03 October 2014

Lovelies!

How are you? I thought I would start off my evening with a Flashback Friday...to YESTERDAY! Yes, today I will be covering yesterday's outfit of the day that transformed easily into an outfit for church.

Now, here's a little background about my style when it comes to dressing for church:

  1. If it's a Thursday, I want as much as possible that whatever I'm wearing in the day to be appropriate for when I go to church at night. It cuts down on the time I spend trying to decide on what to wear--especially since my classes finish during rush hour.
  2. I have a TON of blue and black in my closet, so don't be surprised if you see a lot of those two colours.
  3. I normally don't add accessories. As an organist I like to keep everything simple so nothing acciddentally hits a key. BUT...
  4. It's like I'm laughing at some secret joke.
  5. ...this is an exception.




So starting with my jumper/sweater (depends on where you're from)...it is a sheer, almost metallic-y silver one that was made by Avec. I covered up underneath with a pink cami, paired that with jeans and threw on my white slim Chucks [link to similar]. For a final touch, I added the black jewelled bow ring. Isn't it cute? It makes me think of that trick when you need to remember something. (Thankfully I didn't have to remember anything except for getting to class on time and how.) Anywho--I traversed around campus to my only morning class in this comfy outfit, however, during my morning class it turned cold and started raining so this outfit wasn't exactly ideal until the afternoon.

Ugh. Midwest. You gotta love her bi-polar weather.

NOT.

Never in a million years will I ever. I mean, it's so hard to dress for four seasons in one go! You have to have a pair of shorts with some leggings, a pair of rain boots with heavy duty socks, a tank top, an oversized sweater, a winter coat, umbrella, and a scarf and mittens. And a pair of flip flops or rollable flats tucked inside your backpack or purse--whatever floats your boat.

That may or may not be an exaggeration, but this is coming from 20 years of experience.

Just saying.

Anyways. Later on, when I was getting ready for church, I removed the jeans, added a black flare skirt (old) and added a sequined collar necklace in silver and black flats. I've had this necklace for a while and never did I think I would use it until last night. I didn't know what to pair it with in the past until yesterday! You guys have no idea how happy it made me last night when I saw that it looked perfect with the jumper. The last picture is only a scratch on the surface of my excitement.


It looks like a real collar but all of us know it isn't! ^_^
I hope you guys enjoyed my post! I've gotta study since I have a big day tomorrow with Nour and barely anytime to do any of this shiz on Sunday.

Ciao, bellas!

xoxo SamiJoie


02 October 2014

Let me preface this post with this: Nour and I recently joined  The Betty Rocker's #Rocktober challenge and I started it yesterday.

Yesterday, after I finished a crummy maths quiz, I got into my car and drove to the park nearest my apartment and did a mix of walking, running, and jogging. 


Don't let the map confuse you! I went up and down hills--oh, who am I kidding? (But I did, so yeah.) I need to get into the yellow zone more in the future. But, considering I haven't done a mile since June, I would have to say that I did pretty well for finishing it in 17 minutes. (I remember in June I was around 25-32 minutes. Yes, 32 minutes.)

After feeling successful about the 17 minute mark, I lingered in my car checking up on anything that I had missed on my phone before going home.Dear God, I was famished yesterday! Honestly, I have no idea what was going on with me. I woke up at 5am, had a bagel, ate some grapes at 6, and then a bowl of cereal at 7 before heading out the door. 

I mean, really. I ate quite a bit. 
Okay, quite a lot.

Anyways. When I got home, I opened up Bree's (aka The Betty Rocker) e-mail to get the workout and did it three times. HOLY CRAP. I am sore but not to the point I can't move. I'm just sore enough to know I did enough but could have gone a little further. The Alternating Squat Lunge move killed my inner thighs. Ugh. I can feel it whenever I move when sitting down or getting up.

But it hurts so good.



Hahahahaha!

Let's see how well I'll handle day 2!

xoxo SamiJoie


01 October 2014

Hello, lovelies!

So I just came back from Starbucks with a grande mocha (and when I say "I just came back from Starbucks" I mean I put my mocha in the microwave to stay warm, cleaned my room a bit, set out some clothes, and hopped into the shower before sitting down to write this and drink my mocha), and all I can say is thank God there is a Starbucks two seconds away from my house. It's walking distance, but I would not recommend doing that during what I consider the second rush hour here in Indy even if  it is a little over half a mile away by car.

