Let Me RE-Introduce Myself

Hey Hey!

How are you?

I know I have had some new readers over the last few months, so I thought this would be a great time to reintroduce myself.

I'm Vanessa, or V for short :)

I am currently 42 years old, and live in Central Ohio.

I have been with my husband for 20 years this April, and married for 14 years this past October.

X is our 9 year old son who is my whole world!

From soccer, to football, to baseball and more.

I love watching him do it all!

I'm originally from a small town about 30 minutes (or about 26 miles) west of Cleveland, Ohio right along Lake Erie.

In Ohio, we speak distance in minutes instead of miles ;)

We also say things like Pop, You Guys, and Tennis Shoes.

We recently just moved back into our home after tearing down 90% of it and rebuilding from the ground up!

Why leave 10%?

It was my husband's childhood home, so he wanted a little something from the original house.

Don't worry, there are plans to remodel that space very soon!

My home style is a combination of Rustic, Modern and Industrial.

Mic would love to add some medieval vibes in there too ;)

You can read and see more about it all here.

As far as my clothing style goes...I am a jeans and graphic tee girl!

I choose jeans over leggings any day/time of the week!

And I have more graphic tees than I can count!

I love wearing hats too.

I have a pretty good collection of all sorts of colors, teams, graphics - but I tend to stick with a baseball style.

I also love to wear tennis shoes (sneakers) or combat boots with everything.

I actually used to rock combat boots with my cheerleading warm-ups back in high school.

I am not a fan of shopping, so my purchases are definitely thought out.

And I'm a lover of quantity when it comes to clothes.

I need all the options!

I love to bake from scratch whenever I have the chance.

I don't mind cooking either.

I love all kinds of music (especially live music), but my heart really skips a beat when I hear country or hair band music.

Dancing and karaoke are some of my favorite things to do!

Speaking of favorite things to do.....I love going to sporting events!

Especially football games!

I am a diehard Cleveland Browns fan!

But I love to go to high school or pee wee games too.

Really, I'm down for just about any sport.

I like to share my favorite affordable fashion and home finds, our home building and renovating process, recipes, and more!

And that's the me behind the V in X-tremely V!

Anything else you want to know...just ask!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

Do What Makes You Happy

Do you listen to the radio when you are driving to work?

I am not a talk radio person, but I can't help but listen to The Bobby Bones show in the morning.

The whole crew is always so upbeat.

They can definitely put me in a good mood even on the hardest mornings.

With that said, today I wanted to share a few things that bring me joy :)

Music

It can instantly take me to a different place.

I have always had a love affair with music.

I swear when I hear a song I am transported into the most memorable time I heard it.

At a wedding, a school dance, at my grandma's house, riding in a car, etc.

There are even some that instantly take me back to a break up :/

I love the beat of the music and the story the song tells.

There are a few songs currently that put be in a good mood the second I catch them on the radio.

I also have these songs that I turn on the second I need to feel better.

Dancing

This obviously goes hand and hand with music, but there are a lot of people out there who don't dance.

Not even a little bit.

I have a hard time not dancing.

My Family

As much as they can stress me out, they can make me happy.

Working out

I swear in another life I was a personal trainer or professional athlete.

I really do love working out!

A straight cardio workout isn't the most fun, but I still feel great once I did it.

I love all kinds of exercise.

I think this stems from the fact that I don't like to sit still for very long. 

Spending time with friends

I mentioned before that while I have a lot of friends, I am loner.

I never really understood the importance of spending time with friends.
Now I crave it!

Books
I can't call myself a reader...I prefer pictures over words every day of the week!
However, I did listen to A Tribe Called Bliss and Kind is the New Classy on Audible and LOVED THEM!!!!
Keeping with the theme of feeling good about yourself,
I picked up the 52 Lists for Happiness over the weekend.

Have you heard of it?
It's from the author of The 52 Lists Project.
I dove right into List #1 this week and it totally fits with my post today :)

So now I want to know...What makes you happy?
Comment below or shoot me an email - leota6@gmail.com

Hope you all have a joy filled weekend!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

Linking up with The Blended Blog, Andrea, Narci & Erika today :)

Let's Be Real & Fall Style Finds

Oh what I wouldn't give to be that teenage girl again who thought she was "fat".

