Don't get any ideas

You could guess that being a bride-to-be increased my excitement for today's events. Of course, watching the royal wedding is nothing like browsing through magazines and wedding blogs, as I frequently do to get ideas. I'm pretty sure I couldn't afford her left shoe. I tried not to fall in love with every single details (I fell in love with the long winded ceremony, and I'm not even Catholic.) I thought I might be in trouble. 

But, believe it or not, I did pick up some affordable ideas.

1. Pippa's dress -  Loved the simplicity and elegance, and especially loved that it had the same lace trim and button details as Kate's dress. And that's all I have to say about that... ;)

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2. Modernizing the vows. Did you know that Kate took the word "obey" out of her vows? I have no idea if we are going to write our own yet or go the traditional route, but I loved that she changed it to fit their lifestyle better. 

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3. The Survivors Brunch 
Price Harry is hosting a brunch (I heard at 6am?!) for the bride and groom. I love the idea of a farewell brunch for the family and friends who might be traveling from wherever for our big day.

4. Amazing Food
It wouldn't be the wedding of Amanda if their wasn't good food. Check out their luncheon menu. Pea guacamole? Rhubarb creme brulee? Yum.

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5. It's an all day event
I'm pushing for an all week event. 

What did you love most about the wedding?

My post was inspired by the knot, whose wedding coverage was amazing!

Royal Workout and Country Contest

I've been up since 5am, and it's been worth every single minute. The royal wedding was astonishing. For those of you who care, you already know all of the best details...and for those of you who don't care, I won't go on and on about it - but it's worth devoting some time to. I'm not sure there's been a more beautiful bride. I was a mess for about an hour on the treadmill and I wasn't alone.

Despite having to wake up at 5am, I decided to go out with a few friends last night. Austin Grill in Silver Spring was hosting a Battle of the Bands, country-style. I was sold. Three bands were set to compete for a spot at WMZQfest this summer. When we arrived the first band was finishing up, so we would only see two performances. 

The first performance was a lot of fun. (I'm awful and can't remember the band's name.) The band looked like a mix of personalities and music styles and they created very energetic music. 

The final act pretty much stole my heart. Put a guitar in a man's hands, and I'm a goner. Clayton Anderson sang original songs and that certainly made him stand out from the rest. He was very laid back, personable, funny and obviously talented. He reminded me a lot of Corey Smith, one of my favorite acoustic artists. It certainly wouldn't hurt you to go and check out Clayton's website and see if you agree with me. If you like country music with a modern personality, you will thank me. He's also on Facebook, so make sure you like his page if you like what you hear. Why am I pushing for this complete stranger? I think it takes a lot of guts to put yourself out there and rely on votes to get you on the stage. After the show, Clayton approached us with free download cards and took a few minutes to learn a little bit about us, and also tell us about him. He was incredibly nice and I think he should win that slot at the WMZQfest stage. Once they set up the voting, I'll be sure to link so you all can go and vote for him, too.

While we were there, I ate this enormous salad. Are they serious with this thing? 

Have a good Friday everyone! And for those of you who don't care about the royal wedding, you might want to ignore me this afternoon. I'm still watching coverage and am pretty sure I could write a whole post on Pippa's dress alone. 

Instant Workouts

Today is one day closer to the weekend.

Today is also one day closer to the Royal Wedding. We'll get to that tomorrow, but in the meantime, you can check out a blog post I wrote for work on promotional items involving the wedding. 

Today I learned something amazing - you can instant stream workouts on Netflix! When we first got it, I thought the fitness DVDs were only available through the mail program. But after a few clicks on the Netflix website, I found a few that can be instantly streamed. Searching for "fitness" or "workout" on Netflix on your tv will not yield any results. I found these by looking online and will be sure to search by the title of the video when I turn on Netflix.

I cannot wait to try these out. Here are a few that I am looking forward to trying. If you have done them in the past, please weigh in (the reviews are less than consistent on the Netflix website).

The Trainers Edge: Long and Lean Yoga

I don't belong to a gym and I still can't find it in me to pay to workout (take studio classes). I'm always looking for different yoga videos. So far, P90X is my favorite. This one looks like it's worth a shot.

Crunch Super SlimDown

I am always up for doing Pilates. I did the Windsor videos in college and would really love to add it back into my workouts.

Crunch Burn and Firm Pilates

I've read the Crunch DVDs aren't very challenging. Has anyone else heard this? I think both Pilates workouts look great. 

Self: Slim and Seek Fast

One of the comments I read about the Self videos was that they were too challenging. I love it. 

Self: Your Best Butt Fast 

Do I need to say anything here? I'm in bridal butt mode.

Trainer's Edge: Killer Abs and Back

This one looks like something MJW would be interested in, so maybe we can do it together. 

