Impulse Buy of the Week #2

(#1 was the girly shower curtain revelation.) So this time, I was again in Target. (Gosh, I sure hope all of my moments of self awakening don't happen in giant retail chain stores....wouldn't that be ironic?) I probably haven't been in there in a year, and then all of a sudden I feel like I'm there all the time. They have a really good sale on dog food right now, and I have a lot of dogs, so it helps with my tiny budget. Anyhow, I was wheeling my 45 lb bag of dog food to the register on Thursday and realized that I hadn't seen my favorite red lipstick in quite a while. One of my dogs has a serious thing for eating lipstick...especially my expensive eco-friendly lipsticks.

To be honest, I haven't really cared to wear it for a while anyway. I was reading in the book about codependency that it is very common for the codependent to stop caring about his/her appearance, to gain weight, etc. I've never been overly concerned with how I look or what I'm wearing, but I definitely used to put in more effort than I have the past year or so. So, I decided I needed to get some red lipstick. It is amazing what red lipstick does. It is like a shortcut to feelings of confidence for me. I dug around for what looked like the most environmentally-responsible option for where I was shopping, and put it on first thing when I got back in the car. Instant smile.

In other news, I have gotten TWO out of the blue comments in the last few days of people asking if I've lost weight! The funny thing is the scale hasn't moved a smidge from the other day. Still right at 137 lbs, but the way my clothes are fitting, I feel like I've lost way more than 3 lbs. I was able to wear a dress (and my red lipstick, of course) to a party last night that I haven't been able to fit into in a looong time! That felt like an accomplishment for sure.

I'm still doing the juicing and protein smoothies and have added in some raw veggies/avocados every now and then. Last night I was so proud of myself. I was around a LOT of chocolate and beer, and I didn't have any of either! The weird thing is it wasn't even hard. I did have a little wine the other night with some friends. I figure that wine counts as juice, right? Ha.

I love the expression on her face....

Yea, yea, yea. So, what? So I jumped in the creek and then rolled around in dirt and even my tongue is covered in mud. What's the big deal?

Morning Soundtrack....

Skipped yoga this morning to stay in bed, snuggle with the dogs and listen to a friend's album from start to finish. This was the last song. Seems a perfect post to follow the quote I posted last night.

learn more about & hear more of Luke's work HERE.

(By the way, he's not the same Luke Reynolds who shows up doing a Katy Perry cover on You Tube after this song finishes playing. Definitely different Lukes.)

"Remember that sometimes not getting what you want

is a wonderful stroke of luck."

-Dalai Lama

Currently on my bedside table....

A little vintage cactus shaped dish that holds some important stones, a vintage deer lamp, my new back scratcher (a must if you live alone and like having your back scratched), a tiny tea light candle made by my friend Ayesha, my Fit Bit, a ball jar with a little bit of herbal tea left in it, a tube of cortisone cream I bought today in a desperate attempt to get the swelling on my hand to stop, and a stack of three books.

This has been the summer of people mailing me books. I won't argue with that for one second. So far this summer, my mom sent me a self help book (Codependent No More by Melody Beattie), which I am almost finished with & one of my mentors/professors from college sent me a signed copy of his new book of poems (Bone Fires by Mark Jarman). It has been a long time since someone has sent me a novel to read though. I'm pretty sure this is the very first time someone has sent me a novel over 650 pages! I opened my mailbox this morning and smiled when I saw it. My friend, Ben, had been telling me about this great book he was reading & he thought I should read it too, so he ordered me a copy and had it shipped to my house! It is amazing how such a small gesture can be so incredibly thoughtful. I'm going to begin reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay tonight. I have no doubt that there is something in this book that I need to hear right now.

What is on your bedside table? I'm curious.

"Don't let your mind bully your body into believing it must carry the burden of its worries."

-Astrid Alauda

Found this picture I took on my 23rd Birthday with Gus...

Almost seven years ago....