Tuesday Thankfulness: Surgery

I wasn't going to write this post because I really don't like drawing attention to health issues, but then I had several friends remind me that the reason people like to read my blog is because I'm real and honest. Well, here's the real and honest truth friends. I had surgery yesterday. And surgery stinks.

A couple of months ago, I woke up in the middle of the night with horrible chest pain. I literally thought I was dying. I kept going through the scenario in my head of how I would call 911 (the hubby had fallen asleep in his office and I literally couldn't get up) and tell them to turn their sirens off so that they wouldn't wake E or the neighbors. I was crying at one point thinking that I was dying of a heart attack. Okay, and then the realistic me set in. I'm young, I'm healthy and I was most likely not dying of a heart attack (thank God). I think I went back to sleep for 5 seconds and woke up the next day and told a friend (a nurse) and another friend (a doctor) that told me I should follow up with my GP. Until lunch that day, I put it off because it really couldn't be anything (and I was about to run a half marathon and I really didn't want it to be anything). After numerous tests at the doctor and a chest X-Ray, they told me they thought it was Chilaiditi syndrome (OMG, I can't believe I just posted about my colon on my blog!). Well, the chest pains continued (but not as bad) and my GP sent me to a surgeon. The surgeon was convinced that it was not my colon that was causing the pain (thank God) but he wanted to test my gallbladder. After several gallbladder tests, they determined my gallbladder was only functioning at 29%. Perfect, just what I want...gallbladder surgery.

So here we are. I promise no pictures of me in the hospital bed (or worse, pictures of organs outside of my body). Surgery sucks, I'm recovering...it won't be long and I'll be back at running again. I don't post this so you feel sorry for me...really, don't...there are people suffering from a lot worse. I post this because I was encouraged to by friends that believe my story is one that others can benefit from. I am a real person and even when you think you're uber healthy, you never know what's going on with your body. I'm thankful that this is all that it is (hell, my brother had half of his organs removed because he had cancer--see what I mean, it's NO BIG DEAL).

I'm thankful for y'all sharing your experiences with me too! This blog has been a great way to make new friends!

You know I had to wear Lilly to surgery...right?!

I'm psycho ocd so I made 3 freezer meals, 2 casseroles and chili presurgery. We've had lots of friends offer to bring us food too...so thankful!

Lots on the DVR, E is with my parents...it's quiet here, so I'm drinking coffee in bed!

Thanks for your prayers and your encouragement of me being real :)

Xo,

Menu Monday: Banana Pudding

If you haven't figured this out about me, I love desserts and I pretty much consider them meals. One of my friends made this amazing banana pudding for me when E was born and I dream about it almost every night. Seriously a couple of months ago, I had to make some because I kept waking up thinking about it (no I'm not pregnant). It's delicious and light and I could eat the entire pan of it.

1 large box of Instant Vanilla Pudding
sour cream
milk (whatever you usually use)
1 small container of cool-whip (regular or low-fat), thawed
vanilla extract
Nilla wafer
3-4 bananas (not green, but not brown yet_

Read the recipe on the box for the pie directions, it uses less milk the the regular pudding directions.  The pudding pie directions call for 2 1/2 cups of milk.  Place approximately 1/2 c. of sour cream into the glass measuring cup and then fill it to the 2 1/2 c. mark with the milk. Whisk the milk and sour cream together until the sour cream is fully incorporated- no lumps. Add a splash of vanilla extract to the milk mixture (like 1/2 to 1 tsp.)  In a large mixing bowl, pour in the milk mixture, then the pudding and stir/whisk/mix for 2-3 minutes.  Place into refrigerator until thickened.  This pudding mixture needs to be super thick because you are going to mix in cool-whip which thins it out a lot.

Once pudding is thickened, fold most or all of the cool-whip into the pudding. Now, it is time the do the layering.  I usually start with cookies on the bottom, followed by pudding, then slices of bananas. . . then repeat. . . then repeat again until you run out of ingredients. Just make sure you have enough pudding remaining to cover the top.  Sprinkle the top with crushed nilla wafers. That's it!

Special thanks to Hilary for this amazing recipe!

Xo,

Sunday Snapshots: Sorry

Hey y'all, sorry for no Sunday Snapshots today...I'll get them up another day this week. I DO promise a yummy recipe tomorrow!

