Go, go! Fight, fight! Jee I hope I look alright...

Last night I decided to do the 24 Lift group class (Weights with a ton of leg and arm exercises.  Good for the soul really...lol.).  I've done it a few times before and really liked it, but last night was the best class ever.

Why was it so good you ask?  Who wants to exercise, let alone with weights?

What made it the best class ever wasn't the instructor or the fact that I can lift about two times as much as I used to lift, but that my trainer, Cheynah, made it a point to get my attention during class to say hi and tell me how good I looked doing it.  She was pretty much banging on the window to get my attention.  (Hey, I'm in the zone when I'm at the gym.  Come to think of it I'm in the zone regardless of where I am.  If you see me on the street and I don't say hi, please don't be offended.  It's most likely that I didn't see you because I'm focused on where I'm going or what I'm doing.  Either that or I see you and don't want to say hi...you'll never really know will you.  Nah, just kidding!)  Think Ben in 'The Graduate' during the church scene..."Elaine!  Elaine!".

For those of you who don't know 'The Graduate' (For shame!  Rent it now!  Go on, put it in your Netflix queue.  I'll wait...), here's the scene:

She finally got my attention (probably after a good 5 minutes or so), waved hello, flashed me a smile and a thumbs up and mouthed "You look good!"

I think that I am the only person at the gym that has a cheering squad while taking a group class...lol.  Thanks Cheynah!  I love you for that.

Dirty Jobs

Last night I washed all the dirty dishes in my kitchen sink.  I avoided them for as long as I could, but technically it was my turn to do the dishes.  I hate washing dishes.  Correction...I HATE washing dishes.  Dishes are the devil in my book...lol.

Do you know what is a million times worse than doing the dishes?  The gross gunky stuff that fills up the sink drain screen once the dishes are washed.  Now that is disgusting.  Just thinking about the nastiness that ends up in there makes me throw up a little in my mouth.  (Did I go too far with that one?  Sorry...lol.)

The sink drain screen is just something that I will never ever touch.  That is where I pull out the "I'm a girl" card on my husband.  I'm pretty sure that it was stated in our vows.  In fact, I'm 60% sure that I heard him say, "To love, honor, kill bugs, and empty the sink drain screen."

He empties it for me every time, without complaint or hesitation and I love him for it.  Now if only could get him to run concernedly to my side saying, "Yes, my Princess." every time that I call him, instead of the causal "Yeah?"

I know I've got it good, but there's always room for improvement, right?

Random Sights...

In the spirit of Monotonous Mondays...

Have you ever seen something weird and just had to take a picture of it?  Well here's one:

I went to get a massage a few weeks ago at the Hawaii Healing Arts College (Awesome massages for a low price.  Plus you get to help a student get the hands on training that they need to graduate as a Massage Therapist.  Go ahead and treat yourself.  You deserve it!  And for that price you could go once a week and write it off as community service...lol.)  and snapped this photo.  I'm sure that it was referring to the offices located in the "fringe" of the building, but I couldn't help but take the picture.  What a weird title to direct people by.

Also, I love the show Fringe and was secretly hoping that Oliva and Peter would walk out, heading off to solve a new Fringe case.  That would have been exciting!

Got a weird picture to share?  I'd love to see them!

Happy Monday!

Taking a walk down memory lane

Recently I blew up my parent's TV.  Well, it wasn't my fault per say.  I think that the picture tube just blew up, but it was I that turned it on.  Plus, I tend to have a bad rapport with all things mechanical...so it probably was my fault somehow...lol.

Moving on...and hopefully getting to the point soon...

Because the TV was broken they had to go out and purchase a new one.  Every woman knows that a new home appliance always means new furniture or at least the removal of the old furniture.  In my parent's case it was the removal of their old entertainment center.  (I'm still getting used to the wall mounted TV and lack of entertainment center.  It needs something.  I suggested an accent wall behind the TV, but my Dad shot me down because it involved him having to paint...lol.)

I did not realize how much stuff was actually held in that entertainment center.  It had two standing bookshelves with cabinets; all of which were stuffed with pictures, CDs, and DVDs.  There is now a huge box full of CDs and DVDs, not to mention the piles of framed pictures all over my parent's dining room table.  So on Sunday my Dad motioned to the box and said ever so nicely "Take your stuff."  (He thinks that everything that isn't his laying around in the house must be mine, even though I've been moved out of his house for about 5 years now.  What am I saying?  Hell, most of it is mine, but this time most of the box was his.  Yeah I said it...hehe.)

