Living Lighter with Chobani!

I am in the middle of my T25 Beta Challenge and I'm still going strong! I had to take a few days off because of my toothache so that leaves me starting week 3 over. That's ok! I won't give up! I may end up doing the whole Beta phase again before I can move onto Gamma. More importantly, 2016 has been a year for fitness, getting healthy, and eating healthier. One of my favorite snacks is yogurt. And one of my favorite yogurts is Chobani. I love Greek yogurt. Honestly, I really don't like any other kind of yogurt.

I fell in love with the Chobani "Flip" in Salted Caramel Crunch flavor at first bite. I loved "flipping" all of those little tasty tidbits into the yogurt! I like Chobani's natural ingredients. No aspartame! No Splenda! Yuck. I can do a Diet Dr Pepper every now and then but I really don't like artificial sweeteners in my food. On my next shopping trip I wanted something with a little less calories but still had the fun feeling of the "flip" - those little added crunchies! But I didn't want any aspartame or Splenda. That's when I found this:

 I really enjoyed the Strawberry Chocolate Truffle. It is sweetened with Stevia and I'm ok with that type of sweetener. Unlike aspartame and Splenda, Stevia is plant derived.

Those are milk chocolate rice crisps, dried strawberries, and dark chocolate cookies that you add to strawberry yogurt. Yum. 

It's so funny because I just picked up my first Simply 100 Crunch Chobani yogurt on my last grocery shopping trip and only a few days later I got the opportunity to partner up with Chobani and write about my experience! Perfect timing!

 I am excited to work with Chobani because it is a product that I love. I want to share with you guys some of their tips on how to "Live Lighter" and how we can all plan on getting and staying healthier this year!

I am tracking my calories right now so that I can stay on track during my T25 challenge.

 Chobani Simply 100 is only 100 calories. Check out all of these ways you can burn 100 calories!

The best thing I ever did to help myself become more aware of my fitness level was to get a Fitbit. I get really excited to see how many steps I've taken, how many calories I've burned and how many minutes of activity I have. I actually get disappointed when I have 30 minutes or less of activity! Ha! It wasn't that long ago that there were days and days that would've had zero minutes of activity! Especially when I was working at my desk job.

Not anymore! I have actually come to a point in my life that I can say that I love working out. I don't always FEEL like it. Sometimes it is hard to get started but I never regret it after I'm done. I like to give myself a reward after my workout and I can't wait to try the other two flavors of the Simply 100 Crunch!

In case you missed it - here is my Fitness Essentials post!

*All reviews and opinions are my own. I love to partner with brands that I enjoy!*

Lace and Rips Girl

Oh man I loved this outfit! I love wearing ripped jeans with a super girly shirt. It just always works. I felt like these shoes were a good balance because they weren't too girly or too masculine. Plus, they have a bit of a platform build in and they are comfortable to wear. As comfy as tennis shoes you ask? Oh heck no. I do give you guys LOTS of casual so I thought I would mix it up a bit and actually wear a heel! Whaaaaat? 

True confession, this is NOT what I wore TODAY. My tooth has been hurting so bad the last few days and I have been waiting and waiting for my antibiotic to kick in. I am slowly but surely coming back to the land of the living...I think. I'm scheduled for a root canal on March 9th. TWO WEEKS AWAY! I am hoping and praying they have a cancellation ASAP!

Outfit details: 

Top: Etc Consignment Shoppe

Pants: Gap Factory at Asheville Outlets

Shoes: Modcloth (similar)

Hey I'm finally on Snapchat! Follow me at jessicawnc1 :)

Life Lately {Weekly RoundUP 2.21.16}

It may be every other week...maybe every week...but I'm going to TRY to bring you a roundup of what I'm reading, what I'm eating, what I'm watching, making, finding on the internets, obsessing over etc. etc.! 

Stuff on the Interwebs:

• Ashley Graham looking fabulous on the cover of Sports Illustrated! She is the first size 16 model to appear on the cover!
• Dita Von Teese in her beautiful new "Dahlia" bra now available in Lipstick Red. Rerr Rerr!
• I made this DELICIOUS Coca Cola Cake I found on Pinterest for my brother on his birthday and it was a HIT!

From my Instagram

• Enjoyed a delightful night of belly dancing and middle eastern foods
• Finally got my ring back from the cleaners AND got a new band! 
• Chocolate...lovely, lovely chocolate

What I'm reading...

Why Not Me by Mindy Kaling. I'm a cheapo so instead of paying $15 on Amazon, I just rented it from the library. Down side is I have to wait quite a while to start reading it. But that's ok. 

What I'm eating...

Skinnytaste's Tuna Casserole and a HUGE kale salad. I bought myself this recipe book for Christmas and have not been disappointed yet!

Also grabbed some delicious Pad Thai for my "treat" meal one Friday night. 

What I'm watching...

Project Runway All Stars Season 5! 

