Cheap Date Nights!

My husband and I have made a promise with each other to go on a date (just the two of us) once a week. Although it is extremely hard for us to leave our little guys, its important to be alone with your spouse and relight the flame that brought you together in the first place!

We used to only go to a movie on our date night, or sometimes dinner and a movie which would end up costing around $60 and we would come home from the date without hardly saying a word to each other! 

We've been trying to save money so I thought date night was somewhere we could cut costs.

We now have a monthly date night budget of $80 ($20 per date) and believe it or not, this has made our date nights so much more fun!! We usually think of at least one idea to do for the night, then just wing the rest!

Last week we decided to go down to City Creek Mall. On the way down, we stopped at In & Out Burger for dinner. (Something cheap, but also a place we hardly ever go!) Then on the way to the mall there was a detour so we ended up on some random street we had never been on! There was the cutest little ice cream shop in a darling neighborhood so we both got a cone and went for a walk!

 We walked around the mall and watched the fountain show.

And then walked around Temple Square!

This was such a fun, simple yet unforgettable date and we still had $5 to spare!

Here's 10 ideas of free/cheap dates we've done and had so much fun!!

 Hike up waterfall canyon
Feed ducks
Get fast food, have a picnic and play a card game
Volunteer at St. Anne's
Go "Dream House" hunting
Eat dinner on the pass (or anywhere with a great view!)
Walk around Ogden Parkway then eat at Slackwater
Watch a movie outside on a projector (We do this at my moms school all the time!)
Comedy club
Drive in

DIY Leaf Bracelet

Anyone else love fall as much as I do? I know it's not even September yet (one more day!!) but I couldn't help myself when I found these adorable little leaf charms! I've never made jewelry before but I thought, what the heck! It can't be that hard! And guess what, it wasn't! (this particular charm bracelet wasn't anyway. I don't know if I would attempt something any harder!)

All you will need are these items below

It's really really simple! Using pliers I unhooked the leaf charms, measured the bracelet on my wrist, counted  how many rings were on the bracelet and then distributed the charms evenly :)

Then using the pliers again, hook them on the rings!

ITEMS USED:

Bracelet: $1.40 @ Hobby Lobby

Leaf Charms: $2.10 @ Hobby Lobby

(They were both 30% off)

TOTAL: $3.50

Perfectly Polished!

I get asked all the time if I wear shellac and no one ever believes me when I say its just polish! So here's a few tips to get the perfectly polished nails!

1. Start out with a base coat. I don't have a preference on a certain brand so use any one that you like!

2. When it comes to putting on your colored polish, I always paint them in the 3 steps I learned in nail school. (The polishes I have found that have the most coverage are OPI and Finger Paints!)

1.First stroke down the center

2. Second stroke down the right side

3. Third stroke down the left side.

 Once you've polished all 10 nails, go back and repeat this process. (You don't need to wait until they're dry to paint a second coat.)

This next step is the most important step when it comes to both the drying time and getting that shiny look!

Paint one coat of "Out The Door" top coat! This is the topcoat I recommend. It literally is almost dried by the time you're done painting your last nail!

(Its sold at Sallys for $4!)

Finished look!

Glitter Toes!

I've been a Nail Tech for about 5 years now but only learned the glitter toe technique about a year ago! It's so easy that I believe anyone can do it! It would be extremely beneficial to learn if you wear them all the time  to cut costs of paying to get them done professionally. Otherwise, there is a bit of an investment when starting out!

I chose to do a fall color since September is only days away and glitter toes stay on for a realllllly long time! I  mixed these two colors together in a little bowl to get my color

(Love how it turned out!)

The picture below is all the supplies you will need

Lamp: 25.99 @ Amazon.com

Gel: $14.99 @ Sallys

Glitter: 2.99@ Michaels 

Primer: $5.99 @ Peerless

Gel Brush: $7.69 @ Sallys

Cuticle Pusher: $1.69 @ Sallys

Cuticle Oil: $3.49 @ Sallys

Rubbing Alcohol: $3.99 @ Sallys (in pink spray bottle)

Nail Files: $2.59 Each @ Peerless

Nail Brush (toothbrush): $1.00 @ Dollar Tree (pack of 6)

Piece of paper

Rag

I buy my glitter at Michaels! You get about 20 packs of different colors for super cheap! One little nail tech tip i'm sure you didn't know about!

10 STEPS TO GLITTER TOES

1.Remove any polish on your nails. Clip them to desired length and push cuticles back. Using a file, rough up your nail bed so you don't have any shine. Use the brush (toothbrush) to get all the dust off. 

