little girl in the big world

Rock N Roll St. Petersburg Race Recap

2012-02-14T20:10:00.001-05:00

Before I start my race recap, I just have to say that I loved this race. Although it wasn't Disney-fied like the Wine and Dine or the Marathon Relay, there were so many things about it that I loved.
I posted yesterday about what a great expo it was.

It was inside Tropicana Field, and it was super painless. Even though people had been griping about $15 expo parking, my mom and I found free parking a stone's throw from the stadium, so I can't complain.
Inside, I picked up my bib and shirt, and we went to check out the gear. Rock N Roll events are sponsored by Brooks, and the gear was really cute. If it had been a tad cheaper I would have bought one of the pink running jackets (but I also live in Florida...so when do I usually need a running jacket). I also got three pairs of socks from a ridiculous price, got my GU and shot blocks, and wandered the other booths.
Nothing caught my eye as far as discount registrations were concerned. I almost registered for this race for next year, but I decided to wait and see how my schedule pans out.
On Saturday morning the temperature read 38*. I'm sorry, but that's not supposed to happen, much less on a day where I'm supposed to be up and out of the house by 5:30...I layered up in a long sleeve tech shirt, a short sleeve tech shirt, a long sleeve cotton shirt, a hoodie, and gloves. I ended up getting rid of the hoodie and cotton shirt along the route, but I kept the gloves the whole time.
When we got to the race, Tim and my mom dropped me off at Ferg's. It's a bar near the starting line that was open for runners. I don't think many people knew about it, because it was empty, they had water for us, and the bathroom lines were short. It enabled me to go three times, as I am so neurotic about using the bathroom before a race.
After my last bathroom run I headed out to corral five with a goal in the very back of my mind of running under two hours. My previous best was 2:06 at the Wine and Dine, but with my head cold and the frigid temps, I didn't know if this would be in the realm of possibility. I didn't have to wait long at the start before they started the different corrals. They were so organized with the wave start, and we didn't have to dodge people at all in the beginning. This was new to me since I'm so used to pushing and shoving at the beginning of the Disney races.

The first few miles of the race were a bit boring in mainly residential areas of St. Pete. They went by quickly enough before we made the turn and could start to see the downtown area. I dropped my hoodie around mile two on an incline. It seemed to be when others started shedding early layers too. For those non-runners who may be reading, when you drop your clothes along the route they're picked up and donated to nearby facilities.
Also for these miles I was holding in the low 9 minute miles making sure that I didn't pour it all out and hit a wall later. I felt good, and I knew this would be a good race for me. Around mile 6 I stared picking it up a little bit to run under 9 minute miles.
It was at the halfway mark where I knew I was going to run under 2 hours. I felt fantastic and wasn't exerting myself keeping under my goal pace.
But around mile 8 I started seeing people that had started with the 2 hour pace group (they had pink signs on their backs) and I asked if they were running with the group. They said "No! We lost them a while ago!" and it made me panic. I started wondering if I was wrong and needed to actually be running faster than a 9:10 pace to run under two hours. I picked it up to 8:30 pace for a mile or two to make sure that I was going to hit this time. Then I relaxed and remembered that I had done my research and there was a chance that the pacer had started in an earlier corral.

And I was right. He had started in corral 4, so he had a minute one me.
Mile 8.5-9.5 was so so windy on the pier, but it was pretty views to attempt to enjoy in the blistering wind. The wind didn't really subside once we got off the pier either, so I guess it was just getting us used to it.
Along the way I had wanted to get some cute pictures, and one idea I had was to jump for the camera I saw on the pier. I unfortunately was caught at a bad moment on the landing and wanted to share. I promise it's the most embarrassing picture I'll ever post of myself...but hopefully you'll get a laugh. Otherwise I got some cute ones I'll post.

For some reason around mile 11 I thought we were turning around, but the turn around didn't come for a very long time, and I got really frustrated with my wrong ideas and started to just want to be finished. There was a super steep bridge with a photographer at the top, and I thought that was just a bit rude (ha!). By mile 12 I was just so excited to see that finish line.

And see the finish line I did, around mile 12.75. It was an illusion, and it seemed so much closer. I started running sub 8 minute miles way too soon, but I held on and ended up crossing the finish line in 1:57.44. I got my medal (which is part of my enjoyment of running...let's be honest), picked up my snacks, and met up with mom and Tim to celebrate!

What a great race!
Overall I would applaud Rock N Roll on a great event, a well planned course, and a great expo. There were spectators along the way, including mom and Tim that I got to see at 8.5, 9.5, and the finish! I will absolutely be doing this race again! I'm even going to look into other Rock N Roll events around the country.

Now I'm just deciding what's up next for me...I'll definitely be running Gasparilla, but I haven't decided which of the four offerings I'll partake in yet.
And thanks again to my mom and Tim for freezing their butts off to come support me! I loved having you there along the route.

Any races coming up for you girls? Which ones?
Don't forget about my Stella & Dot giveaway!

A Running and Wedding Planning Weekend!

2012-02-13T18:33:00.001-05:00

I had an absolutely amazing weekend; it was so productive (in a way that might actually be enjoyable to recap and read)!
My mom came in town on Friday, and after school we headed down to St. Petersburg to go to the Rock N Roll expo for packet pickup. It was pretty awesome, because it was inside Tropicana Field (our baseball field is a dome).I'll talk more about the expo when I do my recap post tomorrow, but to spoil the surprise I beat that time in the picture above where I'm making my most beautiful face.
On Saturday morning we got into full wedding mode and headed out for everything possible wedding related. Oh you just wait...
We started at Brides by Demetrios, where I did pick a bridesmaids dress. I love it, and the best part was that the lady that helped me totally put one of the dresses on and stood next to me in the other dress. Although we at first thought she was just offering out of consideration, a few other girls in the store said she only works on Saturday and loves wearing the dresses. One of them even said, "it isn't a Saturday unless she's in a dress!" So funny!
I won't ruin the surprise (I know you're waiting with baited breath), but it's a Bill Levkov in Plum...and it looks similar to (but better than) these two:

But that girl on the right is creeping me out...so focus not on her.
We then quickly headed to the museum to show my mom where we're getting married and having the reception. She loved it...just like we did...and how could you not?

from the museum's website
We headed to a florist...whom we loved and are definitely booking. His eye was flawless, his shop was small but filled to the brim, and there was literally not one thing in everything that I saw that I wouldn't be thrilled to have on my wedding day. I'll talk more about wedding flowers once we meet with him again.
Afterwards we went to a cake tasting...and had an terrible experience. We're fairly certain we aren't going to go with him. Aside from not really dealing with us until 45 minutes after our appointment to seeing him finishing up a cake 30 minutes after someone had come to pick it up, there were so many reasons we were disappointed. We didn't finish there until an hour and a half after we had walked in, and we were only with him for maybe 15 minutes. It was terrible.
It was such a long day and I had a cold and a half marathon to run the next morning that I didn't end up going to a birthday party we were supposed to attend. Tim went, but mom and I just ate dinner and laid around...I went to bed early for a 4:45 am alarm.
And with that 4:45 alarm came the biting reality of a 38* morning in Tampa. I didn't know it was possible, and I'm sure not thankful that it also happened to be the day I chose to run a race at 7:30 in the morning in St. Petersburg (45 minutes away).
But it's alright. It was all worth it. I'm going to write a whole recap and post it tomorrow, but for now I'll just tell you it was absolutely the cap to a great weekend! I PR'ed by 9 minutes or so, and I broke 2 hours.
I ran my third half marathon in 1:57:44!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Did I miss anything this week? Will you fill me in?
Don't forget to enter my Stella & Dot Giveaway! It ends Friday.

checking in

2012-02-08T00:00:00.000-05:00

Hello.
I didn't post Monday or Tuesday. For some reason I can only juggle three balls, and I have really ramped up the wedding planning. We're talking coordinator meeting this past Friday, florist appointments made, cake appointments made, and other decisions in the works. With that and my next half marathon on Sunday (and my mom coming in town) and work being particularly busy, I dropped the blogging ball for a day or two. I'll be back tomorrow with a more thought provoking post, and will you forgive me for not commenting on your blogs in the last few days? That will resume as well.
For now:

Source: iamblessed.tumblr.com via Courtney on Pinterest

Today will be amazing. Just because.
And a random question...also just because. If you could be anywhere in the world right now with one person, where would it be and who would it be with?

