only the most genius jeans ever!!!

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, then you know my GENIUS idea of jeans with drawstring waist or elastic bands, therefore eliminating muffin top forrrreverrrrr.

Well.

Apparently the people of Jolt read my blog because they beat me to the punch. I need to start moving faster on my most amazing ideas ever.

So check these out:

Ya, so I ran to Nordstrom yesterday and bought some shorts, and then ordered a pair of the jeans online.

Even though they seem to have stolen my idea, I'm happy to support the cause of eliminating muffin top.

It's kind of like supporting a third world child, but not even close.

© 2010 "Le Musings of Moi"

can i get an amen?

© 2010 "Le Musings of Moi"

a girl with a plan

Slowly but surely I am finding the pieces to my new living room.

And when I say new, I don't mean the new that just happened a month ago, I mean the new that will happen a month from now.

ADD what?

First we're looking at this couch, because it all centers around my baby that is patiently waiting for me in the garage.

Then I finally bought this rug, and it's en route to my casa any day now:

{walmart.com, $98}

And thinking maybe these throw pillows:

Then I'll change this mirror to black:

And I'm considering these chairs:

Although white scares me with three kids.

We'll see.

Once I decide on the chairs, all systems are a go. I'll be ready to make the change. Again.

Poor Jimmy.

© 2010 "Le Musings of Moi"

morning pages, tracy anderson (again), patience and kombucha

So with the lesson of Friday still working it's way into this week, I've decided that it's enough talking about change. It's time to just. start. doing. it.

This week Tay has an all day camp he gets to go to, and I'll have a chance to relax with just two (who says, "just two?" Oh. A mom of three, that's who.), so I should be able to get things some things done.  I'll start with patience.  Patience is easier with two than three.  Trust me.  So that's first on my list.

This morning I just woke up feeling mo.ti.vated. Aw girl. You don't even know. Wha'cho back.

Ya, so um....

I have fallen off the healthy train wagonmagig in the way of eating, and my thighs are none to happy about it, 'specially when I have to bare them (shield your eyes people!) in my bathing suit.

So, I made up my two week workout plan.

What, you don't do that too?

For you Tracy addicts, it's:

Mon/Wed/Fri ~ Mat Workout (fave one like, um, ever!) and original Dance Cardio

Tues/Thurs ~ Post Pregnancy Workout, with the Iron Man Webisode for extra umph for le legs.

Then.

The next week I'm switching the days.

Mon/Wed/Fri ~ Post Preg & Dance Cardio II

Tues/Thurs ~ Mat Workout w/Iron Man Legs

{need all the free tracy links?  see them here}

Ya dig?

Also. I'm back on doing a thing called, Morning Pages. And if you're familiar with the workbook The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, then you'll know what I'm talking about. Basically it's time spent every morning where you write three pages longhand, and it can be about any and every little thing. I guess you're supposed to write out all the stuff that is standing between you and your day. You and your creativity. You and you. Make sense? I know, me either. Which is why I have started and stopped this book several times in the last few months. But since I feel that I'm losing my writers touch, it's time to get serious.  Some of it is a little more "new agey" than I really tend to like, but I just filter out that stuff, or replace it with my own christian beliefs.  Anyway, it's a good book. 

I also started drinking Kombucha.  But I am way too wimpy to drink it without flavor, so I am addicting myself to the Synergy Grape one.  Yummy.  And I feel so much more granola than ever for liking it.

And that's it.

You're probably wondering when I'll tell you that I quit shaving my armpits being that I'm so "healthy," but trust me, I have my limits.

Kombucha may be that limit.

Isn't it all so fascinating?

Aren't you so glad you are now up to date on what I'm doing this week?

© 2010 "Le Musings of Moi"

the lesson of friday

Ya, so remember on Thursday when I was all, "tomorrow I'll show you my bedroom?" 

 When I said "tomorrow" I really must have meant "someday in the future." Because obviously I never got around to taking or posting bedroom pictures.

I need to work on that whole saying I'm going to do something and then not following through thing.

Seriously though. I've been making a lot of promises to a lot of people, including myself, without really thinking through it all. I tend to just want to please the masses, and then I realize when I'm covered in pending tasks, that maybe, just maybe I should have first made a promise to myself to pause and breathe.

Breathing can be kind of important too.

So, Friday morning my body decided to prove to me that point in the way of a panic attack. And ya know, those really aren't good times.

