photo journey

I haven't been the best at coming up with new ideas of my own lately, so I like to jump on board with the good ideas of my blog friends to keep me going!!

Today I'm linking up for a recap of my favorite instagram photos as of late :)

>>if you don't follow me on instagram, you can do so by clicking HERE<<

Trip home: cue puppy kisses. And then I got to bring him back to Waco with me!

As I was leaving campus one day I made the wonderful impromptu decision to visit the Waco suspension bridge. God gave Texas some beautiful sunsets, y'all.

I waited 10 days without hearing from Drew before I finally got this letter! He's started a countdown too :) It was worth those 10 days of silence just to get this one note... (and also the MilSOs said: AMEN)

*I love that he writes one the back of the envelopes...cuuuute.

My dear friend Kate sent me a text that somehow inspired me to take this photo to send to her saying "Look I'm wearing the shirt you bought me for my birthday X years ago!!" And then I got a new photo editing app and decided to play.

Which brings us to more playing with new photo editor apps....and a quick shot of my stinkin adorable #modelstatus pup during our sunning expedition this afternoon.

If you already follow me on instagram, YAY, and I'm sorry for the redundant blog post. If not, go follow me on instagram and I won't post anything like this again ;)

Another week down.... (Drew countdown is 17 days, if you were wondering). Enjoy the rest of your weekends and gear up for a great Monday! :)

__________________________
P.S. Have you checked out PB and Honey's facebook page?? Let me know if you have!

Happies and Crappies

Today I'm linking up with two of my faves, Stephanie and Sarah for Happies and Crappies!



Bad news, then good news, right?
crappies
*As I'm sure you guys are NOT aware, I miss Drew.
(little bit of sarcasm there, did you like that?)
*(still Drew related, sorry) I missed like SIX calls from him on Sunday, and I haven't gotten a letter in over a week. Mega bummer!!! Here's hoping the mailman is my friend today....

Drew is on the far left- thanks again Heather from "Army facebook" for posting photos of our boys!!

*I've become a homebody. Nope, sorry, can't see you today, I haven't washed my hair in.....yeah don't ask.
*Sleep has been hard to come by this week. I'm not sure if its because I'm anxious or what, but I'm tired!!

happies
* Sunday is in two days and you betcha my phone will be on full volume and by my side ALL DAY! (refusing to miss 6 more phone calls...that was flat out depressing)
* The countdown is officially under 20!!! Drew has been gone for something gross like 55 days (ok, yes, I counted) buuuuuut......

Tacky cropping, I know, but THANK YOU SARAH again for the pictures!!!

* I got an A in my final graduate music history class!!! Don't ask me how that happened (thank you Jesus), but I'm one step closer to my degree!
* Winston is with me in Waco for the week. Y'all know how happy that makes me....just look at his little face!!!

'

"Look at me, I'm so cute and this rug is cute!"

* Bestie/past roomie Christina is getting married SOON! I'm excited to spend time with her in Austin in two weeks before her big day! And its her fiance's birthday today- Happy Birthday Michael!!

#tbt (a day late) to 2011 Mu Phi formal- and yes, we're gonna dance like this at her wedding.

Happy Friday, friends! Hope you have an awesome weekend ahead of you :)

take five

Just a little brain break today: five faves!

take one

pup in a cup! source: pinterest

take two

sweet summer sandals, source: mnzstore.com

take three

source: french press mornings

take four

celtic knot hair, source: pinterest

take five

DIY diamonds, source: sugar and cloth

enjoy! leave me a comment with some of your current faves :)

Time Flies!

Aren't you supposed to put at least one picture on each blog post?

(belated) 4th of July Winston

So I've been reading all over the bloggy interwebs that these little blogging "funks" tend to happen in the summer and AMEN sisters, I have one of those too. 

But I'm here to give you a little update on what's been going on over here in Paige/Baylor land!

1) Its my dad's birthday today. Happy Birthday daddy!!!! I don't know if you read this, but I love you! :)

2) My final class of grad school is OVER! Now I just need to get a passing grade and pass my oral exam in August....but no more class, essays, 45 minute presentations, and written tests! Woooohooooo!

