First steps

Recently I have taken the plunge and made a big investment.  This is a move I have been considering a lot lately, knowing that I needed it to be motivated.  For me it was a risk, and a financial step I wasn't wanting to take.  However, many of those are excuses - I was just scared.

I bought a gym membership!

Wilson's F.I.T Location

It was just such a great opportunity I couldn't pass it up.  There was a great deal in the Add Sheet a few weeks ago, which is like a local Groupon thing for Mid-Missouri.  If you live in the area I definitely recommend signing up for their emails.  They have weekly coupons but then have "Today's Big Deal" which could be anything from 50% Lasik Eye Surgery or a good deal on a gym membership!  For my membership I got a 3 month membership for $70 including all fitness classes and access to the pool.

After going back and forth, the hubby gave me his support and encouraged me to do it.  It is the perfect commitment for us right now with the hubby job searching, and it has been something I had been looking into for months.  So far I have been really happy with my decision.  While it definitely is much smaller and not as updated as the other Wilson's locations, the people there are really nice and it is for females only.  It doesn't get as crowded, and still has everything I need in a gym.

So far I have tried two different group fitness classes:
1. BodyCombat - mixed martial arts cardio
2. Tone It Up - strength training with cardio intervals

The instructors are really fun and keep me motivated.  I love it!  I prefer to go to group fitness classes because they keep me honest.  I don't give up as easy and they are way more fun than just getting on the elliptical.

The hardest thing for me is finding the energy to go after work (I commute 40 minutes each way to work every day) and then get dinner started late.  We aren't doing frozen food anymore so it takes me longer to cook dinner.  The hubby has been so great and even started dinner for me!

I hope to consistently get my 5 days a week of exercise.  When I can't go to the gym I can always hit up my favorite at-home workout:

Weekend Movie Marathon

This past weekend I finally had some "me time" I have been needing really bad.  Just a day to sit back on the couch in my sweatpants, throw my hair back in a ponytail, and watch some movies.  The hubby did some extra work this weekend, so I had the couch all to myself and was free to choose any movie of my liking.  I was prepared for this lazy day by borrowing some movies from a friend the night before!

While I did start the day off productive doing about 4 loads of laundry, I quickly succumbed to the comfy couch and started my movie marathon.

First up, Inglorious Basterds.

(IMDb)

Since I don't believe in re-inventing the wheel, here is the synopsis according to IMDb (the best website for anything related to movies!):

"In Nazi occupied France, young Jewish refugee Shosanna Dreyfus witnesses the slaughter of her family by Colonel Hans Landa. Narrowly escaping with her life, she plots her revenge several years later when German war hero Fredrick Zoller takes a rapid interest in her and arranges an illustrious movie premiere at the theater she now runs. With the promise of every major Nazi officer in attendance, the event catches the attention of the "Basterds", a group of Jewish-American guerilla soldiers led by the ruthless Lt. Aldo Raine. As the relentless executioners advance and the conspiring young girl's plans are set in motion, their paths will cross for a fateful evening that will shake the very annals of history."

I am a fan of Quentin Tarantino movies, so I have been dying to see it since it came out years ago.  Since I am no movie critic, and talking about the "cinematographic elements" or whatever movie snobs talk about is boring, so I will talk about the enjoyment factor.  This movie is enjoyable to those who can get past bad language, and some gore.  Out of all of Tarantino's movies, this is the least graphic and easiest to digest.  I came away from it not feeling completely disturbed, which is different than his other movies like Kill Bill or Pulp Fiction (which are good in their own way).

Next, I watched X-Men Origins: Wolverine:

 (IMDb again)

This movie tell the back story to Wolverine that the X-Men movies touch on a bit.  Any movie with Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds is good in my eyes.  Other than the eye candy, it was fun to watch.  There were some cool fight scenes.  While it wasn't the most amazing movie I have seen, I think it a must see for those who like superhero movies.

My movie watching marathon was interrupted by the hubby home from work.  However, I forgave him when he suggested going to the movies so see something new.  Although I wanted to see Cedar Rapids (but it wasn't at any of the local theaters anymore) and The Adjustment Bureau (but the hubby doesn't really like dramas) I compromised with Take Me Home Tonight.    

For me it wasn't the greatest comedy - or the worst.  It was nice to sit through but I probably will never watch it again.


My movie marathon weekend ended with Sherlock Holmes on Sunday after church and brunch.  That was probably the best movie I watched all weekend.  I really enjoyed the humor of Robert Downey Jr. and the action of the movie kept up nicely.


And if you think I sit around and act like a bum every weekend that is not true! A girl just needs one of those days every once in a while....

