Did somebody say GIVEAWAY!?!?!?

That's right! I thought it was about time I do a little giveaway. This is my first time with this, so I kept it modest. I really hope to do these on a semi regular basis:) Giveaways are fun, and who doesn't like free stuff, huh? How do I enter this giveaway you ask? Simple:

- Be a follower and leave a comment on this post (with your email address) = 1 entry!

- Post a link to this giveaway on your blog (or twitter) and leave a comment with the link your email address = 2 entries!

This giveaway will close on September 30th. At that time I will pick a winner by random number generator. If the winner does not reply within 3 days to claim their prize, an alternate winner will be drawn.

What you will win:

♥6 pairs of natural soft false eyelashes

♥1 pair of sugar kiss eyelashes in bling from E.L.F.

♥1 8ml tube of eyelash glue

♥1 sequined mini clutch

♥1 tube of scented smarties lip balm

♥1 cute jelly jar style apple scented candle

Thanks to all of you who enter!

And while we're on the subject of giveaways, you should all check out these great blogs for more chances to win some cool stuff!

http://chouzuru.blogspot.com/2010/09/770-followers-giveaway.html

http://findingtokyo.blogspot.com/2010/08/giveaway.html

Grrrr!!!!

My blog looks a little different (which I'm not happy about!). Something is going on and I can't figure out what yet. I've had people tell me they can't post comments on my posts. I checked it myself and ya sure can't:( I have been trying to figure it out, but am giving up for now. I changed the settings to a pop up for comments in the meantime.

I'm really bummed too, coz I was excited for my next post! But I kinda need the comments working. I'll see how it goes tomorrow.

Nighty, night!

Second Guess Thursdays

Wow! This summer has been a busy one! I don't have internet set up at my new house (that's right, I said new house!) yet, but hopefully one day soon we'll have it so I don't have to go a month without posting....Grrrr.... Sooooo, yes we did move! Yippee! It took about 8 long months to find our gem but we found it and we're all moved in. Not settled in, just moved in. There's still plenty of fun left for us to do:) It's roughly 10-12 miles from where we were before so it wasn't too bad getting things in and out or out and in I guess?? You would think with a whole month gone by I would have more to talk about, but I must lead a pretty boring life because I can't think of that much right now! :( Bummer

I did get a new phone. I finally got a smart phone! Woo Hoo!! Mobile web on my old phone sucked! I can access the web so much better now (and what better timing than when I don't have internet set up yet!). I'm actually thinking I may start video blogging here and there. Let me know if there's anything you want me to blog on when I do those. I'm talking like making a healthy recipe, exercise demonstrations, product reviews and such. Nothing weird and funky. You can always go to Youtube for that.

Oooh, I also got some new contact lenses. I really like'em! They're circle lenses. They're a bit larger than regular contacts and they have a dark circle around the edge. It makes your eyes look bigger (which I need cuz I gots little peepers). I ordered 2 colored pair: Dreamy.i Hazel and Ace Black. The opening (for your pupil) in the middle is larger than regular colored contacts so I figured the black wouldn't be too dramatic, but the feedback from friends is that I look like an anime character. I don't think it looks that bad, but everyones a critic, eh? I'll have to try to post some pics of them later. Everyone seems to like the hazel. I have one friend who says I look like a vampire (wtf?) with them in. For the most part the feedback has been good, and they're fun so why not, right?

Well, I gotta run my errands so I'll check back in soon (promise! (I say that a lot though don't I?))

Bye~

xoxo

Team Universe

Sooooooo, sorry everyone that I haven't posted in so long:( I was so busy between Jr. Nationals and trying to tweak things in 3 weeks for Team Universe that my online life was put on hold. Where to start first??? Well, I'll start with Chicago. It was a blast! A top 5 placing helped make it more exciting I think:) Other than the power going out and the show starting and hour and a half late it was so much fun! It was more fun that any local show I've ever done. Let me tell you, the physique's that showed up were sick! When you go to a local show, you can pretty much pick out the great physique's from the okay ones. At Jr. Nat's everyone looked awesome! So to be in first call out's......the second number called out was amazing! It was a little disheartening when they left me out there for second call out's, but I was still so pumped up! The hubs didn't make it out for that one, but I had 2 of my girlfriends with me (A-town and Nikki - thanks again for a great weekend!). My friend Adriana is AMAZING at makeup and really made me look beautiful for that show. I see some of the girls who pay over $100 bucks to get their makeup done and I just think about how lucky I am to have such talented friends to help me out;-) I didn't get my cheesecake, and almost didn't get my pizza but a friend who lives in the area made sure I got my Chicago style pizza fix (thanks Justin!). The nest 24 hours I was on a food bender! I ate just about everything I came in contact with! I never in my life thought I would actually get sick off food until that day. I was actually standing over the toilet hoping that I would get sick to feel better:( Thank God I went back on the diet and within the next 24 hours felt soooo much better!

