Welcome to Atlanta!

We made the move!

Well, we've been here since January 1, and we are finally pretty settled in our new place!  I know my way around, and we have established a sense of normalcy, so that's good.  Chick-fil-A wanted Brian really close to the store where he's an Interim Manager, which is in Lenox Square Mall in the Buckhead District of Atlanta.

Lenox Square Mall

So they put us about a half mile away in a nice apartment complex, Post Alexander.

Living Room

Balcony
(I'll try to show you a better picture of the view on a day when it's not so foggy!)

Dining Area
(And doorway to laundry room behind the double doors.  The guest bedroom is to the right, guest bath to the left)

Kitchen

Kitchen

Master Bedroom

Master Bedroom (sorry about blurriness)

Master Bath

Guest Bath

Guest Bedroom (had to take on the phone)

So, that's a short tour of our living situation right now!  We're enjoying it and we're very happy here.  We've had several visitors so far, and have had a blast showing them around.  Our latest visitors we took to the World of Coca-Cola.  We hadn't been since they re-did the museum and moved it next to the Georgia Aquarium.  We topped off the night with family-style Italian dining at Maggiano's!  (yummmm)

 (American Idol couch from Season 5)

(The vault that supposedly holds Coca-Cola's "secret recipe.")

And just for the fun of it, I'll leave you with a few of our other favorite spots since we moved to Atlanta.

Beauty and the Beast 3-D was our first movie seen here. :)

We have the privilege of having Andy Stanley as a pastor, as least while we're here.

 Buckhead Station:  It's right around the corner and has a few of my favorite stores.

 Grass-fed beef, build-your-own burgers, and sweet potato fries make this a winner for us!

 Huge chain...we know...but we've never lived close enough to take advantage.  YUM.

 It's no La Berry, but it's not bad. ;)

 Seasons 52:  A different menu every season, with 52 weeks of seasonal specials.  Awesome.

This gym is like two tenths of a mile from us and has the best rates and classes of anywhere I found.

That's just a few of our new favorites!

Have places that are must-sees, must-eats, must-do's, must visits, etc. from the Atlanta area?

We may have tried them and been less than impressed, but maybe not!  Leave me your comments about your favorite places in Atlanta.

Until next time...

XOXOXO

ZUMBA! Yourself Into Shape!

Unless you've been living under a rock, there's absolutely NO way you haven't heard of it.  It's probably the biggest workout craze since...well...I don't even know what to compare it to.  I've been meaning to write about this forever, but it's one of those topics that I could go on and on about, so the task of condensing my thoughts is just a bit daunting.


I'm one of those people who goes through health phases.  I'll run every day for a few months, then I'll do home workout videos for a few months, then I'll eat strictly healthy for a while...but all of that gets old after a while...at least for me.  And see the thing is, a healthy lifestyle is about finding what works for you...because it won't be the same for everyone.  For example, I'm not willing to give up all sweets.  Giving up sweets would seriously ruin my quality of life! haha.  On the other hand, I can totally give up breads.  If I never had another roll, biscuit, muffin, etc...I would be just fine.  I'm also not willing to stick to a workout routine that bores me.  And that's where Zumba comes into play!

Beto Perez

Beto Perez is the founder of Zumba.  You can learn all the ins-and-outs of Zumba here, but basically it's easy-to-follow Latin-style "dancing" (I use the term loosely because it still has an aerobics feel to it).  It burns lots of calories, makes you sweat like crazy, but it's STILL FUN!


My first few classes I was a bit skeptical.  Why?  Because I have never been a very good dancer, and I had a little trouble following the steps.  But after a few classes with each instructor, the moves started to come a bit more naturally, and I felt myself exerting more energy...causing me to sweat like crazy!  I found that once you learn the moves a little bit, you can put more "umph" into them and control your own intensity.  And now that I've been doing it for a while, I find that's even a lot easier to pick up on new routines because the rhythms are very similar!  I even have more confidence to get up on the dance floor when I'm out places too. :-D


And, yes, Zumba will help you manage your weight.  Especially if you do it often like I did/do.  But it will also improve your cardio fitness tremendously!  Most classes are 45 minutes to an hour long, which is manageable because the instructors are typically very purposeful about sticking a few lower intensity songs in there to help you catch your breath after higher intensity songs!


