My PB + J

it’s a weekly thang {weigh-in wednesday}

Yes, I am a day late and a dollar short. I feel like this week sped on by, I truly thought today was Wednesday. I guess it just shows we’re super busy over here! After last week I took one more class at The Dailey Method and then took what was planned to only be Friday and Saturday off but after the wig pub crawl I was still feeling sick so I skipped Sunday. I wasn’t happy about only making it three times last week but I am making up for it this week by taking five consecutive classes. I have completed three days and am a good sore. As Michelle said this morning, “at least you’re coming back with a smile”. I feel like getting there is always the hardest, I am so motivated to get there and once we start back dancing I know that hour class was worth it. My 30-day challenge is nearing the end, I have taken ten classes and my goal was sixteen, I can easily do this by next weekend! The owner, Stephanie, says you can noticeably see a difference after twelve classes and I started to see small changes last week. However, this week both Jim and I both noticed that my waist is curving in, something I have never had. I have always been stick straight until my hips and now I have some subtle curves. When I look into the mirror while doing many of the barre exercises I can see the skinnier me emerging. I usually tell that old me, hello and that it’s nice to see you again. Hey, if mentally engaging with myself keeps me motivated while doing thigh work I am okay with that!

Each day brings a new challenge. One day I might be super flexible and the next I am so tight that walking hurts. This is why I love The Dailey Method, I am working at my own pace and I make modifications that work for me. So what if I can’t hold both legs up to my nose while doing flat back on the wall, I make one chattery leg get half way there and I am satisfied. I am also down another pound this week! Slow, steady and healthy weight loss!

Next week is an exciting week for The Dailey Method! The one-year anniversary is next Saturday so I urge those in the San Diego area to take one of many free classes with free childcare on both Friday and Saturday to see what it’s all about! If you end up loving it, which I know you will, I then recommend that you start October 1st on the Fall 30-day challenge. The cost is $175 for non-members and includes many incentives like your chance at $100 Dailey dollars. The challenge also includes a daily meal plan. What’s a better way to kick-off Fall looking leaner, feeling stronger and being more fit? I can’t think of any, because my promise to myself last Winter was to never be fat again in a frumpy sweater. Look for a more detailed post about the anniversary event this coming week.

woodland fall wreath {tutorial}

Woodland Inspired Fall Wreath 
If you’re anything like me you are getting all your Fall decorations up. I have been working over the past two weeks figuring out where to place all my decorations because it’s our first Fall season in the new house. I loved my Fall wreath at the old house but it has since found a new place indoors because we have double front doors. I wanted wreaths that could go through the entire season and stay up for Brayden’s birthday party which is also woodland themed. I settled on a design using fragile moss and grapevine wreaths that I found at Michael’s. The only problem I had was the price so after about five trips to Michael’s to take advantage of the 50% off coupon I had all the necessary items to make my wreaths. 
Here’s what you need for one wreath:
1 – moss & grapevine wreath 
($14.99 + 50% off coupon)
2 – Fall inspired sprigs
 ($1.99 each + 40% + an additional 15% off coupon) 
1 – Woodland mushroom sprig 
($3.99 + 50% off coupon) 
twine 
hot glue
scissors 
burlap 

You will want to work on a clean surface. This is a messy project because of the wreath and burlap threads. Take one of the fall sprigs and nestle it just about eight o’clock, you might need to bend or trim the stick. Next take the second sprig and nestle it right below the first. 

You will next take the mushroom sprig and gently nestle it into the wreath. I cut about two inches off of the stick. On my first wreath the cap of the mushroom fell and on the second the stick came out, if this happens just simple place some hot glue on the area. 

Find a piece of card stock and cut a small triangle. This will be your guide for your mini pennant banner. 

Place the paper triangle onto your burlap, lining them up right against one another. Cut out your triangles. I used four triangles. I originally was going to write FALL on the triangles but opted for simplicity. 

Next take your twine and line up your triangles. Simply place a line of hot glue on the twine and gently place the burlap triangle onto the twine. Repeat with remaining triangles. Leave enough twine at the ends to tie off and for some slack. 
Next take your burlap. Burlap is fairly easy to cut. About two inches in width find a string in the burlap and cut it. Loosen that string and begin to pull towards you. 

Pull the string until it comes completely out from the piece of burlap. 

You will now see a straight cut guide. 

Take your scissors and cut along the guide line. 

 For your pennant you will want to tie onto a twig that is sturdy. I tied mine at 11 and 2 o’clock. 

Wrap your long piece of burlap around the wreath tying a knot at the top and then tying another at the top so you can hang it on a hook disguising the hook. I tied mine at the top twice and cut the ends on an angle.

Hang on your door and admire all season long with a yummy pumpkin spice latte in hand!  

*Note – At select Michael’s stores they are carrying this wreath and matching owls, squirrels, mushrooms and birds. I had purchased an owl to place at 4 o’clock but it looked too busy. Mix and match and have fun with it! 


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it’s a weekly thang {weigh-in wednesday}

Midnight is nearing so I better get this post up! I had to wait for the hubby to get home from traveling today to take a picture and I am so glad I did! This past week has been amazing in terms of finding strength in my mind, body and wellness. Like I mentioned last week I starting taking classes at The Dailey Method. My weekly minimum is getting in at least four classes and I did just that. I wanted to take five but by Friday I was beat so I took Friday off to rest and then hit the weekend strong. I am loving the classes more than ever even if yesterday was probably the worst for me in terms of being mentally engaged but I made it through and I felt great afterwards. Tonight’s class reconfirmed why I love taking classes at The Dailey Method.