Stella & Dot Giveaway

2012-02-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

Today I've got such a great giveaway for you! Do you know Stella & Dot? Don't you love it?
The spring line came out a few weeks ago, and it's so beautiful. I've borrowed a few looks from the Stella & Dot Style Blog to give you a peek at some of the pieces.

Isn't it fantastic?

My former upline (I was a stylist with the company for a while) Alex Woolverton has offered to host a giveaway on my blog, and I'm so excited!
She wanted to give something that many people would love, so together we chose the Tribute Bracelet.

It's a nice touch to any outfit with the rose gold and hematite, but it's also great for stacking. Isn't it gorgeous? It's their all time best seller.

And aside from being pretty, it's also neat because Stella & Dot created it in Rose Gold as a Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet. In fact, in the month of October alone, they raised over $130k that they donated to breast cancer research from the sale of the bracelet.

There are a few ways to enter, so check out the Rafflecopter below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday's Fancies: Spring Fever

2012-02-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

The theme for today's Friday's Fancies is spring fever, and the neon and brights bug has bitten me big time. I was so in love with the two items I posted about on Tuesday that I just had to include them in this week's post. Since it's never really felt like winter down here in Florida, I could go ahead and bag up this outfit for wear in the next week or two.

spring by lttlegrlbigwrld featuring j crew short

I'm so frustrated I've twice missed this BaubleBar necklace. It came back in stock yesterday, I got the emailed and waited around, and now it's sold out again. I guess it wasn't meant to be (until it comes back in stock and I grab it as soon as I see it!). Do you wait around on purchases before biting the bullet like I do?

The rest of this look is a combination of J.Crew and Tory Burch; somehow when I'm looking to throw together a cute look for Friday's Fancies, those are the first two places I look. I truly and honestly want each piece I've shown here so much. I've had my eyes on those Tory Burch wedges for ages, and with gift cards I think this may be the season they become mine. We will have to wait and see; they don't currently fit into my budget.

Since I tend to turn to TB and JCrew before heading elsewhere, I'm wondering, where do you click over to first when putting together a virtual look?

Thankful Things Thursday

2012-02-02T16:49:00.000-05:00

Two of my absolute favorite runner-girl blogs are Ali @ Ali on the Run and Emily @ Sweat Once a Day (who actually sweats more than once a day). They're real women, and if you like workout motivation or are a runner, check them out. On Thursdays, they post Thankful Things Thursday, and since I've got a lot of stuff to be thankful for I thought I'd join them.
I'm thankful that today is/has been a really productive day.I have literally not stopped doing something for any minute of today, and it feels great to get so many things checked off my list. A lot of it was work related, so I won't bore you with it, but I feel fantastic.
I'm thankful for traffic lights that work with you when you need to be somewhere on time.This morning I was cutting it close for a meeting, but the stars aligned and all the lights that are normally long waited worked with me. I made it with plenty of time to spare.
I'm thankful for my wonderful fiance.

He's so hard-working, and when he comes home from work at sometimes 8 or 8:30 he has started running and then goes to to graduate school work for his MBA. He's amazing, and I don't really give him enough credit sometimes.

I'm thankful for all of the miles and gym time I've put in this week. It feels good.

I ran 12 miles on Sunday, ellipticalled for 23 minutes and went to an RPM class on Tuesday, ran 4.5 miles and did a bodypump class on Wednesday, and tonight plan on either doing a spin class or BodyCombat class depending on how I feel when I get to the gym. I'll decide on the rest of the week as it comes.

I'm thankful that my hip is gaining strength and I'm getting less dumb with my running habits.

When I hurt my hip in November, I had increased speed and distance at the same time, and I think it led to some of my problems (along with doing absolutely no cross training). Now I'm spending less time pounding pavement and more time cross training and running smarter. We'll see how it pays off February 12th at my next half marathon.

I'm thankful that what I thought was a wedding planner downfall has led to more excitement.

Our original event coordinator quit at the museum we're getting married at and sent us an email last Thursday. I got worried about it, but when the lady that took over our event called, we scheduled an appointment and I'm actually going to get the ball rolling sooner on designing the event, cake, flowers, etc. It's actually the jumpstart that I needed. We're meeting with her tomorrow at 4!

I'm thankful I got good numbers for SuperBowl Squares at work.

Now I just hope one of them pays off! It's a lot of money to be won!

I'm thankful that I get to share this video and a "This I Believe" speech tomorrow at school.

I'm not a lover of public speaking, but this video is great; plus I can't wait to talk about setting goals and working to achieve them!

I'm thankful it's Thursday!

Because that means tomorrow is Friday!

What are you thankful for this Thursday?

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Pinspiration

2012-02-01T09:45:00.001-05:00

It always seems that when I look at Pinterest, the inspirational and motivational quotes can lift my mood and make me want to get up and do something that make a positive change to myself, my life, or those around me. Today I thought I would share a simple post of inspiration Pinterest has bestowed upon me in the last few weeks. Hopefully one or two will also inspire you.(Spacing was being a problem with embedding. If you click each image it will take you to the pin.)

Do you have a quote or inspiration that is currently motivating you? What do you want to accomplish?

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Brights & Bags

2012-01-31T00:00:00.000-05:00

Just a fun {+bright} post for this Tuesday.

J.Crew has shocked me with these two absolutely amazing pieces. I'm in love with the Blythe blouse in a handful of neon colors, and because I saw Liz modeling it yesterday on her blog, I know that these really are super bright colors. I will absolutely be watching these very closely. And the bag? This Tillary tote I find to be beautiful. What do you think?

Are you a fan of the super brights that are sneaking into spring looks? Would you wear neon? What's your favorite look you're seeing come out for spring?
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weekend in pictures {and instagrams}

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

This weekend was all of relaxing, eventful, and too short. The short seems to be a recurring theme, but between an inaugural Tampa blogger meetup and Tim having the whole weekend off, it was full of wonderful.
Friday night, nine Tampa bloggers met up at Fly Bar for dinner and drinks. A few had to go early, and I didn't get a picture until later in the night. It was a lot of fun, and it's so nice to see familiar faces from online actually in person! I look forward to next time! And thanks to Becca for letting me borrow a dollar when I mentioned that I ran a toll coming down because I couldn't scrape up the change.
Also...if you're a Tampa blogger and we don't know it, let me know! Nichole made a page for us and I can send it to you and also ensure that you know when the next planned event is.

Lane//Nichole//Jessica//Becca//Jennifer//me!

On Saturday morning, Tim and I headed down to the Saturday Morning Market in St. Pete with our friends Austin and Debbie. I love the market; you can find so much stuff there: produce, plants, treats, food trucks, and delicious homemade food products. We left relatively unscathed, but I did pick up some delicious homemade pickles that are no longer in our possession (I love pickles). The foods were yummy, and if I hadn't withheld we definitely would have come home with jellies, pastries, and several of the crafts I saw.

Now a continuation of the day, but also an explanation of the pictures below. After the market we went to Dick's sporting goods to use a $25 off any purchase coupon that was expiring, and I scored two of my favorite Camelbak water bottles that I posted about as a workout essential for $4.97! It's the little things sometimes I tell you. Normally they're quite a bit more.

We then headed for burgers at Burger 21, where I got sweet potato fries and a cinco burger with jalapenos and guac. Yum. And some of you may have the same problem as me, but I view many types of food as a vehicle for condiments. One of the reasons I love burger 21 is because of their amazing ketchup bar. The yellow one is scotch bonnet mango ketchup, then there is Thai ketchup, honey something or another (like honey mustard), and of course the old standby.

