Friday, April 30, 2010

Fruglicious Friday

Celebrating...

~Fruglicious Friday at Finding Fabulous~

I purchased this wreath hanger at Ross for $4.99. This metal embellishment I purchased at Tuesday Morning for $19.99, regular price $39.99.


The evidence from a small shopping spree! ;) I went to Yankee candle and bought this wonderfully smelling candle called Sun & Sand. It smells *so* good! $29.00 for the candle, but worth it! I added some sea shells from Michael's. The cost for the bag of sea shells was $4.99.
Aren't these decorative metal things unique? I don't know what their called, but I like them. You can place a candle in each one. I purchased these at Tuesday morning...ON SALE! The manager gave them to me for $24.00 a piece.
These decorative metal pieces were on sale for $29.00, but as I stated, I got lucky and got them for $24.00 each. Regular price was $69.00.
Tassel $1.99 at Tuesday Morning. Regular price $2.99.
Candle Project
Glass Container (Sale) $14.99 at Tuesday Morning
6 bags of sand from Michael's $3.99 each
Candle $14.99 at Michael's
Bag of sea shells from Michael's $4.99
Begin to fill the glass container with sand, and layer it using the different colors of sand. Fill until you reach your desired height.
Add your candle and begin to place sea shells where you like.
Below is the end look. I think it looks rather beach-y! =)
XOXO Sun Glasses
And, last but now least, I saw these cute glasses at Tuesday Morning for $7.99...so I got a pair for myself. =)

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoyed my Fruglicious Finds! =) Linking up with Fruglicious Friday and
Finding Fabulous!

Come by next week, and I will show you how I decoated with the all these items. More to come...
XO ~Liz

http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Friday, April 23, 2010

Diet--To-Go

~My Diet-to-Go~
Happy Friday, Everyone!
I would like to thank each and every one of you who commented on my last post. You guys are the best! =) Many of you inquired about what I'm doing to lose weight, so I would like to share some of my tips and tricks with you. I like to call my eating plan .......... My Diet-to-Go!
See that smile on my face? Well, that's because I *finally* found something that works for me. I am by no means an expert on nutrition. I have been dieting for years now and have followed many different commercial plans. Some worked while others didn't. I decided that this time around I would create my own food plan and if it worked, I would continue to follow it and vary it from time to time.
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~WATER IS KEY~

Below is a bottle I purchased from GNC. It's a 20 ounce bottle that I use for water. I drink (4-5) 20 ounce bottles of water a day. I have found that water is KEY to losing weight. When I would hit a plateau, I would immediately increase my water intake and the weight would literally begin to fall right off.




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~SNACKS~


Have any of you tried these Fiber One 90 calorie bars? If you haven't....they are DELISH!! These bars are a great snack when you are hungry. They are chewy and who doesn't love chocolate, right? These bars come in handy when I am out and about. I usually have one in my purse at all times. LOL! =)


Below is a picture of Thomas' Mini Bagels. These bagels are only 100 calories each. I have really learned to cut my portion size down. I may have one in the morning with some fruit and a cup of coffee, or I will have one for a snack (eating it plain with nothing on it) if I get hungry in the afternoon.
~FRUIT~

I love fruit. Blueberries are so good for you, so I always try to have some each day.
~APPLES~
I love apples. I don't eat dinner after 6 in the evening, but if I get hungry later at night, I will grab a cold apple from the fridge and slice it up into many pieces. There is something about a cold crunchy apple that really seems to satisfy me in the evening. You have no idea how much it has helped to grab an apple over something else I shouldn't be eating.
~DINNERTIME~

Try to eat lean healthy meats like chicken, turkey, pork, and fish! I've been avoiding red meat (even though I *LOVE* it), but if you must have it, have it in moderation.
I love salmon and it's so good for you. I have salmon at least once a week.
I also like shrimp.
I eat mostly chicken and have learned how to prepare it a gazillion different ways. It's almost become a challenge for me. If you get bored eating the same thing every week, it's easier to fail and go off your diet plan. Change things up, use spices you've never used before.

The best advice I can give is>>>>
use a salad plate for "portion control" because....IT WORKS!!! No more big plates. Drink a glass of water before you have dinner, so your tummy isn't as hungry. Don't eat after 6 in the evening. If you get hungry, grab a 90 calorie snack, or have a piece of fruit.
Really, what I've been doing is very simple & it works!
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I hope I've given you a few new ideas. Here's to a brighter and healthier tomorrow!
XO ~Liz

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

There's a party going on over at Always Nesting & it's called...WOO, HOO! WEDNESDAY!
Today, I would like to celebrate my weight loss. I have lost 30 pounds and below are face shots of my transformation.

~Before~
In this photo, you can see that my face is more on the full side.
A month later, a bit smaller.

Another month later!

The last few pictures were taken on the day I reached the 30 pound mark. Please excuse my awful appearance. I had been out in the sun all day and got sun-burned! LOL! ;)
In the above 2 photos, you can really see the difference between the 1st and last photo. It is so exciting to finally have some self-control over my weight. I feel better and it's fun coming up with new and healthy recipes to make every night. Thanks for stopping by. XO ~Liz



I am linking up to the Woo Hoo party at Always Nesting

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Welcome! Since the weather is warming up and we will all be spending more time outside, I thought it would be appropriate to do a post with gorgeous outdoor eye candy to feast your eyes on. Enjoy, and I hope you get some great ideas for your outdoor space. XOXO ~Liz
(All photos courtsey of http://www.frontgate.com/)
Since green is my favorite color I wanted to show some outdoor sets that I find appealing. I love the monogrammed pillows...what a great way to personalize a space. I also *LOVE* the topiaries.
The green pillows are a nice touch and tie into the umbrellas nicely! In the photo above, I really like the use of candles and the pillows on each chair. Doesn't it look cozy and comfortable?
The outdoor carpet really brings the inside out and planks the table and chair set beautifully.
Another photo with an outdoor carpet....Love it!
This place setting is so elegant!
In the above photo, don't you love the centerpiece and candles? The table looks so inviting!
Who wouldn't love to grab their favorite book, or magazine, and perhaps a glass of wine or ice tea and kick their feet up on this chaise lounge?

I like the use of flowers in the above photo.
Isn't the grass checkerboard pattern a unique feature?
I *LOVE* the place setting in the above photo. Artichokes, anyone?
This patio set is gorgeous. Notice the outdoor lamp?Another View.
Swim...anyone?
More looks using monogrammed and decorative pillows.
Isn't this a cute chaise in the above photo?
Lanters ~ Light up the outdoors!

Lanterns hung from an umbrella...wouldn't this be cozy at night?
Lanterns - Poolside!
Aren't these pretty?
Love this firepit! Fire gives off such a nice ambiance at night when sitting around the fire.
A good grill is a must in your outdoor space!

Always place a nice doormat at your front and back door, and plank it with some pretty flowers.
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***Melissa***

I thought of you when I came across this doormat! =)

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Well, that's it folks! I hope you enjoyed the photos just as I did when I came across them.

((Hugs)) ~Liz

~*~

Looking For Tuscan/Italian Design Inspiration? Look no further! :)