Baseball is Bittersweet

Perfect representation of "Wine Wednesday."

Baseball is bittersweet for me. I love the game; everything about it. Baseball just might be the perfect sport. From the smell of hotdogs and beer to the sound of the ball coming off the bat, there isn't anything I dislike about the game. Even baseball movies. If there is a movie with a baseball story line, I am watching it because "I worship in the house of baseball." One of my favorite summers in college included "Wine Wednesday." My sorority sisters and I would meet up at a house, drink wine, cook dinner and watch baseball. The game of baseball is romantic.

Last night, my cousin Randy cooked a great meal for L's
send off. We topped it off by watching the Thunder/Heat
game. There is always a game on in the house.

So, why is this game bittersweet? Well, because the week before players report for Spring Training I have to say goodbye to one of my favorite people in the entire world. 

You read earlier this week about my cousin Lane who plays 

I got L this shirt for Thanksgiving. It sums him up.

professional baseball for the Kansas City Royals. Well, last night I had to say, “Goodbye” to him for 8 or 9 months. He is headed to Kansas City for Fan Feast and will be recognized by the organization with the George Brett Hitter of the Year Award. After that, he is headed to Surprise, AZ to report for Spring Training.

L was named Player of the Year for the Wilmington BlueRocks
This will be on display at the K Hall of Fame until next year.

L means the world to me and I will be the first person

 headed to wherever when he gets the call to play with the 25 man roster. Safe travels, L! Hope to catch some games soon. I love you.

L and I braced the cold at the OK State/Baylor game.
It was so cold. We finally started feeling our toes again the next day.

Now, I did my first workout yesterday.

It. Kicked. My. Ass.

Love this statement necklace

These are what my tights look
like up close!
Love the print!

But in a good way! It was a body sculpting class with a mix of kick boxing, cardio and weights. I felt amazing afterwards and know this is the first step in toning and dropping those last 20 pounds. I am headed back today to be put on a weight training program and to start cardio on the elliptical. 

Thursday, January 30, 2014

<------------------- span="">

Top: Old Navy

Leggings: Jazz-E-Jewels, Poteau, OK

Boots: Naturalizer

Necklace: Marley Lilly

Billy Joel Radio

Greetings all you fabulous creatures!
I hope this week has treated you well. Just knowing it is halfway over is a reason to celebrate! The postcard picture are all quotes by Jane Austen. That lady had it figured out. I am personally trying to bring back the postcard trend.

Story of my life. I can't keep a plant alive.

If you know me or understand anything about my life, music plays a huge part of my world. Can I play an instrument? Not really. But you can bet your bottom dollar I can whoop your tail in a game of Name That Tune! There is always a song in my head. Relating to music is just like breathing. It just naturally happens.

Because I relate so well to music, what happens to be playing in my office, car, or apartment totally reflects my mood. Over the past week Billy Joel Radio has taken over my office (John Mellencamp's Pink Houses is playing right now). It makes me happy, hopeful and I might or might not stop all conversation in my office to explain the importance of a song that comes on at a certain point. It is the perfect mix of old and new. I can't start my day without Billy Joel and a cup of coffee. 

I am finally starting to listen.

Remember those New Year's Resolutions I made?
Yep, I am for sure keeping one (NOT GETTING MARRIED!) and I am starting on the other to tone my body. I found an amazing gym. This girl is SUPER pumped about toning this new body and becoming healthier all around.  Right now the focus is to not lose my curves and push myself to be a better and healthier me. I don't care about medals or race shirts. I care about my overall health and happiness. KEEP ME MOTIVATED! 

Treat People Better.

In the back of my mind I keep asking the question, "Will I start running?" Uh, will someone chase me? Is there a sale? I will let you know how that one turns out.

On another health kick note: I made a kick ass Spaghetti Squash last night. I mean, IT WAS GOOOOOOOOD!

 This was Tuesday's outfit. It seems I will have to sell or donate a lot of the dresses in my closet. I just happened to make this work with the help of strategic tucking and a wide belt.
Black tunic dress and printed leggings: Jazz-E-Jewels, Poteau, OK
 Boots: Naturalizer
Watch: ToyWatch
Bracelet and Ring: Tiffany & Co
Scarf: Pazza Bella Boutique, Hartshorn, OK

Everyday is a special occasion.

             Today, January 29, 2014
--------------------------------------------->
I. LOVE. THIS. OUTFIT.
It is chic with a touch of edge.
Top: Panache Boutique, McAlester, OK
Pants: Old Navy coated denim
Shoes: Nine West
Watch: ToyWatch
Bracelet: Tiffany & Co.

Check out the detailing on this top. I. DIE.

I got this Oklahoma Tee at the shop Pazza Bella in Hartshorn, OK. I am so in love with it!

