gotta get fit.

If you follow me on twitter, you might have seen that i declared before all that i promised myself and my husband that when i quit, i will go on a schedule around his, and also.. that i'm going to be more healthy, making working out a bigger part of my day. 

Tomorrow is my last day with the chapel, and although i wasn't feeling motivated, and technically i haven't quit yet.. i decided to start again today. Being around some people at work who eat healthy was the motivation. i'm going to need your help to keep me accountable. For a while i'll be on a workout/eating only healthy kick. It'll last weeks, even a couple months, but i don't see much improvement like i used to, so i quickly get discouraged. SO what's different about this time is 1- i get to make my own schedule. this means i'm putting my workout INTO my day. (when i worked at the mayo clinic i was working out up to 5 times a week) 2- i'll be more in control of the food around me. 

like today.. not perfect, but i'm just starting! blue goodness.. apple, and a grilled cheese. YUM

i started with a light lift. thinking this is all i would do today, besides eating healthy. Then i got the idea that i need a bike, my friend tonya has one i've used before, and she lives 1 1/2 miles away. i ran (well mostly slow jogged) to her house, got the bike down with a ladder.. this is where i felt like a thief, and rode a longer way home, so a little over 1 1/2 miles back. yup i'm done working out today. :) 

anyway i did have a point! i found i have more motivation when i have a goal in mind. today i had to get to tonya's.. i couldn't stop and just cut through some yards back. so i reached my goal easily today, and i'm thinking this might be the best way to get my cardio in! maybe biking to wal mart.. or get this ridiculous idea.. bike back to tonya's on thursday, and run back home, so each time it's the same distance, and goal, but i'm doing both to not get too tired at first. hmm. i'll see. but i do know i didn't stop! 

My friend Laura who writes a great fitness/health/life blog is someone i look up to for this.. so this is to you.. and everyone else too!.. how do you keep motivated? and mix things up? do you have to set goals? i'm thinking of running the 5k color run next year. anyway.. 

after running, i cooled down with a delicious protein shake, ones brandon orders of course, from the same place we get our XS energy.. check those out again HERE. 

and my vitamins! 

So here are my goals! share yours too if you'd like!

weight: lose about 12 lbs. 

feel fit, good about my body, and fit my clothes better. 

it's not even out of reach! just need that motivation. Sharing this so you all know what i plan on accomplishing! so share your goals, special snacks, or health tips! 

five things.

Ever since i saw that Mates of State were doing another video, i've been anxiously awaiting! here it is! one of my favorite songs from their newest album, song "Unless I'm Led." was reading a little about it, it's all one take, no edits. that's right, they're just that awesome. 

Found a new fun creative website of party ideas! It isn't necessarily just for weddings, but lots of the details could be used for weddings too! click on the cute image below to go to Kara's Party Ideas.  

 as some of you might know, my last day of working for the chapel is this wednesday. More than anything it's going to be a good new adventure for me. It's been on my heart for a bit that i need to put Brandon first, before my job. we have a good marriage, but we have so many things we aren't able to do because of work schedules. It's both exciting and scary! I'm going full on my own, and will be traveling to Minnesota quite a bit this summer. (so if you want some photos, let me know! i have a few spots left) I am going to miss my coworkers. i've learned so much from the chapel. Starting there i thought i was good, and really wasn't much more i could learn.. i was WAY off. i still have tons of learn, but with the help of all the photographers, i know my camera. aside from all the basics, i feel like i've gotten some great advice too. and adopted some poses, compositions, and styles from most everyone. so here's a shout out to my chapel peeps! 

What leaving made me realize though is another thing i've been putting aside is friends. By the time the weekend is here (sunday.) i'm exhausted. I got home last night at 1:30, on my day off i'm resting, cleaning, cooking, and i never feel i have time for friends. BUT the other day, Brandon invited a few people over, and it was amazing. It made me feel like i'm doing what i should be. i thrive being around other people, energize, and feel loved. Tonya and Angel came over too. we might have had pool competitions, and then a bonfire. which leads me to one of my favorite things this week. Friends. it's one of my goals after leaving to put friends on my priority list. 

so keep me accountable my las vegas friends. Come over swim, BBQ, make go out for a hike, and then end off with a perfect night like this. friends hanging out and yes.. makes 'smores. 

