5 on Friday!!

It is so dark, windy, and rainy in Southern California!  This must be our version of polar vortex, and I do not enjoy it.  I am hoping that I will still be able to make it up to Bakersfield tomorrow for Tatum's big 2nd birthday party.  We are celebrating Tatum and my Nonna's birthdays with a joint party.  Well, here's my 5 for Friday!!

-ONE-

Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse

I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!!  I started using it about a month ago after I realized that my brows were in need of some deep TLC.  It comes in 3 shades: taupe, medium brown, and dark brown.  I have dark features and black eyebrows, but use the medium brown.  My advice would be to go a shade lighter to make them look more natural.  I tried using pencils before this, but they don't even compare.  It makes your brows look so natural.  I purchased mine from Amazon, but you can also buy it on the Tarte site here.  It is a little pricey at $28.00 for .10 oz, but like I said I have had mine for about a month now and you can barely even tell I have used any.  You definitely don't need much to make a large impact.

-TWO-

Steve Madden 'Marlenee' Sandal

I ordered these last week and CANNOT WAIT to break them out.  They are a perfect addition to any spring wardrobe and also are the perfect not-to-short not-to-tall heel height.  And a plus, they are 50% off at Nordy's!!!  I ordered them in black also, but half size smaller (all they had in stock).  Unfortunately, they were too small and toes hanging off the end of a sandal isn't the most flattering... :( They don't have as many sizes left at Nordstrom, but they have a ton of colors/sizes on the Steve Madden site.  They are a little pricier there, too pricey for me.  I guess I will have to wait for a sale!

-THREE-

Love U Lots 'Butterfly' Two-Piece

This is definitely one of my favorite gifts that I got Tate for her birthday!  I started out ordering this and one other suit from Nordy's.  Then, I went to Kohls and got her the CUTEST little striped romper and a suit & coverup with pink gingham and strawberries.  All so cute, but this one definitely stuck out as my fave!

-FOUR-

My Cutesy Desk

Love my orchid and Anthropologie mug!  Mine is the gold special edition but the black is available on the site.  My monogram was a free printable from  ForChicSake.  They have SO many adorable printable on the site, I love it.  Frames and planner are from Target!

-FIVE- 

How is everyone doing with their New Year's resolutions?  I found this list in January, and realized that it was fairly accurate!  I know there are still plenty of things that I need to work on.  I have been successful with the health aspect to this point, but am currently trying to focus on gratitude and listening.  With lent just around the corner, I am trying my hardest to become the best possible on the inside (of course while working on the outside as well)!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!

XO Nicci

New Nikes + New Work Out Plan

Happy Monday!  Jeff and I are starting a brand new work out plan today.  It is pretty intense, especially for me.  I have never been athletic.  Growing up, I always played sports, but it was more for the social aspect.  I never spent much time in a gym or working out, I never had to.  I have never been "over-weight" but definitely could use some toning, especially at this point in my life.  About two months ago, we decided that we were going to try the Four Hour Body.  I had heard good things about it from a friend, so I ordered the book from Amazon and started reading!  This was right after the holidays, so the both of us were at our heaviest.  I stuck with the Slow Carb Diet section and have been on the diet for almost 2 months now!  I have seen so much progress and feel a lot better daily.  Basically, the diet consists of lean protein.  No dairy, sugar, oats, fruit, etc.  It is basically paleo with the addition of beans and legumes and the subtraction of fruit because of it's natural sugars. I'm all for instant gratification and with this diet, I have really seen my progression from the first day, which is probably the only reason I have actually stuck with it! Also, I forgot to mention, you get one cheat day per week!  We always do Saturday, and there are no limitations...pizza, ice cream, anything!

SO...now that we are set on the diet, we have decided to introduce a new workout plan...and I'm nervous.  Since I've started the diet, I have gone to the gym 2-3 times/week but stuck with about 45 minutes on the elliptical then headed home.
Today, apparently, is a new beginning.  Jeff found this workout plan online and we are starting this afternoon.  Neither of us are morning people, so we are going to begin the afternoon segments with the cardio instead of going twice/day, and seeing how that works out.  I agreed to this and Jeff even made me sign a contract saying that I will keep up with the plan!

So, of course, I needed a new pair of Nike's.  I got these bad boys on sale at Kohls on sale for $58!  I don't normally go to Kohls, as the closest one is about 20 minutes from me, but after seeing a commercial for a weekend sale, I decided to go Saturday.  (I also picked up the most adorable swimsuit & coverups for Tate's birthday this weekend!)

Hopefully, my new shoes will make the brutal workout more bearable!  I'll keep you all up to date (if I live past this afternoon) on my progress. Have a great week!

XO Nicci

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog!  This is simply a documentation of my day to day.  Read about me in my about me section, while other sections are still under construction, I promise to have everything up and running by the end of this week.  Take a look around!

XO
Nicci