Golden Globes vs. the SAGs

I had really good intentions to share my thoughts on the Globes red carpet much, much sooner (like the same week they happened) but, well, life happened. But that's OK because now the SAGs have happened and I can pit celebrities against themselves!

So, without further ado, let me sit here in an oversized baseball-tee, messy bun, and crest white strips and judge celebrities on their abilities to look good in gowns that cost more than I make in a year. *insert maniacal laughter here*

Rosamund Pike

 Is it bad that I hate her because of Gone Girl? I need to go back and watch some Pride and Prejudice to cleanse my palate on this actress. Anyway, she totally did SO MUCH BETTER at the SAGs. At the Globes she looked saggy. It was a bold look for a pregnant lady, and I like that she went for it, but was just ill fitting. I really like the black dress and the way it shows off her legs.

Emma Stone

I love Emma Stone. I do not love her SAGs look. She was on the best-dressed list for me for the Globes, but it at Worst-dressed level for the SAGs. I am pretty sure this is because of my hatred of sheer skirts. I know she is on most people's and critic's best-dressed lists, but I just really, really hate sheer skirts.

Claire Danes

 Massive, massive improvement from the Globes. Her Globes dress was ill-fitting and the details were totally lost on TV. The green is gorgeous on her and her hair is perfection at the SAGs. Plus it is still a really interesting, unique look that is not comparable to what anyone else was wearing.

Sarah Hyland 

Now, her first look was for a Globes after-party, so not really a red-carpet look, but I still really like it. I actually like both of her looks, but I think it would really soften them to have her hair down, instead of so tightly pulled back.

Jennifer Aniston 

 Oh Jen, Jen, Jen. I know it was a vintage look at the SAGs, but the girls don't look good and it does not do anything for her figure. The black look at the Globes though defines her waist and shows of a little bit of leg, sexy but still classy.

Salma Hayek

Again - she was not at the SAGs, so I am comparing her red carpet and after-party looks from the Globes. I think she looks totally stunning and sexy in the after-party dress. The red carpet is too bridal and she over accessories with large earrings AND a flower in her hair. One or the other sweetie, not both.

Naomi Watts

 She went from best-dressed levels - mostly because of the stellar snake necklace - to snooze-fest at the SAGs.

Lupita Nyong'o

 Really, she can do no wrong for me. But, if I HAD to choose, I prefer her SAGs look. But just stunning either way.

Julianne Margulies

 I am so sad that she wasted this blue stunner on an awards show where she was not even seen. Her hair is better and she looks like 10 years younger. It was actually sad to see her in that red frumpy look with bad hair presenting an award at the Globes... but that blue - that would've been perfection.

Amy Poehler 

Now, I love me some Amy Poehler. Love her. But she definitely did better at the Globes. She looked classy and sophisticated. I like the sassy, sexy feeling she brought to the SAGs, but this dress just did not work for her shape.

Julianne Moore

I swear this woman hired a new stylist. I cannot decide which of these looks I like better. Just absolutely stunning either way. Best dressed at both shows.

Keira Knightly

Keira seems to be a bit more old-school about dressing her baby-bump and that's great, as long as she is not doing it in a bug-adorned, ruffled sack that she donned at the Globes. I mean, bleh. The purple stunner at the SAGs is a 100% improvement. So stunning - and her hair and make up are better too - I prefer a softer look on her I think.

Patricia Arquette 

Either way you look at it, Patricia's style is not that great. However. She did much better at the SAGs if you just don't look at her hair (which is a hot mess.) The forest green is a softer color on her and the structure of that dress is so much more flattering. Oh and there is not a giant shoulder-piece competing with her head for attention.

Emilia Clark and Felicity Jones

Now, these are obviously two different women. BUT they made the same bad choice. Why is this X-neckline a thing? This is NOT something the Mother of Dragons should be wearing.

New Year's Resolution: Progress Report

I was catching up on my favorite blogs this morning and feeling a bit guilty that I was lounging on the couch at 9:15am with a cup of coffee and my computer. I am not quite out of graduate-school mode and still get a panicked sense of urgency now and then like "oh-my-gosh-what-paper-is-due-at-midnight?" but then I just take a deep breath and calm the heck down. It is still fairly new to feel like I can actually use a Saturday to relax and do what I want, like not put on real pants.

So, a quick update on my New Year's goals.