I'm always down to watch me some Project Runway! I didn't really watch the PR Juniors nor Under the Gunn either. I'm just a die hard traditionalist I guess. 

What I'm listening to...

Photo source

Serial Season 2

I want to do a separate post on all things podcast. This is one of the podcasts I am really digging right now. If you've been living under a rock then you don't know about how awesome Serial is. Serial Season One took on the Adnan Syed case and may have single- brought justice to a possibly, maybe, I-haven't-made-up-my-mind yet, wrongfully convicted young man. Now, in Season Two, Sarah Koenig has taken on a completely different "case", if you will, about Bowe Bergdahl. Bowe is an extremely interesting soldier in the U.S. Army that allegedly walked off his outpost in Afghanistan.

What I'm wearing...

These freakin' jeans that I haven't been able to squeeze into in AGES! Woo!!! Thanks T25!

What I'm doing for fitness...

Started the Beta Phase of T25 and I love it! Gonna do a round up post for the Alpha Phase soon! 

That's it for the first Weekly RoundUP! 

My New Fave Girl

Man I LOVE it when I find a super special piece at the consignment shop that I just can't wait to wear! This blue tunic was a real score. I love the punk rock aspect with the tears and grommets. Yes! Not that you're going to see me in the middle of the mosh pit (do those even exist anymore?) any time soon, but I do love a rad outfit! 

Outfit details:

Top: Etc Consignment Shoppe

Leggings, Earrings & Necklace: H&M

Boots: Dolce Vita

Never Fails Girl

These basic items never fail! Sometimes I'm running straight out the door without a chance to even think about what I'm going to wear. When those times hit I love that I can always rush to the closet and pull out my trusty black tee shirt, moto jacket and dark wash skinny jeans. I threw on my tennis shoes because I had a ton of running around to do!

As for hair....my go to for messy hair is to roll with it and do a messy ponytail! I twisted the top and used a couple of pins. I purposely kept it messy and didn't even comb it. Done and done!

Fall Colors in Winter Girl

On one of our warmer days I got to finally wear this olive green silky shirt dress that I got as a Christmas gift. Yes, it was on my amazon wish list and my hubby did exactly what he should've done and got it for me!

I went with a more autumnal color palette because it just felt right! Here it is a few days before Valentine's day and I look like I'm heading to Thanksgiving dinner! 

I love a good shirt dress. It is the perfect dress for my body shape. It balances out my smaller top half to my larger bottom half. Pear shape! Plus this fabric is very forgiving and doesn't cling!

Outfit details:

Dress: Target (similar)

Cardigan: Eddie Bauer (few years old)

Boots: gift from my mom!

Spring Trends {Florals}

On trend for spring is...Florals! But really, when are they not? I say they are always in for every spring. I put together a pretty little floral style board with lots of cute things for spring! I LOVE the idea of a crop top and a maxi skirt! That little floral crop top is under $10 on amazon! Hmmm....I wonder what's going to show up in my amazon cart.... :)

Short sleeve shirt
amazon.com

A line skirt
shabbyapple.com

Chicwish long skirt
chicwish.com

Old Navy petite pants
oldnavy.gap.com

Old Navy clothing
oldnavy.gap.com

Betsey Johnson shoulder bag
belk.com

Bling Jewelry stud earrings
blingjewelry.com

Casetify iphone case
$40 - shopbop.com

Merona scarve
target.com

Carolina Girl

We're a football family! If you follow me on Instagram you know I'm a Carolina Panthers fan. The husband and I are always watching the game or going to the Bank of America stadium to tailgate and watch games live. At the Atlanta Falcons game we went to with my cousin Emily and her husband, she was a genius and decided to go down to the end zone before the game started and low and behold there was Cam!!! We could've thrown him a ball he was that close! 

I'm not a bandwagon fan or a fair weather fan. I've been a Carolina Panthers fan since they were created as a team. I went to see them back in the nineties when they had to play at the Death Valley stadium in Clemson. Now we go to Clemson to watch the Tigers! I used to be just a die hard NFL girl but I have warmed up to college football over the years. A big part of my family pulls for the Clemson Tigers so we joined their league! 

We were definitely disappointed at the Panthers Super Bowl 50 loss but we're not going anywhere as fans. I have been with them through thick and thin...and I mean thin. Like a 1-15 season kinda thin. I made it through the pre-Delhomme years, that last Delhomme year (eyeroll) including Matt Moore coming in at the end (yay!) so I ain't going nowhere. :)

On a non-Panthers note I have't been able to fit into these black jeans in AGES! Thanks Alpha phase of T25! I'm working on my opinions of T25 and I will post on that soon.

Outfit details:

Carolina Panthers tee shirt: gift

Jeans: TJ Maxx

Shoes: Nike

Light Layers Girl

As Carolina Panthers fans we're in a bit of a funk over here due to their recent loss. But we're trying to keep our chin up! In the meantime, I threw this shrunken sweater over top of an oversized button up and paired it with skinny jeans and gray boots for a loose and layered look. I am now noticing how worn out my trusty skinny jeans have become! They look more saggy than skinny! Eeek!

