Health Kick.

In trying to lose weight, we all have our go-to snacks that satisfy a craving. I will always grab a spoonful of peanut butter when just need 'something.' It's probably not the best late night snack because it is high in fat and could be replaced with something healthier. Sometimes those well-known 'healthy snacks' just wont cut it. I cant eat fruit for every snack!! For those who like salty snacks, this is perfect.... Kale Chips. Yes, Kale. And its so easy to make and they are delicious. I made some today and my whole family LOVED them!! (Even my mother who previously said she did not like kale.) Very simple recipe- Preheat oven to 350. Rinse kale. Cut out stem/rib. Line baking tray with parchment paper. Break leaves into pieces and put on tray. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and coat. Sprinkle sea salt (a little goes a long way). Bake for 15 min until edges are brownish and leaves are crispy. Voila!!! Its such a healthy chip replacement and you're not sacrificing flavor. And it was cheap! 98 cents for a bundle of kale. I will definitely have these laying around instead of my candy dish ;) My mom is going to even make them for her superbowl party snack!! What a perfect way to introduce healthy foods to an otherwise high-calorie event.

My new obsession.

So I've ALWAYS been a thong kinda girl and will occasionally go commando because panties are definitely overrated. (and this is coming from a girl who works at victorias secret.) Anyway-- at Vikki's Semi-Annual Sale, I bought a pair of the cheeky panties for $2.99. I figured if I didnt like em, $3 is not a lot to waste (as opposed to the regular price of $18.50. YA). So i ended up LOVING them. Literally thought it was a wedgie waiting to happen. So, at work today, I couldnt help myself so I bought another pair. (Thank god for my discount!!!) I just wish my ass looked like Adriana Lima's. Love the Pink with Black Lace.... Happy early valentines day to me!! (oh and speaking of presents/valentines day.... I'm getting a massage tomorrow!! (which is kind of ironic, because last year, i had planned to get couples massages with my bf. never got to do it cuz he ended it right before. sad.).... so one year later..... here i am getting a massage. craze. (because how often do normal people/non-celebrities get massages?!!) But seriously, I think it should be implemented in everyday life. Getting massages is now on my 'high importance' list. Its like working out, eating healthy, or getting enough sleep... just another form of well-being. They are so healthy for you... rids toxins, relaxes your body and muscles, and im sure provides endorphins.... because we all feel really good after a good rub-down. Lol. And speaking of healthy living.... my mother does jazzercise and for the past couple of times, i have gone with her. its actually really fun.... i just wish there was more strength. i like to use weights and be super sore the next day. (when i used to go to the gym at my school, i would be the only girl in the weight lifting section.) jazzercise is mostly cardio. it good enough for now. im also using livestrong.com to track my food intake. my sister had recommended the website to me and it amazing.... it has a HUGE database of foods and their specific calorie/protein/carb/sugar values. very helpful if youre calorie counting. in total, ive dropped almost 30 pounds! who hoo. ive got 20 more to go to be at my goal.

More Baking!!!

About 4 years ago, my family took a trip to California for the Rose Bowl. We went to Sprinkles Cupcakes on Santa Monica Blvd. and I became OBSESSED. Every Christmas after, my mom has been getting me their cupcake mix from Williams Sonoma. I don't use their frosting recipe, because i have my own irresistible recipe. (Theirs is a basic, powdered sugar, butter, milk combo). This time, I added little bits of toffee pieces. And omg they are DELISH. I did add more vanilla to the cake batter too. If you've never been to a Sprinkles bakery, I suggest you go- there are only a few locations, but the trip is worth it! The cupcakes are crispy on the top- and even when you bake them yourself, they turn out that way!! But after the first day, the crispiness is gone. But trust me, they wont last long before they're all gone!! Definitely going to the gym tomorrow morning!!

Who Leah's Sleeping With

Ever since I've had this queen size bed (i used to have a twin size growing up, and then had a double size at college), I've been leaving random objects in my bed and sleeping with them. I dont know if its because the bed's so large and there's room for more, or I'm too lazy to remove the items off my bed at night, but some of them are pretty strange, so id thought it make a pretty funny list.

Dec. 11 - sketchbook, computer, phone, tupperware container, stickers, and a camera case.
Dec. 12 - glasses, phone, 37 cents, cards, 4 pens and a sharpie, a small box, coat, and i did manage to take a pair of pants off my bed before i fell asleep.
Dec. 13 - birth control pills and other pill bottles, computer (thats a common one), 3 cotton balls, an envelope, a nail file, and a scarf.
Dec. 14 - pair of socks, sweatshirt, tank, leggings, etc(clothing), suede protector spray, post it, and bombshell body mist.
Dec. 15 - just a pair of sweatpants and my computer tonight! listening to the dirty heads as i fall asleep...
Dec. 19 - I can tell you who im NOT sleeping with... and that is a 15 year old child.
Dec. 20 - pair of earrings, computer, tshirt, kleenex (ive been suffering of a cold the past couple of days), checkbook, glasses, breathmints.
Dec. 25 - a waterbottle, and my sister. incest is best! lol.
Dec. 30 - shopping bag, scarf, 2 bras, moccasins, camera card, computer, and a pottery barn catalogue

(I would also like to add that every night my mattress wakes up about a foot to the left from the frame every morning. I have no clue what i do when im sleeping, but it sounds like a nightmare... or a party)

Christmas Playlist

Barlow Girl - O Holy Night


Jamie Grace - Christmas Together

Faith Hill - Where are you Christmas?


