James and The Bruges Manor

Last night I spent a full hour with James.

He is just a guy I know that I pay to kick my a$$ at the YMCA.

He says he knows what he is doing.

One thing is for sure, man knows how to tan.

When he's not running around in panties he looks like this

We are friends. Sometimes.

Other times I tell him to shove it.

Anyways, Tuesday nights are one hour sessions which typically result in me screaming at the thought of having to pee for fear of not being able to stand back up after squatting.

Don't act like y'all don't know EXACTLY what I am talking about. That feeling when your butt is on FIRE because muscles you didn't know existed are sore beyond sanity.

Anyways, when I got home I didn't even want to type on my computer, but I am (it is currently Tuesday evening). So here is what you get for today (or tomorrow rather, Wednesday morning).

More Veranda goodness.

Why is it that just when I was starting to forget about Europe and adjust back to my reality I turned the page to see this.

Hot guy with a dog in the country side of Bruges that just so happened to restore a gorgeous home.

And he has a chicken, or Rooster or Hen, whatever that thing is. Not the point. Look at the floor! And the Hydrangeas.

Then there is a little LA (which is coming up on my travel calendar for the 4th of November)

I don't even know how to express my undying love for this.

The marble.

The tile.

The wide plank floors.

The calming colors.

The eclectic mix of chairs that are supposed to say "I didn't try" when we all know that they actually scoured the world to find a perfect mix.

Oh, no worries, I am not done sexing your eyes up with invitations of "Come hither, your life will be calm and perfect and everyone will want to come to your house but you can say no and be alone with Twilight."

I could just take the ottoman and be happy. Forever.

Enjoy dreaming of that. Or James if that's your thing.

Meanwhile, I'll be trying to get my sports bra off without alerting the neighbors with my blood curdling screams.

Keep the "Assets"

Wednesday I went to the YMCA.

Pretty normal.

But this time I filled out a request form for a personal trainer. 

I just need someone once a week to show me some more complicated weight training. 

Come on, we all know how to do a bicep curl but how do we take it up a notch without adding weights?

That is what I am hoping they can teach me.

Of course they ask me "What is your goal?'

So I answered as honest as possible

Sarah: "Well I want to be strong but slim down. But I don't want to loose my curves either. Think Beyonce, Jessica Biel, Kim K...you know, keep the assets but slim and tone."

(Blank stare from trainer)

But for real. They are rocking it.

We have another friend's wedding this weekend.

Will update you on all the shenanigans next week.

Happy Friday 

A Little Hula Health

Over Easter break my mom and I bought a Hula Hoop.

We went to Target and tested out the pink sparkly one, the blue and white stripe one, and the plane colored ones.

She is 56. I am 24. The 30 year-old lady next to us was buying one also...her daughter is 5.

When I got back to Houston, I was watching Bravo and drinking wine (duh) with my friend Belen, explaining why my abs and obliques were so sore.

She jumped up and ripped this out of a magazine.

I meant to show y'all this a long time ago but had misplaced the clipping.

I have enlarged each exercise for you. You're welcome.

I do not wear a sports bra and spandex shorts.

In fact, the first time I was in a maxi dress and 3 glasses of Malbec deep.

This just felt weird/creepy/gonnathrowmybackout

I am a pro and #1 & #2, haven't attempted #3 and almost broke the chandelier while "mastering" #4.

So, now all you need is a sparkly $6 Hula Hoop from TarJay.

Hula to it baby!



Hello Abs, I mean Congressman

Normally I am not into Politics and I'll be honest, I don't like follow too much.

But someone has finally figured out how to get people like me to pay attention. 

Enter Congressman Aaron Schock...

Um, yeas, that is "Schock-ing."

Happy Hump Day. 

Not that kind of "hump." Get your heads out of the gutter.

Meet Norma



She is in charge of kicking my a$$ on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings 6-7am.

And she does her job.

Very well.

We do lots of this

It's sick but this is one of my favorite moves

And every morning I stumble into work feeling a lot like this

and make no mistakes, I don't mean this kind

But it is all for good reason.

And that reason- so when I pull on my bikini I look less like her

and more like this one

Because she wins.Every time.

Happy sore buns day!

San Francisco Day 2

Saturday morning we woke pretty early and boarded the ever famous San Fran street car.

Thank goodness because these hills were killer.

And so were the views at the top.

There is a restaurant right at the end of the street car line called

The Buena Vista that is known for Irish Coffee

(Got two thumbs up from this guy)

We sat right at the bar and watched them turn 'em out.

They serve nearly 2,000 per day!

After a full belly (I had the french toast AND eggs & bacon),

we rented some bikes from Blazing Saddles and biked across the bridge

Please notice the outfit...biked over 20 miles in that baby.

Our first stop on the other side of the Bay was Sausalito

which reminded me of being on the coast of Italy.

Six miles up the road (literally up)

we stopped in Old Mill Park to hug a few Red Woods

By this point I was getting pretty tired.

And wouldn't you know,

in between Old Mill and Tiburon we would stumble upon an "option out"

Unfortunately, our trade in value wasn't what we had hoped.

When we settled into Sam's Anchor Cafe, my legs were like jell-o

and my tummy was screamin'

Lucky for me they had a vast amount of fried potatoes and a to-die-for

Seared Ahi Tuna sandwich.

After a few beers (and BAMA's loss to SC), it was time to head to the ferry

About this time, my camera started to die

But I got one more shot of the bridge

(all the white splashes in the back are sails, it was AWESOME)

And then Creepy looking Alcatraz

Then it died for good.

For dinner that night we went to the Marina District and ate at A16

which is known for their wood fire pizzas and, once again, an extensive wine list.

But before we ate there we had a few glasses and apps at a quaint little wine bar

right around the corner called Bin 38.

I would suggest trying out their goat cheese croquettes.

And then I died.

For the night at least.

J-Simp

Is this for reals?

I tend to google Jess from time to time...just in case she has a new color hair extension out or something...always a good idea to be informed.

Anyways, I came across this pic, which looks like it was taken on a plane?

You can't be serious?

We were much better friends when you had long hair

Although, I never remembered you looking so damn hungry.

Whatev, just one of those random thought days

Geared Up

One of my favorite parts about getting into a good workout routine is hands down THE GEAR! I love adding new pieces to my work-it-out wardrobe.

And unless you have been living under a rock, you have to have noticed all of the Lululemon shops popping up everywhere.

Everything they have looks so cozy and cute.

And how could it not since its yoga-inspired?

The following items are on my "I would look sooo cute running in this" list

Go to their website here and see what you can't find.

Then there are my go-to favorites. You must have them too...you know, the ones that make you want to stomp your feet and pitch a fit when they are dirty...

Maybe that is just me?

I have this Nike zip up in white and gray.
It is light but keeps you warm and dry.

I tend to throw it on with jeans from time to time when I'm feeling sporty.

This top is super fitted so beware. However, it is a great way to keep your tummy sucked in while working out. Just make sure you aren't feeling gassy while trying to run and suck in your tummy. Just saying....this is a judgment free zone.


Hands down FAVORITE sports bra I have ever worn. Holds the girls in place but doesn't cutoff circulation or dig into your neck. Totally worth the investment!


My new toy. I have always wanted this and Chuck never used it (and didn't have the shoes)so guess who it belongs to now?

Besides, sometimes you need that automated voice to tell you to hurry the eff up.

Lastly, a good pair of socks are a must.

Last night I ran in a pair that had a hole in the big toe.
Each step I took it lodged itself farther under my toenail....not pleasant.

These Asics fit like silky stockings.
Not too tight or think and don't bunch around the heel.

What are your workout must have items?