Introducing... Motivational Mondays!

Ok, so long story short: I took a train to Chicago Monday night for a conference, got there late, had to wake up early, and this went on until I got back late Thursday night. It was educational, and fun, and super exhausting. Then, I drove to the east-side Friday morning to spend the day with one of my best friends before she flew back to Louisiana on Saturday. This entailed a day of bridesmaids dress shopping and a night of fun... and not much sleep or exercise. I headed back home on Saturday evening, and am still recovering from my crazy week. Then to top it off, I am now suffering from a UTI. Lucky me!

So why am I telling you all this? Well I'm behind on my half-marathon training schedule and I didn't want to skip another day of working out, but I really, really did not feel like doing anything even remotely productive once I got home from a busy day of work. I needed some motivation. And somehow, I dug deep down and found it. It helped that I have a cross-training day where I can do my Yoga DVD (I have Bethenny Frankel's SkinnyGirl workout collection and I love it). 

So I bring to you Motivational Mondays! I will post every Monday with something to push you, whether it be a fitness routine or an inspirational quote or a personal goal. Perhaps it will provide you with that extra motivation you need to accomplish what you should do or know you need to do, but just don't want to.

I can certainly tell you that although I didn't want to do my workout today, it felt great afterwards-- and even a little bit during. ;) There's something about the stretching and mastering some of the tougher poses that boosts those endorphins. 

The poses below were part of my workout today, and Kristin actually appears in the Body by Bethenny DVD. Hold each pose for five counts until you get more comfortable and can hold them longer. Yoga truly improves your balance and gives you a sense of accomplishment once you finish. And I don't know about a "Butt like Bethenny", but I've definitely noticed more definition and toning in certain areas since I've started practicing Yoga.

Perhaps a butt like Bethenny is your motivation, for me it's a hot bod like Jen's: 

 

to look good in this...

Whatever it may be, we all need a little motivation sometimes. So why not start your week off the right way by taking one step closer to becoming a better you. :)

xox Danielle

I'm baaaaack!

I've slightly remodeled the blog, changed the title, and am still working on making the look match my vision. It is coming together, but that's the easy part.

Now for content! 

My goal is to keep this blog active, and with all that is on my plate with work, planning my fabulous wedding, playing 'housewife', volunteering, and trying to maintain a social life, there should be plenty of subject matter-- let's just hope there's enough time! 

So first I suppose I should explain the blog title. Cupcakes and Corgis is very reflective of me, as both subjects play huge roles in my life. 'Cupcakes' is representative of my love of baking. Whether it be cupcakes, brownies, muffins, or any other baked good, baking has always come quite easy to me and is something I love to do. It has become an outlet for me, a productive way of releasing stress and frustration. It is also a way of expressing myself and showing my love and appreciation. If it's your birthday, or any other exciting celebration in your life, and I love you, you better bet your bottom dollar that you will be receiving a cake, or most likely, cupcakes, from yours truly. 

The 'Corgis' part-- well that's pretty self-explanatory. Not only do I own two Pembroke Welsh Corgis that I love more than anything in this world, but they are my favorite dog breed. They have the most quirky personalities, full of love and kisses, but also sassy and stubborn. And then there's their appearance. Don't even get me started on the short legs, big ears, and little nubs where their tails should be. It's apparent I'm not the only sucker for these dogs, as anytime I take them on a car ride-- both their little heads popped out the same window, smiling at the cars passing by-- I can't help but notice the passerby's smiling and giggling at the two of them. I can't even begin to count the number of individuals, grown men included, who have stopped me on my walks with them asking what kind of dog they are, or where I got them from, how cute they are, etc. You know how they say a smile is contagious? I think Corgis multiply that process. ;)

Cupcakes and Corgis is all about lightheartedness and fun. They are both such little things in the grand scheme of life, but isn't it the little things that count? While Cupcakes and Corgis is the title, content will certainly not be limited to those two topics. You will find posts including everything from recipes to fitness routines to wedding planning tips. All of those subjects play a very large role in my life right now being a housewife-in-training, a runner currently training for my second half-marathon, and most importantly, a bride-to-be. ;) I want to pass on the tips and lessons I've learned the hard way to help make your life easier, and that is certainly not limited to cupcake recipes and how to train your Corgi (to be honest, I could not even slightly help you there... one of mine won't even sit on command). Life is more complex than that, so I don't want to limit what I post, I just want to share anything that I feel another person might learn from or be interested in. 

I hope you take an interest in what I post and that you learn a thing or two from what I share. Thanks for reading and I'll be posting soon.. promise!

xox
Danielle

You CAN do it all: Balancing a full-time job and a puppy

OK so, being that I am a dog lover and having had one my whole life, it's only natural that I wanted one once I moved from a college house to a pet-friendly, big-girl apartment. So, that's what I got a week after we moved in. Now, I've heard all the warnings, especially from my Dad: "It's a lot of work", "They're a huge responsibility", "You're not going to have enough time for him since you're working full-time".. but none of it stopped me (not much does). Once I have something in my mind, it's hard to talk me out of it. I had a Corgi on my mind, and a Corgi's what I got. The cutest Corgi alive, might I mention. 

