I am fierce...

I am fierce....

It's my new motto. I've been hitting the gym, and better yet the pool every day for almost a week. Here's the best part I'm really enjoying it.... Okay maybe not so much the 30-45 minutes spent on the treadmill or elliptical trainer, but certainly the hour or so swimming.

I was a competitive swimmer most my life and even swam competitively in college. However, while in college I realized how burnt out I was. For years I wouldn't even enter a pool for leisure. Just the smell of chlorine would throw me back into the decade + of my life spent swimming laps.

After a several year hiatus I have started to swim and have been looking forward to it each and every day. It is my favorite part of my day and such a nice treat after working so hard on the treadmill or the elliptical. It's nice to jump in the pool and feel the strength in my arms and shoulders again. I have a goal to lose weight, and am hoping the combo of running and swimming will get me there. 

At the start of every season for most college and high school sports there's a time of two-a-days or a Hell Week, where you practice two to three times a day to build up strength and endurance quickly enabling you to start with the full workout earlier in the season. I am in my own personal Hell Week. 4-5 miles running, and then 1.5-2 miles swimming. I feel fierce and am proud of myself for being able to do it, however I also feel very worn out. But today as with every other day this week, I am looking forward to my workout! I'm watching the clock tick by until I can head to the gym, get my running out of the way and jump into the pool!

I am fierce! 

For those of you entered in my gardening in Texas Giveaway this is post number 50! So my next post will announce the giveaway winners! Hurray!

Eddie Ross at ETSY Mid Week Update

Wednesday is Eddie Ross Update day and I could not be more excited about what he has up for sale this week: First of all this gorgeous herringbone pattern pressed glass basket, imagine how wonderful this would look overflowing with Hydrangea's or tulips for an outdoor Easter brunch? Or in the summer filled with huge sunflowers for a delicate touch on a BBQ buffet table. I love all things sparkly, especially little touches of silver or gold at the table. These hammered silver cocktail glasses from the 1920's would be stunning under candlelight at dinner. Or as the perfect Mint Julip glasses for my Kentucky Derby party (I am beyond obsessed at this point). My final pick of the week is this modern pitcher with the silver rim. Although living with a chef means that I have the best of the best in kitchen ware, my table ware is often lacking basic necessities. One such necessity is a simple glass pitcher. Just looking at this one makes me want to mix up some mint julips right now! *All pictures are links to the Eddie Ross at ETSY store

Jockey's and I'm ready for the Kentucky Derby

Dear Readers,

I am sorry to have been so suddenly absent in the middle of my Giveaway! I still have not reached 51 posts, so go here to enter if you have not already done so.

I have been extraordinarily busy the past two weeks, house guests, bonus time at work, Cheffie's Surprise Paintball Birthday Extravaganza (not very chic, but it was a lot of fun), and then more house guests this week.

In the midst of the chaos I have found a new favorite show, Jockey's on animal planet. I love that the show is full of real drama and excitement it's a nice reprieve from watching the "real housewives" scratching each others eyes out over airbrushed pictures and their husbands ages.

Jockey's follows several jockey's at Santa Anita downs which is one of the most competitive racetracks in the country.

It features several male jockey's and two female jockey's, one of which is Chantal Sutherland who has been featured in vogue.

I love the preppy brightly colored silks, and the gorgeous monogrammed cravats the jockey's wear, I also love seeing the gorgeous horses. Although there are no new episodes airing you can catch view the full season online at the Animal Planet Channels website: animal.discovery.com.








This show has made me so excited about horse racing, I have already begun planning for my Kentucky Derby Party. Big hats and mint juleps... here I come!
*All photos courtesy of animal.discovery.com, all photos are links to the Animal Planet Website

Samaritan's Purse in Darfur

I'm sure many of you have heard that following the indictment of President Omar Al-Bashir for war crimes in Darfur. The government of Sudan forcibly removed all aid organizations from the Darfur region. The government confiscated their vehicles, Satellite phones, computers, everything. The people in this region have no infrastructure. Their schools, hospitals, clinics, and often food came from international aid organizations that are no longer allowed to be in the country. Photo courtesy of Time Magazine

For whatever reason, one of the only remaining organizations is Samaritans Purse, which was started by the son of Billy Graham. Samaritans Purse is a highly ranked charity, by the charity watchdog website Charity Navigator. Samaritan's Purse keeps their administration and fund raising costs low, most of your donation goes to provide aide.

As our hearts break over our own economical woes, let us not be so short sighted that we forget we are still amongst the wealthiest 5% of people on the planet. Let us not forget there are those in need all over the world. Now more than ever the life giving health care, education, and food that Samaritan's Purse provides in Darfur is desperately necessary. They are working to stretch their own programs and to continue and maintain as many programs of other aide agencies as possible. If you tithe regularly, if you give regularly, or if you rarely give but are perhaps motivated to do so now. I would encourage you to consider giving to Samaritan's Purse.

*on a less "together we can change the world note", I haven't written 51 posts yet, therefore you can still go here and enter my Texas Garden Giveaway!

Eddie Ross Mid-Week Update!

It's Wednesday Lovelies,

By now we know that Wednesday brings an update to Eddie Ross' wonderful store on Etsy.

This week I love the silver plate champagne bucket (I have champagne on the mind after spending my Sunday reading a book cover to cover and drinking an entire bottle of champagne, granted it took several hours, but still what an indulgence!).

This week for our purchasing pleasure Eddie has also listed several pieces of monogrammed silver. I love his idea of giving a monogrammed piece of silver with a tea cup and gourmet tea as a hostess present.

I also adore his collection of antique linens. This week he has posted antique hemstitched hand towels. Which I am most definitely coveting!

Also, my Garden Giveaway is drawing to a close. Enter by commenting here, posting about the giveaway on your blog, and becoming a follower!

As always the photos are links to Eddie's ETSY store.

BCBG Ruffle Tiered Blouse... My New Love

Several weeks ago I was lusting after this blouse on Ebay. They sold out of stores immediately, but were selling for about 1/2 retail on Ebay. I "visited" them on Ebay everyday, but to my great regret never bought one.

Two days ago I'm browsing for another blouse, and what pops up but the object of my affection the BCBG Ruffle Tiered Silk Halter. It is total serendipity, I said to myself and immediately placed a bid. Can you imagine I won the auction by 3 cents? Obvisouly this blouse was meant for me!

I adore this blouse and cannot wait for it to get here.

The best moisturizer, wrinkle cream, and foundation...

It is that time of year again readers. We are all working on achieving our New Year's resolutions, hoping to work on our figures for bikini season, and most of all prepping for the upcoming wedding season.

Inevitably each spring I create a new workout regime (usually aimed at running a marathon by fall), change my facial repetoire seeking the perfect moisturizer, anti-wrinkle cream, and foundation combination, and of course begin seeking the perfect three S' --> "sandals, sundresses, and skirts."

I will address each of these issues in turn, but right now I am out of wrinkle cream and just about out of moisturizer... I have been using an exceptional product by Lancome called Primordial Defense. Though I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the product, I'm feeling slightly guilty spending the $80 + for 2 oz that I so willingly spent last time (granted the product did last me almost 12 months).

This year I am seeking the advice of my lovely, and dedicated readers in seeking the best facial repetoire. So ladies what are your recommendations?

Here is what I currently use:

This will be post number 45... at post number 51 I'll be giving away the prize from my Texas Gardening Giveaway! To earn entries comment on the original Giveaway Post, become a follower and write about it on your blog...