Life Lately {My Fitness Essentials}

Today I wanted to share with you guys my fitness essentials. What keeps me excited and able to work out each day!

Fitness has been a part of my life for a while but not in a serious way. Walking, jogging and being a member at the Y was my usual M.O. I have never had a hardcore routine. About two years ago I was training to run a 5k. Then I had a car accident and busted up my knee. After my knee healed I got back to jogging, joined my husband's employer's gym and got back to lifting weights.

I was inspired by my cousin Emily who really had a successful home workout routine going with Insanity and various other programs. I started out on Jillian Michael's 30 day shred. I was doing it! But I'm not going to lie. After about 10 days in I tried to weigh on the scales - NOT recommended - and I thought I was going to see this huge drop and I didn't. That completely psyched me out and kind of abandoned it. I did get back into the gym from time to time and kept up with some jogging. I ended up in a 5K at my son's school without even really knowing it! How is that possible? Well I thought we were all just suppose to do laps around the new track for so many laps and by the time we finished (walking and jogging) they said congrats on the 5K! I was like, well well well!

That brings me to where I am now. I have had Shaun T's Focus T25 Workout sitting in my office still inside the box for like...2 years now? Maybe? Well, it was in December 2015 that I finally opened the box and got my butt in gear! 

As of this very day, I am on Day 23. I am going to do a separate post on my T25 experience. I will do a part 1 and a part 2 for the different phases of the challenge. Stay tuned!

THE ESSENTIALS

 An absolute essential before I start my workout is C4 Pre-Workout Drink. About 20 minutes before I start my 25 minute workout I will mix one scoop of C4 and about 6 ounces of water and drink it. This was recommended to me by a friend who is also focused on fitness. I like the taste and I can feel the effects immediately. There are a lot of pre-workout drinks out there and this is just one of hundreds. C4 happens to work great for me, I researched the ingredients on C4 and many others. Ideally, I would've loved to try the E&E that Shaun Thompson recommends but it is just a little too expensive. It was my favorite with regards to ingredients.

My essential for a good, sweaty workout is Focus T25. This is what the dvd set looks like. I got mine off of Amazon. I am not doing the 21 day fix. I don't have anything against it though. This is a lifestyle change and I actually want to just focus on going hard each day. I want to be fit! Dare say...A Bad Ass! 25 minutes a day is so achievable when you are first starting out. I'll get more in depth about the workout part in my T25 post.

My essentials for during and after the workout are my new Fitbit Surge, Emergen-C and an ice cold sparkling Dasani. I asked for a Fitbit for Christmas. My hubby chose the Surge. I am in LOVE with it. Really. I'm obsessed. I have never EVER known how many calories I was actually burning in a workout. I have never known what my peak heart rate is and when I reach it and how long I stay at that peak. The sleep function is fabulous and that's a whole different subject! 

I pop the top on my Dasani the minute I am done with the cool down. Oh.my.LORD it is so refreshing!! Sometime later I will mix some Emergen-C with water and drink it. Partly because I'm paranoid I'm going to get sick again and partly because I don't like taking pill vitamins because they make me feel bloated and nauseous and partly because it replenishes electrolytes.

Another fitness essential for me is...BRIGHT COLORS! The brighter and crazier the better! It is fun to wear these crazy pants. It gets me excited. Gets my blood pumping. I love neon color headbands and hair ties too! I love to be one hodge podge mishmash of crazy colors! And yes, I do wear my active wear to drop off my son in the mornings! So you may see me in these pants in public. #dontcare

And my final fitness essential: my Asics. In a blinding, bright color, of course. I never knew how much I would love an Asic tennis shoe! I have been a Nike girl forever but no more. These feel great on my feet and can handle High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) like a boss! 

There you have it!

My Fitness Essentials!! 

What are yours?

Pink and Gray Girl

I picked up this soft striped sweatshirt at Etc Consignment one day when I cashed in my balance on my account.  I love trading in clothes that I've grown tired of into new and fun pieces. At this particular consignment shop you get 10% off your purchase that same day if you spend the money you've made. Win win! I only had $20 something bucks on my account and I walked out with like 4 new tops. I know I have a tendency to wear a lot of black and white and gray too, yes, but the fuchsia color was just what I was looking for to bring a little brightness into my winter wardrobe. It's not quite as long as a full blown tunic so I did pair it with a thicker pair of pants instead of leggings. Although if you had some jeggings with back pockets those would work too. 

I added some fuchsia lipstick and over the top earrings to pull it all together. It dressed up the sweatshirt just enough!

Outfit Details:

Top: Etc Consignment Shoppe

Pants: H&M (similar)

Ankle Boots: Amazon (similar)

Earrings: H&M