What I Wore...

So, last Thursday, I posted about the Dick Vitale fundraiser dinner that I was going to.  I had no idea what I was going to wear and I had no ambition to get a move on.  Lol!  I headed over to Beall's and found a gorgeous royal blue cocktail length dress to wear.  It fit perfectly and it was on clearance.  I then headed next door to the Beall's Outlet for jewelry.  I have a lot of silver jewelry, but not gold.  I was definitely wearing gold jewelry with a blue dress.  I ended up getting earrings, a layering necklace, a cuff bracelet and a little wristlet clutch.  I wore platform XOXO heels that were black/nude snakeskin with gold hardware and gold heel/base.  All together my dressed up night out cost $58.66.  The dress was $31.34, the jewelry/clutch were $27.32 and the heels were free because I already had them.  I bought those heels on clearance from Beall's Outlet about 3 years ago for $7.00.  I love a bargain!  My wish to be arm candy for my husband worked.  He said that I looked stunning and I thought that we were the hottest couple at the event.  I've proved again that you can be chic on a budget.  The above pics are similar in style to what I wore.  So get out there and get your style on!  

A Beautiful Weekend...

It's been a few days, so let's catch up.  Friday, I let my 9 year old son Tyler stay home.  It was bring your parent to school day and we didn't get the rsvp in on time.  I didn't want him to be upset at school.  He's a sweet little nugget.   Anyway, we set out for adventure with my littlest peanut Peyton.  She's 2 1/2.  We met my friend Alex and her son Max at the park for some play time and much needed Mommy time.  Then we decided to pick up lunch, head home and we watched movies all afternoon.  Iron Man 1, Iron Man 2 and Thor.  Saturday morning I got my shopping list together, printed some coupons up and I headed for Walmart.  FYI they have become sticklers for coupons.  You could have a totally legit manufacturer's coupon and if it doesn't scan they will not enter it manually.  Seriously, in Florida we don't have double coupon days or any other super cool coupon savings.  Add to the fact that as soon as you start getting good savings at a store, they change their coupon policy.  What do we have to do to save a buck here?!  I still got 95% of my weekly groceries done for a family of 5 for under $100.  If I bought a ton of processed foods it would definitely be less.  But, I buy produce, lean turkey, chicken, gluten free pasta, etc.  Trying to eat healthier can be tough on the budget.  So, I figure that if I can save money on the non perishable items, bread, dog food, etc., then that will help me out on the organic produce, meats, gluten free breads, pasta and flours.  I also only by products that do not have high fructose corn syrup.  After shopping, we got the kids together and headed to Tyler's baseball game.  It was beautiful out.  Sunny with a breeze and Peyton wasn't cranky, so I got to cheer the team on happily.  Did I mention his team is undefeated?  Lol!  After we got home we just chilled out.  My husband and I lounged on the chair and a half and watched tv.  We love all of the shows about Alaska.  It is no joke living there.  Sunday, I hung some picture frames and I started some cool weather crops.  Sounds like I know what I'm doing, right?  Nope, I just play it by ear.  I've got seeds, planters, 2 bags of organic soil and 1 bag of cow manure/mulch.  So, I decided to fill up as many planters as I could with the soil and direct sow the seeds.  My plan is to have some 3'x4' raised beds filled with veggies and maybe some berries.  That would really help the grocery budget out.  But, for now I need to start small.  The idea of being able to go in your garden and grab greens for your salad and fresh green beans for your side dish, to me is heaven.  My oldest sister lives in South Salem New York.  She is a huge vegetable gardener.  There's nothing she likes better than to get her hands in the dirt.  She has the gift.  Anyway, I went to visit her with the kids 2 fall season's ago.  It was harvest time so myself and Tyler would go out and pick veggies for hours it seemed, while Kyle(my oldest) watched Peyton inside.  We went to my sister's neighbor's house, picked apples and went into the chicken coop to gather eggs.  Amazing!  That night my sister made a meatloaf with veggie sides that we picked from the garden, she made an apple pie from the apples we picked and the next morning we had scrambled eggs from the farm fresh eggs we gathered.  I will say it again.  Amazing!  She of course now has her own gorgeous chicken coop with growing chickens.  Yes, I am totally jealous.  Lol!  So she is my inspiration for a lot of the things that I want to do.  Okay, back to my Sunday putterings.  After starting the seeds, I started dinner.  I made turkey meatloaf with garlic string beans and a veggie soup.  I don't use any bread crumbs in my meatloaf anymore.  I throw in a couple of eggs, herbs, ketchup, garlic, chopped onion, celery, carrots and some kind of sauce.  Either soy, teriyaki or a steak sauce.  It was really good.  The soup I kind of threw together to use up some veggies and I love soup.  I don't know what I will do with it yet though.  I basically heated water and through in chopped carrots, celery, garlic, Mrs. Dash onion herb blend, salt, pepper.  Then I sauteed onions in a touch of salt and olive oil.  I threw those in the pot with some tamari and honey.  Wow!  Even my husband came downstairs, said it smelled delicious, tried it and loved it!  I'm working on a gluten free, vegetarian version of my favorite french onion soup.  This may do the trick. :) The rest of the night we just hung around watching tv.  Today, the kids are off and I'm trying to figure out what to do with them for fun.  Plus, I need to workout and get some cleaning done.  Busy day.  Busy day.     

