Road Trip Recap

Jacksonville Bridge at Sunset

Back from my road trip and proud to report that I learned a lot while in Jacksonville, FL. The weather was gorgeous and not only was work productive, but I learned that I don't have to worry about feeling out of control with food while traveling. Even though the selections available were not what I would eat at home, I still managed to end the week down almost 2 pounds. Good practice for an upcoming business trip to Austin and even better practice for future vacations. Wow. 10 hours on the road round trip and no drive-thrus...who'd have thunk it. 

Ready for my healthiest road trip ever...

I head to Jacksonville, FL tomorrow for a work conference and I refuse to be derailed by hunger on the road, bad conference food or other landmines of a nutritional nature along the way. On deck? Organic apples and bananas, organic peanut butter and raspberry preserves, whole wheat bread, Luna Bars, Kashi Granola Bars and 100 Calorie Packs of almonds and walnuts. I am also MASSIVELY stoked to hit some of the orange groves on the way down, those juicy darlings are in season and I plan on loading up for friends, family and little old me. Here's hoping the meals at the conference have the usual salad bar and feature some gorgeous gulf seafood. Looking forward to a healthy and productive trip.

The Luck of the Irish

Lucky is certainly a word to describe how I have been feeling these past few weeks. Not sure that his has anything to do with my Irish heritage, but I'll take it all the same. I was listening to a piece on NPR the other day talking about the Potato Famine in Ireland and the horrors that many of my ancestors went through in their country and the struggles they overcame to make it to the states. It makes you realize that life is short, it's very precious, and you should live each day as the very best version of yourself. I have gain a lot of strength through my heritage and today, St. Patrick's Day, I am celebrating the unbelievably lucky life I have been given. Thank you to my mom, formerly Patty Callahan, and my grandparent's John and Anna Callahan, rest your souls, for passing me your strength through the generations. I don't intend to waste a lick of it another day!

Add / Drop Installment 5

Add: Grown-up Skin Care Routine

Drop: Wash-N-Go Routine

In an overdue installment of Add/Drop, I am so excited to share that FINALLY, at age 41, I have a grown-up skin care routine. I've always had great skin and I will own that in my 20's and 30's I had to do very little to keep in that way. I had never been a sun worshiper, no issues with acne, and all I really needed was a quick wash, maybe a smidgen of moisturizer and out the door. Almost like a light switch, my skin really changed when I hit 40. It got drier, crankier and far duller. I tried some of the off the shelf drug store brands and nothing really worked. I finally decided to invest some dollars in conjunction with an amazing product by Neutrogina recommended by a plastic surgeon friend of mine and WOW. What a difference a month makes! Here's what I've added...

Day: A quick wash with Cetaphil liquid soap and then add Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream with sunscreen SPF 15 - $12.99 at drugstores everywhere. A pearl-size amount over your face in a few weeks you will notice skin that is VISIBLY glowing and ultra soft. Thank you Dr. Mike Reilly, bestie and plastic surgeon extraordinaire for the recommend.

Night: This is where I invested some cash. After a quick wash with Neutrogena Foaming Face Wash to rinse away the day's make-up, I toss in a liberal application of Bobbi Brown EXTRA Repair Moisturizing Balm. The price tag on this baby is $93, but it is worth EVERY CENT. The lush, herbal scent, ultra rich texture and bounty of anti-aging goodies leads to a morning face that is soft as a baby's butt and truly glowing. If I have to resort to a "will-work-for-balm" tactic to keep this in my arsenal for years to come I have no problem with that.

Eyes: One product day and night, also from my girl Bobbi Brown. Her EXTRA Eye Repair Cream is as yummy as her other products. Just a dab around the eyes day and night and my dark circles and fine lines are slowly becoming a thing of the past. $69 but a little goes a long way, this jar will last you 6 months at least.

A New Look for PR

I decided to adopt a new look for Project Revive to go with my new attitude! My original logo was designed a few years ago by a close friend and, at the time, really suited the sweet quality I was going for. Times have changed and so have my tastes, I think this new design really captures the modern, fun spirit you would see in my home and in the rest of my life! Hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do. It's all about progress!

Calgon Take Me Away!

This week at the office has been beyond challenging. Lots of work, little time and much travel on the horizon. Other than really wanting a glass of wine and not having one as I gave it up for Lent, I STRANGELY have not experienced my normal must-eat-everything-fried reaction to stress. I literally sat on my porch last night wondering if I had some weird disease (of course I wondered that, not sure if diet ever controls hypochondria) that would have caused such a HUGE behavioral change. But then I stepped back and realized that I have NEVER gone this long on a lifestyle change plan without caving...and that maybe there is some truth to the tale that 21 days makes a habit. In my case, it's been way more than 21 days without putting crap into my body! No drive-thrus, no candy, no junk, just whole foods. Huh. I guess I might have to get used to the fact that I am really going to make this happen. Well done me! (That was annoying I know. But sue me, I'm proud of myself.)

Wardrobe Progress

As I mentioned in my last post, my friend Kim Miller-Iannucci paid me a visit last Sunday to help with pulling together several outfits that will help me through my transition into new, smaller sizes. I have some great pieces, but half of them are at least a size too big at this point. And for those of you who have never seen the inside of my closet? I have hardly any clothes to begin with. Why? NOT fun to shop when you're relegated to the plus size department. (Side Note to Designers: There's no need to make plus size fashion so fugly. Not everything has to be a tent, tunic, animal print or otherwise drapey mess. Michael Kors, you're excluded pal.) Kim spent about 2 hours mixing, matching and working her magic and I now feel like I have a closet that will last me at least another month or two before I need to drop some dough on more transition pieces. The self-portrait was taken this morning in advance of my next progress session. Couldn't resist as I felt monumentally SASSY as I headed out this morning.

WHOA NELLY!

Where on earth did the past week go? With lots of family and work commitments I can't believe I went several days without blogging! To start up again, it's Sunday morning and we have Sprung Forward (I have also Sprung Forward into an end of winter bug of some kind - bleck). But most of all, I am happy to say I reached a weight loss milestone today. According to my friends at Weight Watchers Online I have lost 5% of my body weight! And folks?? I can FEEL IT. Perhaps it's my attitude, perhaps it's cutting out the sugar, caffeine and alcohol, maybe it's just my time...but I know this time? I am going to reach my goal. Last weekend I had a very talented friend swing by to help me with my closet and help to plan some outfits that take advantage of my wardrobe that is rapidly becoming to big. (What a nice change that is!). I'll be posting photos of that later on today! Also, stay tuned for month two's progress photos in the days to come. Here's to a another great week and to getting back on track with my pet project here. 

Get a Move On

My newest toy - Fit Bit! A wireless fitness tracker that syncs with your computer or iPhone. You can set goals, track progress, compete with friends. Fancy, candy-colored fun without the guilt.