Getting back in the groove

I've been crossing things off my to do list left, right and center. Who knew that pouring rain outside would do that to me.... 

Actually, it's just the change I think. September feels a bit like a New Year with leaving the carefree summer behind and getting ready for schedules, school, and planning everything down to the letter. As the kids get older there is more to do and be involved in which means early mornings, weekly meal planning rather than just stopping by the grocery store when you're out and about and of course as the days get shorter there is less and less daylight to do it in. While this may sound a bit like I'm heading into it kicking and screaming that's actually not the case. I love change and I know this particular change is just what I need to get my eating and exercising back on track too.

I've come across a couple of good articles (thank you Pinterest) to get myself (and you too!) primed to head into the fall ready to get fit.

Do you have Mom posture? You know what I'm talking about...the hunch in your back from breastfeeding, carrying babies around and hunching over your flabby belly so your shirt never gets pulled up too high (tall girl problem right there and yup...guilty)? This is a good article on improving your posture, and it's good for non Moms too!

Are your ready to get back to running? I know that I am. It's the exercise you love to hate but I've really missed it. There is nothing like that feeling when you hit a new milestone and really pushed your way through it. I don't know if it's runners high, but it sure feels damn good. This article has some very good points and tips to get you back track (see what I did there??).

My body is screaming for a change in eating too...more veggies please! I've been feeling tired, bloated and I start breaking out as soon as I get off track. You think I would listen to my body better...especially now that I'm getting to an age where I just can't get away with eating junk anymore...I feel like crap. I will be bringing The Plan back into effect for sure as that's when I felt the best. My main focus will be trying different recipes in line with The Plan...I tend to get stuck doing the same thing because it's easy but hello..boring, and then you don't want to maintain it. There are lots of options so it's time to explore them fully.

How about you? Are you feeling a change coming? What will you be doing to help it along? I think it will be good to do it together, so here's to us and to new adventures! Getting diet and exercise on track is just the beginning....there is lots more to come. :)

Some new tunes

Good Morning! Are you looking for some new music? Here are a couple of songs I've been enjoying.

Royals - Lorde

Loving this new Sheryl Crow song...a real throwback to her older stuff I think.

Have you checked out Songza yet? Best app ever. You choose your mood and genre of music and they provide you with a playlist, it's awesome. My go to playlist lately is titled The Rebirth of Alt-Pop and I haven't skipped a thing...love it!

Enjoy a musical Tuesday! :)

Motivation Monday

This quote came up on Instagram yesterday and I had to regram it (follow me on Instagram here) because to me it's a great reminder to not only stay on track but also how important having goals are. It's pretty hard to get what you want out of life if you don't know what that is.

  It's funny, but that is the hardest part for me. I feel like there are so many things I want out of life that it can be hard to narrow them down, especially when different lifestyles can be conflicting (do you have any idea how hard it is to be interested in dogs and fashion at the same time? Muddy paws and beautiful dresses just don't jive). I think it comes down to being disciplined, something I have to work on constantly as I tend to be a little too relaxed sometimes (just ask my husband), although I'm much better now than I was in my younger days. Lists are my life savers and I have them all over the place. If I don't write it down it flits out of my mind not to be remembered until five minutes before I need it...can you say stressful? When you remember something you need five minutes before you head out the door that is when you rush and end up with muddy paw prints all over your dress...see, discipline. ;)

This applies to weight loss and fitness too. 

With the kiddies off to school in a couple of weeks there will be big changes here and I vow to get myself back onto a schedule. It's time to refocus and reset goals, both short and long term.

How about you? What's standing in the way of you meeting your goals?

Fall wish list

Although we are just getting to the end of August there is definitely a fall vibe going on. I don't see it so much outside...well, maybe just a little with a few leaves starting to turn, but it seems to be coming more from people. I think with school about to start up again and the carefree feeling of summer about to give way to schedules and structured activities people are ready for a change. I love summer and fall so I am happy either way, but when it comes to clothes I'm a big fan of the autumn wardrobe. Big sweaters, boots, scarves etc...I love it.

Here are a few things I've been yearning for....

I love this field jacket from J Crew. It's structured fit is flattering  for most body styles and it goes with just about anything.

