The Best Wednesday & Thursday... ever!

I'll set the scene. It's Wednesday night.

Guess what fell from the sky?

SNNNOOOOOOWWWWW!

And guess who came to visit?

WE LOVE AUNTIE SIA!

Anastasia is in town for a while, so us three girls had a wonderful little night together.

We met up after work and ran a nice 6 miles together on side-by-side treadmills like the good ol' days! What is it about running with one of your best friends that makes the time fly by?

Then we hit up Farm Fresh for some  wine  ingredients to make an exciting dinner.

AND Anastasia finally got to meet her little niece!

love at first pat and wiggle

After our run, we were feelin' protein. We were also feelin' breakfast. And maybe some of this.

hit me, pinot noir.

I was excited to try the griddle side of my new Cuisinart panini/griddle!

put it all together and whaddya get?

hellooo, protein greek yogurt banana pancakes!

We threw together the following, adapted from Julie's recipe for greek yogurt pancakes:

• 12 oz. Greek yogurt (we used 6 oz. plain, 6 oz honey vanilla)
• 15 tbsp. wheat flour
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 3 eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1.5 scoops Aria Vanilla Protein Powder (from Trader Joe's... so good!)
• 1 banana, sliced

And we may or may not have eaten the entire package of turkey bacon...

judge us if you must, but it was really good. and it was turkey bacon, after all.

The end result looked and tasted fantastic.

syrup makes everything better.

It was wonderful spread of happiness.

what more could a girl need?

And then, to top off our night, it started SNOWING!

snow!! wheeeeeeee!

All that snow piled up overnight to give me a nice phone call at 5:45 a.m. Snnooooowwww daaayyy!

My little baby was a little confused trying to maneuver around the cold stuff.

"where the heck am I supposed to potty, now?"

no cage for me? play all day? say yes, mama?

Chloe was psyched to have her mama home all day. She was up at at 'em way before I was, but I still got a little extra sleep in. What a nice little snow day with my little ball of fire.

faster than a speeding bullet... it's Chlooooeeee!

"look, mama! I'm a dalmatian!"

[Coming soon: a new Nike Training workout! and man, is my booty sore today...]

I'M A VLOGGER!

That's right. I don't have a speech impediment. I made a video blog. Hence,  b vlog.

Kinda.

I had so much fun going through old video last night when I was trying to fall asleep, I had to add some in. Do I feel a "good ol' days" video coming soon? Why, yes I do. College friends, just you wait...

See some up close video of cutiepie Chloebabes (am I obsessed with my dog? maybe. do I care? nope.) a little of my room, and some messages to the ones I love.

And my good friends Dana, and Cynthia make a little old school cameo in some parts. Alllriiiight!

If you can't view the above video on here, click this link.

More videos to come. I just need something to VLOG about!

Gimme ideas. Gimme, gimme.

Or I'll be forced to embarrass all my friends with the old videos I already have.

To Hit The Treadmill, Or To Run Outside?

This guy used to be my arch nemesis.

After finishing my field hockey career, I took some time off from the workout circuit. I was so tired of being forced to work out every day, and I just wanted some time to regroup.

After a few months off, I was itchin' to get back in the game.

I haaaated the treadmill. I would force myself to run a mile, but I'd get so bored I'd have to get off and go do something else. Needless to say, my gym time wasn't so productive.

I'm not really sure what converted me to a treadmill runner. I started reading magazines (everyone would come up and ask me how I ran and read. "I don't know. I just do, okay?") Then, our college gym got a makeover and a TV distraction became realized.

And NOW, at the YMCA, I get my very on TV on my treadmill.

I can now go for miiiiles and miles! Give me a few episodes of King of Queens. Hit me with a Sex & The City marathon. Turn on some Criminal Minds for me, and I'll punch out a quick 8 miles no problem.

I'm easily satisfied when I have a TV in front of my face. I'm like a baby under a ceiling fan.

So, do I have a problem?