But, it got my attention. And I listened. I stopped and I took a lot of deep breaths. And in the midst of the discomfort rather than hiding or burying myself in tasks, I got up and snuggled my babies on the couch and I just breathed them in. 

It worked, and they calmed me.

Later I was even able to say no to a job, because while I needed the hours and pay, I needed my sanity and family more.

I let go of needing to be perfect for others. Of having to be the savior, of being all that everybody around me expected me to be.

For that moment anyway.

And the panic passed, and I felt proud. Proud that I had survived the pain, and proud for standing up to it rather than hiding from it.

Now that it's Monday, and the tasks are once again piling up, I'm having to remember the lesson of Friday.

I can say no. 

 I need to hand what is too hard over to Him, and allow Him to do what He does best....bear the burden.

And then I can breathe.

© 2010 "Le Musings of Moi"

bittersweet

This day is always bittersweet for me.

Bitter, being that I lost my dad 8 years ago...He passed away suddenly from a heart attack, and what breaks my heart is that I never got to say goodbye.

{Get the whole crazy drama filled story...here, here, here, here, and here...}

I never got one last chance to tell him how much I loved and adored him, and how much he had touched and made a difference in my life.

I know that he's with the Lord, and he's more at peace now then he ever was...but sometimes I just wish...especially on days like today, that I could have him here with me. Just so I could tell him how amazing he was. That despite his mistakes, despite his faults and failures...regardless of all the ways he may have felt he failed me...I loved him. Purely, unconditionally, wholly with my entire heart and being.

He believed in me. He hoped for me. He trusted me. He supported me. He understood me. He taught me about forgiveness and hope, he showed me by example to never stop trying to be better. His ability to see potential in not only me, but in everyone who crossed his path....was an incredible gift. One I hope that I have been able to carry on.

I miss him incredibly. I long for one more moment. One more hug. One more time of hearing him call me "sweetie."

But that's where the sweet lies in this day.

My husband.

While I may not have my own dad to celebrate, I am so incredibly blessed to see the same love my dad had for me...Jimmy has for our own babies.

He loves them with his whole heart and soul. He gets down on the floor and plays with them. He takes his time to explain things in a way that they know he listens and cares. They watch him and adore him, just the way I had done with my dad.

I watch their relationship and my soul is lifted...and it comforts me because I know that they will be okay no matter what.

There is just something so incredibly special and healing about a fathers love.

You have no idea the difference you made,

or the difference you are making.

I love you Dad...

I adore you Jimmy...

Happy Fathers Day.

© 2010 "Le Musings of Moi"

le home tour of moi ~ living room

Finally, the rest of the living room in all my sucky photography glory.

I didn't really take before pictures, but I have a few pictures that accidentally show how it used to be...

This was a fashion friday picture...but at least you can see the table was black here....

But, we painted it white and it totally made the whole room brighter:

{we also changed the lampshade to a black one from Target}

{the chairs are on their way out, soooo tired of brown. But they're fine for now.}

And then the couch area...

Before it looked like this:

{ladder side tables, zebra rug, two squares above the couch, plain lampshades}

Then I found this mirror at Salvation Army for $5:

So we painted that, and made a few other changes...

{obsessed with silver trays, all from different thrift stores!}

So, we brought the ladder side tables into my bedroom and brought out our nightstands to use as side tables instead. Love.

Then we (my sister) hot glued black ribbon around the lampshades, sold the zebra rug (so tired of brown), and hung (hanged?) the mirror.

The couch is also going to go, it's seriously the most comfy couch ever, but it's ugly and yup...I'm over the brown.

My plan is to replace the chairs, with what I'm not sure....then bring in this couch:

Get a few black n white throw pillows....

Add in this rug:

And of course if I do all that....I'll have to paint the mirror black...and get rid of some of that blue. And maybe even the pink.

So ya, basically, I'll be starting over.

But that's okay, cause that just means another home tour, right?

Tomorrow, I'll take you to my bedroom.

Ooooo la la...

© 2010 "Le Musings of Moi"

le home tour of moi ~ office space

This little space has been a big pain in my butt ever since we moved in. Number one, it's Jimmy's spot to record music and all that equipment so isn't chic to look at, and number two, it's his spot to pay bills....and piles of bills definitely aren't chic to look at.
No, there is no such thing as bill chic.

And when I say "look at" I mean it's one of the main things you see when sitting on the couch on the opposite side...other than the tv. So, it kinda needs to be pretty. Like my tv.

