Happy Halloween!!!

Love,

Zito the Lobster Dog :o)

Puppy Love

So this morning my friend Amanda sent me a forward at work.  Typically, I skim over forwards or if I am being honest, they sit in my inbox until I delete them (without reading), terrible I know. However, this one touched my heart, and actually had me crying at my desk.  If you have a pup, grab a tissue because reading this might result in a tear or two for you as well.

~Give your pup some extra love tonight, I know I will~

xo,

Kara

Photography Challenge # 2

What Makes Me Smile......

I consider myself to be a genuinely happy person, so you would think this would be an easy assignment for me.  Well turns out, when you are a happy lady waaaayyy too many things make you smile :)

I ended up choosing my little fur baby as my numero uno---at least for today. Here he is, my little sheltie-full of spunk and unconditional love. 

For the record, it is not snowing in Denver in August.  We were with my family all last week in the north woods of Minnesota and I couldn't take a picture of my pup because he was staying with his grandma back in CO.  However, I was doing some exposure experimenting back in February, and I didn't want to miss out on the week 2 challenge.  Therefore you get snow.....in August ;o)

So this is my little guy Zito, who brings a smile to my face everyday. 

Join in the Photography Challenge fun!

xo,

Kara

Splendid Sunday

My day started out with eggs benedict on our deck with my wonderful husband......

.....followed by a much needed pedicure with one of my dearest friends.......

.... ending with a trip to ZGallerie to find the finishing touch for our main floor bathroom......

I have always loved turquoise, teal, blue.... the colors of the sea.  I thought our main level bathroom was the perfect spot of my love all things ocean.

I am sure I will find a few more things for the bathroom, but here is where we are at for now.  

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  I am off to watch True Blood and Entourage with my love. HBO Sunday :o)

xo

Photography Challenge #1

The Self Portrait

My sister Kate told me about the photography challenge that Laura Beth is hosting at A Step in the Journey, and I decided to join in the fun.  I have had my D3000 Nikon for about a year and a half now and have been going back and forth on the idea of taking a photography class or two.  Sadly, I have not made my move in the direction of signing up for said classes, so I figured linking up with this photography challenge might be just what I need to start bettering my photography skills (or lack there of!). 

I am, in all sense of the word, an AMATEUR photographer, but love capturing memories with each photo I take.  I experimented with my timer for the first time for this picture, and it came out a bit blurry.  I decided to use this picture as my first post, with the hope that by week 20 of the challenge my pictures will be leaps and bounds better. Thanks for the challenge Laura Beth! I promise I will get better :)

xo,

Kara

(Half) Marathon Monday #1....2 days late!

Amidst all the chaos of moving I have let a major part of my life take a seat on the back burner. So I figured the only way to get my behind back on the workout train was to register for another half marathon (my third!).  I now have a date with the DenvernRock and Roll Half Marathon, October 9th, 2011. I am hoping to beat my time from last year too. This image below really spoke to me so......I am sharing my intention so y'all can hold me accountable. :o)

                                                                                             via Kara on Pinterest

After I made that decision, I realized that I didn't belong to a gym-oops. Now that we are in our new home I lost one of the few perks of condo living-the gym at our complex.  Logically the next step was to join a gym-which I haven't done since college-yikes! So I took a chance and for $24.99 a month I am a proud new member at 24 hour fitness.  Thankfully they had a month to month program, so if I decide a mega gym isn't for me I can cut the ties without penalty.

I will keep you updated weekly-let you know how the week before went.  You know, if I missed a day, if the run kicked my booty up and down the treadmill, it's all blog worthy I do believe. And most importantly it keeps me accountable.  Week one went great-completed all my runs and it felt gooooooood. I am hoping this week goes just as smoothly.

Happy Running~
xo    

No one ever told me......

How crazy selling your home and buying a new one can be!! We are totally nuts and crammed the buying the new house process into about 2 and a half weeks.  I'll let you know if Jason and I are still married by the end of this whole thing ;-).