Another thing I'm loving from J Crew is this anchor sweater. J Crew factory is offering an extra 30% off right now with the code SALE30.

This is a great v neck sweater from Madewell called the deckhouse sweater and it's part of their select tops sale, just use code TOPTIME for an extra 25% off. Love that the back is a little longer to cover your derriere. ;)

I love a plaid shirt pretty much anytime of the year and Old Navy has a great selection. Just use the code TOPS20 for another 20% off.

I pretty much lived in these skinny jeans from Old Navy this spring and early summer and will be getting right back into them this fall. They are on a fantastic sale right now so I might have to get another pair, maybe some black ones too... They are beyond comfortable and are great to wear with boots, both knee and ankle and look really cute with flats and heels too, you can't go wrong.

Love this cozy Talula Lenox sweater from Aritzia.

Also from Aritzia this Talula trooper jacket.

Love this smokey metal mesh wrap bracelet from Hello Berry. Hmmm.....maybe it would make a good fall giveaway??

And maybe just maybe this will finally be the year I get my first pair of Hunter boots.

How do you feel about the transition to fall? Are you looking forward to it or do you want to hold on to summer just a little bit longer? What's on your fall clothing wish list?

Motivation Monday

Because Julia Child would have had her birthday just last week (Aug 13th) I thought it fitting to use a quote from her to start today's post.

Passion is key. If you don't feel strongly about something than it's not going to get your best work. For myself personally, and I'm sure for many others too, the hard part is keeping that passion going when things get tough. It can be hard to keep on slogging through when you're wondering if it's really worth it, but one thing I have found and continue to find out is that if you are really passionate about something....it's worth it. The world needs people with passion, people who really believe in what they are doing, it inspires others to move forward with their own dreams too.

Happy Monday to you my friends, I hope today finds you inspired!

Pinspiration Friday!

I did three projects today which seemed to take all day long by the time I finally finished up...but it was worth it. Actually the first project would have made the whole day worth it. This granola bar recipe is to die for delicious. I could barely keep my gob out of the pan long enough to make dinner and then I couldn't finish my dinner because I ate too many granola bars...what am I five years old?

The taste combination of honey and sesame seeds just makes this bar, and makes it unique too. It's not super sweet but definitely sweet enough, there is lots of chew to it so you get a bit of a jaw workout and it feels hearty. I will most definitely be making this one again. I didn't change anything about the recipe other than using real vanilla rather than vanilla extract, you can find it here.

I keep seeing this pin come up on Pinterest....just a spray of Pam and your nails will be instantly dry. I thought that is just seemed too good to be true and it mostly is.

 I decided to polish my nails while the granola bars were baking, and I didn't do a full on manicure with base and top coat so this is just too coats of colour. I sprayed the Pam on my freshly polished nails, left it for a moment and then wiped it off with a tissue. The very top was kind of dry but you still couldn't press down on the nail at all. This works much like the quick dry drops etc that you can get, so would be useful against a very light tap or brush by, but they are definitely not full on dry.

My last project of the day was this Creamy Dijon and Leek Chicken for dinner. It was very straightforward and I just happened to have dijon whole grain mustard so didn't need two different kinds (dijon and whole grain).

I served it with jasmine rice and a side salad topped with delicious tomatoes from my neighbour Kathleen (thank you SO much!)

This wasn't my favourite recipe but it was good and the kids both gobbled it right up.

You can find the original recipe here.

Hope you enjoyed today's Pinspired post...have a great weekend! :)

Randoms from around the 'net

Let's start with a recipe. I have been following a blog called The Londoner for a long time now and I always enjoy her posts....this girl lives a fabulous life of globetrotting, fancy parties, fabulous clothes and great food. She can also cook, and I've tried several of her recipes and will be trying this one soon (I almost saved it for Pinspiration Friday). It's a super waist line friendly version of fried rice...except it's not fried and it's not rice... check out the recipe here.

Have you seen Ashton Kutcher's teen choice award video? It's been making it's rounds on Facebook etc..and it's well worth the watch. 

Do you know there is a recipe online for making ice? Yep, you heard me. Click here to go to it and read the comments underneath....hi-larious.

