celebration – Livingleen

Never a dull moment

June 30, 2015July 1, 2015 by Colleen April Yoga & Wellness, posted in Daily Thoughts

Well it’s back to reality after a weekend back home in Philadelphia. It was such a wonderful but crazy weekend, I don’t even know where to start. Sadly we didn’t really sleep on the flight but regardless of rest we hit the ground running with a meeting at our venue, Union Trust. Phil, my mother, and I sat down with our planner and finalized all the details for the menu and I felt like a complete zombie…I just hope we like what we picked on the day of the wedding, hahah! Thankfully we were able to squeeze in a little nap before the rehearsal dinner which was awesome but SOOOO long! Saturday is when the real fun began! Phil left at like 6am to go golfing (basically in the rain) and I got a call from my mom that basically said there was a mishap with my rent the runway dress and I don’t have a dress for the wedding this afternoon……PANIC!!!!! God bless my mother – she was helpful, patient, and resourceful – she pulled an old prom dress out of the closet and told me to see if it fit. I would NEVER had thought to try but sure enough, it fit! I got a ton of compliments and while the run around was stressful, it all worked out in the end. The wedding was beautiful and I am so excited to be officially expanding my family when Phil and I tie the knot in a few short months!

’til next time, keep smiling!!!

Rub a Dub, Dub..

December 31, 2014December 31, 2014 by Colleen April Yoga & Wellness, posted in Daily Thoughts

…These yummy short ribs are about to get a sear and head right into the tub.

Happy New Years Eve Day my friends! I am so excited for this year’s celebration! Especially living in a city, the pressure to go out to dinner, a bar, or party is strong but we both decided with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, and a brunch in New Jersey with his family on tap for tomorrow, we would much prefer a quiet night in.

Apparently we are not the only ones with this awesome idea because my brother and his girlfriend will be joining us for dinner (hence those amazing short ribs above – clearly not for me)! In honor of both the occasion and our guests, I decided to whip up something special, and with a little inspirational help from my chef/close friend Frank I came up with something I’m SO jazzed about (keep in mind EVERYTHING is homemade): caesar salad, lobster mac & cheese, braised short rib w/creamy polenta, roasted brussel sprouts & balsamic cranberries, and chocolate pot de creme w/whipped cream. I started a lot of my prep last night (made the chocolate pot de creme & the mussel stock for the lobster mac, as well as chopped the veg, made the rub & rubbed the meat) to make today a little bit easier but I do really need to get started!

I can’t wait to share all the yummy details of this dish in my very first Foodie Friday of Fifteen, as well as all the details of my adventures as they unfold throughout the year. In 2015 I am making a promise, but really only to myself, to be the best version of myself, judgement free, everyday, no matter what!!

‘Til next time, keep smiling! 😉

Weekend of Whimsy

April 21, 2014April 21, 2014 by Colleen April Yoga & Wellness, posted in Daily Thoughts, Food

What a wonderful weekend…I didn’t want it to end! I took some extra time lingering around the apartment this morning and lazily preparing for the day ahead…it was awesome! I highly recommend starting your Monday’s off with some ‘me’ time, whatever that may look like for you – it sets such a positive tone for the week!

Anyway, the weekend couldn’t have been nicer! Phil & I got to spend lots of time with our families, met up with some friends for dinner, had a leisurely afternoon out and about in the city, & even made time for a little picnic/ bike ride just the two of us – it was glorious! We definitely indulged a bit but we had lots to celebrate: Phil passed his ASLI test which he has been studying hard for over the last several months (I’m so proud of him), I took my final test for school & am an official Institute for Integrative Nutrition graduate (yay!), Phil sold his apartment (only on the market for a week), I reached 250 followers (thank you!) which means Phil is taking us to Vetri (my ultimate favorite restaurant I have never been to) & oh yea…EASTER!!

Just because it was a weekend full of celebrations doesn’t mean I didn’t make time for fitness: I had a great ride Friday, an intense hour and a half yoga practice Saturday and a solid thirty minutes of circuit training Sunday…I feel great and even though I took today to rest, I’m already planning the weeks workouts in my head – gotta get that six pack before memorial day, haha!

This week will be interesting with Phil away for business most of the week & me leaving for the yoga conference on Friday. I’m going to miss my man 😦 but I’m totally excited for my weekend in New York & to get things done around the apartment (having a handsome man around isn’t very conducive to cleaning)!

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