CROSSing over

Soooooo it's been a while since I have posted. 3 years actually... and while I don't exactly know why it stopped I know I am glad to be back. 

My blogs used to be about whatever blew my way. Wine, fashion, DIY's etc... however my life has drastically changed in the last 3 years and I have finally found ME. Since my last post a lot has happened. 

On Dec. 17th 2012 I got engaged in NYC and on April 12th 2014 we got MARRIED!!!

8 weeks later my precious father passed away. He is celebrating in heaven now and I know I'll see him again and when I do it will be a joyous reunion. 

When my Dad passed I decided to take a little time off from the stresses of life and my current serving job to focus on finding a job that truly fits me and my needs. I wanted to land somewhere I would be happy for a long time and somewhere I could truly start to build my career. 

During that time off I started to focus on me and my personal needs and that lead to my health kick. Although I have always been a very healthy person I wanted to take it to the next level. In 2012 I discovered that my body doesn't react well to gluten. I was experiencing massive headaches and could never figure out why. After trying literally everything else I finally decided to try cutting gluten out of my diet all together...AND IT WORKED! Although it wasn't easy to learn what I could and could not eat I was very thankful that my massive migraines were gone! 

When I cut out gluten it got me thinking...what else do I put into my body that is harmful to it. I have been slowly but surely learning new things each and every day and I am truly appalled at how abusive humans are to their body. The things we put into our mouths and even use on a daily basis would shock you if you actually new the ins and outs of it all. 

I have always worked out and loved anything physical and decided to take it to the next level. Although I fought against the "cult" that was surrounding me as I watched my friends join the addiction one by one, I am now officially a CROSSFIT ADDICT. This little 125lb, fashion forward, gluten free living, animal loving, blonde as it gets, Carrie Bradshaw wanna be can deadlift 155lb, snatch 75lbs, split jerk 100lbs and this is only the beginning. Although I have only been at this for about 4 months it has completely changed my life. I not only have found the greatest Box Family of all time, who are ALWAYS there to cheer you through that last burpee, I have found the ultimate healthy addiction. We may be healthy but we still like to party...especially when it's 80's prom themed.

So, now that you are all caught up on me lets circle back around to why I'm back to blogging for your reading pleasure. Tomorrow I start a 6 week challenge in which we have to lower our fat percentage and increase our lean muscle mass percentage. Everyone who is participating had to complete the hydrostatic testing. You wear a bathing suit and submerge yourself into this tub of water with a scale to find out what your current percentage of fat vs. lean muscle mass is. Based on your test results our coach is prescribing to us a plan on how to eat and exercise for the next 6 weeks. I will be posting all kinds of things on here. Workouts, recipes, progress etc... I am so excited to share this with you and I hope you are excited to journey with me. 

As usual I am going Against the Grain! This book is great for beginner Paleo's.

From Wine to Weightlifting! This blog is one of my favorites and so inspirational.

Can't wait to try PaleOMG! This website has been recommended by many and i'm excited to read on!

Sincerely,

 Julie

Frenzy to Fancy

Mornings can be HECTIC and put you in a FRENZY.

I always try and lay out my outfit the night before as to avoid the chaotic decision of WHAT TO WEAR?! Sometimes doing your makeup can even be hectic because you are shuffling around in that never ending basket of clutter. Well thanks to Pinterest I found a better way to start my day with my beautiful, newly made (DIY), make-up board.

I don’t think I could live without hair, MAKEUP, and styling, let alone be the performer I am. I am a glamour girl through and through. I believe in the glamorous life and I live one.- Lady Gaga

The makeup board is simple to make and so efficient. To make this fantastic board you only need a few items.

1. Super Glue Spray Paint

2. Picture Frame

3. Fabric of your choice

4. Piece of Sheet Metal

 5. Magnets

Step 1: If you don’t like the color of your frame and you have decided to spray paint it like I did then start painting. This is your first step because you want the paint to have time to dry.

Step 2: Take your sheet metal and cut it to the size of your frame. My frame was 11X14 and we were able to cut it with metal sheers at home. If you don’t possess a pair then just ask your friendly Home Improvement store to do it for you before you purchase it.

Step 3: I specifically asked for my fabric to be cut 13X16 so that I would have enough slack to glue the overlap onto the back of the metal sheet. This is where the SUPER GLUE comes into play. I used water bottles to hold the fabric down so my hands didn’t get super glued together. Remember to PULL TIGHT when gluing the fabric to the frame.

Step 4: Glue the magnets to the back of your makeup. I super glued mine but I’ve been told that a hot glue gun might have been smarter so that you can peel the magnets off when the makeup runs out and not have to buy more.

Step 5: Once your super glue has dried so that the fabric is in place on the metal you can place the metal in the frame and VOILA you’re done.

It makes for a clutter free morning and a fun one too!

For more clutter free tips visit the Declutter website.

Have any college readers out there. Some fun DIY's for your Dorm Room

I've been craving new hairstyles and found some great ones on Garnier Take Care

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday!

