coming clean :: day fifty-five

Workout:
intended: morning @ plyo, possibly jog afterwards
actual: morning @ "Oops, my phone was on vibrate!"

I did not intend to miss plyo. Really. I've missed four Saturday classes now! I knew I had to get in a workout before my acupuncture session in the afternoon because they wipe me out!

Usually, acupuncture takes me to happy dreamyland for a while. But because I had slept in, I was w-i-d-e-a-w-a-k-e the entire time. I still passed out shortly thereafter. But before I did, I did some necessary grocery-shopping and made a pit-stop at a running store.

When I was on vacay, I was fitted for a pair of new running shoes. They were a bit tight in the toes, though, so I was hoping to get the next half-size up when I returned.

It turns out that the next half-size up was too big, so I ended up trying on about six other pairs before deciding on... Wait, let me just say that this is the first pair of running shoes I've had in a while that are decent-looking. Flat-footed peeps don't have it easy! :: drum roll, please ::

Source

Naughty Points: 1 Whole Foods slice of cherry pie

I was sent to Whole Foods to buy something Super Bowl party-esque. I saw the football-shaped cakes, but ultimately chose a pie with filling oozing out of its crust. It looked so delicious that I decided to take a bite of it because there were lots left (in case I needed to go back tomorrow) and, according to my friend, "cherry pie doesn't exactly scream 'Super Bowl'". Gee, thanks. I guess you're suggesting I go back and get the football-shaped cake, then?

flavor of the day :: Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys - A Certain Romance

Mull over a cuppa!

coming clean :: day fifty-four

Workouts: lunch @ gym (weights + 3.6 miles bike) and evening @ gym (1000m erg)

I'm all caught up with the training program! From hereon out, I've decided that I'm going to (a) switch the weekend workouts and (b) update / post my progress every Monday with my weekly weigh-in.

Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by aBreathofFrenchAir

hair: Vegan Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Vegan Cinnamon Swirl by Boh Bon Soap Company

All of Boh Bon's soaps come gift-ready with fun and colorful soap labels. And they go the extra mile to wow you with their packaging! I'm sorry I didn't get a picture of it; I was too busy tearing it open!

This soap lathers lots of bubbles and smells dreamy. It contains "cinnamon essential oil and a swirl of freshly ground cinnamon ... to make this soap twice as nice"! I had been thinking about sneaking in a late-nite 'naughty point' or two, but I think this did the trick!


Naughty Points: ZERO!!

flavor of the day :: Stars

Stars - Elevator Love Letter

Mull over a cuppa!

coming clean :: day fifty-three :: one & two

Workouts:
intended: lunch @ gym (2 miles) and evening @ gym (weights)
actual: lunch @ gym (2 miles) and evening @ being lazy

Hal Higdon told me to run 2 miles + strengthen today, so that's what I did. I usually have enough time to squeeze in a quick light-weights circuit (these swimming shoulders of mine don't need to get any bigger!), but I had to get back to work.

When I got home, I changed into my workout clothes right away. I was on-schedule until I sat down and turned on the computer. It took a loooong time to peel myself away, and when I did, I went straight to the living room couch instead of the gym. :: oops ::


Coming Clean:
face: AHA Facial Cleansing Cream - butterbyessentials
body: Rainbow Brite by Sunbasilgarden Soaps


Naughty Points: too many Babycakes handmade marshmallows

I am ashamed! :: bright red with embarrassment ::

flavor of the day :: The Melodians

The Melodians - Rivers of Babylon

Mull over a cuppa!

coming clean :: day fifty-two

Workout:
intended: morning @ plyo
actual: morning @ under warm covers

I didn't want to get caught in "I can't handle driving in this 'inclement weather'" traffic coming home from plyo and be late for work, so I stayed up to watch two episodes of 'Six Feet Under' and slept in. The rest of the day was a sleep-deprived bust. My legs were still feeling tight from Monday, so I didn't workout during lunch. Okay, the truth? I went on a casserole hunt. By the time I got home, all I could think about was... PASTITSIO!

Now I'll have to make up the 30 mins of cross-training that Hal Higdon told me to do today.

