Top 10

Nothing like waiting until the last minute. Here is my Top 10 Metro Restaurants List:

1. Miyabi 9
2. La Mie
3. Simon's
4. Alba
5. Centro
6. Tacos Andreas
7. Proof
8. Jethros
9. Hickory Park
10. Django

Newest Buy

I usually never find anything on the clearance rack at DSW but I struck shoe gold last week when I found these:


They reminded me a lot of a pair of shoes my friend Emily had bought at the market in Spain. I think I told her several times the day she wore them how much I liked them, so when I saw these the other day, I jumped at the chance of buying them.

30% off plus my $5 birthday coupon = a good deal on a fabulous new pair of shoes.

Hot Yoga

I have always been curious about what hot yoga was like and today I found out, by attending my first ever class. I was a little nervous, being that I had never done hot yoga before and also that it has been about 4 months since my last yoga class (yikes).

I walked into the studio, a room where the temperature is set at about 104 degrees, and laid my mat down in one of the open spots, which just happened to be by one of the heating fans (not the smartest move I've made) I got set up, stretched out a little, laid down, and tried to adapt to the sauna-like heat. Soon class began and the instructor greeted us and told us she would be taking it easy on us today, which I was happy to hear, figuring I would be able handle it no problem.

I was happy I was able to follow along for the most part without doing too much looking around to make sure I was positioned correctly, however, she did use more technical terms than I am used to. We first worked on our breathing and then went into sun salutations, and it intensified from there. It wasn't soon after class began that I started to sweat and before I knew it, it was pouring down my face, as if I were standing underneath running water or something. Putting it nicely, my entire body was "glowing." It was crazy. I don't think I've sweat that much since...maybe ever. Her idea of "easy" clearly is not in line with mine, so I did have to make a few adjustments and use a block for part of the session, but I had to keep in mind that it's better to adjust to keep good form than to try and appear more advanced. And I also have to remember in any yoga class I've been to, that no one is paying attention to me, and even if they are, they aren't there to judge me and what I can and cannot do.

Overall I would say my first hot yoga experience was a good one. A few bulleted thoughts:

*The fee was $15, which I wasn't super jazzed about. I am not sold enough to buy a package, but wouldn't rule out trying it out again sometime.
*If I were ever to go to hot yoga regularly, I would invest in a yoga towel. I brought a beach towel to place over my mat, which worked out okay, but there were a few times my towel bunched up and I had to readjust it.
*I would wear a sweatband or bandana as my headband to keep as much sweat out of my eyes as possible.
*I don't know if I would go so far as to say I went through a "natural detox" but I will admit, it did feel pretty great to sweat that much.
*As I said, although I am not a fan of the price, I would be willing to try out hot yoga again sometime. I think I would enjoy it more next time, knowing what exactly to expect, and next time I would make sure I'm more in yoga shape so I can take full advantage of the more experienced instructor's class.

And for your viewing pleasure, here is what I looked like post hot yoga class: (and yes I purposely left my face out)

Weekend Fun

Saturday I went to Cedar Falls to spend some time with my sister and her family. It was a beautiful morning for a drive. My mini chocolate donuts, fountain cherry coke, and ipod kept me entertained on the ride up.

Shortly after I arrived, we took advantage of the sunshine and blue skies by walking around the arboretum. They had some beautiful flower displays and a fun kids area that Regan thoroughly enjoyed playing in. The front of the arboretum had about 15 flower beds, all donated by different groups of people (some organizations, some families) and although most were beautiful, there was one horrible looking one that, ironically enough, was from the "Green Thumbs of Black Hawk County":



After dropping the girls off so they could nap, Katie and I went out to lunch and then, in a moment of nostalgia, walked around UNI's campus. We had so much fun walking by all our old buildings we often visited and talking through some of our memorable moments. It was also move-in weekend, so there was a lot of hustle and bustle going on around us and it was fun to see the incoming students buying their textbooks and getting acclimated with their new surroundings. We ended our "tour" by walking through the book store, and although I saw a lot of cute UNI apparel, I walked away empty handed.

The rest of the evening we spent relaxing, ordering pizza from the OP, and I took in as much time as I could with the girls - playing with Regan in her tent, reading her a bedtime story, and making Rachel laugh a lot, albeit by making fart-like noises, but laughing nonetheless. Hey, you're never too young (or old) for a good fart joke, right? :)

It is also worth mentioning that I tried out the Shake Weight (yep, my sister has one) and it is just as humorous to do as it is to watch someone do.

Sunday morning we went to church and then had breakfast at the Panther Pride cafe. And then it was time for me to head back home.

You can check out pictures from the weekend here.

Golden Oldies

To keep us entertained for about half of the mini road trip to Iowa City last week, Jake and I each made a playlist to share. The theme was "oldies" and was defined as anything you'd potentially hear on an oldies radio station.

I had so much fun making this playlist and had even more fun listening to it. There is just something about the music from the '50's to the '70's - most of the "upbeat" songs you can't help bop around, or at least tap your toes. It's just feel good music.

Here was my playlist:

1. Think - Aretha Franklin
2. Try a Little Tenderness - Otis Redding
3. Down in the Boondocks - Billy Joe Royal
4. Shake Your Tailfeather - The Blues Brothers
5. (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher - Jackie Wilson
6. What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
7. Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
8. You Never Can Tell - Chuck Berry
9. The Joker - Steve Miller Band
10. Knock Three Times - Tony Orlando & Dawn
11. The Longest Time - Billy Joel
12. Joy to the World - Three Dog Night
13. Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers
14. Ain't Too Proud to Beg - The Temptations
15. That'll Be the Day - Buddy Holly
16. On the Road Again - Willie Nelson

Check

I love making lists (of any kind) and love even more when I get to check things off of a list.

Yesterday morning I had made a list of about 10 things I needed to get done (without a specific need by date behind it) and I made the most of my free time after work and before volleyball to get over half of the things crossed off my list. Ahh, love that feeling of accomplishment, even if it's the most minute thing like, "return books to the library".

Message Bracelet

Usually I have a few ideas in mind whenever I am shopping for a gift for someone. This year, I wasn't set on any one idea for Les. While out shopping one afternoon, I walked into Blonde Genius with the intent of getting her a gift card, but on my way to the cash register, I came across the perfect gift, which is always a relief, especially when you aren't sure what you're looking for:


The message bracelet by Cynthia H. They are leather cuffs with inspirational words on them. It took me a while to decide which color/saying to go with but in the end I decided on the blush colored band with the words, "Keep the Faith". Much more personable than a gift card and I immediately thought of her upon seeing them.

I had never seen these before, so I did some research when I got home and found out that the artist, Cynthia Holvey, once a drug addict, designed these bracelets in celebration of her being 10 years sober. It's always encouraging to hear of a story of someone overcoming a hardship and turning into a success. (although I couldn't help but think how much cooler it would be if some of the profits would go towards a foundation related to drug abuse/rehab, but I couldn't find anything on that) Oh well, still a very cool idea and they definitely have caught my eye.

You can read more about Cynthia H Designs here.