Tomorrow's To Dos

Many thanks

Posted on October 30, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

A day of rest update: Most of Saturday was spent just lounging around, doing a whole lot of nothing. And it felt AMAZING! Sunday, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. But it did start with breakfast in bed from my lovely husband.

Check out that nannerpus a.k.a. an octopus made from a banana.

Then we got decked out in our red and green to get into the Christmas spirit because we had our Branstad family photos today. I can’t wait to see how these turned out!

Christmas in October

Then it was time for some Beggar’s night action. First stop, Marissa and Jim’s to check out the Bean in her ferocious costume.

Grrrrrrrr

Next up, Al and Jer’s house to Trick-or-Treat around the neighborhood.

Oh what a spooky sight!

And no Halloween would be complete without a little cupcake decorating.

Spider web, hand-drawn spider, caterpillar, Terrace Hill, mini pumpkins, Dracula

After all of that you can guess how tired we all are, even Karl! Tomorrow is a start to another week and I foresee some birthday thank you notes getting written.

Posted in Birthdays, Family | Tagged costumes, cupcakes, Halloween | Leave a comment

A day of rest

Posted on October 28, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Gettin’ golden update: What a perfectly fabulous birthday it has been! I woke up this morning to a slobbery kiss from Karl and my first birthday gift, from Marcus.

Finally going to join the "cool kids"

Then I was treated to birthday bagels and other goodies from my co-workers.

Best co-workers ever!

And I finished off the evening out at one of our favorite restaurants, Django, for dinner with our families.

I got everything I could've ever wanted, and MORE!

I am in need of a “day of rest” and who knows if I will get it tomorrow. Most likely not, but a girl can dream, right? I know that Sunday is going to be filled with two holidays, both Halloween and Christmas. More on that later. I hope you all enjoy your weekend. I am just going to cross my fingers that I get that birthday breakfast in bed that I was promised…

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Gettin’ golden

Posted on October 27, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Countin’ sheep update: So much to catch up on! The bed arrived and is as glorious as I thought it would be. And guess who else loves it?!

I ruff it!

Before I headed out to Austin for work, I did a little volunteering last weekend for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure here in Des Moines. It was a beautiful morning filled with a TON of pink!

Think PINK!

On Sunday my coworker Seth and I headed off to our HighEdWeb conference in Austin, Texas. A great time was had by all! I even managed to squeeze in a little shopping and came across a Paper Source unexpectedly. What a perfect day!

Keep Austin weird.

Yes, tomorrow is my GOLDEN BIRTHDAY. Not many people remember their own, but I’ve been waiting years for mine! I am turning 28 on the 28th and I am countin’ down the hours. Birthdays are the best, aren’t they?

Posted in Birthdays, Travel | 2 Comments

Countin’ sheep

Posted on October 20, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

New kicks update: There is seriously nothing better than a fresh new pair of running shoes, am I right? Now, to actually get my butt to the gym to work them in. These bad boys are just my type, loud and lightweight. They sure do pack a punch, but I have to wait until next week Friday to get my hands on them because they are a birthday gift from my parents.

New Balance Women's 904

We got the call tonight. The call from Homemakers letting us know when they would be delivering our new mattress tomorrow. I can NOT WAIT to finish up this work week and slip under the sheets to check it out.

Tomorrow is my last day in the office until next Thursday because I will be headin’ south to Austin, Texas for a work conference. Yeehaw! I’ve never been to Austin, but one of my really good friends Erin grew up there. I hope I have at least a little downtime to check things out. What should I see???

Posted in Travel, Workout | Leave a comment

New kicks

Posted on October 19, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

The quest for the perfect workout pants update: I started my search tonight at T.J. Maxx just to see what they had to offer. I tried on four pairs and left empty-handed. After having seen an annoying commercial the other day, I remembered that Old Navy was having a sale on their active line. So I made my way over there and lo and behold, found myself a pair of pretty fabulous workout pants.

Old Navy, Premium Active Boot-Cut Pants, $25 on sale

Of course as I was on my way to check out with my spiffy new pants, a sign saying “75% off” pops up out of nowhere with some leopard print blouses below it. How could I not stop? And here is what I walked away with…

Leopard blouses - I couldn't pick just one color. $8.73 on sale

Old Navy, Sheer Ruffle-Front Top, $8.73 on sale

Old Navy, Leopard Boat-Neck Sweater Dress, $22.45 on sale

Pretty good haul for a random Wednesday night! And to think, all I thought I was going to buy was a pair of workout pants.

I am way overdue for a new pair of running shoes, and so for my upcoming birthday I have asked for them as a gift from my parents. After work tomorrow my mom and I are heading over to the only place I’ve bought my running shoes for the past ten or so years, Fitness Sports. If we’re lucky, there is a good chance I’ll walk out of there with a wild colored pair of New Balance shoes. Seems to be par for the course for me over the years.

Well, probably not THIS wild.

