I Can See Clearly Now...

The mud is gone! On my windows, that is.

This weekend I finally found nice enough weather/free time that allowed me to spend a couple hours to wash wash wash those nasty windows! I hate how I can barely see out of them during the winter- and my windows are all sheltered from direct weather! Window washing is pretty boring but I basically do this
- Fill bucket with soapy water (I threw in some vinegar too)
- Use a squeegee to sop that stuff all over the windows. I don't bother squeegeeing them clear yet
- Empty bucket (in sink- downstairs neighbours don't like unexpected showers) and refill with soapy vinegar water
- Squeegee again, but this time wipe clean after
- Finish with glass cleaner and paper towels. Do inside windows too

I didn't quite finish as I ran out of glass cleaner and papertowel- so the railing and the dividing wall are still a bit dirty- but it is a HUGE improvement and the whole condo looks cleaner!

Also this happened:

Yay furniture is out!! It needs a good cleaning, but I needed to pick up a good scrub brush as a sponge just wasn't cutting it. The cushions are waiting patiently in the hall :). Sorry the colours are a little washed out, it was an awkward time of day apparently.

In not too long it will hopefully look like this again out here:

I do have a bit of a to-do list for out here (though I am very happy with this "room"!)

1. Paint top of table
The table is so worn out from exposure and I think it would be fun to paint it a bright colour! What do you think? What colour?

2. Redo Black Trim
I never really liked how the black trim turned out- I think maybe something beefier is needed? And it would need to be nailed down (unlike this one, that is attached by heavy duty velcro).

3. Buy New Plants
Most of these plants have died (and in the last couple weeks the tree-like one has really started to go downhill). I don't mind buying new plants though- that one should be fun!

I don't think too much else is needed out here- do you have any suggestions on some changes?

PS- I wrote this post on Monday night when it was warm. I am just dreaming of being out on this balcony right now because it is supposed to get COLD again for a couple days. Argh Canada! Just bring me summer, please!

Casey Gets Fit: Week 7

Current Weight: 158.8 (down 6.2 lbs overall)
BMI: 24.9

Woohoo! My BMI is now considered in the "normal weight range"! That is pretty exciting :) 

This week was tough. I lost 2.2lbs, but it wasn't through any sort of crazy dieting or exercise. It was stress. Holy Moly did stress take a toll on me this week. It was just one of those weeks where everything went wrong at work. I won't get into details. I lost my appetite from it all, but I was still eating around the same calories so I don't think I lost the weight from not eating! Just stress itself...eating away at Casey.

However by Thursday/Friday the stress had dissipated somewhat and I actually found it hard to not overeat once my appetite comes back. Kind of how you can lose a lot of weight with the stomach flu, but once you are better all you want to do is eat! I was also pretty good with exercise this week too- no strength workout but I ran about 25km over the course of the week (10K last Sunday, 5K on Mon, Thurs, Sat). Getting geared up for my 10K run in only a month!

I've got to say, while I am super happy to being pretty close to 1lbs weight loss per week (my goal), it is sure isn't easy some days! I am learning a lot about portion control and how much I actually need to eat in a meal or a snack. I am also getting pretty good and not eating things that aren't delicious (like a snack that I thought would be yummers...but isn't...I just don't finish it!)

But I am getting so much better and learning that I can actually survive on UNDER 1400 calories if I am eating lots of healthy, filling foods. There really is no secret to weight loss except to eat less and move more. Calorie counting has been the bees knees for me to be able to stay on track, because even fruit adds up fast on the ol' intake list! I also signed up for two 10Ks and a 15K this summer (WHO AM I??) and those goals ensure that I am getting up and moving at least every other day. And I try not to eat more on workout days because really, you do not burn a lot of calories in a 5K. Sorry. It's true :(

So I am going to leave you today and celebrate my 6.2lbs weight loss...with a coke zero and a 8K run. Le sigh.

Today's Pump You Up Song: Push Push by Kat Deluna

Indigo Spring/Summer Launch

Hi. Remember me? I used to blog. And then life hit me square in the face with some personal stress and some work stress. Long hours this week meant I was getting home, eating some dinner, and climbing my stressed out body into bed. Sigh. But things have started to turn around! Hurrah!

Anyway, last week I was invited to go to the launch of Indigo/Chapter's Spring and Summer Collection! It was pretty fun. I got a media bracelet and people kept bringing me food. My kinda party. Anyway I wandered around and I snapped some shots of the beautiful things that caught my eye.