The girls from my school's cross country team would always yell at me to get off the treadmill and start running outside. But ya know what? Running outside is COLD right now. My nose runs, my legs are numb, I get shin splits, and my lungs burn. Waaaah!

When I hit my 7 mile run this weekend, though, I was surprised with how well I did with no distractions. I had Jamie for a few miles, but for the majority of the time, the run was just me, my Forerunner watch, and my thoughts (my itouch no longer holds a charge. what the heck? anyone know a fix for this? do I go buy a new battery?). And I wasn't bored at all.

can you tell I'm still learning to set this thing up? I realized .4 miles
into my run I had forgotten to reset it from my LAST run.  oops.

When I realized how much faster my pace is off the treadmill, I realized just how much I really need to get back outside. My trusty Forerunner showed me that without having to set my own speed, my legs do pretty well on their own.

So.. I want to know your thoughts. I know the treadmill is hard on your knees, but pavement and uneven ground gives me shin splints. Do you run faster outside or on the treadmill? Do you prefer outdoor runs? Do you get bored? And WHO can solve my itouch battery problem?

It's a Small, Small World.

Pop quiz: what's the most horrifyingly annoying song ever to be played in all of Disney World?

I think the answer to this one would be unanimous. The Small World boat tour of singing dolls around the world is sure to get stuck in every passenger's head for the rest of their day at Disney.

myyyy hero!

I can't fail to mention how it was my favorite as a 5 year old. My mom apparently took me on Small World about 37 times in a row. She still loves the ride. Me? Not so much.

At least I had some killer style.

there we are, a Halter girl dream team repping pink and purple together.
and yes, I really needed that many scrunchies.

thanks, mom and dad. that fanny pack really pulls together my
high socks and coordinating oversized polka shirt and shorts.

I digress. The topic of this post is intended to cover what a SMALL world it really is.

Last week, I noticed I had a post comment from cupcake dynamite (how cute is their blog header? I need to do some re-vamping to mine. Any ideas?)
_____________________________________________________________

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Apparently, Julie's blog is just bringin' people together.  :)

I've always had such jealousy over the Orlando and Charlotte blog friends of mine who get to meet up with others who have the same likes, interests, and hobbies. When I saw Jamie's comment, I was so excited!

Jamie even remembers when Julie featured my hand painted glassware in a few posts. Yay for bLyss Designs!

**bLyss Designs now has a Facebook Page, thanks to a suggestion by Michelle. Go check it out and "like" it now, puh-lease! :)

The CRAZY small world part comes next. Jamie graduated from one of my rival high schools! What's more? She knows one of my Catawba friends, Todd, and she played field hockey. THIS means we played on the same field hockey field. She was right wing on the opposing team, and I was left wing.

And not only does Jamie live in Virginia Beach as well, but our houses are exactly 2.4 miles away (yep, we mapped it).

I nearly wet myself I was so excited to have another Jersey girl so nearby. And not just another Jersey girl, a Jersey girl running buddy! Oh, how I've missed my running buddies... Anastasia, Rob, Mag, John... it's been a lonely winter training for the Shamrock on my little treadmill at the YMCA.

So, Jamie and I scheduled a run on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. (after a Saturday morning rainout).

As we met up halfway between our houses, we giggled at the fact that we can check "running blind date" off our bucket lists. She was awesome, it was a gorgeous day outside, and it was a perfect way to start out my Sunday morning.

This is the most running outside I've done since the summertime.  I was enjoying Jamie's company and the sunshine so much, I got completely distracted and ended up running 7 miles before returning home to my little Tasmanian Devil.

thanks to Brian, Chloe's got a new favorite monkey toy!

I finished up my run with a .25 mile walk with Chloe. Trust me, .25 miles is a lot longer when it sounds with this little one... and walk is a strong term for what's going on here. "Drag" is more like it.

