~*Christmas Time*~

25 Questions: Holiday Style {taken from Julie}

• Eggnog or hot chocolate?

Hot Chocolate WITH COFFEE.  Really just a Skinny Peppermint Mocha... or English Toffee Latte... Mmmmm!

• Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

 Santa wraps my sisters and my presents and we each have different paper/bows/color scheme each year so we know which ones are ours!  Now I stuff my mom's stocking too and sign a few from 'Santa' just to throw her off!

{Christmas Morning - the sisters and I}

• Colored lights on tree/house or white?

My parents did colors when we were little now they're all white which I love with a white snowy seal and polar bears in the front yard!  Colored lights on her tree though - an assortment of ornaments because we each would get one new ornament every year to add.  Three girls = three snow baby angel ornaments, three fairies one year, three animals in pinecones another!

• Do you hang mistletoe?

My roommate did!!!!!!!  Watchout if you come in our front door!

• When do you hang your decorations up?

Whenever we feel like it :)

• What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

Mom's homemade mashed potatoes!  And I love green bean casserole.  And Heidi - keep your Oreo balls away from me they are too tempting!!

• Favorite holiday memory as a child?

Maybe my polar bear 'muff'.  I thought I was sooo fancy back then!  Who am I kidding?? I still do.

In case you aren't sure what a 'Muff' is... 



It's basically a faux fur (or real fur I guess) sleeve that hangs around your neck and you place your hands inside it to stay warm! 

Stylish.  I know.

Some of you may argue that's not really a memory so I will also say CHRISTMAS EVE GIFT!!  Each year my family has a tradition that the first person to call 'Christmas Eve Gift!' on Christmas Eve gets to pick one gift to open a day early!!

• What is on your Christmas wish list?

TIME!!! My favorite part about the holidays is more time with family and friends ... but I also had on my wishlist...

LuLuLemon Run Speed RUFFLE Shorts

LuLuLemon Equanimity Denim Pants

{how cute would these be tucked into boots?!}

Large Jewel Toned Stud Earrings, and a plain gold or silver hammered cuff!

• Do you open a gifts on Christmas Eve?

See above - Christmas Eve Gift!!!

• How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

My Christmas Tree is a busted silver < 2' Tall Tree I found in the corner of a Hobby Lobby and SAVED!  I decorate it with ornaments I made... maybe I'll do a post on this soon :)

Alright.. I tried that SIX TIMES.  The picture only wants to upload sideways.  I shall let it be.

• Snow? Love it or dread it?

Love visiting snowy places around March when there is snow but it isn't too cold... otherwise I can live without it!

• Real tree or fake tree?

My parents' tree was a fake one we got to build like a puzzle each year! 

• Do you remember your favorite gift?

Favorite gift ever?! Hmm... I'm not sure.  Last year I really loved my new Asics and Heart Rate Monitor watch Santa got me!  When I was younger I always loved American Girl Dolls and Art Kits!!

• What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you?

Spending time with my family.

• What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Peppermint Mocha! 

• What is your favorite tradition?

Maybe the fact that Santa Claus still visits even though my youngest sister is now 16!  Oh and also that my sisters and I sing kareoke every Christmas before we head over to my Aunt's to see the whole family... Wii Kareoke all the way! 

• What tops your tree?

An Angel 

• Do you prefer giving or receiving?

GIVING.  I over spend... every year!  I absolutely love that feeling when you've given someone the perfect gift and you see their reaction as they open it!  I love finding it... I get really competitive with myself too haha 

• What is your favorite Christmas song?

The Little Drummer Boy?  Really there's one they play on the radio that I LOVE but cannot remember the name of...  

• Candy canes, yuck or yum?

Just need the peppermint in my coffee or oreo balls thanks! 

• Favorite Christmas movie?

The one with HeatMeiser and SnowMeiser!  I think it was The Year Without a Santa Claus??

• What do you leave for Santa?

Cookies and Milk

• Do you have a Christmas morning tradition?

Let everyone sleep in.  At least to a reasonable hour! LOL then we wake up and eat breakfast and decide how to tackle the present opening! 

• Do you prefer to shop on-line or at the mall?

Online I find the best deals and honestly have no time to deal with mall craziness anymore!  I do miss walking through all the stores though 

• Christmas letter or Christmas card?

My mom does both.  A Christmas Card with a picture of my sisters and I each year and also she sends out an email update on our lives... sometimes she even writes it to rhyme! 

So I know that was AFTER Christmas, but really I celebrate Christmas until NYE :)

Questions for the Day:

What is your favorite Winter Tradition??

I'm curious, does any body else remember the movie 'A Year Without A Santa Claus'? And the Heat Miser/Snow Miser song??

Friday Fives (5s) -- Post I

Not everything always fits into the theme of a Blog Post -- So I wanted to start a collection of things I'm currently crushing over each week that didn't necessarily get captured in my posting.

This will be the first of a series called Friday Fives (5s)

{One}

Pencil Skirts with Neutral Pumps

{Two}

Running in chillier than usual temperatures.  Never thought I'd say that, but running in 50 degree weather isn't so bad - you warm up after the first mile or two and you don't end up tomato faced and sweat drenched by the time you finish.  Best buy I've had is this Lululemon Brisk Run Headband that keeps my ears toasty warm and sweat out of my eyes!

