monday musings.
1. The holiday weekend was filled with lots of lazy mornings and even lazier nights. It. was. perfect. Although worthless.
2. Saturday’s club workout was rough but it feels pretty amazing to climb those hills on my bike over and over again.
3. After the insane workout, we got together with some other triathlete friends for burgers and beer. It was the perfect way to spend our lazy saturday.
4. Sunday we work up sore and slightly hungover. I hit the kitchen making some amazing chocolate coconut milk ice cream for a dairy-free BBQ we were attending later that night. It turned out amazing (albeit the next day…so we settled for store-bought for the party). You NEED to try making ice cream with coconut milk!
Chocolate Coconut Sorbet
adapted from The Perfect Scoop: Ice Creams, Sorbets, Granitas, and Sweet Accompaniments by David Lebovitz
Makes about 1 quart
6. The Monday holiday was lazy again and we didn’t do much besides workout, watch TV and make dinner. We made this delicious Chicken Tikka Masala from The Feed Zone Cookbook. It will definitely become a new household staple for us. And if you’re an athlete, you should definitely check out this cookbook!
7. We devoured this meal while gawking at Joan’s choices on Mad Men. Definitely the best episode of the season. Things are getting crazy!
8. Life is better…So You Think You Can Dance has started and I already have a favorite.
9. How is it Thursday already? We should definitely always start the week on Tuesday…
10. We had the CRAZIEST storm yesterday involving serious lightening, sunny skies, hail and torrential downpours. Oh Texas…
2. Saturday’s club workout was rough but it feels pretty amazing to climb those hills on my bike over and over again.
3. After the insane workout, we got together with some other triathlete friends for burgers and beer. It was the perfect way to spend our lazy saturday.
4. Sunday we work up sore and slightly hungover. I hit the kitchen making some amazing chocolate coconut milk ice cream for a dairy-free BBQ we were attending later that night. It turned out amazing (albeit the next day…so we settled for store-bought for the party). You NEED to try making ice cream with coconut milk!
Chocolate Coconut Sorbet
adapted from The Perfect Scoop: Ice Creams, Sorbets, Granitas, and Sweet Accompaniments by David Lebovitz
Makes about 1 quart
- 1 C water
- 1 C sugar
- pinch of salt
- 8 oz bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 2 C unsweetened Thai coconut milk
- 1/2 t vanilla extract
- Heat the water, sugar and until the sugar has completely dissolved. Remove from heat. Add the chopped chocolate to the syrup and whisk until the chocolate has completely melted. Stir in the coconut milk and vanilla. Taste for salt.
- Chill the mixture thoroughly. Freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Pour into a clean airtight container place in your freezer to firm up.
6. The Monday holiday was lazy again and we didn’t do much besides workout, watch TV and make dinner. We made this delicious Chicken Tikka Masala from The Feed Zone Cookbook. It will definitely become a new household staple for us. And if you’re an athlete, you should definitely check out this cookbook!
7. We devoured this meal while gawking at Joan’s choices on Mad Men. Definitely the best episode of the season. Things are getting crazy!
8. Life is better…So You Think You Can Dance has started and I already have a favorite.
9. How is it Thursday already? We should definitely always start the week on Tuesday…
10. We had the CRAZIEST storm yesterday involving serious lightening, sunny skies, hail and torrential downpours. Oh Texas…
{triathlon training} week 7
5.25.2012
So, the race is like a week away…about that…
Sunday - 45 min run — After my pep talk from one of the Playtri coaches on Saturday, I was ready to hit the trail and tackle this run. I tried to refocus my energy on my form and breathing versus thinking about how much I hated running. Surprise! It worked. I crushed the run and felt awesome afterwards. In fact, I was surprised when it was over!
Monday - Weights or Swim — Yea….this just didn’t happen. Guilty.
Tuesday - 45 min bike ride immediately followed by a 30 min run — I was NOT feeling this workout but I knew I needed the challenge. Changing events is really confusing for my muscles and I need to practice moving from biking to running. The bike felt great and I really tried to push myself. The first 3 minutes of the run were miserable…everything felt so uncomfortable. I thought for sure there was no way I was going to make it to 30 minutes. But by the 10 minute mark, I was feeling a lot better and pushed it through to the end.
Wednesday - Group Swim — We had an end of year dinner for the youth group leaders so unfortunately I had to miss the swim. I really like the group swims and find them extremely beneficial so I’m bummed I missed this one!
