Dear Blogger,

It's not you, it's me.

We're better off as friends.

I'm not ready for a relationship with you right now.

I love you, but I'm not in love with you.

You want more than I can give.

I need space.

Maybe someday, we can work things out.

.....ok, ok. Stop looking at me like that. It's true. I'm seeing someone else. Tumblr is infinitely simpler than you. It has a better Andriod app. It's easier for me to customize. It doesn't make me feel like I have to write a page and half of type to post.

We go together, Tumblr and I.

I hope we can still be friends. If you need anything, I can be reached HERE.

Love (in a friends only sort of way),

Kelly

Gosh Darn It! (Days 2&3/90)

You may or may not already know this, but I have horrid luck with technology... which is a shame, considering my nerd-like tendencies draw me to it like a moth. But give me the shiny new tech I want so badly, and the following will ensue:

1.) I lose the charger the second I'm out of the store.

2.) I go buy a new charger, but in frustration, I drop shiny new tech and scratch the screen/casing.

3.) I buy some kind of case to return the device to appropriate levels of aesthetic pleasantness.

4.) Somehow, I still sense the scratch, and in my despair, slowly start becoming less and less careful with the product I once held like a tiny, injured baby kitten.

5.) Not so shiny new tech makes its way into some sort of aqueous material, due to my newly developed negligence.

6.) Device is ruined.

(Unless I bought the insurance plan, of course. If that is the case, it will likely be in perfect condition till the day I die.)

(At least I'm not this kind of technology challenged, right?)

Anyway, that isn't exactly what happened to that LG Optimus I was so excited about a few days ago. In this case, scenario B played out:

1.) I bought hot new item.

2.) I go show off to the mister.

3.) He has hotter, newer item, that is infinitely better than mine could ever hope to be.

4.) I will never be happy again. (Spoiled much? Maybe.)

Luckily, I was well withing my 30 day return policy this time. So, I exchanged that stinky old Optimus for the Epic! Video chatting, here I come!!!!!!! (Seriously? Hello, future! Nice to meet you!)

Unfortunately, however... I forgot to back up all my photos. So everything I had planned for yesterday and todays blog post? Sitting in the Sprint store, waiting to be wiped out, refurbished, and resold to someone who doesn't mind the lack of a dual camera on their cell phone. (Cavemen.) I even had some of those artsy photos that are all the rage these days... including two absolutely perfect shots of the family Boston Terrier, Professor Baxter. (Sometimes called Sir-Farts-Alot. Seriously. Beware, would-be Boston Terrier owners.)

So, instead, here is a boring ol' photoless rundown of my diet/fitness log.

5/17/2011 (Day 2/90)

Consumed calories: 1158 out of a max 1200!

Carbs: 177g --- (uh-oh...)

Fat: 41g (getting better!)

Protein: 31g (looks like I subbed carbs for protein...oh, my American, carb hogging self.)

Workout completed: Cardio X

5/18/2011 (Day 3/90)

Consumed calories: 1325. (Ouch. That's over by 125. But I'm still in the green, according to MFP, because I worked out enough to earn some back.)

Carbs: 189g (GOSH DANG!!)

Fat: 34g (Least I'm improving SOMEWHERE!)

Protein: 39g (What can I say. I don't like red meat or fish, and I'm sick of chicken.)

Workout completed: P90x Chest, Back and Ab ripper.

So, honestly? I'm a little bit disappointed in myself, even though MyFitnessPal says if I continue the way I have been, I'll lose weight. I guess we'll just have to see, eh?

love!
kelstahz

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Day 1/90

Consumed calories: 1190 out of a max 1200!

Carbs: 129g

Fat: 53g

Protein: 73g

Workout completed: P90x Core Synergistic

Well. Not too bad today. I was pretty heavy in protein, but a high protein diet is recommended by P90x. The extra grams of fat, though... not so much. But we'll get there. (I will get over my fro-yo addiction, I will I will!)

