What a beautiful day.

1. Five points in downtown Birmingham - on my way home.

2. Me with no makeup and craaaaazy hair[ugh...].

3. A pretty red house on my street.

4. Testing out my Retro app.

5. My breakfast with no dressing[Yay!].

I woke up too late today to work out this morning. I tried to blame it on Z for not waking up too, but I'm too stubborn to admit it. Ha. I'm sure he's onto me though. Anyway, I'm ready to do some Zumba on my lunch. I bought Zumba a couple of months ago and have only used it once. Shame on me, but it's never too late...right? I really hope that work today will be much better than the past few days. Having people being ill with me because of their irresponsible behavior has been diluting my motivation. Tired of being a punching bag, but that's the life of customer service I guess. Onto a more positive note, I will be heading out to SC Friday morning. I'm so ready to see my family. I miss them so much! The only thing is, I'm just really sad that we're going because of attending my Aunt's mother in law's funeral. I didn't know her well, but my respect to be there will be provided. Not sure where I'll be in blog world over the next few days. Also, the app I used for all the pictures was with the ShakeIt App except for #4. I love! Last thing...if you're using the Lose It app and want to be friends on there, my username is "michelelee26"!

Happy Thursday everyone. Hope it's not too hot in your neck of the woods.

Date Night & Making up.

Last night, Z and I went out on a date to Red Lobster since we haven't been out on a date in FOREVER because of our schedules and of course because we have been wanting to save money. We opted to go out instead of stay in to cook because of a nifty gift card that Z kindly had. Z was so sweet to bring me flowers, though I'm not a flower kind of girl, I do enjoy how I have some fresh flowers in my dim apartment now. Ha. 

Z made me a heart out of shrimp. Haha. We're so corny, but I love it. Who doesn't love corny?

And of course, some pictures via Picture Show. Again, I love this app because of all the options you have right on your phone! Love, love, love... Anyway, the date night was a success as always. It was so nice to be able to just sit down together and enjoy a really good meal. It was a quite night at the restaurant thankfully, but eventually we found some entertainment because a couple had sat down across from us. The girlfriend seriously talked too loud. By talking too loud I mean, we could hear that she was not a happy camper being on a date with her man. Z and I just laughed together about it because it was just a reminder that we're happy to be happy together.

So, after our sweet conversations and filling our bellies with yummy food that pretty much demolished our calorie intake...we were set on working out in the morning together. I'm glad to say that we actually did it!! 

I think this was the first time that we had actually worked out together. Like, working out to where he saw me sweat like a gross pig and us huffing and puffing from the intensity. Please excuse my ugly post work out face. Ha. I'm not sure if these sayings are right, but I've heard that one, a couple that works out together, stays together - or two...a couple that prays together, stays together. Either way, we pretty much do both....so win-win, right? Right. :)

We have plans for tackling this again tomorrow morning! Can I just say that it feels pretty freaken amazing to work out in the mornings? I have always been so used to working out at night, but now after working out earlier...I feel so much more productive and refreshed. Also, we've been pretty consistent with our Lose It app too. I'm seeing some progress already and this is all so exciting. Happy Wednesday everyone!

PS. I'd like to clarify that the "Making up" part of the title is pertaining to us working out to make up for all the junk we consumed from the date night. Haha.

Let's talk fat.

Lately[ok, let's not lie....this is an every day thing!] I have been feeling the pressure of becoming more healthy and shedding some unwanted love pounds. I am as guilty as the next person that can admit that I don't have the best will power. I first tried to do the clean eating method, but that didn't last long after a monthaversary date night that consisted of steak with garlic butter. Then, I had a reality smack with a dress which reminded me of my abandoned goal. I still eat pretty well for a person who wishes to shed some weight, but thanks to this new app that Z has been using, I have been successful with keeping my calories in check. Feel free to click on the picture for more information.

This app is amazing because it allows me to track everything that I eat right on my phone. I have my phone with me ALL THE TIME, so forgetting to enter in what I've eaten has been pretty rare. I have never been a fan of calorie counting or what not, but after using this app...it has shed a new light on so many new ideas. It also allows me to enter in exercises too. What?! Yes. Awesomeness.

What is even better is that Z and I are doing this together. You can have friends on this app too, which we are. We can only see what the other person has done for exercise or how many calories they've eaten...so it's not too exposed. This is what we ate this morning - cottage cheese and pear. It was my first time eating cottage cheese! Ha. I thought it was going to be gross, but quite surprisingly, it was feasible.

I'm really excited that we're doing this together and we don't literally have to be together all the time for support because we have this app that we can use. Unfortunately because I'm the type that needs a work out buddy or a Jillian Michael's vibe to yell/scream/threaten me in order to work out/eat right....seeing this app every single day next to my Facebook and Twitter apps is actually helpful.

Cheers to eating healthier and reaching my ideal body goal. I'm so ready for a change and only I have the power to make this successful. I am so tired of going back and forth to this new life change, so I hope to blog about this maybe once a week on my progress. This will only give me the obligation to be honest with myself and through this blog, it keeps my vulnerability realistic. Until next week[whenever that day of the week is..haven't decided yet]!

Weekend love.

Happy Monday everyone! I rarely take pictures of my weekends in Gadsden, so here's a change thanks to my nifty iPhone and addictive Instagram app. So again, here is my weekend recap.

Saturday

After work, I drove to Gadsden and met up with Z at the Fish Market before he left to play for his show. I had a delicious pasta dish with shrimp, scallops, artichoke hearts, and a Caesar salad. There was SO much pasta in my dish, so I barely ate it. Next time I go, I'll just get it minus the pasta...though I looooooove pasta.

After Z left, I met up with some friends and went to the mall. It was good to get my legs moving[shopping for two hours!], but it was annoying to dodge all of the teeny boppers. This is the main reason why I avoid malls. I also saw a pair of cute gel Steve Madden flats, but I didn't get them. By the way, I'm pretty proud of myself for being a penny pincher and not buying anything. Woo hoo!

After Z got out of his show, I met him at Chilli's with a few friends. I enjoyed a crisp pomegranate margarita and ate two of Z's chicken quesadilla. It was a good end of the night.

Sunday

Here we are at church, feeling all the love that we are blessed with everyday.

After church, we went to Z's grandmothers and pretty much has a southern feast. She usually doesn't cook[86 year old dear] but when she does....goodness, I hope one day I can come close to her talents.

After lunch, Z and I rushed to the Ritz theater for the Sunday show. Z's mom and our good friend Skylar met me there to watch the show. It was a blast, as always.

We did go to a Mexican restaurant afterwards, but for some reason I didn't take any pictures. Boo. I'm still getting used to this documenting gig. Ha.

By the end of the night, we headed to Skylar's and had ourselves a little karaoke night. Yes....you are seeing correctly a Kenny Chesney song. Haha.

Weekends are the best. Yes. Yes.

How was your weekend?

A free show & app obsession!

Who doesn't love a musician? :)

If we're friends on Twitter, then you probably caught the slew of pictures that I posted yesterday night. Hence, the pictures above. I went to a dress rehearsal for Throughly Modern Millie in Gadsden. Z plays in the orchestra[he plays the trombone] and luckily, I was allowed to watch for free! At first, I really thought that I was going to be bored from 6 to 10:30...because 4 hours and 30 minutes of sitting by yourself in a theater doesn't seem like much fun. Well, to my surprise...I really loved it! All of the actors had beautiful voices and the orchestra sounded great. It was a different experience and a fabulous feeling to watch a show that seemed like it was playing just for you. I'll admit it, I felt quite special. Thanks to the Theater of Gadsden for allowing me to be there and thanks to Z for inviting me. If you happen to be in the Birmingham/Gadsden area for this weekend or the next...go watch this show! It's quite the entertainment.

As for the app obsession, I am in love with the Picture Show app! I thought I was going to use Instagram a whole lot more, but nope...out of all the pictures, only one was taken with the Instagram app. I can't wait to see what other apps I can get with my iPhone. And yes....I am in love with my new phone too! I have yet to do Face Time on it, but that time will come soon. I know this post is not an Inspriday one, but to me...it's still very inspiring. I hope you all have a beautiful Friday!

And here we are with the facts.

Fact: I'm afraid that I will be going on an iPhone photo-taking overload when I finally receive it.
Fact: New phone = More Twitter....like, all the time. Uh oh.
Fact: I actually have errands to run today. This will feel good.
Fact: Sporadic posts have slowly become more appealing to me.
Fact: I miss my Z.
Fact: I need to do laundry more often. 5 loads in one day due to avoiding doing laundry is exhausting.
Fact: I have too much clothes. Need to donate SOON.
Fact: Rude people always make me want to be a nicer person.
Fact: If I missed your call, text me. I never pay attention to missed calls or voice mails.
Fact: I am ready for Fall. This heat here is excruciating.
Fact: School, get ready for me...because I am going to ACE you.
Fact: This was so random.

Happy Thrusday, folks.

Monthaversary: 16

Yes, I am a photo repeat offender. Ha, but at least it's from the month of July!

Well, my dearest Z...we are just racking up the months quickly now, aren't we? I realized that we need to take more pictures together. Now, I can defend that this isn't for nostalgic reasons...but recommended in order to better visually document "us". I want to be able to look back years from now and literally see how we've grown. For example, I want us to be able to come back to these pictures and giggle at how long your hair used to be[because you and I both know that you're going to cut it eventually...hahaha]. I wish for us to maybe print all of them out and create a sweet album together. Really though, I just love being reminded by every new and old picture of us...because it makes my heart swell with more love for you. And now, to the even more sappy part of reasons why I love you.

I love how you get excited with me for the little things like when I get off work 30 minutes early.
I love how you asked me to cook an egg for you last night because I make them better.
I love that even when I try hard not to cry during hard times, you still tell me that it's ok to.
I love your hugs because they make me feel so safe.
I love your family and friends.
I love that you help remind me of my priorities and tasks, especially when I forget.
I love that even when I get upset with you, you never use it against me.
I love it whenever I miss your call, you immediately send me a ":(" text.
I love how you want to get to know my family.
I love that we make decisions together.
I love that you let my feet touch yours now.
I love how you ask me to lay my head on your chest.
I love it that you hold my hand every chance you get.
I love how sweet you are to the women in your family.
I love how you make me want to be a better person.
I love how much you love me.
I love how I will never be able to run out of things to love about you.

Hair Talk: Tipped Hair

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I found this rather intriguing and neat tutorial on the Lauren Conrad site. Granted that LC is quite the trend setter, I found this hair tipping technique really awesome. If I did have lighter hair, I would definitely try out the colors shown above. Don't you just love how colorful her tips are? Maybe with my dark black hair, subtle colors of auburn and purple would be a more appealing look. Instead of some of the bold Ombré hair techniques, this hair tipping seems like a milder approach to change up hair color if you exchange the bright colors with a more natural tone. What do you think of hair tipping? Nay or yay?

I finally did it.

I literally just ordered myself an Iphone4 during my break. I contacted Sprint and they told me that I had already satisfied my contract, so I wouldn't have a penalty by canceling with them. Huzzah! I have been with Sprint for 5 long years and I've had some stories with them.

I am SO EXCITED!

These 2 shipping days are going to seem like forever, but I finally did it!

And....I'm pretty sure Z is excited too, because now I won't have to steal his phone all the time. Ha.

Rootin' for much better service and a much more updated phone.

Tired of looking like a crazy fool in order to get reception with my old Sprint phone.

Cheers.