We close on both properties a week from today and then we will be in our new HOME!!!! Can't wait to get settled and enjoy a whole lot more summer time.....out on our new DECK, with our new YARD for the little Zito burrito to play in.  Here's to hoping that in just a few short weeks I will be enjoying a lot more of this.

                                                           Source: maddycakesmuse.blogspot.com via Kara on Pinterest

                                                                   Source: inspiring-pictures.com via Kara on Pinte
xo,
KJO

Just in case you need a reminder....

                                                                                                 Source:

xo,


Kara

A little inspiration.....

"Believe with all your heart that you will do what you were made to do"

-Orison Swett Marden-

"If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes"

-St. Clement of Alexandra

"Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times"

-Unknown

"For every minute you are angry, you waste 60 minutes of happiness"

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new"

-Albert Einstein

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence"

-Helen Keller

                                                                                                   Source
xo,


Kara

It's Almost Here

I just have to get through work today and then my fun filled weekend begins! My sisters are coming home!!

I get to spend all weekend with the people I love most in this world.  Doing all of my favorite things.  Drinking wine, shopping, eating and hanging out with my family.

And U2!

                                                                          Source: beatcrave.com via Kara on Pinterest

We bought tickets to the U2 concert in Denver about a year and a half ago, and the show was supposed to be last summer.  Then Bono hurt his back (wimp!) and the show was postponed to this weekend.  We are so excited to finally go! I was trying to decide this week what my favorite U2 song is but there are too many to pick just one.  What is your favorite U2 song?

Cheers to the weekend!

xo,

Kara

Positively Perfect Pasta

So nothing has changed weather wise since yesterday.  Still cloudy, rainy, dreary and the temperature is in the 40's.  Just in case you were wondering..... it's ok, I know you were spending much of your day thinking about our weather ;).   Anyway, I decided to take advantage of the cooler temps and make an easy, healthy, delicious pasta dinner.  This dish is perfect for a week night because it takes thirty minutes or less to get from the beginning stages to my table, where the hungry husband is awaiting my masterpiece-ha!

Ingredients

Roasted Red Pepper and Garlic Chicken Sausage (any and all types of sausage work for this one-my grocery store had a special this week!)

2 TBS of Olive Oil

2 cloves of Garlic-chopped

1 small Shallot-chopped

1 can of Fire Roasted Tomatoes with liquid

1 jar of Artichoke Hearts-drained

1 handful of Sundried Tomatoes

1/4 to 1/2 Cup of White Wine (pinot gris was tonight's open bottle) 

 Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes

Pinch of Salt 

Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese

1/2 box of Whole Wheat Pasta-any shape will do (I had rotini on hand)

1. Heat olive oil in pan over medium-high heat (start water for pasta at this step as well)

2. Saute garlic and shallots until tender

3. Add sliced chicken sausage to skillet (it's already cooked so this step is just to warm it up)

4. Add tomatoes, artichoke hearts, white wine, red pepper flakes and salt-bring to a slight boil then turn heat down to simmer. 

5. While mixture is simmering put pasta in to boil- I am a firm believer in al dente pasta. I always boil the least amount of time they suggest.  There is nothing worse that mushy over cooked pasta.  This is ingrained in my brain from many family weekends spent making our sunday gravy.  DON'T over cook your pasta!

6. Drain pasta noodles, spoon your "sauce" over your pasta and sprinkle with a little parm. 

This dish is so good you would think it was bad for you.  Just a little side note- I really just kind of eyeball most of the ingredients.  You can easily adjust amounts and what sausage/veggies you add.  I think next time I will be adding basil for a little more depth.  Enjoy~


xo,

The girl floating away in rainy Colorado

Oh P.S- My sister Kate introduced me to Pinterest.  If you don't know what it is, you are missing out.  Bigtime.  I. Am. Obsessed. :)

May Showers bring June Flowers???

