Was August Awesome? [giveaway]
*******************************This giveaway ended Sept. 1, 2011 at 10:30 EST. Stay tuned for the next one!
At the beginning of this month, I posted a list of 10 Ways to Make August Awesome. It’s always fun to have some monthly motivation and goals, so I’ll probably do similar lists for each month 😀
Bella’s August in a snapshot:
Here’s what was on there and how I did with my own personal list:
1. Have something to look forward to. For me, it was Healthy Living Summit – just as amazing as I anticipated it to be. The best part? Getting the Pilot away from work for a weekend so he could join me 😉
2. Create a goal for the month. First my goal was to practice more yoga, but it just didn’t happen. I just feel awkward and uncomfortable, especially since I can’t rock out handstands or arm balances right now, so I didn’t practice as much as I would have liked. [Looking back, it’s such a lame excuse. If I want to do it, I should do it, that’s all there is to it] Instead, I began to work on another goal that may come into fruition, but I’m superstitious and won’t post about it until all is bueno 😉
3. Plan a dinner party. Done and done! Now that our house has been “warmed” and 99.9% of our stuff is unpacked, we can start to have frequent smaller dinner parties like we used to. I’m so excited 😀
4. Go through your summer clothes and determine which ones you’d like to get rid of before storing the rest for fall and winter. I actually did this one before I posted this list, and my closet feels SO good! Bonus: room for new clothes! Heh heh.
5. Go for a swim! This didn’t happen. I thought it would motivate me to do it, but nope. I’m a floater, not a swimmer 😉
6. Pick up a new cookbook to try this month, or borrow one from a friend. This was exciting because I unpacked all of my cookbooks, including 3 new ones that I didn’t get to use before we moved from Valdosta. I can’t wait to bust into them!
[We have another shelf full of cookbooks, too. Forgotten treasures!!]
7. Sign up for a fitness event with a friend. I haven’t done this one yet, but am seriously considering the spring half marathon here in Tucson. I was supposed to do it this past year, but didn’t since I went to LA instead for Gatorade. This one will be about 12 weeks after the baby is born, so I’ll walk/run it, but really want to add some running back into my routine. I miss the “ex boyfriend” – it’s funny how you miss things when you can’t do them 😉 I ran a little first trimester, but it felt weird after a while so I stopped.
8. Scope out some new jeans for fall. This one happens on an almost daily basis. My pick for fall:
Love the cut, wash, length, everything 🙂
9. Go out for a girls night 😀 I’m lucky to be surrounded by girls in the squadron who always want to hang out- we did quite a few dinners and movie nights 🙂
10. Eat a pizookie. This one actually didn’t happen! The Pilot and I were planning a pizookie date, and then he had to work late that night and we just didn’t go. I did have fondue this month, though 😉
So was your August Awesome?
Here’s one more way for that to happen:
You see, I bought a boatload of macaroon supplies for HLS and didn’t have time to make them before our trip.
I love almonds, but I don’t think I need 3 lbs 😉
So I’d love to make a custom batch of macaroons for a reader- any flavor: Meyer lemon lavender, blonde, chocolate, mocha, chocolate almond butter, super roon [Of course, other things may sneak their way into the package, too]
*******************************This giveaway ended Sept. 1, 2011 at 10:30 EST. Stay tuned for the next one!
See ya later today with a Fashion post <3
xoxo
Gina
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Wow I would do anything for a batch of your gorgeous roons! I just wanted to let you know how sweet all of your family posts have been. I’ve really enjoyed the new direction on your blog and am excited to follow along!
Hi Gina! My August ended up being pretty awesome- I just tried my first hot yoga class today, and absolutely loved it 🙂 Thanks for the daily dose of positive, happy, glowing inspiration!!
-Julie
I’m a longtime reader of your blog and absolutely love it. You have completely helped me in more ways than you could ever imagine. I didn’t get the chance to make goals for August but since I go back to work and school in a week I’m definitely sure I will get them in.
Chocolate almond butter!
I love everything about your blog, especially the fashion page 🙂 I really do love the variety in your posts though! Oh and I can’t wait for the next shape up!
I love reading your blog! I love your workouts that you post! I am the queen of cardio, but you have me doing much more weights!!
Hi! i have been reading your blog for FOREVER now, but this is my first comment, the prospect of these long-raved-about ‘roons is just too good to pass up! Anyway, i really just want to thank you for your blog. I’m a vegan, dancing, college student, and sometimes the college social scene and the exhaustive hours really can wear down a girl’s motivation to stay healthy. Reading about your adventures has helped me stay focused on my goals, lighthearted, and healthy. You’re a fabulous role model! Thanks!
