It's My Birthday!

I will be honest... I have been dreading the big 3-0 for some time now.  Don't get me wrong; I love birthdays and I am grateful to be alive as so many never see this age.  But leaving my 20's felt like an impassable wall- I didn't want to reach that ultimate grown-up-ness that "your thirties" seems to entail.
But guess what?  There's no going back now!  I am 30 and I am excited for all that this decade will bring.

For anyone else hitting this milestone, I found this to be helpful (at least for a chuckle):

http://www.glamour.com/entertainment/2013/08/olivia-wilde-s-advice-for-turning-30

So here I plunge forward, trying to avoid freak-outs, have no regrets, and just look forward to the awesomeness I am yet to be and to experience.  Wish me luck!

Time Flies - Day 71

   Today is already the 71st day of 2014.  It is also Day 71 of my "100 Day Challenge" with one of my besties.  My goal for this challenge is "To manifest a beautiful, healthy, creative environment in order to cultivate a fit, joyful, & artistic lifestyle every day."
   Yeah... haven't quite succeeded yet.  But in some ways, I have.  I know no miracles happen overnight- and apparently not over 70 nights, either. 
   So with 29 days left in the challenge, and 40 days until my 30th birthday (gasp!), I am gearing up for SUCCESS!

The Awesome:

I just signed up for beginner's yoga class that will start in April!
I just donated three giant bags of clothes that are too big!
I am planning on walking a 5K with my amazing boyfriend this May!
I signed up for FlyLady's emails in preparation to get my house in ship-shape!

The Not So Awesome:

My house still looks like a cluttered mess to me (but... one side of my closet looks GREAT).
I wasn't able to stick with Phase 1 of South Beach (but... I am still using some of the principles in my eating habits).
I have a big bin of clothes that are still too small for me (but... I am determined that they will fit again).
   So that's where I'm at.
Oh... and stay tuned for a lovely review of my first Blythe!  She finally came!

♥ ♥ ♥

Ninthiversary!

My honey and I celebrated nine wonderful months together yesterday by going to dinner at a restaurant neither of us had tried before.  I ordered a hamburger with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, and CRAB MEAT on top!  It was totally delicious, and to top it off, I subbed my fries with sweet potato fries, and they came with an amazing beer mustard dipping sauce.
I am making it my life's mission to duplicate this meal at home; it was out of this world good, and I did not feel deprived at all. :)
For many many years of my life, I wished on every star and prayed every night to find the man I was meant to spend my life with.  Oddly enough, I had sworn up and down for years that I would never attempt to date online, but one January day in 2013 I changed my mind!
I tried a couple of sites and finally met my honey- we decided to meet at a seafood restaurant.  It took us only a few weeks to figure out that we wanted to be together, and I never could have imagined the love that we share.  It has changed my whole world and made me a better person.  I certainly hope I've done the same for him.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Dolly Update and Week 1 of South Beach

Last night, I ordered my first Blythe doll!  I am really excited to join the ranks of collectors who've already fallen in love with this big-eyed girl.  I chose Monique Magnifique, because I loved her hair color (similar to mine) and little beauty mark.  I will do a full review when she arrives.
In other dolly news, I also have several Integrity Toys dolls to look forward to: the 2014 W Club signup dolls Poppy and Vanessa, and new in the Dynamite Girls line this year, Cruz and Arya, thought none of them should come until well into spring.

Today is my seventh day on Phase 1 of South Beach (omitting the "d" word because I dislike it).  So far, I've turned down fudge cake, Dunkin Donuts, ice cream, tortilla chips, and several more of my former go-to's.  My ultimate dream is to look and feel my best on my wedding day, so that is what I am aiming towards.  Instead of sugary treats, I'm indulging in cheese-smothered chicken, eggs every morning, lovely sugar-free coffees with lots of cream and several fun flavors, lots of water and tea, broccoli, bacon, and my favorite: steak!  I also tried a Kalyn's Kitchen recipe the other night for green chicken enchilada casserole (recipe here) with a few changes (black beans instead of pinto, slightly more canned enchilada sauce, no sliced peppers, and half cheddar, half mozzarella cheese).  It was a big hit with my boyfriend and little sister (Love them!), so I will definitely be making it again!
Sugar-free jello chocolate pudding, rice pudding, and sugar free fudgesicles have been my saviors this past week.  I crave desserts at least 12 times a day, so that has been the most difficult transition so far.  But I know that my goal is worthy, my health is a priority, and I am worth working hard for, so that's the mindset I'm holding onto.

Today is also Day 56 in The 100 Day Challenge one of my besties and I are doing for 2014.  Love her!
Go forward this day with great dreams in mind, and make them your reality!

About Me

Hi, I'm Tina!  Welcome to Steampunk Mermaid, a blog about the important things: Makeup, Beauty, Tea, Adventures, Dollies, and all the things I love about life!  I am a newlywed, full time Nanny to twins, freelance artist of paintings and graphic design, I collect BJDs and fashion dolls, and am committing myself to a healthier lifestyle.  I love to chronicle my life in my Project Life albums, and can't wait to share a few lovely things with you.