So it has been raining for days here in Denver.  For any of you familiar with our fabulous city, we typically pride ourselves on like at least 300 sunny days a year.  So when it is cloudy and rainy for more than a day, we get antsy.  If we wanted to live in Seattle we would move there my friends.  So while I am waiting for the rain to go bye-bye, I have been spending some drizzly evenings on the internet.  My husband is glued to playoff hockey, and I am glued to all your lovely blogs.  I came across this picture and well, it is my new source of inspiration.

                                                          Source: laurenconrad.com




This is pulling me out of my rainy day blues!  How wonderful will it be to hope on my retro bicycle, ride down to the farmers' market, and fill my basket with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.  Ok, we can be real for a minute.....I don't own a bike like this and my preferred mode of transportation is my SUV.  But I am thinking it's time for a change.  It's time for me to get outside (after the rain ends!) and enjoy our beautiful spring.  On my bike.  With a basket.  Filled with flowers.  Anybody with me?


xo

Taco Tuesday

Is it bad when it's only Tuesday and the week already seems long??

Quick updates:

1.  The Condo is UNDER CONTRACT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2.  The Condo had its inspection on Saturday, and there are some things that need to be fixed.  Cue the phone call to the plumber, electrician and HVAC specialist.  Oh and cue my checkbook.  $$$$ heading straight out the door.  Don't you just love fixing things up just before you are about to leave?

3.  Arizona was lovely. Hot weather, fabulous pool, and a few visits with old college friends (oh and J had to work a little too).

4.  The house hunt is ON-still in disbelief at the state of some of these homes we walk through-yeesh! Wish us luck.

5.  Heading out to meet a friend tonight for taco tuesday at Lime Mexican Cantina.  There is nothing  a few tacos, a maragarita and a good girlfriend can't fix.

Happy Tuesday!

xo

Sunshine Please!

I am heading to sunny Arizona with the hubby tomorrow, and I cannot wait. Jason is going down for work/play and I get to tag along-all expenses paid!! Throw in a cooking class on Thursday and it's the perfect mini-vacay.

My bag is almost packed, filled bathing suits (loving this Michael Kors's Tankini),

nordstrom.com

A few pairs of these (who doesn't love these chic Tori Burch flip flops?),

image Tori Burch

And a couple of fabulous Juicy cover-ups (mine are turquoise and black).

nordstrom.com

I guess that's all for now. If you need me, you can find me lounging poolside at the Biltmore, reading the latest issue of InStyle Magazine, with a fruity beverage in hand. :-)

Biltmore, Arizona photo

xo,

The girl who cannot wait for a few days of relaxation.

Sometimes you just gotta shop!

Yesterday was a loooooooong day.  The hubby and I spent the day house hunting.  What was the outcome you ask?

0 for 8.

Yes my friends, we struck out.  The houses we chose to look at were narrowed down from a list of about 75 viable candidates. I guess I shouldn't say that all 75 homes were in the running, because of the 75 gems our realtor sent us, we only walked through 8.

We loved the first one we walked through, but the location wasn't ideal.  It was a corner lot (which can be nice), but diagonally across the street was this big, white parking structure.  Uh.....no thanks.  So we moved on from there and that's where things got ugly.  Now, I know because we are in the process of selling our condo, that it can be a bit tedious at times to have your home ready to show at all times.  But come on people!! If you have a showing scheduled, can you please pick up your dirty, stained clothes from the floor of your laundry room??  Maybe put them in your laundry basket? Is that too much to ask? Apparently it is.

The fourth house we entered looked like the young woman who lived there never came home from the night before.  Empty wine decanter, with half a glass of wine on the counter with a big ol' fire engine red lipstick stain on the glass.  I know you are thinking that isn't all that bad, and you're right it's not.  However, we continued on around the corner, down the stairs to the basement and that is where we ran into our next surprise.  The owner has a dog (disclaimer-I love dogs!), who decided to run through the mud, and then come inside. There were HUGE muddy paw prints ALL OVER the entire basement. Did I mention the carpet was white? It was terrible.

Oh and one more thing-pictures are extremely misleading. That's all I have to say on that one.