Over the last year I have struggled and struggled to figure out what is going on with...me.

At the moment I still don't know.

I just finished an 8 week long program of workouts, managed portions, clean eating, but cheats allowed.

I feel good.

But that is it!

I weigh exactly the same as I did when I started 8 weeks ago.

They say "don't focus on the scale".

And "you've probably lost inches".

Nope!

The scale nor the measuring tape have budged.

Yet, I feel stronger and my muscles feel firmer.

No other changes.

My clothes don't even fit better.

In fact, less of my "fat" clothes fit now than prior to the 8 weeks!

I put on clothes that I used to swim in just a year ago and I can't even get them on.

Heck, new "fat" clothes I bought just this summer don't fit anymore.

I have gained 35-40 pounds since the Spring of 2017 and I can't figure out how.

I workout...honestly I do.

I love working out!

And eating...I try to keep my portions small even when I think I want more.

I have turkey sausage every morning with steel cut oats or a protein smoothie for breakfast.

I eat simple salads for lunch every day with a piece of fruit.

I snack on Skinny Pop or Smartfood popcorn, but I don't overeat.

Dinner is my biggest meal of the day by far.

I try to have a protein, veggies, and a carb.

I typically do my workouts at night so that meal helps give me energy.

After I might have a protein shake and that is it.

Yes, I have cheats throughout the week.

I have coffee with almondmilk and creamer.

A serving of twizzlers throughout the week.

I don't drink pop or juice.

I have an alcoholic beverage about once a month, if that.

I drink a TON of water.

I have no idea what to do.

Yes, I am going to be 40 this year.

But that isn't an excuse for me.

Actually, to me it means I shouldn't be at this point of my life.

All I know is I am going to keep going.

Keep eating right, while still allowing for a little fun.

Still working out every day because it is the only thing that instantly makes me feel better.

The rest...I pray falls into place.

I am not posting this for pity, sympathy, etc.

I just feel like I need to get this off my chest.

Weight has never been something I struggled with.
And if I gained a few pounds here and there it came off with a few workouts.

Again, I know I am getting older and with that things don't bounce back as quickly as they used to.

But I know I am working like crazy for something that has not shown me an ounce of reciprocation in the last year.

And that is just frustrating!

It is also frustrating when you cry every morning or every event you get ready for because something that fit last week/month doesn't.

It makes you a complete mess.

Not gonna lie....I don't do well around people who cry.

And now here I am, tearing up all the time over this problem I have.

If you want to shoot me your opinions I would be glad to hear them.

First, let me give you my symptoms....

Ice cold hands and feet ---- like no circulation in them

The rest of my body sweats uncontrollably

My hair is drier than normal and falls out a lot

My skin is super dry and even burns when I am working out

I have a permanent sore throat and raspy voice

Ridiculous weight gain

Wake up exhausted after a full nights sleep

So tired at night but can't seem to fall asleep

Depressed- mainly due to weight gain/clothing not fitting

Stressed out

My joints ache

Memory issues
Etc.

Thank you for letting me ramble today.

I know so many people suffer through things like this and are afraid to share how they feel, or they feel like they are the only one this is happening to.

If that is you....I just want you to know you are not alone.

Heck, we can form a group if you want ;)

So due to to who knows what is going on with me I had to grab a few new items so I had something that actually fit me.
I headed to my go-to spot and found a few things that work well for work, but could easily crossover to hanging out with friends and such.

I grabbed this pale olive green sweater and loved it so much I went back and grabbed the white and gray striped option as well!
It's technically listed as a knit top because it is so lightweight.

This Black Boat neck Top was simple and classic.

And I loved the buttons on the shoulders!

I love olive green in the Fall/Winter, so grabbing this Utility Top was a no brainer!
It has a little bit of extra length to it, so I can pair it with some skinny jeans when I am not at work :)

Believe it or not, I don't own many tunics. 

I love the colors of this Plaid Tunic, and knew it would work well with the pants I have in my closet for work and fun.