Thursday - Group Track — Track sucks. It just does. 6pm at the SMU track, the sun is just baking me and my feet are on FIRE from the hot track…and I’m running. My least favorite thing…ever. Around and around and around in circles…trying to work on my pacing. But let’s be honest here people, whether we’re supposed to be running a 10k pace, a 5k pace or a 1 mile pace…they are all the same. Complete the workout without walking or dying…whichever comes first. Ugh.
Friday - Off
Saturday - Club (bike/run)
Sunday - 45 min run — After my pep talk from one of the Playtri coaches on Saturday, I was ready to hit the trail and tackle this run. I tried to refocus my energy on my form and breathing versus thinking about how much I hated running. Surprise! It worked. I crushed the run and felt awesome afterwards. In fact, I was surprised when it was over!
Monday - Weights or Swim — Yea….this just didn’t happen. Guilty.
Tuesday - 45 min bike ride immediately followed by a 30 min run — I was NOT feeling this workout but I knew I needed the challenge. Changing events is really confusing for my muscles and I need to practice moving from biking to running. The bike felt great and I really tried to push myself. The first 3 minutes of the run were miserable…everything felt so uncomfortable. I thought for sure there was no way I was going to make it to 30 minutes. But by the 10 minute mark, I was feeling a lot better and pushed it through to the end.
Wednesday - Group Swim — We had an end of year dinner for the youth group leaders so unfortunately I had to miss the swim. I really like the group swims and find them extremely beneficial so I’m bummed I missed this one!
Thursday - Group Track — Track sucks. It just does. 6pm at the SMU track, the sun is just baking me and my feet are on FIRE from the hot track…and I’m running. My least favorite thing…ever. Around and around and around in circles…trying to work on my pacing. But let’s be honest here people, whether we’re supposed to be running a 10k pace, a 5k pace or a 1 mile pace…they are all the same. Complete the workout without walking or dying…whichever comes first. Ugh.
Friday - Off
Saturday - Club (bike/run)
2 year (blogging) anniversary
5.23.2012
It was this day, two years ago, that I was sitting in a half empty apartment about to embark on a whole new chapter of my life and starting this blog. I had just graduated from SMU a few days before and my roommate had already moved back home. There was no living room furniture or TV and the place was filled with boxes of old and new items, ready to be moved into the new apartment.
I had, in fact, already started working at my new “big girl” job but the days were sporadic until I started full time June 1st. Some of my friends were off on extravagant post-grad vacations and some were visiting home before settling into the real world. Needless to say, I spent a lot of time watching Netflix on my computer on my tiny twin bed, contemplating my inevitable entry into the real world.
And then there was this blog. Blogging was just beginning to catch on at this time. I had kept a blog while I was studying abroad in Denmark and loved having the ability to chronicle my experiences to share with family and friends….
Seeing as how I was freeing myself of nights filled with homework, I figured I’d have plenty of time to blog about new recipes and extravagant dinner parties…
About two weeks in to “food, friends and foreign lands”, I realized that I didn’t want to limit myself to postings about food and travel. I wanted to use the blog as my outlet for…well, anything.
That’s precisely what I did.
I blogged about anything and everything. Sometimes recipes, sometimes articles, sometimes I just posted pictures…
I started with Blogspot and stuck with that for about a year before switching over to Tumblr last August…
I had, in fact, already started working at my new “big girl” job but the days were sporadic until I started full time June 1st. Some of my friends were off on extravagant post-grad vacations and some were visiting home before settling into the real world. Needless to say, I spent a lot of time watching Netflix on my computer on my tiny twin bed, contemplating my inevitable entry into the real world.
And then there was this blog. Blogging was just beginning to catch on at this time. I had kept a blog while I was studying abroad in Denmark and loved having the ability to chronicle my experiences to share with family and friends….
Seeing as how I was freeing myself of nights filled with homework, I figured I’d have plenty of time to blog about new recipes and extravagant dinner parties…
About two weeks in to “food, friends and foreign lands”, I realized that I didn’t want to limit myself to postings about food and travel. I wanted to use the blog as my outlet for…well, anything.
That’s precisely what I did.
I blogged about anything and everything. Sometimes recipes, sometimes articles, sometimes I just posted pictures…
I started with Blogspot and stuck with that for about a year before switching over to Tumblr last August…
(updated: March 2013 when I switched back to blogger...)