(Don't judge my bruised nail!)

2. Apply primer. Once dried, apply a second coat of primer. This drys out the nail bed which prevents bacteria from growing and helps the artificial nail stick to your real nail!

3. Now you'll apply the gel! Gel is a really weird texture, comparable to honey, and it takes some getting used to! I've only used acrylic so it was really tricky for me! Remember, a little goes a long way! I always start out with a little ball of gel and put it directly on the center of my nail bed. Then I work it to the outer part of the nail. You want this to be a very thin layer because you're about to dump glitter on it and then add another layer of gel! So think THIN! Also, Gel only cures with a lamp so once you have all five toes done, flatten your foot out completely and let the gel work itself smooth. I did this a lot as a beginner and it helped so much! DO NOT have your gel lamp on unless you're using it! It can cure it while you're in the process of putting it on so be careful! (If you put to much on and its getting on your cuticles, use the other end of your brush to dig it out. Then spray alcohol on the end of the brush to get the gel off! If you get gel on your hands or anything else, just use the alcohol to wipe it off! Water does not work!)

(This is how much I use for the 4 small toes)

(This is how much I use for my big toe! Sorry I should have zoomed in. Its basically the whole brush.)

(Starting in the center, and smooth it out to the sides.)

(All the toes have gel!)

4. Next, get your piece of paper and stick it under your foot. Dump glitter on your freshly gel'd toes! 

It will look like a lot. but you need to make sure you got all your nail covered!

After you dump it on, shake your foot a little and get off any excess glitter! (like below)

This picture below is what your toes will look like when they are ready to go under the light!

(Now, fold the paper and dump the glitter it back into your glitter container to re-use!)

5. Cook your toes! Stick them in the lamp for 2-3 minutes!

6. Take your toes out and brush off any excess glitter over a rag.

7. Now you'll do your second coat of gel. This one is trickier because its hard to see if you've covered your entire nail. A little trick I do is move my toes around at different angles to make sure the entire nail is shiny. Apply gel to all five toes and then stick it in the lamp!

(moving my toe around to check for any dull spots)

8. Cook toes again! 2-3 minutes. Once you've pulled them out, DO NOT TOUCH THEM!!

9. Spray alcohol on them and wipe off with towel. This step is very important! Gel does not cure until alcohol has been on them!

(Spraying alcohol on toes)

(Wiping off)

10. Apply cuticle oil!

11. FINISHED! The best part is there is no drying time since there is no need for a polish top coat!

(NOTE TO SELF)

Don't do this around babies, even if they're sleeping! One of my little twinners had a reflex while asleep and knocked over my entire container of glitter!

(He was glittery the rest of the day) 

:)

DIY Chevron Tote

I don't know if i'm the only one who has noticed how popular the chevron stripe is right now but I see it everywhere and I LOVE it!! As most of you know, I have twin little baby boys and when we go anywhere, we have to take so much crap with us! Our diaper bag alone doesn't fit everything we need so I was on the hunt for another bag to load their stuff around in. I didn't want to spend a lot of money so I came up with the idea to just buy a cheap plain tote and do chevron stripes all over it. 

I love how it turned out!!

Here's the bag and the fabric marker I used. The color

is turquoise! The only other thing you'll need is

masking tape or painters tape!

Next you'll just tape it off and color in the lines!

ITEMS USED:

Tote: $3.50 @ Hobby Lobby

Pen: $2.99 @ Hobby Lobby

TOTAL: $6.49

DIY Boot Socks!

I totally saw Halloween candy displayed at the store today which made me (way excited!!) and also made me think its officially fall and ok for me to post about DIY knee length socks (or leg warmers) for those boots you're about to start wearing!

SO..

If you've got a pair of these..

And a pair of these...

You're good to go!!

Cut your socks like this..

And wear them like this..

:)

(The greatest thing about them is you can make them as bunchy or as straight as you want since there's no footing to stop you!)

Body After Babies!

Ok, the only reason I would ever post something on my blog about fitness is because I have been asked many many times how I lost my baby weight! I'm no expert in the fitness world nor do I pretend to be, but I have learned many things along the way that has ultimately helped me on my weight loss journey.

The first thing I did after my twins, was simply STOP eating all the crap I allowed myself to eat while pregnant, and started eating CLEAN! A lot of people ask what eating clean means and it's as simple as this- stay away from processed foods and sugar! Cook your meals at home so you know exactly what your getting! Stick to lean ground turkey, chicken, fish, eggs, veggies, brown rice etc. Also, you'll want to make sure you're eating every 2 1/2 to 3 hours and getting plenty of water! Don't starve yourself!!

