run dream cook

Friday, January 6, 2012

fresh start

Good morning! Happy Friday! I hope ya'll had a fantastic first work-week back! This first week of 2012 has been pretty darn fun. I got to spend lots of time with Mike, had some post work sisterly bonding time and found out that one of my cousin's is going to be a daddy! His baby is due a couple months after Jess, in early August! Yay for 2012 being the year of the babies!!
Yesterday Jenni and I met up to do some serious sale shopping. I was in dire need of new bras. I got two new ones for Christmas which was awesome, but I also got lots of money in gift cards to VS. I love that their sale starts the first week of the year, it makes new bra shopping so much more fun. We tried on every bra available in our sizes (the lack of bras in my size is a rant I don't need to share on the blog - but ugh so frustrating!) and came out with a couple each. The only ones that worked for me happened to be the exact same as the ones I got for Christmas. I decided it didn't matter if I had two of the same, as long as they fit really well. Then we went to Target. One of my favorite things to do after Christmas is over is to hit up the Target clearance for goodies for next Christmas. I like to stock up on wrapping paper (I never pay full price for it - I have enough for all of my wrapping needs next year!), bows, gift toppers, ribbon, sometimes an ornament or two, and the occasional decoration item. This year with Twiglette (my sister's baby) on the way, I got super excited when I saw they had the Christmas onsies on clearance for 90% off! They were 60 CENTS each! I got 3 in various sizes....I think they're pretty gender neutral as they're all red and black. Paired with jeans they're boy and with a tutu and tights they're girl! Magic. Between the two of us, we only spent $19 and look at this cart of goodies!!

Now, onto my absolute favorite part of the week! Friday Fancies! This week's theme was "best foot forward." With the idea being to design an outfit around a great pair of shoes. I think the shoes I pick are always fabulous, but not really realistic in my life. So, this week I went with a pair that I might actually wear on a day to day basis. And seriously, who doesn't love silver Toms??

fresh start by rundreamcook featuring blue flat shoes

And oh my goodness. Someone find me that bag....my birthday is April 9! I'm just too in love with it. And really, that shirt...Ok...I really just love this outfit!

Happy Friday! Hope you have a fantastically fabulous weekend!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

a year to remember

I rang in the new year in style and I like to think that's a sign of things to come in 2012! Mike and I have been talking about what sorts of things we want to see or do this year. I think that's a fun thing to do at the start of any time period. We had a very similar conversation at dinner on our anniversary. Just thinking ahead for what we want to accomplish or enjoy in the near future.
I have a few goals for 2012. I don't think of them as resolutions. They aren't things that I am starting to work toward now that the new year is here, but things I am looking forward to in the coming year.

First and definitely foremost, I am looking forward to accomplishing my biggest goal from last year which is to run my first half marathon. Honestly when I started running at the end of January last year I had no idea that I would fall in love with it as much as I did. I cannot wait for February 26 to get here!

Source: polyvore.com via Sharon on Pinterest

In conjunction with that last goal, I am really looking forward to my trip to Florida in February! Not only will I be heading down to run the race, but I'll also get to spend a couple days on the beach and most importantly I'll get to spend a couple days with one of my best friends from college. I cannot wait.

Source: anniewisc.tumblr.com via Annie on Pinterest

I'm hoping to find a new job in the hospitality industry. With the end goal being an event planner, I want to start working in a hotel doing SOMETHING, anything really....

Great my new niece/nephew and spend as much time with him or her as physically possible.

Source: frecklefacephotography.ca via Sheri on Pinterest

Continue losing weight at the same pace I have been and hopefully hit my goal of being fit and at a weight sometime around May.

Source: fitandfreee.tumblr.com via Anne on Pinterest

Spend as much time as I can enjoying every single moment of life. I'm certain 2012 has great things in store for us and I can't wait to experience every moment of it!

Source: flickr.com via Kristine on Pinterest

I hope you're as ready to rock this year as I am!!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

ready to run

I've been training for my half for what seems like a really long time now. I've been running and working on it for almost a year. I can't believe that it is less than two months away. I've been really lucky that I haven't had a hard time finding my inspiration to get out there and run. I've honestly really loved every moment of my training.

Source: thehealthychange.tumblr.com via Amy on Pinterest

I want to run the Brooklyn Bridge this year...I don't know when, perhaps before the half, but it just seems like a pretty awesome place to go for a run.

Source: thehealthychange.tumblr.com via Kate on Pinterest

I remind myself of this every single time I go for a run. I don't look like a runner, but I certainly feel like one! It was hard at first going into running stores, feeling like I don't belong there. But I know I do. I work hard and I may be slow, but I am out there, pounding the pavement.

Source: caloriesandcardio.tumblr.com via Katie on Pinterest

Gorgeous. I want to run there.

Source: runforpeaceofmind.tumblr.com via Jason on Pinterest

Again...I love this sentiment. I may not be fast...but I'm still doing it!!

Source: cafepress.com via Nicci on Pinterest

Don't forget my point one!!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

top ten

With the start of the new year, I wanted to write about 2011. Honestly, I can't complain even a tiny bit about it there were so many good moments. So without further ado, my top ten moments of 2011!

10. May 29. My cousin's adorable daughter's Christening. It was a seriously gorgeous day. We got to hang out with my mom's side of the family, which is something we don't get to do as often as we should. Plus, any day that I get to hang out with this gorgeous girl is a good day in my book!

9. February 26. I watched some of my favorite people in the world jump into ice cold water in support of the Special Olympics. It's a cause very near and dear to my friend AJ's heart so it's something that they do every year. I love being there to support them and to capture the craziness on film.