I’m so happy with the mix of posts on your blog. Just enough family, fashion, fitness and eats.
My August was both awesome and not-so-awesome– started off fabulously with vacay, hanging out, living with the Hubs… ended with me back at school in Cali all by my lonesome.
I’ve been wanting to try a roon for a while now, I’d love to win! Your blog got me in to reading blogs and now I can’t image a day without my google reader haha!
I love your blog pretty much as it is! Such a great mix of food/fitness/life 🙂
My only request is that you continue to not plug opensky very much. It is the one thing that really makes me want to stop reading a blog when I feel the blogger just wants to make money off me. Plus, I don’t even live in the US so am not gonna pay shipping 😉
Pretty much just saying hi! I honestly look forward to reading your blog over breakfast every morning 🙂 Thanks for giving me a relaxing, motivational morning read! Also, I really appreciated the staying motivated in college post. I’m a senior in school and it’s hard being surrounded by a party atmosphere while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Your tips on how to keep up were great!
Hi Gina!
I love how chill you are about your goals. If you didn’t make one, you’re realistic and positive. You state the issue and how to work towards achieving it or adjusting it to fit your life. You rule!
Running is totally a FWB for me. I did it today…4.5 miles conquered! Felt great but I probably won’t do it for another 1-2 weeks. I just love spinning and weight training so much! <3
Stay lovely,
Heather
P.S. – Mocha 'roons sound HEAVENLYYY.
I would love to try your macaroons!! My August was FULL of weddings, which was pretty awesome… but I’m kinda ready for wedding season to be over now!
Bring on September! 😀
Gina, I’ve always wanted to try your macaroons! Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway 🙂
I love everything about your blog! It has such great variety!!
August was awesome for me because I moved back to my hometown and started a new job!
My July was surprising with the unexpected surprise of becoming pregnant with my third child. August has brought morning sickness, well, all day sickness more appropriately. I love reading your blog though as it helps me to keep in mind what a special blessing this child will be. It is so heartwarming to see such a happy, healthy women glowing with the expectation of having a chld. Thank you for helping me get through this!
My august was pretty awesome – I went to my first hot yoga class, reorganized and majorly cleaned my apartment and got a promotion at work! I’m hoping to keep up this great streak and have a super september 🙂 Thanks for all the love and hard work you put into the blog – love it!
Love your blog- and I sure wouldn’t mind seeing a few more recipes!!! 🙂 Learning your breakfast cookie dough cereal recipe has been a lifechanger! Even my 3-year-old son sometimes requests “mama’s special cereal”.
August has truly been awesome for me- I took the plunge and signed up for a year of Bikram Yoga. And this last weekend, my fiancee and I decided to get married (after a 3+ year engagement!), planned a Vegas wedding, and planned a Jamaican honeymoon!!!
I also had a great August and I eat Macaroons quite often. Helped a lot of people end their summer workouts with a bang. Hopefully they keep it going into the fall. I also put on a couple of pounds of lean muscle. Keep up the good work!
I just wanted to thank you for inspiring me to get BACK to working out (almost) everyday. It had been a long long time for me. After many winter months of not running because it was too dark and unsafe to run outside (and I have no gym membership), I went running the first day the time changed and allowed me more sunlight after work. That same run, I injured my knee.
That was back in March and I’m still trying to heal from the injury. I had been using it as an excuse not to work out at all. Since I found you and your fabulous blog, I’ve gotten back on the wagon and I’m feeling great.
I do have one request, though: Can you do a post on cardio options for those of us who have injured knees? Obviously I can’t run, walking for a long time hurts and I end up swollen, and even riding a stationary bike faster than SUPER SLOW is painful. Tips? Help?
Thanks!
I especially love reading your family and food posts! It’s obvious you’re always honest and true, and that’s what makes your blog so great!
I would love to try some of those chocolate almond butter macaroons..mmm….
Hi! I’m a new reader and love following the posts about your pregnancy. I’ve gone back on several occasions to the post about how you got pregnant, mostly because I really appreciate your comments about trusting your body and trusting that things will happen as they’re supposed to. Beautifully written! Keep it up!
I drool over these ‘roons every time you post them – they look so good!
My August was good, but I’m sooo looking forward to fall – football, cooler weather, colorful leaves, holidays! Can’t wait!
I love your blog! Your post on stretch marks and your attitude towards the ones that came from your weight loss journey was inspirational to me! I also have stretch marks from losing weight and I’m always so embaressed, but now I can think of them as symbols of succes, so thank you!