Jessica Simpson - Let It Snow


Beckah Shae - Merry Christmas Baby

Bon Jovi - Please Come Home for Christmas


Mariah Carey - Oh Santa


Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmas Time


Lady Gaga - White Christmas


NSYNC - Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays


Jim Brickman - The Gift


Tobymac - This Christmas

John Lennon - Happy Christmas


Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas is You


Chris Brown - This Christmas


Aly & AJ - Greatest Time of Year


Transsiberian Orchestra - Carol of the Bells


Third Day - Christmas Like a Child


The Carpenters - Merry Christmas Darling


Natasha Bedingfield - Shake up Christmas


Bruce Springsteen - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town


AND I HATE THE JUSTIN BEIBER CHRISTMAS ALBUM.

So that's all i have for now.... will update soon im sure!! Share YOUR favorite Christmas Songs!

Thank You Notes

In honor of Thanksgiving in November, I am going to write one thing I am thankful for everyday in November:

Nov.1 Thank you, Vince, for your heart to hearts. And for that matter, thank you, best friends, for always being there for me.
Nov.2 Thank you, snow plows. There was a blizzard last night so there would be no way I could drive without you.
Nov.3 Thank you, Jimmy Fallon, for giving me a paradigm for my thank you notes in November. (see link... and watch it, cuz you wont know what the hell im talking about... )
Nov.4 Thank you, nailpolish, for hiding my flawed, chipped, and dirty fingernails. You make my hands look beautiful.
Nov.5 Thank you, travel-sized products, for making me feel like a giant whenever I'm on vacation.
Nov.6 Thank you, Green Bay Packers, for STILL being undefeated. And thank you, Chargers, for still scoring, cuz I got free sake-bombs from your points.
Nov.7 Thank you, mystery joint left in hotel room. That's what I call room service! But I am still wondering how you got there.
Nov.8 Thank you, haircuts, for making my hair healthy and shiny. Now I can play with you even more!!
Nov.9 Thank you, flight delays due to mechanical issues with the engine. I just love knowing that if we would have taken off, I could be dead right now.
Nov.10 Thank you, sweet dreams, because I never really appreciated you until I had a horrible nightmare.
Nov.11 Thank you, today, for being 11/11/11 and allowing me to make all the wishes in the world that will probably not come true just because of your number sequence.
Nov.12 Thank you, Starbucks 'skinny' drinks, for allowing me to put on some holiday weight and still not feel guilty about that venti peppermint mocha.
Nov.13 Thank you, Victorias Secret Pink Nation event, for letting me dance and sing without getting in trouble at work.
Nov.14 Thank you, fumbles, for making the Vikings look like they tried even a little bit against the unstoppable Packers. (On second thought, a shutout would have been perfection --friends reference, chandler)
Nov.15 Thank you, diggers and dozers, for making a giant hole in the ground where my house should go. Yay for building!
Nov.16 Thank you, vaseline, for being a multi-tasker. You are my makeup remover, body lotion, face lotion, lip balm, and trust me, much more. I will slather you anywhere! Haha.
Nov.17 Thank you, Sam's Club/Costco, for sharing your holiday samples with me. Free Meal!
Nov.18 Thank you, pay day! (Self-explanatory)
Nov.19 Thank you, white erasers, for not leaving any smudge marks like those pink ones. I mean, I'm not eraser-racist, but c'mon pink! You make all those eraser shavings too! Just try to be whiter... or even blacker. Man, those black erasers will get out anything! They are the ninjas of eraser hierarchy.
Nov.20 Thank you, sore muscles, for letting me know in the most painful way that I did in fact, have a successful workout.
Nov.21 Thank you, socks, for keeping my toes warm during the day. Sorry, but for some reason you are just awkward in bed. If I did ever sleep with you, I was drunk and it meant nothing.
Nov.22 Thank you, cell phone, for being so resilient. I have dropped you and misplaced you so many times and you have still survived. Yes, you many have battle wounds and scars, but you lived though all of my torment and neglect.
Nov.23 Thank you, 8am Turkey Trot, for making me go to bed at a decent hour.
Nov.24 Thank you, Thanksgiving Day, for reminding us all we are thankful for- friends, family, health, and wealth. (And of course turkey, mashed potatoes, vino, and pie!!!)
Nov.25 Thank you, Black Friday Deals, for making otherwise normal people- crazy as fuck.
Nov.26 Thank you, Rob Panza, for showing Rome what its like to be raw, fresh, and awesome back in 2009. Your legend lives on in our holiday christmas cards.
Nov.27 Thank you, fire, for hot showers, warm baths, heated apartments, etc. All which I did NOT have today.
Nov.28 Thank you, Christmas Shopping. I can feel good about giving to others AND buying things for myself while I'm at it!!
Nov.29 Thank you, Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, for making every girl watching want to starve herself and become a VS Angel. And to all the guys watching, praying for a nipple slip. Lol
Nov.30 Thank you, Christmas songs, for making my drive to work more joyful and merry (and embarrassing when I find the driver next to me is staring as I'm belting out Josh Groban)!

And that's NOVEMBER!!! Happy Holidays everyone! Hope you have a blessed December. Love is all around.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

We visited the house AGAIN today... this time with dad. He wanted to do a ribbon cutting ceremony. We didnt have one of those big ribbons or a large pair of scissors, and usually you do this BEFORE you break ground, but dad insisted. I climbed to the top of on of the dirt piles and let me tell you... it was NOT dirt. more like rock and hard chunks of clay. Because of this 'not dirt-like' substance, the builders have to drill holes below the basement and put footers in about 30 ft deeper into the ground. YIKES! As the house starts being framed, I want to do a time lapse photo series. Periodically, i'll document the progress of the house. Lovely, right?