I wasn't able to workout at all after my twins were born until I was 6 weeks postpartum because of my C-section. I was discouraged because I wanted my body back immediatly! (I'm sure any woman out there who has been pregnant knows the feeling!) But what I didn't know was that the DIET was really where you see results! While working out has a major part its not the only part! The secret to a fit body is 70% diet and 30% working out!

Once I started working out, I learned something else extremely beneficial! I used to only run on the tredmill when I went to the gym in fear I would bulk up like a man if I went near the weights! THIS IS SO FALSE!! Unless you're doing steriods, you will burn fat and get good lean muscle that will only make you have a rockin body! So if I can get anyone who reads this to take one thing away it would be to trust me on this subject! Lifting weights is so good for your body and will get you the results you are looking for!

Everyone has people who inspire them and I wanted to share with you women who have inspired me!

Michelle is a mommy of a 1 year old, but in this photo she is only 8 months postpartum! She is obvious proof that you CAN lose the baby weight! Anyone can if they are dedicated!

http://www.facebook.com/MichelleAnnFitness

Ingrid is my trainer and has twin little boys that were born 7 days after my little ones! In the bottom picture,she is only 4 months postpartum and look at her!! http://www.facebook.com/ingridromero1985

It can be done! It IS realistic if you just stick to it! Both these women have jobs, are full time moms and still make time for themselves! Don't ever feel guilty for taking time out of the day for you! Your husband and children will thank you in the long run because you being healthy and happy will only make your home a happier place! Anyone ever hear the saying if momma aint happy, nobody's happy? well that statement is very true!!

I'm going to share with you a sample of what my diet and workouts are. I paid good $ for a personal trainer who made these specific for my body but you too can get these results!! 

(P.S.These pictures are extremely embarrassing for me but you gotta start somewhere, right?!)

Day 1                    Day 12

Day 1                 Day 12

Day 1                  Day 12

The first picture above is day 1 of my journey, and the second picture is only day 12!! Can you believe I got these results in only 12 days?!

Here's the Diet/ Exercise program! If you don't know what certain exercises are, google them and look up images! That's what I did :) And just warning you, this is NOT an easy workout! You will literally feel like jello after every single one but it's so worth it!!


Monday

Meal 1- 3 egg whites, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 tsp peanut butter

Meal 2 (Preworkout meal) – 4oz can tuna, 2 rice cakes, 1/4 avocado

Meal 3 (Post workout meal) – 5 oz. chicken breast, 4 oz sweet potato, 10 asparagus spears

Meal 4 – Whey Protein Shake with Glutamine, 

Meal 5- 5 oz. chicken breast, 1 1/2 cup of green veggies, 5 asparagus spears

Workout: Chest & triceps and Calves  

Cardio: A.M 

30-40 minutes of jogging 10%incline

Incline Dumbbell Press, tricep extensio with rope- 3 sets x 20 reps

2 minute jump rope

Flat Dumbbell Press, assisted dips- 3 sets x 20 reps

2 minute jump rope

cable flys, narrow grip pushups - 3 sets x 20 reps

2 minute jump rope

Standing Calf Raises- 4 sets x 20 reps

Tuesday:

Meal 1- 3 egg whites, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 tsp peanut butter

Meal 2 (Preworkout meal) – 4oz chicken, 4oz sweet potato, 1/4 avocado

Meal 3 (Post workout meal) – 5 oz. lean turkey, 1 cup brown  rice, 10 asparagus, 1 cup of spinach

Meal 4 – Whey Protein Shake with Glutamine

Meal 5- 5 oz. chicken breast, 1 1/2 cup of green veggies, 10 asparagus

Workout: Back & bicep

Cardio: A.M 

30-40 minutes of Starmill

assisted pull ups, hammer curls- 3 sets x 20reps

 2 minute sprint on 10% incline

reverse narrow grip pulldowns, barbell curls -3 sets x 20reps

 2 minute sprint on 10% incline

T-Bar high Rows, preacher curls- 3 sets x 30 reps

 2 minute sprint 0n 10% incline

Straight Arm Cable Pull Downs- 3 sets x 20 reps

Wednesday:

Meal 1- 3 egg whites, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 tsp peanut butter

Meal 2 (Preworkout meal) – 4oz canned tuna, 1/2 cup brown rice, 1/4 avocado

Meal 3 (Post workout meal) – 5 oz. chicken breast, 4oz sweet potato

Meal 4 – Whey Protein Shake with Glutamine

Meal 5- 5 oz. chicken breast, 1 1/2 cup veggies, 3oz sweet potato

Cardio: A.M 

Workout:  Legs & Abs

40 minutes of running on incline

Barbell Squats-3 sets x 20 reps, jump squats (30 seconds)