{Three}

My sisters.  A picture of them from my birthday Brunch -- I love the holidays because there are even more excuses to get together and spend time with my family!

{Four}

Flatbread Veggie Pizza dunked in Tomato Bisque.

{Five}

My cat's new collar from the birthday card my roommate got me this year... 

*Inspired* - Fitness Must Haves {omg I love way too many things}

This post was inspired by a Get Fit for 2011 Challenge posted by FitSugar {a very addicting site!}.

As I've continued on my journey of becoming even more active and living a healthier lifestyle I've picked up some new gear on the way and here are some of my favorites:

K-Swiss Tubes (Running Shoes)

I had never owned anything K-Swiss prior to these, but am a *huge* fan of Jillian Michaels and decided to try them out.  I found them in a Famous Footwear, put them on, and ran up and down the aisles countless times to make sure the shoes were legit.  I'm not sure if it is the tube technology, or just in my head, but I really do feel as if I'm springing forward slightly when I wear them.  I think they're great for cross training, squats, lunges, and short runs

My other athletic shoes are the Mizuno Wave Rider 14's
 

(Found in a post by a fellow FitSugar Reader) I saw them on sale at Nordstroms and loved the color (black & lavender) because darker sneakers don’t get dirty as quickly when you’re running outside! Okay… they get dirty just as quickly but they don’t show it
 

{Just Click to Keep Reading!}

Surprise -- and Welcome Home!!

I came home to my apartment today to find.. ::dah dah DAH::

  N  E  W      T  H  I  N  G  S       !  !  ! 

Yay!!!!!!!!! Nothing cheers me up more than seeing that brown box on my counter meaning a prize has finally arrived in the mail! [Yes, a 'prize' -- when I really really want something not only do I stalk it online searching out the best detail, sometimes for MONTHS, but I also make myself earn it whether it be with a lil healthier eating, cleaning, or pushing myself in my workouts]

Step #1.  Open Box

Step #2.  Get *this* excited about what's inside!!! woohoo!!



What was inside do you ask??? NEW WORKOUT GEAR!!!

My Bubble Gum Pink Jillian Michaels "Sexy" Bra

Definitely the most money I've ever spent on a sports bra... but after watching [eh em... getting my butt kicked by] her last DVD I've been wanting to try it out soo so so badly!!

And LuLuLemon Run Speed Shorts in Pink Mist

First LuLuLemon run purchase and probably won't be my last!  I'm typically a Walmart/Target workout fiend all the way... with a little Victoria's Secret yoga wear thrown in, but it feels very rewarding to know I've worked towards my goals and now I get new things - and I especially like that they're things that will keep pushing me towards harder workouts and better runs!  Yes.. sometimes I do simply reward myself with a delicious cookie, but I feel that giving myself the gear that will help push me to succeed is a much better use of the rewards system - don't you agree??

{Prepare yourself for the self-timed try-it-on shot}

Doubt I'll actually be wearing this bra out in public without some sort of a loose fitting top over it but wanted to give you all an idea of how it fits on someone who isn't blessed with Miss Jillian Michael's incredible abs of steel ::sigh::

.. my fault really.  I haven't yet completed her "Ripped in 30" DVD... heard Level 4 is killer.  Maybe that's where I'll find those abs...

Do you ever 'reward' yourself for maintaining a healthy & active life style?  What is your favorite splurge?

What is the most expensive workout gear you own?

 

Search for the *perfect* workout capris/crops

I've been desperately searching for the PERFECT pair of workout capris.  I'd like to start with my current findings and ask for opinions on any of these that you might have tried??  Specifically, what worked and didn't work for you?

Personally, I use my work out capris for a wide range of activities - running indoor and outdoor, circuit training, Jillian Michael's workout DVD's, Tone It Up Girls workouts, biking with my boyfriend, hiking and yoga just to name a few.  When I first started leaning towards the more fitted workout wear I fell in love with the Victoria's Secret fold-over capris - the large fold-over waist band is very flattering and the capris are SO comfortable!  The only con is the type of fabric - it's a stretchy cotton, so now that it's summertime in Texas they become soaked in sweat if I go for an afternoon jog... that being said (sorry for TMI), I'm looking for some new workout capris that are up for the challenge!

Capris I have found with good ratings online:

Gap gFast Capris $44.50



LuLuLemon Run: Inspire Crops $86

Supposedly have superior wicking ability & 'no bounce' muscle support!

Jillian Michaels' New Favorite Capris $78

Nike Low Rise Crop Capri $50

LuLuLemon's Infamous Wunder Under Crops $68

Bebe SPORT Colorblock Legging $54

Athleta Quick Step Capri $59



 Things to consider:  looks do matter to me.  If the capris make me feel 'gross' or I find them unattractive they will probably never be worn.  I have some capris from Athleta I don't wear for this very reason - they are too high on the waist and they are too loose on the calves (they flare out away from the calf). 

Have you ever tried any of these brands? Do you have a favorite workout capri you swear by?  I'd love to know!

xoxo

B