What To Wear? What To Wear?

Tonight I have a Dick Vitale fundraiser to attend with my husband and I just can't seem to get moving.  I need to do my nails, hair and figure out what I'm wearing.  This day is going to disappear and right quick. 
You may be thinking why haven't I figured out what I'm wearing already.  Well, that's not how I work.  I've looked in my closet and absolutely nothing is jumping out at me.  I think that I need a miracle.  Or I may need to just go shopping.  Ugh!  All I know is that I've got to get a move on pronto.  I've got to find an lbd and turn this tired mama into a hot mama so I can make myself into some eye candy for my honey.  Now where can I get a hold of some spanx?  LOL!  

What I've Eaten..

I have decided not to weigh myself everyday.  Since my digestion is so crazy, I could have a lot of water weight.  Everyday was making me nutso.  So, let's get on with it.

Monday October 15, 2012

two eggs on gluten free whole grain bread with 1 slice soy cheese, black coffee

tuna with mayo(I can't eat anything but Hellman's original with my tuna, I just don't add a lot) on 2 slices whole grain gluten free bread with romaine lettuce

lemon herb roasted chicken with broccoli

Tuesday October 16, 2012

2 eggs on a gluten free bagel with 1 slice soy cheese

greek salad(my version) romaine, cukes, carrots, feta, fresh squeezed lemon juice, olive oil and herbs

two slices of turkey breast, romaine with two spoonfuls of clean chicken taco meat(I wasn't very hungry last night)

So there you have it.  I'm finding that I'm better when I eat a heavier breakfast and then eat lighter at lunch and dinner.  I'm also going to start juicing again.  No I'm not a crazy juicer.  Lol!  But, after I first got diagnosed, I had bought myself an awesome juicer from ebay.  I started juicing my breakfast and I felt really good.  My hair and skin looked amazing.  Plus, I lost 10 lbs.  I still ate a healthy lunch, dinner, snacks and the weight loss was not overnight.  It was over the course of a few months.  I know for myself, I have a hard time digesting heavy meals and juicing gives you all of the nutrition in liquid for which is easier on your gi tract.  The way I figure it, since people with Crohn's don't absorb all of the nutrition from food, it would be easier to absorb in a liquid form.  If you are going to add juicing to your diet, make sure that everything is organic.  I also take Juice Plus+ instead of a vitamin.  I've been taking it since right before I was diagnosed and it has helped me tremendously.  You can check it out if you like at: https://www.juiceplus.com/nsa/content/Home.soa?site=cd67483     

Shut The Front Door...

I have been hating my entryway to my home for eons.  I have had absolutely no inspiration what so ever.  I just kind of cringe as I pull into my driveway and walk up to my door.  Know where I'm coming from?  Lol! No curb appeal at all.  Here in Florida we spend the majority of the year indoors.  It's hot, humid and we love our central air.  Since the weather has been beyond gorgeous, I decided to not only clear out some weeds, but, I cleaned up my front entryway as well.  This got me thinking about how I can give my entryway some much needed curbaliciousness.  So here's some pics for you see what my plan is.

I swept, sprayed down and washed the front door with bleach.  The wall color is a washed out clay and the door is a really, really washed out clay.  Hate it!  The door is still filthy.  I painted the moldings and door jamb a crisp white.  It was all pale clay colored before.  That has now given me courage.  

