summer "get my butt in shape" challenge.

So I mentioned in a post a couple weeks back that I was planning a little summer challenge for myself so here it is.  Over the past couple months I have completely ignored the gym and haven't been great about maintaining a healthy balanced diet so for the next two months I am kicking myself back into gear.  My ultimate goal is to lose 15 pounds (though I would be happy to lose 10) by September 17 for my anniversary trip with Kevin.

Every Sunday I will do a weekly re-cap of how many times I worked out, how many days I followed my eating plan, how I have been feeling overall and a weekly positive thought to keep myself optimistic about the process.  I will also include my weight every two weeks. 

I know that my weight is not a direct reflection of my progress so if I don't lose a my goal weight by September I wont be disappointed because I will have gotten myself back into a healthy workout and eating routine.  Overall I just want to be a happier, healthier and at least a little thinner version of myself at the end of this challenge.

Some of my more devoted readers may have noticed that I haven't done an outfit shot in a while.  I don't think I will be doing many outfit posts for the next month or two because honestly I just don't feel like I look that great these days.  I have many new things to show off and I can't wait to drop a couple pounds and get back into dressing myself up.  Here are some of the goodies I can't wait to style:

a wedding in a bar.

This past Friday evening our dear friends Julie and Paul tied the knot at Dylan Murphy's (a bar on 2nd avenue between 82 and 83 streets).  Unfortunately Kevin and I were unable to get out of work early enough to make the 4pm ceremony but we headed straight over to the reception as soon as we could.  There ceremony and reception were held downstairs in a private room and Jack (co-owner of Dylan Murphy's) got himself ordained so he could marry them.  Julie looked absolutely stunning in her dress, I am pretty sure that is the first time I have ever seen her in a dress.

An amazing cake topper!

Of course Paul's shirt came off.

 Julie's parents came over from Ireland for the occasion.

Congratulations Julie and Paul!!!

good old phamily phun!

On Saturday (6/19) morning Kevin, Alex, Max and I loaded up our rented Chevy Traverse and hit the road for SARATOGA!!!  I have to say that Saratoga Springs, NY might be one of the greatest places I have ever been/lived.  Since graduating from Skidmore in 2007 I haven't been back nearly as much as I would like and I am hoping that will change over the next few years.  We got to stay in Northwoods (the new on-campus apartments that we lived in our senior year) and even had to get our own keycards made, hahaha.

Kevin and I absolutely LOVE Phish.  It is so much fun to love Phish the way Kevin does and be able to share the same excitement at every show we see together.  Last year we saw 7 shows together, it was amazing.  The two we the weekend before last brought me to 11 shows total and Kevin to 14 shows total.  We rode over to each show in a trolley, isn't she a beaut!

 Both the shows were AWESOME!!!

It was such an amazing weekend and I am so happy that I got to spend my birthday weekend with my phamily and phriends!!!  Thank you to everyone who made my birthday weekend so special.

Can't get enough good old phamily phun!

cake forearms.

Phew the weekend before last was the best weekend ever!  It was so full of great music, good friends and lots of dancing. So Friday night (6/18) was my brother's concert in Brooklyn.  Kevin, Cobe, Max, Alex and I gathered at our apartment and then headed to Brooklyn on the subway.  We got off the L in Brooklyn in the middle of the warehouse district, it was a little sketchy but we kept going until we came across 538 Johnson Ave.  After climbing very graffiti covered stairs and strolling down a graffiti covered hallway we stepped foot into Lou's huge loft apartment.  My brother's were setting up all their gear on the stage in the living room area. 

It was so awesome to see my brothers on my birthday!!!  I love them both so much and I am so happy Nick is home for the summer.  I can't wait to see much more of them in the next couple months.

happy father's day!!!

Happy Father's Day to the most wonderful father in the whole wide world.  I love you so much!!!

 Don't worry I didn't forget father's day on father's day but I was unable to get internet access so I couldn't do my blog post on Sunday. 

birthday bling.

Well by now you have all realized that I am head over heels in love with my boyfriend.  He is so loving and supportive and we have so much fun together.  What I don't think I have mentioned is what he does for a living, brace yourselves ladies because you might get jealous:)  Kevin is a gemologist which means that he knows everything there is to know about diamonds and all colored gemstones.  He works for the Natural Sapphire Company as their head gemologist and purchasing director.  Over the 3 and 3/4 years that we have been dating he has gotten me some pretty amazing presents but the ring he gave me for my 25th birthday is really mind-blowing.  Are you ready?  Here it is:

He was in Sri Lanka for two weeks in May to buy sapphires for his company when he came across this stone.  It is tri-colored: green, blue and yellow.  Isn't it the most gorgeous thing you have ever seen?   He saw the stone and knew I would love it.  Boy was he right, I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this ring:)

Today is officially my 25th birthday!  Tonight we are going to Brooklyn to see my brothers play a concert and then tomorrow morning we get up bright and early to drive to Saratoga for two nights of PHISH at SPAC.  I couldn't be more excited!!!  I am so lucky to be able to spend my birthday with my brothers.  I will do a big post about all the weekend festivities when we return on Monday.  Have a great weekend!

strawberry fields.

Kevin and I went to my house in CT this weekend.  It was the last chance we would have to go up before our big move... oh yeah, I haven't spilled the beans yet but we're moving!  I will post about that later when I have some pictures to share (we don't move till July 9).

On Saturday morning we got up at 8:30 to go strawberry picking with my parents.  Now I know what you are thinking, there is no way Kevin got up at 8:30am to pick strawberries!  Well he did and I have the photos to prove it.

It started to sprinkle right as we headed out into the field and by the time we were finished it was raining pretty hard.  It was a really fun experience and we left with so many berries!  We had to make strawberry shortcake for dessert:)

As usual I spent a good amount of time taking some photos around the house. 

Kevin is checking out the meat birds.

My Kevin is so handsome!

Awww I miss Elsa!

Kaje spent a lot of time getting dive-bombed by bluebirds.  He even tried to snag them a couple time.  Naughty naughty.

It's the napping house.

They are buddies.

There is no denying that he is huge... he is as wide as a car!

 Obrama is in isolation because he is being mean.

On Saturday night and Sunday afternoon we went to the Best's house to watch Merrick's band Third Nature practice.  Merrick plays the keyboards, Tom plays the drums and Will (my cousin) plays the bass.  They are soooo good!  They are going to play a show this Friday in Brooklyn (Nick will be playing as well).  It is going to be a pretty awesome birthday!