The middle picture is a bit out of order. I stole a picture of us at Burger 21.
The two bottom outside ones are from Sunday. We went to breakfast after my long run, and I was so thankful to have Tim for two days in a row off work on the same days as me that I wanted to capture another picture. I have no idea the last time it happened we had two days off in a row together. I'm so thankful for him, and I don't think I really make that clear around here that much. And the last picture? It was my amazing 12 mile run Sunday. I felt fantastic; I think it was a combination of new music, a few rest days this week, pasta that I had Saturday night, and a mentality of just letting my body do what it wanted rather than holding it back to a pace.
Oh, and a sneak peek for an upcoming post. Tim actually snapped a few outfit pics of me while we were at the market! I'll post those soon.
How were your weekends? And random question if you feel so inclined...do you love ketchup or other condiments?
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Go for the Goal: January/February

2012-01-27T00:05:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited to be hosting this link-up with Meghan, Lori, and Whitney! I find goals to be so important to living my life to the fullest, and I have to say that January has been an amazing month! I have done so well with goals, and I'm so excited to report on them. To keep with consistency, we're going to post this linkup the last Friday of every month, so I'll do my monthly recap and next month goals on these days instead of the last day of the month.
Here are my January goals in case you wanted to see what I set for myself at the beginning of the year, and below is my recap! **Edit: The money saving is because I've been living on the bare minimums because of my wedding coming up. I'm working so hard at savings...it's not because I make a lot of money...it's because I've spent very little money aside from rent, student and car loans, and the necessities. :) Just wanted to clear that up!**Pretty good, right? I'm so happy with myself and my progress!

And my February goals...

How were/are your January goals? What are your goals for February? Feel free to leave them in the comments below...or post you own over the next few days, grab a button, and link up below! What a better way to hold yourself accountable?

The linkup will be open for the next week, so you have plenty of time!

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Friday's Fancies: blog swap! {with Ashlyn}

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited that the theme for Friday's Fancies this week is "blog swap". I was partnered with ashlyn, so she's over here with her outfit and I'm over at her blog with my outfit! Be sure to check my choices out. I really love what I put together this week!

But first, look at the fun outfit that she recreated below! How fun is this amazing inspiration as well as the outfit she put together? She didn't miss a beat! Thanks Ashlyn!

polyvore via {loveeashlyn}

Hello to all you lovely ladies here at Little Girl in a Big World!:] It is Friday if you haven't guessed already -- & that means FRIDAY FANCIES! WHOOO! yes I am thatttttt excited! My name is Ashlyn & I have a little ol' blog over at {My Unrehearsed Life} where I talk about fashion, interior design, life, & whatever I feel like really. ha But if you haven't stopped by & said hi yet you def should :] I love meeting new readers!

Anywho, I am beyond thrilled to be swap partners with Miss. Meghan for this weeks Friday Fancies link-up over at {AV} blog Long Distance Loving. I am a fashionista, or so that is what I keep telling myself. I don't nec. dress fashionable in the real world all the time because I am a full-time Physician Assistant student but I sure do love to pretend!!! I mean who doesn't like to pretend right? Well this weeks outfit is subtle & chic. I feel in love with this outfit on Pinterest not too long ago & have been trying to find the right items to put it together. & FINALLYYY i did it! GO MEEE! :] I think is is so friggin' cute -- & the colors are fabulous. I love the leopard skirt with the blush colors. I think this cute outfit can be worn many ways whether you have to spend the day at the office & then head out on the town that night. It is a classy outfit that anyone could rock :]

Thanks for the oppurtunity to say to all you ladies -- stop by & check out Meghan's outfit! & say hi of course! xoxo ashlyn

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Reader Feedback Requested

2012-01-26T08:42:00.001-05:00

I have been in such a blogging funk for the last few days trying to define my style and my purpose of writing. I have read a few blog posts about having the best blog possible, and several of the things that they mentioned really struck chords with me.
One of these posts suggested that people really love blogs where they feel that something is being offered to them in the sense of style advice, makeup tutorials, outfit posts, recipes, photos, funny stories, workout motivation, or tips on the latest and greatest. Would you say that this would be true? And if so, what do you feel that you are being offered here at little girl in the big world?
Why do you read my blog? And even more so, why do you comment on my posts? What makes you take the extra time and effort to leave a comment? And this is not meant to beg you for praise. It's a serious question. When you click to open my blog, what are you hoping to find?
And what I'm thinking would also be really helpful is what are you NOT looking to find? I'm sure many people won't answer that one, but if you would, I would be so greatly appreciative.
Categories that I have written about or write about enough to mention include:outfit creationsstyleonline shoppingrunningorganizationrecipesphoto-dumps of sorts whether instagram or DSLRworking outpins from pinterestlosing weight
I want to make my blog even better and I want to make sure that what I'm offering to you is what you're looking for regularly when you come here.
It would also be helpful to know how you would "categorize" my blog in your head or in your reader.
As far as a hint on why I'm writing this, I'm thinking about becoming more topic-focused. I want to hear feedback before I make any decisions, though.
And please don't forget to linkup tomorrow with me, meghan, lori, and whitney! It's a linkup called "go for the goal"! You can grab the button off my sidebar, post your January or new years goals follow up, and also make goals or additions for February. That's what I'll be doing, and I'm looking forward to remaining accountable for the goals I've set for myself! It'll be up at midnight!
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A Peek at my Pinterest Boards

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today I wanted to share with you some of my Pinterest board and recent pins. I've been pinning things a lot more lately, and I'm finding these board to be great to remember what I'm loving right now and also keep me organized for blogging. It's amazing what a great tool Pinterest is.

My "Clothes I Want" board has found some recent additions. JCrew pants, a Gap top, a Gap cardigan, and some absolutely drool-worthy (but sadly not affordable) shoes top the board right now.

top left clockwise: 1//2//3//4//5//With cake tasting and design talks coming up, my "wedding ideas" board is brimming with cake ideas. And while I didn't really think I had any idea of what I wanted, I quickly spotted the glaring trend of circle and 3D flowers. I wonder how I can combine these ideas with others that I've found?

And lastly, a random conglomeration of a few of my other frequently used boards. I'm constantly pinning inspiring quotes about running, working out, and living life to the fullest. I love finding styles that I can recreate with current wardrobe pieces. Organization has grown near and dear to my heart since the new year has come around, and this over the door vanity is amazing. Beauty and healthy eating have also been more on my mind with the new year and the wedding coming this summer, and this contour how-to and avocado salad are so visually appealing.
I'm linking up with Michelle to share my recent pins.What have you been pinning lately? Has Pinterest helped you in organizing yourself more or realize something about your style or preferences? I find the visual organization to be so exciting.
Don't forget about the Go For the Goal once a month goal linkup starting Friday! You can find more info here about who's hosting and how to link up here. It's a great way to follow up on goals and resolutions and set follow up goals for each month!
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Workout Essentials + Go for the Goal Announcement

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Working out in general doesn't always take that much stuff, but I've found that as I've developed healthy habits in the last eight or ten months I've also honed in on what I need to be carrying with me when I walk out the door, depending on where I'm going.
Everything that I included in this post is exactly what I use, so I am giving you my first-hand account. I cannot go to the gym without carrying everything in a bag, and I use the Zella gathered tote but in silver/grey. It's got a dry pocket for my phone and headphones, as well as a zillion other pockets here and there. I also never go without a towel (because I've gotten to the point where I need some serious sweat to convince myself I've done anything), my camelbak water bottle (in purple), and a pair of gym shoes. I wear the Nike frees I used to run in, because I don't wear my running shoes for anything but running.
These are the things I bring with me when I go to spin, bodypump, yoga, or any other class or machine aside from the treadmill.

When I'm headed out on a run, my arsenal of gear looks pretty different. I always wear good running shoes, which is so important (even though they're not as cute), and I always wear my Garmin (I've got the 305). If I'm headed out for 8 or more miles, I'll carry a running water bottle and wear my SPIbelt to hold keys, a credit card, and my ID.

And I always always have my iphone and headphones. Unless I'm going to a class, I have to have music to motivate me. I use Spotify to create playlists for different workouts. And as far as what I wear, the lululemon Run: For Your Life crops are my absolute favorite. They don't seem to have them anymore, but I'm guessing they're similar to the Run: For It crops. I like to look cute when I workout, because it makes me feel better. And after a spin class or a long run, what I'm wearing is the only thing that looks half decent, so I like to keep it that way.

And I can't believe I forgot to put it in the graphic above, but I literally NEVER workout without a sparkly BICband. I did a giveaway before Christmas, and I'm telling you they are without a doubt the best.

