{riding & trunk show}

Good Morning to you!!
What a weekend it's been.

In true simpledaisy style I thought it would be great to get up early Saturday morning to do a 20 mile ride with a friend:) All this before I headed out for the simpledaisy trunk show the same day!!
It was just such a gorgeous morning. I was so happy we decided to ride. Here's what you'd see if you headed out to the country in Indiana:)
Lots & lots of farmland!

It was a great morning & even though we were pretty slow it just felt nice to get out on my bike for the first ride of the season!!

Now I am starting to feel the 100 miles in my future.....stay tuned:)

I told you I was going to do a trunk show at a friends house.

Well.....i'd be lying if I told it turned out as I had it planned in my mind! It was cold and gray outside and not a lot of people came. Good thing I had my trusty wine:)

You know I picked this wine for the label......I thought it would be perfect for this event!!!

Matches my display:)

Even though not a lot o people came.... I was SUPER thankful for the wonderful people who did come and who were kind enough to purchase a few simpledaisy pieces!! I hope I made them super happy!!!!!!!

My friend who hosted the trunkshow also had 2 other talented women bring their merchandise.....

We all set up on her deck!! It was so cute. She has the most cozy backyard.

Here is Sara's display....

So completely adorable! Her company is named Girlogik & she makes all sorts of girlie things:)

Stefanie was also there with all of her amazing things she makes in her studio!

I wasn't able to get as many photos of her set up because she came a little late and I had already had my camera put away....

But if you live in the area her shop is Interior Elements & Design...

Well...darn...she doesn't have a website but I included a link to her shop's address:)

And my set up.....

What do you think?!?!? Except for the wrinkled tablecloth!!

But that's how I roll......always in a rush and a little messy:)

I also included lots of cute little starfish......

Starfish just make me smile!

All in all it was a really wonderful time! It was all set up like a cute little shop in the French Quarter. Plus shoppers got enjoy some delicious appetizers and vino. How could that not make you happy??!?

Makes me want a cute little shop of my own......maybe someday:)

Hope all was well with you this weekend!! Did you have any big plans!?!?!?

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”
Albert Einstein

{fresh Friday}

It's Friday....can I get a woot woot!!!!!!
I love Friday's but who doesn't?!?!?
As you could tell I was super happy this week....the weather was fabulous and I was able to do tons of yard work and just be outside:)

I love it when the weather starts to turn warmer...it always inspires me to eat yummy grilled foods....especially grilled veggies~ Grilled Portabella Sandwich

All I can say is YUM....this sandwich really rocked my face off:)
grilled portabella with balsamic vinegar drizzled on it
grilled leeks and red peppers
goat cheese
basil
tomato
Grill the bread and then make a super yummy sandwich with all the ingredients....food bliss:)

and then I grilled some veggieschop up any veggies you like..
I used
broccoli
zucchini
mushrooms
red peppers
fennel
Drizzled balsamic vinegar, olive oil and garlic on them.
Wrapped them in foil and threw them on the grill...
I topped them with feta when they were done!!!!
Healthy...tastey...simpleYou know I have taken the past week off of "formal" exercise...sometimes it's good to do that. At least in my opinion!

But when I am the full fitness swing of things...

I love to do P90X, in addition to my running or cycling, and the best thing is .......I can do it right from the comfort of my home while wearing whatever I feel like:)

I get all my weights out and just put them on the coffee table

pop in the dvd and then I get busy....Now if I could just get those darn hips to decrease just a tiny bit....
Baby got back:) Do you have any problem areas that just WON'T budge?!?!But really....see why I love working out at home...I don't care what my hair looks like...I don't care what i'm wearing and I don't have any make-up on!!!

So there you go.....get out there and get yourself a little workout dvd!!! Keep your fitness simple and just do a little something most days of the week!!! And do it at home if it makes you feel more happy:)

Hope you have a super fabulous weekend!! You already know what i'm going to be doing....

painting the fireplace!! yeah!! Wish me luck:)

"Fall in love or fall in hate. Get inspired or be depressed. Ace a test or flunk a class. Make babies or make art. Speak the truth or lie and cheat. Dance on tables or sit in the corner. Life is devine chaos. Embrace it. Forgive yourself. Breathe. And enjoy the ride." Unknown

{Happy St. Patrick's Day}

Hello and Happy St. Patty's Day to you:)
Usually we go out on St. Patty's Day...it's the day my husband & I met 10 years ago:)

but this year....it was absolutely gorgeous out when I got home from work..
Just look at that sky~ sunny and 64 degrees...
I just knew there was NO way I was going to some smokey bar or tent party today!
Good thing my husband agreed:)

I decided to keep the spirit of St. Patty's Day alive and just do a little yard work in my green pants:)and you know my yard work outfit just wouldn't be complete without wearing some beach inspired, shell flip-flops:)On any other day...I would have come home and ran and did a little p90x or something like that....but once the first nice weather of the spring season hits...I just can't force myself to spend the time running or doing p90x.

