(belated) weekly gems

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• This interview with a Special Olympics athlete and her mom is a must read!
• Absolutely adore this slideshow of fathers and the advice they've given their daughters.
• Foods that can boost your mood.
• Check out this new crop of money-saving websites. Also, tips for improving your credit score.
• A CUP OF JO's Joanna's son Toby got grumpy about beer.
• An awesome checklist of photos to take each month.
• So happy same-sex marriage was legalized in New York! Here's a slideshow of the event.
• Nine happiness boosters.
• An interesting article on five U.S. women's every day finances.
• Why am I always so drawn to Chanel nail polish? And speaking of nail polish, I am in love with this new take on glitter polish.
• Katie's love letter to her dresses is such fun!
• Want to be a food blogger? Here are some etiquette tips.
• I can't get enough of gray and yellow for weddings (well, pretty much gray and any color!).
• Love this photo essay of senior dogs. Beautiful.

jason mraz

This past weekend I came across this long, but beautiful and goofy live version of Jason Mraz's hit, "I'm Yours." I love it! Mr. Mraz has definitely been added to my "artists/bands I want to see in concert" list : )

get fit get strong recap: week one

Hello, everyone! How was your weekend and your Monday? I'm sorry for the lack of a post yesterday, I've been a bit busy the past few days with social outings, work, and the full-time job search. Sunday marked the end of Week One of my new fitness journey, so it's time for a recap.

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Overall summary - I have to admit, I didn't do so hot this past week. I started off strong, but got derailed by a day that went in a totally unexpected direction, and then never really got back on track. I like using My Fitness Pal (both the app and the site) and my Twitter account to track my calories, exercise, and thoughts, but once I started slipping up I avoided them. I need to stay consistent and honest with myself. The more I record, the more accountable I can hold myself, and the better I can adjust unhealthy behaviors/habits.

Healthy eating - I am struggling with eating well when out with friends and avoiding the concession stand at work. I am, however, doing better about portion control and with eating more fruits and veggies.

Exercise - This past week was so busy I mainly just walked the dogs for exercise, but it felt good and is worthwhile. This week I plan to walk the dogs every day, as well as do the 30 Day Shred or Nike Training Club on days I have more time.

Attitude - I need to maintain a positive attitude and not a perfectionist one. Once I started getting off track, I thought, "Ah, well, I'll do better tomorrow." I need to let a bad choice just be one bad choice and not become a whole bad day.

Goals for Week Two - I let my struggles from Week One start off Week Two, but I still have five days left, and I am going to make them count. For Week Two, I will follow my My Fitness Pal account and walk the dogs every day. I will also do a full work out at least twice.

Any tips on how to manage stressful days without derailing your healthy habits?

weekly gems

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• Totally inspired by this LA home. I don't know if I would design my house exactly like it, but it sure is beautiful.
• I would have no problem designing my home to look like this Bainbridge Island home, though!
• I'm a big guacamole fan, so I can't wait to try this recipe! Maybe with chips as an appetizer to Hawaiian barbecue pulled chicken?
• Some celebrity trainer tips if you are looking to lose weight and tone up.
• Love the posters for the final Harry Potter movie...I can't wait to see it!! or J.K. Rowling's new Pottermore website!
• Gorgeous save-the-dates.
• Totally want to read this cover story.
• Tips for getting up more easily in the morning.

watch it: x-men: first class

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Movie: X-Men: First Class

Viewed: June 2011, in theaters

Notable Cast Members: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon, Rose Bryne, Jennifer Lawrence, Emma Frost, Nicholas Hoult

Overall Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (rating rationale)

Plot Summary: What caused the X-Men to come together? A mutant villain named Sebastian Shaw. In the 1960s, mutant Eric Lensherr (Michael Fassbender) wants to avenge his mother's death, who was killed at the hands of Shaw. The CIA, who wants to stop Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon) from successfully starting a war between the Soviets and the U.S., asks Charles Xavier (James McAvoy), both a mutant expert and a mutant himself, to help track him down. Together, Charles and Eric recruit other young mutants to join the fight against Shaw, becoming close friends along the way. But will the battle against Shaw cause them to grow closer, or will it tear them apart?

Personal Thoughts: While X-Men: First Class is a prequel to the X-men trilogy, you don't need to have seen all the movies to understand the plot (although it does make it a bit more fun). I really enjoyed this movie. I thought the acting was great, the story interesting, and the special effects awesome. It is a great entry into the X-men film franchise and into the comic book movie genre in general. I definitely recommend seeing it!

the band perry

Okay, so I am pretty sure am a bit behind the times with this song, but I recently just heard it on the radio for the first time, and now I am obsessed. Sad but so beautiful. After I heard this song, I looked up all of The Band Perry's other official videos on YouTube and really enjoyed them. I've decided I'm buying myself their album when week one of Get Fit Get Strong is complete : )

jane austen

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I read Pride and Prejudice at the end of my senior year of high school, and immediately fell in love with it. It is just such a hilarious, romantic, sentimental, lovely book. I vowed then I would read all of Jane Austen's books. Well, four years and a college degree later, and I still haven't read of the others. I've waited long enough! I want to read the rest this summer. Any suggestions on what to start off with first? Sense and Sensibility? Emma? Mansfield Park? What is your favorite?