***

Super exciting news! On the last Friday of every month (starting this Friday), there are a few of us that are going to have a linkup called "Go for the Goal" where you can post your monthly goal progress, goals for the next month, and/or follow ups on your new years resolution.

It's a great way to keep yourself accountable and also to see what others' goals are and how they're progressing. It can relate to fitness, money, personal things, work, travel, or anything you're setting your eyes on for the month or year. Email me if you have questions...and get your posts ready! We're starting this Friday! You can include it in your normal Friday post or make it a separate post.

(I'll still be doing Friday's Fancies, so I'll have two posts every fourth Friday!)

What are your workout essentials? What am I missing? How are you doing with your goals? Will you link-up?

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Friday's Fancies: Inspired!

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

While I pin a lot of fashion and style stuff to my Pinterest boards, when {av} picked the inspired topic this week (where you find an outfit online or on Pinterest to attempt to recreate), I didn't really know what I wanted to emulate. Then, I found a fantastic new blog this week called This Time Tomorrow. I'm probably late to this party, but her style is the perfect mix of a lot of other bloggers that I've read for a while. Plus, she wears a lot of dark colors, which is absolutely my favorite way to dress.

I decided I wanted to try to recreate this look that she's wearing, without using the same pieces (except the shoes...I found a new pair of shoes to love).

source

Here is my recreation. What do you think?

shoes - bag - dress - bracelet - bracelet - necklace - trenchIf I was a lady who lunches or often went to weekend brunch, this would be perfect for that. I could also see myself wearing this on an airplane going on vacation. I know I could find a zillion places to wear those shoes, though. I think I'm late to that party too.
Have a happy Friday! Time is flying by. I can't believe this is already the third Friday's Fancies of January! What are you doing this weekend?
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happy thursday!

2012-01-19T10:00:00.000-05:00

I'm sick today and feeling pretty yucky; it came on fast and has hit me pretty hard. I don't have it in me for a full blog post today, but I did click through my pinterest boards to find some pretties that are keeping me uplifted and in good spirits while I'm down for the count. And I threw in a few things that are okay with me at the end.

sourceKhloe Kardashian's closet? Yes please! There are more red soles here than at a Neiman Marcus.sourceThis purple cake with sprinkles is what I would like for my next birthday.sourceThere was a great bracelet DIY this week on Honestly WTF. I'm sure I'll buy the supplies sometime and not make them for a few months (as what always seems to happen when I think of DIY)...sourceAnd because I wasn't able to workout yesterday or today (and probably not tomorrow...ugh), I can definitely tell you that I'm suffering more not running than by running. Is this true for you too?
And to add a few "It's OK's..."It's ok...
...that I just bought a few things from lululemon but I already have several more things in my online cart to buy in February (I'll share my purchases next week)....that I would rather spend money lately on workout stuff than normal clothes....to look forward to February so that my mint.com will start over....that I didn't meet my goal of no Starbucks or Dunking this month. I'm doing so well with all of my other goals....to look forward to a Stella & Dot giveaway I've got in the works....that I have so many great blogging ideas but have no energy to write them right now....that I'm going to be in bed all day today reading magazines, sleeping, and reading a few blogs here and there. I'll be back with it tomorrow!
What's OK with you?! Link up with Amber and Neely.
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Make a Statement

2012-01-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

Something has gotten into me since the beginning of the year, and I've been lusting for large statement necklaces. That's not to say that I don't also enjoy small layering ones as well, but I've seen so many amazing statement necklaces in so many places that I decided to compile them into one post. Keep in mind, this was me choosing my absolute favorites from the many more I pulled. The prices vary immensely, but I find the amount I love each piece to stand alone from the price.
I'm loving the trend of chains, heavy metals, and bright colors. I also believe each of these could be dressed up or down depending on the outfit paired with. In fact, if you want to purchase any of them for me I'd be happy to demonstrate.

These pieces are from BaubleBar, Stella & Dot, and J.Crew.clockwise from top left: [1][2][3][4][5][6]

All of these are Dannijo or Tom Binns

clockwise from top left: [1][2][3][4][5][6]

What are your favorites? Do you wear statement necklaces?

I've been wanting a DANNIJO necklace for the longest time, and they have an amazing one on sale for 55% off at The Outnet right now. What do you think of it? I'm thinking it might be perfect for my wedding...

And as a sidenote, I got an email today that BaubleBar is bringing back their bestsellers from this year as a celebration of their one year anniversary {they're releasing January 23rd, and I can't wait}. Sign up for an account and get $10 off your first order.

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tag

2012-01-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, Meghan tagged me in a question post. To make things interesting, I decided to make a visual representation of my answers using Pinterest images only. To create it, I searched for a keyword that answered the question. There were two questions that I had trouble thinking of answers for or keywords for, so those are answered below without being included. I included all of the questions and answers under the collage.

all images are from pinterest!

{one} what are you most looking forward to in 2012? my wedding, of course!

{two} what is the first thing you notice about people? when someone first walks in somewhere, their outfits

{three} where is the furthest you've ever traveled from home? ethiopia

{four} what's your favorite sport and why? football to watch, running to participate in

{five} what's the numero uno most-played song on your ipod? nelly the champ because it's so inspirational and motivational

{six} what's your least favorite chore? emptying the dishwasher (although if I had more bowls like these it might be a bit less of a chore)

{seven} what is one of your favorite quotes? See above.

{eight} coke or pepsi? coke!

{nine} if you could be any fictional character, who would it be? Hermione Granger...because I want that tool where you can be in two places at once!{ten} if you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be? This is such a hard question. I'm a history major...I have no idea what would be the event I would most want to see. Maybe victory day in Europe after World War 2 or the signing of the Declaration of Independence?

{eleven} what do you miss most about being a kid? Without a doubt...knowing that my mom would always be there to pick me up from school or wherever I was when she said she was going to or knowing she would always cook us dinner. I miss my mom {and dad} and wish we lived closer together.

And the winner of the Erin Condren giveaway is Amber W! Amber I emailed you through rafflecopter.

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Friday's Fancies: Color Crush

2012-01-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

It's Friday! Another week of 2012 has passed. And today, {av}'s theme for Friday's Fancies is color crush. I would be denying myself (and you) if I didn't of course include purple in my post today, and along with it I thought some black, gold, and nude would accent well.

I saw this dress on one of Kelly Ripa's outfit identifying sites. She (or her stylist) has incredible taste in clothing, and I would love to possess even a small amount of her wardrobe. When I saw it, I knew it had to be the highlight of my purple post.

1. The necklace is the J.Crew bubble necklace I've wanted for a while now. I've seen it on a bunch of blogs (like Danielle's yesterday and Megan's a few weeks ago), and I know they keep bringing new colors out. I just really love the black.

2. The dress is the Elizabeth and James penelope blouson dress, and there are so many things I love about it: the color, the sleeves, and the waistline are a few.

3. Some simple Kate Spade studs complete the black accessory look without taking anything away from the necklace.

4. And this would be the biggest splurge of this FF post. Some Louboutin shoes complete the look for me. I love the stacked heels on these as well as the color.

5. And lastly, another piece from kate spade. I like the chain and material on this Flicker clutch. You can tuck in the chain to hold it as a clutch or carry it over the shoulder with the chain.

We're going to a birthday dinner on Saturday night, and I would wear this outfit if I did own it. I think it's perfect for a Saturday night birthday outing.

And I'm off Monday. It'll be a nice three day weekend. I've got a bunch of stuff I want to get done around the house and for the wedding planning. What are you up to this weekend?

Today is the last day to end my Erin Condren giveaway! I'll post the winner soon.

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love {engagement pictures}

2012-01-11T20:53:00.001-05:00

While I've been waiting to make the decisions on all the little things for the wedding, we booked almost all of the big stuff very quickly. The photographer was one of the first decisions; we chose Reid with 12-1 Photography for his unique style and keen eye. We had our engagement pictures taken in December, and after spending a lot of time this week ooh-ing and aah-ing over them myself, I wanted to share some with you. We're so pleased with the result, and it makes us even more excited for our wedding and the amazing pictures we know will come.