Once Heather got here, we set to work on a project that is still a work in progress.
 But, as you'll see....we've come a long way.

It started with this:

And after a little elbow grease (still a work in progress):

I'm still desperate to find a way to hide those cords, because it's just not cute to see cords, right?
Maybe a couple decals could dress it up too?
I don't know....something is missing, but I'm not sure what....

But, it's SO much better...SO MUCH.

I also want to convince my sewing friend to turn that bottom curtain into ruffles.

{Mari, you reading this?}

Kinda like this from Three Men & a Lady:

Now that's an office space I could REALLY enjoy looking at.

I'm working on the pictures of the rest of the living room, so hopefully I'll have them up later today.

© 2010 "Le Musings of Moi"

are you a sucker for a deal?

Because my girl Stephanie, who is the now and forever blog designer of Le Musings, is offering MY readers a 15% discount on any of her services this week!  

All you have to do is mention you heard about it here!

Feeling bummed because you don't have a blog, but you still want to be included in a good deal?

There, there....don't worry, because she can design business cards, stationary, letterheads, invitations AND announcements!

So you see?  There's something for everyone.

I'm always looking out for you guys, each and every one of you.

Now go, visit Dirt and Lace Designs, and enjoy the savings!

© 2010 "Le Musings of Moi"

im a redecorating fool!

So, my most fab blog designer Stephanie has been busy at work making changes for me once again...

For whatever reason (psych majors fill me in) I am needing desperately to change everything around me, and that includes le blog.

I guess I just kinda felt like I wanted to make it a little more simple n chic...

You like?

We still have a few little things to tweak....but can I just tell you?

There is none better than my girl.

None.

Anyway, come back tomorrow and I'll have more of the home tour!

© 2010 "Le Musings of Moi"

le home tour of moi ~ entry way

Today I thought I'd show you the entry way that leads into the living room. It's actually a small space/wall that stands between the living room, dining room, and kitchen.

I used to have a leaning ladder desk there from Crate and Barrell, but we moved that into my bedroom (pics later), and instead made a cute little space.

It all started with this little stand:

{salvation army, $7}

We took it home, spray painted it and set to work outlining the details with a paint pen...

then it turned into this:

Just about everything in this area is thrifted. The lamp was $3.50 (minus the lampshade which was $5 clearanced from Target), the white tray for my notebooks was $1.50, and the silver tray for my keys was $2. As for the mirror and the S, I've had those for awhile but if I remember right they may have come from TJ Maxx.

Inside the table I keep a basket with diapers and wipes, another basket with my millions of sunglasses, address books, and my laptop bag...it's the perfect little space.

And as much as I love it, you can see that the color won't really match my new couch should I decide to bring it out of the garage....and if that's the case, maybe I'll paint the bottom white and the top black to match the desk/buffet in the dining room. It could look kinda cool since it's an open floor plan and all the rooms flow together.

We'll see. It's just hard to decide because I ADORE this teal color....and as you'll see tomorrow, I used it in a couple of other places too.

I think I need to fly my sister back down here.

© 2010 "Le Musings of Moi"

le home tour of moi ~ dining room

Now that I have this new couch residing in my garage, I'm antsy to find a way to bring it in my home...but, since I just made some changes over the last few weeks I am trying to take a moment before I make any hasty decisions.

Like um, buying a couch from a thrift store when I already have a couch...but whatever.

So.

I was thinking that maybe I should attempt to clean up around here so that I can finally show off some of the changes, ya?

First of all, can I just say I SUCK at taking pictures? Or maybe it's my cheap little camera, but either way....I am NOT at all happy with how any of them turned out. I need a professional 'round here, and I'm not talking about Jimmy.

Anyway, today we'll start with the dining furniture in the dining room.

I wish I had a before picture with my old furniture, but after a lengthy search, I found nothing. So, just imagine a black pub height table, and a matching buffet table, with a beige and tan floral area rug underneath. And while I loved the table I used to have, it just wasn't the safest thing to have with three clumsy kids...It seemed that at least one kid at every meal was falling off, so that wasn't too much fun. Plus, with it being so tall, I felt like it blocked light from coming in off the back patio.

First I found this desk/buffet table at my thrift store for um, $15!!! 

  I know!!! 

 It's hard to see back there...but you can see that the top of it didn't really match the rest of it.

But when I saw this picture on a blog somewhere (was it yours?) I knew I'd found my solution.

So I....

And then I saw this picture of Sarah Jessica Parker's dining room and again, I was inspired.

