Wedding Wednesday: Upper Body Workout!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Within the past three years I have really stepped up my physical fitness game which, of course, has shown huge benefits (like the "Elite" rating that I received for my life insurance policy!) in every aspect of my health and well-being.  Now that our wedding is quickly approaching, I've decided to step up my fitness game once again and get this body more shaped and toned - especially my arms and shoulders - so that I can rock my wedding dress.  Seriously what bride doesn't want to look stunning on their big day?! :)

Here is the upper body workout that I've been doing once a week combined with cardio to boost my heart rate!  I have this set up as an 8-week program but will probably extend it and increase the weight to build more muscle.  I've linked these "moves" to videos  for the how-to and added the weight I use as a starting point.  If you are new to working out, it's probably better to start with lighter weight - it's about reps and form, not how much you can lift.

Set 1 - Repeat 3x - 12-15 reps
Bicep curls to shoulder press w/dumbbells  (my weight - 12lbs)
Lateral Raises w/dumbbells (my weight - 10lbs)
Upright row w/ kettle bell (my weight - 20lbs)

Set 2 - Repeat 3x - 15 reps
Pushups
Tricep dips off bench
Lat pull down machine (my weight - 70lbs)

Set 3 - Repeat 3x - 12-15 reps
1 arm bent row (my weight - 20lbs)
Front raises w/dumbbells (my weight - 8lbs)
TRX low row

Good luck - you can do it!  You will look great and feel great! :)

Mood Board Link Party - Week 15

Monday, May 20, 2013

Happy Tuesday and welcome to the weekly mood board link party for interior design bloggers and enthusiasts! I hope you will take the time to link up your design or stick around and see all of the other awesome designs - I know you will be inspired! :)

Starting in June, this mood board link party will be hosted monthly - the first Tuesday of each month! Since design boards are a lot of work to create and everyone's summers fill up quick, I thought this would be a good move!


Super Simple Requests for participation:

1. Follow Your Host and Co-Host via GFC or Bloglovin'
Host: Beth - Design Your Dwelling
Co-Host: Veronica - Passion, Pink & Pearls

2. Grab A Button!
Grab a button below and include it in your blog post or where you share your link parties on your blog.

3. Share it!
Spread the word about this link party by tagging me (@beth_dydblog) in a tweet with a direct link to your mood board post and using the hashtag #moodboardlinkparty! Feel free to share it on Facebook too!

4. Like it!
Like your favorite mood boards by clicking the 'like' option below your favorite!

Each week I pin all of your mood boards to my Design Boards board on Pinterest!

Most importantly, connect with, be inspired by and follow other design bloggers!

Grab a button, link up, and have fun! :)

If you are interested in co-hosting the Mood Board Link Party send me an email! designyourdwellingblog(at)gmail.com

Client Design - Vintage Nautical Nursery

Hey Everyone! Welcome to a new week!  I don't know about you, but I had a great birthday weekend full of relaxing and enjoying the weather.  We even got a little golfing in but boy am I rusty - I think I will be practicing in the yard. :)

I was so fortunate the work with Megan on her baby boys nursery.  Her goal was a vintage-nautical nursery that wasn't too "nurseryesqe" as she described! :) Megan already had her eye on a few pieces of furniture and had purchased a few vintage and nautical items.  Here is the design we came up with!


To see Megan's blog post about her new nursery design.  Go here!

Out of respect for my clients, I do not share sources.  However, if you are interested in your own custom mood board, I would love to help.  Check out my e-design page to get started!



Reflecting on My First 30 Years

Friday, May 17, 2013

Today I'm celebrating my 30th birthday - ahhh! (Technically I am not "30" until 11:29am CST) To tell you the truth I am a little freaked out about it but I am keeping in mind that so many have turned 30 before me and they have all made it through the day and survived.  I find comfort in that!

I know for most that birthday's are just another day, but I like to celebrate them.  I actually took the day off from work to celebrate my birthday by doing whatever I want - whenever I want! :) Which means catching up on reading the great blog posts you all write, working on a client E-Design, lunch with a friend and whatever else the day may bring of course!

This may get a little lengthy but hopefully, if you read it, you may find inspiration by focusing on the positives and realizing that God has a plan that truly does come to pass.  (Ok, I'm getting a little teary...)

It truly amazes me what all has happened in my first 30 years - both good and bad.  Everything from learning how to walk and talk to graduating high school and college, taking on a first job and working for three different organizations in five different positions.  And now, getting prepared to start my next chapter of life- marriage and family.

One thing I do know and find so much peace in is that I was blessed with an amazing family and wonderful friends.  In my first 30 years I lost my brother as a little boy, who I miss dearly and wonder who he would be as an adult.  But, I was then blessed with two beautiful sisters who I couldn't imagine my life without.



Emillee, Kayle, and I - 2011

I've lost two best friends, one who I wont see until God calls me home someday and one who I hope to see again, my best friend from high school, to rekindle our friendship and again become the friends we once were.  Today, I have some of the best friends in the whole world that I talk to weekly, daily, and some I only talk to once in awhile but we pick up where we left off.

Katie and Niomi

Cynthia

Melissa

At one time, in my mid-twenties, I thought I found love but was mistaken and heart-broken.  God proved to me that he had something better in store and he did. I found Adam who is my blessing and true love.  We can work together, play together and pray together.



Throughout all these years I would consider myself a pretty high achiever and blessed by so many opportunities and the passion to pursue my goals and dreams - even if they didn't come to pass. My long time goal throughout high school was to become a National FFA Officer and have the opportunity inspire young people and spread the knowledge and love for agriculture that I grew up with on my families farm. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to run for this position even though I was never elected.  But I've learned that what you learn from one experience always benefits you in the next, like getting run for University of Minnesota Homecoming Queen and being elected.   Yeah - I was the homecoming queen of a Big 10 university - a gal from a small farming community who didn't stand a chance of being homecoming queen in high school!

For some reason, as a little girl, I always wanted to be Miss USA (seriously, who doesn't, haha!)  So, I ran for Miss Minnesota and felt as though I could do anything since I walked across the stage in a swimming suit.  I didn't even make it past the first round but I still pursued a goal.  And, if you're curious, the stereotypes are somewhat true...

I found my dream job, bought my first house and redecorated it, moved 10 hours away from home to Ohio and came back to Iowa because I had fallen in love and realized that home is where my heart is. Now, I am pursuing a new dream job of owning my very own interior design business.  I am in the best health and physical shape of my life and my faith has strengthened ten-fold.

Honestly, I wouldn't change any part of my life. It has happened as it was supposed to.

Through it all, here is what I know and hope to pass along to you...

One. God has a plan.  Trust Him.  He has amazing things in store.

Two. Be nice. To everyone.

Three. Everything happens for a reason.

Four. In today's world we are so caught up in looks but truth of the matter is that beauty is not confidence but confidence is beautiful.

Five. Make choices for you and don't worry about what everyone else thinks. (This one will always be a work in progress for me!)

I'm looking forward to my next 30 years!!

Thanks for sticking with me through this one! :)  I am thankful for you all!

Cheers!


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