Have you seen the trailer for the movie Her? It's about this guy who falls in love with his computer...looks really weird but I kind of want to watch it....

The art of conversation here.

Funny and so true...

Motivating...

A good way to wake up..

So true...

20% off online at Old Navy right now with the code ONSHOP - back to school shopping anyone?

My nightly mantra to Ella...

I love this trout picture.... this blog is called random thoughts for a reason. ;)

If you want to follow me on Pinterest click here.

Happy Thursday!!

Some Tuesday tunes..

My blogging has been a little bit hit and miss lately, I just haven't felt that inspired. When I do a blog post I want to do it because I feel like talking, not because I have to...otherwise I think it just comes across as forced and that makes for boring reading.

What is not boring however is music and it's a part of my every day life. I try to keep my finger on the pulse so to speak and always feel good when I add new music to my play list. Here are a few new ones I've found:

This weeks iTunes freebie is a good one, but unfortunately I could only find a live version of it. If You Don't Love Me by The Wild Feathers...check it out on iTunes.

Tegan and Sara - I Was A Fool....obsessed! This song is unlike anything they've put out before and I love it!

My sister introduced me to this song and I love it....careful it's an ear worm...it'll get stuck in your head. Glen Morrison - Good Bye

This song isn't new but it's catchy and I like it. Dashboard - Modest Mouse

Want something a little more mainstream? This is a great running song. Lady Gaga - Applause.

And since we're going mainstream how about Katy Perry's new song Roar.

And one more...True Love from Pink

Have you heard anything by Jake Bugg? He's this 19 year old kid from the UK with this sort of alternative folk rock sound...reminds me of Bob Dylan. Here's are a couple of songs I've been enjoying.

Lightning Bolt

Two Fingers

And my brother introduced me to this one...Bruises by Train.

The Headstones are back and released this song a little earlier this year... A Long Way to Neverland.

Another song I'm obsessed with...ear worm! This Is the Best - USS

I went looking back to see when the last time I did a music post was...couldn't find one, so it's been way too long...here are a couple songs I thought I posted already.

Matisyahu - Sunshine

American Authors - Best Day of My Life

That's it! Hope you enjoy. Have a great Tuesday! :)

A few random photos and the winner(s) of the L'oreal giveaway!

It's been very busy for the last week with summer fun, dog shows and unfortunately a dead computer. My iMac packed it in (boo hoo) and I am now working on Chris's PC. It was mostly just for games and things but is working well as the family computer now. I am hoping (pleading) that I can recover the photographs off of my Mac...so many pictures of the kids....I would cry if I couldn't get them back. :(

But on to happier things!

Ella and I went away to our first dog show together this weekend, just the two of us. While Ella has been to many many dog shows over the years, starting at just four months of age, this is the first time it has been just the two of us, and I loved it. We had so much fun together enjoying early morning Starbucks, fun filled days of visiting friends at the dog show (and some nice wins too - including Ella's debut as a competitive junior resulting in first in her class!) and then back to my sister and her husbands at night to enjoy dinner and a nice glass of wine...well, I had the wine and Ella had "wine". ;)

We even managed to duck down to Nautical Days in Comox for a food truck dinner on Saturday night that consisted of poutine, lemonade and mini donuts...definitely not waist line friendly but boy was it yummy! I wish we had been able to get there a little earlier to check out the vendors (including one of my favs The Naked Squirrel) but they were just packing up as we got there and moving on to music etc..  I will definitely be there earlier next year!

We arrived back home Monday evening and easily slid back into the swing of things here which includes all number of animal chores. I haven't shared a photo of my "chicks" in awhile...look how they have grown! They almost look like chickens now, although they still peep (very cute).

Huge thank you to everyone who entered the L'oreal giveaway last week (many doing multiple entries by sharing on Facebook and pinning to Pinterest)! The winners are:

1st and the winner of both the Voluminous Mascara and the Infalliable Gel Liner is Lantanya T

2nd and winner of the Infalliable Gel Liner is Beth

Thank you again for the entries everyone, there will be more to come so stay tuned!

Please bear with me as I figure out blogging on a PC instead of my iMac. :)