Xo,

Polyvore Outfit Challenge

I know I don't usually post on Saturday, but this is a special post...read on below for more details (but don't expect for me to post every Saturday ;))

Polyvore Outfit Challenge by juliawmills featuring gray boots

Myrtlewood green top
modcloth.com

Studded jeans
modcloth.com

Gray boots
modcloth.com

Wrap around watch bracelet
modcloth.com

Sports necklace
modcloth.com

Charm jewelry
modcloth.com

Knuckle ring
modcloth.com



I was so excited when Amy, a modstylist from Modcloth, sent me an e-mailing asking if I wanted to participate in the Polyvore Outfit Challenge. The piece they e-mailed me was the Grand Tour Guide Top (I chose the teal color because it's my new favorite color to wear) to make an assemble out of. It was a lot of fun to look through all of the amazing clothes and accessories on the Modcloth website and decide what I would want to wear. The Modcloth site describes the Grand Tour Guide Top as: 

"You’ve been learning the layout of the new city that you now call home for a few weeks, and you’re finally feeling confident enough to show some friends around this weekend! Your stint as tour guide is sure to be made all the more enjoyable when you slip on this button-up blouse byMyrtlewood, sold exclusively at ModCloth, before heading out! As you show your pals the local hot spots and your favorite hangouts, you can’t help but fit right in with this breezy, teal-hued blouse, which features subtle shoulder gathering and a dainty Mandarin collar. When you pair your pretty piece with cuffed, dark-wash skinnies, canvas flats, and layered silver necklaces, you’re almost as excited about your casual-chic ensemble as you are about showing off your new stomping grounds!" 

So I thought about what I would wear around town. First off, I love that this top is loose and can be dressed up or down. I'd totally pair it with skinny jeans (like the Front Row Fashionista jeans). I'd throw on some simple jewelry like the Get Dressed Up Pup Necklace- Gooo Dawgs!, Dazzling Modifier Ring Set, the Tip Top Shape Earrings in Square and the Wrap Time Watch.

Lastly, there's not much that I love more than a pair of booties. I love these grey ones (and the bows are killer).

This would be such a fun outfit to run around town in and hang out with friends...something I would totally wear!

Thanks Modcloth and Polyvore!

Xo,

Friday Faves: Elsa

I had a girlfriend the other day say to me, "I love your blog, but aren't you obsessed with Lilly Pulitzer? Why haven't you mentioned anything about Lilly?" Well, I am indeed obsessed with Lilly Pulitzer and I'm sure she'll get plenty of spotlight in the blog. So without further ado, let me introduce you to one of my favorite Lilly items: Elsa.

I probably own more than this now...okay, I do...I love them, I can't help them and you're about to see why.

The Elsa is insanely versatile. This one is a light-weight cotton with embroidery that I wore with jeans in Florida on Thanksgiving last year (think about how hot it is in Florida). I've also paired it with shorts in the spring/fall and it's super cute then too!

This is the same material as the yellow one, but I find that I can pair the white with literally everything. Obviously with teal jeans (and pink shoes) and orange cords...so fun!

 

And I've done it here too...jeans in one pic and cords (I wore this outfit to work) in the other.

This is one of my favorites...it's made of a silk...see how flattering these things are?!

And probably my favorite Elsa...the black silk with gold studs. Worn with cords in one pic and leather leggings in the next...um heck yeah!

The Lilly website sums up the silk one perfectly: "Get ready for a style epiphany: this silk blouse is the secret workhorse of your closet. You can wear this long sleeve silk top tucked in or worn out, sleeves pushed up or blissfully long, styled with a belt over leggings, peeking out from under a blazer, draped over the top of a pencil skirt...Elsa is one shirt with an endless number of looks year-round."

So there you have it...my absolute favorite Lilly piece.

Xo,

J

Thrifty Thursday: Drugstore Make-up

So even though I adore Bobbi Brown make-up (see post from last week), I also like products that you can find at your local grocery store or drugstore too. So what products am I currently loving?

I LOVE this Maybelline Color Sensational High Shine lipgloss in Luminous Latte. It's kind of amazing. It feels so great on your lips and stays on forever. AND added bonus is that it's only $5!

And when I'm not wearing the lipgloss (and I want to feel a little more grown up) I use Maybelline Color Sensational in Totally Toffee. It's also only $5. All you have to do is Google this lipstick and you will see how many people love it. I'm pretty sure it would be good on every skin tone, every hair color and every occasion! And I completely forget I have it on my lips, other than the fact that it's super moisturizing.

And I know that I told you about how amazing They're Real mascara is, but let's be honest, $20 is a lot for mascara. So I also think that Maybelline the Colossal Volume Express mascara is amazing (the waterproof is even better than the regular kind). It takes your eyelashes from small to BIG volume and for a fraction of the cost of most other mascaras.

 

So these are just a few of my favorites for cheap. I'm always up for trying new products and hearing what you love best...so let me know what you're loving!

Xo,

J

Happy New Year!

Hope you had a wonderful New Year's Eve! We are still celebrating New Year's with friends at the lake! I'll be back at the blog tomorrow...promise!

We're also enjoying some UGA football today! Goooo Dawgs! Sic 'em!

Xo,