Walking Dumbbell Lunges-3 sets x 20 reps, jump lunges ( 30 seconds)

Leg Extensions- 3 sets x 20 reps, high knees (30 seconds)

Seated Leg Curls- 3 sets x 20 reps, ice skater (30 seconds)

Lower back extensions (squeeze butt at top)- 3 set x 20 reps, leg curls on ball 20

Straight Leg Dead lifts- 3 sets x 20, box jumps (30 seconds)

Cable Crunches- 3 sets x 25 reps

Cable Oblique Crunches- 3 sets x 25 reps

Swiss ball Crunches- 3 sets x 50 reps

Thursday:

Meal 1- 3 egg whites, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 tsp peanut butter

Meal 2 (Preworkout meal) – 4oz chicken, 2 rice cakes, 1/4 avocado

Meal 3 (Post workout meal) – 5 oz. lean turkey, 1 cup brown rice

Meal 4 – Whey Protein Shake with Glutamine

Meal 5- 5 oz. chicken breast, , 10 asparagus spears, 1 1/2 cup of greens

Workout: Shoulder & Traps 

Cardio: A.M

40 minutes intense cardio

Seated Dumbbell Press- 3 sets x 20 reps, jump rope 30 seconds

  3 minute sprints

Lateral Dumbbell Raises- 3 sets x 20 reps, step up 30 seconds

  3 minute sprints

Upright Rows- 3 sets x 20 reps, jump rope 30 seconds

  3 minute sprints

Front Straight Bar Raises- 3 sets x 20 reps, step ups 30 seconds

  3 minute sprint

Friday:

Meal 1- 3 egg whites, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 tsp peanut butter

Meal 2 (Preworkout meal) – 1 can tuna, 2 rice cakes, 1/4 avocado

Meal 4 (Post workout meal) – 5 oz. chicken breast, 5oz sweet potato, 1 cup of spinach

Meal 3 – Whey Protein Shake with Glutamine

Meal 5- 6oz tilapia, 5 asparagus, 1 1/2 cup mixed veggies

Workout: 

 40 minutes of HIIT of your choice

Workout: Upper body circut
Straight Bar Curls, wide grip pull downs- 3 sets x 20 reps
 20 step ups each leg on highest step you can find
pushups, smith machine pulls (laying on back)- 3 sets x 20 reps
 20 step ups each leg
Alternating Dumbbell Hammer Curls, asssted dips- 3 sets x 20 reps
  20 step ups each leg
Seated rows, close grip push ups- 3 sets x 20 reps
 20 step ups each leg
dumbell curls, tricep rope extension- 3  sets x 20 reps
 20 step ups each leg






Saturday:
Meal 1- 1 oatmeal pancake with peanut butter
Meal 2 – 4oz chicken, 1 cup of veggies,  3oz sweet potato
Meal 3 – Whey Protein Shake with Glutamine
Meal 4 – 6 oz. any fish, 1 cup of veggies, 1/4 avocado, 1 cup of greens
Meal 5- 5oz Salmon, 1 cup of brown rice, 1 serving of spinach

Workout:  Legs & plyos

Cardio:
40 minutes HIIT intense cardio on incline


dumbell  side lunges-3 sets x 15 reps, jump squats (30 seconds)
dumbell  kurtsey lunges- 5 sets x 25 reps, high knees (30 seconds)
 leg curls on floor with ball- 4 sets x 15 reps, ice skater (25 seconds)
dumbell Walking Lunges, lower back extension-3 sets x 15 reps, jump lunges ( 30 seconds)
Leg extension, lying leg curls, box jumps (30 seconds)





Sunday:

Meal 1 - 3 egg whites, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 tsp peanut butter
Meal 2(Preworkout meal) – 4oz chicken, 2 rice cakes, 1/4 avocado
Meal 3(Post workout meal) – 5 oz. lean turkey, 3/4 cup brown rice, 10 asparagus
Meal 4 – Whey Protein Shake with Glutamine
Meal 5-5 oz. lean red meat, 3oz sweet potato, 1 cup of veggies

Workout: Day off

Here I am today, almost 5 months postpartum! Still not where I want to be but getting there!

Take it one day at a time. Don't think to yourself  "ok, i'm going to do this for the next three months!" Instead, wake up in the morning with the decision that you're going to eat well and exercise TODAY! This has worked for me, because I easily get discouraged when I look at how long it will take me!

Hope this has helped even one of you!!