Zumba has helped me strengthen my core as well.  Many of the movements in Zumba involve moving or shaking the hips, and you wouldn't believe the core workout there!  haha. And of course, if you want to build even more strength, there's Zumba Toning.

Zumba toning uses the same Latin-style music, rhythms, and moves, but adds light weight with "toning sticks."  The purple sticks on the top are 2.5 lbs. each and the lime green sticks on the bottom are 1.5 lbs each.  Seems extremely light, right?  Wrong.  After using these for an hour, I can promise you that you'll feel like you got your workout! haha.  In fact, Zumba toning is the only class that I have ever taken and seen my body -really- change.  I now have muscles!  Who knew? ;)

So how do you get started?

You can go to zumba.com and look up class locations and times in your area.  You can even search by facility!  If you live in the Atlanta-area, the best classes I've found are at Urban Active-Buckhead.

However, if you live in the Macon-area, you're in luck.  Those classes are my favorite!  Here are a few you may be interested in.  All of these instructors are absolutely FABULOUS.  There's -at least- one opportunity every day to Zumba in Macon.  These are classes I have personally been to and know for a fact they're awesome.  Most of them are $6.00 or $7.00 per class, if you're not a member of the gym.  It's even cheaper for members.

MONDAY

ZUMBA! with Jasmine Peschel

Mondays at 6:30 p.m.

Wellness Center (Northside Dr., Macon)

TUESDAY

ZUMBA! with Stephanie Huff

Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Body Evolution (Spring St., Macon)

WEDNESDAY

ZUMBA!  with Carol Johnson

Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m.

Wellness Center (Northside Dr., Macon)

ZUMBA Toning! with Jasmine Peschel

Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

Wellness Center (Northside Dr.,  Macon)

THURSDAY

ZUMBA! with Stephanie Huff

Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.

Body Evolution (Spring St., Macon)

FRIDAY

ZUMBA!  

(instructors vary, but I promise they're all great!)

Fridays at 4:00 p.m.

Wellness Center (Northside Dr., Macon)

SATURDAY

ZUMBA! with Jasmine Peschel

Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.

North Macon Park (North Macon Park Dr.)

SUNDAY

ZUMBA!  

(instructors vary, but I promise they're all great!)

Sundays at 3:00 p.m.

Wellness Center (Northside Dr., Macon)

Yes, you can get the DVD Zumba workouts, and I was recently given Zumba for the Wii for Christmas (which is so fun!), but I still believe the class setting is the best.  There's just something about a room full of people having fun and keeping you accountable.

I absolutely love Zumba and have no problem sticking to it as a workout routine, even on the laziest of days.  I always feel better after the class than I did before.

If my love of Zumba isn't enough to convince you, try and see for yourself!  I know everyone's different and you may feel completely opposite, but that's totally ok

Until next time... 

XXOOXXOO

Tried and True--Products I love!

We all (as least us girls) have products that we used once, and never, ever looked back. I mean there are so many brand names, etc. to choose from, once you find one that works...by all means...stick with it! These are what I call Tried and True.

This is hopefully the first in a series of "my favorites" type blogs. You may read them and just find out a little bit more about me, but I have hopes that maybe you'll take something away with you and find it useful!

So without further ado, I'm sharing some of my all-time favorite products. In no particular order...

Maybelline's "Falsies" Mascara

I have short--and rather thin for that matter--eyelashes. This mascara has absolutely done wonders for me! This mascara is great for those who love the "big lash" look. I get it in "Blackest Black." I've used MAC's "Falsies" type mascara and didn't like it at all. I've even tried other mascaras recommended by friends since I found "Falsies," and nothing compared. I know mascara is a huge "to each his own" type of product, but if you're like me and just aren't gifted in the lash area...give it a try!

Jergens "natural GLOW" Face Moisturizer

It's hard to describe why I love this face lotion other than it just plain works well. It's also available in "medium to dark" tones, which I use most often. However, since I've cut back on tanning (*sigh*), my skin isn't the color it used to be! I put this on in the morning and at night after I was my face. It's not the least bit oily and it has SPF already in it. I don't use it so much for the color as the even tone. If you have freckles, etc...this really helps even out the tone of your face so that you can wear makeup less often! (And who doesn't love that?!) It also goes well under makeup. I find that a lot of moisturizers get oily under makeup, but this one really doesn't. I'm definitely sticking with this one!