Now onto Team Universe.....

The drive was about 11 hours or so. We had a bikini competitor, a bodybuilder, a figure competitor, and one spectator (the hubs). Let me just say....we took a lot of bathroom breaks! I was really looking forward to Team U. If it was anything like Jr.'s it was going to be great! Unfortunately that wasn't the case. It was held at a new venue this year and I'm not sure how much field work was done before they picked the location they did. It was big enough, but there was no air conditioning backstage at all! It was soooooo frickin' hot! They had some big fans going, but they were just blowing around hot air. The dressing rooms were not very accommodating for all the competitors either. I had a huge bag of goodies to munch on with everyone, but the way the rooms were set up it was hard to really even find a spot where a group of people could sit and nosh together. There were 38 (I think) girls in my class! 12 more than Chicago! So, we're backstage and just as we're about to go out an expeditor comes over and tells us to go quickly with our quarter turns. I must have been the only ding dong who listened! My hubs told me later that I went too fast through them. He said everyone else took their time. Boo! I haven't got my feedback yet, but I just know that'll be something they comment on. Now we're all in line, and I'm waiting for my number to be called......1st round....nada.....second.....no dice.....(awe crap what the hell happened!?) I didn't get called out until like 4th or 5th round! It wouldn't have been so bad, but just coming off a top 5 placing I was wondering WTF??? So as soon as I got back to our hotel I was like bust out the sub buns and the lunch meat I wants me a sammich!!!! Oh, and a pop-tart too! hehe! I knew I wasn't placing well so as long as I didn't get all bloated it was all good:D I hung out backstage with Josie Zamora (Figure overall at Jr. Nat's) and Chelsey Morgenstern (Class C winner at Jr. Nat's IFBB Pro). They were super nice! They both hopped right into their first pro show (I would've too!) and did pretty well (Josie placed 4th! and Chelsey placed 13th!)....not bad for a debut 3 weeks after going pro! After I didn't get a trophy (lol!) I sat in the audience to watch a little while I attacked at piece of Godiva cheesecake from the Cheese Cake Factory! I killed it! Then we went with two other couples to Houston's for food! I was so bummed they were all out of ribs! I ended up getting a cheeseburger. I also had grilled artichoke's on my friend Trisha's recommendation....yum! They were amazing! When we got back to the hotel, the hubs and I had some champagne (half a glass, I just wanted water!). He fell asleep and I had another pop-tart and some ho-ho's! I emailed Sandy, the head judge, for feedback and went to bed. The drive home was looooong! But Becca and I passed the time with great conversation! I'm so glad we drove together:) I still feel bad that she had to drink water from the "Jug Filler" though. I have to get me a 6 cup food processor so I can make the yummy chocolate peanut butter she was telling me about. I'm kinda afraid to now that I'm off-season! Let me tell you, that girl is a wealth of food and diet knowledge. You wanna make your diet not a diet, give her a call (Team Staggs shoutout! :D)

Jr. Nationals Figure Class C.....5th place!

I feel terrible that I haven't been back to post since getting back from Chicago:( This is not going to be very long either because I have soooo much going on (does it ever stop!?!) today. I just wanted to let you all know, if you didn't already, that I took 5th in my class! Some people who asked were like awweee, that's still good though. Still good,wha? That's freaking AWESOME!!! First national show and I get top 5? Yeah, amazing:) So here's a teaser pic for now and I'll try to get back soon to give you the full low down.

T.G.I.F!!!

XOXO

I'm ready!

