Freedom

Current Music Obsession: Paramore- The Only Exception


So much is going on in my life right now. I feel like things are spinning, changing at such a rapid pace- that the only thing I know for sure is who my real friends are, and that I'm stepping way out of my comfort zone and going to serious uncharted territory.

I'm loving every second of it.

That's all.

XO,

Julie

Friday Noms: Leslie's Baked Pasta

I posted this a year or so ago on the former blog but this is really such a crowd pleaser I wanted to share it here

This is super simple super easy, and for two people it will last for dinner and then lunch the next day. And if I may say so for myself this warms up amazingly

Awesome Super Easy Rotini Bake

1 pound of ground turkey/beef
16 oz package of rotini 
1 small tub of ricotta
1 cup of mozzarella cheese 

For the sauce
1 can of garlic and rosemary roasted tomatoes
4 carrots chopped up nicely
1 yellow onion diced finely
1 tablespoon of rosemary
1 tablespoon of garlic salt

Since ricotta isnt a very salty cheese I like to take 2 teaspoons of salt and work it through the ricotta and then let it sit to get to room temperature while I prepare the rest of the food. 

In a large skillet brown your meat as you normally would I am a salty kinda gal so I throw in salt to my meat while its cooking. Once nice and brown drain but dont rinse, add in your carrot and onion and cook for 10 minutes to let the carrots get soft and the onions to turn translucent, then add your roasted tomatoes, rosemary and garlic salt

At the same time you should be cooking your noodles via directions on packaging, and of course drain them.

Now grab yourself a large mixing bowl and a glass baking dish (9X9 works fine) This part gets a little tedious but its worth it.

Take 1/4 of the meat sauce 1/4 of the noodles 1/4 of the ricotta and combine this into a bowl and mix this well then transfer into the baking dish, repeat this 3 more times.

Once it is all transfered into the baking dish top with mozzarella.
pop into the oven at 350 for 20 mins!

ENJOY!

** I omitted a picture on this only when I went and reviewed the photo I saw my baking dish had HORRIBLE crack in it**

xo,
Leslie

use equipment under supervision only

Let me tell you a story... Picture this: our company gym today..

(This conversation ensued after Julie read a safety warning to me "Use equipment under supervision only")

Leslie: I used to work at the gym does that count?
Julie: I used to work out at a gym
Leslie: We are in a gym now
Julie: I can spell gym
Leslie: Yeah JIMS
Julie: Oh my god a cheeseburger sounds so good right now.

Oh yes the chubby butts went to work out, and while it was probably the most confusing and entertaining thing for our security team to watch, it actually did feel good to get the blood flowing. And yes we managed to hit each other square in the boobs with the medicine balls, and yes I think I broke my lady land when I tried to use to much weight for my inner thigh workout. BUT we did it all with total determination and desire to get fit and get rid of some serious work tension. I have been determined to get through my C25K app to get ready for the Dirty Girl Mud Run.  I am ashamed at how out of shape I am, I'm back at the back at the gym and on Day 1 of the app and I am feeling good. I am sure I will be feeling the opposite tomorrow but hey no pain no gain.

I have not wanted to do outfit post because I am have been so ashamed of the weight I put back on. All my hard work went right out the window because I got lazy, and I started being sloppy with managing my food. I stopped holding myself accountable for my own actions.  So starting Friday you will see a new little feature ACCOUNTABILITY a posting of me in the mirror so I can track my body transformation. My end result is to be a size 14. ( it used to be a 16 but I am kinda lovin' the look of the J.Crew No.2 Pencil Skirt)

I have dinner to cook for the husband and Le Blount

XO Leslie

Letting go... 2012 so far.

My Mother always told me that how you spend your New Year's Eve/Day is a reflection of how you will spend your year. As a child, I spent each and every NYE/Day surrounded by my family, and at least every other weekend surrounded by them as well. I grew up, got engaged and then married and those NYE's were spent waiting for the (ex) hubby to get off work, while surrounded by family, drinking and thinking about how my life sucked. And again...the year was spent doing the same.

The end of 2011 rolls around. I'm as single as can be and quite glad about it.  Plans are made to party with the girls like it's 1999. Dinner, drinks, and lots of friends gathering to say adios to the drama filled 2011. If this was a reflection of how my 2012 was going to end up, I was off to a good start. However...things took a turn when an argument started and we needed to bolt from a party 10 minutes before midnight. When the clock struck 12 am, I was driving down loop 410, headed to a friends house to salvage the night. *sigh* I decide to take this as a sign that 2012 was going to be my year of traveling...and cleaning (since I spent part of my night also cleaning out my car).

Fast forward to now. I've taken a cruise to Cozumel, road tripped to Austin, New Braunfels and Port Aransas. I'm planning a Fall trip to Phoenix to visit some awesome people, and planning a Summer 2013 trip to visit my sisters in Missouri/Kansas. Sweetness, right?