I think Lemon Lavender and Chocolate AB macaroons would be rad!
I’d love some ‘roons! Coconut and almonds are my favorite, and i hear yours are legendary 🙂
Yay for August! I really focused on my endurance runs and challenged myself to make lifestyle changes. I knew getting up at 5:30 in the morning on a Saturday was going to be hard…so I went for movie nights, dinners at home, game night with friends instead of “yay the week is over where is my beer?!”. I am really enjoying chill Friday nights and getting used to my training schedule. I think its going to stick even after the 1/2 marathon. 🙂
I wanted to do the new cookbook goal this month, but haven’t picked one up yet. I’m going to go back to some of your old posts to find some ideas – I’m thinking about picking one up on raw food to read up on some new ideas! Love your blog <3
I couldn’t totally tell from your post yesterday, but it sounds like you can’t ride a bike? I somehow never learned, so I love the spin bike too! 🙂
I’m loving the family posts. I would love to hear more about the Pilot’s involvement too!
I would love to get to try your macaroons! All of your recipes that I have made have been awesome!!
I’d love to see more fashion posts of your daily outfits (with accessories)! I recently completed 7-consecutive days of bikram, a personal challenge for me:) it was awesome!!
I love your blog. One of my favorite parts are the ab workouts. They are simple but effective. I also love your rumba outfits:)
This has been the best August for far- new job, new boy, new life. It’s all really good and beautiful over here! 🙂
I love the family page!!! Fave for sure!
I love your blog, and your and the Pilot’s relationship is motivating! My husband (of 2 months) and I have had a long distance relationship for 8 years, until now…we finally are together full time!! This also means that he drives an hour and 20 min to his job, and I drive an hour to mine 🙁 Even though it’ll be tough, I know it’s worth it…we’re slowly building the life that we’ve dreamed of…and watching you and the Pilot do the same, through even tougher conditions, gives me tons of hope! Congrats on your new home and lil’ one on the way!
I love your family posts as well as your posts about your house. Its a lot of fun to live vicariously through you while I’m in college.
I just wanted to tell you that I love how positive you are!! One thing I love about your blog is the fitness workouts. They are good for a go-to workout when I am bored and need to mix it up! I would love some roons too lol!
Hi I love everything about your blog! But you know this from my email 🙂
August was a very interesting month for me. I moved hope on a leap of faith with auditioning for the golden state warrior girls dance team. I’m in the finals and had to make a decision. I moved from tempe in az after going to school at ASU for 3 years studying nutrition. I flipped my whole life around! August was my month that i did things that i wouldn’t normally do unless they were planned.. ha!
And my best friend and I started a food, fitness, and dance blog! 🙂
My sister turned me on to your blog a couple of weeks ago and now I read daily and LOVE it!
Loved this post. Made me think about my New Year’s resolutions and how I need to get back into those…like taking time to be silly. Yes, that was a goal for 2011. 🙂
MMMM you always make me have “phantom cravings” for macaroons! (Phantom craving- when you crave a food you’ve never actually tasted before) haha but I seriously love the bloggy. I am however always looking for more strength training routines since I’m a newbie at it. 🙂 have a great day!
any chance you’ll ship to Canada? 😉 I remember you saying it’s harder to post about fashion while pregnant but I even love seeing your favourite pieces that you’ve been lurking online! As well your videos, and any posts by the pilot are always a bonus!
I want a pizookie!
I love your Focus on posts! It’s great to hear about all different types of workouts from a first-hand perspective. Keep up the good work!
Just stopping by to say hi! Your macaroons made it onto my go-to snack/dessert list quite some time ago. Keep up the family page, I absolutely love reading about your family. I can’t wait to have a little one of my own someday!
August was awesome.
I can’t believe it’s almost September.
I’m wish August could stick around just a little longer, because Tyler turns 16 next week. Wahhhhh! 🙁
xoxo to you, the Pilot, and little nuggette
What a yummy giveaway! Sounds like you had a great August. I’m still swooning over your fondue date!
My August was a good one—took some time to visit friends and get ready to go back to school. Minus the whole earthquake and hurricane thing, I’d say it was a success ; )
I love your blog, and while other blogs come and go, yours has remained the first blog I always read for the past year and a half! So you have definitely stayed relevant for me!
Love your blog, obviously! 🙂
And…my August just got awesome because I planned a spontaneous trip to the beach for me and my bf! We so needed to get away and it’s the perfecf way to end the month!
Keep up the great work on the new Family tab! Lovelovelove it!