8. August 28. Hurricane Irene hit. Now, this is supposed to be a top ten list and this doesn't seem to fit, but we had SUCH a blast waiting out the storm. We made it through this storm without a single problem and we were so lucky. I know many weren't as fortunate as us and my heart really goes out to them.

7. September 18. Mike's first half marathon!! It was the dutchess county classic and he was a total rock star. I'm not sure had done enough preparing, but he finished strong and I was so proud of him! They also had a 5k and I rocked it. This 5k is where my current PR came from!

6. March 17. I went flying with Mike for the first time! Mike and I had been trying for about 3 months, but every time our schedules aligned, the weather didn't cooperate. While I was terrified at first, he's a fantastic pilot and put me right at ease.

5. October 18. I went pumpkin picking with my family. We had a great time but really not all that fantastic. The best part about it was that it was the first time I saw my sister after she called to tell me that she's expecting my first niece/nephew in June!

4. June 25. The biggest graduation party I've ever seen! We called it the Merrwagly party as it celebrated 4 of my cousins graduating from high school, 1 from middle school and one from elementary! We sure know how to party. We hung out all day and then partied the night away, definitely the party of the summer!

3. April 17. My first ever race! It was the Hand-in-Hand "super 5k" and it kicked my tush! I had been running for just about 3 months at that point and the race was just under 5 miles. I wasn't really prepared for it, but in the end it was completely awesome.

2. June 18. My first anniversary with Mike! We had the most perfect day. The whole day was spent hanging by the pool lounging around and then we got ready and went out for the best dinner I have ever had. Beyond delicious.

1. November 25-27. Black Friday and Tree Hunting! This needs no explanation, it was so much fun and the perfect start to the holiday season! My absolute favorite weekend of the year.

Happy 2012.

Monday, January 2, 2012

change in plans

My new years eve was very different from what I posted about on Friday. I still went out to my sister's house for my niece's birthday party but I ended up coming home early and going out for dinner and dancing with Mike. Friday night at like 6pm I got a phone call from the local radio station saying I won dinner for two with a four hour open bar for NYE. I was beyond excited! I had never been out to ring in the new year. I normally either hang at a family party or with friends at home. I was so stoked to get dolled up and spend the night out with Mike.
I went out to my sister's house and we had a blast celebrating Jaclyn turn 11. She is so big. She'll be taller than me by the time she's 12, I'm certain of it. In fact she'll probably pass by me by spring. It's nuts! She definitely got the crazy tall gene from her dad's side of the family! I left out there around 5, stopped to pick up an iced tea from Dunkin Donuts and came home to get primped.

At my house, ready to head out.

I got new nail polish for the occasion...my polishing job is awful
but I love the color. Ulta's "Tink-her-bell"

I showered, did hair and make up, threw on a dress and some shiny accessories and I was ready to go. Mike looked amazing in some new pants. He is so amazing, I was so thrilled to ring in the new year with him. Winning was so random and exciting. I forgot that I had even entered the contest. I did it on facebook on Wednesday and just assumed since I hadn't heard anything that I didn't win. When she called it took a minute to sink in! The place was amazing. It's a locally owned restaurant that has 3 locations near me. I had been to one of the other locations, but not the one that was hosting the party. After some googling, I found the menu and some details. Apparently that if I was paying for it, it would have been $89 per person plus tax and 18% gratuity. So it was worth just about $200...awesome.

Red wine, rib eye, and shrimp make for a very happy boyfriend.

I had potato pancakes with smoked salmon as my appetizer and Mike ate the grilled scallops. Both were delicious, well I'm taking his word on the scallops as I'm allergic to shellfish. The potato pancake was definitely my favorite thing I ate all night. It was seriously delicious. Then we had the salad course, I went with the house salad and Mike chose Caesar. Again, delicious, but it was a salad...it wasn't going to knock my socks off. For dinner I had chicken, the only choice I'd eat, and Mike went surf and turf which was grilled rib eye steak and shrimp. The chicken was honestly just eh. Kind of typical catering hall kind of food. We chose to skip dessert because it took over 2 hours to have the first 3 courses and we really wanted to dance our booties off and enjoy the DJ before the ball dropped. Our wonderful waitress wrapped our desserts up, but they got left out over night when we got home.

We got our swag...ya know, hats...lol

Mike and I both drank a little more than we should have and we ended up sharing a cab home with another couple that had also won the night out from the radio station. The waitress definitely kept our Prosecco flowing all night long. It was really awesome. We had SO much fun. I was so glad we got the opportunity to go out together. Definitely a wonderful way to ring in the new year!!

So excited and loving life.

We had so much fun.

Drunk face with noise makers....

Probably should have stepped away from the bar...

Sad face about an empty cup...And pimpin' in Mike's hat

Mike got his tush kicked by the wine/Prosecco and was majorly hung over all day yesterday. I'm one of those evil people who doesn't get hung over. I've never had a hang over, but I can't imagine going through what Mike did yesterday. Yuck!

Friday, December 30, 2011

ready to party!

It's New Years Eve weekend!! Last weekend was a time to relish in family time and this weekend is time to party your butt off! Saturday we are spending the day at my sister's house celebrating my niece's 11th birthday and then glam-ifying ourselves! We're going all out with sparkle and glitz for the night even though we will just be celebrating at her house.
It will be a night filled with games and booze and I'm sure more laughter than I can handle.

I'm linking up with Alison of Long Distance Loving as always for Friday's Fancies. I can't wait to see how everyone else is glam-ing up to ring in the new year!!