Source

Yes, that's right; I gave myself gold stars for workouts done on-time and as told. I am eight! :: wink ::

Naughty Points: 8 Babycakes homemade marshmallows

Get your own sweet treats while Babycakes has their 20% off sale!

coming clean :: day fifty-one :: one & two

Source

Workouts: lunch @ treadmill (2 miles) and evening @ pool (3,000 SCY)

Hal Higdon told me to run 2 miles today, so that's what I did. As for the swim, well... When I got home, I fought Coach Sujekebe for forty minutes and lost! But my right calf cramped up in three different locations, so I cut my workout short.

I don't think I'm in good enough shape to be pulling doubles... yet. I'm feeling really tight from my knees up to my waist. I think I over-did it (3 sets of 10 with 10 lbs. weights) with the walking lunges yesterday. We'll see if I make it to my 6a plyo class tomorrow!


Coming Clean:

face: Tea Tree and Charcoal Complexion by countryheartgifts

body: Vegan Revitalizing Rosemary & Lavender by Anderson Soap Company


Naughty Points: 1 Baked & Wired strawberry cupcake

It had been sitting in my fridge since Saturday; I had to eat it!

if i win the lottery :: under the sea :: one

cheezombie

Hit it, Sebastian!

"Just look at the world around you
Right here on the ocean floor
Such wonderful things surround you
What more is you lookin’ for?"

sudsmuffin



janetvanfleet

hamburgerpanda



happilyeverartist



KarenGilbertDesigns



MiChiMa



elementclaystudio

flavor of the day :: The Pernice Brothers

The Pernice Brothers - Somerville

Mull over a cuppa!

coming clean :: catching up :: two

Blogging while on vacay proved to be difficult. 'Coming Clean' updates from the first half of my vacay are up, and I'll post links to latter half as I crank 'em out.

UPDATE (as of 15:58): I'm all caught up! Enjoy!

Coming Clean :: Day 41 :: one - 17 Jan 2009 - workout, soaps

Coming Clean :: Day 41 :: two - 17 Jan 2009 - failed workout, naughty points

Coming Clean :: Day 42 - 18 Jan 2009 - workout, soaps, naughty points

Coming Clean :: Day 43 - 19 Jan 2009 - workout, soaps

Coming Clean :: Day 44 - 20 Jan 2009 - workout, soaps, naughty point

Coming Clean :: Day 45 - 21 Jan 2009 - workout, soaps, naughty point

Coming Clean :: Day 46 - 22 Jan 2009 - workout, soaps

coming clean :: day fifty

Workout: evening @ gym (7.45 miles bike, 1000m erg, stretch & light weights)

Cherry Blossom 10 Miler training kicks off today! I'm using Hal Higdon's 15k Training Guide for Novice Runners as a rough guide. Hal Higdon told me to 'stretch & strengthen' today, so I added that to my workout.

Coming Clean:

face: AHA Facial Cleansing Cream - butterbyessentials

hair: Vegan Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Crisp Ginger Pear - mybirch

I'm a huge fan of mybirch's soaps. They all smell sooo good! This bar is no exception. :: dreamy :: This particular scent is also offered as a butter bar sans poppy seeds!


Naughty Points: 3 handmade marshmallows

I was so impressed with BabyCakes' sugar-free vanilla orange marshmallows that I had to order more! I also ordered a regular batch -- for comparison purposes only -- and think I'll have to have a few more to see which one I prefer. :: wink ::

As I've mentioned before, the sugar-free marshmallows were a custom order, but she regularly offers vanilla, chocolate, peppermint, cinnamon sugar and chocolate orange marshmallows.

coming clean :: week seven

My target weight loss is 20 ~ 25 lbs. (approx. 9 ~ 11 kgs.) by May 2009. But à la 'The Biggest Loser', instead of going by overall weight lost, I'll be posting it as percentage of body weight lost. The results are... :: drum roll please ::

target % weight loss : 13.16% ~ 16.45%
week one % weight loss: 2.30%
week two % weight loss: 0%
week three % weight loss: 0.67%
week four % weight loss: 2.03%
week five % weight loss: [on vacay - recorded as 0%]
week six % weight loss: [on vacay - recorded as 0%]
week seven % weight loss: -1.04%
total % weight loss: 3.96%

The weigh-in took place just a few days after I returned from vacay, so I knew it wasn't gonna be pretty. I'm back to my normal workout schedule now, so things should be better from hereon out. :: fingers crossed ::

P.S. My scale actually looks like that, only it's not digital and it didn't cost me 80 clams. Some times, you can find nifty things at Target!

project wonderful :: new ad box... coming soon

Empty George

A big "thank you" to my current, long-term blog sponsors (in alphabetical order)!