Live While You Are Alive.

Over the past few weeks I have had time to think about life. What do I really want out of it? How do I want to live? Do I live each day without regrets?

My Grandpa Guy is in the middle of this picture.

I know a lot of this stems from the unexpected passing of my grandmother and the declining health of my grandfather. Some people are consumed with the fear of death. I refuse to live this way. If we are so scared of death and dying everyday of our lives, are we really living life to the fullest?

L and I. He is my favorite and I am his.

L's theory in life: Buy the shoes.

Yesterday, my family met at Pete's Place in Krebs, OK for a Going Away Meal for my cousin Lane. For those of you who do not know, L is a professional baseball player and is in the Kansas City Royals Organization. He is still in the minor league, but was recently placed on the 40 man roster. This is a huge step! At lunch, my aunt Shelley (L's mom) thanked everyone for coming. She expressed that this year will be a lot of firsts in our family and she didn't want to throw a big going away party because such a big part of our lives was missing. L never liked being in the center of attention, but Ginny always wanted to do something and celebrate him. If L gets called up to the show, she will have the best seat in the house. My grandmother was L's biggest fan and loved bragging about his accomplishments. 

There are a few things I have learned over the past few weeks. I am not sure why it took me so long to learn these simple lessons, but they will stay with me forever.

Teagan gave me my first Valentine.

So glad I bought this statement necklace!

1) Tell people you love them. You never know when it is the last time you will see them. Tell them and tell them often.
2) Take the chance. Don't ever look back and think, "What if..."

Teagan wears what she wants. Girl after my own heart!

3) Buy the statement necklace 
and the shoes. 
They will come in handy.
4) Don't save an outfit for a special occasion. Every day is a special occasion. 
5) Family is the greatest gift. Spend as much time with them.
6) Work puzzles.
7) Take pictures. Lots of pictures.
8) Do what is best for you. You are stronger than you think.
9) Eat. You can eat like a bird and go on every gluten free, Paleo, only organic, Vegan, cabbage soup diet out there, but you will never be happier than that bird with a french fry. My cousin Jade says, "You have to have a cheat day."

I ate the Reese Cup heart.

10) Live While You Are Alive. Do all of the above and more. Bungee Jump, Sky Dive, Travel, Take Risks, Quit Your Job, Fall in Love, Get Divorced, Have a Baby If You Want A Baby, Watch Movies, Go To Concerts, Be Daring, Be Happy. Do whatever you want. Just Live.

I can't remember what day this was last week. Clothes have been ordered. 

Shirt: Gap

Jeans: Kenneth Cole Reaction

Boots: Naturalizer

 Today, January 27, 2014
<----------- font="">
Woke up to it freezing outside. Didn't wash my hair and didn't care. Hot rollers fix everything.
Top and Leggings: Miss Behaven's Stigler, OK boutique.
Vest:JouJou
Boots: Naturalizer

My Daily Struggle

Update: I have yet to eat the large heart shaped Reese. Go Me!
Today is a boots and jeans kind of day. The daily struggle in my life is finding something to wear. While this has always been a constant issue in my life, now it is because all of my clothes seem to be ridiculously too big! A shopping trip is much needed. 
I have lost a whopping 77 pounds since the middle of March.  That is how much my cousin, Asher, weighs. He is 10-years-old. In October, I was a bride's maid in my cousin's wedding. The dress I wore was a size 18. Wednesday, I was fitted for a dress for a wedding in April. This one is a size 10. I got into the 8, but I refused to have any "muffin top" on the back of the dress. I can always have it taken in. 
My new lifestyle is fabulous and I couldn't be happier. I have more energy and my world does not revolve around food. I am still a foodie, but I don't think about my next meal before I finish the one in front of me.

My cousin's wedding. My cousin Chance married his long time girlfriend, Jade. She is such a wonderful woman and I am so blessed to have her in my life. Jade has always seen the beauty in me even when I couldn't.
P.S. I did the flowers for my cousin's wedding. They might be my favorite.

 Friday, January 17, 2014---------------->
This is one of the only tops I could find this morning that I didn't drown in. My goal is to look for some tops that can take me from mid-winter through spring.

Top: Boutique top
Jeans: Earl Jeans
Boots: Tony Lama
Watch: ToyWatch
Bracelet: Tiffany & Co

Heart Shaped Reese Cup

I have been fighting the urge for 24 hours to eat a heart shaped Reese cup the size of the palm of my hand. This is some serious will power. 

I finally took down my Christmas Tree last night. I seem to have been playing "catch up." The past week has been a whirlwind.
Never in my life have I looked forward to warmer days, but over the past few weeks I have been looking forward to sunshine, the smell of flowers blooming and the color green. Maybe spring is around the corner.


