The Bronzed Blogger

It's no secret that I love the sun (witness my blog profile photo).  The sun warms, brightens, lifts our spirits.  The most natural source for Vitamin D, it makes us happy when we're sad.  It makes us look healthier, younger and SKINNIER than we otherwise look without it.  Unfortunately, too much of it can be a bad thing.  It can cause premature aging, and worse, skin cancer.

About one week ago I had my FIRST EVER SPRAY TAN.  I'm a virgin spray tanner.  Yep. 

Oh.How.Daunting.  Stripping nude in front of another person (doesn't matter that she was female) and baring all, in every position imaginable (she instructed me how to stand, bend, move), I couldn't help but wonder: 

What is she thinking as she's doing this?  Should I just liken this to a gynecological visit?  It's her job.  It's what she does.  Okay.  I'll keep telling myself this, and maybe my reluctancy won't seem so obvious.

When it was over, I couldn't wait to see. Oh. YES. I should have had this done long ago. The healthy way to tan. Short-lived, but healthy. And even. And yummy and sexy.

I will be spray tanned before my competition, and I didn't want my first session to be in front of a perfect stranger, at an event when my nerves will already be on end.  This was practice.  Having just had my nails done (French), even THEY looked sexier with the tan!  And my teeth whiter.  It's just...well, it's all good.   Now I know why the celebrities have perrenial tans.  It's not cheap, but it's far more even, natural, sexier, and healthier for us than the alternatives.

And as for my training progress? Yes, the tan shows it off even more. Very cool.

I'm told my spray tan at the competition (already scheduled) will be even DARKER.  Okaaaaay.  The tanning sponsor there offers matching MAC stage makeup for my face.  I've already begun the search for darker, more dramatic shadows and liners to accent my suit -- which should be arriving any day.  Can't wait.  I guess I'd better practice with the stage makeup and false eyelashes BEFORE the day of the show. 

This pic was taken after my son's football game at St. Vincent (beautiful campus, by the way) one day after my first spray tan.  It was a very warm day, so no worries sporting my "uniform," -- a tank top and jeans.  It's my favorite go-to outfit.  I'd wear it to work if I could get by with it. 

My accessories?  I didn't really need any (even though I wore plain med-large hoops and my favorite Lucky bracelet with my watch). 

The BRONZE was all I needed.

The Simple Life

Having once lived briefly in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and witnessed the simple and beautiful livestyle of the Amish, I tend to stop and pause to admire photographs taken of Amish life, children, farmlands, etc.

This one was in Life Magazine's weekly email to me (I subscribe).  I fell in love with this photo.  (I've tried to insert the link to the photo, but it may not cooperate.)

What a GREAT Christmas card this would make! 

Simple pleasures indeed.  Life should always be this beautiful.  This simple.  This happy.

http://www.life.com/gallery/66201/image/85175654/the-amish-life

"We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do."

--Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Better Than Sex Brownies

That is the official name of the recipe I'm in the process of making.  There is history behind this recipe.  Everyone on the planet should try these brownies.  At least once. 

This recipe, when taken to events, parties, outings, is always the FIRST to go, not even a crumb left in the bowl.  (I've even witnessed people trying to dig remains off the sides for that last fleeting bit of yum.)  It's one of the simplest recipes in the world, but yet it wows all who have the privilege of partaking in its sumptuous, scrumptous, seductive powers.

My husband is one of two videographers for the local high school football team.  He and another guy travel with the team and coaches every Friday night to capture play-by-play action for the team, a learning tool for all.  Every now and then I will prepare a plate of snacks for them and the coaching staff, and it's always gratifying to get feedback from their appreciation.  Knowing this was a  WINNER recipe, I sent a plate of these down to the field house one Friday evening a couple of years ago ... and the rest is history.  It is now renamed by that crew as "T's Brownies."  To this day, I can run into one of the coaches out in public, and they still ask with puppy-dog eyes ...."So when are you gonna bake us some of those fabulous brownies?"