As you can see from the pictures, my meal schedule was a little wonky today. I overslept. Big time. Woke up just in time for baked chicken and rice pilaf for breakfast lunch... then had 3 scrambled eggs, broccoli, cucumber, and French dressing for dinner... then I undid all the veggies with frozen yogurt, granola and fruit as a snack. (Bad Kelly! At least it was fat free... but oh, that sugar!)

I was pretty good with the workout tonight. I won't lie, P90x always kicks my butt; but tonight I just kicked and screamed my way through the whole Core Synergistics DVD. I attempted every move at least a couple of times. Eventually, I'll be able to make 'em all pretty, as Tony says. (Confession: I did not do the bonus round. Maybe during phase 2.)

Be back tomorrow!

love!
kelstahz

P.S. I forgot to mention earlier that my plan is to complete P90x lean, then classic, then doubles. Whether or not I climb Mt. Everest afterwards is yet to be decided.

I'm Ready to Bring It!

As I think I mentioned in one of my previous blog posts, I am trying going to get my ass in shape. For serious. Anyone heard of Beach body's P90x program? It's 12 DVDs of exhausting, painful, butt kicking (In the good way. Mostly.) workouts that use a method called muscle confusion to whip your bod into shape in 90 days. I've been doing the workouts for the past month, but I find that I am in serious need of some re-commitment. So, I am setting myself some ground rules.

(click image for the blog of an already successful P90x lady. Very inspiring, maybe my workout soulmate. I mean, Chipolte diet??? Working out to look like your favorite RPG character?? Come ON! I want to eat Chipolte every day and be as hardcore as Marian Hawke!)

1.) No "I'm too tired today" breaks. If staying out till 2am is going to make me miss my workout, I won't stay out till 2am. It'll make me miserable in the morning anyway. (I will sub workouts-for-workouts though. If I play paintball all day, I'm not coming home and doing Ab Ripper X. My abs will have been ripped already, thank you very much.)

2.) I will make my way through the entire workout as best I can. I've been getting discouraged too easily...if pushups are too hard for me, I'll try a few, swap the rest for some cardio, and move on.

3.) Diet, diet, diet! I have been pretty good about not drinking soda, and I haven't had fast food in weeks. (Go, me!) BUT, my eating habits could still use some help... plus, I am starting a new job where packing a lunch isn't going to be convenient, so I need something to keep me disciplined. My method of choice? A photo diary, combined with calorie counting through My Fitness Pal. They even have an android app, so no excuses for me!

4.) No matter how tempting it is to slip Red Dead Redemption (Undead Nightmare Expansion OMG) into my Xbox instead of a P90x DVD, I will KEEP PRESSING PLAY.

So there you have it. My game plan.

Now for some motivation in the form of self-inflicted embarrassment.

I did take the standard Day 1 P90x photos, but I'm not masochistic enough to want those out in the big wide world just yet. Those will probably stay safely hidden on my memory card until I have some awesome Day 90 photos to put up next to 'em. This bikini picture will just have to do for you guys! It was taken only a couple days ago, and will represent my starting point.

Bust: 37.5 inches

Waist: 33 inches

Hips: 39.5 inches

Thighs: 37.5 inches

Bicep: 12 inches

Weight: 150 pounds

And there you have it. More information about my body than even my sister. (Unless you're reading this, Stacy!) I will weigh in daily, and re-measure every Monday. This girl is ready for some changes!!! (And to maybe look like these gals?)

src: pinterest

Nothing like a dose of inferiority to jump start a diet, eh?

Be back later with my workout/diet entry for the day!

Love!

kelstahz

P.S. If there are any other bloggin ladies doing something similar out there, leave a link! We can be in soda-less misery together!

A Catching Obsession!

I have never had a themed bedroom. Even as a kid, when my mom took me to home depot to pick on an interior design scheme, I would say that I wanted a little bit of this, a little bit of that... my parents soon picked up on my indecisiveness, and instead of putting up the semi permanent decor, they painted a nice neutral color and bought me a HUGE, MONSTER PINBOARD! Seriously, it was bigger than I was, and I absolutely loved it. I used to cut up all my National Geographic magazines to make a new collage every week. It's something I still love; in my last apartment, I made a floor to ceiling pin board. (Wish I could've brought it with me when I moved!)