I peered into the box and what did I find?  A treasure trove of musical genius!  Oh how had I forgotten thee when I moved out?  Metallica paired up with the Symphony (The most awesomely deep, dark, soul searching album they have ever put out.), Britney Spears when she wasn't a whore (I still love her even though people think she's a whore.  She's just misunderstood, but is kind of whore-ish...lol.), Norah Jones (She owns the key to my heart.  Quiet dinner party with wine; she is on my go to playlist for that one.), Save Ferris (Ska-punk forever!  Not a single bad song on this album.  Plus they sing about Spam and who doesn't love that?), No Doubt (Tragic Kingdom was the best No Doubt album hands down.  If you don't know it, get it!), Jewel (No one speaks to me like you do Jewel.  Right down into the very core of my being.), Jay Z (Say what you want, but the man is a lyrical genius.  I can't get enough of him.), and the list goes on and on.  

I popped these bad boys into my car's CD player, which was probably squealing with delight saying "You still love me!  I knew you hadn't forgotten about me!", and have been karaoke-ing it up ever since.

In honor of 'the classics' of my life, or at least the '90's/early 2000's classics' of my life, here's my playlist for the weekend in no particular order:

(Warning: Some of these songs aren't G rated, so before you load them into your iPod and pack up the family for a day of fun, preview them first.)

Morning Song by Jewel
Just a Girl by No Doubt
Piece of Me by Britney Spears
I'm a Slave 4 You by Britney Spears
In the Zone by Britney Spears and Madonna
Dead Presidents II by Jay Z
99 Problems by Jay Z and Linkin Park
The Nearness of You by Norah Jones
Come Away with Me by Norah Jones
Turn Me On by Norah Jones
Hero of the Day by Metallica and the Symphony off the S&M album
Come on Eileen by Save Ferris
Spam by Save Ferris
The World is New by Save Ferris
Money Wrench by The Foo Fighters
My Poor Brain by The Foo Fighters
What's My Age Again by Blink 182
Apple Shampoo by Blink 182
Steal My Sunshine by Len (I loved this song so much that going into the 10th grade I seriously dressed like Sharon Costanzo and took my yearbook photo.  Kind of embarrassing now, but then I was so totally cool!)

See what I mean?  The things we do for fashion.  

Go on be nostalgic...you know you want to.  

Have a great weekend!

Make it work!

This past Saturday I got to do something totally unexpected...I got to meet Tim Gunn!  That's right.  Tim freakin' Gunn, people!

He was hosting a runway show at Ala Moana Shopping Center on Saturday.  I had gotten an email about it, but I thought "If I make it, I make it.  If I don't, then I don't."  I didn't want to get super psyched about it.  Usually it turns out to be a classically overrated event where you catch a glimpse of the celebrity and then they are whisked off into an air conditioned room to escape the 'unbearable Hawaii heat'.

Tim and Andy during the fashion show.

I just so happened to be there at Ala Moana to meet my Aunt for her birthday lunch.  Thus, I took it as a sign from God that I was supposed to meet Tim Gunn.  That and the fact that I could return all my $150 qualifying purchase from Kate Spade that was needed to take a picture with Mr. Project Runway himself.  (Before you judge: Do I love Kate Spade?  Yes!  Who doesn't?  Did I need $150 of stuff?  No.  Unfortunately when I went to return the hastily purchased items I found a purse that I totally love.  So I may just have to go back there and pick up that show stopper...damn you instant karma!)

I got in line and excitedly waited my turn to meet Tim.  (Yes, we're on a first name basis now...lol.)  My Mom stood in line with me until she saw another one of my Aunts who had been there just to watch the fashion show.  She's a huge Tim Gunn fan and I found out from one of the event workers that they didn't care how many people that you took in with you.  So I told Mom to go and grab her to wait in line with us too.  She was tickled pink to say the least.  I think that she was even more excited than I was.

This was my spot in line.  If you know Ala Moana Shopping Center this is kind of far away from Center Stage, where Tim was, but this was actually a good spot because there were probably 100 plus people behind me.  Poor Tim having to greet each person in line.

We stood in line for about 30 minutes before we actually got to meet Tim.  They served hors d'oeuvres and cocktails to everyone while we all waited.  Plus there were other people to meet while awaiting the main event....like Andy South!

His hair was really purple and he was wearing those super low crotched pants that he loves to make.  Personally, I wouldn't wear them, but he totally rocks it like nobody's business.

Finally the moment we've all been waiting for.  We got to meet Tim!  He also signed his book, Tim Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making It Work,  for each of us.

 Here's the whole group of us with Tim.  L to R: George (Aunty Andrea's brother), Mom, Tim, Me, and Aunty Andrea.

Here's the cropped version with just Mom and I.

I must admit that I was a little worried about what Tim would say about my outfit.  It was by no means planned in advance.  It was clean and cute, so I threw it on and walked out the door.  Banana Republic black tank top (a staple in my wardrobe), Matty M art deco inspired cotton skirt, and black flip flops.  The outfit was cute enough, but I was really worried about the flip flops.  Would Tim make a comment on my lack of heels?  Ugh, why did I not wear heels?!? 

