Sara's Second in the Biggest Loser

February 03, 2015 by Sara Woznicki in Leisure, Life In Your 20's, Sara's Column, Tweets and Mascara, Work

I probably could have not shouted out my status in the Biggest Loser in the title of this post, and built up to my second place status, but I haven't been this proud of myself in a long time. I have always made excuses about not losing weight, but with a bit of focus, I've been able to do really well with it this time. It started off pretty rocky.

It definitely took a few days to adjust to my new healthier, less food-driven lifestyle. I was hungry all the time and never felt like I was ever satisfied. But my body adjusted. I got used to less food. And you know what? It's crazy how little food you actually do need, once you adjust your body to less food. I'm about to list some tips for healthier eating, but by no means am I qualified to offer suggestions, other than the fact that I've lost a "stone" (which is what the British woman at work said to me, and I thought was so cool I texted several people about my lost stone). To us Americans, that means 14 pounds, which is about 7% of my bodyweight.

Yes, thats 7% less of me to love, but we can get through this together. Anyways, here's my list of diet suggestions:

UPDATED Brunch Review: Social 52

February 01, 2015 by Sara Woznicki in Leisure, Life In Your 20's, Richmond Brunch Review, Sara's Column, Tweets and Mascara, Uncategorized

You may remember from my brunch reviews of On the Rox and Pearl that I seem to really enjoy hearty meat meals for brunch (which is definitely accurate). So it’s no shocker that I ordered the hearty brisket bowl when I went to Social 52. It fell way short of my expectations.

I had a really hard time deciding what I was going to order at Social 52, and usually that’s because there are several dishes that I’d really like to try. This was just the opposite, as there was nothing on the menu that I really was dying to eat. It’s a pretty limited menu, with no obvious shining stars.

So I went with their brisket bowl because my roommate once got the brisket sandwich for dinner at Social, and it was hot and spicy. Almost too hot and spicy, which is a problem I usually enjoy. The brunch bowl is a total letdown, especially in comparison to the sandwich brethren I was mentally comparing it to. It was a big, unflavorful bowl of baby vomit grits and meat. I should also throw them a bone and share that I don’t usually love grits, so me not liking the grits that much isn’t surprising. The lackluster meat though, is really surprising. It hardly tasted like anything at all. Also, just a non-cherry on top, the menu online says you get a biscuit with this meal, and I certainly did not get a biscuit with this meal. I did not bring it up at the time, because there was no need for more subpar food at the table. I’m not blaming anyone in the case of the missing biscuit, our waitress was a waitress and did her job as you’d hope she would. It just didn’t exist on my plate ever.

Aerial Anxiety

January 27, 2015 by Sara Woznicki in Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Sara's Column, Tweets and Mascara

Sometimes I'm convinced that I can make an everyday event a total nail biter. Like that time I needed to fly home. The anxiety started the moment I needed to buy a ticket. Fun fact: trying to fly out of Richmond sucks. You can't just fly from Richmond to your destination. No, you need to fly several hours out of your way to make it home. And on top of that, there's millions of options to select from. After stressing for several hours about when I was going to leave, I finally settled on Richmond to Charlotte to Connecticut. Then came the stress about navigating the airports. One of my worst qualities is my directional abilities. And by that, I mean I don't have any. So I legit studied the maps and talked it through with my more well-travelled roommates.

Brunch Review: The Flat White

January 25, 2015 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Humor, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Richmond Brunch Review, Sara's Column, Tweets and Mascara

Ordinarily, one consumes food for brunch. However, on this day, Sara and Cazey decided to try Starbuck's new addition to their menu, the Flat White. Because sometimes you have so much caffeine, you just forget about the food - or is that just me?

Now if you're like our one friend, you may be asking, "What is a flat white?"

Cazey: Are you even American? Do you go to Starbucks?

Sara rationally explains: The flat white is the Australian drink of choice, which Starbucks now brought to America. It's an espresso with a ton of frothy milk.

E-Zhard's More Like It: A Consumer Review

January 22, 2015 by Sara Woznicki in Leisure, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Sara's Column, Tweets and Mascara, Uncategorized

I live in Richmond, but am originally from Connecticut, so going home is always a pain in the ass. One action I took to try to ease the pain is getting an E-ZPass. I'm assuming everyone knows what that is, but just to be sure, it's a little white transponder that you put on your windshield and then debits money out of your account when you're driving so you don't have to deal with change and people at toll booths.