It's less than 1 week until I leave for Chicago! I'm sooooo excited......a little nervous, and just ready to do this! I finally hit my wall the other day. I want to thank my friend Mike Wilseck for reassuring me, setting me straight, and just letting me whine:) He has helped me with every prep so far and I am glad to have him on my side. He has helped other competitors with their contest prep's and just average individuals looking to improve body composition. If you ever need any help with your diet, or are contemplating competing, I highly recommend you get in contact with him:)

I still have to do my cardio today and train. Then I'm off to get my nails done and a pedicure and start packing my bags! I haven't mentioned it before, but I have also been super busy with our new house!!! We really got lucky finding this house. It is beautiful! It doesn't really need a lot of work, just cosmetic stuff. So that part is almost done and we need to get in there and start cleaning it up so we move our stuff in! It's about 10 miles away from where we're at now, so it's not too far. That is partly why I think this prep has been so difficult for me. There has been so many things going on and things to stress about. It can be done though....I'm proof! Just wish I didn't have to prove it! lol That's okay, once Jr. Nat's is done (and hopefully pro card earned!) then it's Fourth of July weekend, which is busy for us. Then after that New Jersey! Then, I think we're done for the summer! Whew!!! Isn't it always feast or famine? Ooohhhh, feasting....yummy! Okay, back on track!

So that's a quick little update. I will be posting a link to Siouxcountry.com that will have coverage (not video, just real time posting updates) of Jr. Nationals so you can all see how I do (or anyone else you know who may be competing)! I will also try to post updates via Twitter (there's a link to the right!). Don't know if I'll be back posting here until after I get back, but I will give you all the juicy details! Also, I have a shoot set up with Dan Ray so hopefully he'll leave me with a sneaky peek photo I can share with you!

Wish me luck!!!

XOXO

Some questions

I have neglected my formspring inbox and decided it was time to answer a few questions! I will be more on top of it going forward:-) Here are a few in no particular order. And please keep in mind that these are my questions, so it's my opinions/views on the topics. If you feel differently, that's cool, but use your own place to talk about it;-)

1. Do you use a trainer?

Nope. I have in the past and think they're worth every penny (any investment in yourself is worth it!). I reached a point where I wanted to have the know how for myself and received my certificates as a personal trainer and nutrition coach. I think trainers are a great tool to help anyone reach their fitness goals though!

2. What is your diet like?

Well, it has changed a bit during this contest prep. I have needed different things at different points, hence the change up's. I am eating moderate/lower carbs right now, when I feel I am getting too depleted I will add some extra carb kcals for the day. Contest dieting and everyday dieting are two very different things. I believe any diet that restricts you from one or more certain types of foods is not good. You usually end up craving those things, cave in, then binge and later feel guilty. I know that when I am getting ready for a show I only have to stick to what I'm doing for X amount of weeks. Off-season I allow myself everything.......in moderation. I try to keep it as clean as possible too.

3. How much cardio do you do?

Right now I am up to an hour a day 6 days a week. Some people do more, and if it works for them then I think that's great. I believe during contest prep, however, that more should be done through diet. You still need to do your cardio, just not hours upon hours a day. I break it up as well. I get too bored on just one machine. I like using the stair stepper, elliptical, and treadmill (inclined). I usually do 20 min on each. Sometimes I'll throw some plyo's and sprints in there too. I go out back behind my gym to do the sprints. I don't do long distance running. I feel that it spends too much muscle, and I need to hang on to all I have in the leg department!

4. How do you get your shoulders?

I think a big part of that one is genetics. Even when I was younger you could see the roundness to my shoulders. I was a sprinter in high school so my focus during workouts was not so much upper body but it was just there. I do like to do lateral raises though. I sit during them to cut down on the amount of momentum used. Try it some time, I'll bet you use a lighter weight than usual! Also, I tell everyone who asks me about my shoulders, work your rear delts! That's what rounds them out! You can work the medial (side) delts all you want, but if you really want that roundness put some focus on the back. I hardly ever see women training their rear delts in the gym. There's 3 muscle's there that all need to be worked there!

Thanks for the questions.......and keep'em coming! I promise to answer them quickly (even if it's one question it will get it's own little post!). 2 weeks until Jr. Nationals! Woo hoo! I am so super excited for it to be here! I can honestly say that I'm not too nervous at this point. I don't know if that's good or bad? I'm sure I will get nervous/anxious when I get there, but right now I'm just pumped up about it! I didn't finish my suit yet. Yikes! But there really isn't much left to do. I was supposed to go through a make-up dress rehearsal, but my make up artist is sick:( I never texted her back to reschedule.....I will do it right after this. Other than that everything is on track!

Happy Friday!!!