I also picked up this sleeveless navy polka dot top (not online currently) and wore it the other day to work with my favorite denim jacket (same brand), mustard sateen jeans, and cognac booties :)

I also snagged these super cute White boots!

I mean, they are called Vanessa so how could I pass them up?

I mentioned this on Instagram, but I had pair super similar to these when I was in 1st grade!

I loved those boots!

Can't wait to wear these!

Side note: I am typically a 7 1/2, but had to size up to an 8 in these.

Now it is your turn!

Link your Wednesday Fashion Frenzy post below!

And then click on some of the other ladies who joined in the fun today and spread the love :)

An InLinkz Link-up

XOXO ~ Vanessa

10 Things You Didn't Know About Me

And just like that we are into the second week of September!

Today is all about things you may or may not know about me :)

1. I can't stand to walk around barefoot anywhere.
I can hardly stand to be barefoot at the beach, but it is much easier than wearing sandals or tennis shoes there.
I think this all stems from the fact that my first bee sting was on the bottom of my foot.
I was running out to the lake to swim with my friend at the campground we were staying at when I stepped on a bee that was laying in the sand.
From that moment on I have rarely been caught barefoot.

2. Almost my entire life I wanted to be a fashion designer despite not liking to shop.
I think that is probably why I don't like shopping though.
I know in my mind the look and piece I want, but have a super hard time finding it.

3. I am NOT a fan of Beyonce,

Kenny Chesney, 

or U2.

But despite all the negative comments I get, I do like Creed and Nickelback. :/

4. I can't stand to listen to anything Talk. 
Pod casts, talk radio, etc.
Yet, I love hearing every one's voices on Instastories!

5. I was kicked out of a bar for getting into a fight.

If you know me at all, fighting/confrontation of any kind makes me super nervous.
My friend Missy, Mic and myself stopped in Panini's after work on a Thursday evening.
We were sitting at the bar where they make the food minding our own business when some little (shorter than me) dude came up to me and starting yelling at me for not liking his friend.
His friend was a guy I worked with that apparently had a thing for me, but the feeling wasn't mutual.
He kept up the yelling, so Mic stepped in and just told the guy to leave us alone.
This guy had had his share of alcohol which must have given him the courage to try to throw a punch at Mic.
Mic stood up and was instantly a foot and a half taller than him.
He stuck out his arm to hold the guy back and the guy couldn't touch him.
Of course from there another guy jumps in, and then I started swinging before my friend pulled me away.
Thankfully no one was hurt, but since the problem guy was a regular there the three of us were kicked out :(
I have never been in any other fight, but man it gets my blood pumping just talking about it again!

6. Despite having a lot of friends, I am such a loner.
Which makes sense that I have a fear of being left out.

I have never been a girls girl, so I struggle with this feeling all the time.
I grew up with a younger brother,
and added four older step brothers when I got into high school.
So I have always been surrounded by guys.

7. I have never been a morning person.

Why must we set alarms and wake up early?
Why can't things just be open and operate late into the night?

Despite real life, I think my body and mindset were designed for 2nd-3rd shift life ;)

8. I will choose jeans over leggings all the time!
I can hardly leave the house in leggings!
And you better believe I am not going anywhere in sweatpants, pajama pants, or yoga pants (unless I am going to a yoga class)!

9. No matter how hard I try to like it, I just can't add any form of alcohol to my coffee.
Whiskey, Bailey's, etc. I just can't do it.

10. I am super traditional, and even old fashioned at times.

(Not looking to get into a huge debate about life here)
I just don't care for the way the world is turning these days - sports, women empowerment, the school systems, etc.

I am sure I will lose a few followers over that last one, so be it.
I am not the type of person that drops someone just because our thoughts are different :/
#keepinitreal


Still here?
Great!
I would love to hear something about you that most people may not know!
Comment below, or if it is super secret shoot me an email ;)


Thanks for stopping by today!
Make sure you link up your 10 Things post on The Blended Blog!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

TBB Asks | Spring

Linking up with The Blended Blog for their monthly Ask Series :)

1. What 3 colors remind you most of Spring?

Lavender, light green, and white.

2. What is the first thing you add to your wardrobe in Spring?

My denim jacket and sandals!