Which, if you haven't noticed yet, is the time that I went. ^_^

Anyway. Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy is playing in the background, and I have yet to consider when I'm going to eat dinner. Maybe soon. Maybe not. I ate a lot today...

My apologies! It has been a long two weeks as I have mentioned in my title because I went a majority of last week without my computer (wow, can we just hashtag that? #FirstWorldProblems). My baby was at the Windows store because the OS was hit pretty hard by a virus causing the OS to crash. They tried to recover my files, but that virus whatever took them down too replacing them with fake files. All of my videos that were edited are gone so bummer. No, really, bummer because I worked on those a good hour or two each. Aigoo.

That said, I have to re-do my videos for the Nashville trip. But that's okay because I think they were somewhat crappy...

I think. I probably should have backed those up to my external hard drive...

Hahaha!!

Yeah...

But, second chances, right?

Anyways, stayed tuned, guys! I've got a checklist for the month of October and I am going to COMPLETE this sucker! Boo-yah! Let's do it!

And at the very top of that list is #Rocktober with The Betty Rocker. I'm doing this with my loffly friend, Nour, and we are gonna make our fat cry! Gaiz, you should do it if you wanna tone up and/or lose weight. She has a FaceBook group set up for everyone subscribed to it--which, did I mention is free? Yes, it is so free! When you sign up for the 30 Day Challenge, you will get a workout each week--the video expires each week to ensure you follow through with it--with modifications and different time intervals based on which level of difficulty you are on. The video is great to follow especially when you have no idea how to perform a certain move. She provides a PDF file with all of the moves and modifications, so if you don't have access to high speed internet (or even a good connection at that) you can follow the PDF. On top of all of that, her site has other workouts to do (if the one provided for the week isn't enough for you or you're just that awesome!) as well as recipes so you can eat healthily for the next 30 days.

Everything is free, so how can you pass this up?

I've also done Blogilates in the past, but sometimes opening multiple videos can be a pain. Don't get me wrong or anything--I love Cassey and all, but I wanna change it up! What I love about Bree's plan (the Betty Rocker) is that we do one workout three times a week, three times a day. Very easy, especially for me who is trying to fit everything into a new schedule.

Well, that's all for now, loves! I'm at the end of my grand mocha and I've run out of things to say.

Stay tuned, bellas!

xoxo SamiJoie

PS: I wasn't asked to promote either of the online trainers--I just needed to publicly say this so that I can stay on track with it. Motivation is key and there are many ways of doing it!

Comment below if y'all are doing a challenge! Let's do it together!
06 September 2014

Hello, lovelies! 

I know it's been a while since I last posted (why do I keep saying this???????), but I've been taking pics of my activities over the last two weeks for upcoming posts! I do realise I have yet to finish my series on the Nashville vacation, but, guys, I am so exhausted. I've been catching up on school work (I recently got my books and school started LAST week) and cleaning the apartment (I moved!) It's been hectic lately, so this starbucks is well deserved at this point because I did get lost in my own town after not driving in it for so long. 


Anyways. I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm not dead and that things are still on their way! I haven't forgotten!! 

See y'all soon!
SamiJoie

PS
Are y'all loving my pic? I got what my bestie Nour normally orders: grande mocha and petite French madeleines (but she switches it up with shortbread cookies every now and then). ^_^
Nashville, TN, USA
20 August 2014

Hello, lovelies!!

In an earlier post (or was it my last one??), I remember mentioning that the gals and I planned a trip to Nashville. Well, we are here right now. We had some lovely adventures on our first day that I will blog to you about. Starting now.

Y'all know when you're heading south when you see billboards about Jesus and your salvation or impending damnation every half mile. 

Maybe even less.

Comforting...
What you didn't know is that you would be seeing billboards of the world's largest underground zipline tours every half mile located in Louisville, Kentucky, usually paired with the salvation/damnation signs. TBH moment here: Whitney suggested ziplining during the planning process of our trip, but I was reluctant due to a fear of heights. So, what on earth made me suggest (me, yes, me, the person who was adamant to not do such an activity--my friends don't know that part...yet) we go ziplining in the world's largest underground ziplines? (Thinking back now, I think Whitney suggested it after seeing some of the boards, but no one heard...)