So the ceiling I want to paint light blue.  I want to make the planters the ones from the picture except in bright yellow, orange or blue.  The planter is brilliant in my opinion.  It's a planter on an old lamp base.  Genius!  You know I love recycling.  After I paint the door the color of the picture below, I will add all brass hardware.  I may just paint the handle and lock.  They can be pricey.

  

So there you have it.  I've got my plan for "Operation Front Door Fabulous".  Stay tuned for the finished product.

   

Best Beauty Products - The Best Mascara

Diorshow Blackout Mascara is the best mascara ever!  All the Diorshow mascaras are fabulous and are in every hollywood make-up artist's bag!   My favorite Diorshow is the Blackout, this mascara comes with the Diorshow trademark big fluffy brush plus has the deepest black kohl color.  I have tried so many mascaras on the market that claim to make your lashes look like false eyelashes, this one actually lives up to the claim!   It tends to go on thick, especially if you are like me and love to put many coats on.  But just finish by using your lash comb to separate your lashes a little!!
http://www.dior.com/beauty/usa/en/makeup/eyes/mascaras/lmascaras.html

Architecturally Sound...

I'm a sucker for architecture.  So, today I would like to give a shout out to my wonderful little shelf.  It's actually less than 2 feet long and it's about 4 inches deep.  I love these types of shelves and I knew when I started redecorating my house that I wanted one there.  I always have an idea of what I want and then I go out shopping via stores, online, ebay, yard sales, etc.  The decorating gods tend to look my way.  I decided to hit Home Goods and I found this shelf for $29.99!  The frame was free, a give away from my good friend Jen.  In the frame is linen that I had which was free, the stencil was $2.99 from Michael's, the black craft paint was free.  The little bird is actually a salt shaker that I got on clearance from Michael's for $.50.  The molded concrete piece to the left was from Sarasota Architectural Salvage and cost $12.00.  The metal candlestick holder was a thrift store find and is awesome at $3.00.  It has a wonderful patina on it and old melted wax that I've left on it.  I'm not putting a candle in it because it will be too tall and it's next to my drapes.  Fire and drapes don't work for me.  Lol!  I will try my other camera's to see if I can get better pictures.  I'm still working on finishing touches.  I'm considering antiqueing the frame with a little color and gel.  I am also considering painting the bird to give it a little pop.  There will be a tree behind the chair as well.  I'm thinking a mini fruit tree for so some color and texture.  I really love how the shelf anchors that corner of dead space.  There are so many ways to add architecture into your home.  You can add moldings to walls, cabinets, furniture.  You can get old drawer fronts, paint them, add hooks and make a coat/backpack hanger out of it.  Or just use it as wall decor.  The skies the limit when you have your creative juices flowing.   

Get Your Workout On...

So, I got my workout done.  Below is what I did today while listening to the Rihanna station on Pandora of course.  She's my fave!  Arms.  Arms.  Arms.

Biceps:

3 sets of 12 full bicep curls 8 lbs

3 sets of 12 half bicep curls 8 lbs

Deltoids:

3 sets of 12 front arm extensions 5 lbs

3 sets 12 side arm extensions 5 lbs

Triceps:

3 sets 12 kickbacks 15 lbs

3 sets 12 dips

Done and done...Bye, bye bingo wings!

What I Ate Yesterday & This Morning's Weigh In

I woke up early this morning with a migraine and I was in the bathroom a lot last night.  Here's the run down.

Weight: 153.4

What I ate yesterday:

bowl of gluten free corn flakes with soy milk, black coffee

raw carrots and pineapple

bowl of white bean soup with spinach(my friend made from scratch)

cod breaded in sorghum flour and mashed gluten free corn flakes fried, green beans

So, I have identified beans as one of my "trigger foods".  My stomach was in a lot of pain after I ate the soup and the rest of the day I was uncomfortable with what I call, "spicy gas".  Plus, my weight went up.  It's sad because I LOVE beans.  But, I'm finding they absolutely hate me every time that I eat them.  :(  Bye, bye beans.  Now, should I have fried the fish?  No.  But, there was a method to my madness.  I'm trying to get my kids to eat fish on a regular basis and fish & chips, minus the chips is the best place to start.  The oil did actually help me go to the bathroom.  Gotto keep those intestines lubricated!!!  But, from now on I will be baking the fish and the lubrication can come from unheated olive oil.  I just need to come up with a better tasting gluten free batter and baking method.  Today, I am going to get a workout done.  Stay tuned, I will let you know what I did during my workout.   

