

It was a great birthday and I hope this year brings many more adventures on the east coast!

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.”
~Abraham Lincoln

Good bye to Aloha Time

My freckles say Aloha.



Got home from Kaua'i a couple weeks ago and I missed it as soon as I got on the plane. Kaua'i is such a gorgeous place to be. Such a laid back life, I think the highest speed limit is 50mph.



My beach bag from Target included: lots of hawaiian tropic spf and neutrogena spf for the face, a bathing suit cover up that I also got at Target, my brand new ipod shuffle (it's pretty awesome and so compact), the book that I was reading (Water For Elephants = amazing!), sunglasses, hair ties and barrettes (not to be confused with berets or barettas, lol) and of course lip gloss!



I packed 4 pairs of shoes...but I can never have enough shoes. I had a pair of flip flops for the pool, tennis shoes (or as they say on the east coast...SNEAKERS) and two pairs of wedges that are a little more dressy.



One thing I love about Hawaii is that I can just go out with a little liner, mascara and gloss and wear very little coverup and show off my freckles!



It was a great trip with my family. I enjoy any time that I spend with my family. We went to the beach almost every day, did a little shopping and had some great food as well as doing a tubing trip down the aqueducts that were created for the sugar cane farms many years ago. I strive everyday to Live Aloha (Aloha in the Hawaiian language means affection, love, peace, compassion and mercy. definition from wikipedia)

As the Hawaiians say, Hele me kahau 'oli -- go with joy.
~ Gilbert M. Grosvenor