I can't decide on a favorite, but the first, second, and last ones are up there. The handcuff one? I love it so much and think it's hilarious!

So again, I didn't take them and want to make sure the very talented Reid of 12-1 photography gets credit. If you're in the Tampa area and are looking for a wedding photographer (he also does band photography), please contact him. He has such great style, and he directs so well.

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Cute new accessory {Disney marathon relay race recap}

2012-01-10T00:16:00.001-05:00

This past weekend was a blur, but it was one I'm happy to reflect on. I mentioned last week that I was sneaking in a half marathon after some time off running to recover from some hip pains with spinning and yoga to keep me in shape. I probably wouldn't have done it had I not signed up as part of a team. Me and a colleague from work were doing the full marathon split into a relay together. I ran the first half, and he ran the second half. Without me, he wouldn't have been able to run.
So I took one for the team {literally} and dusted off my running gear, packed up, and headed for Disney on Saturday afternoon for the Disney Marathon Weekend. Disney just knows how to do it right.
I checked in and picked up my bib (with our team name "Taking you to school" printed on the front), then I headed to the expo. The official race shirt was pretty nice looking, but I was hoping to buy one of the cuter shirts runDisney always has at the events. I was a bit disappointed that they only had one not so cute shirt, and the only size left was an XXL. Oh well. It saved me a few bucks.
After dinner at Brava, I headed back to my room to lay out all the stuff I knew I would need Sunday morning.

And Sunday morning came really quickly. I had to get up at 3 AM, because the gun went off at 5:30 and I was running the first leg. I tried to make coffee before discovering that I had no idea how to use the coffee maker, drank some water, grabbed half a bagel and banana, and ran out the door.

The traffic getting to Epcot was a bit frightening. It was so backed up at 3:45 you would have thought you were in Atlanta rush hour traffic. By the time I got there it was 4:15, and I needed to jump in the port o potty lines, walk the 20 minute walk to the starting corrals, and be there by 5:00. It all happened, but by the time I got in my corral there was only five or ten minutes before the first corral was off. It was a very long process. If you ever run a Disney race, they're not joking around when they tell you it takes 20 minutes to walk to the starting corrals. I would give myself more time.

At 5:43, my corral started, I ran across the starting line, said a little prayer, and hoped that my prior running and constant cross training would carry me through this. The first miles ticked by very quickly, and before I knew it I was crossing the five mile marker (I previously would have wanted to kick someone in the face if they had suggested this, but I assure you that they really didn't seem to take that long). I started feeling some blisters rubbing in my shoes, but I wasn't getting tired.

I was taking water and gatorade at every stop, I took a GU at mile 7, a Shot Block every 3 miles until I dropped them accidentally at mile 9, and I was feeling good. I had started at about a 10:20 pace to make sure that I was going to be able to run the whole way, and around mile 6 I decided I could pick it up. After a quick bathroom stop and telling a man eating the medical tent vaseline what he was ingesting (they hand out vaseline on popsicle sticks as you run in case you're rubbing anywhere), I knew I would make it through this race at a faster pace.

And I did!

We entered the Magic Kingdom around mile 9, and I grabbed a quick pic of the castle while I ran. It's blurry and slanted because I didn't stop running, but check out the signs if you can see them. The crowds were fantastic! They helped so much, as the Wine and Dine had no crowd support at all.

This race was just so much fun. I had the best time between the music I had, the crowds cheering us along, and the fact that I knew that when most people were going on to run 26.2, I did in fact get to stop at 13.1 (the relay was an inaugural event run during the marathon).

The last mile hurt like crazy, but I think that's to be expected. I held under a 10 minute/mile pace for the last 6-7 miles. When I turned off to the transition point, I was so glad to be finished. I saw Mike (my partner), said good luck, and he was off to the finish!

I got my picture made with Chip and Dale (who were the stars of the medal), and then made my way to the finish line to see Mike finish. Disney is good about loading you up with snacks and drinks when you finish, so I had a bagel, orange, banana, other treats, water, and powerade. Every other person asked me if I was okay, and finally I just asked someone if I was purple or something. They said they have to ask...

Once Mike finished we got our official photo made.

We were both happy.

My official time was 2:14.12, which was about 8 minutes slower than my PR at the Wine and Dine. All things considered, I am thrilled.

My medal, though, is absolutely my favorite part (possibly aside from telling the man he was eating vaseline). It's the cutest accessory I'm going to be getting this month!

I just love Disney races, and the medals spoil me. I'm running another half in February, but I'm going to train through a training plan with this one (if my legs ever recover).

Next year, though, I'll be running the full marathon (unless I get into NYC)! I'm telling you there's nothing that will get you more pumped to run a marathon than running the first half with a bunch of people that are running the full.

And if you made it through this post, thank you! I appreciate you reading it. And if you're wanting to start running, start with Couch to 5k! That's what I did March 2011! I couldn't run a full mile before that.

And if you're a runner, what are your next races coming up? Anything on your calendar this year you're really excited about?! I'm excited I entered the NYC lottery. I'm sure I won't get it, but it's fun to dream!

Oh, and of coure: Roll Tide! What a win!

Enter my Erin Condren giveaway!Follow on pinterest Follow on twitter

Erin Condren $25 Giveaway

2012-01-08T20:41:00.001-05:00

I just wanted to drop in quickly to announce an exciting giveaway I'm running until January 13th! You can win a $25 gift certificate to spend on anything you want from Erin Condren. There are so many items you can get for less than $25, or you can wait for the next Plum District or social selling deal and get a whole bunch more!
I've posted about my love for Erin Condren and my life planner, and I've added an address book and multiple sets of notepads to my collection as well.
Here are some of my favorite Erin Condren items:

Notepads

iPhone covers

Life Planner

Address Labels

Giveaway Information:

The giveaway will run January 8th to January 13th at midnight where I will pick one winner using the rafflecopter.

You can enter the giveaway in multiple ways using the rafflecopter entry below! Good Luck! (Just click read more to enter!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Friday's Fancies: Best Foot Forward

2012-01-06T07:30:00.000-05:00

To celebrate a great start to 2012, {av} themed her Friday's Fancies today "Best Foot Forward". I think it's such a cute idea, and I of course want to start off the new year with my best foot. And while I spent the last few months of 2011 ogling shoes, I ended up buying myself a pair or two that, along with my Christmas gifts, satisfied my shoe craving for the moment.

Now I've moved on to jewelry! And oh the jewels I've discovered!

Purple best foot forward by lttlegrlbigwrld featuring cropped capris

In this outfit I've not only included one of the amazing DANNIJO necklaces, but I've also added this beautiful sequin bag that isn't as expensive as it appears. I first found it on a new blog I've been reading, court and hudson. Aren't they both amazing?

And with a little purple polish and some patent revas this makes for such a sophisticated but still fun outfit. I can think of so many places to wear this!

It's Friday! Yay! The first week of 2012 gone by! How did it go? Did you keep all your resolutions? I'm on track with mine! Have a delightful weekend!

enjoying the gym and a surprise half marathon

2012-01-04T08:18:00.000-05:00

Ever since I started doing Couch to 5k last March (which is how I started running at all), I've been pretty dedicated to staying active and working out at least 3-4 times a week. I even ran my first half marathon in October.
As I was training for half marathon number two, though, injury struck, and I've had to step back a little from running. To make up for missing running, I've stepped it up a bit with more spin and have also started to incorporate some new classes and different types of workouts into my regime to 'trick' my body into toning and dropping weight.
A while ago, Tina from Carrots 'n Cake posted a chart from Fitness Magazine showing different amounts of calories burned in different classes with with different workouts, as well as how much you burn afterwards.

