Good-bye luscious locks

Last week Jason was a sick, sick boy and slept on the couch as to not disturb me with his coughing {he is a way better spouse than me}, at night.

And while he was starting to feel better come Friday night, he opted to sleep on in the living room one more night. But not before coming to bed and telling me he had something very important to talk to me about...

I legit thought something was wrong! In the almost seven years I have known Jason, I don't think I have ever heard him say, "I have something serious to discuss" {I am paraphrasing, just go with it}, and so for a hot minute, I thought something was really wrong.

What my husband wanted to "discuss" with me was that it was time...time to cut those luscious locks, ya'll.

If you read my initial post about Jason's hair, then you know his do' has been a topic of conversation at Casa de Crews for months now. MONTHS.

the emo look

Jason has always kept his hair short, but last March he realized that once he was an attorney, he could never grow his hair out. I mean, never mind that he has two and a half years left, and must take the bar, too.

I begged Jason to cut his hair. When friends or my family saw his hair, they raved about it, which did not help my cause whatsoever. So I gave in, and accepted the locks, and actually came to like them.

Jason and I are attempting to run, and when we do, he has to put his hair up with one of my hair ties, or if he is studying, he wears a headband. And occasionally I may have said he was "such a pretty girl", which I think he may not have liked, ha.

the after math

But the decision to chop it all of was Jason's and Jason's alone, and I couldn't be happier.

This was the boy I met seven years ago! I missed that guy...

How was your weekend?!

xoxo,
Nichole

Whole 30 - Day 23 {wiaw #8} #Whole30BlogChallenge

T-minus one week until we have completed our first Whole 30 Challenge at Casa de Crews! I can't not wait, ya'll. can.not.wait.

I say first, because I see us doing this again in 2014. I want to wait until we officially complete this first round, before sharing my thoughts, however.

Just know for now, that I feel a lot better, and my clothes are a tad loose, which makes Nikki one happy girl.

So, what are we eating this week as we near the end?

Argh Matey! 1/27/2014

Today marks Day 21 on the Whole 30 Challenge, ya'll. And I am bey-ond ready for it to end. I will absolutely be sharing my results, and a few more recipes, soon. In the mean time, I'm sharing my weekend, because it's Monday, duh.

The Weekend Update. 1/20/2014

I have been such a terrible blogger, as of late! Life has just been busy, and then when I have had free time I have been too busy catching up on Dexter. Jason is re-watching, and I never jumped on the first go, but now, now I can't watch it fast enough. I feel like I never have enough time to catch up on tv, but when I find a Netflix series, I can watch like an addict, I pretty much stop all life to watch. Please, tell me I am not alone?! For Christmas, one of my sisters gave Jason a Google Chromecast, so now I can watch Netflix in our bedroom. Life is pretty good, folks.

Friday night, Jason picked up Chipotle for dinner where we found a Whole 30 approved meal! Glorious carnitas with pico, and guacamole; twas' delicious.

salad sans dressing: romaine, carnitas, pico, and double guac

But then Jason told me he had some "light reading" to do after he found a magazine of mine. He is such a smart ass. It has been almost a full year since he decided he wasn't going to cut his hair. I am praying come March, he'll get a friggin' haircut!

Whole 30 Challenge {wiaw #6}

Holy celebrations, Batman. I was doing really great up until the 5k, I mostly walked/jogged in mid-December. Then...came our ugly sweater party, a cookie exchange, Christmas, vacation...shall I go on? So instead of showing you all the healthy eats, I thought I'd share...the indulgent, celebratory eats, instead.

All this food makes my stomach, and eyes hurt. Any time I begin to indulge, everything is fine....but after a few days, I feel gross. I guess that is a lovely perk to getting older, huh?

After seeing so much buzz, I finally decided to read It Starts With Food (ISWF). I have wondered for a while how my body was reacting to certain foods and/or ingredients. And after reading the book, I knew there was no turning back, and that I would have to start the Whole 30 Challenge, because unfortunately ignorance is bliss, and I now owe it to myself to see how this goes.