Turns out, I'm not the only one who loves pinning.This lovely lady recently sent me an invite to a new photo sharing site, (kind of like Tumblr) called Pinterest.

Oh. My. Gahh.
I've been pinning ever since.
Today's Pinterest obsession? Braids and beaches. This lucky girl is pinned in on 3 sides by ocean, and braids are just the perfect summer on the beach hair-do, yes?

I understand that at the moment, Pinterest is invite only. I have a few free invites, so if anyone wants on, let me know! (Be aware, though --- this web site does NOT promote productivity!)

love!
kelstahz

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Run Away, Run Away, I'll Attack.

So. I had a happy, spring time sort of post planned for today.

BUT that is not to be. I am angry, you see.

Very, very ANNNNGRRRYYY, and not Easter-ish at all.

Today, I feel a little bit like this:

Well, maybe not that angry, but pretty close. :)

What's Pissing Me Off Today:

1.) I almost got into a fight at the 30 seconds to Mars show last night. Course, this girl took care of business before it got out of hand, but it put a bit of a damper on the night. Here's the sitch: The besties and I were at the show, and a couple of chicks behind us got REAL up close and personal. (Which was somehow our fault, even though they were the ones who brought a freaking picnic. To a concert. Standing room only.) After a bit of scuffling for foot room, one of the girls whipped out her camera phone, took a picture of my girl Amelia's bahonky (butt, for those of you who don't get me) and posted it on facebook. I mean, seriously!!! They were high-fiving about it. We were totally classy though, told them we didn't want trouble, we were just there to hang out with our friends and hear some good music. Guess they really wanted that fight, though. When the show started, I was physically thrown out of my group by this bitch, who proceeded to stand in the middle of my friends and shove them around.

So. I bodyslammed her.

Yep.

I had to be RESTRAINED. It was AWESOME.

2.) My move out date was today, and my landlord cut my water off early. I mean, are a shower and a working toilet to much to ask for on moving day??? Guess my landlord called to get my utilities cut off before he did the Easter Sunrise Service. Thanks, Pastor.

3.) I'm doing p90x, so I can't have any Easter candy.

What's Cheering Me Up:

1.) I just ordered this android phone, and it cost me $0.00!!

2.) Despite it all, it's springtime in Florida. All it takes to cheer me up is a walk outside, and to remember the beach is 20 minutes away.

love!
kelstahz

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On His Face is a Map of the World

I'm on my way to a 30 Seconds to Mars show with my pals Amelia and Chase.

Real post to come later!

(click to listen!)

P.S. Did anyone else enjoy that owl movie 30s2m did the main song for? The Legend of the Guardians, or something? It was stinkin adorable. (For a movie with no gore, anyway.)

love!

kelstahz

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My (maybe not so) Glorious Return to Blogging...

...Because even if I'm not as focused as all the wonderful gal bloggers I follow, it helps inspire me.

Maybe I don't create amazing outfits, or take breathtaking photos, or have cute crafts coming out of my equally cute craft room. Maybe I don't have an awesome new indie band to introduce you to on Music Monday. (Err, actually, I probably do, but that's beside the point.) Maybe I don't have a circle of adorable blog ladies to interview. Maybe I'm just a nerd wants to blog because she can. Maybe no one reads this at all.

But I do.

I may not fit the typecast of popular blogging ladies, but I have my reasons for blogging, and they are just a legitimate as a fashionista's desire to post an outfit per day photo. (Ahem.)

The Reasons:

1. I would like to be writing 1000 words a day. Supposedly, blogging is good for keeping the creative juices flowing. (More on my super secret but way awesome writing project later. Maybe.)

2. I would LOVE to lose 30 pounds, and I need build my endurance BIG TIME. (also, more on this later.)

3. A blogger who loves paintball, zombies, literature, and writing? C'mon, who are we kidding?? I'm gonna make it big! (Hahahaha, again, who are we kidding?!)