I think Indigo has the most beautiful accessories. The scarves, the jewellery, the pretty tea tins. I swooooon every time I go in. I pet the blankets, smell all the candles, and try on the bracelets. They even have adorable entertaining dishes now- like mason jar shot glasses. I mean, c'mon. Adorbs. I tried to take shots of just the new lines, but some other gorgeous things caught my eye and my lens!

Did you know that Indigo now sells Etsy items? They were such lovely items! I liked the Toronto candle, but I will admit that it smelled more like pine trees than Toronto. And this, people, is a very good thing. Especially if you have ever walked downwind of the meat processing plant in King West. Also, I really love journals, but I suck at journalling so I always just stare wistfully at them.

My two favourite items?

1. These Salad Spoons

I don't even like salad, so I will probably never have a need for these, but I loved the ombre paint on the handles. So pretty!!!

2. This Easter Dinner Setup

I loved the idea of a little nest for the plates. And the egg cups were so pretty!! I should mention here that I never eat hard or soft boiled eggs. So I never will have use of these egg cups! Why do I love all the things I have no use for??

PS- I feel like I need to mention here that my birthday is coming up next month. And Indigo has the prettiest stuff. AHEM. That is all.

Anywho, that was the fun of my Thursday last week! As a thank you for coming Indigo gave me an awesome mug and candle (and caramel popcorn that I am regifting because those calories ain't fitting in my daily goal). However, they did not ask me to write anything- I just wanted to share the eye candy with you guys because it is only ONE month until Mother's Day! I know my mom would like any of this stuff :)

Casey Gets Fit: Week 6

Current Weight: 161 (down 4 lbs overall)
BMI: 25.2

Losing weight is not easy. I have lost only 4 lbs in 6 weeks!! But if you consider I gained like 2 lbs in Mexico, I guess you could say I "lost" 6 lbs. I was hoping to be 160 this week, as I saw 160.8 on Wednesday morning, but I guess I shall settle for 161, which is what is consistently said after that. Still- 0.2 down is still DOWN, so yay! I also had a really good strength workout this week (in addition to a few runs) so I am hoping to see some muscle start forming! My goal is 1 strength workout and 3 runs every week (2 shorter, and one long)

This weekend I was a little piggy. My week was pretty perfect with calories and workouts, but Friday I was having a horrible day (including getting majorly puddle splashed on my way home from work!!), and I texted Cam that I was in no mood to cook so he brought over pizza. BUT- I only had 3 slices, unlike old Casey who would have hoovered 5-6! Baby steps, people. Then on Saturday I met my friend Jeni for lunch and the healthy options didn't appeal to me so I got eggs benedict- but it actually wasn't very good. We has had to apricot/prosecco drinks which were absolutely delish!

Side note here- I don't enjoy most salads. And the ones I do like actually end up being higher calories than some non-salad options! Salads can often be quite a diet ruiner depending on what is on them. So don't just get salad because it is "healthy"- be careful and make sure it isn't laden with delicious high-calorie dressing and toppings. As well, if I am eating out I am not going to order something I don't like and pay good money for it. I try to order the healthiest option of the foods I want to eat on the menu and then watch my calories at other meals or workout to make up for it. I ain't pay $18 for a cruddy salad :)

Anywho- I find tracking what I am eating at restaurants pretty hard so I entered it in my calorie counter, but I'm not sure if it was right. And theeeen I had a girls night planned! My friends Steph and Erika came into the city and we went to C'est What for dinner and beer (yum). I ordered a tortilla pizza- because I make them at home all the time and know they actually aren't a diet killer. It wasn't cheesy and I didn't eat the whole thing so I am hoping it was a good choice! I also turned down the option of sharing an appetizer. After dinner we went to see 50 Shades: The Musical. OMG it was hillllarious!! I was not expecting it to be so funny.

Hmm...where am I going with this post? I ate some junk on Friday and Saturday.

BUT THEN I RAN 10K ON SUNDAY MORNING!

Boo-yah baby! My time was 1:03 and I was doing 10 minute runs with 1 minute walks and I loved this method. I was able to maintain a pace between 6:15 and 6:20 the whole time, and maintaining a pace is hard so I was proud of this!

I don't think having a "bad eating day" means you should just pig out and start fresh the next day. I also don't really believe in "starting fresh". Nonono! I decided I am going to make up for my bad day! So on Sunday I was spot on with my calories (even enjoying some ice creamity cream from McDs). However, I got super ill on Sunday, so I was out of commission during my prime snacking hours so I can't claim all the glory. I am really prone to feeling ill on Sundays. Lord knows why.