I've been very busy this season preparing for a competition and trying to balance that around LIFE.  Not a lot of down time.  Who am I kidding?  None.

But I've taken the day off, and regardless of having a mile-long list of things to accomplish today on my day off (having just returned from a week-long educational seminar and playing catchup), I have decided it's way overdue...they're getting their brownies.  Tonight.  I'm feeling rather benevolent.  (It's the season.  It does this to me!)

And the recipe?  Oh.So.Simple.

BETTER THAN SEX BROWNIES

Duncan Hines Brownie Mix (prepared according to box)
2-3 large Hersheys Toffee Almond Symphony bars, broken into small chunks

Prepare the mix.  Spread one-half of it in the bottom of a 13x9 pan sprayed with Pam.  Cover the batter with the broken Symphony pieces.  Top with remaining batter.  Bake according to package directions, watching carefully not to overbake.

Let cool COMPLETELY before cutting.

Why Do We Cry?

Sometimes our emotions overcome us and we have no recourse but to release.

And we cry.

Because we must.

And because it washes the bad away...at least for a while.

An emotional purging, cleansing.

A time to cry.

Seth: Why do people cry?
Maggie: What do you mean?
Seth: I mean, what happens physically?
Maggie: Well... umm... tear ducts operate on a normal basis to lubricate and protect the eye and when you have an emotion they overact and create tears.
Seth: Why? Why do they overact?
Maggie: [pause] I don't know.
Seth: Maybe... maybe emotion becomes so intense your body just can't contain it. Your mind and your feelings become too powerful, and your body weeps.

~~ From CITY OF ANGELS

Hips Don't Lie

By way of an update on my training and prep progress, I'm thrilled to learn as of two days ago when my coach measured me, I have lost a total of FOUR INCHES off my hips since August 15th when she first measured me.

That's workin my program. 

Sweet, sweet rewards!

No wonder my pants don't fit anymore!

I can't begin to describe how motivating this prep has been for me...this is frikkin' working!  I've never been in better shape. 

More to share...when there's more time to share. 

For now, back at it.  The courtroom calls...



 .....P  U  S  H!!!



Do These Pants Make My Head Look Big?

My competition prep is paying off...I am seeing results on a daily basis, getting positive feedback on a daily basis, and I'm totally JACKED! 

Sometimes when I see my reflection in the mirror, I think:  REALLY?  It's SO motivating.  My hard work is so paying off.

I was at the mall yesterday shopping for a greeting card.  Having gone through my closet that morning to find something that fits -- like it's supposed to -- to wear to work (and not finding anything), I thought I'd try on a couple pairs of dress pants that caught my eye in a shop window.  Instinctively I reached for Size 4, knowing that all my 6's were too big now.  Then I thought, what the hell...try on a Size 2.  Try to get it over your thigh, T.  Everyone loves a challenge!

They fit!
The Size 2 pants FIT!!!

YES.

THEY.

DID.

Work it, T.

You have earned it.

Men [With] Hats

I must have some sort of hat fettish.  I've always loved hats, especially on men.  I see a hot man in a hat, my gaze is gonna linger a bit longer.  Wearing a hat is a strong fashion statement.  In my mind, I see it as a sign of confidence. 

While seated at a football game one chilly afternoon, I saw a 40's something guy making his way down the bleachers in worn jeans, a black T-shirt, a charcoal gray hoodie, and a white baseball cap.  I stared at him.  For an inordinately long time.  My eyes followed him all the way down the bleachers.  Sexy.  Dashing.  Masculine.  Casual confident fashion.  A great look.

Hats are sort of like icing on the cake for male fashion.  They're not always appropriate, but when the occasion allows, work it.  Strike a pose, guys.  You charm me!





Hugh Jackman

Jason Cameron


Kevin Costner (All ages ... hats work the look...)


   Matthew McConaughey (Yummy in a hat...and he KNOWS it!)

  Boris Kodjoe  (Mercy, what a smile!)



Robert Pattinson (no hat, but then why mess up that gorgeous hair?)
------ and CLEARLY the sexiest eyes I've seen
in a while!