It's almost the weekend :)

Sincerely,

 Julie

From House to Home

Moving from one home to another can be a hassle.

For me it’s always been bittersweet. Bitter because I hate packing, Sweet because

I love finding excuses to make or buy new things for the new residence.

My boyfriend and I are moving to our new home rather Soon, and one thing we still need is a headboard.

They can be very expensive and finding one we both agree on is even harder. So I decided to let my inner DIY come out and find ways to

do OUR headboard MY way!

I got this above idea from the BHG website.

It looks complicated from the picture but as soon as I read the directions I was ready to try it. They have 25 different amazing ideas and this is number 16. If you have any great ideas or think I should go with a different pick let me know, I'd love your feedback.

Here is our amazing bedding my parents bought us for our Christmas! (Buy Here) 

It's the Ralph Lauren Jermyn Street Collection and it’s absolutely gorgeous!

It looks so much richer when it is up against a dark brown headboard so I think I will make my headboard fabric somewhere in the tan or brown family. 

To put some extra color splash in there I bought the white and blue pinstripe sheets to brighten up the collection a bit. Plus I'm adding some Navy pillows in the mix. 

DIY’S OF THE WEEK:

  

If your a ribbon girl I know this will make you smile.

Label with pictures instead of with names. 

Absolutely Genius! 

Recover an old dresser with fabrics. Easy as 1,2,3!

I am home for the weekend in beautiful Jupiter, Florida and

I have my mom in a DIY mood too. We are

trying a few of my favorites from Pinterest and as soon as

they are finished I will show you the completed project and maybe even a step by step!

I need everyone's help. I am trying to finish up my Christmas shopping and all I have left

is the stocking stuffers, for MEN! Movies are great however, get expensive as

they add up. The multi tool knife has been suggested to me a few times but my honey collects knives and has about a million of them already. HELP!!!! Tell me what men want in their stockings.

My Song of the Week: (call me corny but i'm obsessed0

Have A Happy Saturday!

Sincerely,

Julie

Oldies but Goodies

Happy belated Thanksgiving everyone. I hope your thanksgiving was a blessed one and that you ate until you fell asleep. Everyone says there is a something in turkeys that makes you sleepy when you  eat it. I say 

it's the massive amounts of food mixed with the massive amounts of 

alcohol. Just a thought! For the past few years we have spent Thanksgiving in GEORGIA with my mom's side of the family. We are a tight knit family and Thanksgiving has become my favorite Georgia tradition yet!  

(love partying with my family)

Thanksgiving brings lots of food and diets following but it also brings
Black Friday Deals!

We had so much fun shopping even though it was crazy. We didn't even do the "crazy people deals", we went 

Friday at 2PM and still found amazing deals! We were definitely a sight to see as we were 

crawling on the floor looking for the right or left boot to a pair.

We had the whole department cracking up and feeling so bad that we were crawling around, they even gave us the "Door Buster Deals". None the less it was a blast. 

The best deals we found came the next day at the local ANTIQUE shop.

My cousin shops here all the time and said we had to absolutely go take a look. 

Thanks to our taking a look my mother is going back up there the week after christmas to rent 

a U-Haul to take all our amazing pieces of history back. 

Here are a few things I found AMAZING and INSPIRING.

This is an old Wardrobe that has been refinished $125

A beautiful hand made quilt $25-this is now mine :)

This gorgeous piece is MY perfect writing desk! $60

(reminds me of the movie "The Christmas Carol" Scrooges desk)

“I’m hoping if I find my perfect desk the words will just come to me” 

– Carrie Bradshaw

Love this refinished dresser. $125

Thought this table was really neat!

I was reading an excerpt from an old book and my mother happened to catch the moment. 

That's my new desk, quilt and yes the HAT too! All antiques and 

gorgeous pieces of history. 

Since we are talking about Old Treasures I thought 

it only appropriate to share with you one of my favorite and most 

cherished loves, Mr. Miles Davis.

Have a Treasured Tuesday!

Sincerely,

Julie

Round and Round We Go!

Last night was an epic dual between two amazing drivers of the 

////////NASCAR Sprint Cup Series! Tony Stewart versus Carl Edwards, will be recorded in 

history books as the most amazing battle for the ////////NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship. Stewart,

Champion for 2002, 2005 and now 2011 started his summer off in a slump and thought that was the prediction for the rest of his year. When Fall came around improvement
was not full force and even with the chase coming up  
he thought his chances were still very slim. He then shocked himself, along 
with his fans, when he started the chase off with a WIN in Chicago. 