But now, I’m not so sure. I’ve been struggling with that this blog means, it’s purpose. (Does a blog have to have a purpose?) My life is so…out there. Most days, I feel like I’m blogging because I HAVE to. Because I committed to my monday musings and I don’t like quitting. On the other hand, I do like sharing the little things - photos that inspire me, random thoughts and events, pictures to share with family/friends, favorite quotes/inspirations…and I do love reflecting back on that stuff. So in that way, I feel like this blog is for me. Just me.
I mean let’s be honest here…I have like 5 “followers”. My mother. Becca. My Aunt Cathy.
Is writing a blog selfish and conceited? Am I writing just to boast about my sub-par life and mediocre photography skills? Why does blogging suddenly make me feel sovulnerable? Where is this blog going….where am I going?
But now, I’m not so sure. I’ve been struggling with that this blog means, it’s purpose. (Does a blog have to have a purpose?) My life is so…out there. Most days, I feel like I’m blogging because I HAVE to. Because I committed to my monday musings and I don’t like quitting. On the other hand, I do like sharing the little things - photos that inspire me, random thoughts and events, pictures to share with family/friends, favorite quotes/inspirations…and I do love reflecting back on that stuff. So in that way, I feel like this blog is for me. Just me.
I mean let’s be honest here…I have like 5 “followers”. My mother. Becca. My Aunt Cathy.
Is writing a blog selfish and conceited? Am I writing just to boast about my sub-par life and mediocre photography skills? Why does blogging suddenly make me feel sovulnerable? Where is this blog going….where am I going?
monday musings.
5.21.2012
1. 13 days until race day. whoa.
2. We made these delicious sweet potatoes this weekend. Try them!
3. Oh how I love the zoo! The Dallas Zoo tops them all. So glad I get to volunteer there for a year!
4. I was so lucky to be back on SMU’s campus on Friday to give my sweet friend Natalie’s 5th grade class a tour! Most exciting points on campus: soccer field, rock climbing wall and Dallas hall (which they thought looked like The Capital…). It was so fun to hear them all proclaim that they couldn’t wait to come to SMU.
5. I’m already contemplating the next triathlon on my calendar. Issues.
6. I’m in serious purge mode. Selling and throwing away lots of items because I’m sick of the clutter. Man, it feels good! I’m having a love affair with eBay all over again.
7. Fingers crossed that we can plan a trip to Nantucket/Chicago this summer to visit my sister and family. We’re READY for the beach.
8. So glad the average Facebook employee is now a millionaire…excluding Zuckerberg. And guess what I saw in my Inbox two weeks ago…an email from Facebook letting me know that they would not be bringing me in to interview for the job I applied for. Bummer.
9. About that start-up we were working on…
10. I made that single-serve cookie dough again this weekend in a moment of weakness. I added cream cheese this time in place of some of the flour. I’m craving it something fierce right now.
2. We made these delicious sweet potatoes this weekend. Try them!
3. Oh how I love the zoo! The Dallas Zoo tops them all. So glad I get to volunteer there for a year!
4. I was so lucky to be back on SMU’s campus on Friday to give my sweet friend Natalie’s 5th grade class a tour! Most exciting points on campus: soccer field, rock climbing wall and Dallas hall (which they thought looked like The Capital…). It was so fun to hear them all proclaim that they couldn’t wait to come to SMU.
5. I’m already contemplating the next triathlon on my calendar. Issues.
6. I’m in serious purge mode. Selling and throwing away lots of items because I’m sick of the clutter. Man, it feels good! I’m having a love affair with eBay all over again.
7. Fingers crossed that we can plan a trip to Nantucket/Chicago this summer to visit my sister and family. We’re READY for the beach.
8. So glad the average Facebook employee is now a millionaire…excluding Zuckerberg. And guess what I saw in my Inbox two weeks ago…an email from Facebook letting me know that they would not be bringing me in to interview for the job I applied for. Bummer.
9. About that start-up we were working on…
10. I made that single-serve cookie dough again this weekend in a moment of weakness. I added cream cheese this time in place of some of the flour. I’m craving it something fierce right now.
{triathlon training} weeks 5 & 6
5.20.2012
Sunday (5/6) - Extra Credit Swim — C and I hit the SMU Outdoor pool to swim some laps Sunday afternoon. It was a little more challenging because the pool is 50m instead of 25 but I think that made for a better workout.