3. What is the first wardrobe item you ditch in Spring?

Winter coats!

4. Who mows the grass where you live?

Actually, my FIL mows the majority of our property.

Mic typically mows the small area around the house, but I love to do it too when I get the chance :)

Side note: My first job was cutting grass for some of the older women/couples from the church my grandparents went to.

I actually really enjoy it!

5. What's Spring like where you live?

The first half of Spring we have a lot of super cold days and some snow.

The second half the temps start going up, but we get a lot of rain.

Spring to me is like a mild winter until Summer begins.

6. What's your favorite thing about Spring?

Honestly, I have never really been a fan of Spring.

It is my least favorite season of the year.

And with the weather I mentioned above, I am usually just waiting for it to be over.

7. Are you a Spring Cleaner?

I definitely don't do a deep Spring Cleaning, but I do try to go through out our closets and give them a good purge.

8. Are you a Baseball Fan?

Yep!

Go Cleveland Indians!

9. Tulips or Daffodils?

Neither

10. Favorite Outdoor Spring Activity?

I don't play anymore, but softball was always my favorite Spring activity!

I played from the age of 5 all the way through high school and even a couple years after.

11. Flowers in the Ground or in Pots?

Neither!
I am not a fan of flowers at all. 

12. Favorite Bird?

Cardinal

13. Car Wash or Wash Vehicles at Home?

Both

14. When do you pull out your sandals?

Easter Sunday I wear sandals no matter what the weather.

But I typically pull them out once the temps are consistently in the 50's.

39

Today is my 39th Birthday.

There is a part of me that thinks that is just absolutely crazy that I am already 39!

There is another part of me that feels like I am 80 some days! lol!

I know age is "just a number".

But 39 is still "up there" in my world.

Not as "up there" as I used to think though.

So in honor of my 39 years here on earth, I decided to post 39 things about myself that you may or may not know.

39. My favorite number is 6.

38. I prefer going to a bar vs. a house party.

37. I like to go/do vs. being at home.

36. I don't like to watch movies. I don't like to sit still that long.

35. I work better when I am under pressure.

34. I am constantly rushing to get somewhere, but I still typically arrive early.

33. I am not a fan of binge watching anything.

32. I LOVE working out. I wish I had the time to do it more!

31. I am a steak and potato girl all the way.

30. I could live on McDonald's french fries if I had to ;)

29. I love singing karaoke but haven't done it in years.

28. If I don't have nail polish on my nails I bite them down to stubs.

27. I am afraid to try something I have never done before in fear I won't be good at it.

26. I prefer jeans over leggings any day of the week.

25. Bangs are not for me...I can't stand hair in my face.

24. Actually, short hair isn't for me either. I must be able to have a messy bun at any moment of the day.

23. Starbucks' Caramel Brulee' Latte is liquid heaven to me.

22. I get embarrassed really easily.

21. I have a really good memory.

20. But that also means I can't forget things I would like to forget.

19. I don't get jealous about anything, unless you are flirting with my husband.

18. If I am at home I like to watch the (football, baseball, basketball, etc.) game and hear the commentators.

17. I love to dance any chance I get.

16. I prefer baking over cooking because everything has to be precise.

15. I take things way too seriously.

14. Instagram is my favorite form of social media.

13. I am not a fan of anything made by Apple.

12. I absolutely love sports, but I can't stand the smell of outside.

11. I wear Vanilla Noel from Bath and Body Works year round.

10. I don't like perfume because all I can smell is the alcohol in it.

9. I whiten my teeth my swishing coconut oil in my mouth every morning.

8. I don't actually have a best friend.

7. I used to despise Chipotle and Japanese Steakhouses, and now they are my favorite places to go.

6. I don't like the taste of onions, but love eating a Bloomin Onion at Outback.

5. If I am the only one I need to make dinner for, I make buttered noddles.

4. I think being raised by divorced parents made me a better person.

3. I still keep and listen to Cd's in my car.

2. I can't wear sweatpants or yoga pants outside of the house unless I am going to workout.

1. I was born at 8:06 am and that is exactly when I start celebrating my birthday :)