Birthday Time!

 Happy Birthday Dad!

It's my Dad's birthday today...as I'm sure you've gathered.  He's pretty awesome...and was about my age in that picture. lol.  I really doubt he is aware of this blog, let alone reads it, but I love him so thought I'd share his birthday with the blog world.  :)

xo, kass

Me, Myself & I Link Up!

#1 - What are your top 5 favorite movies to watch during the Holidays?

Oh man, so many good ones. Okay my TOP 5...

5. Home Alone - 4. The Holiday - 3. Die Hard - 2. Elf - 1. Love Actually

But I think these ones are also worth mentioning: Little Women, Frosty the Snowman, The Santa Clause,, A Charlie Brown Christmas. This is my FAVORITE time of year, I absolutely LOVE the holidays! :)

#2 - It’s the month of giving thanks, what are you most thankful for?

What isn’t there to be thankful for? My health, my job, my friends, my family, Brian. Life is good. :)

#3 - If there was a quote or verse to describe your life, what would it be?

#4 - Who in your family are you most alike?

I don’t know how to answer this question. I look most like my Mom and I’m like her in some other ways too, like we have a similar laugh. But, I definitely have my Dad’s stubbornness, sometime quick temper & affinity for good beer. :)

#5 - What is your favorite drink order at Starbucks?

Well, I don’t eat at Starbucks for two reasons...we don’t have one AND it’s not that great of coffee. :P However, I do love my local shops and my two most frequent orders are a cappuccino or a mint mocha. Yum. :)

xo, kass

Weddings & Weightloss

 [this photo sums up the night! :)]

Two weekends ago, Brian’s sister got married! It was an awesome weekend and an awesome wedding! I had a blast hanging out with Brian’s niece/nephew and many cousins! I don’t know, I have such a small family that it’s fun being accepted into a much larger one. And talking about being accepted, Megan (Brian’s sis) actually put me in several of the wedding photos. Maybe I’m reading into it too much, but you don’t just put some random girl in your wedding photos. WHICH is why being included in them made me feel pretty awesome. It’s nice to be considered family...and not some random girlfriend. :P

Okay, moving forward to a different topic. Last Monday, I hopped on the scale and closed my eyes. I was completely dreading its response, because every time we are gone for a weekend all our hard work goes down the shitter. However, most likely due to all the tennis playing between events AND crazy ass dancing at the reception I seem to have lost more weight. Go me!! I’m going to go ahead and let things get real honest and give you a peek into my weightloss journey. Why? Because many of us have some sort of “weight loss/get healthy” story and I think it’s nice to share and know you’re not alone. So...

[see, bone-y chicah.  This is from senior prom, 2003.  Yes, I wore camo to my prom...ha]

I was always thin. Not because I didn’t eat. I mean I was picky, but that had nothing to do with it. I’m guessing it had to do with genetics (mom is thin, brother is a stick!) and just being an active kid. Then I got older, moved out and had a horrible diet like many college kids...oh and add the beer/booze. Ha, All that + less activities + a handful of break ups (why do girls result to eating then??) + slowing metabolism = chubby girl. My highest weight came after college when I first moved away AWAY from home. It was horrible. I was used to being able to eat whatever the hell I wanted without any visible consequences. The food fairy’s had finally had enough. I think my worst was in 2008/09 and I was 168-170. Gah. I’m only 5’4”, so that was just not good.

[Left: August 2008 around my highest weight;  Right:  July 2012, eating healthy stirfry and "Glamping"!]

Finally, I joined Weight Watchers Online and it worked! I lost about 18-20 lbs and kept it off for about a year or so. Then I gained some back, for the next few years I sort of hovered around 150, give or take a couple lbs. Then this year I thought enough is enough and I’ve finally reached ONE of my goals. I weigh under 140 lbs. 139.5 to be exact, ha! It feels really good and is actually pretty motivating. My final goal weight is 130, but really at this point (since I am in my healthy BMI) I just want to tone up the flab! And I know I'm not "skinny", but I don't think I ever want to be super thin like I used to.  I feel like I look healthy, and it suits me just fine!


Anyway, just sharing. :) I have a pretty extensive “Fitness” folder on pinterest if you are needing ideas or motivation for yourself!

So what’s your story? Have any great workout routines or moves you want to share?? :)

xo,kass

Awkward & Awesome Thursdays!

 {photo courtesy of my friend Lindsay!}

 

Awkward

**Moving out of my duplex...it’s been my home for the last three years!

**My coworker coming to my desk, letting out little (but deadly) farts and then walking away as if nothing happened. Seriously?

**Forgetting to scramble up the magnetic poetry on our fridge when Brian’s Dad and stepmom stayed with us. Our poems were not family friendly! :x

**The amount of STUFF I have accumulated over the last few years. It’s insane.

**You know what else is insane? The number of bug bites on my feet and legs. Anybody have any little tricks to keep the mosquitoes away??