I just like to come home....throw my things in the kitchen and head outside for some good old fashioned working out. Raking leaves that is:)

I definitely think running or cycling and lifting weights or doing yoga is super important...but every once in awhile it's just nice to get outside and put in a little hard work in your yard.

Plus...I still think it counts as working out!!! And I enjoy it....bonus:)



I also encouraged my husband to get a little "workout" in by having him tear out this crazy bush that was in the front of our house!What a hard worker...

I am sure he's burnin' some calories...but my guess is...he really doesn't care:) after I was finished with cleaning up around the pool area...

I had to come out and check in on the progress...Of course....with my trusty wine:)

Probably negated the calories I just burned raking...but owell...I was happy:) Yep...i'd say it already looks a ton better!!
I think i'll plant some black eyed susans there this summer!!!


Of course...I couldn't stop there.

I decided to give the girls a bath....outside...with the hose. brrrrr.....I don't think they were too happy with me....I think they look pretty and smell great now:)Even the kitty was happy today!What a great day!

See..no need to go out and formally exercise all the time. Sometimes it's nice to throw caution to the wind and just get out there and be active:)

Hope your St. Patty's Day was happy whatever you did.

Oh and thank you so much for all of your ideas on my fireplace!! I appreciate it:)

I did decide to paint the fireplace! Here are all the creamy white paint samples I picked up the other day! Now I just have to decide on just the right shade:)

If all goes well ..... I'll be able to share the finished product with you on Saturday and then get to make lots of simpledaisy jewelry on Sunday! woohoo!!!!

“If you wait to do everything until you're sure it's right, you'll probably never do much of anything.” Win Borden

{spring day}

Hello.
Thank you for all of your positive comments on my jewelry give-away post! They really made me really happy.
Sometimes I wonder if all the time and energy I put in to chasing my dreams is really worth it. You all make me realize that it is.
NEVER give up on your dreams, I say!!

Not only are you and your nice words making me happy....the weather has been REALLY making me chipper, too!
Here's what I saw popping up today....How can you NOT be happy looking at cute little flowers!?!?I was so happy today that I ran 3 miles...trying to get ready for that half marathon....it's not far but it's a start!! Then I came home and walked the girls 4 miles:)

Poor LC she has put on a little winter weight (like her owner) and had to really huff it to keep up!

Here's how she looks at the end of a walk in the spring:)mud....mud...and more mud! This is the time of the year that I start to give up on keeping the inside of my home clean.

And of course, here's Ruby....always her happy little self and even happier after a long walk:)At least her tongue is hanging out a little. Maybe I wore her out a little so she'll actually sleep in until 6am instead of 4:45am! Darn dog:)

As you know winter is tough on me and I have to admit that I gained 10lbs this winter. But more importantly the girls gained a little weight too.

As a dog owner I realize that they cannot make their own decisions to get fit & healthy. That's my job to keep them healthy.

Sooooo, time to cut out too many of these......Oh yeah....doggie cookies:)

They were in pure bliss with those cookies..
But as spring is nearing I know it's time to walk them a little more and switch the doggie cookies to carrots.
Yes that's right....carrots! They LOVE them just as much as the cookies:) It's so funny because L.C. gobbles her carrot up in one second and Ruby takes her's over to the floor to savor!
At least...she not savoring a pair of my shoes, like she did last night!But this time, they were just my outside shoes:)

I tell you, she is pay backs for all the times I secretly made fun of other people's dogs that tore their homes up. I swore I would never have a dog that chewed up my things.

Yeah well......you can see....I now have a dog that chews my things up and I still love her....sort of:)

But really, just like with the dogs....when spring gets here and you need to lose a few lbs. don't get crazy but just switch a few things out {carrots for cookies} and exercise just a little bit more:)Don't make it more difficult than it needs to be:)

It's the same as with your dreams....take baby steps but keep moving forward:)

See you on Friday when I announce the winner of the simpledaisy give-away!!

Thank you ..... thank you....thank you for participating in the give-away and posting about it on your blogs!! I really appreciate it:)

“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”
Gail Devers

{Fresh Friday}

Hello there....
Hope your week was well:)
It's Fresh Friday and time for me to share a healthy little recipe with you but first....
I think sometimes we all are just too darn hard on ourselves. I know for me I complain an awful lot about my thighs.... It's an area this is just really hard for me to trim down. I'm only 5'2" and so my legs are a challenge. I also HATE to run on the treadmill!
But recently...I have really changed the way I think about things....at least while I am working out and you should try it too!

Instead of thinking negative thoughts while running, spinning or doing whatever, I have changed my thoughts to positive "mantras" if you will.
Here are a few I have been using...
your thighs are strong and capable of riding 75 miles on a bicycle
your shoulders look great in a tank top
if this were easy everyone would be doing it
look at all you accomplish in a day
think of how you'll feel when you are done
your legs are able to allow you to run on the perfect summer day
I love the treadmill:)

And on and on....you get the point!