So, I set out on a search for five different chairs. So far I've found two from Ikea, and two from my thrift store for $3.75 each!!! I die. Lit-er-ally.

And now, things are complete...

{table: 1/2 off in the As Is section of Ikea, clock: Dutch by Design filled with scrapbooking paper, owl bank: Target, vase: West Elm, flowers: pink gerber daisies - my favorite ever}

And when I say complete, you know I don't really mean it.

I still need one more chair, and I'm considering an area rug.

Should I go round, not round, pattern, plain?

Oh the dilemma.

Tomorrow we'll visit the living room.

See ya then.

© 2010 "Le Musings of Moi"

a good deal gets me every time

So, I just went to my round of thrift stores searching for one last dining room chair....and instead I ended up plopping down my credit card for this:

The moment I saw it, I had to wipe the drool from my chin....because I couldn't believe that I had found a couch almost identical to the Chloe one from Macy's that has been in my To Buy One Day When I Have Money folder for the last 6 months.  

Now, here's my issue.  I have a couch.  A big comfy one, so really there is no room for this little beauty. Unless I sell what I have....

But the other problem....

I just painted a mirror and a table for my current living room...

and it clearly doesn't match my new baby.

But, I can just see the possibilities...

A black-ish damask rug...

Big white mirror....

ahhhh, black, white and that yummy yummy shade of blue.

Jimmy is going to kill me.

My sister may too.

© 2010 "Le Musings of Moi"

the cure for my heartache

Lord you have my heart,

and I will search for yours....

~~~~~~~

My heart has not been my own since I made the decision to live for Him.

Yet, why do I continually forget to connect to His in times like this?

Why must I constantly try to go it alone,

figure it out,

fight the battle, 

all by myself....

when He never intended for it to be this way?

Because I am human.

My instinct is to see what's here,

what's in front of me, 

and become focused.

Or....more accurately, 

distracted.

And I forget to reach out to things unseen,

and truthfully,

at times unheard.

He can be silent.

But there is wisdom in His silence.

And maybe if for once I could be silent too...

I could hear His loving whisper.

So I guess that's where I am right now,

reaching and grasping and trying to find a way to be silent.

Because my heart is aching,

and it's an ache that can only be calmed by letting it go,

and instead searching for His.

I give it all to you, Lord.

All to you, I surrender.

© 2010 "Le Musings of Moi"

all your free tracy anderson video links here!

You guys know by now that I have a mild obsession with the Tracy Anderson Method. In fact, I posted on how to do her method here, but I know that her videos {Tracy Anderson Perfect Design Series Set, The Tracy Anderson Method Presents Post-Pregnancy Workout DVD, The Tracy Anderson Method Mat Workout DVD} can be a tad expensive to invest in, especially when you're not even sure you'll stick with it.

So.

I am here to help.

Sometimes it's good to sample the goods before buying the cow.

Isn't that the saying?

But of course, let's be clear....it only pertains to the Method. 

Not, um, other things.

K?

Anyway...I have this great little bookmark folder on my computer where I store all the links for different Tracy Anderson workouts. I'll go to them when I feel like I need a change from the videos, or when I feel like I need a little sumthin sumthin extra to work off that Symphony Bar I ate over the weekend.

{pretty sure that's not a part of her diet....}

And because I love you guys, and I care about your thighs almost as much as I do mine, I thought it might be good to share them all with you guys.

Now, let's get started.

I'll categorize them all by body parts so it will be a little easier to refer back to.

And trust me, there are enough here to mix and match so that you can get a full workout.

This way you can start to see that you WILL love her method, and you'll have enough time to save up for her full videos...

{tracy, feel free to hire me anytime!}

We'll start with a cardio warm up:

Goop Dance Cardio

Treadmill Dance

Thanksgiving Dance
Beginners Dance Part 1
Beginners Dance Part 2
Trampoline Cardio Part 1
Trampoline Cardio Part 2
Trampoline Cardio Part 3
Trampoline Cardio Part 4

Now moving onto legs:

Goop Legs

Gwenyth's Iron Man leg routine
Leg Webisode 

Arm time!

Arm Webisode (I add this one on to the end of all her videos except Mat)

Arms with weights

Goop Arms {for more of a workout, do this twice!}

Don't forget your abs...

Ab Webisode

Standing Abs
{combine the two for some good ab work!}

And if you just need a lil something extra for all those parts,
here are some quick videos that target everything:

10 min everything

8 min everything

Kitchen Workout

Beach Ready
Marie Claire
Arms & Abs
Arms & Legs
Cosmo Workouts
Hamptons Webisode {If you do 20-80 reps on each side for legs, 20-40 reps for abs, and the arm section twice, you have a complete hour workout.  And, I promise, you WILL be sore.  I actually took screen shots of each move and saved it to a folder on my computer so I could just look at them to know what to do next, rather than stop and pause the video over and over again.  Then put on an awesome play list, and you're set to go!}
3 moves for 3 parts
Tracy in Central Park

~~~~~~~

So, there you have it!