Being the gracious man that he is, he said nothing about my flip flops.  Though he did say that my skirt was fabulous!  (I thought about telling him that I recently purchased it for $5 from Costco.  I think they only had one size left and it just happened to fit me.  Hooray, I love inexpensive fashion finds!  But I decided to keep that little nugget of information to myself.)

Tim was totally cute and kept the conversation going with all of us while we were taking pictures and getting our books signed.  He even jokingly made a comment about how he didn't know what to do with his collar since no one in Hawaii wore a tie.  You could have rocked the tie Tim.  I wouldn't have minded one little bit.

All in all, the experience was a great one.  It turned out to be the ultimate "Make-It-Work" moment since none of it was planned. 

Stay fabulous Tim because you better believe I will!

Random thought...

Is it weird to practice your runway walk while walking on the treadmill at the gym to escape the sheer bordom of simply walking on the treadmill?

Yes, I did indeed do that tonight at the gym.  Sooooo...if you ever see me at the gym, please promise me that you'll avert your eyes because I'll probably be doing something equally kooky...lol. 

Have a fabulous Friday ya'll!

October 24: Christmas Tag-a-polooza

Holy smokes this year is flying by fast!  It's almost Halloween and Thanksgiving is right around the corner...which means it's time to start getting ready for Christmas!

This month's Stampin' day will take place on October 24th, which is a Sunday, at Mom's house in Kailua at 1pm.  Contact me directly for more details on the exact location.

It's Christmas tag time, baby!  I love Christmas, just in case you didn't already know that about me. :)  We'll be making a whopping 30 tags this year!  5 of each of the 6 styles.  I omitted making a container to put them in, so that we could make more tags instead.  (Sorry if you liked the cutesie box last year.  Let me know your feedback, more tags with no container or less tags with a container, so that I can be ready for next year.)

 I was going for a bit of a vintage look with this year's tags.  I think they came out pretty darn cute!

 Thanks Teri for your awesome tag-spiration on a few of these!  Did I mention that I have the best SU! up-line ever?  Well, I do.

Per the mixed bag of email responses about whether or not we should increase the class fee to make more tags, I've decided to keep it at $20 a kit.  If you do want to make more tags (60 instead of 30), because you are a hardcore Christmas freak like myself and because I love ya, I'm offering a double kit deal for $5 off.  That's right, twice as many tags for only $35!  See how much I love you guys?  The catch is (and you know that there's always a catch) you have to be making the tags for yourself, not buying a kit for yourself and one for a friend.  Deal?  Great!

As previously stated, the class fee is the standard $20, which includes your kit with pre-cut pieces, all shared supplies (stamps, scissors, etc.), and a super yummy snack.  Don't forget to bring your own double-sided sticky tape!  I know when you get into the crafting groove it can be a real bummer to have to wait for supplies, so feel free to bring other supplies along with you as well (ie. scissors or hand held punches) since I only have a limited amount to share with you all.  Please RSVP to me via email by Wednesday, October 20th. 

Don't be shy!  Encourage a friend(s) to come along.  More girls means more ideas and more fun shared together!  Just be sure that they RSVP to me or you can RSVP for them.  Also, if you are unable to attend, but still want to do the class you can purchase a kit for $25 (which includes the $5 for shipping and handling).   Looking forward to seeing you all!

Stampin' and smilin',
          Arielle

Is this real life?

Did I just look up school information on the WCC website?  Was that really me looking at the requirements for a degree in Art or was that some kind of pod person posing as me?  I think it really was me. 

How could I possibly be ready to do it all again?  Was one college experience not enough for me?  Maybe I've got the flu...or worse...Bieber fever...lol.  (Just kidding, but Bieber fever would be worse than going back to school.  Sorry Bieber fans.)

Maybe this is a mid-twenties crisis...or just another crackpot Arielle excuse to put a "real career" on hold for another year or two.  Probably the latter...lol.

A degree in Art would be pretty cool, I must admit.  (You work at a bank?  Well, I'm an artiste.)  I have always seen myself as the slightly crazy,  mostly creative, whimsical, artistic type.  Maybe it's time to get serious.  Maybe my degree in psychology was me running from my fear of the unknown.  Or rather fear of the penniless artist imagery that goes hand-in-hand with saying that you are an artist. 

I can see myself in a little paint splattered studio working on my next big piece with my two kids in tow working on their little mini masterpieces (ie. eating way too many chocolate chip cookies all while spilling paint on the floor because they "missed the paper").  Aaahhh, the good life.

Is it time to nut up or shut up?  You've got to risk it to get the biscuit, right? 

My girls rock!