4. Actually, that's it, but 3 seemed kind of short.

So, here's hoping that it lasts longer this time!

I will leave you with a picture link to a girl who I find inspiring in a 'normal girl with normal problems' sort of way. (Not that everyone doesn't already know this girl, but hey. It's the thing to do.)

[src]

love!

kelstahz

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My Vacation in Photos (and a few words) Part 1

Did I mention that I have a full week off of work??? This is why I love working in the education system. :) Major holiday = vacation time that I don't have to beg for! So yesterday I spent the day catching up on the sleep that was deprived to me all last week, so now I am re-energized and ready to have a fun rest of the week. Today was spent at Downtown Disney; Alice's first time. :D

Hot air balloon!

My favorite time of yeah: Free peppermint bark season!

Ron Weasley lego. 'Nuff said.

^_^

Off with their heads!

Later this week --- something SUPER special. OUTDOOR ICE SKATING! We Floridians don't get much of that.

Slytherin. Because Magic is Might!

I went to the midnight premier of The Deathly Hallows on Thursday/Friday. Let me tell ya, I feel pretty darn lucky that I did, because I've seen nothing but woeful posts by people who didn't get tickets on time.

I'm not going to say much about the movie, just in case there is actually a non-reader or two out there. (Shaaaaaaame on you!) I'll will only say this: it was more like a 2 hour 45 minute introduction that an actual full feature movie. Which I expected, of course, but it was still vaguely disappointing because I saw the epic action in the trailer, and almost all of it is from part two. Ah well, at least I looked cute while I watched Harry stare morosely out over the droll scenery.

Outfit details:

Shirt: JCP

Vest: Thrift

Tie & Pin: Hogwarts

Wand: Ollivander's

(hehe, being a Floridian has its perks. I have an annual pass to Universal, and a best friend who works there ...and therefore gets a sweet discount... and we like to just pop by the Three Broomsticks for Butterbeer every once in awhile, and maybe stop by Hogsmeade for some shopping.)

Only bad part about the night? My stupid Dark Mark tattoo. It came in the mail literally just in time, but it was tiny! Like, a third of the size I had imagined it would be. I could have lived with that, though. However, when I went to put it on, I made a total mess and only the snakes' head stuck, while the rest just...melted away in little clumps. Fortunately, I foresaw this being a problem, and ordered two. My sister watched my pathetic first attempt, took pity on me, and slapped the second one on in a feat of perfect temporary tattoo application. It came out smooth, un-peely, and....upside down.

I wanted to Avada Kedavra myself.

*sigh* Still, what a good night. Let the countdown to part two begin.

Only 6 more months.........................

So, I've decided to save my movie post for tomorrow. Since it's supposed to be Media Monday and all. :) For today, I've just got an update on my weekend, complete with outfit posts... and I'm sure you are positively glued to your screen at that prospect! Teehee. Hot news or not, it's been a good one for me. I spent Saturday night watching the UCF orchestra at their Beethoven Forever concert, in which an old friend of mine was performing. Afterwards, Alice and I went out with a couple of friends I hadn't seen in forevs to get pizza. (This must be the weekend of catching up with old pals, because I have very similar plans tonight!)

Saturday outfit:

Dress: Old Navy

Cardigan: Target

Tights: Target

Belt: Stolen from Universal's wardrobe department.*

Boots: Charlotte Russe

Sunday outfit:

Skirt: reconstructed from an old dress :)

Tank: Walmart

Cardigan: Old Navy

Belt: JCP.com

Boots: Same as yesterday!

Messy room: always and forever by me.

*Funnyish story regarding the belt situation. I have worked at all of the main Orlando theme parks; Disney, Universal Studios, and Sea World. At all three, your work uniform is considered a rental, and you return it at the end of your employment, or have an extortionate amount of money docked from your last paycheck. Somehow, though, I managed to keep a free belt from all 3 uniforms. :) Actually...*evil grin* I made off with my entire Disney uniform. Suckers. Too bad it wasn't one of the cute Epcot ones, though...I worked at Star Tours, so it's a space-y jumpsuit and a lightsaber. The lightsaber being the only thing I've gotten use of again.