Oh, well, it was probably because of the one million billboards we saw advertising the Louisville Mega Cavern. I don't know why I went along with this or even opened my mouth about it or have any idea as to what happened to the rational part of my brain--even after reading the sign below. Like, who wants to zipline through hell? Okay, maybe not literally (although, can you imagine the lawsuits that would occur if that were the case?), but the setting was enough! RED lights everywhere and a won-der-ful tour guide with a deep demonic-sounding voice. 

Welcome to hell...
So why did I not put together that if--if--we did fall, we would be falling 70+ feet to solid rock and not softer dirt were we to go ziplining above ground in trees?

Ugh.

Despite my banter about not being rational about the whole thing, I had an awesome time! No, seriously, I did! The sites were beautiful and breathtaking--in some cases, literally. I definitely had to employ some deep breathing methods on the longer lines. The two suspension bridges we had to cross weren't as bad as I thought. They were the ones, though, that you normally see Indiana Jones crossing--but they weren't as bad as zipping through the air. But, now that I think about it, what would I have done if a plank came loose? Uh...

Let's not think about it. Instead, let's take a look at how happy Whitney and Sarah looked after completing the course!


Don't they look happy? And adorable?

That's what I thought. ^_~

From Louisville, we drove straight to our chalet--um, well, we detoured at DQ where Nour had the cutest popcorn shrimp I have ever seen, and Whitney and Sarah had the most delicious and chocolate-y blizzards to date. And then we drove straight to the chalet.

Our drive is a story in itself best saved for later...and so it shall be saved...for later.

For now, check out the vlog! Link below.

♡SamiJoie


29 July 2014

A while back (on Tumblr), someone anonymous asked me as to why my Do You Wanna Build a Snowman song wasn't showing up. Going through my asks, I'm wondering why on earth would someone want to view that?? Hahaha! I mean, really, I really really really suck at singing. I'm terrible.

(And, yet, I post videos of me singing. There's gotta be something wrong with me, right?)

And now I'm wondering who it was. Anyone wanna come clean? I won't hurt you, I promise!

Anyways. Moving on.

No, really. I won't hurt you!

My gal pals and I have been planning our getaway trip for this summer--our very first one! Haha! It's going to be awesome when we get started, however, it was a pain to plan. We had to meet up online since I'm from out of town just to put our heads together. We spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out where we were heading--I think it took us about two hours before we settled on Nashville. Meeting up online to do this was a bit of a challenge since I couldn't hear everyone when we were talking. It would be Sarah and Nour in front of Nour's laptop while Whitney was off to the side searching possible destinations and activities. I could hear Sarah and Nour just fine since they were in front of the screen, but Whitney was coming out all garbled. I could have complained, but Whitney looked extremely comfortable where she was at and it was late at night. Comfort is a big deal late at night, even for us night owls.

In the end, we finished everything in about three-ish hours? But it was a painful three hours since we started at around 10pm and finished close to 2am. I was snacking throughout the whole chat, which probably wasn't the best idea considering I slacked on my workouts last week along with my healthy eating. Hehe.
Ugh, guys, guys, guys: I cannot wait to go on this trip! I'll finally have some awesome stuff to post since what I've been doing at home is just cleaning, finding a new apartment, and finalising things for the upcoming school year. New videos, new posts! I am tingling with so much excitement! Especially since I've never done anything like this before.

Wait. Whut? Aren't you, like, 21?

Well, yes, yes, I am.

I worked my buttocks off all throughout high school and before that to ensure that I would look great to colleges. That was my choice. Also, I was a *little* sheltered, but, for the most part, I'm okay with that because it ensured that I could get into practically any college I wanted to since I put in all of that effort. (Okay, maybe not Yale or Harvard, but Stanford expressed some interest in me! That's something, right? [If not, please don't stab me. Just prod me, eh?]) So I wasn't out a lot like most kids at that age, big deal. I turned out okay.

Right?

Don't answer that. :P

I'd love to hear from any of you one what you've been up to all summer or will be up to!Tell me all about your shenanigans. Also, I'd love to know who that anon was!

<3 SamiJoie
02 July 2014

Make sure YOU are the one wearing the clothes and the CLOTHES aren’t wearing you.

Really, make sure you look GREAT in the clothing—they were made to make you look awesome and not the other way around.