A Few Bits & Bobs...

These are just a few of the things that I love for

a livingroom.  I tend to go from one extreme to the other when decorating because I love everything... 

 

 

Weigh In & What I Ate

I didn't get to post my weight and what I ate last night because I was out with the girls and I was too tired when I got home.  Well, I'm very excited to say that my weight went down a little. 

Friday October 12, 2012:

Weight- 152.7

Menu- 2 brown rice cakes each topped with 1 slice of soy cheese and 1 over easy egg, black coffee
          
           1 cup brown rice with 1 cup steamed broccoli, 1 chopped garlic clove,  1 tbsp evoo, pinch of salt   
           and pepper.

           cucumber spears, baby carrots, celery sticks with fresh lite ranch dressing, 1/2 cup of clean turkey
           meatloaf cubes

           at the party last night-8 very small cubes of cheddar(I was starving), cucumber, carrots, ranch dip,   
           1 full glass of red wine.

This Morning's Weight-152 Woohoo!

I have done the working out heavy duty every day and eating 6 times a day with protein at every meal for 6 weeks, keeping my calories between 1200-1300 and my weight did not budge at all.  What I have learned is everyone is different and 1 lb of fat = 1 lb of muscle.  So a pound is a pound.  Don't listen to nonsense of your building muscle.  If you're building muscle, you should be burning the fat atttached to it and definitely losing inches.  Just my 2 cents from my personal experience, not an expert opinion.

What's Trending in Jewelry & Accessories for Fall

Contributor: Elaine Reinhard

There are so many fun trends this season for both jewelry and accessories!  Think color, leather, metallics, studs, animal print and sparkle!   When you put any of these trendy accessories on you are sure to not only be in style but they will also put a smile on your face!  When it comes to color the big colors for fall are cobalt blue and burgundy.  Both were runway favorites this fall and are rich, intense color yet versatile.  Pick one that looks best with your coloring, my personal favorite is cobalt blue.  I have blue eyes so the bright cobalt blue accentuates the blue in my eyes, even on the days were I am tired and my eyes are bloodshot!   My favorite trend this season is gold and black.  Gold and black is paired together on clothes, shoes, handbags and jewelry.   Gold and black is easy to pair, just add some gold accessories to last year’s black jeans!   Leather is making a big comeback, not only is leather jackets, pants and skirts cool again but you will also see jewelry made with leather.   Fun additions such as spikes, studs and sequins are everywhere, on clothing, shoes and of course jewelry!   Animal prints have always been popular but the new buzz word for them is that they are the “new neutral!”   Think of them as a black or brown, they both look so good paired with pops of color.   The big trend in necklaces is the collar necklaces, made to look as if they are built right into the shirt.  Also you will see many jeweled necklaces.  Both are dramatic styles sure to punch up any outfit for day or night!  You don’t have to wait for the holidays to wear these styles.  The cuff bracelet is the hot wrist look, these bold bracelets will add an instant update to any outfit.  You also will see a lot of animal motifs in jewelry, including snakes, owls, foxes, lions, you name it!  Lastly the two big handbags shapes are the cross body bag and the clutch.   My favorite is the cross body, it’s fashionable but even more important totally practical and hands free!  I have been using my Chanel cross body bag everyday, it’s a cherished gift from my dad and step mom.   Clutch bags continue to be a hot handbag for both day and evening.  You will see bigger clutches for day and a structured envelope shape is in right now.   There are so many fun trends in jewelry and accessories this year, that there will be sure to be something for everyone!

 

 

Fall Must-Haves On A Budget

I love fall colors!  Especially when it comes to clothing and accessories.  I'm a huge Michael Kors fan.  But, affording his fabulous taste is another story entirely.  So here are two of my fall Michael Kors faves and two  stylish, much less expensive substitutes for my fall wardrobe.  And yes, we wear boots in Florida!  Lol!

LOVE:

Michael Kors Tristan Large Shoulder Tote $478.00

Michael Kors Lesly Knee Boot $325.00

 



LOVE THE PRICE:

Urban Expressions Dakota Bag in Tan Baghaus $72.00

Michael Antonio Barnes Platform Boot DSW $69.95



So, those are my two fall must-have replacement picks.  $803.00 in comparison to $141.95.  Feel free to share your fall must-haves on a budget

Happy Friday!