3) I finally finally finally, after 5+ weeks, got a phone call from Drew this past Sunday! After several weeks of getting my hopes up and being disappointed, I had convinced myself that my only way of communicating with him until his graduation from BCT in August would be letters. (Letters are GREAT though, don't get me wrong!) So on Sunday, when I was studying my behind off and working on a presentation, I was completely shocked (to tears) to see his name pop up on my phone!! I'm pretty sure I've never been so happy for a 14 minute conversation in my life...but I also know that I'd be content waiting 5 more weeks for another 5 minute phone call. *sigh

Drew is in the center (back) looking studly in his glasses!- source: 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment Facebook page

He's going strong and we're so proud of him! Not to mention thrilled that he graduates in less than a month!!

4) I have 3 weeks to myself-ish to prepare for an upcoming audition (maybe more on that later!), a final independent degree project, and my oral exam before CRAZY ensues. It feels a little like the calm before a storm.... 

Anyone have any tips or advice for staying organized and motivated when you don't have an actual "schedule" to follow? Maybe I'll just make a schedule....and then try to stick to it?

Can you guys believe we're more than a week into July already? Half way through 2013!! Time flies....

*Linking up with Lisette from Northern Belle Diaries

HOW TO Eat SPINACH 3 Times a Day Without Even Liking It

Hey friends!!

[I acknowledge that this makes two posts in a row about food, and I promise that won't continue to be the case!]

If you follow me on instagram (which of course you do) you might have noticed that I've gotten a little OCD about what I eat. I am by no means anywhere near an expert, but the more I read and research, the more it kind of freaks me out how much junk I've put into my body!! No wonder the "freshman 15" is so real!

So, my grocery list has included mostly fresh veggies, fruits, whole grains, and lean meats- and I'm loving it!

Now lets get to the actual point of this post: Spinach. You know... makes you strong and stuff.

Men's Health (OK OK I know, MEN's Health is for....men, BUT they author "Eat This Not That" which is awesome) says:

"Popeye, it turns out, was onto something.

While wolfing down a can of spinach might not give you insta-muscles or superhuman strength, eating two or three servings of this nutrient-rich leafy green each week could help you power up in other ways. Some preliminary researchshows it might make your muscles more efficient during a workout (cool, huh?). Plus, it has a load of other nutrients that keep all systems running smoothly:

• It’s full of lutein, which promotes healthy eyesight by preventing cataracts and macular degeneration.
• One cup of fresh spinach provides almost 200 percent of the daily value of vitamin K, which is essential for bone health.
• Spinach contains twice the amount of iron as most other greens and can act as a substitute for men who are not eating as much meat, according to New York City nutritionist Stephanie Middleberg, R.D. (Getting enough iron, among other things, will keep your energy levels up.)

But perhaps the best thing about spinach is this: It’s extremely versatile, so you can keep it on hand and toss it into any meal."

So, I bought myself a tub of spinach (yes, a tub...not those wimpy bags that provide super droopy salads in a bag after 3 days) and was determined to get through it in a week!

Here are a few examples of how I did it:

Breakfast Scramble!

sauteed spinach and ham (torn up lunch meat in a frying pan with spinach and olive oil)

egg/eggs

topped with diced tomato and avocado!

Spinach Tuna Open Face

(Ok, I know I featured this particular meal already, but come ON guys- so simple and delicious!)

Half a whole grain (low sodium) english muffin, toasted

handful of fresh spinach

tuna

(how do you rotate images?! oh well)

I don't know what to call this, but I made it up and I'm super proud because it has not one, but TWO things that I don't like in it! And it was good!!

finely chopped mushrooms sauteed with spinach

brown rice

grilled chicken

So, I urge you to go out and try new things!!! After a whole week, you might even like it ;)

*Disclaimer: I love Mexican food. I love pizza. I love cheesy pasta and garlic bread. I love bbq wings. I love seasoned fries...you get the point. SO this post isn't me saying "I will never eat fried chicken again ever in my life!!!", it's about choices that I've been making lately that make ME feel better and a lifestyle change I plan on abiding by (pretty closely...wink wink)