I am killing it on the fitness part, yo. I have been doing the Beachbody, Insanity Max 30 program since January 5th, so I just completed the 3rd week. I have a Facebook group with a couple coaches that are awesome and there is this whole instagram culture of fitness, which is awesome and encouraging and inspiring. Having that level of accountability is huge. Plus, I am honestly already seeing results. I am not ready to share any photos or numbers on that front, but just trust me, things are less jiggly than they were at Christmas and that makes me a happy girl, a sore girl, but a happy girl.

I am incorporating their dietary shake supplements, Shakeology, also, but I am still skeptical of it. I am NOT replacing any meals, just adding it in as an after-work-out snack. Some of the recipes are pretty delicious. I think though, more than the workouts, what has made a difference is paying way more attention to what I am putting in my body for fuel. I have been tracking my calories/cards/sodium/sugars with MyFitnessPal and it makes a HUGE difference. This does not mean my cooking as improved... this week my husband did ask me if Smaug had stopped by to help me prepare a chicken breast.

The chicken looked something like Laketown after this shot.

Anyway, moving on to the last two goals - Shopping ban and organization.

I have not purchased any clothing, shoe, or unnecessary personal care items since January 5th. However, a bunch of last minute after-Christmas purchases I did make were arriving for the first two weeks of the ban, so it really hasn't been that hard. Another thing that has taken away some of the sting of the ban was a fun Style-Swap night that a bunch of girls from church participated in. We all brought a few of our items we no longer wanted and got to take home a few new-to-us items! I came home with a purse, a pair of shoes, and a new coat! There is also an awesome Twitter-group of ladies supporting each other through this ban - and again, the support is SO GOOD (if I am quoting Sophia Grace). Although, I did read a post today that's making me jones for some cute work out clothes.... that I really don't need.

Except, not really. 

Organization - psh. I got the Christmas tree down last week and the living room de-holiday'd. I have not tackled any of the other trouble spots in our home, but I am counting it as a win if I can keep the kitchen and bedroom clean-ish.

Buttercup gets me.

So that's it - how are you going 3 weeks into the new year?

2015 - Resolute

I know it is cliche or basic (I kind of hate that term, btw) to write about New Year's goals and resolutions and people never really stick to them and so on and so forth. But I am going to do it anyway, because this is my blog and I do what I want. :)

I really do feel like 2015 is going to be a year of opportunity and of no excuses for me since I have now wrapped up grad school. I am going to have so much free time to fill with whatever I want! The options are almost endless. However, there are 3 things I have really focused in on in the last week as I have mulled this over, and I hope to be able to update you on my progress throughout the year on my three big goals.

1. Institute a Shopping Ban
2. Work on my Fitness
3. Get (and stay) organized

Number 1 - Institute a Shopping Ban.
It starts tomorrow. Sigh. I started early on goal 3 and cleaned out my closet. I have a great wardrobe and I honestly have no need to add more stuff to it for the sake of adding more stuff to it. I also cleaned out my make up, hair, and body products - again so much stuff. So, for the next 5 months (that number will make more sense soon) I will not be purchasing any of the following: clothing, extra make up or hair products, nail polish, shoes, or accessories. Well... I won't be spending cash on them. I have hoarded up all of my Christmas/birthday/graduation gift cards and may need to give myself a carrot now and then over the next few months, but the firm rule is that it cannot cost me anything out of pocket, and I should try to refrain from buying any of these goods.

Goal Dos - Work on my Fitness
For the past two years I have worked really hard on my academic achievements and career. Now I need to turn the focus to my bod (ha! anyone remember that cologne? yikes) and diet. To do this, starting tomorrow I am taking part in a 60 day Insanity Max 30 challenge with a group of others online. I am also super excited that a Core Power Yoga studio opened up nearer to me and am going to try to work that into my weekly routines as well. The Insanity Challenge should then get me through to when the weather gets a bit warmer and I can start running again. I am going to be super motivated for the next 5 months because I am in a wedding. I refuse to be a fat bridesmaid, so there. I think the hardest part is going to be the diet and I think I am going to have to break down and finally learn to cook.

Goal # 3 - Get (and stay) Organized
I have already started the de-cluttering process and its been eye opening. So far we have organized and purged my closet, the dog cupboard, the pantry, my bathroom, and the office (which was a 2-day debacle where I may have had a meltdown or 10, but thank goodness it's over). Still to go: miscellaneous paperwork,  under the bed, the big bathroom, and the hall closet. We both agreed to save the storage unit for Spring. It is going to be so freeing to have a place for everything and I hope this keeps us more mindful in not just adding extra stuff that does not have a clear use or purpose for entering our home.

All photos found on pinterest.