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Goodbye Florida. See you soon.

blogging from florida

I'm officially a half marathoner!

As I write this, I'm sitting outside on mom's porch, drinking a cup of tea and getting ready to head to Disney World for the day. We're still debating what parks we're doing, but we're ready to go enjoy the day!

princess half

While everyone else is posting super glam outfits for the Oscars this weekend, I'm posting my running gear for this weekend! Half marathon here I come!

princess half by rundreamcook featuring asics shoes

and away we go!

Today's the day! We're leaving for Florida. Actually as you read this, more than likely we'll be flying high above the east coast. Our flight leaves at 7am this morning, so we'll be on the ground bright and early! I think our plan for today is to head to the condo, go to this "amazing pizza place" across the street from mom's house and then head to the grocery store. Jess has been demanding that we go there the minute we land since she decided to come down with us. She's pregnant so I'm not sure how much I believe all of her raves about the place, but according to her it is the best pizza in the world and nothing will ever top it. The best part about the pizza place is that it isn't even really a pizza place, it's a brew house. At least there will be beer.
I'm being a little bit of a freak about eating for the next couple days. I'll go for the pizza, but I'll skip the beer today but I want to make sure I eat good normal foods between now and Sunday. I'm going straight to the grocery store to get some dinner choices that I can make in the condo. I'm trying to eat as normal as possible and keep it pretty darn healthy. After the race, I'll indulge plenty. Heck, after 13.1 miles I'll have an extra 2000 calories I can burn through that day. It is a vacation after all.
I'll be back later with pictures from the day!

runDisney

Good morning friends!! Today is my day to finish packing and get my butt in gear because I leave TOMORROW for Florida and my first half marathon!!!! AHHH! That's how how I feel. Like I might spontaneously com-bust at any given moment. I'm beyond nervous and so excited I might pee my pants. I've trained. I'm ready. And I'm breathing into a paper bag.
Today's pins for Oh! How Pinteresting Wednesday are all themed for my runDisney weekend. AHHH!!!

Source: piccsy.com via Natalie on Pinterest

This is crazy gorgeous. I haven't been in that castle in 10 years and I cannot wait to run through it. Just thinking about it gets me a little teary.

Source: weheartit.com via Laddie on Pinterest

All of these make me want to get out there and run. Especially Nemo - Just keep swimming. Or running as it may be. No worries <3

Source: ginafilipelli.tumblr.com via Gina on Pinterest

I can and WILL do it. Sunday.

Source: Uploaded by user via Hannah on Pinterest

I dream it every single night. Finishing this is beyond anything I every imagined I'd be able to do, and I can't wait to have that medal around my neck.

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

I love sparkly running shoes. I will be glittering mine for the race. Spray sparkle EVERYWHERE.

Source: images.google.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

Can't wait to stop for this photo op!!!

Source: dwtickets.com via Marissa on Pinterest

I feel this way already and I haven't even gotten there yet.

Source: Uploaded by user via Nathalie on Pinterest

It will be better than any fairy tale ever told.

I have some posts set up for while I'm gone, but I'm bringing the computer so I'll be able to check in! Definitely Monday with a recap!

anxiety.

Source: graphicleftovers.com via Coleen on Pinterest

I am having crazy anxiety. I'm leaving in a couple days, the race is less than a week away, plans keep changing and I feel like I'm going to pass out or pee my pants at any given moment. I'm having freak outs about the race. It isn't about finishing, I know I can handle it. The hay is in the barn as they say.
My freak outs are about logistics. Where are Jess and Dan going to wait to cheer us on? What days should we go to the park? What should I eat for dinner? I'm just freaking. I have knots in my stomach. Ugh.

So I'm trying to calm down. I'm going to the gym now to work my butt off and release some of this tension. I'm really hoping that will work. A margarita sounded heavenly last night, like it would have calmed my nerves, but I don't drink often at all and I didn't want to drink the week of the race.

Source: destinedtobebeautiful.tumblr.com via Nicole on Pinterest

In other news, I want to pick up this book, The Baker's Daughter, before the trip to read on the plane and during some downtime while I'm down there. I feel like it is going to go by so fast, I don't want to miss a moment of it. I want to make the most of the downtime and get away from all of everything going on here.

Source: eatliverun.com via Cindy on Pinterest

so soon.

The half marathon is a week away. I'm sure you are super ready for it to be here already so I'll just SHUT UP about it. I'm sorry but it is pretty much all that is on my mind. I can't help it. I'm stoked and petrified. Thrilled and scared. I can barely contain myself.

I'm leaving for Florida on Thursday! Packing commences tom

away we go

Alright friends. I am in dire need for your help. I upgraded my blogger profile to be attached to my Google+ account. However, I'm now a "no-reply" blogger and it is driving me CRAZY! I cannot for the life of me figure out why this happened, or how to fix it! My email address is there and set to public. I can't figure it out. I'd love advice!! Someone please help me!

This is my last Friday in cold, (un)winter-y New York before heading to Florida for the race and I have been day dreaming about this for the last 6 months or so. So the fact that Alison's theme for this week's Friday Fancies is "Let's Fly Away"!  In the middle of February, even if it isn't bone chillingly cold, it is hard to not fantasize about taking a journey to the tropics or at least somewhere bright, sunny and warm.

away we go by rundreamcook featuring coach handbags

I love this maxi dress. When I'm feeling pretty after days on the beach gallivanting in the sun and sand getting a light tan, there is nothing better than a flowing maxi dress. Soft fabric just makes you feel exceptionally gorgeous.