Hopefully I can squeeze one in tonight before I head down to Silver Spring to hang out with some friends. They all range from 30-50 minutes. Wish me luck!

Until then, I'm logging my steps with this bad boy.

It's actually MJW's and part of his healthcare program. If he logs X amount of steps he gets money put into his health/fitness fund. How cool is that? Yes, we're kind of cheating and I'm logging steps for him. It's not as bad as our first plan which was to put it on this guy...

But it's pretty obviously he's not moving very fast at the moment. 

Lunch was simple and delicious, so I have to share with you guys. I threw together a quick salad this morning with spinach, strawberries, a half of an avocado and some cheddar cheese. I sprinkled a little balsamic dressing on it, too. So good.

See you bright and early for the Royal Wedding! 

Another Pupdate

I hope that everyone is staying safe and sound while it seems like this entire side of the country is under a tornado warning.

I'm pretty much banking on the fact that our power is going to go out. It goes out on beautiful sunny days. We don't stand a chance during a tornado watch. 

Before I get to another beloved puppy-post, I'll share with you my post-workout dinner. Tonight I did 20 minutes on the eliptical and a leg workout for 40 minutes. It was great! Until the thunder came and I jetted back upstairs...

Dinner was an egg and avocado pita with left over Barilla Summer Tortellini Salad. It's all gone, so I hope I make it to the next round so I can make some more! Sorry for the blurry pic...

Reddick has been ridiculously good lately, so I thought he deserved another update on the blog, another Pupdate, as I like to call them. (I will call him a puppy until he's an old man, just a heads up.)

Speaking of age, it's safe to say that Reddick is one year old! I can't believe it. 

He's been coming to work with me a lot lately, and sometimes we are blessed with moments like these.

Reddick and Chaka aren't exactly best pals, but we're making progress. I don't blame Chaka for not wanting his crazy, hyper puppy self running all over the office. She's a good mentor, whether she knows it or not. If only she would teach him how to not storm the UPS man every time he walks into the door. I swear him and Reddick have this crazy bond going on (or it could just be the biscuits he stores in his pockets).

In order to keep things sane, Reddick and I gate ourselves in my office. He tries his best to sneak out. Today he learned he can literally run through the gate. I hope he forgets by tomorrow. 

Eventually, he does wear out. He is still the best cuddler around. 

 He's loving the dog park and making new friends. He could play fetch for hours.

He also loves making a mess of my car.

What I am loving lately is his perma-grin. He's always smiling! Well, he's really just hot and adapting to this heat, but I like to think that he's smiling.

I still can't get enough of him doing this...

The chair is absolutely destroyed (from him jumping on and off) and full of dog hair - but who cares? He looks so darn cute up there.

Have a good night everyone!

Wake Up Amanda

Waking up early to workout isn't working out to well. How am I suppose to wake up when I'm staying up until 11 watching this?

Did anyone else watch? I thought The Voice was well-spirited and full of friendly competition. The song choices were amazing (Time After Time, my absolute favorite, Bruno Mars, Adele, etc.).  Although I will admit, once they started to explain how the show is going to work towards the end, I got pretty confused. I'll just keep listening to these people sing their hearts out and enjoy looking at Blake Shelton and Adam Levine. They're pretty easy on the eyes.

Back to my early AM workouts...they aren't really happening. Last week I got up to run with Reddick, and this week is just a little harder. I am coming home and getting some great workouts in though. I think as long as I'm consistent with my workouts, I'll be ok. If I don't squeeze it in before work, I just have to make sure I save enough energy for after work. Once it starts to get really nice out, I'm sure the motivation will kick in. *crossing fingers*

Plus, who needs a workout when you sit on this thing all day?

Some of you asked how I got this ball to sit on at my desk. Well, it's not really mine. It's my co-workers and I just borrow it sometimes. We had an office sales-like competition and if we completed the tasks, we were given $100 to put towards something fitness-related. My $100 went towards the Reebok RunTone Shoes.

Breakfast was leftover cinnamon rolls broken up in a bowl of fruit. Cinna-bowl? It was pretty yummy. 

Have a good Wednesday! Props to everyone who got up this morning and already snuck their workout in, my sister included! Go Shannon! 

Wedding Planning Update

This post is more appropriately titled: How On Earth Am I Ever Going To Plan A Wedding If It's Take Four Months To Pick A Location?

Make that four-plus months. We still don't have a location.

But I'm done stressing over it. I've come to terms that I am the worst decision maker ever (meaning it takes me ages to decide on anything and usually requires a bunch of lists and help from others). Things will fall into place.

So what if we've been together almost seven years and I probably should have this stuff figured out? Sorry, my real life got in the way...like moving, buying a house and raising a puppy. 

So what if I'm constantly being asked "when is the date?" and I have nothing to say other than, next summer probably?