Living it up in LBK

I am excited to share my honeymoon with you all!  You might have already seen pictures of my facebook, but being so far from everyone, I didn't get to share all of my fun stories!

First let me say, Honeymoon planning is stressful. It shouldn't, but it is. Deciding on a place is half the battle. There are so many places I want to visit in my life and I know that I will never make it to all of them. So when faced with the opportunity for to plan a vacation, I feel like my head bounces from one location to the next.

The second half of the battle is affording a honeymoon. Staying at all-inclusive hotels in the Caribbean is not cheap and neither are plane tickets - especially when you are also saving up to pay for a wedding.

Lucky for us, these two dilemmas were easily taken care of with the generosity of family members.

The hubby's Aunt and Uncle offered up their vacation home in Longboat Key, and we pounced on their offer. Longboat Key is a little island minutes away from Sarasota on the Gulf side of Florida.

(All photos in this post are personal unless otherwise noted)

The place was absolutely amazing! Gated community, huge bedrooms, fully-equipped kitchen, beach chairs and umbrellas, access to a private beach. We were totally game!

We flew into Tampa the morning after the wedding, grabbed our rental car, and headed out to Longboat key. I thought the ride over the Sunshine Skyline Bridge in Tampa was cool, although I am not sure the hubby enjoyed it as much as I did: He is somewhat afraid of bridges.

We settled into the house and then headed out to grab some out at the Old Salty Dog. I had seen it featured on the travel channel for it's Dog Bites (Deep Fried Hot Dog Bites), and I couldn't resist. Hey, it was my vacation!

(Picture Source - I ate them too quickly to snap a picture of my own!)

On Day 2 we headed to the beach for some much needed relaxation. There was barely anyone on the private beach - we were totally VIPs. We napped, listened to music, read, swam a bit in the ocean, you know... typical beachy stuff.

When the late afternoon rain started to roll in we headed to St. Armand's Square, a fun shopping center in Sarasota. I wish all shopping centers had palm trees and Ben and Jerry's. We had a blast shopping around the stores for fun t-shirts and souvenirs:

Getting stranded in an art gallery while the rain floods all the streets:

Enjoying happy hour and a yummy dinner at Cha Cha Coconuts (very tropical dishes included mangoes and plantains):

We loved St. Armand's Square and probably went there at least every day either for dinner or to get free Wi-Fi at Starbucks (hey don't judge - we needed to update our facebook "status" and check on all the pictures people uploaded from the wedding!). It also had a younger crowd and was open later; Longboat Key gas stations and stores closed at about 8pm which isn't nice when you are craving a soda at 9pm.

For the next part of the honeymoon we traveled out a little farther past Sarasota. Part II coming soon ....

Look Mom, I'm Famous!

One of the regular posts I am thinking about sharing, is some of the music that really inspires/entertains me.  I mean who doesn't enjoy music - I sure do! I have been known to break out into random song at any point during the day, and I am sure the people who drive next to me on the highway get a pretty entertaining show.

In all seriousness, music is something that really resonates with us all.  There is nothing like hearing that one song that perfectly fits with where your life is at the moment.  Or the therapeutic feeling you get belting out your favorite song.  Lately I feel like I have really neglected that side of me.  In high school I did chorus and musical theater, and was really into exploring music.  However when you grow up and are busy with life you forget about things that give you that kind of happiness.

(Yes, that is me as Deborah Sue in Bye Bye Birdie)

Well, I am done with being so caught up with work and bills that I want to get back to enjoying things that I love - I'm not even that old!  I hope that making this a regular thing, it will encourage me to keep exploring and connecting to music.  Not all of it will necessarily be new.  I think it is also important to discover older music and re-discover music you once loved.

The song I want to share this week is personal - partially because I am in the music video ... kind of....

Sara Bareilles - Uncharted

Click on the above link to check it out.

While I haven't heard too much of Sara Bareilles' music, what I have heard is awesome!  This is a new one she just came out with  and the tune is just so catchy.  I just want to lip sync along with the video and dance around.  It's on her new album, Kaleidoscope Heart (and by "new" I mean September), which I can't wait to listen to.

(Amazon)

Just see what Sara says about the song on her website:

"This is about being a fan of people who take chances, who are fearless, who have integrity, and go off into the world saying yes to what's around them. It's filled with some of the people in my life who do that everyday. "

How can you not enjoy a song like that?

So how am I in the music video?  Well when the hubby took me to see Ben Folds at the end of January, the night the snowpocalypse began (hey, once we get concert tickets we are dedicated to going), Ben was filming a few videos with the crowd.  One of those videos was supposed to be part of the music video for "Uncharted".  Within the past few days they released the video and sure enough, the shots from the concert are in the video.  We are pretty far back on the left side, but the Hubby swears he can see my hair, haha!