We know that we have a long road ahead of us, but if yesterday is glimpse of what's to come, it's gonna be a long, long journey to find our new home. :)

So what did I do today to cheer myself up, after yesterday's not so glorious afternoon of house hunting? I went shopping! The mall was calling my name.  I browsed through rack after rack of spring and summer clothing, and think I came away with a pretty good little start to my summer wardrobe.

I have been looking all over for a pair of wedges and found a fabulous pair at Nordstrom.

I put together some cute little ensembles that will hopefully get me through spring and into the beginning of summer.

 I am loving all the nautical stripes this season. 

 Black and white striped shirt from Nordstrom. Black tunic from White House Black Market.

 I am planning on pairing this fab (striped!) cardie from Nordy's with my white capri's for a light, summery look. 

 Skirt and top from Banana Republic.  Striped shirt from The Loft.  And black capri's from BHWM.

 I fell in love with this BR skirt the moment I tried it on.  It has a little bit of stretch and those flirty tiers are fantastic.  The best part-----40% off!! Gotta love a deal :)

Oh and I almost forgot.....

No shopping day is complete without new makeup to make me feel pretty. :)

Hope you all had a lovely weekend.  Happy May Day!

xo,

 The Shopaholic (for today at least) 

Sushi, wine and a best friend=

A perfect Wednesday night! There truly isn't much I enjoy more than dinner out with a dear girlfriend.  There is just something about the ease of conversation with a friend who has known you through it all.  You don't have to worry about saying the wrong thing, because you can't say the wrong thing.  She gets you.

As I am getting older I realize how truly important girlfriends are.  They definitely listen better than the hubby :) I have read many different articles like this one, which stress the benefits of girlfriends.  And I mean real benefits, like reducing the risk of diseases such as depression and cancer.  

I feel very blessed to have a handful of woman I consider my best friends, my sisters.  These women inspire me to be better in all aspects of life.  As I commit to making changes in my life these next few months, I know one thing for sure.  I will be making a bigger effort to spend time with my girls because it's important. 

So go out with your girls soon and have this :

With a glass or two of this :

It's good for the soul.  I promise. 

xo

The times they are a changing......

Where to begin?

Life has been busy.  However, that is no excuse for my absence from the blog world.  I guess lately I have been feeling a little uninspired, a bit melancholy, and overall a bit blah.  I don't know if it was the winter weather getting me down or what.  Does winter make any of you feel that way? I believe it has recently been classified as "Seasonal Affect Disorder". Now I am not saying I believe that so-called disorder is actually affecting me, but what I have decided is that I am going to have to make a change. Starting today. No excuses.

So I went down to the workout room logged 2.5 miles on the treadmill, and I must say I instantly got a mood boost from all those endorphins.  Why I tell myself I will workout tomorrow when today is ready and waiting, is beyond me.  So that's change numero uno-get my behind on the treadmill-instant blah reducer!

Another change is on the way for me and the hubby-------no we aren't pregnant!! We put our condo on the market last week! We are anxiously awaiting the right buyer (or any buyer!) to fall in love with our home, so we can find and fall in love with our new home.  Can't wait to see where this change is going to take us.

I have been contemplating some other small changes lately that I will share when the time is right.

For now I am going to try to post daily on little things.  Words that inspire me.  Designs that I love.  New healthy recipes I enjoy.  Exercise routines that get those endorphins running.  Things that make me happy.

xo,

The new and improved and happier me......I hope! :)

Going Green!

Hope you all have a fun filled St. Patrick's Day! My awesome boss is providing us with some green beer today, should be tasty! Don't forget to wear your green :)

Doggie Snow Day Photo Shoot

We have been getting ALOT of snow the past week or so, and in fact we are supposed to get 5-10 inches tonight and tomorrow. I know its a futile request seeing as it is only the beginning of February, but come on Spring!!!

I digress......

Yesterday we went over to my parents to watch the Superbowl and to stuff our faces with my Dad's red pasta. :) Before the big game Jason and I took the dogs outside for a little fun in the snow so I could get some practice in with my camera.  I don't think there is much that makes me happier than watching my little  Zito frolic in the snow! Zito (our pup) is the black sheltie, and Dante (the tan pup) is my parents' sheltie.  These two can't get enough of eachother or the snow.