It was really helpful to know how many calories spinning burns during the class and also afterwards, but it was also a bit disappointing to see how little running actually burns after you finish, even compared to walking. Does any of this surprise you?
I've also started doing yoga (initially as injury prevention, but now more because it's just enjoyable) and have tried both power yoga and Bikram yoga heated and unheated. While I love the stress relief, stretch, and muscle toning that it provides, I have no idea how to categorize yoga in terms of calories burned, expected benefits, and the like. I've found a few articles with different numbers, but I'm still waiting on physical results to believe everything I read.

source

I've also tried BodyPump and BodyCombat my Les Mills at my gym, and I really like those and the different areas that they focus on as compared to the basic cardio that spinning and running provide. Have you done Les Mills classes or classes similar? What are some of your favorites?
I'll be returning to running very shortly, as this yoga really is helping my hip a lot (along with the physical therapy I went to). In fact, I'm running a half marathon at Disney this weekend. While I clearly haven't trained for it in a running sense, as my last race was the Turkey Trot 5 mile, I'm in great shape and just want to finish. I'm only doing it because I'm running the first half of the marathon in the marathon relay and can't leave the person I signed up with hanging. My goal is to have fun, run the whole way (and not care at all about my time), and enjoy the race!

And after this race I'll resume running (along with yoga and cross training to stay safe and injury-free) to train for the St. Petersburg Rock 'n Roll half marathon coming up mid-February where my goal is to get closer to my Wine and Dine time.

What does your workout regiment consist of? Anything you've added or taken away as a new year's goal? Anything else you would suggest I try in my dual goal of weight loss and toning? There were a few girls who have written about working out lately and motivated me to write this post! Thanks Kelly and others!Follow on pinterest Follow on twitter

Raspberry Brie Bites

2012-01-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

To keep with my goal of saving money, one of the things I knew I had to do was start cooking again. It has been a while (longer than I'll admit) since I went grocery shopping and made a meal plan. So yesterday, on my last day of break, I headed to the store with a list in hand and a meal plan at home. I made pulled pork with baked beans and cole slaw last night, but somehow a few extra things snuck into my cart. I can't explain it and I don't know how they got in there.

But magically, they were the ingredients I needed to make Joy the Baker Raspberry Brie Bites I've been wanting to make for a while.

So make I did. And they are delicious. The only thing that went wrong with mine (as you can see above) is that a lot of the insides spilled out. I don't know how it happened as I followed her instructions and sealed them with a fork. But it's okay because they still taste yummy! And they're not the worst for you. I calculated them to being 120 calories each.

Try them out and let me know what you think! I've been craving Brie cheese since Katie posted about it, and it's nice to have satisfied that craving.
What's your favorite cheese? Mine is goat cheese.Follow on pinterest Follow on twitter

a place for everything...

2012-01-02T01:05:00.001-05:00

I love that January 1st provides a fresh and clean start, even though in truth it's just another day that comes around. I, for one, don't take the opportunity to start anew for granted. I mentioned yesterday in my resolutions that I wanted to keep my house organized. In order to do any keeping of organization I had to first do the organizing. I was running around my house for the last few days like a chicken with my head cut off getting my house in order. I'm so excited with the results that I just had to share, but I have to admit that the before pictures are a bit embarrassing to show you (hopefully you've had to do some organizing of your own before--if not try not to judge).

The biggest two challenges were these two closets downstairs that had become a dumping ground. If there was question of where to put something, it ended up either in the massive under the stairs closet or in the shelved closet across from it. I've literally never organized them since I moved into this townhouse a very long time ago, so this was not a small undertaking.

I wanted to use this first closet to store the engagement and wedding gifts we've gotten so far, since we're not going to use the items until we actually get married. With everything that was in there, there was no chance. Everything that was in there found a new home and isn't just shoved somewhere else.

The second closet was a bit more of an undertaking.

And believe it or not, most of the stuff that was in that closet is actually still in there. I put the decorations in boxes on the top shelves and reorganized the shelves based on home decor, cookbooks, and household necessities.

I also did my bedroom, closet, the downstairs junk drawer, and I ordered two acrylic organizers for my jewelry and makeup from MUJI (I looked up organizers for makeup--did you know people are flocking to some acrylic organizer that the Kardashians have that literally cotst $275. That's insane to me.).

This is the one I got at a teensy fraction of the price.
I still have a bit to go before I head back to work on Tuesday, but I will absolutely get it done!

Did you do anything to start the year off fresh--whether it was organizing, creating a budget, or joining a gym?

Also, out of curiosity, do you have any kind of junk collecting place like this or is it only me?

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New Year Fresh Start!

2012-01-01T13:39:00.000-05:00

Source: lunaandchloeweddings.com via Rebecca of on Pinterest

Happy New Year! I hope you celebrated with friends, family, and loved ones and kicked off the new year in your favorite way!

There's nothing like the feeling of a fresh start! I enjoy so much the idea of what can happen in one year. This one's going to be amazing! I'm getting married!!
And of course, with this fresh start, I just must make my list of goals. I love lists, and I love marking things off.
My 2011 goals were very thorough and a bit too detailed. But I have to say that I am very thrilled with the progress that I made with them. I am so much healthier and more self aware today than I was one year ago. I have a couple of overarching 2012 goals, but I thought I'd go back to doing monthly goals for myself as I did a few months early last year.
overarching 2012Pay off my car (excited to finally have this in the realm of possibility).Run a marathon.Leave the country on a trip or be in the actual planning process.Don't exceed my wedding budget.
JanuaryfinancialSave $1200 by cutting back spending and supplementing my incomeBuy no Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, clothes, shoes, accessoriesGo 7 days (not straight) without spending any money at allhealthCount calories every single day on myfitnesspalLose 6 pounds (and buy my TOMS)Continue working out 5-6 times per weekpersonalLearn how to do more than one makeup lookWash my face dailyKeep my house organizedblogHave 20+ blog posts this monthDownload and use 5 photoshop actions
All of these are very doable for me. I'll post back on January 31st.
What are your top 3 goals for the year or for this month?My top would be counting calories (month), saving money (month/year), and paying off my car (year)
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Friday's Fancies: New Year's Eve

2011-12-30T00:15:00.000-05:00

I feel like I'm repeating myself with this Friday's Fancies post, because the sparkle and shine post would have been my dream New Year's Eve outfit. I ended up getting the Tory Burch bag that I posted that week, so now it will go from dream to reality. That was Santa's really big surprise to me (I had never asked for it and totally didn't expect it). Thanks mom and dad!

Instead of making another dream New Year's Eve outfit, I decided I'll just post my reality New Year's Eve outfit and then ask for a little help. With all the sparkling and shining I'm doing, I don't know if I should/can wear a necklace or what jewelry to wear really and also if the tights are really necessary? The dress is a little on the short side.

The dress and tights are both Express, the earrings I picked up at anthropologie, and the shoes are Zara.
I'm headed to dinner and then to a party at someone's house where we're all dressing up. But of course, it's always important to match and not go over the top. Do you like it like it is or do you think I should wear bracelets or lose the tights? Any and all suggestions are appreciated! And link up your outfit with {av}
What are your New Year's Eve plans? Any resolutions? I will absolutely be making some and reviewing 2011 and plan to do so at the beginning of next week with the fresh start of 2012. There's a lot of great stuff for this year!
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Bossypants

2011-12-29T08:30:00.000-05:00

I told you I'd be finished with Christmas posts...but I might sneak in a tidbit or two for the next couple of days if there are things that I remember that I want to share. I just won't theme anymore of my posts around Christmas. And Christmas is officially over as I'm driving back to Tampa all day long today. It's not the worst drive in the world--a little over eight and a half hours plus a stop along the way. I made it home mostly because of Tina Fey and her book Bossypants. Have you read it?

If not, I assure you that it is absolutely worth the read. It's a story of her life, and in the audiobook it is told by her, which only makes it all the more hilarious.

A terribly brief synopsis: she talks of her childhood and high school life as a young Greek American misfit who found her way in the theatre kids and older outcasts at Summer Stage. She heads to UVA where she was desperate to find a boyfriend but found herself only feeling more of an outsider as a guy she likes confesses his love for another girl to her while climbing a mountain together. She starts here professional life working at a YMCA before joining Chicago's improv troupe: Second City. And of course she discusses her time on SNL and 30 Rock as well as a failed cruise where the ship almost caught on fire and sunk; it was her honeymoon. I haven't quite finished it and save the mommy bit (and a whole 20 minutes) to save on the car ride home.

There are three quotes that I happened to type down while driving that will give you a teeny sense of the amazingness and hilarity of this memoir.

"You can't boss people around if they really don't care."--and ain't it the truth? She has a whole life lesson to go along with this, and I laughed out loud.