Monday - Optional Club (Bike/run) — I couldn’t make the club workout last night so I conducted my own workout of a 30 minute interval bike (1 min hard, 4 min easy) and a 30 min run. It was SUPER windy because I storm was blowing through so I struggled a little bit but overall I felt really good. I ran with music this time and I think that really helped (thanks needtobreathe!). I’m also recovering a lot faster which I think is a sign that I’m getting stronger!
Tuesday - Group Swim — I was literally sitting in the parking lot, debating turning around and going back home. I just wasn’t feeling that hot and it was chilly (around 73 degrees) so I wasn’t really feeling like jumping in a cold pool. BUT! Alas, I went so as not to disappoint my group, C and myself. And…as usual, after the workout was over, I was glad I went.
Wednesday - 30 min Bike followed by 30 min Run — This week has been a scheduling nightmare since we’re leaving town on Friday but C and I managed to squeeze in a 30 min run. We wrapped it up with dinner at Company Cafe on our way home. Then I promptly ate a burger smothered in goat cheese…oh and fries. Pretty much cancels out the workout.
Thursday - Group Track
Friday - OFF — UMASS to see my baby sister graduate!!
Monday (5/14) - 45 min easy jog — C and I hit the trail to tackle the longest run on my schedule so far. We kicked that run’s butt! And you know what….it. felt. good. yes. success.
Tuesday - Group Swim — I’m starting to feel really good about the swim. I might have a false sense of security swimming in a pool but I guess the truth will come out on race day.
Wednesday - 1 hour moderate bike — Last day of youth group with my sweet girls so I didn’t make my ride. Maybe I’ll make it up on Friday…
Thursday - Group Track — This was the hardest track workout to date. We probably ran the most miles with the least amount of recovery time…not to mention it was HOT. Blazing hot. But somehow I managed to make it through…
Friday - Off
Saturday - Transition Clinic — We learned all about how to set up for transitions and different strategies for being comfortable and efficient. It was really helpful and also made the impending race date more real. I was also able to spend a little time at the center talking to one of the coaches about nutrition and race day fuel. I can’t believe the race is only 2 weeks away!
Monday - Optional Club (Bike/run) — I couldn’t make the club workout last night so I conducted my own workout of a 30 minute interval bike (1 min hard, 4 min easy) and a 30 min run. It was SUPER windy because I storm was blowing through so I struggled a little bit but overall I felt really good. I ran with music this time and I think that really helped (thanks needtobreathe!). I’m also recovering a lot faster which I think is a sign that I’m getting stronger!
Tuesday - Group Swim — I was literally sitting in the parking lot, debating turning around and going back home. I just wasn’t feeling that hot and it was chilly (around 73 degrees) so I wasn’t really feeling like jumping in a cold pool. BUT! Alas, I went so as not to disappoint my group, C and myself. And…as usual, after the workout was over, I was glad I went.
Wednesday - 30 min Bike followed by 30 min Run — This week has been a scheduling nightmare since we’re leaving town on Friday but C and I managed to squeeze in a 30 min run. We wrapped it up with dinner at Company Cafe on our way home. Then I promptly ate a burger smothered in goat cheese…oh and fries. Pretty much cancels out the workout.
Thursday - Group Track
Friday - OFF — UMASS to see my baby sister graduate!!
Monday (5/14) - 45 min easy jog — C and I hit the trail to tackle the longest run on my schedule so far. We kicked that run’s butt! And you know what….it. felt. good. yes. success.
Tuesday - Group Swim — I’m starting to feel really good about the swim. I might have a false sense of security swimming in a pool but I guess the truth will come out on race day.
Wednesday - 1 hour moderate bike — Last day of youth group with my sweet girls so I didn’t make my ride. Maybe I’ll make it up on Friday…
Thursday - Group Track — This was the hardest track workout to date. We probably ran the most miles with the least amount of recovery time…not to mention it was HOT. Blazing hot. But somehow I managed to make it through…
Friday - Off
Saturday - Transition Clinic — We learned all about how to set up for transitions and different strategies for being comfortable and efficient. It was really helpful and also made the impending race date more real. I was also able to spend a little time at the center talking to one of the coaches about nutrition and race day fuel. I can’t believe the race is only 2 weeks away!
monday musings.
5.14.2012
1. The little sister is all grown up and graduated. We had such a blast celebrating with her and hanging out the my family.