Erin Bowe Metalsmith
Inseine Creations
Jovia Handmade Soap
Liv'n Good Jewelry
Shady Side Farm
Southern Soapers
The Copper Cauldron
The World According to Plaidfuzz
Wigglysee Crocheted Toys

And a quick note to those who are advertising on the right-hand side... I hope you return when I re-do this ad box within the next few days.

coming clean :: day forty-nine

Workouts: evening @ pool (3,450 SCM) and outdoor jog (2 miles)

My first group workout in weeks (I was on vacay for two weeks, remember?), and I had forgotten how hard these people train! We didn't even swim as much as usual, but with the addition of two, new speed-demons, I was pooped before we even got to the main sets. :: pant ::

I was feeling a little guilty about the naughty-points accumulating in my tummy, so went for a quick jog afterwards. Despite the cold, I was running a lot slower than usual.


Coming Clean:
face: AHA Facial Cleansing Cream - butterbyessentials
body: Mayan Gold with Polka Dots by BeautifulSoaps


Naughty Points: 2 Banh Mi DC Sandwich desserts

It was the eve of Lunar New Year, so I had to join in on the festivities! One of my naughty points was bánh cam, the Vietnamese version of deep-fried sesame balls. It had *just* come out of the fryer :: yum ::

Source

coming clean :: once a slacker, always a slacker?

It usually takes about a week after returning from vacay for things to run at their usual pace again, so I'm going to blame jetlag, not laziness, for my lack of posting. If you're curious about my workouts over the past week or so, they're up on dailymile. That's about all the online activity I can handle at the mo. I hope to be able to add the 'coming clean' elements here over the next week or so. Until then...!

Source

coming clean :: day forty-eight

Workouts: evening @ pool (3,500 SCY) and gym (1000m erg & 5.5 miles bike)

Note to self: On the weekends, get to the pool much earlier than an hour before closing to avoid shivering kids and their mothers who have no disregard for the other people lined up to use the luke-warm showers!


Coming Clean:

face: AHA Facial Cleansing Cream - butterbyessentials

body: Pear - Bella Bubbles

This was part of my first soap purchase from overseas, and OH-MY-GOODNESS! If you like pears, you'll love this bar. It smells soooo good! Soooo good! Did I mention it smells good?

Bella Bubbles has a really cute blog. I'm especially fond of the template. :: wink :: It even includes an avocado soap tutorial!


Naughty Points: 3

And these aren't three marshmallows worth of naughty points. These are THREE full-sized yummies worth of naughty points! My dessert mini-crawl of Georgetown = froyo [fresh blackberries added for nutritional value] --> donut muffin ["it's basically an unfried donut"] --> red velvet cupcake. It pretty much explains why I went to the pool and gym after I got home... :: burp ::

I stopped by the grocery store on the way home from Georgetown and "invented" a new sugar-free dessert! I'll share that with y'all as soon as I get caught up with my 'Coming Clean' entries.

coming clean :: day forty-seven

Workout:
intended: evening @ pool
actual: evening @ under toasty covers

The pool I usually go to was being used for a HS swim meet, and the other one's pool hours recently changed due to budget cuts. So, the logical conclusion I came to was to crawl into bed and get a good night's sleep in before plyo.

coming clean :: day forty-six

Workout: afternoon @ outdoor jog (3 miles)

As I was flying back to DC, I braced myself for sub-zero temps. Instead, it was a sunny 40 degrees! That, however, is not warm enough to run without a jacket. I learned the hard way...


Coming Clean:

face: Buttermilk Baby by Oliba

hair: Vegan Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Vegan Mineral Salt Spa Soap by FlameWorks


Naughty Points: ZERO!!

coming clean :: day forty-five

Workout: mid-morning @ pool (3,900 LCM)

I'm heading back to the east coast later today, so I had to make this one, last outdoor workout count.