It's a gorgeous morning here in sunny Florida!  The a/c is off and the windows are open.  There's nothing like fresh cool area moving through your home.  The kids are off from school today which I'm always happy about.  Not that I have anything against school, I just like it when they're home.  I need to straighten up the house, finish up some of my never ending projects, get a dinner game plan together and get a weekend game plan together.  Anyhoo, enjoy this fabulous day wherever you are!

GI Issues & My Diet & Exercise Challenge

Today, I would like to discuss something very important and hopefully it will become life changing for myself and many of you.  I have struggled with digestive issues for as long as I can remember.  It was time to figure out what it was.  So, I go to the GI doctor about 1 1/2 years ago and state my symptoms: alternating diarrhea/constipation, bloating, aches, joint pain, abdominal pain, feeling fluish, fatigue, stomach pain sometimes while eating, low back pain, migraines, terrible immune system, ADD, mouth ulcerations, etc.  They don't exactly know what to make of my symptoms because I don't have a lack of appetite and I'm twenty lbs over my normal weight.  What they failed to grasp is my lack of appetite was due to years of feeling like crap caused me to emotional eat.  For example, if I felt really sick due to bathroom issues, I would stuff myself with crap to force my body to go to the bathroom.  Plus, prior to having my 3 wonderful kids(notice we always say "wonderful kids" even when we want to kill them for driving us crazy...lol!) I was very underweight at 5'6" and 113 lbs.  So, the doc schedules me for a colonoscopy/endoscopy.  I drank the nasty stuff the day before to clear out the plumbing.  If you're not in the know and have not yet partaken of this fabulous drink, let me tell you, it is no joke.  You have now become intimately joined to your toilet.  I kid you not.  I was still having "private time" with the hospital toilet right before they wheeled me to the surgery room.  Good times...After I wake up from the anesthesia I see my doctor and his nurse standing by my bed and they looked truly shocked.  He told me that he was very surprised to find upon examination of my intestines that I had Crohn's Disease.  When people learn of it, they tell you they're sorry and feel bad for you.  I was actually very happy to know that I was not a hypochondriac.  I finally can put a name to a face.  They decide to schedule me for an ultrasound and these very expensive blood tests.  The ultrasound showed that I did not have any narrowing of my intestines at the time.  The blood tests strangely enough said that I didn't have Crohn's Disease and that I was negative for Celiac Disease.  Let me introduce you to the world of false negatives.  These blood tests are very expensive and if your insurance pays for them, it won't be a lot and you will be paying mucho dinero for nothing.  Obviously, from my up close and personal exam of my intestines, the doctor confirmed it was Crohn's.  Doctor's still don't exactly know how to handle Crohn's patients.  They don't exactly know how you get it, what diet to prescribe or what medications to prescribe.  As of yet there is no cure either.  You will here the words remission, flare-ups, etc.  Diet wise there is no set diet, because everyone has different "trigger foods".  Really the only way to find out what your "trigger foods" are is to do an elimination diet.  An elimination diet is when you stop eating certain foods for at least 3 weeks and document how you feel each day.  If you feel better or symptoms have disappeared that's one of your "trigger foods".  Also, if you have Crohn's or suspect you have a digestive disorder, get rid of the gluten.  Most people have some kind of issue with gluten and don't realize it because Americans have grown up eating wheat products.  Wheat really would not be an issue if it hadn't been twisted into a "frankenfood".  Between the soil contamination, chemicals and pesticides it's become unrecognizable as food.  Just like what's been done to corn.  Do you know that there is some form of wheat in most processed foods.  Even oatmeal.  Unless it says gluten free, you're up #&@^'s creek.  Pun totally intended.  LOL!  Oats do not have gluten, but, if they are processed in a facility that processes wheat or is grown near wheat, those oats are now contaminated.  Now your dropping at least $7 on gluten free oatmeal.  Ugh!  Anyway, since I am a glutton for punishment, love food and probably have an emotional eating disorder, I have delayed in changing my eating habits.  I have a hard time sticking with a "diet".  But, now things are different.  I have been in the midst of an episode for over a month.  I feel terrible.  I'm extremely bloated.  I have nausea,  abdominal pain, cramping, alternating constipation and diarrhea.  Besides my GI issues, I have high cholesterol, and a familial predisposition to heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and diabetes.  To put it plainly, I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.  So below is my challenge to myself and I would love some moral support.  Also, if any of you would like to pick up the challenge that would be awesome.  My goals are to naturally drop any extra weight, decrease my bad cholesterol, increase my good cholesterol, decrease my flare-ups, tone up my muscles, decrease my chances of getting any other diseases and after 3 months get a blood work up to see the changes.  The way that I figure it is that if I'm eating healthy natural foods that aid my particular health issues, instead of "dieting", then the weight will come off and my health will be all the better for it.