So what if my grandparents are not coming back north until a date is set?

So what if other things are planned, like the potential honeymoon location, but we can't decide where we actually want to get married?

We will find our perfect location. We're on the fence about having it at home or picking a location that would allow our family and friends to travel somewhere easy, new and fun. This wedding is going to be much more than confirmation that MJW and I are spending the rest of our lives together. That was sorted a long time ago. We want to celebrate our relationship and thank our family and friends for always being by our side.

Adirondack Wedding?

DC Wedding?

Or somewhere completely new?

We will find it, sooner or later. MJW kindly and frequently reminds me that we are not in any rush.

I am getting a little restless and am dying to go dress shopping. We can thank Say Yes To The Dress episodes on Netflix and the pile of bridal magazines I bought in Florida. So far, I haven't seen anything that really jumps out to me, but if I see another strapless dress...I might die.

They're beautiful, but not for me. 

If you have any amazing wedding location ideas (that are in the Northeast) please comment and let me know! I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

And if you're my family reading this...sorry, we're not any closer. But in the meantime, to hold us over, let's plan an engagement/planning party this summer?

Sources for images are linked through the pictures. 

A Big Announcement

I have another big announcement for all of you...

I am going to be a contributer for the DC Ladies Blog!

I am very excited to be joining a phenomenal group of ladies who write about what's important to them and who all love the beautiful city that we live in (or around), Washington DC.

The blog features writers from all over the area and it covers topics ranging from fashion to family events to food. I've been asked to join and write pieces on healthy eating. I hope that you all join me at the DC Ladies to read my posts and hopefully find a few other bloggers that you enjoy. If there are some topics you would like to see me blog about over there, please let me know!

Thank you again, DC Ladies, for having me on board. I could not be more thrilled to share my tips and advice with you all!

Barilla Tortellini Summer Salad

Last week I received an email from Foodbuzz about an upcoming recipe contest. The recipe had to incorporate Barilla Tortellini and I nearly jumped out of my seat. I've been waiting for the perfect opportunity to share one of my favorite recipes and I almost always use Barilla when I made this salad if I can get my hands on it. I've altered this particular recipe so it's a little healthier. This salad is great as a lunch or addition to a summer barbeque. Enjoy!

Tortellini Summer Salad

Ingredients:

1 large bag of Barilla Three Cheese Tortellini

4 plum tomatoes (diced)

1 large cucumber (peeled ad chopped into small square pieces)

1 container plain yogurt (about 1 cup, I used Chobani)

1 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup pesto

salt and pepper, to taste

1. Boil the tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and let cool for about 5 minutes.

2. In a large bowl, add the chopped cucumber and diced tomatoes. Shake desired amount of salt and pepper and toss to coat.

3. Add the tortellini, yogurt, mayonnaise and pesto. Mix well until all items are coated with the dressings.

4. Cover the bowl and chill for at least 45 minutes. Salad can be cooled overnight, but may need some extra dressing before serving.

It's a very simple recipe with a lot of flavor! I've made different variations of this salad by adding bacon, cubed cheese and other vegetables.

Easter Dinner

I hope that everyone is enjoying Easter! I just got done skyping with my family back in New York via my mom's new cell phone. Reid was in charge. You can imagine how it went. Let's just say I was left a little dizzy.

We also just had a little thunderstorm paired with tornado watches. 

I do love the rain. We needed it today because it was getting a little toasty in the condo. Reddick sat on the patio with me as the rain poured down. He isn't scared by the thunder and lightening at all. He kept running outside to see what all the noise was.

Cool as a cucumber.

We just got done with dinner. I love that it's only 6pm and we're done eating. I guess it's because I was cooking all day and wanted to enjoy the rest of the evening.

Our Easter dinner menu consisted of chicken divan, tofu divan, carrot souflee (I had to recreate it after having it at Seder), cinnamon rolls, deviled eggs, a green salad, and some tortelini salad I made this morning (recipe coming tomorrow!). 

My favorite part of the meal?

These.

Yum. Let's see how many are left in the morning.

I hope you all had a great meal with your family and/or friends. God bless!

5 more reasons this weekend rocks.

1. I brought this baby out of retirement. 

2. The Capitals won. 

3. Although we aren't home to celebrate with our family, I'm still celebrating like our family. These tasty breakfast treats will be on our dinner table tonight. 

4. We went out to Buca de Bepos last night for a celebratory dinner. No pictures were taken...just a pure date night with my boy.

5. The boys are doing yoga.

I hope that everyone is having a great Easter! After taking Reddick to the dog park early this morning and squeezing my working in there (yep, I worked out at the dog park) I've been a busy bee in the kitchen. I'm sure I'm making far too much food for just the two of us, but it's a holiday, and it's allowed. 

More later on what's on our Easter menu. Enjoy your holiday!