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The quest for the perfect workout pants

Posted on October 18, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

A good night’s sleep update: As of Friday, we will be the proud owners of a brand spankin’ new King Simmons Beautyrest Pillowtop mattress – and we can’t freakin’ wait. While we were testing out the beds tonight we realized just how bad our current mattress is. I can’t wait to sleep on a bed of clouds come Friday!

Sorry for the crazy head tilt. I think the excitement of the new bed got to me!

Now that it’s starting to get cooler out, I have the urge to do more long walks outside. And when I went to go pull out some workout pants this past weekend I realized I only had one pair, and they were covered in white paint splotches. Yuck.

So tomorrow while Marcus is hunting for deer, I am going hunting for the perfect pair of black workout pants. Perfect length, cut and flare. It shouldn’t be that hard you’d think, but it turns out it is.

Now if I had all the money in the world, I know exactly where I would snag these dream pants from, Lululemon. This place is the mecca of fab workout pants. Only catch is that they are crazy expensive. But maybe it’s worth it?

Lululemon, Groove pant, $98

Posted in Workout | 2 Comments

A good night’s sleep

Posted on October 17, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Bangs or no bangs update: Sorry for the lack of Sunday eve posting, I was feeling a little under the weather last night. Here is the weekend update:

I got my hair done – not über drastic, but definitely a change. Thanks to Debbie at Trends for the new ‘do!

The ladies (Mom, Mariss, Morg & the Bean) met me in Valley Junction after my hair was done to check out a few shops, and one really stood out, Sisters. If you are ever in need of a unique gift, this is the place to go!

Sisters, 202 Fifth Street in Valley Junction

And if Saturday wasn’t full enough already, I managed to make it out to a friend’s bachelorette party that started at Dos Rios. Man those margs are GOOD!

Future Mrs. Bice!

Sunday was a day spent with our families. A morning walk and breakfast with mine followed by a soup dinner with his.

Soup's on!

Lately the husband and myself haven’t been sleeping very well, and we have come to a realization that it is most likely due to our old mattress. So tomorrow we are heading to Homemakers to check out their inventory. Let’s hope this is the answer because I could really use a full night’s sleep.

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Bangs or no bangs?

Posted on October 14, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Five years of bliss + one baby update: This day flew by! Marcus and I had a nice lunch date at one of my faves La Mie. Can’t go wrong with the ham and brie sammie. After work I met my old co-worker and we headed over to WinesStyles in West Glen to catch up over a bottle of vino. Almost three hours later, here I am ready to call it a night.

Just a little fun with Julie!

Tomorrow is a big day. It’s hair cut-color-and-who-knows-what day. I will definitely be shooting a before and after pic for you. Wish me luck. Have a great weekend!

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Five years of bliss + one baby

Posted on October 13, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Hair do, not a hair don’t update: No real change in the hair planning process, but I am getting really anxious about the final product. Maybe it’s because I’ve had the same long straight hair for what seems like for-ev-er.

On a totally different subject, have I mentioned lately that I love my husband? God bless him. Let me just share our Blackberry Messenger exchange from this afternoon:

For a recap: our possibly quiet evening of catching up on DVR’d shows with a glass of wine in hand turned into a viewing of Ghostbusters (a movie we’ve both seen countless times) with dinner beforehand at “Pink Cheerios” as our niece refers to them, otherwise known as Pancheros. We like to keep it classy.

So that is exactly what we did. I’ll take an impromptu date night regardless of what we do.

Who ya gonna call?

T.G.I.F. tomorrow! And a special Friday it is for my sister, Marissa and brother-in-law Jim, a.k.a. the Bean’s parents. They will be celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary. I can’t believe it’s been five years already?!

Yes, their wedding transportation did breakdown in the middle of the road. Great photo-op though!

I am also planning on meeting up with one of my former Chicago co-workers tomorrow. She is in town for the weekend and we are going to catch up and have a few adult bevies after work. Can’t wait for the weekend!

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Hair do, not a hair don’t

Posted on October 11, 2011 by tomorrowstodos

Wrapped in love update: Well, wouldn’t you know it. I popped into Von Maur over my lunch break today and found a perfect robe for the bachelorette this weekend and before I handed it over for their free wrapping job (seriously, the best!) I forgot to take a picture of it to share with you. So here is the best I can do…

Von Maur, Intima Bella Donna Elegance Wrap, $19 on sale (They one I purchased was pink, not blue.)

I made a huge decision today. I picked up the phone and called my hairstylist Debbie to set up my post-wedding haircut appointment for this Saturday. Yes, I know my wedding was over four months ago – I work slow when it comes to this much potential change. Now, this isn’t any ‘ol appointment here. I have decided to officially do something different with my hair. I haven’t quite decided what that is going to be yet, but it’s going to be something. Cut shorter, bangs, possibly dyed…maybe some or all of those. The skies the limit. So I’m looking for suggestions…

It’s just hair, right?

I love Reese Witherspoon's hairstyles, but maybe just a bit too light for me.

Posted in Beauty, Gifts | 1 Comment