inspiration workshop! - dining room

This week's prompt for the Gussy Sews' Inspiration Workshop! is DINING ROOM.

When I think of dining rooms, I think of eating.

Yes, I know that's a given, but from there my  thoughts progress to family, friends, and fun.

It's amazing how many times a get together (be it in or out of the home, with family or friends) revolves around food.

I like the idea of just hanging out with loved ones and cooking a leisurely (and of course, wonderfully delicious) meal.

Sitting/standing around talking, while sipping a nice glass of wine (or whatever your poison is) while music is playing and the wonderful smells of whatever is cooking is my idea of a good time.

So, when I think of my dream dining area, it's not stuffy and formal, it's warm and comfortable and right smack dab in the middle of the kitchen, which is definitely the heart of the home.

 

 

 

{all photos via}

What does your dream dining room look like?

inspiration workshop! - flowers

So, I've already missed the deadline for this week's Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop! linky party.

Oh well! I'll still put this post up.

The prompt was FLOWERS!

The first thought that came to mind along for this prompt was this cutie patootie here:

That's right, that's my little Kid A, better known as Sweet Pea.

When she was born my mom started calling her Itty Bitty Sweet Pea, due to her size (a whopping 3lbs 15oz).

And well, the Sweet Pea part stuck.

It is not only a super cute nickname, but the flower for the month of April (A's birth month) is, you guessed it. 

The sweet pea.

{via}

In March of 2010 I got a tattoo of a sweet pea on my foot, a kind of dedication to this wonderful little girl who fulfilled my lifelong dream of becoming a mommy.

Funny story: a few months back I was talking and cooing at Baby LL and I accidentally called him Sweet Pea. 

Let me tell you, A jumped all over that with a, "He's not your Sweet Pea, I AM!!".

Oh, how I love her!

shred it

In an effort to regain my pre(pre)-baby body and make myself healthier, I have started a new exercise regimen.

Let me tell you, I have tried (and failed) to get an exercise program going since I was cleared for it, 6 weeks after Baby LL was born.

Having a new baby, a part-time job, a 5 year old to take to and pick up from school, plus all of the home stuff that comes with having a family, has made sticking with something hard.

I don't always feel like going to the gym at 9pm or 4am.

Taking a long walk with Baby LL in a stroller after dropping Kid A off doesn't always work, as job schedules and weather conditions can interfere.

Enter Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred.

 

 

For a very affordable $5 I bought the digital copy of this "video" and in less than 25 minutes a day, I get a workout in that not only raises my heart rate, but also works my muscles to the point of burning and shaking.

30 Day Shred has 3 different levels or workouts.

Level 1 being the easiest, and Level 3 being the most challenging.

And let me tell you, Level 1 is by no means "easy".

For the first week or so of doing this workout I would be physically shaking and weak for up to an hour after finishing.

So far I've been doing this for a little more than a month, approximately 10-14 days on each level,  and I'm seeing some great results.

In that short amount of time I've lost a total of 12 1/4 inches.

4 1/2 off my mid-section.

3 1/2 off my hips and butt.

4 1/4 off my thighs.

All of this without ANY change in my diet.

I've also noticed muscles peeking out in my arms and legs.

Being able to do this in my home in such a short period of time has been AWESOME, and I've kept it up an average of 6-7 days each week.

Now that I've made it more than 30 days, I'm going to start bumping up the exercise a bit and do a little fine tuning to my diet.

Hopefully this will help me sail through the holidays with a loss of inches, rather than a gain.

I'll be back in another month or so with an update of my progress.

What are some ways you've been able to fit exercise into a busy schedule?