The Perfect Summer Dress

Ugh! It never fails. I want to find something specific, and am able to find everything but! It's so frustrating to me. I've been recently browsing summer dresses, but to my avail, nothing is working!

For Instance:

Disregard my running tan lines...yikes

Apparently I need boobs for these two...kept falling right off me! Defeated...

These just weren't doing it for me either...

Any suggestions?! I'm hoping to head to F21 sometime and try on as many as I can! I'm not giving up!

Sephora

I went a little nuts at Sephora this last time...Lindsey wasn't there to reign me in, but I had a little extra shopping money, and I was in NYC (more to come on that later), so it happened.
Here is a compiled list with pictures of my purchases!

Naked Palette 2. I'm obsessed and do not know how I ever lived without it!

Benefit Watts Up!? Highlighter.

Buxom Lipgloss in Sandy (it's a lighter nude than what is in this picture!)

Flurry Up

Cartwheels on the Catwalk

Recent Running

I didn't want to blog this too soon and jinx myself...but now that I'm 178 miles in...I'm running PAIN FREE!!! For those of you who "know" me, you know I had several injuries in the last two years. I broke my foot...and landed myself in a boot (my bestie was there for moral support!!)...then I tore the bursa in my knee. I literally felt like my knee would never be strong enough to run again. It proved me wrong!

I've been doing two long runs (7-8 miles) a week, along with a few mid-distance runs. Yesterday, while on a 6-miler with my running friend, Ashley, I noticed some twinges in my shins. I quickly realized it was time for new shoes. I'm not playing around with my legs! If they hurt, I ice (crazy concept), stretch, and even eat right! It's insane. I definitely have the runner's high going on. I'm addicted.

Anyway, long story short...I got new shoes! I really wanted to try the Asics I blogged about back in January, but I just couldn't do it. I ran in them at Dick's SG, and they just didn't feel the same as my beloved Brooks Adrenalie GTS 12 ($109.99). I'm obsessed. They're like heaven on my feet!

These are by far the most cushioned and form fitting shoe I have tried on. I also have a few other NECESSARY running items I'd like to share.

Under Armour HeatGear Touch Capri $39.99

Nike G87 Tank $42.00



UA Semi-fitted Long Sleeve (great for early morning brisk runs)

And of course...
My Garmin 110 saves my life daily! I have no idea how Lindsey and I trained for a 1/2 marathon without this product!

Have a great day and HAPPY RUNNING!!!

Monday Must Haves

This is just a brief picture/list of things I'm lusting after! I'm not into video tutorials. Just a few quick pictures to browse is more my cup of tea! So here you go....

Asics 2170

Stila Smoky Eye Palette or something comparable!

Boscia Cleanser

Nike Pacer Shorts

Let's Talk Books...

There are so many books that I'm dying to read right now! Thankfully, I have a Kindle and can order books with 1-click anytime I want :)
I am currently finishing up with this book. I got it for Christmas. I am a HUGE Tebow fan, and have been since he was first at Florida. This book far surpassed my expectations, and is NOT a football book at all.
Once this is completed, I'll be moving on to the Jeff Ashton book my bestie got me. We were both totally entralled and appauled at the Casey Anthony trial. This book will go quickly!


After completing these two hardbacks, I'm moving on to order the following on my Kindle!

COFFEE

I have a sick obsession with coffee. I HAVE to have it in the morning. It's what I want at lunch and after school as well. In the evening when I settle down, I have a cup of coffee. It has absolutely no impact on my sleep pattern at all.
I'm not sure exactly what I did before the invention of the Keurig...oh wait, yes I do. I made tri-weekly trips to Starbucks with the bestie. She also has a coffee situation.
I'm excited to try these new K-Cups:


Although I'm typically not a fan of Van Houtte. White Chocolate Mint sounds great, so hopefully it doesn't disappoint.

Miscellaneous

Well I just realized the last time I posted was the day I got my hair done, which was awhile ago, because I'm about to post about my hair again...
I just got it colored and trimmed, and for once, I'm really liking it!



Since the last time I posted, a lot has happened...
My room went from a normal temperature range at work to 54 degrees. It's not easy to tolerate. Sometimes I even steal a co-workers's space heater.
Exhibit A:


My precious children celebrated their 5th (Zeke) and 3rd (Addison) birthdays!
They are so fun right now. It's a great age. They got LeapPads (iPads for kids), and are obsessed. They literally are consumed with these gadgets!


I also have had a few key purchases in the last two months:




And was given an awesome gift:


I am lusting after these items:

Hair/Shopping

Yesterday I got my hair did by FABULOUS JOE. He is just plain amazing.
We didn't go as dark as anticipated, but will be getting gradually darker, so I don't get that icky brassy look going from blonde to dark! He's a smart cookie.

I ended up with this little number:
Although, I need some help. I never get anything with "gold" on it, plus it has black and tones of brown. I'm going to need the help of my bestie on this one, because I just don't know if I'll keep it or not. Plus side...it's big enough for my skinny mini for my cards/cash, camera, lipgloss, compact, gum, and my iPhone! Help, Lindsey!

I also purchased everything from my Sephora List, except the True Blood Palette. It remains on my wish list.

I got some cute stuff for the kids, including a dinosaur lunch box for my son for future field trips!

It's Friday, heading to the game with great friends :)

Shopping? Yes, please!

Today, I am getting my hair colored in the realm of something like this:


Because my hair stylist now has his own studio at my favorite place to shop, I suppose shopping will also occur!