When I arrive to the studio I am always greeted with friendly smiles and by name! All the instructors are fab and they all try to get to know you enough to create a great relationships. This is huge to me! I stopped taking Bikram because of the instructors and even some spin classes depending on who is instructing. Honestly, at The Dailey Method it doesn’t matter who the instructor is, you get a great workout and you leave feeling positive. Tonight’s class instructed by Michelle left me feeling energized. She gave me a high-five after class and applauded me on my hard work and dedication. I seriously could’ve cried. While I had felt deflated over the weekend she picked me right back-up. I have a goal and gosh darn it I will get there! It doesn’t matter if one day my legs chatter like crazy or the next I can hold my low c-curve without holding on. I am working at my own pace and I am loving it! 
Each night my body is sore, a good, healthy sore. I can see a change and I am getting addicted seeing my old body re-emerge. While the road is still long, my butt is being lifted (thank you seated pretzel!) and my core is a lot stronger. The other day I was complaining that the skin below my belly button would never tighten up and would you believe that today there are barely any wrinkles in the skin? It’s happening people! Believe in yourselves and believe that with hard work and dedication you will see the results you are working towards! 

In terms of my weight, I have lost another pound. I believe in the next two weeks the pounds will start coming off a little faster but we shall see. I’ll take a pound at a time…

How was your week? Your challenge?

On another note, thank you to all who have e-mailed me about inspiring you to reach your goals. You brighten my day and keep me going!

Want to take a class at The Dailey Method? There are three San Diego locations (Rancho Bernardo/  Encintas / Downtown) or visit the website for a location near you, it’s only $8 for your first week!

vegan carrot cake cupcakes {recipe}

I’ve only baked vegan cupcakes once before. While I went on a vegan diet for one month back in 2008 it just isn’t for me per se. This past weekend I made two vegan cupcake recipes, carrot cake and dark chocolate. The cake on both were delish but the frosting on the chocolate was just weird but tasted amazing. I guess that’s what happens when you compromise real butter vs. faux. I loved these carrot cake cupcakes and I hope you will too! 

Vegan Carrot Cake Cupcakes
makes 24

  • 1 + 1/3 cup flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 TB cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp cloves 
  • 3/4 tsp ginger
  • 1 + 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2/3 cup sunflower oil 
  • 2/3 cup almond (or soy) milk  
  • 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 cups grated carrots
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional) 

Preheat the oven to 350ยบ. Line your muffin tins with liners, greaseproof work best for this recipe. In a large bowl, mix together the almond milk and apple cider vinegar and let stand for a few minutes. Add the sugar, sunflower oil, and vanilla. Mix thoroughly. In another bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. Slowly mix together the wet and dry mixtures. Add the carrots, raisins and nuts – mix until combined. Using an ice cream scoop or a 1/4 cup divide the batter evenly. Bake for 18-24 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean. 


Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting 

  • 1 tub tofutti brand cream cheese 
  • 2 TB vegan margarine 
  • 1 TB vanilla bean paste 
  • 1 1/2 – 2 pounds powdered sugar 


In a stand mixer beat together the cream cheese and margarine until combined. Slowly beat in powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency. Mix in the vanilla bean paste. Frost to your liking. 

nordstrom rack grand-opening 9/13

If there was one event that I have been waiting for in the month of September it would have to be the grand opening of the new Nordstrom Rack in Carmel Mountain Plaza. This plaza is where I head everyday, Coffee Bean, Michaels, Chick-fil-a, Panera, it’s all there. This building has sat vacant for too long after Mervyn’s went out of business and I always said a Rack should go in there. I guess I got my wish! 

Last night the kids and I headed to the pre-grand opening celebration. I thought it was just a media screening so to be greeted fifteen minutes prior to start time with hundreds of shopping addicted women  surprised me. We got in line and after about twenty minutes we realized we never had to wait in line. We quickly moved inside where were greeted with a cute reusable shopping bag, cocktails and tasty appetizers. The DJ was playing great music so the vibe was fantastic as we made our way to the kids shoes.

If there’s one thing I always look for while at the Rack, it’s shoes. Payton is in need of shoes for Fall/Winter since her feet are growing at an exponential rate. She wanted sparkly and we found the same silver sparkly Stride Rite shoes she had last Fall, the plus, they were 40% off what we paid last year. My friend, Kate, from San Diego Deals & Steals gave me a tip that the clearance section was killer so I wedged the double stroller back into the racks and went through the clothes.

Photo Credit: Simmworks Family Blog
I am so happy I visited the clearance rack. 70-80% off clothes I had been eyeing at the beginning of the Summer at the department store. If you aren’t familiar with Nordstrom Rack it is the off-price division of Nordstrom, Inc. They offer a wide selection of on-trend apparel, accessories and home goods that are offered at Nordstrom stores and from Nordstrom.com at 50-60% off retail prices. This is always a plus for me. 

Payton didn’t want to part with her new dress and couldn’t give up a smile either. Focused shopper?
Photo Credit: Simmworks Family Blog

Photo Credit: Simmworks Family Blog

I would like to say I did some damage but I did not. The biggest shopping score was the Peek… dress for Payton. It was originally $48 and I got it for a PENNY! Overall I saved $137.86! 

While checking out the cashier informed me of the grand opening ‘Race Through the Rack’ sweepstakes where one lucky person will be chosen to be the first customer to enter the store and have 90 seconds to select up to $2,000 worth of merchandise! Fill out, print and bring the entry form here. 


                  Follow the store on Twitter @CarmelMtn_Rack for clues to find a Golden Hanger!


You just might be going home with some great steals just like me!