I hadn't been using my new swimming toy because I couldn't figure out the right angle to place the earbuds and didn't want it to take away from precious pool time. But lucky me! There was a guy at the pool who had an older version of it. He also shared a few tips on how to keep them in my ears. I'm a visual learner, so talking to him really helped.


Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by aBreathofFrenchAir

body: Breathe Easy by Inseine Creations

I thought this would be a good choice right before a 10+ hour journey back to DC. "Breathe Easy Soap has a combination of eucalyptus and spearmint essential oils to cool the skin and open sinus passages. There are no artificial fragrances or colorants in this soap."

In case you missed it, Inseine Creation's Java Jolt is one of my fav post-workout exfoliating soaps!


Naughty Points: 1 Cold Stone Creamery matcha ice-cream

In my defense, I asked if they did kiddie scoops. The airport location did not.

i'm a-leavin' on a jet plane

Heading back to sub-zero temps later today, and will catch up on 'Coming Clean' posts and IIWtL installments when I return. :: sniff :: Until then, keep your toes warm!

coming clean :: day forty-four

Workout: mid-morning @ pool (3,350 LCM)

Strange things happen when I'm on vacay... I start preferring to swim long-course! :: gasp :: Being the furthest thing from a distance swimmer, that's saying a lot!


Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by aBreathofFrenchAir

body: Sea Glass by Lily Pond Soaps

"A fragrant blend of pears and berries." I agree! Very helpful that Lily Pond Soaps explains the value of each main ingredient -- honey, aloe and olive oil.


Naughty Points: 1 Diamond Head Market & Grill pumpkin crunch

The crust was ah-may-zing!

flavor of the day :: Vanessa Carlton

Vanessa Carlton - White Houses

Mull over a cuppa!

1,240 cupcakes take the floor

I think I love you and your 1,240 mini cupcakes, Ms. Zilly Rosen!

Source

And, yes, I do realize that I might be the only one who traveled away from the DC metro area for this momentous occasion.

coming clean :: day forty-three

Workout: mid-morning @ outdoor jog (3.77 miles) and walk (1.4 miles)

My jogging route was right along the MLK Jr. Day Parade festivities, so I made a quick pit-stop. It may not be very clear, but that's an IRONMAN CHALLENGE. Moonbounces have come a looooong way since I was a kid!

Coming Clean:

face: Pink Kaolin Clay by Country Heart Gifts

body: Hawaiian Volcano Cherry with Hawaiian Black Sea Salt - the Pig and the Peacock

"This soap captures the essence of Hawaii in scent and sea. The Hawaiian black sea salt [acts as an exfoliant and] gets its unique color comes from lava, which adds minerals and activated charcoal."

This bright, fun soap has been tinted the color of surinam cherries. We used to picked this tart fruit off bushes growing in front of a gas station right around the corner from where we lived. And, no, we lived nowhere near a volcano... an active one, that is :: wink ::


Naughty Points: ZERO!

COLD vs. "cold" vs. freezing

I briefly mentioned this in my last 'Coming Clean' post, but the turnout for yesterday's looong swim was really low. So was the temperature @ 8:30a!

Still, I would much prefer swimming outdoors than having to trek to an indoor pool in harsh winter conditions! Which, unfortunately, I will be back to doing by week's end. :: sniff ::

flavor of the day :: Rockapella

Rockapella - Zombie Jamboree

Mull over a cuppa!

coming clean :: day forty-two

Workout: morning @ ocean swim (5,000 m)

My last group swim before heading back to sub-zero temps. Smaller group than usual, probs due to the "cold" and jellyfish warning. Did get zapped a few times, but otherwise beautiful swimming conditions.

Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by aBreathofFrenchAir

body: Blackberry Cobbler by My Birch

If you like breakfast in bed, you'll love a sweetly-scented, exfoliating breakfast in the shower! Cobblers are breakfast foods, right? :: wink ::


Naughty Points: 2 Willow's deep-fried haupia

They aren't particularly photogenic, so I present to you my buffet plate instead!

COLD vs. "cold"

May I remind y'all of the coffee gelato 'naughty point'
I consumed in sub-zero temps on NYE?

Heard earlier today at the beach:

"OMG! It's soooooo cold!"

"Bust out the sweatshirts!"
"It's gonna snow!"