Another useful thing I stole from Disney? I know how to get the Fast Pass machines to print out unlimited fastpasses. Haha at managers who thought I wouldn't use that tidbit again!

Haii. I just wanted to pop in and tell you that my work/life/fashion sense/everything is dreadfully dull right now! I have a sore throat, runny nose, ear infection, and a stubborn inability to call out of work more than once. So. After I put in my eight hours, guess what I feel like doing? No, not blogging. It would be a pretty miserable post, anyway. Nope, I fell like drinking an ounce or two of Tylenol nighttime cold medicine and sleeping for at least twelve hours.

Still, I tried to do a post about some things to watch when you're sick and feeling somewhat lonely, but now my eyelids are drooping and I just can't do it. So I've saved it as a draft and will continue tomorrow. Now is time for listening to Emily Jane White on my Zune and going to sleep with my fuzzy socks on. :)

Goodnight!

♥

PostScript:

For those of you who knew about project integrate-LittleBear-into-family, it has been a success! Moges and BearBear are now totes bff, and Lil' Bear is a semi-permanent fixture to my pants leg. Sweet lil guy, although not very camera friendly. The photo I have here was the only one I could get, and although you can't tell, I had to sacrifice a bit of skin to get the shot...and you can't even see all her orange spots. Still. We loves the new kitteh!

A Not So Terrible Giveaway!

is giving away this sweet little camera, and on her own birthday!

If that's not the opposite of terrible, I don't know what is. ;]

Happy Birthday, Iris!

(The only terrible thing about this would be if I don't win, but even then, I still love her blog, & so will you!)

Wednesday Magpie. #40

She had asked for pearls,
so when the blue velvet lined box came out,
her breath hitched in excitement.
Had he really remembered?

"You said jewelry, and you're always hinting for a life more exotic."
She stares at the pendant,
exotic indeed.

Ah well. Such is life.
And she can always restring the pearls.

-Kelly Richardson

I Wish it was Still the Weekend (Part Two) ♥

Yesterday, I was supposed to go to Islands of Adventure with my friend Carmen. However, I woke up feeling headachey.. so no roller coasters for me. Instead, I did a little baking, then went over to Miss Hannah's house with the goodies. :)

I've been dying to try these colorful cupcakes ever since they first appeared on The Dainty Squid, and even though mine didn't come out quite as perfect as the ones pictured above, they were still yummy and super fun to make. *Note: don't disregard Miss Kaylah's note about white cupcake liner being the best for this recipe. I used pink, yellow and white, and as cute as I thought the colors would be, they weren't. Trust me.

Anyway. When Alice and I left the house to head to Hannah's, we had a laugh because she was wearing her purple hoodie, and I my purple scarf. When we got to Hannah's, she was wearing purple too! A couple hours later, when my good friend Amelia showed up, guess what she was wearing too? We got quite a kick out of the whole thing.

My Outfit Details

Shorts/tights: Target

Tee: Tilly's

Jacket: Hurley

Scarf: Hot Topic *blush*

Beret: Gift from a friend in Ireland (I have one in teal, too! Squee!)

My Weekend in Photos (Part One) ♥

1.) The cold weather has FINALLY arrived! It's was in the 50's today, which means we Floridians were breaking out our parkas. Myself, I dragged out my scarf and hat collection, wore my favorite red beanie to a picnic in the park, and couldn't be happier. (The people organizing the picnic are from Ireland, so this weather is downright pleasant for them. They'll probably run around Disney in shorts and tank tops.)

2.) My favorite thing about my favorite restaurant has always been their obscenely tasty blueberry muffins. They're even amazing when they're burnt! Imagine how ecstatic I was when I walked in and saw that the bakers had used their magical-muffin-making-skills to create an autumn muffin masterpiece: Pumpkin and Raspberry Spice. I must replicate it.

