Checking In

Eeek! It's been a while again. Sorry about that. Post ideas are always swirling around in my brain but I never seem to get them to the blog. I will definitely be adding a blog related goal to the list for 2016.

But today I just want to check in and fill you in on a few things that have been going on.

The Christmas Fix Challenge :: I joined a challenge group hosted by Erica and we just wrapped up with that earlier in the week. I wasn't on my game the whole challenge but I do know I was much more aware of when I wasn't doing as well as I would like thanks to checking in daily. Accountability buddies are a huge help to me when it comes to making healthy choices. When others know I want to skip the soda or go to the gym on a certain day I've increased my chances of doing those things. No on wants to explain why they didn't when they said they would.

#letsbelivin :: I was featured on Lex Be Livin' the other week all for using the hashtag #letsbelivin on my Instagram posts.  You can check out the post I was featured in here. And if you want to learn more about the hashtag you can read all about it here.

Beyond the Scale :: Earlier this month Weight Watchers launched their new program, Beyond the Scale.  I'm still learning about the program and want to share my thoughts on it soon. But the main concept is that weight loss is about more than just the scale, it's about you as a whole. I love the idea of it and can't wait to really start working the program to reap the benefits of it.

But speaking of the scale, my weigh ins have been moving in the right direction again! Yay!

Starting Weight: 224.4

November 30: 221.0

December 4: 219.2 (1-.8)

December 11: 219.0 (-0.2)

December 18: 218.8 (-0.2)

Just one more day to make it through if you're like me and have to work Christmas Eve.  We can do it! Or at least that's what I'm telling myself every time I look at the clock.

Merry Christmas everyone!

New Design!

Hi friends!!

Just stopping by to tell you to check out my new design. Isn't it awesome?!

Now I can't take credit for this gorgeous face lift that my blog received. Erin from Love, Fun & Football is the wonderful genius behind the beautiful design.  I hope you check out her blog and show her some love. And while you're exploring her blog I really hope you click over to her design site! Erin does more than just blog designs so keep her in mind for invites too!

Now I've got to get back to The Bachelorette. I'll see you soon! :)

Quickly

Long time no see huh? I've been extremely lazy lately which has brought about an unplanned break from blogging. But as I was laying in bed this morning catching up on Twitter and reading some blog posts that were tweeted I realized how much I miss it. So I scrambled out of bed to find my glasses and fire up the old Toshiba with every intention of catching you up coffee date style on what has been going on in my life.

And by the time the lap top was fired up and ready to go I realized I don't really have enough time to even have a decent coffee date with you before I need to get myself ready for work. Yes, it's almost 10a CST right now and I'm still in my pajamas barely awake. See what I mean about being extremely lazy?

Having said that I'm going to plan on seeing all of you tomorrow for weigh in Wednesday and then follow it up Thursday with that coffee date we need so badly. And after that who knows what I'll come up with but I do have things I want to write about so we'll just have to see where it goes.

How I feel about today.

See y'all tomorrow!

Friday Favorites - Blogger Edition

Welcome welcome Friday! I might have to go into work today but I'm still glad you're here. After reading Jessi's post this morning I just knew I had to jump on this new link up. Especially because I had already planned to blog about some of my favorites anyways.

I want to spread the love and share with you who some of my favorite blogger ladies are. {In no particular order.}

First up is Jessi from Jumping JE. This lovely lady found me recently thanks to a link up and has been commenting on every post I put out into the blogosphere ever since. She's been incredibly supportive and encouraging even though she doesn't really even know me since our friendship is just budding. We are now snapchat friends so I'd say things are getting serious. We'll have to see where this goes but I definitely wouldn't mind maybe some day heading out west and visiting her in Portland! {Be sure to check out Jessi's second blog, Not the Average Bear, that's all about is all about balance in life which includes health and fitness.}

Tammy Jo is another one of my favorite blogger ladies turned friend. She's always there for me when I need advice or to vent about something. I am beyond thankful to have found her thanks to blogging and it's friendships like hers that make me thankful I stick with blogging. I would love to visit Tammy Jo in Texas, just probably not in the summer months since I'm pretty sure I would melt. I'll be the one to visit in the "winter" months and be running around without a jacket while those poor Texans think it's cold.