Awesome

**Moving in with my boyfriend! It’s funny, I thought it would *feel* different...like maybe I would notice a shift in our immediate universe. But it doesn’t at all, feels totally normal. :) Plus it’s super great seeing him everyday.

**Brian’s Dad and step mom coming down to help us move!

**Our friends coming to help me move AND bringing a horse trailer for all my shit!

**Memorial Day grillin’ (and bags) with all our happy helpers!

**Audio books! I have Spanish for Dummies & The Paris Wife. :)

**Brian getting up early and making me breakfast yesterday. So sweet!

xoxo, kass

P.s. Still time to be a sponsor (which just means ad swapping with me!) If you are currently up there and want to remain, just let me know!

Style Log: Friends, Family & Green Dreams

{Skirt/Thrifted, Merona :: Sweater/Thrifted, Aeropostale :: Boots/Merona via Target :: Necklace/Modcloth :: Glasses/Warby Parker}

 

 

 

 

 

My grandparent's had their 55th wedding anniversary this past weekend, so we headed home for some friend and family time.  We haven't been back since Christmas {which, yes I know wasn't that long ago, but still...}, so it was really great to see everyone. 

As I get older, I've noticed my circle of friends has become smaller, but closer.  The people that really care about our friendship have put work into it, as have I.  While, some others have sort of slipped through the cracks.  I guess the ones that have slipped...well it's kind of sad, but at the same time that's just life.  Besides, it's really nice to know that the friendships I do have are incredibly solid and valued by both sides.  It's really comforting to know that there are people in your life that continue to love you through all the changes life brings.  I guess I'm just trying to say I feel pretty blessed lately. :)

Hope you all had a great weekend!

xo, Kassie

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I’m guessing right about now many of you are sitting down for Thanksgiving supper! I know I am! This year, I am sitting down with my boyfriend’s family...tomorrow we will be with mine. :) I know a lot of people get stressed out around the holidays [I admit sometimes I am one of them], but I really love this time of year. In honor of this wonderful holiday, I thought I’d write about what I love most about this holiday and what I’m most thankful for.

1. I love being able to see my family so much! I’m oddly close with my parents and it’s just great being around them and they rest of the gang!

2. I love turkey, homemade mashed potatoes, corn and my grandmother’s fantastic Grasshoppers!

3. I love getting cozy in front of my parent’s awesome fireplace - I also love the smell of the fire. :)

4. I love playing board and card games with the fam after dinner. A favorite in the past has been Phase 10! This year we are adding some Apples to Apples! Gotta watch out though, my family gets competitive!

5. I love holiday candles! Fresh baked cookies, Apple Cider, Fir Tree...

6. Speaking of...I love having my tree up! The lights from a Christmas tree just set the perfect mood!

7. I love watching all the holiday movies on TV and listening to holiday music (check out the She & Him Christmas album)! [in moderation!]

8. I am thankful for my job. This may seem shallow, but considering how many people need jobs right now, well I’m very happy for mine.

9. I am thankful for my life as it stands. This might sound crazy generic, but honestly I’m happy with my life and I’m so thankful for that. People always seem so dissatisfied with things [and I am too at times], but the thing is you have to make the best of what you have. For the most part, I’ve been pretty lucky in life and when I’m not as lucky I’m good at being positive. I’m very thankful for both of these things...and for where my life decisiveness have led me.

10. Most of all, I am thankful for my loved ones. My family is incredibly supportive and loving. I honestly don’t think I would be where I am today without them. My close friends have also been there through thick and thin. As you get older, you really do discover who those “kindred spirits” are and I’m very thankful for those who have stuck around. Then there is Brian, who I’m extremely thankful for. He’s everything I could have asked for and more. It sounds so corny, but he completes me; he’s my other half and I feel so blessed to have him in my life. Last, but not least, Theo - my dog. He’s my little man, my little buddy and is literally there for me whenever I want or need him. He is the definition of unconditional love. :)

#30 Date Night

 

I’m finished. FINALLY. For real, I started to loathe this challenge at times, but I’m glad I stuck it out. I actually did it! It may not have always been pretty, but I did it, I followed through!

Anyway, Brian & I are headed back home tonight. Once we get there we are going out for sushi! I can’t wait! I’ve only had sushi once, but I loved it! I’ll be sure to take some yummy pictures.
Have a great Thanksgiving!

Monday Funday: Holiday Photo Shoot

Photo Shoot: Brian + Kassie Holiday 2011

Here is a sneak peak from our little “photo shoot”, Lol. Brian and Theo were both good sports about it all and we got some great photos for our Holiday card! Check out my fanpage for the full shoot!