I love a good challenge…for the most part.

But I just decided that i love to challenge myself, as cliché as that sounds

Not only is it rewarding, but its super fun too, duh…

So, Im going to start a weekly post, [not sure what i should call it yet, i need ideas..]

Each Sunday I will post a challenge to myself

[Feel free to play along or make up your own challenges]

I think its exciting to test your self control and will power. I always find myself thinking “I should stop doing this or that / I wonder if I could actually do that?” so here It is!!!

An opportunity to lay it on the table and push yourself! How exciting!

I realize that Its not Sunday, so sue me…... Im going to start this weeks challenge today. I will just add on Saturday to make up for yesterday!

So here are the rules.

The challenge is from Monday-Friday

At the end of the week, I will post weather I Passed or Failed

This weeks challenge

……"No Sweets"…….

Bottom line__________im a very healthy person, I have a superfood smoothie for breakfast, I eat fruits and veggies all day, I don’t eat fast food, I don’t drink pop. But when it comes to sweets, I cant say no. If you’ve got cookies, I want them. Cupcakes, do you even have to ask?

Its sad really.

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Take it all in steph, then kiss it goodbye for the week :(

I developed an illustration for you to get a better understanding of my chances of passing. As you can see below, on a scale of brussel sprouts to cupcakes, i have the chances of a dinner roll. Folks, this does not look good.

Good luck to me.

Let me know if you are doing a challenge of your own!

Freezin for a reason!

Team Smuggled Raisins.............

[if you watch Scrubs you will understand]

So this past Sunday my sister and I joined all the crazy Chicagoans for the annual Polar Plunge. And let me tell you, It was amazing.

Jumping into Lake Michigan {while there is snow on the ground}

But for a good Cause :)

[Chicago Special Olympics]

........What a rush......

This event raised over $325,000

[geezzzzz.]

Me and my little sister.

I will do this event every year of my life from here on out.

The shirts I made at 2am before the plunge....oops ;0

And into the freezing lake.

She wanted to stay in, I had to grab her from going under again. Crazy kid

The Mammoth ran down the sand into the lake, and was hunted by a pack of at least 15 cavemen. The funniest thing ive ever seen.

Hahahah

Got to see some things I could have lived without, but I guess it’s a package deal. Lucky me

Over 1,700 people took the plunge this year. I can't wait for next year, I am going all out on a costume, it will be wonderful!

Before I go, here is the sweet mug I made last night....

Does anyone find my mustache obsession strange. I can’t help it, maybe if I could grow one it would settle something onside me. Until then…

Nights :)

Steph

Good morning!

Just wanted to put up a quick post and wish everyone a happy Monday! Mondays are my least favorite but i think if I pretend to like them they might just be good to me. I have some fun pics to post for you later tonight from this weekend. My sister and I did the Chicago Polar Plunge. Yes we jumped into Lake Michigan, freezing. But it was amazing. Any way I am already late to work, I have a mustache mug baking in the oven so I have to run! Have a wonderful day!

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Love this! ^

-Steph

Another early morning....

So I've been up since 3 am so far with a sick puppy :( He's been throwing up all morning, I hope its not serious. Im going to ask my sister to take him to the vet today, i can't miss work.

On a lighter note.... I was bored last night and feeling crafty. I have been wanting to do something to our bedroom for some time now but I never get around too it. Then I was inspired by this post and decided to make some pretty garland.

But this wont be all...I have some super fun ideas for this room. It is the one place that is just for my husband and I. We both decided before we were married that we did not want a TV in our bedroom, and I love it! I really recommend this to any newlyweds. Its a place of solitude and peace and quiet for you to enjoy...just you and your honey :)

I made a sweet mustache pillow as well. It is kind of thrown together but It works for now.

Hopefully I will get the rest done soon!

Before I go.......

[just though you should know]

I want this............real bad..

as in, I would become a DJ just so I could wear them everyday.....I guess I could do that regardless.

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Seriously though, how adorable are these?

Hope you have a fun and inspired day!

-Steph

Check it out...

Check out this awesome giveaway over at Penny Threads!

She's giving away some pretty sweet stuff including this amazing print of hers..

What are you waiting for??

You should really hop on over to this cute little blog....

Why?

Because its cute and she is doing a GIVEAWAY!

Yay!!!!!! enjoy!

So I just got home from work and am about to start my

first day of "QUIET NIGHTS"

ehhhhh i am so excited!!!
[i will def. be posting pics of my progress]

as long as it goes well ;)

Loves,

Steph <3

A born again juicer.....

When I was growing up my parents were big into juicing.

[not the steroid type of juicing, silly]

I remember specifically always drinking carrot juice

{not because I wanted too}

And my all time favorite, Apple and lemon juice.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Well starting today I have brought juicing back into my life for good.

And For a few good reasons.

1] The health benefits of juicing are substantial. If you would like a quick overview of some of the benefits visit this site. ;)

2] Most of it tastes amazing! The combinations are endless

3] It makes me feel great. I get a fulfilling healthy breakfast and I start my day feeling 100%. There’s no better feeling in the morning than to be happy and alert while dreading the 8 hours of work ahead of you. Kidding :)

I got this Juicer because I am one of the cheapest people you’ll ever meet.

{However} It works just as well as the expensive ones!

Today I made my all time favorite apple and Lemon juice. I sliced up about 3 granny smith apples because they were small.

[I like green apples when I add lemon]

You don’t need to skin the apple, just cut them so they will fit in the juicer.

I added a few slices of lemon.

You don’t want the lemon too over powering.

{Unless, of course, you do}

I peeled the most skin I could off the lemon, but it’s not necessary to get it all. The juicer catches all the skin and throws it into a pulp tray.

So you just add it all to the juicer, watch it destroy the poor little fruit, hehe, and then enjoy a frothy melody of fresh raw juice!

I love that you are getting real 100% juice with nothing added and it tastes better than any store bought juice. [ just a tad more work]

I love how it gives you the opportunity to be creative too. What combinations can you come up with? Mix veggies and fruit?? Who knows! Its endless!

Yummy! If you want to check out some recipes click here!

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Look at the sweet vintage find I had yesterday.....

Guess How much??

$1.50
[one dollar and fifty cents]

sweet

I also got some super cute books

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GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Biscuit is Having a giveaway! Check out her sweet Blog! This time there will be 10... yes TEN winners, So head over there and enter!!!

P.s her blog is super cute so don't miss out :)

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Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Back to start my work life over tomorrow...booooo!!

lol. Happy Sunday!

Loves,

Steph