This next blogger is another one of those that is always commenting on whatever I throw out there for you lovely readers to read. Nikki is someone I could see myself being real life besties with. Almost everything Nikki talks about doing or wanting to do is something I would do or have done myself. She shares my taste in the men of country music as well. I actually mailed her a copy of the amazing Off the Beaten Path album by Justin Moore because I knew she just had to have it. Be sure to stop by her blog though if you enjoy almost daily Luke Bryan pics! {Girl, I promise you a dating stories post is coming...some day.}

And this last blogger I want to share with you awesome readers today is Carolyn from Fitnasty For Life. She doesn't have a button so be sure to click on the link to head on over to her blog. I feel like Carolyn has taken me under her wing for everything weight loss and running related. She answers my endless questions with no complaints {I hope!} and is always offering great advice. Her weight loss story inspires me and helps me to know that I can achieve my goals because if she can do it so can I. And now that I have taken up running her journey inspires me in that aspect as well. She's been running since the beginning so I know that I can start now rather than wait until I've lost a few pounds. So if you need some major inspiration in your life be sure to check her out. This lady is amazing!

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend and that if you have today off you enjoy the three-day weekend! I'll see you all Monday for the Weekly Goals link up with Carolyn.

My Second Favorite F Word

That ecard about sums it up for me right now.  It's only my second day back at work this week so that makes it an extra happy Friday.

On the downside I don't really have anything planned to share on the blog today.  So I'll make a little list of what's going in my head this morning.

:one: I made the switch from Passionfruit to Adproval last night. I don't make enough from ads to make the monthly fee worth my while.  Adproval is very similar but different from Passionfruit but the biggest difference is it's free like Passionfruit used to be.  And I get paid whenever an ad is purchased so no more waiting for pay day. {Be sure to check out my sponsorship page!}

:two: I had a mole removed Tuesday before heading to Minnesota. The area is itching like crazy lately which I'm told means it's healing.  I go in Tuesday to have the stitch removed and hopefully find out that everything was all good with it.

:three: Why are clothes so expensive?  Shopping Tuesday and Wednesday I kept finding stuff that was full price and I was definitely not buying that day. I'm waiting for the price to come down / Christmas to get the items I found while shopping.  I did make a haul at Victoria's Secret though so it's not like I came home empty handed.

Well friends that's really all I have for ya this morning. I hope to plan out posts for next week that include something on Thursday and Friday.  But until then I'll see you Monday with some weekend shenanigans!

Of course I can't pass up the opportunity to link up with Whitney for #backthatazzup. Friday at 5 6 all i'll want to do is put a drink in my hand!

I got a makeover!

I just had to write a quick little thank you to the amazing Erin from Love, Fun and Football for the wonderful makeover she gave Living n Learning!

I am seriously IN LOVE!

Erin is wonderful to work with and never once complained about my million emails and questions.

If you're looking for a FABULOUS design go check out her design page.

I really could go on and on about how much I love my design and Erin for making it all happen. But I must be off to bed since Bo has a vet appointment at 7:30am (shoot me now!).

Liebster Award

 

Rebekah nominated me for the Liebster award yesterday and I could not wait to type up this post.  Thank you so much Rebekah!  Be sure to check her out at All That Glitters.

The rules for this award are as follows:

This award is given to new or up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers...the award is then passed along to other bloggers in the same category to help spread the word and support one another.

1. Each blogger should post 11 random facts about themselves.

2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you, then create 11 new questions for the bloggers you pass the award to.

