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How sweet is my little Bella? She’s very camera shy. She always puts down her head when I point the camera at her. She even knows when I’m trying to take an iPad picture.

I’m on the fence about this dress. I waited and waited to see a review or for it to go on sale. It arrived yesterday and I’m not sure I like it. The fit seems a little off although the material is super soft and comfortable. What do you think? I’m wearing a size Small and would either have to wear a cami underneath or get it altered to raise it up at the shoulders, like I am showing now. This would make is more of an Empire waist as well. 
Impromptu date night with Husband brings out the “NWT” items.
Ann Taylor Pleated Cami (NWT)
J Crew Origami Mini in Peony (NWT)
Stuart Weitzman Wedges
Did I mention I had a 40th birthday party a few weeks ago to round out my “40 days of turning 40”? Here are some pics.
The front door sign welcoming our guests.
Margaritas!!
The Birthday Girl – with TWO cakes!!!
Opening presents…What does this paper say???
OMG!! Husband’s taking me to Cancun in September, with some good friends! 
Sneaky sneaky.
And this video made me LOL! How many of you know about “La Chancla“?
Lastly, The Boy texted me late one night while at a friend’s and asked if I had heard of INSANITY. Of course, I told him. It’s for crazy people. He said he was doing it right then with some other friends and wanted to buy it. So being like all the other Mother’s out there who don’t spoil her children at some point, I bought it AND agreed to do it with him. 
I honestly believe you have to be INSANE to do this. I just watched a video and started hurting everywhere. I’m prepping myself this week by doing Level 3 of the 30 Day Shred. I did convince The Boy today to start moving so he did it with me. We begin on Monday. My before pictures are horrendous so I have motivation. I’m so glad there are clothes and accessories to hide those imperfections we have. 
Just a few random things going on in the AudreyBella house. I didn’t have the motivation to do individual posts for all of this so I took inspiration from FABULOUS Florida Mommy‘s blog posts, A Little This, A Little That.
Have a Great Evening!
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Today is the big 4-0 day! Yep, today’s my birthday and I’ve been up since 5 a.m. and ready for a nap. I seem to recall, with my failing memory, that it’s what my grandparents did.

Anyway, I treated myself to a lovely pop-back last week. Every time this showed up on the J Crew website, I could not add it to my cart. Then, last Saturday morning, it added. I clickety-clicked as fast as I could and voila! Happy Birthday to me!
LOVE IT!
And here are a few more to keep you entertain.
In my first year…I was a chub-monster.
First of many birthday parties
Oooh, 2nd swimsuit shot you’ve ever seen of me.
Does anyone remember when these glasses/props were popular?
1st Runner-Up Miss Zaragoza
Honor Grad
Now
Thank you to all my readers and followers for lurking, reading, commenting and just enjoying my blog. It’s a guilty pleasure and I’m happy you’re around.
Have a FABULOUS DAY! 
Audrey
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Hi everyone! Are you settled in to 2012 yet? I think I am except for this last part below.

I haven’t made resolutions in a long time. I usually break them within the first week or two so I stopped doing it. But this year is different. This year, in 6 months/179 days, I will have a birthday ending in a “0”…”Lordy, Lordy”. It feels like I have been in my 30s forever, especially these last few years. As fast as the days and months have gone by, the actual years up to 40 have been going by slow, if that makes any sense.

So, this year, I’m going to set some goals for myself. The Boy will be getting his license soon and be out and about enjoying his new freedom. So, I need something to keep myself busy.

HEALTH
-Lose 25 pounds – In 2011, I reached my heaviest weight ever. It isn’t pretty and I don’t feel good about it at all. Gaining twenty pounds in two years isn’t pretty and I’m going to do something about it. Besides, I want to fit into this damn, expensive corset again! It cost too much to have worn only once.

Anthropologie Leifsdottir Eyelash Corset

I hope to have lost half of this weight by my birthday. To do this I’ll be eating better, doing The Shred and drinking a lot more water. Husband will be on a trip for work overseas in a few weeks so that will help with the eating better part. He usually wants to eat all protein, a la Atkins and I prefer a less red meat…a lighter breakfast (yogurt w/granola and a piece of fruit), salad for lunch and a light dinner (fish, chicken, small steak).

-Eat out less. Cook dinner in more.
We, as a family, are very bad about picking something up to eat instead of taking the time to make dinner. I have some great cookware and I plan on taking some cooking classes and trying some new recipes this year.

STYLE
-One in, Two out
Honestly, since I work from home I really do not need all that I have in my closet. Like pencil skirts…when will I wear these? Silk blouses…Like I would check the mail in one. I started purging in 2011 but will be more aggressive about it in 2012. I want well made, classic pieces with a little “fun” thrown in. I won’t say I will stop shopping altogether or have a splurge every once in a while but for the most part I will consume less. Look for frequent updates on my Closet Blog.

SELF & FAMILY
-Spend that “saved” clothing money on me, in a different way.
In 2011, I have noticed my complexion has been awful. I have always had very good complexion but this year I have had continuous breakouts on my cheeks. I know this is from stress, the foods I eat and the make-up I’m using. I can’t figure out which one it is but I’ve tossed them all and am starting fresh. I will also get a facial more frequently. And drink more water.

-Go on a family vacation. This one is already in the planning stages. Husband has been researching, since before Christmas, a trip to Europe. He was originally thinking March, during Spring Break, but he has a conference he forgot about that he needs to attend. So, it will be in June or July. Right now, the itinerary is either Paris and Italy or Italy and Spain. Most of our time will be spent in Italy. I’ve already been planning my outfits and will be asking for advice and suggestions once I know when and where we will be going.

-Brush up/Learn Spanish – I know a little to get by in Mexico when I’m on a beach vacation but Spain/Italy will be a lot different. Since I know a little Spanish I’ll stick with that as opposed to trying to learn Italian. If I have time I will work on a few conversational basics in Italian.

So that about wraps up my goals for the year, prepping for the big Four-Oh!. Do you have any goals for 2012? Any milestones you’d like to accomplish?


I guess I should add brushing up on my technology and blogger skills too. This should have posted today and not Dec. 27.