Merry Christmas Eve!

Just because it's CHRISTmas eve doesn't mean you can skip out on the gym -- my boyfriend and I are about to go down to our gym and burn some calories!  Where are you going?

Highland Park Village carriage ride

Need an idea for a fun evening with the one you love or a group of your favorite friends?!  Take a ride through Highland Park via carriage ride while admiring all the Christmas lights.  There is a Starbucks conveniently in the HP Village so before you hop on your carriage, get a hot chocolate or apple cider.

Last weekend before the carriage ride, my girlfriends and I went to dinner at the new restaurant in HP Village, The Marquee.  It was everyone's first time at this restaurant, but we had all heard a lot about it.  They have a great cocktail menu; we tried the Trial Margarita, Scarf Dancer and the Taylor's Tea.  All of them tasted fabulous!  4 out of 5 of us ordered the soup of the day, which was a shrimp and lobster bisque - YUM!  Also ordered was the big eye tuna tartar - I didn't try this but it looked delicious.

After dinner we walked to Starbucks, checked in at the carriage ride and off we went on a fun ride with Sophie the horse!  All the Christmas lights in the neighborhood were so pretty!

Me and Linds

My sister Haley and me

Christmas in Shreveport

Attending our first Christmas party this year...in Shreveport!  We are leaving today and will be back tomorrow in time for some Legends basketball, GO COLLIN! Thanking our host ahead of time for an amazing dinner, fabulous wine and a very good time!  I'm hoping to double my Christmas budget at the craps table tonight!     

9 Days until Christmas!

I've been without internet (according to AT&T I went over on my data usage?) for almost a week!  You don't realize what you have until it's gone...  But, it's back now so I can finally get online and take care of my urge to blog!

FYI, 9 days until Christmas.  I know some of you are done, almost done or not even close to having all you need for family and friends.  I suggest you check out Pottery Barn - they have fabulous and unique gift ideas; Bath and Body Works has really good deals when you buy more; Francesca's Collections has super fun and affordable gift ideas for the girlies on your list;  I love Cotton Island for great fashion jewelry and accessories; Sample House is one of my favorites for gifts - they have yummy candles, beautiful home decor, accessories, and cute gift wrapping supplies.  Support the company I model for, TASC, and go to Sports Authority and purchase some workout gear for you and your family...because you can never have enough workout clothes!

TASC Gear

*Pictures taken by BE photography

Classic Pilates

Classic Pilates is one of my (several) obsessions.  Thankfully I live super close to this small pilates studio because I go there 2-3 times a week.  They offer private sessions, semi private-sessions, mat and barre classes.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE working on the mat, using the reformer and toning my booty at barre class.  I've incorporated pilates into my weekly exercise routine and have honestly seen and felt results. Pilates is a great supplement to resistance training and cardio training!  Click on the link to view their website and then go check out the studio -- the instructors are fabulous and you'll get a good workout too.

Pictures taken by BE photography 

Natural Food Remedies

This morning on the Today Show, Joy Bauer talked about natural health remedies.  Here's what she suggests: 

Natural Food Remedies

Vinegar helps in lowering blood sugar (good for helping control type 2 diabetes).  Here's an idea:  mix with olive oil and put on your dinner salad.

Honey can help your kid's cough and helps them sleep. Same effects for adults.

Chamomile tea for menstrual cramps.  Drink 1-3 cups a day during menstrual cycle. It's Caffeine free so no need to worry about it disrupting your sleep.

Peppermint oil will help with irritable bowel syndrome. 

Thanks Joy!


*If you have a health condition (diabetes, high bp...etc.) consult your doctor before adding these remedies to your diet.

UGH!  Have you seen the weather forecast for this Sunday, RACE DAY?  I'm dreading this 1/2 marathon even more now........