Weekend Scenes 12/9/13

Another awesome, and busy weekend for the books! I swear, this time of year is just insane, and Jason isn't even done with the semester yet. I need sleep, ya'll. Or at least more time to watch cheesy Lifetime and ABC Family Christmas flicks while blogging. #firstworldproblems.

...anyways. I am doing just so-so on my gym time. It's been bad. I tell myself I need to workout before the office, but then I hit snooze. So Friday, I tried to make up for it and had a nice little sesh at my gym, instead of a proper happy hour.

Saturday, I coordinated a retirement party for a friend. It was my first party, that wasn't a wedding someone paid me for. It was a great time!

Last minute shopping, bourbon, and turkey {weekend recap}

Last week, my best friend came over to help me make eat mini pumpkin pies for the Thanksgiving feast I prepared, yesterday. During this pie prep, we both discussed how this year was the first year we were keenly aware, we are grown-ups. I love it, and hate it. The end.

Just kidding...that would make for a boring post. So, our weekend in photos:

I waited until Friday to do the majority of my Thanksgiving dinner shopping. It took me over an hour. I had the most detailed of lists, and purchased everything I needed. But I felt mental throughout this process. This time of the year, Jason starts cramming for finals, and I am left alone to do this. I get cranky, and miss him. So add a full day of work, gym time, and then shopping...I wanted to hurt someone. But then I had a little aha moment, and realized if the only stresses in my life are buying a ridiculous amount of food to feed my slightly nutty in-laws, and missing my husband as he kills himself working full-time, and going to law school, then really I have NOTHING to be cranky about. I am actually quite blessed, if I take a moment to step out of myself and see that. So I made a drink, unpacked the car {three trips, thankyouverymuch}, and cleaned the casa.

Jennifer, yours truly, and Lane

My new fave

As a reward, I went to the Jim Beam Bourbon & Brew Festival, Saturday. Jason had too much studying to do, so luckily I had the ever so awesome Jennifer to take. You know your friends who met through blogging when the initial text of the day is, "I wonder what food they'll have" instead of, "what are you wearing"...she's one of my faves. Thanks for being my "date"!

The Bourbon & Brew Fest was awesome! Not being a huge bourbon fan, I wasn't sure what to expect. But I was able to sample quite a few drinks, and found a new fave cocktail; Jim Beam Honey Bourbon with Ginger Ale. It's definitely on the sweeter side, but the ginger ale definitely masked any boozy taste that you normally have with liquor. That could be a deliciously dangerous drink for me!

The fest was located in The Tampa Heights Waterfront, and the breeze and weather were perfect! I only wish I could have stayed longer, but after three-ish hours, I had to leave since I had a feast to prep the following day. Thanks again to Big City Events for hosting such a great event! 

Sunday, I woke up at 5:30am. Not on purpose mind you, but clearly I had a lot to do.

I finished cleaning, and started to cook. Most everything went off without a hitch! However, more than half of the family was over an hour late because they got "distracted", and understandably I was annoyed. But then there was nothing I could do, and I like hosting Thanksgiving so my mother in-law doesn't have to, and to create some happy memories for our nieces, and nephew. At the end of the day, no one fought, the food was good {if I do say so myself}, and  now it's over, and I can go to my mom and dad's like the child I am and do nothing, but bring dessert and drink, holla!

Not surprsingly, I feel a tad sick after all this busy. I think it's time to spike a hot tottie with a little bit of honey bourbon ;)

Linking up with Sami.

How was your weekend?

What I Ate Wednesday #5 {and a recipe!}

Isn't it a pain that when one thing in your life gets off track,  everything else begins to, as well? No, this just happens to me? Well, okay.

I am back on track with meal planning, and working out. I got a bit derailed for a moment there, but am glad for the routine, again.