Jamie and I are already planning more buddy runs, trips to Skinny Dip, and nights out. Jersey girls taking VA Beach by storm - wahoo!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Consider this little beauty a tribute to my momma and one of my good friends, Dana. The Sound of Music is their all-time favorite!

My Favorite Things
The Sound of Music at MOVIECLIPS.com

I love reading about other people's most favorite things, so I chose to highlight a few of mine in a quick post today.

Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream

For someone who has dry skin but wants to skip the moisturizer that overcompensates, this gel-cream is awesome. It's refreshing, and it gets the j-o-b done.

Covergirl Cheekers in Pretty Peach or Plumberry Glow

I've been using this baby since I first wore makeup in high school. I have some Bare Minerals blush, but this stuff stays on better for me... and it's a whole lot cheaper.

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Shadow & Liner

This stuff is AMAZING. It enhances your specific eye color and can be used as a shadow AND a liner. I've got all three versions of the blue eyed line, and I use them almost daily. There's a "pop" line, a "day" line, and a darker "night" line. Grab some of this for some great varied eye color.

Redken Extreme Anti Snap Heat Defense Cream

I have a lot of trouble with breakage with flat ironing my hair, and this stuff has done wonders for my locks. The cream is just heavy enough to protect and not weigh my hair down.

C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint

I have loved this stuff since it first started being offered at Bath and Body Works when I was in high school. It's got the great mint flavor, it's thick enough to offer a great coat over chapstick, and it's got SPF and nourishing ingredients to protect your lips to boot.

Q: What are your favorite things?

Happy Friday!

Greek Yogurt, What's The Dealio?

winner? not exactly...

I have friends (namely, Abby) who rave about organic greek yogurt. Abbs, my college roommate, used to buy it by the big tub-full in college. She raved, and I ignored her.

Because I like what I like.

I've read it can be used as a healthy cooking substitute, but I honestly had never tried it. I'm a Dannon Light & Fit girl, and I really never stray from what I know I love.

However.. sometimes, I get curious.

I found this little number on a recent trip to Food Lion and had to try it. Yogurt? Chocolate? "Pure Pleasure on the Bottom?" "Healthy Indulgence?" Uhhh.. sign me up.. now?'

My afternoon led me to what I thought could be a dream team winning combination. A red apple in chocolatey greek yogurt.

The result? I had a yogurt on my hands that tasted like sour milk with a little choco mixed in it. Maybe I just haven't been inducted into the world of Greek Yogurt, but why is it so... un-sweet? Even with the chocolate mixed with the yogurt, I felt the need to break out a good friend of mine...

now, that's what I need right now. a little sweetness in my life.  :)

After the sweetness addition, the yogurt was better. But why buy this stuff when I love the Dannon stuff when it's naked? Am I crazy, here? Greek yogurt enthusiasts, steer me in the right direction.

sadly unimpressed.

But, on the bright side... guess what I spent my Victoria's Secret $10 off birthday cert on?

ooooohhh yeah.

Check out the pair second from the front. They're mine.

...whennn they actually arrive.

Q: Do you prefer greek yogurt over the other stuff? Why, and how do you generally eat it?

We all have our strengths...

...and we all have a few things at which we are complete doo-doo.

For some reason recently, I've been really striking out. Have you ever had one of those days you feel like a rock star, only to be followed by a day that makes you feel totally incompetent?

I can kick butt in a race. I can bake some awesome deserts. I can make some great videos, I can paint pretty things, and I can sing (only thanks to several years of voice lessons). But my incompetency list is a kind of goofy one, too.

The upside? I really am working to get better at every single one... completely.

1. I'm an terrible folder. I'm one of those people who tugs the sheets up on the bed so that they're "good enough," don't leave any lumps under the thick comforter, and call it a day. I can't fold shirts nicely to save my life. Wrapping presents is something I try hard at, but I'll never be a gift wrapper.

It's a really good thing I never worked in retail.

I may be a crappy folder.. but I did make that toga!