I love shelties so very much and my little buddy Zito is my best furry friend :) I mean how can you not love that little face?

Comfort Food

I came home early from work today because of this......

It was cold and icy, so I was glad to get home before the roads got too bad.

Because of the wintery weather I decided to make this....

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup~I used what was on hand at home tonight because I did not want to stop at the grocery on my way home.  Here is what went into the mix:

• Egg Noodles (usually I use the Grandma's Egg Noodles-but I didn't have any in the freezer) 
• 2 Shredded chicken breasts
• Chopped Celery-I used 5 small stalks
• Chopped Carrots-I used 3 full carrots
• Chicken Bullion-sodium free
• Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• Salt, Pepper and a dash of Garlic Salt
• 1/2 C of skim milk whisked with 1/4 C of Flour (to thicken)

I started by boiling my chicken breast in chicken broth and water.  I removed those when they were done and threw the egg noodles in for a quick boil themselves.  I then added celery, carrots and seasonings. I let that cook down for a bit while I shred the chicken.  Throw the chicken into the pot along with milk/flour mixture and just let everything simmer for a bit.  I think the longer it simmers the better it tastes!  You can add more liquid if you want a more soupy soup :) I also made quick and easy biscuits tonight and served those with the soup for a little delicious dipping.  Easy Monday night meal!

Now it's off to fold laundry, and watch the last 45 minutes of the Bachelor.  It's so strange, I have never watched The Bachelor before this season and now, somehow,  I find myself hooked.  That darn Reality TV! 

One smart guy...

"Be who you are and say what you feel because 

those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

Google image

Chicken Caeser Wrap

I am on a roll! Another easy, healthy lunch option for y'all :) The recipe comes from Eating For Life by Bill Phillips.  Bill Phillips is the creator of Body for Life, which is an exercise and eating plan that I really like.  I don't follow the plan daily, but I do like alot of his recipes. 

Chicken Caeser Wrap

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
• 1 serving of chicken (I like to use the pre-cooked Tyson brand chicken if I am running short on time-there are 2 servings in each package-perfect for me and the husband)
• 1 TBS light parmesean cheese (I use the Kraft light in the green shaker)
• 1 TBS of light Caeser Dressing
• 1 spinach tortilla (Often I find myself using a plain flour tortilla, or a low carb tortilla because we already have some at home, and why spend more money, right?)

Mix the first four ingredients together in your mixing bowl and then place in the tortilla.  Wrap your tortilla around the filling and enjoy! I typically double this recipe because I am making lunch for 2.  Sorry I haven't posted with a picture on these latest recipes-I have been rushing out the door to get to work and don't have a second to spare on picture taking.  Totally unacceptable, I know.

Happy Wednesday!

Pita Pizza!

If you are anything like me, I am always looking for a fast, easy to make, healthy lunch that isn't boring during the work week.  I don't know why, but lunches always seem so boring-turkey sandwich, salad, PB&J-nothing interesting there at all.  Well this yummy recipe is easy to make, with minimal ingredients and not boring at all!  I found this recipe in my Flat Belly Diet cookbook and I love it, and more importantly the husband loves it. I think he feels like it isn't one of the "healthy" things I always make him eat.  Little does he know, it is one of those "healthy" things I always make him eat. :-)

Pita Pizza-

(recipe adapted from The Flat Belly Diet)

Ingredients:

• One whole wheat pita
• 13 turkey pepperoni slices
• 1/4 cup of marinara sauce ( I personally love spicy sauce so that is what i use-it gives it a little pizzazz!)
• 1 TBS of olive oil (your healthy fat)
• 2 TBS of low moisture part skim Mozzarella cheese (I will be honest, I always add a little extra cheese. Because I LOVE cheese).

Brush olive oil over pita.  Spread sauce over pita, then place pepperoni on top of sauce.  Sprinkle cheese over the top and place under the broiler on low for 3-5 minutes.  