3.) Part of Friday afternoon was spent at my Mimi's house. My Mimi is the Jedi Master of Antique Shopping. The Guru of Thrifting. The Ultimate Treasure Hunter, if you will. I snapped a ton of pictures of her collection, the one I chose to post is the one that has fascinated me since I was a kid: her Raggedy Ann collection. It's massive, adorable, and part of it is mine! Yep. The original Raggedy Ann doll in the left hand corner is being kept safe for me to pass on to my own kids.

4-6.) After being inspired by my Mimi's awesome collection, I did a little antiquing of my own. I didn't buy much of anything, but there are three things I am considering going back for.

• The doll and cat makes me think fondly back to my days of reading Little House on the Prairie, but is $25 too much for a rag doll?
• The Typewriter. Love at first sight. If I had had room in my car, it would have gone home with me. It still might, because even if a doll isn't worth $25, the typewriter is.
• Antique thread collection. Bit of a mess, but if I go back for the typewriter, there is no way I'll leave those adorable wooden spools behind.

7.) The only thing I bought today! (For $2, how could I not?) My Poloroid camera collection has gone up to 2. I can't wait to get my hands on some film, and see how they shoot!

8.) This one is actually a surprise. I am going to do an art project! I've already started, and I am pretty optimistic. Can't wait to finish!

Tomorrow, I am spending the day with some most fabulous ladies at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, then coming home to finish up some paperwork and bake a special treat for my coworkers. What are you guys up to this weekend? Did you blog it? If yes, where?

What I want right now, more than anything else, is for my hair to magically skip this awkward mid-length phase and be long already! I don't know what I was thinking, chopping it all off! So here I am, lurking on weheartit, looking longingly and these luscious locks.

♥

So pretty! :)

Anyway, today was a much anticipated end to a very stressful week. The one thing I consistently look forward to about my job was nonexistent, as was any notion 'job security'. Remember the last two incidents I mentioned? My mom pointed out that the kid who I suspended is the son of one of the teachers who complained about me, and the others were her cronies friends. And that the last two staff members who tried to discipline that child as harshly as he deserved mysteriously weren't asked back the next year.

I'm a bit bothered, not because I am scared of them, but because I thought that once I was a part of the adult world, I wouldn't have to deal with these cliques any more. What I never realized as a student, though, is that high school/college cattiness is just practice for grown up bitchiness.

Ah well. I can deal with being the odd one out now and then. Especially if it means I get to maintain my self-respect. I'd rather read during my lunch break than gossip anyway!

My smart ass-ish outfit did not go unnoticed, though. :D So my neckline wasn't within two inches of my clavicle bone? Fine. I'll wear a turtleneck... and still showcase the fact that I am pretty darn comfortable with people knowing I have curves.

So ha!

Shirt: JCP

Skirt: PinUpGirl Clothing

Belt: Ross

Shoes: Payless

(You can expect to see a lot more of these 'wriggle skirts'. 50's pin up inspired looks are my new obsession... I'm thinking I'll do a post about some of my favorites. This weekend, I also plan on hitting my favorite thrift/vintage stops to see what I can come up with!)

In other news, I got a new kitteh today! He is a so fat and fluffy, and I love his odd coloring...mostly black with gray and brown splotches, then orange toes. What a little wierdo. He is tentatively named Ursis Arctos Horriblis Grizzly, or Little Bear for short. He loves Mowgli so much, and every time he spots her, he literally bounds over, not realizing that the friendliest thing she sees him as is a snack. Hopefully time will cure this impulse, because although she may not understand now, she needs to realize that Little Bear is her half-brother, and a part of the family now.

(An unsuccessful sneak attack. More like a cuteness attack!)

♥

Teacher's convention tomorrow- I swear, if I don't win a dang door prize this time, I am NOT going next year. Universal Studios is just around the corner from the convention center, and why should I listen to some lady in a suit set tell me how to deal with A.D.H.D creatively for the six millionth time when the Hulk is calling my name? If those lectures are that boring, I can't imagine their 'tricks-to-make-even-the-most-stubborn-ADD-student-an-avid-learner' can be all that great. Newsflash: having your powerpoint pictures spin a bit doesn't count as stimulating.

Latahz!