Cara's Plan Of Attack:

1-Eliminate all forms of gluten from my diet.  Read labels!!!

2-Eliminate most dairy except non-fat yogurt, low-fat ricotta, low-fat mozzarella, feta, kefir. 

3-Increase insoluble fiber.

4-Increase intake of fruits and vegetables.

5-Increase intake of certain fish.

6-Eat chicken and turkey sparingly.

7-Eliminate intake of red meat and pork.

8-Increase intake of water and green tea.

9-Get at least 30 minutes of some form of exercise each day.

10-Keep a daily food and feelings journal.

Some Extra Info:

Crohn's Disease-a chronic inflammatory condition of the GI tract.  Which runs from your mouth to your anus.  It is an inflammatory bowel disease.(IBD)  It is also considered an auto-immune disorder.  
                   
Symptoms-

• Persistent Diarrhea
• Rectal bleeding
• Urgent need to move bowels
• Abdominal cramps and pain
• Sensation of incomplete evacuation
• Constipation (can lead to bowel obstruction)
• Ulcerations that can appear anywhere in the GI tract

                Other Symptoms:

• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Weight Loss
• Fatigue
• Night sweats
• Loss of normal menstrual cycle

Gluten Intolerance-

        Celiac Disease & Non-Gluten Sensitivity Symptoms-

• Abdominal Distention
• Abdominal Pain and Cramping
• Alternating Bouts of Diarrhea and Constipation
• Anemia
• Arthritis
• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
• Bloating (see Gluten Intolerance Bloating)
• Bone Density Loss
• Borborygmi (stomach rumbling)
• Constipation (see Celiac Disease Constipation)
• Stunted Growth and Failure to Thrive
• Depression, Anxiety and Irritability (see Celiac Depression)
• Dermatitis Herpetiformis
• Diabetes
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Low Ferritin Symptoms
• Malodorous Flatulence
• Malodorous Stools
• Gluten Ataxia
• Grayish Stools
• Hair Loss (Alopecia)
• Headaches and Migraines
• Hypoglycemia
• Infertility (see Gluten Intolerance and Pregnancy)
• Joint pain
• Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
• Lactose intolerance
• Mouth sores or mouth ulcers
• Nausea
• Numbness or tingling in the patient’s hands and feet
• Osteoporosis
• Peripheral Neuropathy (including either a tingling or sensation of swelling your toes and fingers)
• Sjogren’s Disease
• Steatorrhea (high lipids in the stool, which may cause the stool to float)
• Teeth and Gum Problems
• Turner Syndrome
• Vitamin and Mineral deficiencies
• Vomiting
• Unexplained Weight loss
• Urticaria

It'scary that I have most of the above symptoms. :(  But, not fatal.  No more gluten.   

My Superfoods List-These will be my "go to" foods each week.  I will be tweaking my food list as I investigate more on nutrition and to see if any are "trigger foods" for me.

       Pineapple, Steel Cut Gluten Free Oats, Brown Rice, Beets, Pumpkin, Pumpkin Seeds, Peanuts, 

       Peanut Butter, Non-Fat Yogurt, Apples, Lettuces, Carrots, Cucumbers, Grapefruit, Spinach, Kale, 

       Green Beans, Salmon, Fish (TBD), Soybeans, Soy Milk, Tofu,  More to come.  But this is a good

       starting point.  I will be posting what I'm eating daily, what my exercise for the day is and a monthly

       weigh in starting tomorrow.  So stay tuned...If you have any great recipes that are gluten free, let me 

       know.  I LOVE to bake!!!!    

Decorating Your Home On A Budget

Most of us struggle with our finances, so it can be difficult to get your "style on" in your own home.  It tends

 to be the last thing that our precious funds can be allotted to.  But, I believe that with some imagination, ingenuity and a vision of what you want, you can make your house into a very stylish home.  So let's get started!  Start with the first room that you wish to redecorate.  Sometimes, this can be a group of rooms that need to tie together.  It will be a larger project, but, well worth it.  For example in my home, my living room, eat in kitchen, staircase and loft are connected visually.  So, I needed to paint them all the same color.     