3. Choose 11 new bloggers (with less than 200 followers) to pass the award to and link them in your post.

4. Go back to their page and tell them about the award.

5. No tag backs. :)

11 Random Facts about Myself

1. I only write and use a fork with my left hand.  Everything else I do right-handed.

2. My favorite color is red.

3. I love to bake.

4. I drink raw cow's milk.

5. I have one dog, Bo.

6. I love my iPhone and am not sure how I waited so long to get one.

7. My best friend lives over 700 miles away from me.

8. This is my 4th blog (and hopefully my last!).

9. I love sweatpants and hoodies, always in them when I'm at home.

10. Country music is my favorite.

11. I am still driving my first car that I go when I was 16.

11 Questions from Rebekah

1. What is your favorite nail polish color? I really like Dive Bar by Essie.  It's a dark blue/green color.

2. What is your favorite season? Tough question.  Spring or Fall I suppose because it's warm enough to not need a jacket but cool enough that I can wear a hoodie.

3. Do you like Instagram or Pinterest better? Why? I'm going to go with Instagram because it is all about the pictures.  Pinterest, while totally awesome, is about what's behind the pictures (i.e. the instructions on how to do something).

4. What was/is your favorite subject in school? English was my favorite subject when I was in school.  I am good at English and it usually meant reading books which is something I enjoy doing.

5. Lipgloss, lipstick, or neither? Lipgloss!  When I use it that is.  I'm more of a chapstick (Burt's Bees) kind of girl.

6. What are you favorite types of blogs to read? I love them all!  Beauty so I can learn new things about makeup and hair, lifestyle so I can learn and get ideas for my own, food and fitness so I can get new ideas and motivation/inspiration.

7. What is your favorite pattern? (chevron, polka dots, etc.) I don't have a favorite pattern...unless you count camouflage. ;)

8. Have you ever made anything from Pinterest? If so, what was it? Sadly I have not made anything from Pinterest but I have plenty of recipes pinned that I want to try, hopefully soon!

9. Would your rather drink coffee or tea? Neither!  I wish I liked one of them, or both, but my taste buds just are not having it.

10. What is your all time favorite movie? All time favorite?!  Such a hard question to answer.  Always love A League of Their Own.

11. Do you watch reality TV? If so, what shows? Yes, I do...The Bachelor/Bachelorette (not always but I'm watching this season), Teen Mom 2, The Real World, the Realworld challenge shows,and Bachelor Pad.  Hopefully that's it!

And the nominees are...

1. Lex at Life by Lex

2. Melanie at Happy Being Healthy

3. Sarah at Picky Runner

4. Nikki at Antos Does Life

Aww man, being new to the blogging world sucks sometimes.  I don't know that many up and coming bloggers because I am following some pretty awesome ladies that have quite a few followers.  :(  I'm just going to nominate 4 bloggers.  Hopefully this isn't against the blogging world rules!

11 Questions for the Bloggers

1. How did you come up with your blog name?

2. Cook at home or go out?

3. Summer or Winter?

4. Planner or spur of the moment?

5. Favorite recipe?

6. Favorite store and why?

7. Is your Christmas tree and/or lights still up?

8. Favorite outfit?

9. Gym or at home/outdoor workouts?

10. Favorite sport to follow?

11. Favorite smell?

Whew!  Coming up with new questions is tough.  I am looking forward to learning more about the four lovely bloggers I nominated.

And thank you again to Rebekah for nominating me!

New Things on Living n Learning

Hi folks!  I was a busy girl yesterday in terms of the blog.

I created a Twitter account just for my blog so be sure to follow Living n Learning by Amy @lnlbyamy.  On the right side of my blog you can see some of my recent tweets and to follow me all you need to do is click the "follow @LnLbyAmy" button.

I also became a sponsor of Life by Lex (be sure to check her out).  She created what you see as my ad on her blog.  Didn't she do a great job?  I was considering adding sponsorship to my own blog but after some further checking I found that the website that I would use to do this doesn't work well with wordpress.com hosted sites, which is what I have.

I also changed the background on my blog.  I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to web design so all I did was upload a picture I like.  What do you think of the new background?  It feels kind of plain to me considering the majority of my background is just plain white now.

If I could do one big picture for my entire background I would, but like I said I don't know what I"m doing so I don't even know if that's a possibility   Only thing with doing that is I would need to change the font color for the links at the top of my page and again I don't know what I'm doing.  Sensing a theme here?

Any tips you have are welcome!