As of late I've been on somewhat of a health kick, hitting the gym about 4 days a week.  Sometimes even more.  I know...I'm crazy.  Certifiably insane even, especially since I hate sweat.  I hate to sweat, I hate the smell of sweat, and most of all I hate to see and/or smell other people's sweat.  It's an issue that I deal with constantly at the gym, since most people go there to work up a sweat...lol.

Why the insane hours at the gym, you ask?  Well, Halloween is coming.  What does Halloween have to do with the gym?  EVERYTHING!  Have you seen the Halloween costumes that they have for women now days?  There are really only two choices; witch or sexy kitty....and who really wants to be a witch?

Come on?!?  Who doesn't want to look like this?  No, I'm not going to be Catwoman for Halloween...lol.  Actually, I'm going to be a cancan dancer.  I'll take a picture.  Yes, I promise!

Thus, my friend, Jenna, and I have made a pact to don sexy Halloween costumes this year.  We both joined 24 hour fitness last month and started taking exercise classes every night during the week.  (Previously, we were taking exercise classes at the Kailua Rec Center, but once our favorite teacher Gabby moved to the mainland we decided to join the gym for better exercise class time slots.  Hi Gabby!  We miss you!)

As a new member they offered me a promotional option for a personal trainer session.  I'm sure it's something that they sucker everyone into, but I thought why not give it a try?  I figured that I was either going to love it or hate it, but at the very least maybe it would make me dive hardcore into a fitness plan.  So I was assigned to a trainer named Cheynah and was told "Don't worry, you'll like her."  I was thinking, "Sure....she's going to yell at me to move my fat ass.  Yeah, I'll just love her to pieces."

Turns out that I actually do love her to pieces...lol.  After the first session I was hooked.  I did three sessions with her from my first package and ended up purchasing ten more.  She doesn't yell or nazi me around the gym.  She even puts up with me when I make my "Exercise is pure Hades" face during planks...lol.  We actually joke around a lot and have fun, all while exercising.  I know, I didn't think it would be possible either! 

Here's me and Cheynah after last night's workout.  She looks totally cute and I look like a dork.  Oh well.  I guess that's what I get for taking the photo after working out...lol.

So after about a month of exercise classes at the gym coupled with training sessions with Cheynah, I've lost....wait for it....wait for it...sorry I have to build at least a little bit of drama...4% body fat!  Hooray for less flabby body fat that could potentially stick out of my sexy Halloween costume! 

*General Body Fat Percentage Categories

*American Council on Exercise

Classification	Women (% fat)	Men (% fat)
Essential Fat	10-12%	2-4%
Athletes	14-20%	6-13%
Fitness	21-24%	14-17%
Acceptable	25-31%	18-25%
Obese	32% plus	25% plus

This puts me close to the lower end of the Acceptable category, which was my starting goal.  New goal, to get my butt into the Fitness category...without looking crazy buff that is...lol.  (Want to know where you stand Body Fat Percentage wise?  Click here.)

Thanks Cheynah for making exercise fun and for helping me to reach my fitness goals!  Thanks Jenna for going with me to exercise class after exercise class and walking on the treadmill with me after class because Cheynah said that I needed more cardio.  I couldn't have done it without both of you!  You girls rock!

So jump on the fitness bandwagon with me!  I want to hear all about your fitness goals in the comment section of this post....hint, hint!  If you need a personal trainer, I know an excellent one...but don't even think about trying to steal my time slots with her.  :)

Comment please!

Okay, so I know that there are plenty of you out there reading my posts (or at least that's what I tell myself), but no one ever leaves me any comments.  I like to read what you all have to say too!  I feel a little like Tinker Bell right now.  I need you to comment in order for me to stay alive...mostly because I can't hear you clapping or laughing at the absolute craziness and mayhem that are my posts.  Sorry I tend to have a flair for the dramatic sometimes.  Please post comments.  Please, please, pleeeeaaaassseee?!?

Oh yeah and follow me too.  Thanks! :)

Red Bull: Speed for husbands

This is a Red Bull.  My husband lives for Red Bull.  If he had a choice between a billion dollars or the last Red Bull left on Earth, I'm pretty sure that he would chose the Red Bull.  The only people that I think love Red Bull more than he does are the creators of Red Bull...lol. 

I know that I should stop the madness and do a Red Bull intervention, but I just can't.  Not that I don't think that it is dreadfully unhealthy, but when you come home from a hard day at work and find your husband running full speed around the house cleaning every surface imaginable...you let the Red Bull addiction slide.  Go on with your bad self, honey!  You clean to your heart's content.  Look!  You missed a spot!  Quick get it!

He literally looks like this after a Red Bull...


Moral of the story...you need something in the house done, slip your husband a Red Bull...lol.