This has really helped me change my thinking from...darn cellulite, to looks at all my legs help me accomplish:) And from I hate the treadmill to ...it's just a tool to help me accomplish my goals.
I think sometimes it's just so easy to slip into negativity and it's important to NOT let yourself do that!!
So next time you step in front of the mirror, hop on treadmill, throw a workout dvd in or go spinning....really focus on your thoughts and change them to POSITIVE:)
Hey....at least it's one hour out of the day that you can really build yourself up!

OK....now for the food!

Yep...it really is that simple! Eat things that you know what they are and get creative with it:)
Here's something new that I found at our local health food store...The ingredients are.....Mung Beans and Water! Doesn't get more real than that!! And bonus...you are getting your beans in without having to eat so many beans!
Mung Bean noodles ROCK!

But here's how I used them in a recipe.... Cook the noodles according to the package.
While cooking saute asparagus, zucchini, portobello mushrooms.
When the noodles are finished throw some organic pesto, balsamic vinegar, crushed red pepper and fresh garlic into the pan! And your done:)
Put it on a plate and serve with organic feta and basil...
YUM...YUM and YUM:) The thing about cooking really is to mix and match things...throw in whatever you have on hand or whatever you like!

You could also use.....
fresh spring peas, mushrooms and white wine sauce
sun dried tomatoes, olives, sun dried tomato pesto and paresly
broccoli, olives and red onions
and on and on.....
Oh and I would add crushed red peppers to all of these!!! I like a little kick to my food!
But you see....just get creative!
And it's all super healthy for you!

Hope you have a super healthy, happy and positive weekend! I know for me it's back to crafting and then sharing what i've made!!

"Joyfulness keeps the heart and face young. A good laugh
makes better friends with ourselves and everybody around." Orison Marden

{Fresh Friday}

Top of the morning to you.... It's FRIDAY....... Something happy to start with~ I have two things to show you for this week's installment of Fresh Friday!!!
First off...
How do you use up everything you have left over from a grocery shopping trip?!?!
Well this is how I do it~
Chop up everything you have...mix it with some dressing, quinoa and throw it in a bowl:)
I had some beets in my mix and let me tell you ....chopping them is MESSY.....
~Veggie Quinoa Salad with Orange Ginger Dressing~
Start chopping whatever you have in your refridgerator...
I had...
Beets
onions
carrots
broccoli
zucchini
Throw them in a pan with a little olive oil...or I use apple juice
and roast on 425 until soft...about 35 minutes.
While that's cooking make the quinoa according to the package..
and I added some edamame {for extra protein} and artichokes {I just had a can that was half used} While everything is cooking...make the dressing...
fresh squeezed orange juice from maybe 2 oranges
a little orange zest
ginger....to taste
rice wine vinegar....maybe 1/2 a cup
and mix together!!!
When everything is done....throw it in a bowl with some microwaved frozen spinach and mix!!

I have to tell you ...... this really ROCKED my face off:)
And the best part is...I made enough to use it for lunches during the week! I love to do that on Sunday's...make everything that I am going to eat during the work week so I can just go on autopilot making lunches for each week!
Here they are all stacked up~
I know...only 4...but by Friday I am more than ready to eat something else! Plus I had to "sample" one of the servings after I was done making it.
And one more thing...
If you are a calorie counter, you can go to Sparkpeople and enter in all of your ingrediants and then put in the number of servings for your dish and they will come up with a label like this.....This really is for the Quinoa Salad!! Not too bad!

Next up.....is my go to healthy

~Peanut Butter Protein Bar~

Now, I can't take the credit for this recipe....It came in the mail in one of my Oxygen Magazines and then my friend, Jamie, re-reminded me of this recipe when she made them and brought them into the gym..
YUM-FRICKIN-O

2 c. quick cook oats
1/2 c. peanut butter {I use Smart Balance}
4 scoops of protein powder {I use chocolate Plant Fusion}
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
1/2 - 1 cup of water
I just add water until it's moist
then mix with your hands and put it in a dish...
throw it in the freezer for 30 minutes
take out and cut into 8 servings

These are so delicious....you would think you are eating something totally naughty...

But you're NOT....

Here's the nutritional info per serving.....

230 calories

10 g. fat

15 g. protein

21 g. carbs

4 g. fiber

Now go pick yourself up a copy of Oxygen Magazine so that you can get some HEALTHY recipe ideas!!

OR.....just keep reading simpledaisy:)

And now because I am complete DORK....

I made my first flip camera video!!

Just don't tell me how dorky I really am!! I already know that:)

And lastly....because I am GETTING very stir crazy with winter and with my workouts...{notice how many I didn't do this week:(

I decided to try something new....

INSANITY.....

Can't wait to get started!!!!
I just needed something to re-pump me up and something a little more challenging!
I let you know how it works for me:)

Have a super wonderful and healthy weekend!

“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” - Buddha