"Speak in statements with your words and actions."--she spends a bit of time talking about the importance of standing up for yourself as a woman. I really enjoyed that part.

And this one is the funniest but also the most true: "People only say 'you really must...' when it's something you really don't have to do..." She is talking here about breastfeeding and how it didn't work for her and how people kept telling her "you really must give your child the gift of breastfeeding" but how no one will come up to you and say "you really must breathe" or statements of similar necessity. Another moment I laughed out loud in the car while strangers I'm sure looked at me sideways while passing.

So after I finish the last few minutes of this in the long car ride home, I'm going to start on Bill Bryson's I'm a Stranger Here Myself. Read it? It's stories of the quirkiness of American culture told by a columnist who moved back to America after living in London for 20 years. I'm looking forward to it!

Have you read either Bossypants or I'm a Stranger Here Myself? How do you get through long car rides when you're driving? Or when you're riding? What other books in this vein would you recommend? I'm looking at the Mindy Kaling book next.

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Hey! I've got some new shoes on...{last Christmas post}

2011-12-28T11:26:00.004-05:00

I can't stop with Christmas posts! I've had such a great Christmas with family, gifts, and traditions that I have so much stuff to share. I wanted to share some Christmas Eve pictures as well as my gifts with you today (because I love seeing what everyone else got), even though it's a bit out of order.

Baxter got so worn out by all the Christmas festivities it took him two days of non-stop napping to recover.

Mom made homemade thumbprint cookies, red velvet cupcakes, and peanut butter cookies (not shown). She had to cheat with a box chocolate cupcake, which I said was obviously acceptable.

My sister and I exchange gifts on Christmas Eve. It's one of our traditions. She pegged me with her gifts, and I thought a lot about what to get her.

Grandma had a nice Christmas as well. We got her a new computer, as the one that she's been using is very outdated. We're going to get her a webcam and show her how to Skype with us.
Now for my loot. Here are my gifts that I love love so much! You'll probably recognize a lot of it from past blog posts!
From mom and dad I got

the Tory Burch crossbody bag, the Seychelles wedges I've been wanting for a full year, new slippers, the NAKED palette, and Nike Running tights. I also got some BaubleBar jewelry, nail polish, and some money! It was an amazing Christmas.
From Grandma, the holy grail of boots were unwrapped.

Do you remember how many times I put these into outfit and Friday's Fancies posts?
And from my sister, I received

a chann luu bracelet that I've also posted multiple times and a blogger's book of style.
I got Kacey

Anthropologie candlestick, earrings, headband, and scarf as well as some personalized Erin Condren notepads. I was happy with my gift because those were all things that she had asked for. She liked them as well!
Tim got me the books I showed you before, and then the rest of his gifts hadn't arrived when I left for Chattanooga, so I'll have another little mini Christmas when I get back to Tampa!
I hope Santa (and your family) was good to you and you have a wonderful end to 2011! What was your favorite gift?
This is my last Christmas post. I promise! It's just been such a wonderful holiday season!
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Christmas Morning in Tennessee

2011-12-27T13:41:00.002-05:00

We had a wonderful Christmas, and Santa brought us everything that we could have possibly wanted and so much more. This was one of the best Christmas's we've had because of how little time we get to spend together normally and how much we appreciated and all loved our gifts. My mom is now swearing that this blog is the reason behind her successful gift giving. And it's funny, because everything I got has appeared in a blog post or two (or three) in the past. She's now telling my sister that she needs to get a blog too...and I definitely wouldn't object to that!

I spent 2 hours making this thing above in photoshop, and I'm so frustrated that it won't appear as large as it did in photoshop. So anywho, I hope that Santa was good to you and you enjoyed the time with your family.

Since I've been home I've also been going to yoga daily and attended an hour and a half spin class on Saturday. Both of those are major first for me. And I'm loving yoga. Do you do yoga? The only think that I can't figure out is how to categorize it...I'm doing hot vinyasa-esque yoga. Any help here?

What was your favorite gift you received? What was the gift you were most excited about giving?

I think my favorite gift was my Tory Burch crossbody bag, and my favorite gift to give was either the Erin Condren notepads to my mom and sister (although not their biggest gifts from me, they're the ones I planned the longest for) or the Netflix year long subscription to my dad (from both my sister and me).

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Instagram Target Post-Christmas Sale

2011-12-26T14:01:00.004-05:00

I had an amazing Christmas in every way. We had our breakfast casserole on Christmas morning before opening gifts, mom and dad went before my sister and me, and we took our time lingering on each gift so that we could draw out Christmas as long as possible. We do that every year. I'll share a few Christmas gifts with you, but first I just had to share my Target after-Christmas haul through Instagram.

I mentioned that I was going to get more decor for Tim and my first married Christmas at our own house, and I thought the best way to do it would be for 50% off. We're going to have our first tree together next year!

Everything was 50% off, and I loaded up on wrapping stuff, ornaments, stocking holders, and other fun little Christmas items. It really wasn't too crazy, and I'm thrilled with my loot. Now I just have to wait until next year to use it! That will be the hardest part.

I'm linking up with a {little} dash of ash for Instagram Monday

You can follow me on Instagram with username lttlegrlbigwrld

What was your favorite Christmas moment this year? What was the best gift you received?

I'll be back tomorrow to share more Christmas.

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Christmas in Chattanooga

2011-12-23T12:56:00.001-05:00

I hope you have a Merry Christmas or wonderful whatever holiday you celebrate! I took pictures of the decorations around my parents' house that I thought I would share. My mom takes such pride in her Christmas decorations, and there are so many elements that I absolutely love. My favorite, without a doubt, is the Christmas village.

I'll be back Monday. Enjoy the time with your friends and families.
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almost Christmas!

2011-12-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks for all the well wishes. I did end up getting a dress on Tuesday, and I just adore it. It is perfect, and I totally had the whole wedding dress experience and have absolutely no question that this is THE dress. But obviously I can't share it on here since Tim is a semi-regular reader...
Around here we've been getting ready for Christmas and also exchanging a few gifts. I'm headed up to Chattanooga today by car for the last Christmas sans Tim, and he's getting ready for his family's Christmas Eve tradition. They do an ugly sweater contest and white elephant gift exchange. Tim had a beautifully hideous Christmas vest last year, but this year we went to the next level. I helped him craft an ugly Christmas blazer. It's horrible--and perfect.

Between hot gluing tinsel to the bottom and wrists and ironing 'Christmas!' onto the back, I think we've got all the ugly covered. And in case all of that overkill didn't do it, I threw on a sequin patch to really drive home the ugly. I made him put his hands in his pocket to show off the tinsel, and he was a good sport for the pictures.

Tim is cracking me up because he loves how horrible it is and is dead set on winning. I'm not sure what the prize is, but I said it must be split since I'm the one that made it.

We also exchanged a few gifts tonight. Everything from Tim to me hadn't come in yet, but I got one of the things that I was most excited about--some books!

I'll definitely be bringing these home with me to peruse while hanging out with the family. I asked for all of them and am hoping to get some ideas on redesigning our town home, since we won't be buying a house after we get married. I also hear that Lauren Conrad had some great tips about closet editing in her book, so I'll share any tips I learn!

I hope you have a great Thursday. Christmas is so soon! I can't believe how quickly 2011 passed us by.

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christmas cheer

2011-12-20T08:30:00.000-05:00

For the first time ever, I sent out Christmas cards! My family growing up never sent them, even though my sister wanted to send them every year, so it's not been a tradition for me. I love receiving cards, though, and I realized that if I want to keep getting cards it would also be nice to send some myself! I used 3 boxes of the cutest cards from Target to send to bloggers, friends, and family.
I also setup a little display of the cards on my bar area backed by two sparkly (would you expect anything different) nutcrackers supporting the whole display. In fact, they're so important to the stability that when I knocked on yesterday I ended up having to pick up several cards off the floor.