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.  I haven't been able to get it out of my head the past few days!

Jumping on the Bandwagon

I know I posted a questionnaire about myself just a little bit ago, but I have been seeing this around and thought it looked like fun!

A. Age: 22 years

B. Bed size:Queen - I have had a queen bed since before High School, except for the brief time in college.

C. Chore you hate: Taking out the garbage

D. Dogs: Love, love, love cute little yappers. We have been dying to get a puppy. Eventually we will and then dress them like this:

(Rover Dog)

E. Essential start to your day: I like to eat a Banana every morning and as much as I don't want to admit it, I have been known to consume Mt Dew Throwback quite often

F. Favorite color:Orange, Yellow, Grey (answered that last time)

G. Gold or Silver: Silver without a doubt

H. Height: 5 ft 2

I. Instruments you play: Just my voice. Tried to learn the guitar in 3rd grade but only did it because my teacher was cute.

J. Job title: Registration Coordinator

K. Kids: Eventually we would like 2 or 3, but for now I am enjoying just being a wife.

L. Live:Columbia, Missouri (or CoMo as it is known)

M. Mom’s name: Karen

(Photo: Chris Aram Photography)

N. Nickname:Sadly I have never really had a nickname, unless you count being called by your last name - which I don't

O. Overnight hospital stays:None

P. Pet peeve:I have a lot them, but I really hate when people travel in the left lane on the highway when no one is in the right lane. Hello, that is called the passing lane, and you can actually get a ticket for that. Just saying ......

Q. Quote from a movie:I am really bad at remember movie quotes which is so weird since I am such a movie freak, although I do love anything from the Hangover or Wedding Crashers.

R. Righty or Lefty: Righty

S. Siblings: One older sister, one younger sister - I am a middle child

(Photo: Personal Photo from Sister)

T. Time you wake up: 6:30am on work days, and usually no later than 10am on non-work days

U. Underwear: Mostly Victoria's Secret because they have really funny stuff they print on them like "All Hands on Deck". Cracks me up!

V. Vegetables you don’t like: Mushrooms

W. What makes you run late:My hair taking forever to straighten, which is a daily occurrence

X. X-rays you’ve had: My ankle multiple times (but I have only ever sprained it), and my hand twice (once for the outside of my hand which I did break, and another time for my thumb which was not broken although it sure felt like it)

Y.Yummy food you make: I have been told that my Breakfast Strata is the best thing I make and also my Steak Fajitas are pretty baller.

Z. Favorite zoo animal: Penguin - which I think is clear based on my other post.

(Photo: Google Images)

Headband Love

I don't think a girl could have too many headbands. Unfortunately this girl sitting in my chair does not have enough!

So of course I am headband shopping on etsy.com today. Actually it is more like daydreaming since right now those headbands are unfortunately a luxury, and I did indulge myself in some makeup and new workout pants this weekend. So really its only window shopping. However if some friend or generous person would like to spoil me with some of these headbands, I would not object!

Athena Headband from LuciaBella etsy shop

I got my wedding headband from her shop and I was absolutely in love with it. Really completed my look.

Hippie Chic Tie Headband from BeSomethingNew

Houndstooth from RufflesandFringe

What's A Silly Baby?

I am a silly baby ... silly!

My blog name gets my name courtesy of my husband.

Yes, that cutie you see right above!

Well, we are two very silly kids, and pretty much have been that way since we met back in college. We truly are best friends and have a lot of fun together on a daily basis, never trying to keep our relationship too serious. We have come up with lots of goofy little names for each other, but we have begun using the "Silly Baby ____ Girl/Boy" name.

Let me give you a few examples:

When I am helping him do something, I am SillyBabyHelperGirl

When I am falling asleep, I am SillyBabySleepyGirl

When I am watching the Buckeye game with him, I am SillyBabyBuckeyeGirl

I think you get the picture.

So, I thought it fitting to name my blog Silly Baby Blogging Girl. Cute, huh?

And because I put up a silly picture of the hubby, I think it would only be fair to share one of me.

At this point I am not sure if this blog will have an overall theme. It will be just everything that goes on in my life. It might be details about trips we take, or recipes from dinner. I might include things that inspire me like different photographers or weddings I fall in love with. Regardless of the content, I look forward to sharing it all with you!

And please be patient. I am not sure yet how much I will post - remember I am new at this. It would be nice to do it on a daily or semi-regular, but that all depends!