Breakfast


I pretty much always make some variation of egg "muffins", but get bored easily and need to try new ingredients, or I'll drive through DD on the way in to work for a coffee, and bagel the size of my head. I have recently discovered organic bacon. As I continue to try and eat "clean", I have found a few organic staples that I now can't live without, and bacon is now on the list. Seriously, it is so good.

This week, I decided to chop said bacon and add to bottom of my muffin tin, add one scrambled egg to each tin and top with cheese; so easy and only 111 calories for one "muffin"! I usually have two and a cup of coffee. No need to grease, or spray my non-stick tin, as the bacon has plenty.

Lunch/Dinner

I made 20 or so of Lane's chicken and zucchini meatballs over whole grain pasta {and zucchini noodles for Jason} and marinara.

Beef & Broccoli over brown rice. I could eat this every single day.

Copycat Culver’s Chicken Cashew Salad from Iowa Girl Eats. I may not be from the Mid-West, and have never experienced Culver's, but this salad sure is tasty, and super easy!

What are YOU eating this week?

XOXO,
Nichole

Totally rad, baby

For MONTHS, I was helping plan a surprise party for the bestie with her mother, and as the day got closer, the stress built, and trying not to slip about said party was becoming increasingly more difficult.

I also took on planning a retirement party {as a legit paid event! woooo} for a friend and this past week had some details to work on with that and this surprise party. To say I am exhausted would be an understatement! But a great time was had, and I am so glad I was able to do as much as I did.

I plan to share more details from this fabulous, rad 80's party we threw, but until I get the photos back, here are a few snaps from my phone.

Late night paint drying

I'm so glad my husband saves everything!

Sunday, to recover birthday girl, her family, and yours truly {Jason had to study. boo} hit up brunch at Salt Rock Tavern. You know I had a mimosa. Cheers!

How was your weekend?

Linking up with Sami

XOXO,
Nichole

Random 11.4.2013

I'm tired, and writing this late on Sunday night. I want to pass out, but I also forgot to renew my domain for two days, and feel like I have to have a post up for Monday since I had the most ridiculous screaming match with my laptop, this weekend. We fought, and I said things I shouldn't have. But my computer still loves me, and we worked things out. So now I owe it to "her" to share my weekend, or what will be a hodge podge of random, Monday.

Apparently last week the universe felt like giving me things. Thanks to a contest. my blog post about Lowry Park's Zoo Boo after the Yelp event, won me TWO annual passes for a whole year! I never win anything, ya'll.

Then, I won a Starbucks gift card from Mayra, at In Flight Party Ideas for entering her site's 3rd anniversary!

Photo: Renee Nicole {Design + Photography}

I also received my head shots from Renee Nicole {Design + Photography} this weekend! We received head shots on day 2 of Blog Fete. And since I have blue eyes, the sun hates them and I squint SO badly in the light. Renee was sweet enough to re-take shots for me later in the day when the sun was not as bright.

Friday, Jason and I went and saw Michael Buble! I love my sweet husband for taking me. It was completely overpriced, however. I never looked at tickets because I wanted Jason to plan the night, and all that jazz. He knew they were expensive, and still took me and said he was happy to do so, but you know what?

We had more fun after the concert, at one of my fave spots, Miguels, for margaritas and dessert. Sometimes, I try and re-create memories and Jason reminds me that its okay to leave things in the past, and create new ones.

Saturday, we went to a belated Halloween Party/Friend's 30th {surprise} Birthday. We were the only ones not dressed up, ha ha. I was just glad to go. Happy Birthday, Shelly!

I have a confession to make; the last week I have massively stunk at meal planning, and working out. I have been incredibly busy, and sort of used that as an excuse. I ate, and drank terribly all weekend. I feel extra tired, bloated, and just gross. I am back at it this week, not even for weight loss reasons, but to feel normal again. I still want to me real here with my weight loss, but I am not weighing myself for a few days. That is seriously how gross I feel. I'll share, soon.

How was your weekend?

XOXO,
Nichole

Linking up with Sami