Essie Nail Polish in "Bordeaux"

Pretty sure this gorgeous red will forever be my "go to" color.  This is a new favorite that I discover a few months ago.  While the deep, wine red is definitely more of a fall/winter color, I may just sport it year round!  I really do love it that much.  This picture (nor the one on their website) doesn't do the color justice.  It's a much deeper red than it appears in the picture.  I love essie nail polish because it stays on so long.  Even OPI comes of my nails really easily.  It's also SO incredibly glossy that I never use a top coat.  In fact, a top coat actually dulls the color.

Victoria's Secret PINK Supersoft Body Lotion

in "fresh & clean" and "fresh & fierce"

Ok, so let me just say that I love Victoria's Secret anything and everything.  This line of lotions is the softest lotion I have ever used.  Period.  My all-time favorite scent is the one of the left in the pink bottle.  However, a few months ago I tried their news scent, in the zebra print bottle, and fell in love with is as well!  Now I just switch between the two.  These scents are exactly what they say...fresh!  The smell is a light, girly scent.  I use this lotion literally every single day.  If they ever discontinue either one I'll be heartbroken!  :)

Victoria's Secret Yoga Pants

I warned you that I love Victoria's Secret! :)

Anyway, these are by far the absolute BEST exercise pants ever.  I don't do yoga, I do ZUMBA!  (A topic for another blog!)  My point is...these pants can be used for anything active or just lounging/errand running.  Even though they are tight, the material is very forgiving!  I've tried on many other brands of yoga pants--from Nike to Wal-mart--and they aren't even the same.  The other brands are unflattering on me.  These pants stay in place, they're comfy, and they're more figure-flattering than other brand names of the same.  When these babies go on sale...I snatch them up!

MAC "Studio Fix" Foundation and Powder

This makeup is amazing.  There's not even much more to say about it.  It covers well, it stays on all day pretty much, and the bottles/compacts themselves last forever.  Because I'm not a huge fan of spending money, I used drug store face makeup for the longest time.  It wasn't until my friend Lauren told me how much she loved MAC foundation that I gave it a try.  She was right!  It's awesome!  I actually love most anything MAC has to offer now.  They're lipsticks and eyeshadows are fab too, however this face makeup is "tried and true" for me!

Nature's Own "Double Fiber Wheat" Bread

(Hey, who said these products would be just beauty?!)

I eat an extremely high-fiber diet.  (If you're curious why, see my 25 Things post, numbers 4 and 5.)

As for why this is the only sandwich bread I'll eat, the nutrition label totally speaks for itself.

Per 1 slice of bread: 50 calories, .05 grams of fat (not trans or saturated), no cholesterol, 135 mg sodium, 13 grams of carbs, 5 grams of fiber, less than 1 gram of sugar, 3 grams of protein.

Enough said.

Eggland's Best Farm Fresh Eggs

Yes, Eggland's Best eggs are more expensive than the others.  (Look for coupons)  However, there is a reason.  The chickens that these eggs come from are fed a highly nutritious diet.  My Mom's doctor first recommended these eggs to her because of her cholesterol levels.  After I educated myself, I started buying these and never turned back.  This is coming from someone that absolutely loves eggs.  I eat eggs ALMOST every single day.  Here's why I love Eggland's Best:

1.  They have slightly less fat than ordinary eggs.

2.  They contain over double the amount of Omega 3's

3.  They contain less cholesterol

4.  They contain way more Vitamin A, D, B2, B12, and E as well as other minerals. 

5.  They genuinely taste better!!

Matrix's Biolage Color Care Shampoo & Conditioner

Besides the fact that this stuff smells amazing, it keeps color brilliant and gives a silky shine!  It makes me hair super manageable and healthy.

Revlon Colorstay 12 Hour Eyeshadow

(Not in these colors though.)

Revlon says this eyeshadow lasts 12 hours, and if it doesn't, it's pretty darn close!  I have this eyeshadow "quad" in several different hue packs.  I really like that you can just do a one-stop-shop and get 4 colors that go nicely with each other.  You don't have to spend a fortune, you get 4 colors, and it lasts all day!  It's an all around "win" situation.

Well, that does it for my Tried and True products.  (For now, at least!)  What do you think?  Have you tried any of these products and loved or hated them?  What are some of your favorite products?  Let me know...maybe you'll land me a new favorite! :)