Easy, healthy lunch! 

House Hunting

The day has finally arrived.  Jason and I are beginning our journey of finding our first home together.  Of course our condo has been our "home" for the past 6 years, but now it is time for a house.  A house with a yard for Zito bear, a basement for J's mancave that he has been dreaming of for at least the past 3 years, and please God, a bigger kitchen for me.

The most difficult part of this process for us is leaving the neighborhood we live in now.  It's close to all the things we love, and we live right on the most beautiful park in Denver.  Unfortunately all of the homes in our neighborhood are insanely expensive just a little bit out of our price range.  So like most couples our age, we are going to have to leave our beloved city life behind and move to the burbs.  Well hopefully not the burb burbs, but somewhere in between.

We are meeting with our realtor tonight to walk through a home we found online.  It's a bit scary because you just never know if the pictures online are what you are really going to see when you walk through the front door.  I am sure many of my future posts are going to be all about house hunting, and putting our condo on the market (another scary endeavor).  I am hoping that we can find a house that needs a little work and TLC, but already has some of the qualities we know we want in our home.

Here's hoping for a successful first home tour!

Happy Tuesday~

A Lazy Weekend.....

Was just what we needed.  After the craziness of the holidays, two head colds, and a looooong week at work our lazy weekend was much needed.  Friday night we put on our j's (jammies) around 7 -no judgement please. We enjoyed a delicious dinner of shrimp scampi by candlelight courtesy of my sister Kate, who gave me the most beautiful candlesticks for Christmas.  They look a lot like these----gorgeous and so pretty with candles lit.  Aren't they lovely? 

After dinner we both settled in-Jason playing Angry Birds on my new iPad, he is officially addicted.  What did I do you ask? I caught up on a few of my guilty pleasures-Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice.  Grey's was finally good, keep it coming Shonda Rimes. It's about time Christina Yang is back at Seattle Grace! ;)

Saturday started off with a cup of coffee and then we ran out the door.  My parents gave me a few sessions with a personal trainer for my birthday/Christmas, and my first butt kicking, sweat-filled session was Saturday morning.  I LOVED it.  It was just what I needed after the holidays to get started again. I am looking forward to the next few weeks to see what kind of tricks Brian has up his sleeve-BRING IT!  The rest of the day was spent running errands made up of pricing out carpet, buying new ski poles, picking up some necessities at Ulta and enjoying a tasty Greek Salad from one of our favorite local restaurants.   We spent the rest of the day watching football and relaxing.  Jason grilled the perfect steak filets to pair with twice baked potatoes, asparagus and a glass of Fantesca Cab.  It was a great ending to a great day. 

Sunday, oh Sunday, I do love you so.  We woke up to this-----

google image

It was a snowy scene, so beautiful and peaceful. We hit the grocery store and Moe's Bagels, our new Sunday morning tradition.  I got my usual - a sesame bagel with egg and garden veggie cream cheese-it's to die for good.  I know bagels are not the best choice when trying to eat healthy, but sometimes you just have to splurge.  And this is such a splurge worthy breakfast. After breakfast I left Jason at home to watch football and play MORE Angry Birds.  I went over to the spa/salon to get pampered.  Now you would think the best part of that experience would be the service she provided, but it gets so much better.  Rachel, my aesthetician, added me to her VIP customer list and from now on, no matter what service I receive, I get 40 percent off!!! Every time.  Every single time!!!!!! SOOO FABULOUS!!!! 

The rest of the day was spend putzing around the house and just hanging with my hubs. Such a perfect Sunday. I just finished making us this for dinner, and it too, is to die for.  You must make it on a cold, snowy, wintery evening.  I doubt you will find anyone who doesn't find my sister's risotto delicioso! 

We are supposed to get 5-10 inches of snow tonight in Denver, so it is going to be an early night because it will be followed by an EARLY morning.  The good thing is I was supposed to serve Jury Duty tomorrow, but I called the information line and no jurors are being called for tomorrow!! Fantastic!  That must mean that it is going to be a great week!