Dig a little deeper...into the cleaning. I've started cleaning up my diet, getting into shape by running and working out on a more regular basis. I've stopped putting up with people's bs and started living for me. Negative and toxic people (for the most part) have been eliminated and my life finally feels like its on track- especially after the crap last night.

The ever present guy friend (see post: Heartbreak and Tattoos) and I finally mended our friendship to some extent. However, I realized that just because we could be friends again, didn't mean that we should be. A mindless comment lead to a confrontation which led to an argument bigger than either of us could imagine. As a result, a decision was made to walk out from each others lives. It was for the best, but when it happened, I couldn't help but want to cry and take back my actions. But I didn't , and I'm glad because I came across this and suddenly it all made sense.

I believe people come into our lives for certain reasons at certain times. When the lesson has been learned, they leave and holding on to them stalls the growing process and their presence becomes toxic for all involved. His presence in my life was wonderful and amazing and he helped me realize that i'm quite the amazing girl. However, us hanging onto what was and what could have been tore me apart and into a million little pieces. But, like the picture says...I learned that i'm stronger than I think.

I'll forever be grateful for the lessons I learned from this person. However it's time to let go, and throw out the trash.

Cheers to letting go of the trash, the toxic and the meaningless bs that brings us down. Cheers to living free.


xo
-Julie

a moment of memory

I would like to take a brief moment of your time, to bow your heads and pray, or meditate and be grateful for those you have in your life.

Jules and I lost a good friend and amazing co-worker this morning. So pardon our absence, if one happens. And hug your friends and loved ones.

-leslie

Meet Becky!!

Hi All!! This is Becky.

I'm a 30 year old (and proud of it) mother of an amazing 7 year old son. Over the past 10 years I have put myself through school, getting my Bachelors in Business Management, worked  full time job and raising my son.

My favorite quote:

I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, thing go wrong so that you can appreciate them when they are right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself and sometimes things fall apart so better things can fall together. ~Marilyn Monroe

I have fantastic friends who make me laugh, keep me grounded, and always remind me that no matter what happens in my life, I am truly loved.

My Loves:

My son, road trips, working out (running, crossfit, and anything that keeps me active), tattoos, music, wine, trying new food, traveling, meeting new people, and my Jeep!!

New Obsessions:

Mud runs, and doing random things in random places (you will see plenty of pictures in upcoming posts)

I believe in motivating people to be and do their best. Never say you can't do something if you have never tried it before. It's important to find a balance between the mental, physical, and spiritual parts of your life.

There is always a purpose for everything that happens in our lives, good and bad. Pain brings wisdom, understanding, and growth that you can't obtain any other way.

And as you read my blogs and learn more about me, you will find out I am a HUGE Nerd :)

I am a Raw Artist

I had the pleasure in June to be featured in an art showcase held by RawArtist.org. I really appreciate organizations like Raw, because not every market recognizes that hair and makeup can be an artform. After being selected to be Junes featured makeup artist I was told the greatest thing ever... you have free reign of the looks you want to present. HOLY COW! I was thrilled and a million ideas went through my head. I was really ready to own this show case. I had one month to plan this and I knew I wanted it to be great.

http://www.rawartists.org/lvmakeupdesigns

I went crazy- planning my looks, casting models, trying to decide what the girls are walking to. Oh wait I have changed my mind they aren't walking... they are posing. I had 6 models, then 14 models, then the day of I dropped to 10 models. My biggest concern was: either this going to be something to remember or am I going to make a huge jack ass out of myself.

I over shopped, over sketched and threw half of my ideas out.   I started over and doubted myself all the way up to the moment the first model arrived to get their makeup done. Im thinking I would have been a crying mess the entire time I planned if it weren't for Julie who was my assistant.. the entire time being my number one cheering squad. And not to mention, Eileen, my hairstylist, who was literally just making sure that I remember this show was about me and no else. If it weren't for them, I would have been a complete train wreck.

On top of my showcase, I was responsible for the looks and putting together a team of makeup artists to provide for the fashion designers on site as well. I am grateful for the team of makeup artists I had to handle that portion of the show while I concentrated on my looks.

We prayed, I cried, we clapped, and then it was showtime!

minutes before showtime

My models had a hard job, and I mean that seriously- mannequin modeling is no joke. They stood out there for two hours with people coming up inches from their faces looking at them inspecting my work. It was really overwhelming to see them posing in the center, surrounded by great art work. People were coming up and asking me how I did certain things, telling me that I did a good job, and these were people that never met me in their life they were giving me their true unbiased opinion. It was great and I felt so proud.

By the time I blinked the night was over and I found my self cleaning the green room up saying my thank yous and good byes.

I am proud of my work and I am excited to participate in more art shows like this. I really hope Kansas City is ready for me next year when I go up there to debut my work in their market