His name is Frank and he is the best. Eric works double shifts all week and I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have Frank around to keep me company after I got off at 5. Actually, I do know what I'd do: sleep, watch TV, and be lazy. With him, I'm running around, walking with him, and playing. But one of the things my dad warned me about rang true, I really did feel so bad about leaving him home alone while Eric and I worked. Now, I do take lunch for an hour to come home and check on him, but I still feel guilty, until I came up with two game plans that would ease my mind:

1) Get another dog

--Now I know this one sounds crazy, but I want him to have someone to play with during the day... plus I'd love another Corgi, I've heard they're better in multiples ;) 

So I'm doing that, but I'm waiting until December to get her because I wanna wait till Frank's potty trained, but I also want to get one while he's still young and accepting of sharing the house with another dog. I'm going to be getting a little red and white girl from the same breeder, can't wait!

2) Skype surveillance

--This sounds nuts, but it puts my mind to rest about Frank being alone. I created a second Skype account and programmed it to automatically answer when receiving an incoming call. I situated the camera to cover the entire kitchen where he is kept, and when I get to work I call. Voila, two places at once! Little did I know, Frank sleeps the entire time-- so I really have nothing to worry about, but it's nice knowing what he's doing. And, god forbid something did happen, I'd be able to rush home immediately.

So don't listen to all the nonsense about how people with full-time jobs shouldn't have pets, that's not fair to us, or the dogs who would be missing out on some really great parents. They'll be fine and entertain themselves (or sleep) the whole time you're gone-- just make sure you make up for the missed time when you get home. And, if you're a nut like me, you can use Skype to relieve your worries.

My little lover at 9 1/2 weeks and I, match made in heaven <3

The Job

I have been quite absent with the up-keeping of my blog.. I promise to make updates more frequently.

Anyways, I got a job! Yes, a real life job.. and the search was a lot less treacherous than expected. I guess that sending out your resume and applying to 100's of jobs will eventually result in a job offer. But, there is a catch. I will be starting out as part-time for a 60-day period, and if I do well and fit in with the company, my position will become full-time.

Easy enough, right? Well, the job position is the Public Relations representative for LeapDoctor.com, an up-and-coming company that focuses on connecting physicians and healthcare employers-- in layman's terms, the Monster.com for doctors. I did not expect to jump right into a PR position, and I feel overwhelmed and intimidated.. but I'm always up for a challenge! It will be a lot of responsibility too, because it is a brand new company and it's my responsibility to promote it. I'm very nervous, but even more excited to begin.

My first day will be Monday, May 16th, a week after I graduate and precisely 3 weeks and 4 days from today. AHHH! No, but really, I'm excited. It's just new, and let's face it, new is kind of scary. But I need to work on some homework and start getting to work on these papers. Only two more weeks left of school, another concept I'm having a really hard time grasping. Everything's just happening so fast.. it's overwhelming!

Until the next time, xoxox

The end of another weekend...

Brings a brand new busy week!

I had an interview on Tuesday with Rizzi Designs for an internship as a Public Relations assistant. I loved the company and the position and feel as if the interview went really well. I won't hear back from them until the first week of April, so I have a couple weeks of waiting to go. On the bright side, I have an interview with HOMTV for a different internship in two weeks as well, and received a phone call on Wednesday regarding a Social Media internship with Farm Bureau Insurance, so hopefully I'll be hearing back from them, too.

So, the search for a Summer internship is going quite well, which gives me a couple of months before I have to worry about the real search-- for a j-o-b. Ahhh, the stress. But because the feedback has been quite positive for an internship, it's making me worry a little less about finding a job. *Crosses fingers*.

That's what's going on here though. 'Kourtney and Kim Take New York' just started though, so I must excuse myself! I'll be updating soon, later gators!

First post

 I just received a big fat F for my brand grade on Google. I'm sure it doesn't help having the name Danielle Smith (so average it hurts), but the truth is that I do need to build up my online presence. So here goes nothing!

Well, I am not a newbie when it comes to blogging. In fact, I just got done browsing through an old blog of mine just for kicks-- and let's just say there's a reason why I didn't pick up where I left off. It was basically an ode to my on-again-(mostly)off-again boyfriend and the roller-coaster ride of emotions I was going through during Sophomore year. As a side note, I am still currently dating the same guy so he may come up from time to time, but I've decided to focus this blog primarily on me, and how I'm handling the DUN-DUN-DUNNNNNN, dreaded college graduation.

Now, I don't want to give off the impression that I'm per se "dreading" graduation. After five years of hard work I am anxious to grab my diploma and go... but go where? This is why I use the word dreaded, because in today's economy, it's hard to find work. I most certainly don't want to leave this wonderful city of East Lansing to move back home to live with my parents in Roseville *sigh* and share bunk-beds with my sister all because I can't find a job.

So find a job, I will. And you all are invited to journey with... :)

Ciao !