Wish list:



I also intend to check into this little number:

However, this shopping trip will be bittersweet without my bestie :(

I run because I love it...

I raced this weekend...it was just a 5K, and I haven't raced in over a year, but it felt great! My time wasn't fabulous (26:20), but I got to run with my husband, and my friend of over two decades--makes me old, I know. It gave me back that fire I've missed! And so today I did this...

Warm-up: .8 mile loop, 2x10 squats, push-ups, crunches, dips, pull-ups
Today's run: 4.0 miles
Strength: 4x10: Burpees, One arm cleans, Push-ups on med ball

Oh, and I read this...

Let the training begin!

First, let me say...my husband is awesome. He got me this watch for Mother's Day. He knows I'm not into flowers, but he knows I'm into running.


This bad boy can do just about anything. It has a built in GPS, tracked pace (mile splits--awesome for 1/2 training), overall distance, and then after the run, simply sync it to your computer to see your overall run, save maps, checks stats (heart rate, calories, etc.). If I was rich, each of my XC girls would have this!

For instance...I knew I wanted to run 6 miles yesterday, so I just started running...knowing my watch would track the distance along the way. There was no pressure of I have go down certain roads, paths, etc., I could just run! This may not seem like an extreme leisure to some, but trust me, when Lindsey and I would go on our long Sunday runs, we would do a town loop TWICE---so boring---just to make sure we got in nine miles.

It turns out from my house to the high school where I teach is exactly 3.2 miles. So I ran from my house to the high school and back. I finished my adventurous run in just at an hour, and at 6.4 miles. I wasn't breaking any records, but I did it.

Let the training begin :)

Upcoming Races:
June 11-Henny Penny 5K
June 25-Fireworks 5K
July 16-Run With The Wolves 5K
August 13-Hagerstown 5K
September 18-Pork Festival 5 miler
October 9-Corridor Classic 1/2 Marathon
October 18-Ghosts and Goblins 5K
November 24-Turkey Trot

Day 10

Let's just say, yesterday was bad...now not the bad you're probably thinking of...there were no cupcakes, although my children and I did make some delicious cupcakes :) There was no ice cream, or pop, or alcohol. I just had to have peanut butter! I had a tspn of pb and thought I was going to die. It didn't even taste right because I haven't had it for so long. I also missed my workout with Jillian last night. I was just exhausted. So I woke up today, glad to not be weighing in, and feeling tired. I should have worked out this a.m. UGH!

Anyway,
So I started my a.m. off with lemon water
I am now currently drinking hot green tea...I'm not even hungry, so I don't know when I'll choke down the yogurt and berries sitting in my mini fridge next to me.
For lunch: tuna and spinach
Snack: yogurt
Dinner: Baked tilapia and broccoli

Sounds exciting, huh?

Day 9

It's days like today that I feel like I need these:

Why does it have to be rainy every single morning that I'm having a fantabulous hair day??

Meal Plan for Today:
6am Hot Water with Lemon
6:30am Mushroom, Onion, Egg, FF Cheese Omelette with Salsa
7:00am Green Tea
9am Berries
11am Salad with tuna
1:30pm green tea and FF yogurt
2:30pm apple french toast
5:30pm grilled chicken salad, green tea
Late snack if wanted..yogurt

ZIPPER MISHAP AND DAY 8

Good news...my new linen pleated skirt from Forever21 is adorable. I wore it with a seafoam colored top from J.Crew and a longer slub gray cardi.
Bad news...zipper split from the middle...you know the kind I'm speaking of, where it's not due to tightness or pulling too hard it just parts for no apparent reason.
Good news...The home ec teacher I work with can put a new zipper in it and fixed me up for today.

Day 8

6am Hot Water with Lemon
6:30am 2 scrambled eggs with onion and mushroom and a tspn of hot salsa
7am Green Tea
9:30am Berries
12:30pm Tuna, Steamed Broccoli and Cauliflower, Green Tea
2pm Apple and Yogurt
**Track Meet---taking carrots. (May have a yogurt or steamed veggies when I get home)

I am not weighing in again until Friday morning, which will be day 12.

Day 7

Today...we didn't sleep well last night, babygirl was up and down all night with new teeth coming in the far back!

We were up for good at 7:30 a.m., so I made the husband and kiddies French Toast and berries. I had hot water and lemon while I cooked.
Then I made myself the apple french toast, without the toast, it is just so GOOOD!

I had Green tea about an hour later

Then I had a vanilla greek yogurt with this miracle 0 calorie, 0 carb, 0 far chocolate dip. Well, at least I thought it was miracle. It must be made with sugar alcohols because not long after I felt so bloated.

I had asparagus and tuna for lunch

Around 5pm I still wasn't hungry and still had stomach cramps...note to self: if it seems too good to be true, it is! Dang chocolate miracle dip.

I decided against dinner, just did Jillian's 30 Day Shred, and I had some water with lemon.

I am hoping this goes away before tomorrow morning...stay tuned! YIKES.

Day 6 & Forever 21

I HAVE LOST 5 POUNDS IN 5 DAYS...no joke!

I am starting my day out with hot water with lemon...
Apple French Toast, without the toast...

Green Tea--my k-cups came in and they are delish!

For lunch, Turkey Taco Salad, no shell.
Raspberry Yumberry Yogurt

Snack (around 2pm) berries

Dinner: Tuna and Steamed Veggies

p.m. Snack: carrot cake yogurt!

Now, with all this said, I was feeling really good about myself at Forever21 yesterday, so I'm going to bring in a bit of the RETAIL portion of this blog. I purchased these items: