ooh...fancy!

Finally Friday! Wahoo! I'm sure you're as excited as I am. I was pretty excited when Alison of Long Distance Loving shared this week's theme for Friday Fancies. She chose to go with "loving fall" or just an overall fall color scheme. When I think about Fall I think brown, orange, rust, yellow and beautiful warm tones. This weekend I don't have anything too exciting going on.
Tonight I'm heading to Danbury to meet my friend to go shopping for a dress for her to wear to a wedding on Sunday. Nothing like waiting for the last minute, right?! I could use some serious girl time, so no complaints here! Tomorrow I have a long run scheduled, I think I'm hoping to do 7 miles. Hopefully I can breathe by then because right now I'm crazy congested. Sunday I'm heading to go support my wonderful older sister as she runs her first 5k. I'm really excited for her. Running has been an amazing motivator for me and I hope it makes her feel as good as it makes me feel.
So back to this week's outfit! This is what I'd like to wear to cheer Jenn on this weekend! It would be the perfect outfit to hang out in and still feel pretty and put together!

loving fall by rundreamcook featuring cubic zirconia earrings

faith in humanity

This weekend while I was surfing through pinterest I came across an article from the Clarion Ledger from Jackson, MS. It told the story of high school senior, Katelyn Simpson, winning the coveted title of homecoming queen in her high school. While this doesn't necessarily seem all that news worthy, the article was actually about the senior class rallying behind Katelyn. They admired her personality and her spirit so they worked with the principle and student government to get the requirements to be waved in order for her name to be put on the ballot.

Image from here.

So if you could use a little bit of restoration in your faith in humanity, I suggest you go read this article about Katelyn and the senior class of North High School.

swooning

Good morning! I'm feeling fantastic this morning, relishing in the very cool weather this morning. The forecast is for rain all day so I'll be doing my speed work inside today. I'm not completely thrilled about it,  but I am trying to be more excited and hardcore with my speed work...So I'm trying to remind myself how badly I want to speed my tush up!
What are you all finding pinteresting this week? I've found myself pinning a bunch of fall fashion items. Between scarves and full outfits I have found lots of pieces to be in love with!

Source: polyvore.com via Julie on Pinterest

I love this outfit. The soft dress is totally gorgeous, the matching watch is divine and then that coat with the grey and the mustard with those booties...I swoon.

Source: victoriassecret.com via Julie on Pinterest

This plum coat is beautiful. I love the double breasted style with the trench length.

Source: polyvore.com via Julie on Pinterest

The teal with the green scarf is just too pretty. Paired with the camel colored boots and back as neutrals, it just makes for a gorgeous outfit overall.

Source: fashionpennpal.tumblr.com via Julie on Pinterest

Kourtney is stunning in general, but I think this outfit really makes her shine. Everything about it is really gorgeous. Those boots are pretty much the greatest I've seen this season.

Source: polyvore.com via Julie on Pinterest

Soft, casual and cozy. Everything about this outfit screams me!

Source: de.dawanda.com via Julie on Pinterest

This scarf is fabulous. I love the feminine lace against the casual jersey material, and it the color combination really only makes it better.

Source: polyvore.com via Julie on Pinterest

I love green, and this shade is really beautiful

Source: stayathomeartist.com via Julie on Pinterest

Do you need these necklaces as badly as I do??

Source: viviennewestwood.co.uk via Julie on Pinterest

Fabulous!


I hope you enjoyed my pins today, I can't wait to come visit and see what you're finding pinteresting!!

five for fall

The absolutely lovely Kelly of Washington Prep tagged me for five fall goals. I'm totally ecstatic about it, sometimes I set goals that are too long term. So now I have the perfect opportunity to set some kick butt short term goals!

Incorporate more yoga into my training 
I've been doing it sporadically and I always feel better after I do it. I'm going to aim to do it twice a week on Sundays and Wednesdays. I have a few podcasts that I've been loving, but I'm always interested in trying new things so if you have a favorite, I'd love to hear your suggestions!!

Cook more adventurous recipes
Sometimes it is easy to fall into recipe ruts. I'd like to make myself climb out of my current one. I'd like to make at least one new recipe a week. I know I could probably do more than that, but some weeks get crazy and I feel this goal is easily accomplished.

Walk the puppies more
Normally I walk them around the yard but I'd like to take them around the neighborhood twice a week or so. They really love getting out and enjoying the fresh air. Plus Coop could really use some exercise.

Speed my tush up!
I am really trying to increase my speed. I am crazy slow and I'd like to change that up a little bit before the big race in February. I have to work a little bit harder on my speed work. Usually that is where I slack the most in my running so I'm going to ramp it up a bit!

Get out there a bit more
The last few weeks I've found myself inside more than I should be. I just need to get out there and do more.

Again, I'd like to thank Kelly for tagging me! The last part of this is where I get to tag 5 of my favorite bloggers to hear their goals:

Krystina from Cup 'a Hot Chocolate

Kat from Mary and Dyer

Kristina from Pretty Rambles

Caitlin from Southern Curls & Pearls

Amy from Crazy Random Happenstances

long weekends

Good morning friends! I hope you're enjoying your long weekend if you're lucky enough to have one! I have certainly enjoyed it thus far and I'm planning on some more fun stuff today! Friday night I did a whole lot of nothing, it was kind of wonderful. It was just me, the puppies and a Say Yes to the Dress marathon. Seriously, how could that be bad?
I woke up Saturday morning super well rested and pushed out 6.5 very chilly miles. This was my first early(ish) run in the fall, and since the sun wasn't all the way up yet it was COLD out! Like 45 degrees cold. Yikes. It was a new experience and I now understand the need for arm warmers. After my run, I went to the gym to do a little bit of weight training and to shower. I felt the need to do the weights because I didn't want to be the super weird girl who went into the gym and showered without using any equipment. Then I went and met up with my sister and niece to hang out for a while. We ran some errands then ended up in babies r us to buy a baby shower gift for a shower she was going to later that day. I have some serious baby fever going on, so babies r us is a very dangerous store. I wanted all of the teenie tiny clothes, the beautiful grey and green jogging stroller, the adorable monkey bedding, a few cute pacifiers, do you get the picture? But really, I wanted this:

a little hat with an airplane that says is pulling the word boy. I'm seriously in love with it. Mike is very into banner towing and he flies those kinds of planes. Really I just think my future son will need this hat. Jenn told me I couldn't buy it. BUT it was on clearance. I told her to buy it for me and save it for later....she said no. Darn logical older siblings. It was fantastic hanging with them all day though. I wish I remember to take pictures of them. Jenn looks amazing, she's lost a ton of weight and Jaclyn, my niece is 10 but seriously could pass for 16 - her poor dad!! She is gorgeous.
Yesterday was the brunch that I planned with my Aunt Cindy. I'll have more on that later in the week because I made some delicious recipes that I need to share with ya'll!
Stay tuned for Friday's post...I just may be doing my first giveaway!!

happy dance!

Sometimes you need to see true joy. This video is really complete surprise and joy. And kind of the definition of overwhelming a child. lol. I love it though. It just makes me so happy. 

i'm going ouuuuuuuut tonight

Happy Friday loves! It has been such a quick week around here! I'm working hard to focus on the joy. So I'm joining up with Erin for her Capturing Joy link up. Where did you find joy this week? Go link up with her so I can see what is making YOU happy!

Zebra cake I made for Jenna to bring to a bachelor/bachelorette party. I was pretty happy with how it came out, I wish I could have gotten the buttercream more smooth, but it was a trillion degrees in my house that day.

My love, Cooper, belly up in my bed begging for some belly rubs. He was so snuggley that night!

Manicure with "I brake for manicures" by opi. I love the color!!!

Loving these flats with the skirt I had on. I was sitting waiting for my oil change to be done and I couldn't resist taking a picture!

I certainly LOVE where I live. This is actually the town I grew up in, not where I live currently. I totally love it around here. The rolling hills and the farms, so much love.

Another one just for good measure. I really love it. So pretty! By the way, I did stop in the middle of the road to take this picture.

Hanging with a pretty cool kid at the park on a sunny Autumn day.

Letting my roomba do the work.

And now for one of the BEST parts of Friday...Friday fancies!!

I wish I was going out and doing something fun tonight, but alas I have a hot date with my puppies tonight. Mike is out of town visiting with friends so I'll be spending some cozy girl time at home. But I'll be wishing I was out having a crazy night on the town, so this is the outfit I'd want to be wearing if I was going out. I think it screams "going out with the girls." Nothing feels better on than a girly shirt with great jeans and sparkly heels. This week's theme was blazers and I totally love a crisp blazer with a super feminine shirt.

going out by rundreamcook featuring juicy couture earrings

chocolate

I posted Saturday about this year's holiday recipe exchange that My Baking Addiction and Goodlife Eats are hosting. This week I'm joining in with the fun with a flourless chocolate cake!
I've tried a few flourless chocolate cake recipes before and they've all been great. My favorite one is from epicurious. I've made a couple of changes that I think really enhance it.