Especially when I'm on vacation, I love dainty flats with dresses. I am not the girl who feels prettiest in heels. I don't know why, but I almost always choose flats. I love the white/silver braiding on these.

Love this bag. I own it is coral, tan and chocolate brown but I need it in grey/silver to go with this dress. It can just jump into my closet at any time now!


Simple but pretty hoop earrings. Just enough shine without being overly glam.



I never go without sunscreen. Never. This sunscreen makes it easy to be glamorous and girlie. The best part about this one specifically is that I'm not allergic to it. I'm allergic to both shea and cocoa butters so it is super hard to find sunscreen that I'm not allergic to without spending a million dollars on it. This was a happy find in walgreens one day. I'll never go back! The only thing is that I don't suggest using it on your face because it can take a couple washes to get all the shimmer off!

spring cleaning

Spring cleaning for me this year means sorting through my drawers and closet and ditching all of the clothes that really don't fit anymore. After losing well over 50 pounds, there are a lot of things in my closet that I shouldn't be wearing anymore.
Since I have to get rid (mostly that means donate) of so much of my wardrobe I've been doing a bit of online shopping (aka day dreaming) about what I'd like to add once I make room.

here

here

here

here

boudoir love

I've set "boudoir shots" as a goal for myself for Mike before we get married. I'd love to feel comfortable enough in my skin to take pictures like that for him. I know it would mean the world to him. He'd absolutely love it. I have a ton of pictures pinned and I thought I'd share them for my Oh, How Pinteresting post for today in honor of it being Valentine's week!

Just a warning before you scroll down though - some of the pictures are suggestive and may not be work appropriate if you're browsing on a lunch break!

Source: evokingconnections.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Gorgeous lingerie.

Source: desireehayesphotography.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Slightly sweet and innocent, yet totally sexy. I love this.

Source: joielala.com via Shelby on Pinterest

I love this. Tank top with lace...

Source: jenniferwilliams.com via Sophia on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Jon on Pinterest

Gorgeous wedding shot.

Source: boards.weddingbee.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

LOVE this silhouette.

Source: weddingbee.com via Christa on Pinterest

I love how happy she looks here. Nothing is sexier than happiness.

Source: stumbleupon.com via Ian on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Whitney on Pinterest

I love this...pulling the panties up or down is amazingly hot.

Source: desireehayesphotography.com via Misha on Pinterest

She is stunning, but so is her bedroom!

Source: desireehayesphotography.com via Nakia on Pinterest

Mike would adore this picture.

Source: theknottybride.com via Christina on Pinterest

This is more my speed though!

we've got a real good shot...

Happy Valentine's Day! Mike is actually a huge fan of Valentine's Day! He loves all the wonderful mushiness associated with it. Truthfully, I could take it or leave it, but since he loves it so much, I indulge his wishes. Tonight we will have takeout from my favorite spot for Thai food, it's kind of a tradition for us, and we'll snuggle up and watch a movie together. His idea of a perfect night. 

It didn't take long for me to fall for him, and I fell hard. He is such an amazing guy and I feel so lucky every day to have someone like him in my life. This song quickly became "our song" once I heard it. Mike didn't kiss me at the end of our first date. There was a lingering hug, but no kissing. Then our second date, we went to the movies and there wasn't even hand holding. As we were saying goodbye at the end of the date, he hugged me and kissed my forehead. I looked at him and was like "seriously?!" He finally kissed me for real, and I was hooked. I've kissed him every time I've had the chance ever since.

I'm linking up with From Mrs to Mama in honor of Valentine's day for her What's your Love Story linkup! Here are the questions for us taken ladies!

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?

20 months

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}

We met online, our first date was at a Chili's 

3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell}

He definitely is the guy I hope to marry. I sing him "if you like it then you should probably put a ring on it" once a week if not more.

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding?  If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?

We aren't married yet, but we will be eventually. I'd prefer a small wedding, 100 people or less and I want a "different" kind of venue. We're hoping for an airplane hangar.

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!

I call him babe or Michael, sometimes stinky-kid. He calls me Jules usually.

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.

He's so determined. He keeps me inspired. He loves to cuddle just as much as I do.

7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal?

Just the two of us, anywhere any time.

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?

He's a flowers, teddy bear, strawberries, champagne and rose petals kind of guy. I'm a pizza and a movie kind of girl.

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?

I think I'm a sunset on the beach kind of girl, cozy clothes, just us but super romantic. I love it.

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?

I want to travel all over with him. I can't wait to travel as a family with our kids, and give our kids the kind of experiences that our parents were able to give us.

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day.
Thai food takeout! Yum!

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?
Nope...I'm not big on Valentine's Day gifts. Although I guess I am secretly hoping that he is going to replace a ring of mine that went missing :(

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.
We talk about everything, try to do things we both love to do and cuddle as often as possible.

14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you.

We didn't look our best, but I think this is the moment when we were proudest for each other. He had just finished his first half marathon and I got a PR for my 5k. We inspire each other to be better than we could possibly be apart.

pretty like a princess

I made my tutu for the race on Saturday morning. I'm a huge fan of how it came out and I wore it all over the house to make sure it's comfy. It's actually a bit big on me, and I'll have to take some of the tulle off before the race, but right now it is just too pretty to mess with.

Step 1 - tie ribbon to two chairs and pull them far apart.
Step 2 - slip knot the green tulle onto the ribbon leaving space between each piece.

Step 3 add color in between the dark green pieces.

I like how this shows how sparkly the light green tulle is.

The top  of the tutu. I found that thicker strips of tulle worked much better.

The finished product. I love it more than you can imagine.