1) Decide which room you wish to update.

2) Get inspiration for your room.  Pinterest is great for this.  Like many of you, I'm a pinterest junky!  I'm totally serious!

3) Find your wall color that you wish to paint it.  I advise something that can be a neutral to all of the accent colors that you will be adding in pictures, pillows, wall decor, etc.  If you are unable to paint due to cost or renting than just give the walls and molding a good cleaning.  You would be amazed at what white vinegar, water and lemon juice can do to moldings.  Don't forget the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser!

4) Give your windows, blinds and/or drapes a good washing. 

5) Go around your entire home and take down all of your wall decor, drapes, table decor and pillows that you want to want to change up.  Remember to check your garage, attic, storage areas, etc.  You never know what has been laying dormant, just waiting to be rediscovered.  I'm a firm believer in reusing, recycling and upcycling if at all possible.  Pick out all of the things that are usable.  Take the ones that you want to use and repaint, antique, reupholster to fit the style that you're going for.  Check your garage for paint, ask your friends for paint that they're not using, check your local Freecycle.  These are free things to use to upcycle your "keepers".  I have painted many things in my home with paint that I already had.       

6) Take all of the items that you wish to part with and talk to your girlfriends.  Tell each one separately that you are redecorating your home and you have items that you would love to swap.  Have them get together all of the items that they have that they would like to part with and see if you can get things that would work with your inspiration.  I did this with my close friend who lives across the street.  We both wanted to change our decor.  So we swapped a lot of different things.  I have to say that sometimes you can get things that would never fit in your budget.  Like the large picture behind my couch.  That was a swap!  You can also make a party out of it and invite all of your girlfriends.  Just make sure that they can only swap with you not each other.  At least not until your swapping is done.  LOL! You don't want to lose out on the best stuff for your home! 

7)  Anything that you have left, sell.  Ebay, craigslist or even a yard sale facebook page for your local area.  Don't know of one?  Then start one.  If you have other stuff around the house that you don't want, sell them too.  This will help you declutter and earn money for decorating.

8)  Okay, now that your home has been freshly washed and/or painted, decluttered and you have your items that you have upcycled, go shopping!!!  First check Craigslist, Ebay, Salvation Army, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Bealls Outlet, Ross, Home Goods, etc. in your area that has discounted items.  Remember, the items don't have to be the same as your inspiration, just similar in style.  You're putting your twist on it.  Don't forget that you can always paint it, strip/stain it or upholster it!

9)  Decorate and love your home!  All of it!

Fabric Tip: Fabric can be super expensive.  If you find fabric that you love, but it's too expensive, buy a small amount for a couple of pillows, chair seats or to put into a nice frame for a wall hanging.  When doing drapes, upholstering or making slipcovers, go with the less expensive neutral fabric.  Almost any color can become a neutral.  Since curtain panels are expensive and they usually make you buy each panel separately, check out the clearance area of your fabric store.  I have 3 windows in my livingroom.  I found gorgeous fabric that looks super expensive for only $7.48 a yard.  I bought 9 yards.  I actually over bought a little.  I wanted to make sure that I had enough and to provide for oopsies.  LOL! 

**The picture above is part of my living room.  It gets a lot of sun during the day and it's not very big, so it's hard to get a good shot without glare.  The big picture behind the couch was a swap(free).  The lamps/shades were a reuse(I upcycled them two redo's ago-free).  The glass end tables/coffee table were hand me downs and reuses(free).  The sconces I bought for $10 on fb yard sale board.  The smaller picture on the wall was a reuse that I had in my garage(free).  The round decorative stand thing on the right end table I repurposed from my kitchen(free).  The couch with the pillows is new from Ashley Furniture($540 on sale).  The drapes I made from clearance fabric 9 yds at $7.48 a yd($67.32 for 3 windows).  The curtain rods I reused(free).  The rod clips that hold the panels I got on clearance from Target for around $4.38 a pack of 7, I bought 3 packs($13.14).  Total spent $630.46.  Not everyone is in desparate need of a new couch.  I was so if my couch was in good shape, I would have spent $90.46 on the things in the above picture.