Today, January 14, 2014---------->

Top: Old Navy
Skirt: Gap
Boots: Naturalizer
Watch: ToyWatch
Bracelet: Tiffany & Co.

I have her lips and her nose...

I hope today finds each and everyone of you happy and healthy. Since my last post my world has been turned upside down. 
Tuesday was one of the most productive days. I accomplished so much and felt amazing even though I was miserably sick Monday. As I was talking to my mother on the phone last Tuesday night, she got another phone call. "Carly, it's Dru. Let me call you back." This is never out of the ordinary. I proceeded to make dinner and start the process of taking down my Christmas tree (I love putting it up, but taking the tree down is always so sad). A few minutes later my phone rang and my cousin Dru was calling me. I answered with a cheerful, "Hello!" and that is when Dru replied, "You haven't talked to anyone, have you?" It was at that point I knew something was wrong. Dru was calling to inform me that my grandmother Ginny had suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. 

 Ginny and Chief Bill John Baker

Ginny's Obituary

That was the beginning of the longest week of my life.
My grandmother has 5 daughters. My mother and her sisters were heartbroken along with the rest of our family and hometown.

My friend Ryan sent these in memory of Ginny.

I can not begin to express the love and kindness that was shown from our community. There is no place like Red Oak, OK. Thank you to each and everyone who called, wrote, and emailed during this very difficult time for my family. We are all very sad, but we also feel very fortunate to have had such an amazing, funny, witty and beautiful woman for so long.

Teagan is wearing a flannel gown my Nan made me when I was little. She put it on over the weekend. I had to share how cute she looks in it. My mom did a great job of keeping my baby clothes. Many of my little cousin's have worn my dresses and outfits.














 Monday, January 13, 2014---------->

Over the past week, my family and I have gone through so many pictures for my Ginny's memorial service. I have never really thought I looked like anyone in my family, but this week we all found out I do. I look just like my Ginny. I have her full lips and I have her nose. Ginny was quite the looker. She was tan and had dark hair. I always struggled with my relationship with her. Maybe it was because we were so much alike. We are both independent women and can take on any challenge. We will fight for the things we are passionate about and we are both witty as hell. I will miss my Ginny everyday.

Outfit: Sweater--Banana Republic
Jeans: Gap 1969
Shoes: Sperry
Ring: Harry James


I love the back detail of this sweater.

Devil Virus

I am proud to announce that I am alive. I honestly didn't know if I was going to make it through yesterday. When I finally started to feel more like death and less like I was already 6 feet under I decided to take my temperature. Just a little 102.4. No big deal. Can the flu only last 24 hours? If so, BINGO! I am a victim. 
 My lifesavers yesterday: EmergenC, orange juice with mango, cookie dough, water and lots of children's Tylenol. There might have been some codeine thrown in there at some point.

I did not take a picture of myself yesterday but I can assure you it was fabulous. I will let you use your imagination: red plaid pajama pants that are 2 sizes too big, random green t-shirt, fleece pullover that attracted everything but a man, gnarly wool socks and furry house shoes. I was wrapped in a blanket all day and threw on a sports bra around 1pm when I made myself get out of my bed.
It was a miserable day.

However, today is a new day. I am still a little sore, but I can handle that pain. Work has been a breeze and I am just playing catch up. Lots of emails to respond to and send. Students aren't back on campus until next week. Plenty of time to get things for the semester together.

Over the weekend I traveled to Dallas with manfriend and his family to watch the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Cotton Bowl. It didn't end the way we wanted but it was still a good trip. 

I added a little something to my office today. 

  This is today's outfit Jan 7, 2014---->
I still don't feel fabulous and my eyes are puffy from whatever devil virus was inside me.

Jeans: Calvin Klein 
Top: Old Navy
Boots: Fergie
Scarf: Marley Lilly
Hat: I have no idea
Glasses: BIG

New Year, New Clothes

Happy New Year from everyone's favorite failure at blogging!

I don't make New Year's Resolution because I can't keep them. (Except for one, DO NOT GET MARRIED)

However, I am going to try my hardest to start blogging my outfit of the day (OOTD) at least once a week. This is not only to show my ever changing outlook on fashion but also to show the changes happening to my body. 

Over the past year I have lost... drum roll please......

70 pounds!!!

It has been hard and trying sometimes, but I made a wonderful decision to improve my health and I have absolutely not regrets about it.

So, 2014 is going to be a year of changes in minds, hearts and outfits.

I wish you all a year of joy, happiness and health!

xoxo,

C

January 2, 2014--------->

Jeans: Gap 1969

Sweater: French Connection

Shoes: Ugg (it is cold outside)

Watch: ToyWatch

Ring: Tiffany & Co.