2. Why, WHY are some people just so dumb? The only reason there are lines at the security checkpoint is because people are dumb. They just cannot get their sh*t together efficiently and end up holding everyone up. And then there’s the guy who tries to go through the scanner with his cellphone in his pocket. After he’s emptied his pockets of everything else…so dumb.
3. We’re obsessed with this video. Then again, who isn't?
4. Harvard is so pretty and it was such a treat to get an exclusive tour from a pretty handsome grad.
5. My sister is headed to Nantucket for the summer to work at a country club. My mom is took here there last night and is hanging out on the beach for a week. Not exactly sure why we didn’t factor that into our trip….?
6. I’m back on an eBay kick. Currently hoping to snag a zoom lens for my DSLR camera. Would have been handy this weekend but it’s a lens I need to get my hands on regardless. Wish me luck!
7. Did any of you try making those insane cupcakes I posted last week? How did they come out?
8. I’m loving writing DG recs for all my little youth group seniors who are headed to college. GO DG!
9. Happy Graduation to all the SMU 2012 graduates. I pretty much don’t know anyone who goes to SMU anymore. Well, next year I’ll know a pretty cute little freshman (Love you EP!).
2. Why, WHY are some people just so dumb? The only reason there are lines at the security checkpoint is because people are dumb. They just cannot get their sh*t together efficiently and end up holding everyone up. And then there’s the guy who tries to go through the scanner with his cellphone in his pocket. After he’s emptied his pockets of everything else…so dumb.
3. We’re obsessed with this video. Then again, who isn't?
4. Harvard is so pretty and it was such a treat to get an exclusive tour from a pretty handsome grad.
5. My sister is headed to Nantucket for the summer to work at a country club. My mom is took here there last night and is hanging out on the beach for a week. Not exactly sure why we didn’t factor that into our trip….?
6. I’m back on an eBay kick. Currently hoping to snag a zoom lens for my DSLR camera. Would have been handy this weekend but it’s a lens I need to get my hands on regardless. Wish me luck!
7. Did any of you try making those insane cupcakes I posted last week? How did they come out?
8. I’m loving writing DG recs for all my little youth group seniors who are headed to college. GO DG!
9. Happy Graduation to all the SMU 2012 graduates. I pretty much don’t know anyone who goes to SMU anymore. Well, next year I’ll know a pretty cute little freshman (Love you EP!).
{recipe} coca-cola cupcakes with salted peanut butter frosting
5.10.2012
I usually prefer an occasion to bake. I mean, a normally recipe makes several servings. I usually just want one or two. So baking for an occasion means I get to share the delicious treat.
Today is my coworker’s birthday! Perfect occasion to try out a new recipe from my Pinterest files.
Peanut butter and chocolate, does it get any better than that?
Apparently, back it the day, people would put peanuts in their coke. It was a sweet and salty treat. I’ve never tried it but that is the inspiration behind these beauties.
I finally got around to baking these at 10pm last night. Why do I do this to myself?
Why does butter take so long to soften? Why do cupcakes take so long to cool?
I think you’ll love these as much as my office does!
coca-cola cupcakes with salted peanut butter frosting
adapted from: Sprinkle Bakes
Yield 12-14 cupcakes
Cupcakes:
Salted peanut butter frosting:
Today is my coworker’s birthday! Perfect occasion to try out a new recipe from my Pinterest files.
Peanut butter and chocolate, does it get any better than that?
Apparently, back it the day, people would put peanuts in their coke. It was a sweet and salty treat. I’ve never tried it but that is the inspiration behind these beauties.
I finally got around to baking these at 10pm last night. Why do I do this to myself?
Why does butter take so long to soften? Why do cupcakes take so long to cool?
I think you’ll love these as much as my office does!
coca-cola cupcakes with salted peanut butter frosting
adapted from: Sprinkle Bakes
Yield 12-14 cupcakes
Cupcakes:
- 1 cup Coca-Cola (cannot be diet)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp. plus 1/8 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 egg
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a cupcake pan with baking papers.
- In a small saucepan, heat Coca-Cola, cocoa powder, and butter over medium heat until butter is melted. Add sugars and whisk until dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together.
- In a small bowl, whisk egg until just beaten, then whisk them into the cooled cocoa mixture until combined. Gently stir flour mixture into cocoa mixture.
- Use a 1/4 cup measure to pour batter into the cupcake papers. Bake cupcakes for 20-25 minutes or until cake springs back when pressed in the middle.
- Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
Salted peanut butter frosting:
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3-4 tbsp. heavy cream
- 1/2 cup marshmallow creme
- Sea salt for sprinkling
- Chocolate sprinkles
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine powdered sugar, butter, peanut butter and salt. Mix on low speed until just combined, then switch to high speed.
- Switch to whisk attachment. Add heavy cream one tablespoon at a time and beat until mixture is lightened and smooth. Add spoonfuls of marshmallow creme and fold in so that you can see swirls of marshmallow. Transfer to a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.
- Garnish with sprinkles and a sprinkling of sea salt.
buy one, toss one.
5.09.2012
Like any normal, twenty-something girl, I have a love for shopping. A new sweater, shirt, dress, pair of shoes…it’s such a thrill and I usually wear that item in excess for the next few weeks. Then, a few weeks later, I’m standing in my closet, staring at all the clothes and thinking, “UGH! I don’t have anything to wear!”
Ladies, why? WHY! Why do we do this? What is it about “old” clothes? Why does the excitement of a new item wear off and get shoved to the bottom of our drawers or back of our closets.
As I was putting away sweaters and pulling back out the sundresses, I started purging items. I took two very large bags of clothes to Buffalo Exchange and impressively scored about $65! Most of the items I got rid of were pieces I’d worn a few times and had been keeping around “just in case”. No, a navy blue, velour, Juicy sweatsuit is not really appropriate anymore….
Purging these items felt good, a fresh start. I also realized that there are some items in my closet, “the staples” (black pumps, pencil skirts, white button downs, classic cardigans, a good pair of jeans…etc) that had passed their prime but I didn’t want to get rid of them because…well, I needed them.
The plan?: If I buy something new, something similar has to go!
Why?: I’m running out of room in my closet and I don’t need 6 different navy tees.
Benefit?: Old, worn-out items get tossed and refreshed.
The challenge?: Finding the perfect replacement and not spending a fortune!Especially if they aren’t making those perfect black pumps anymore.
Example #1:
I love these nude, pointed toe flats I got about three years ago from Nine West. But sadly, they have passed their prime.
But luckily, I found the perfect replacement flats on Amazon for $48! I love Sam Edelman shoes and these are very comfortable. Hopefully, I get another three years out of them!
Sam Edelman Hampton Flat
Ladies, why? WHY! Why do we do this? What is it about “old” clothes? Why does the excitement of a new item wear off and get shoved to the bottom of our drawers or back of our closets.
As I was putting away sweaters and pulling back out the sundresses, I started purging items. I took two very large bags of clothes to Buffalo Exchange and impressively scored about $65! Most of the items I got rid of were pieces I’d worn a few times and had been keeping around “just in case”. No, a navy blue, velour, Juicy sweatsuit is not really appropriate anymore….
Purging these items felt good, a fresh start. I also realized that there are some items in my closet, “the staples” (black pumps, pencil skirts, white button downs, classic cardigans, a good pair of jeans…etc) that had passed their prime but I didn’t want to get rid of them because…well, I needed them.
The plan?: If I buy something new, something similar has to go!
Why?: I’m running out of room in my closet and I don’t need 6 different navy tees.
Benefit?: Old, worn-out items get tossed and refreshed.
The challenge?: Finding the perfect replacement and not spending a fortune!Especially if they aren’t making those perfect black pumps anymore.
Example #1:
I love these nude, pointed toe flats I got about three years ago from Nine West. But sadly, they have passed their prime.
But luckily, I found the perfect replacement flats on Amazon for $48! I love Sam Edelman shoes and these are very comfortable. Hopefully, I get another three years out of them!
Sam Edelman Hampton Flat
monday musings.
5.07.2012
1. What the HECK was going on last night in Mad Men? I really want to know what’s going on with that elevator…
2. We saw Avengers and it was great! Long but great. It’s Robert Downey Jr. and Liam Helmsworth…I mean, come on.
3. We celebrated my sweet friend, Keelie, at her bridal shower this weekend. We ate delish food, Skittle sangria and yummmmmy lemon cake. Sugar. High.
4. We even made time for a little training this weekend…a bike ride around the lake on Saturday and a swim at the SMU pool on sunday.
5. I brewed a batch of this iced coffee concentrate last night. Have you ever watched the Pioneer Woman? Sadly, I don’t get to watch very many episodes since I no longer have cable. She’s great though. I plan on adding some sweetened condensed milk to mine, just as she suggested. Mmmmmm in my belly.