2. I will never, ever, ever be a hairdresser. Doing hair is just not in the genes. I'm pretty proud of myself if I can incorporate some kind of braid in my 'do for the day. My typical hair staple is a couple bobby pins, a straightener, and some mousse. I need a hairntervention.

I needed help with this 'do...

and Jen served as my hairdresser for our Spring Break Cruise.
(...but, ya know, I helped her out with the whole drink thing)

3. I'm a lousy Twitter-er. I just really don't get it. Especially because I have Facebook. I just can't make myself post random thoughts every few hours. I'd rather not be attached to my computer or phone every second of the day, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel that's what Twitter is for.

4. I'm dehydrated all the time. I hate the taste of water, and as a result, I'm no good at hydrating myself. Everyone thinks I'm crazy, but I can only drink water when its really cold and when I'm working out. This girl will probably always be a little bit dehydrated. I can't help it. Gimme that Propel instead!

water... yuck. (but I love Anastasia in the background in this one.)

5. I'm too into routines. I learn what I like, and I rarely stray from it. I have a few different routines I do at the gym, but I usually need someone there with me to kick my butt and get me to do something totally new. I also tend to cook the same repertoire of 6-7 things for myself, style my hair the same way a whole lot (see #2), and usually do the same thing at the same time each day. Weird for someone who loves and embraces spontaneity, huh?

sometimes I mix it up.

So, question of the day... at what things are you great/awful?

A Letter To My Pup

Songs and poems exist as "letters to my college self," "letters to a younger me," etc.

Last night while trying to tame my demon pup, I found myself mentally composing A Letter To My Puppy.

Yesterday was Chloe's first full day in the crate while I was at work. My lovely friend Bethany is awesome, generous, and so patient enough to offer to let the little one out two days a week, and she was a  complete lifesaver yesterday... even after a small key mishap.

Regardless of her new lunchtime friend, Chloe was pretty mad at me for having her crated all day, and she really let me have it last night. Her naughty behavior is what caused me to compose said letter.

Dear Chloe,

First and foremost, my achilles tendons, my calves, my knees, my wrists, my fingers, my hands, my neck, and my ear are not chew toys. P.S., it hurts!

Maybe we can come to some sort of agreement. Multiple treats for sleeping in on weekends? I'll bake you a doggy cake. Whatcha think?

Sleeping really only happens after 10 p.m.

The leash is good for you. Embrace it.

You are so cute when you find my mirror every day. "You'reeee so vaaaiinnn.."

How on earth do you hear my alarm go off every morning? I promise, I'm coming to get you. Your heartbreaking yelping doesn't help me move faster.

I don't really like cleaning up poopies and puddles from the carpet. That's supposed to happen outside. Take one for the team, and don't decide to go after I take you outside for 7 minutes of sniffing and looking at the door.

"Mom, I just don't feel like pooping in 30 degree weather."

I'll make a deal with you. Never grow up, and I'll give you all the treats you want. Always.

...that never growing up thing does not include your "mental" maturity. I will eventually need sleep and a clean carpet.

No matter how many rocks, wood chips, and other outdoor paraphernalia you hide in your mouth, I will always make you spit it out. This isn't a slam against your taste, I just can't let you to choke on it and die.

How big should we let you get before I buy you one of these?

baseball season is coming...

I love you, but I don't really want you in the shower with me.

Refrigerators are not the best place to hang out. As you've learned, that door shuts pretty quickly, and you're black. It's hard to see you. Waah!

You crack me up when you day after day think your ferret chew toy from dogsupplies.com is a real live animal. The mental video I have of you spotting the toy, slowly stalking up to it, and pouncing will forever warm my heart.

That rhinestone collar is ballin', but the vet was right. You should probably hold out for the real thing. ;)

Let's snuggle forever. No more biting, and I won't go to work anymore. Deal?

Love, Momma. 

xoxo

P.S. Who knows how to cure puppy biting? The yelling "ouch" to startle her, the no eye contact, and the little pop on the nose really just isn't cutting it...