Yeah, it was so "cold" last night that I had to sleep with a top sheet!

coming clean :: day forty-one :: two

Workout:
intended: late afternoon @ outdoor jog
actual: late afternoon @ indoor veg session

I changed into my running clothes right after my AM workout, but 'The Cutting Edge' came on just as I was about to leave for my jog! "Toe pick!"


Naughty Points: one... two... three!

I told you I wouldn't finish off the day at zero!

coming clean :: day forty-one :: one

Workout: morning @ ocean swim (2000 m)

We swam in a reef-enclosed portion of the beach, and it felt like 'the Attack of the Killer Stand-Up Paddle Boarders'. Can't wait to get out in *real* open-water for a looooong swim tomorrow!

I haven't gone jogging in a week! I'll dust off my running shoes and take them out for a spin later. :: pinky promise ::

Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by aBreathofFrenchAir

body: Vegan Revitalizing Rosemary & Lavender by Anderson Soap Company

I usually don't go for herbal scents, so I'm pretty sure watching 'Top Chef' had something to do with this purchase. Go Radhika & Hosea!

It was kinda nice to scrub with lavender and emerge out of the steamy shower with hints of rosemary and spearmint. I suspect I'd go well with a bottle of cab :: hee ::


Naughty Points: ZERO... so far

I'm going out to dinner, though, so I'm sure this will go up to at least one!

coming clean :: catching up

Blogging while on vacay has proven to be difficult. I'm playing catch-up with my 'Coming Clean' updates:

Coming Clean :: Day 32 - 8 Jan 2009 - rest, naughty points

Coming Clean :: Day 33 - 9 Jan 2009 - workouts, soaps, naughty point

Coming Clean :: Day 34 - 10 Jan 2009 - workout, soaps, naughty points

Coming Clean :: Day 35 - 11 Jan 2009 - race, soaps, naughty points

Coming Clean :: Day 36 - 12 Jan 2009 - rest, consumed by thoughts of naughty points

Coming Clean :: Day 37 - 13 Jan 2009 - workout, soaps, naughty point

Coming Clean :: Day 38 - 14 Jan 2009 - workout, soaps, questionable naughty point

Coming Clean :: Day 39 - 15 Jan 2009 - rest, naughty point

Coming Clean :: Day 40 - 16 Jan 2009 - workout, soaps, naughty point

coming clean :: exercise accessories :: one

Olivia knows what it's all about! But anyone else notice she only has one gym outfit? What's up with that, Ms. Thang?

A while back, I got an Olivia "gym towel" custom-made for me by Avery's Attic. Now, to most people, it may look like nothing more than a burp cloth for babies. That's where you are w-r-o-n-g! They are the perfect gym accessory for wiping sweat off your brow! Since my first "gym towel" purchase, I've added quite a few to my collection. (I did mention my cluttering problem, right?) A few Etsy sellers I can personally recommend are: Custom Designs By Mimi (wide range of fabrics and backings), kjcowan (designer fabrics), EMIKO (designer & Japanese fabrics) and baby momo (Japanese fabrics).

Frogs & Tadpoles in the Jars & Green Gingham
EMIKO

By the way, if you are thinking of using these beautifully handmade "gym towels", I would recommend cotton chenille backing. The minky backings are nice and soft, but do not absorb as much moisture. Of course, you'd probably know all of this if you've already used them for their original intent!

Accessories should be cute, yet relatively affordable, practical and inspiring. Speedo Flipturns' "Summer of Love" and "Rainbow Red Pepper" do exactly that, and are just two of my latest additions:

Both suits can be purchased from any authorized Speedo retailer. I got mine from Amazon / Swim2000.

project wonderful

I recently set up Project Wonderful, one ad box on each side of my blog. The ads on the top left* won't blink at you, but the ones on the bottom right will. I've hand-picked my sponsors, and hope you visit their websites!

From time to time, I plan to do mini-features on my faithful sponsors. It's the least I can do to thank them for choosing my blog!

Once I get my Etsy store up-and-running again, I'll re-do the bottom right one and possibly "tier" the ad boxes. Any advice on how to go about doing this?

* I just re-did the layout on this one, and apologize for not contacting my sponsors before doing so.

coming clean :: day forty

I'm still on vacay, and finding it harder and harder to find a computer. Believe it or not, though, Operation Coming Clean is still 'on'!

Workout: morning @ ocean (1000 m)

There was a high-wind weather advisory, so public schools -- and, as it turns out, pools -- were closed today. My bro and I decided to go for a swim in the ocean instead, but we couldn't swim for very long because of the poor conditions -- choppy waves going out, current coming in.


Coming Clean:

face: Pink Kaolin Clay by Country Heart Gifts

body: Rainbow Brite by Sunbasilgarden Soaps


Naughty Points: 1 Mariposa green tea panna cotta

coming clean :: day thirty-nine

Workout: rest day

I was gonna go for a swim at the beach, but the weather wasn't cooperating.


Naughty Points: 1 Sweet Nothings apple tart

Sweet Nothings is a sugar-free bakery, and according to this article, yummies "are also low-fat, low-cholesterol and have half the calories" and carbs of regular pastries. So... this should equal 1/2 'naughty point', yes?

coming clean :: day thirty-eight

Workout: mid-morning @ pool (3,850 SCY)


Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by aBreathofFrenchAir

body: Capri Olivo by Lily Pond Soaps

Lily Pond Soaps makes very purdy, colorful bars of soap, a few of which remind me of the ocean. This bar has lovely swirls with "[a] luxury spa scent of Tart Japanese grapefruit, Sweet Olive, and watercress; rose, jasmine, cassis, amber and myrrh".


Naughty Points: ZERO!

Does eating a quarter loaf of Ani's Portuguese sweet bread in one sitting count as a 'naughty point'?

coming clean :: day thirty-seven

Workout: mid-morning @ pool (3,000 SCY)

Since I'm no longer swimming with a team, I decided to invest in a new swimming toy that would help pass the time. It arrived just as I was leaving for the pool! :: happy dance :: Unfortunately, I ended up spending a lot more time fiddling around with it and didn't get in much of a workout.


Coming Clean:

face: Pink Kaolin Clay by Country Heart Gifts

body: Vegan Sea Spa by Faerie Made

I've been using other Faerie Made products, and her stuff is top-notch! She's fun to Twitter with, too!


Naughty Points: 1 Menchie's froyo*

If you wish hard enough, your dreams will come true!

* Please note that while there are two froyos pictured, I only ate one!

coming clean :: day thirty-six

Question: I took the day off because I was

(a) jetlagged;

(b) tired from not sleeping well the night before because it poured like crazy;

(c) too busy thinking about Menchie's all day;

or

(d) all of the above.


Answer: Mainly (c) with a little bit of (b).

coming clean :: day thirty-five

Workout: morning @ ocean swim race (1,000 m)

I have no idea how I shaved 10 seconds off last year's time. My navigational skills go from bad to horrible when swimming under pressure.

Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by aBreathofFrenchAir

body: Pure Ocean by Oliba

A breathtakingly-beautiful bar of soap! Scented with "[b]right top notes of, well, ocean. A mix of coconut, sand, orange, and sea spray."


Naughty Points: 1 li hing slushie + 1 Menchie's froyo = 2

coming clean :: day thirty-four

Workouts: morning @ ocean (5,000 yards)

A beautiful day for an ocean swim! I wasn't expecting to swim as hard as I did, but the lead swimmer took off and I had no choice but to follow.

Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by aBreathofFrenchAir

body: Pillow Mint by My Birch

I'm a huge fan of My Birch's soaps. This one smells divine!

'Pillow Mint' is now offered as 'Decadent Chocolate Mint'. How could anyone resist "two layers of deep rich chocolate soap hugging the cool scent of Moroccan mint"?

On a separate note, it's been some time since I returned to a hotel room with a mint on my pillow...


Naughty Points: 2 Cake Couture cupcakes


We were celebrating Chocolat's Sweet Sixteen! It might be hard to tell from the pic, but she couldn't have any. Sorry, 'ole girl; 'Naughty Points' are for humans!

coming clean :: day thirty-three :: one & two

I've escaped the bitter cold of the east coast -- yah! I'll post 'Coming Clean' entries as often as possible.

Workouts: afternoon @ ocean (3,000 m) + evening @ outdoor jog (2.5 miles)

Taken during my jog.
A tourist had all of her contraptions set up to take this shot,
so I figured it was picture-worthy.

Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by aBreathofFrenchAir

body: Vegan Patches by Butter By Essentials

This fun soap has all the colors of a beautiful sunset! Butter By Essentials. And it smells delicious -- like a Cherry Jolly Rancher!

Great news -- Butter By Essentials is having a 25% off sale on full-sized bars until 11 Jan 2009!


Naughty Points: 1 Cake Couture Red Velvet cupcake

I wolfed this one down after my swim. :: glutton ::

How does one calculate bugs? A tiny one flew into my mouth during my jog. I know, it's gross, but there wasn't much I could do...

coming clean :: day thirty-two

Naughty Points: 5 BabyCakes sugar-free marshmallows

I was traveling half-way around the world, and looking forward to savoring my last five sugar-free vanilla orange marshmallows. It somehow slipped my mind that marshmallows were on the no-no list, so I had to scarf down all five 'naughty points' while standing in the airport security line. :: sniff ::

coming clean :: day thirty-one

Workout: morning @ plyo

At my last plyo class of 2008, I made the mistake of announcing to our instructor my brilliant idea of adding another plyo class to the weekly mix. So I *had to* be there! It's advertised as a 'boot camp' type of class, but it was an hour of hot, sweaty plyo... at six in the morning! How I love thee!

Shuttle runs aren't good for shin splints. In case you didn't already know that.


Coming Clean:

face: Vegan 'Complexion Zen' by Bunny Butt Apothecary

body: Earthquake by bodygoodies

A perfect post-workout refresher!


Naughty Points: ZERO... so far

I started off with sixteen, and have five sugar-free orange vanilla marshmallows left. Am pretty sure they will be devoured as soon as I get home!

coming clean :: day thirty

Workout: evening @ pool (2,500 SCY)

After having another sinful dinner of cupcakes and marshmallows, I was planning on completing the evening by calling it a Netflix nite-in. Sadly, I lost the 90 minute battle with Coach Sujekebe* (AKA my guilty conscience) and braved the cold, pouring rain for a last-minute swim. The pool was closing, so I cranked out as much yardage as I could in 40 mins. I'm not a distance swimmer, so the main set (4 x 500s) was tough... especially with all of those 'naughty points' in my tummy. I swam the last 500 with right toe and foot cramps. :: owwie ::

* First two letters of all of the swim coaches I had growing up. They still haunt me after all of these years!


Coming Clean:

face: Vegan 'Complexion Zen' Soap by Bunny Butt Apothecary

hair: Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Vegan Raspberry Exfoliating with Raspberry Seeds by The Soap Buffet

Naughty Points:

1 cupcake + 3 marshmallows = 4

Red Velvet is one of my fav cupcake flavors, so I saved this one for last. Supposedly, each BabyCakes cupcake has "[e]nough for 2 servings if you can stop yourself". The plan was to eat half, then eat the rest after working out, but alas... I am a glutton and proud of it! :: smirk ::

For those of you who don't an Etsy account, BabyCakes has a new online bakery!

coming clean :: day twenty-nine

Workout: evening @ gym (10 miles bike)

I aggravated my shin splints by swimming last night, so had to lay off running for yet another day.

Coming Clean:

face: 'Complexion Zen' by Bunny Butt Apothecary

body: Vegan Fig and Currant by longwinterfarm

I'm looking forward to longwinterfarm's return to Etsy next month!


Naughty Points: 1 cupcake + 8 marshmallows = 9 :: gasp ::

Obvious Disclaimer: Three-course dinners consisting of homemade cupcakes + marshmallows are not recommended before (or after) going to the gym.

The strawberry cupcake was nothing less than sinfully sweet, but the highlight of tonight's 'Naughty Points' was definitely the sugar-free vanilla orange marshmallows! They were ah-may-zing! How'd an entire bag vanish into thin air?!! :: poof ::

If you've never treated yourself to homemade marshmallows, you must!

BabyCakes has made custom treats for me and my friends (Yes, I can share!) on many occasions. The sugar-free marshmallows were a custom order, but she regularly offers vanilla, chocolate, peppermint, cinnamon sugar and chocolate orange marshmallows.