All my links.

There may be more out there, and if you know of some, please leave them in the comments and I'll add them in!
It's nice to have a go to place to find them all for those times we just need a free push in the workout department.

And if you are going to get her workout videos....and aren't quite sure how to arrange them all for variety, head over here and I'll show you how I started.

Now that I've been doing it awhile, I change up my videos (I have 4 of them) every two weeks and alternate the cardio dance videos (I have both, The Tracy Anderson Method Dance Cardio Workout DVD, Tracy Anderson Dance Cardio II [DVD]) whenever I change to a new workout video.

It kinda helps to keep things new and exciting for a girl who gets bored easily.

One other tip....
I have found that doing cardio three times a week gets better results rather than five.
Too much cardio can burn away muscle resulting in skinny fat.
So, for example, I do Mon/Wed/Fri, workout + dance cardio...
Tues/Thurs, just the workout.
I especially think this is best once you get to the maintenance part of your weight.

Anyway, hope that helped, and if you guys have ANY questions, I'm here.

Always.

~~~~~~

Other health, fitness, and other body stuff links here:

What supplements should I take?

What should I eat?

Everything in moderation

A new me in the mirror

© 2010 "Le Musings of Moi"

will it ever stop? yo! i don't know....

Whenever I think my redecorating is almost complete, I happen upon new items that make me rethink an entire room.

This seems to be happening with my bedroom at the moment, the room that I was actually somewhat satisfied with.

But when I saw these amazing sunburst mirrors (they look fabulous over headboards), I realized that my bedroom may need a bit of updating as well.

CSN Stores are really making the whole process of completing what I started a little tough....and now that they've asked me to do a REVIEW! (and eventually a giveaway for you guys I hope) I'm even more baffled as to what to choose, what to choose.

The nice thing is, I GET to choose...so it will actually be a review of something I swooned over and loved deep within my (shallow) heart. 

 lol

And while I may end up putting one of those mirrors in my shopping cart...

I am thinking that for now I better stay focused on accent pillows and dining room chairs before moving onto another room.

It's always good to keep your ADD in check, yes?

No?

Well, okay then.....I guess we'll have to wait for the review to see.

© 2010 "Le Musings of Moi"

fashion friday

Top:  XOXO, Plato's Closet and yes I have been stalking their store as of late....and I'm so glad I do, because suddenly I am realizing that all my favorite tops and jeans are from there!  It also seems that I tend to buy most of the owners clothes, and I think from this point on she should just call me before she puts them out....

Pants:  So old, the tag is unreadable....I have had these pants for mmmmm....close to 9 years?  Over the years they've fit, not even come close to fitting, and maybe a couple times (anxiety related) they've even been too big.  I tend to use them as a measuring stick, and as of today....they're a bit tighter than I'd like to have them.  Time to get back on track....goodbye gluten and sugar.  Again.

Shoes:  Also a beloved and well worn pair....from Target years ago, and my go to comfort shoe.  And p.s. I will never get tired of the mary jane style.  Ever.

Bracelets:  Walmart, $3.  Dying, right?

Watch:  La Mer

Sunnies:  F21

Ring:  Tiffany

~~~~~~~

On a non related fashion note....

but on my mind:

This weekend our foster son is going to stay with friends for a couple of nights, and it will be the first time in MONTHS that we will back to what used to be our "normal" family.  I have such mixed emotions about it...as he's blended in so easily that I have forgotten what my life used to be like.  But in the really crazy moments, sometimes I wonder if I miss that life I used to have.  Yet when I see his sweet face....his trusting brown eyes, and I hear him randomly tell me that he loves me and that he loves living in my house...I know that no matter what kind of missing my old life I may be feeling now....it may never amount to the missing I'd feel if he left us.  I always said, long before he came here, that I'd rather it be hard for me, than hard for him.  

I mean it still.....

© 2010 "Le Musings of Moi"