6. Short week since we’re headed to UMASS on Friday for the little sister’s graduation! It’s going to be an eclectic group of people but I’m so glad we get to celebrate Margaux.
7. Lots of moving and shaking happening around here - Friday night we celebrated the move-out of Kellyn and Samantha who’ve lived in their apartment for 4 years now! A few friends are headed to DC to explore new jobs and lots of other friends are moving on to new apartments. My living situation come June 16th is still undecided.
8. SHOCKER alert but my small group is actually reading the bible. We’re tackling Paul’s Prison letters. I’m excited to chat about Ephesians tomorrow morning.
9. Coconut Milk yogurt. Purchased. The chocolate variety of course.
2. We saw Avengers and it was great! Long but great. It’s Robert Downey Jr. and Liam Helmsworth…I mean, come on.
3. We celebrated my sweet friend, Keelie, at her bridal shower this weekend. We ate delish food, Skittle sangria and yummmmmy lemon cake. Sugar. High.
4. We even made time for a little training this weekend…a bike ride around the lake on Saturday and a swim at the SMU pool on sunday.
5. I brewed a batch of this iced coffee concentrate last night. Have you ever watched the Pioneer Woman? Sadly, I don’t get to watch very many episodes since I no longer have cable. She’s great though. I plan on adding some sweetened condensed milk to mine, just as she suggested. Mmmmmm in my belly.
 |
| (picture courtesy of Pioneer Woman) |
6. Short week since we’re headed to UMASS on Friday for the little sister’s graduation! It’s going to be an eclectic group of people but I’m so glad we get to celebrate Margaux.
7. Lots of moving and shaking happening around here - Friday night we celebrated the move-out of Kellyn and Samantha who’ve lived in their apartment for 4 years now! A few friends are headed to DC to explore new jobs and lots of other friends are moving on to new apartments. My living situation come June 16th is still undecided.
8. SHOCKER alert but my small group is actually reading the bible. We’re tackling Paul’s Prison letters. I’m excited to chat about Ephesians tomorrow morning.
9. Coconut Milk yogurt. Purchased. The chocolate variety of course.
{triathlon training} week 4
5.04.2012
This week training felt pretty low key. Having Wednesday off was a nice treat and I fully enjoyed it by eating pizza at youth group with my sweet girls. The afternoons are getting hot, hot, hot! So I might have to start adjusting my schedule to work out in the mornings. For the month of May, we have more brick workouts (back to back sets like biking then running). I’m looking forward to learning more about triathlon strategy, nutrition and what to expect in my first race.
As of today, 30 days to race day!
Monday - 30 min weights — I don’t know that I’m getting any stronger but I’m completing the workout.
Tuesday - Group Swim — So the swim’s are getting increasingly better. Not to mention, the pool was significantly warmer and therefore made for a much more bearable workout. We swam a continuous 300 yards and while it was tough, I was able to complete it. I think I need to do more than just the weekly swims if I’m going to be strong enough to complete 500 meters…in open water…with no pool wall to hang on to.
Wednesday - OFF!
Thursday - Group Track — For the 30 minutes I was able to attend (due to a very important celebratory dinner for a friend), track actually felt good this week. I was definitely feeling more encouraged after last weeks disastrous track workout. But man it is HOT out there with the direct sun just baking off the track. 93 degrees in early May pretty much sucks.
Friday - 30 min bike followed by 15 min run — Looking forward to getting this in tonight!
Saturday - Group Bike
As of today, 30 days to race day!
Monday - 30 min weights — I don’t know that I’m getting any stronger but I’m completing the workout.
Tuesday - Group Swim — So the swim’s are getting increasingly better. Not to mention, the pool was significantly warmer and therefore made for a much more bearable workout. We swam a continuous 300 yards and while it was tough, I was able to complete it. I think I need to do more than just the weekly swims if I’m going to be strong enough to complete 500 meters…in open water…with no pool wall to hang on to.
Wednesday - OFF!
Thursday - Group Track — For the 30 minutes I was able to attend (due to a very important celebratory dinner for a friend), track actually felt good this week. I was definitely feeling more encouraged after last weeks disastrous track workout. But man it is HOT out there with the direct sun just baking off the track. 93 degrees in early May pretty much sucks.
Friday - 30 min bike followed by 15 min run — Looking forward to getting this in tonight!
Saturday - Group Bike
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