(2011 Chicago Win)

After his first 2011 Victory Lane appearance, Stewarts mentality, driving and overall persona changed. The driver he knew he could be and the one everyone knew as "Smoke" was back in action. He went on to win the very next race in New Hampshire and revisited Victory Lane in Martinsville and Texas, before the big finale at Homestead. Going into the final race Stewart had one mentality which was to win the race. Although there were many other strategies available to him that would crown him champion he thought the easiest road was to be the best driver. On Sunday November 20th 2011 he was just that. In the last 40 laps Stewart knew he was in good shape on tires and gas and now all he had to do was drive and drive hard. Although Edwards was only at most 1.9 seconds behind him, it wasn't enough to beat the bright red number 14 Office Depot car he had in his sights ahead. With Stewarts big win in South Florida he and Edwards were tied for points giving Stewart the very first Championship ever to be won through the tie breaker of driver with most WINS! Not only was he the first tie breaking champion but he was also the first owner driver to win a Sprint Cup Championship since 1992. 

From crossing the FINISH LINE, to getting out of the VICTORIOUS car, to kissing the 2011 Sprint Cup Championship TROPHY,  it is hard to imagine the emotions running through Stewarts head as he took in the moment. Maybe this video will help give us a slight idea of what he was feeling. 

It was so neat to witness a piece of history that children, for generations to come, will learn about through books and websites. It was even more special for me since my boyfriend is such a huge Stewart fan and ////////NASCAR
 follower since he could comprehend what racing was. 


For all you Edwards fans out there don't be too disappointed because he made the most valiant effort he could and drove a very hard race. Not only was Edwards an amazing contender but an extremely humble one as well. 

Congratulations to Stewart Haas Racing on your amazing 2011 Sprint Cup Championship!

Get your Official 2011 Championship Gear Here
Want to learn more? Visit the official website of Stewart Haas Racing
Learn more about the newest member of the Stewart Haas Racing Team Danica Patrick



Quote of the Day:
"I'm going to say this because I know my fans like brutal honesty.
Every year all the competitors go out to the bar and try to get me
drunk so I can't run the next day. It didn't work this time." Tony Stewart

Have a Victorious Monday!

Sincerely,

A Bottle of White, A Bottle of Red

Wine has become my new drink of choice.

I have never been great at picking out wines but I am willing to try anything.

My boyfriends mother is a wine guru, which definitely helps, but I am finding we don't

have the same exact taste buds. I didn't used to be a big fan of any wine but women look so classy drinking it that I have made myself do some research.

This is the Chateau St. Michelle. Their Riesling is my VERY

favorite wine. Its so uplifting in its "spirits". Buy Here

Not only is wine classy in your hand but look at all these amazing DIY's

you can do with your empty bottles. (Pinterest Inspired)

(candles inside wine bottles)

(wine bottles as vases)

(Wine Bottles cut and used as a display for candles)

(wine bottles with strands of lights inside)

(love this outside festive look)

(gorgeous and so simple)

Everyone of these amazing DYI's comes from

Pinterst and has directions on how to complete your challenge.

Tis the Season for Parties!

This time of year is made for celebrations of all kinds. With celebrations comes party after party and what better way to enter than in a brand new cocktail dress!

Helpful Tips for the Holidays:
1. Spruce up your home in style with Oprah
2. Holiday Cocktails to go with your Dress
3. Have way to many parties and not enough dresses try Renting the Runway


Today's Blog Inspiration came from the amazing Billy Joel. He is a truly AMAZING musician

Notice the glass of red wine on his Piano! My soul mate from the 80's


Today's Bottle:
Penley Estate Gryphon Merlot 2008, Coonawarra, SA.  Super ripe plums and redcurrant fruits. Lovely fleshy wine, medium bodied with soft tannins. Jammy hints but this does not detract the wine being a lovely drop.


Happy and Safe Partying Everyone!

Sincerely,

America the Beautiful

When girls think of mud, two things come to mind. 

1. A nice facial mask or 2.Dirty Nasty Boy Activities.
Well ladies get your muddin boots and change that mind set because tomorrow is Mud Muckers. Oh yes its time to get down and dirty with an ice cold beer in your hand. It's the AMERICAN WAY after all! 



Fact #1: Boys Like Pretty Girls in Heels

Fact #2: Boys Like Pretty Girls Who Know How To Get Dirty and Drink Beer

Now ladies just because we can play rough doesn't mean we can't look cute while doing it. I personally have my mudding outfit set aside. This specific one is for the colder days which is exactly what tomorrow will be.

All this cold weather has made me want to wrap up in a quilt,
while sipping on some hot cocoa (splashed with baileys of course), by a nice warm fire place, in a beautiful cabin, somewhere deep in the woods. A few of these places would do me just fine :)

(So comfy and warm, with an amazing view)

(called the million dollar view, I can see why. Rent Here)

(so comfy cozy, Rent Here)

This little jewel belongs to the enchantingly handsome Tom Cruise.


Here is a video of my dream cabin!

 With Thanksgiving just around the corner
I thought it was time so start realizing what I'm thankful for.
Today I am thankful for my huge handful of cousins who have served our great country!
Thank you for your service and your dedication.
America is Grateful!

Happy Veteran's Day Everyone!


Sincerely,
JuLiE