Sounds awesome and easy, right! Just like the name! But it's not!

You register the little transponder to your car and then load enough money to get you home onto it beforehand, so it should be smooth sailing. But of course it's not. When I got home to Connecticut, I got an email saying my account is in the negative.

That means I spent over $65 in tolls, one way. What the hell?

Sara was Published on Elite Daily!

January 19, 2015 by Sara Woznicki in Leisure, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Sara's Column, Tweets and Mascara, Work, Young Professionalism

Today is a really happy Monday! I have exciting news to share with everyone: my first post was published on Elite Daily! In it, I explore the difference between staying somewhere and settling just because it's comfortable.

Please read it, like it (if you do in fact like it), share it and write your comments under it! I love you all forever for supporting Cazey and I as we continue to expand our blog and writing repertoire. Now go check out my first Elite Daily post :):

http://elitedaily.com/life/nuance-settling-staying/898617/

Brunch Review: Millie's Diner

January 18, 2015 by Sara Woznicki in Leisure, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Richmond Brunch Review, Sara's Column, Tweets and Mascara

Next up on the brunch chopping block:

Millie's Diner is touted as a landmark eatery in Richmond, Virginia. I have heard it from them, from other people and from the incredible wait we had to sit through just to eat there. And you know what, it just wasn't worth it. Like at all.

We got there somewhat early on a Saturday or Sunday morning awhile back, and were planning on going to Belle Isle after it. We knew we'd have to wait, but an hour, forty five minutes is really pushing it, especially since they don't have a place for all of us waiters to wait comfortably. We got an expensive drink and were in it for the long haul though. Then once we FINALLY made it in, it took almost another hour just for some damn eggs.

What Not to Say to Someone On a Diet

January 14, 2015 by Sara Woznicki in Leisure, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Sara's Column, Tweets and Mascara, Uncategorized

As some of you may recall, I have began a work-hosted Biggest Loser competition. It's only a little over a week into my new diet, and I've heard a myriad of statements that annoy me so frequently that I feel it is my public service to write them down for everyone as a learning opportunity. Here is what not to say to someone on a diet (or at least someone like me, or just me):

"Why? You don't have to lose weight." You're right, I don't HAVE to lose weight. No one is forcing me to. However, I am over the weight that is considered healthy. When I sit down, my roll is now protruding over my pants. My face is rounder than it used to be. I get out of breath easier than before. I want to lose weight, but yes, you are correct, I don't need to.

Brunch Review: On the Rox

January 11, 2015 by Sara Woznicki in Leisure, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Richmond Brunch Review, Sara's Column, Social Media, Tweets and Mascara

This week's brunch review features a very special lady and her opinions: my mother. When my family came to visit me in Richmond, I brought them to On the Rox.

On the Rox is one of the least busy places you can probably go to for brunch in Richmond, and I never really understand why. Sure, their service is not the fastest, and sure, if you actually show up at 10am (like they advertise they are open at), you'll make it there before their wait staff, but their food is absolutely wonderful.

And they give you an entire bottle of champagne in the mimosa pitcher. AND they have those fancy windows that they swing all the way open on nice days. But most importantly, they have a great brunch menu!

(Un)Lucky Ducks

January 08, 2015 by Sara Woznicki in Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Sara's Column, Tweets and Mascara, Uncategorized

Sometimes I think I'm an unlucky person, and then I reach my hand into my bag to grab my computer, and come out with a staple stuck under my nail. It's at that point that I realized I could probably remove the "I think" part of the previous sentence.

I'm the type to drop TV's on her foot. Get hit by falling mirrors. Drop my mug onto another mug so as to take a notch out of both of them.

Come to find out, it may run in the family, or so my dad said my grandma said. So maybe someone said it once at one time. And at the time it was said, I outrightly said I don't think I'm that unlucky. In the grand scheme of things, I am actually pretty lucky. My family is pretty great, I grew up in a good neighborhood, went to a great college and have been employed.

Sure, it's easy to get caught up in the moment and think that life is so difficult. And it's out to get me. And my life is harder than everyone else's.

When you think about it more though, you might just realize that your life had lots of moments that compete for most lucky moments. What are some of your luckiest moments?