Flourless Chocolate Cake
Adapted from Epicurious

2 ounces good quality bittersweet chocolate
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar
2 extra large eggs
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tablespoon strongly brewed coffee

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat 4 ramekins with butter and cocoa powder Melt chocolate with butter in the microwave, 30 seconds at a time. Stir in sugar. Once combined whisk in eggs, cocoa powder and coffee. Once combined pour into ramekins and bake for 15-20 minutes until the top has a thin crust.

 Come join the fun at the My Baking Addiction and GoodLife Eats Holiday Recipe Exchange sponsored by Scharffen Berger.

wednesdays are for day dreaming

One of the things I love about pinterest is all of the inspiration you can find there. I love that I can browse through things that others have found inspiring. It's like a mental escape, I can day dream about my future or even just about small projects I want to complete. Everything from DIY picture frames to grand scale events. I love it all.
This week I decided to go share some of my favorite pins from my "weddings and events are my favorite" board. I hope you find all of these as inspiring as I do.

Source: prettylittleweddings.com via Julie on Pinterest

This picture makes my heart skip beats. There is something insanely serene about the color tones and the water in the background. The place settings, the gorgeous chairs, the perfectly aligned glassware, gorgeous.

Source: elizabethannedesigns.com via Julie on Pinterest

This is just stunning. The view is gorgeous, the styling of the bridal party is perfect and it just makes me want to be there. I love it.

Source: kristaajones.com via Julie on Pinterest

Even though I have an irrational fear of sparklers this idea is just awesome. I love that little sign on the jar more than anything, sparks will fly!

Source: jaytsaiphotography.com via Julie on Pinterest

This picture just makes me want to hug Mike. I love the lighting. I'll be doing a feature on this photographer soon, I'm in love with so many of their pictures.

Source: people.com via Julie on Pinterest

Gorgeous! Love the mixed matched look. But the flowers are really what draws me to this picture. I love the white and green bouquets!

Source: stylemepretty.com via Julie on Pinterest

All of it. Now. please!!

Source: projectwedding.com via Julie on Pinterest

So simple, yet such a beautiful detail. I love menus on table settings, I'm not sure why, I just think they just finish the look of the table.

Source: stylemepretty.com via Julie on Pinterest

I adore these programs. The giant ampersand is just so pretty!

Source: lovewedbliss.com via Julie on Pinterest

Ok, so this isn't actually wedding related. But I am dying to get comfortable enough with my body (weight loss or whatever...) to do a boudoir shoot for Mike. I know he would LOVE it and this picture is just too gorgeous for words.

learning to love

Hello my good friends! I'm so sorry I missed you yesterday! I got overwhelmed over the last few days and just didn't have time to write a new post. But now I'm nicely back into the swing of things and I'm writing this up while sitting in my gym clothes getting ready to go work my tush off with a killer elliptical (ok really it's an arc trainer) workout.
I have been trying really really hard to teach myself to like oatmeal. Everyone raves about it and the health benefits and so on. My parents are not oatmeal people to say the least. My dad's idea of a daily breakfast food would be a giant bowl of rice crispies with a ton of extra sugar and a ton of milk. Growing up mom would drink coffee and have a cigarette (yuck!!! so glad she finally quit! Go mom!!!). So we generally just had cereal. The texture of oatmeal takes some serious getting used to. It is so....gummy?
Well the good news is that I have finally found a method and recipe that I am completely in love with!

Pumpkin Oatmeal
1/4 cup steel cut oats
1 1/2 cups water
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1/3 cup canned pumpkin
2 dashes cinnamon

Cook oats in water for the first 20 of the 25 minute cooking time. Add brown sugar and cook for the remaining 5 minutes. Add in pumpkin and cinnamon. Cook until heated through.

soaring sunday

Good morning and happy Sunday loves.

The hudson valley is always gorgeous, but the fall brings out a completely different look in the rolling hills that surround me. Mike is up flying today practicing with his flight instructor for a new rating. These flights specifically make me nervous, but I have complete faith in his abilities and I know that he will be home to me safely in just a couple hours.

the Culinary Institute of America. photo found here.

I hope you're all enjoying some beautiful fall weather where you are this weekend. I know I am.

holiday recipe exchange

It's just about time for this year's holiday recipe exchange hosted by the wonderful ladies at My Baking Addiction and Goodlife Eats! I'm super excited about it. If you're interested in participating check out the info here! I'm excited to get some new recipes for the upcoming holiday season!!