Hey...maybe week 7 will see the 150s????

Banana Cupcakes with Chocolate Icing

I was trying to fix my tabs last week (btw it is really messed and I think I need to delete them all because I can't edit any!), and I realized I hadn't done a recipe since December! Now, sometimes I feel a little silly doing recipes because I don't come up with them myself- but then again who doesn't loving sharing a good recipe that they tried out?

So today I present: Banana cupcakes with chocolate icing!

I found the banana cupcake recipe HERE
I found the chocolate icing recipe HERE

It is my boss' birthday this week and I decided this is an excellent occasion for cupcakes (a cupcasion, as I like to call such moments). He was a big fan of the banana muffins I brought in a month ago, so I thought he would appreciate banana cupcakes! And the man never turns down chocolate :)

I was going to take photos of all the steps, but y'all know what bananas and flour look like, and everyone has seen batter. So I just skipped right to the delicious afters. The recipe makes 14 cupcakes, which is kind of random.

I also want to point out that I made 12 in the oven and I just popped the remaining batter into my cupcake maker (yes, I have a cupcake maker). I found the cupcake maker made harder, darker cupcakes, but the insides weren't cooking so putting them in for too long couldn't be avoided! The recipe calls for only 300F, so I think it is safe to say that banana cupcakes need to be baked long and low. I can't adjust the temperature of the cupcake maker.

However, icing fixes everything so they are still going to be eaten! Most likely by me :)

Cupcake Recipe:
3 mashed bananas (I used frozen ones. Just defrost on the counter, cut off the bottom, and squeeze out!)
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
3/4 vegetable oil
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
3 table spoons buttermilk (I used one tbsp of lemon juice, mixed in with 1/3 cup of milk. Let sit for 10 minutes, then scoop out 3 tbsp)

Preheat oven to 300F. Lightly beat the bananas and sugar together. Add in eggs, one at a time, then mix in vegetable oil. Stir in flour, baking soda, and buttermilk. Pour into cupcake pan (grease the pan first or use cups). Lick bowl and beaters. Bake for 30 minutes.

Icing Recipe (I halved the original, but it was plenty still for 14 cupcakes):
1/2 cup softened butter
1/4 cup cocoa powder, sifted
2.5 cups icing sugar (I guesstimated this)
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tablespoons of milk

Mix butter and cocoa together, then add in other ingredients. Play with the milk and icing sugar until you get the right consistency for you.

As of writing this I haven't tried one yet, as I have hit my calories for today and these suckers are about 350 calories each! But if the reviews are to be trusted, these suckers are gonna be worth every calorie.

Future Condo Dreaming

Even though I love love love my little condo, I sometimes fantasize about my next place and getting to decorate from scratch! Now I understand why all these bloggers keep buying new homes! I am thinking of making the transition in the fall but I still have a lot of research to do into the selling/buying process. It is scary. And sometimes I can't imagine leaving my little home.

I digress.

I am sure once I buy the new condo I will be over the moon and 100% ready for this new adventure! Plus, then I will know what kind of space I am working with and start planning out the style and colour scheme I want. Some days I am thinking lots of colours, other days muted. Some days modern, other days traditional. I am all over the map, but hopefully the condo will dictate the style (I will probably end up with a modern condo, based on the areas and condos I am already stalking online).

Here are some looks I am crushing on right now:

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This room has a bit too much whimsy for my style, but I love all the textures! I want a brick wall. Sigh..darn modern condos!! We shall see if a brick-look would work for the future Casa Casey.

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I love the detail added to an otherwise standard-grade wall. Cherish Toronto recently did something similar so I know this is something I could attempt! And those sconces! My current condo is always so dark, so figuring out lighting in the next place is key.

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I am thinking of going beige instead of grey in the next condo (again, depends how the actual condo I get looks and feels). I love this living room as an example of mixing grey and beige because I have a grey couch I intend on keeping!

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I like how this room is bright and airy! I also am crushing on accent chairs recently. I only have a loveseat, so I am can definitely see me needing an accent chair or two when I have a bigger space!

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Ok, this condo is an amazing mix of colours! But what I really love is how when you look closely you can see this is a modern condo too, like I will probably have! Just goes to show what the right style and colour choices can do to make a condo look homey and unique.

I am so excited to get started that some moments I feel like putting up my condo for sale right now! But I know patience is best and I have some big expenses this year that I would like to complete before I start. Plus, one more summer here will be great! Oh how happy I am that spring is finally starting to show it's face!!