 If you're getting married soon, one of the smaller detail is finding a song for you and your fiance to have your first dance to. I actually struggled with this myself. Finally, Brandon suggested a song that meant a lot to the both of us. "The adventure" by Angels and Airwaves. it's still one of my favorite songs of all time, and i always thought i'd love to have that at my wedding.. so when he suggested it... it was just one more confirmation of how awesome he was. (i already knew.. but still!) i told you i'd show a few photos of our wedding, this is just us first slow dancing to our first song, and then busting a move. 

so my advice.. choose a song that has meaning. it doesn't have to necessarily be a slow song. It might describe your relationship even! Obviously for us talking about adventures was perfect. your big day is going to fly by, and one of the best memories you can have is "i had such a fun time!" 

 one more! you might also be thinking of flowers for your mom for your big day, and i saw this cute idea. maybe get some flowers to attach to her clutch! a great idea so you don't have to worry about where to pin, or if it'll fly off during all that dancing! 

maybe something a little cuter for her wrist too? 

or maybe even one that matches her outfit, and looks a little more like a bracelet, and something she can keep! just a few ideas to think about when getting those extra details! 

if you skipped over the video, you probably should watch it. why not? great music, beautiful Kori. thoughts on a first dance song or even flowers for your mom!? 

Ashley and Robert- sneak peek wedding!

remember these sneak peeks!? get ready for the unveiling of this gorgeous wedding i second shot for a friend. 

craving chocolate- kenna's maternity!

I couldn't wait any longer! there are so many fabulous photos of these two, but i wanted to show a few of each location. If you read the previous post, a little sneak peek, which you can check out again here.. then you know how much i really loved Kenna! you also know we started out at Serendipity for a little lunch and ice cream and then out to the dry lake beds! 

She had her fabulous ring so, i had to use it! We enjoyed some frozen hot chocolate, root beer float, and nachos. yummy! 

If you're looking for some beautiful invitations, check out Blush Invitations. Kenna is the owner of this company, not to mention how we met!

what i really enjoyed is how much fun they had together. Jordan did a great job making Kenna laugh, and then of course they both had amazing smiles! 

Then started the paint fight! 

thank you Kenna and Jordan for letting me photograph you two and the baby bump! you are absolutely beautiful, and we need to get together so you can see all the rest! yeah! i might have gotten carried away for showing so many.. but i couldn't help myself!  

i hope you are all enjoying your sunday! 

Celebrating our 2nd anniversary at the wynn!

Yesterday was a perfect day! i woke up to a big victoria's secret waiting for me on the counter. it was a huge surprise because we had gone shopping recently and decided against any gifts. it was full of pretty things, i was so excited! he went to work for a bit, and i secretly thought the night before i might go buy a gift. so i did! i went off to caesar's palace to pick up a few things, then headed home. Brandon got off work early and we had the chance to watch one of our favorite shows. Game of Thrones! Then we got ready then headed to the wynn for dinner at the lakeside cafe. 

It's a goal of ours to slowly eat at some of the more fancy restaurants around town, mostly for special occasions and when people come into town, we'll have recommendations. It was beautiful! 

before making reservations, brandon did a good job of  researching.. mostly because i'm not a huge fan of seafood, so he found out there was filet mignon.. he knew i'd be up for it! so that's what i got.. like usual. and he tried the swordfish. 

i actually hadn't eaten much in a few days, so i had plenty of room.. it was FABULOUS. we also got two sides to share. and here's the crab mac and cheese.. yes i ate around the crab. 

we had room for dessert somehow! and ordered this butterscotch, and HOLY CRAP it was amazing!! and since we told our waiter it was our 2nd anniversary, he brought out delicious cupcakes too!! 

we stayed a little late to watch the fun water show.. we got the frog. haha it was fun 

we didn't get a perfect photo together, but had so much fun laughing, and enjoying each other. we bought my dress the other day!- and i wore my wedding shoes, and used my wedding purse too. it was such a special date night, and i'm glad i asked off work to hang out with this guy :)

These might not be the best quality, but i wanted to share with you our 2nd anniversary and our fun date out. we're thinking more adventures out of state for future celebrations, but this was perfect for now. do you have any fun traditions with your spouse!? or a fun adventure to help celebrate? 

and yes i'm still working hard on Kenna's photos.. promise they'll come soon!