This will be my last treeless year in Tampa, as Tim and my first Christmas together will absolutely include having our own tree (we've never actually spent Christmas together because our families live hours apart and he has a less than flexible work schedule). I'm also dedicated to putting more thought into my Christmas decor for next year. This year I have quite a bit out, but I need to more thoughtfully place it. Some of your houses are just so incredibly amazing!
I'm packing up and driving to Chattanooga on Wednesday or Thursday, and I'm going wedding dress shopping again tomorrow. Wish me luck!
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birthday weekend

2011-12-19T08:30:00.000-05:00

I'm a big believer in making the most of birthdays or birthweeks; Tim's birthday was on Saturday, and with a little help from my mom, I think I put together a nice few days for him. On Friday my mom had cupcakes delivered from Crumbs in New York, which is Tim's favorite cupcake place. He has had them now for the past few birthdays, and it's come to be a bit of a tradition.

There are still quite a few left, as we always split every cupcake so that we get to enjoy and taste all of the difference flavors. The double you can see is the Red Velvet, which is both of our favorites.

I had given Tim his presents early, as he had wanted a nice new colored Southern Tide shirt to wear for our engagement pictures last Wednesday and had weaseled me into giving him his wireless headphones on Friday night. I still wanted him to have something to open on his actual birthday, so I threw a few fun things together for Saturday when he got home from work.

I love the little "serving smiles daily" flags that are stuck into each cupcake

On Saturday night we went out to dinner with a number of friends, where I embarrassed Tim by having him order dessert so we could sing Happy Birthday. He doesn't like having attention on just him, but you need a candle for your birthday! I think he may have secretly enjoyed it. I lived the moment and didn't get any pictures, but we had a great time.

I spent Sunday cleaning, organizing, and setting up Christmas cards. My major organizing project was really exciting, so I want to share that in it's own exciting to me post.

Do you have any birthday traditions? Are you a big birthday celebrator? I had a girlfriend in college that would send out what she was planning each night of her birthday week and you could just tell her when you would join. I always loved it and would try to go to at least two or three nights.

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Friday's Fancies: Sparkle and Shine

2011-12-16T10:56:00.003-05:00

It's been a while since I've linked up with {av} for Friday's Fancies, but because of my love for sparkle and glitter I couldn't possible miss this week. The theme is Sparkle and Shine!

This would legitimately be my absolute dream new year's eve outfit without any shadow of a doubt. I love everything about it. I've wanted Louboutins for ages, I adore this Tory Burch Crossbody, and with the dress and earrings, it's enough gold sparkle without being too much, I think.
I'm also learning a lot more about Photoshop and am really loving the fun that I've had with it. A few bloggers lately have been posting tips and tricks that I'm using, and The Coffeeshop Blog and Pugly Pixel are fantastic sites to look to for information, tools, and tricks on Photoshop.
This weekend is Tim's birthday, and my mom sent him Crumbs cupcakes that should arrive today...so I'm just sitting here waiting on the FedEx man. I'm out of school on break for a few well deserved (I think) weeks and am looking forward to spending time with family and friends, cookie more often, making some treats, and getting some chores and housework done. I sent off a huge batch of Christmas cards yesterday and will be dropping the rest in the mail today!
Have a wonderful Friday!
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Wedding Wednesday: Registry Favorites

2011-12-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

After our engagement party two weekends ago and our shower this past weekend, Tim and I have received a number of very thoughtful and kind gifts. And as I mentioned in my post about the engagement party, it really isn't the gifts that matter at this time; it's the amazing friends and family that we are so blessed to have. The gifts are just the fun addition.

And from what we registered for initially, we've received quite a bit. We may need to add a bit more for spring showers and the wedding. But from what we've received, here are a few of my favorites and why. If you're a bride or soon to be, think about some of what I've received.

And if you're a bride or have recently been, what are some suggestions that you have for things to add that I may not have thought of?

I cheated an bought these pillows off the registry on Tuesday because they're no longer available in store or online, and I happened to find a few after searching high and low. But they're on my registry, so they count. And I love them because they have so many great colors in them and can easily be incorporated into any color scheme.

The Le Creuset line is amazing, and I already love the casserole dish we received from a friend. It's stoneware and distributes heat evenly, and I know Tim will really love it once I use it to cook a casserole or some enchiladas.

I am finally the owner of some All-Clad cookware; the measuring cups and spoons along with the multi-pot are amazing and such fantastic quality.

And from a great family friend, we received our Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer! It's up in Chattanooga waiting on me to drive up for Christmas to bring it home with me. And I can't wait. Tim has been so excited about this one too, because he knows what goodies will come from it!

We received many other fun and beautiful things that I can't wait to use!

Question for you: can I use this stuff before the wedding, or is that bad luck?

And what were some of your favorite registry items that I might think of adding?

And to go along with Wedding Wednesday, we're having our engagement pictures taken today! I can't wait to share some!

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pictures or a story?

2011-12-13T07:37:00.000-05:00

Before you read my post here, go check out my guest post at join the gossip. I picked out my stocking stuffer choices.
We got back from Chattanooga on Monday afternoon and walked into our hot mess of a house. That's neither here nor there, but I will have my work cut out for me getting things in order in our regular lives after all the parties we've had lately.
This weekend was another wonderful wedding shower put on by one of my bridesmaids, Blair, and her parents Iris and Lee. It was amazing. There was sushi and sushi and pinterested rainbow fruit sticks along with anything else that you can name. She even ordered eggplant thumb print cookies to go with our colors! It was so thoughtful. I have some pictures to share, but instead of again regaling you with stories of how loved and special I felt, I want to share the plane ride back.
Before going into that, thank you so so much Blair, Iris, and Lee. You had such an amazing and wonderful party and Tim and I can't thank you enough!

I swear to you this plane ride was like none I've ever been on, and for the strangest reasons.
We had this man sitting the row behind us and across the aisle that was seriously intoxicated and seemed to be a bit disoriented. Before boarding the flight he told the desk attendant that he hadn't been on a plane since 1971, right after Vietnam. Lucky for me I had no headphones and just got to listen to this man talk.

After asking the man sitting next to him what he was doing on his typewriter, that man decided he wanted nothing to do with him. But the inebriated man didn't stop. He continued talking about how religious St. Petersburg (Florida) is, and how there must be 25 religions. He asked several people how much they paid for the flight, and he said he hadn't been to Tampa in 30 years and hoped nothing that changed. It was a riot.
And while I was thinking about talking to him, because he was clearly desperate for conversation, he seemed to be easily angered a few times, and I didn't want to have a new friend that we had trouble parting from (I'm not really sure he knew where he was going when he got off the flight).

While he continued telling tales, the woman in front of me across the aisle threw me for another loop. While I'm usually not one to judge a book by its cover, this woman must have been 65-70, and wasn't dressed in the most up to date fashion. She reminded me of someone you would see on Food Network kneading dough in the back of the kitchen at a family restaurant.
However, she surprised me several times. First of all, she was video taping the plane on her smart phone before we took off. She was all over this massive screened droid like it was her life. After taking off and being told that we could use technology, she whips out her iPad and read about a slew of eastern European countries on some country data app she had.

I had no headphones and was too tired to read, so I just listened to this man while watching this lady. And at the same time I soaked in the giggles of the man in the back row and the flight attendant conversing about their next destination and what kind of work they do (...she was at work buddy).
It was one odd flight, and while I wouldn't normally share such a mundane story with you, I hope some of you can appreciate all of the ridiculousness that ensued.
I hope you had a wonderful weekend. We certainly did.
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...on a jet plane

2011-12-09T15:22:00.001-05:00

I'm on my way out of town again. I think my parents may get sick of seeing me between Thanksgiving, our engagement party, this weekend's wedding shower, and then Christmas. They keep telling me it's not possible, but I wonder if there's a little dance when we part.
Just dropping in to share a quick few things on this Friday (yippee).
1. Modcloth is really a great place to get dresses. It's not usually my first go to, but I found a cute dress to wear to the shower this weekend the other day.

And it's called the engagement party dress. How fun?
2. I wish I had seen these shoes earlier, because I totally would have gotten them to wear with black tights and this dress.

They're from Zara, and I'm not past buying them for no reason...maybe new years shoes? It's weird that I'm posting two shoe-related posts in a row...I've never known myself to be a shoe person.

3. I was in a hurry the other day and needed a quick lunch at a fast food restaurant. I never ever eat fast food besides my beloved Dunkin Donuts, Chick-fil-a, or Subway. But there was a Wendy's, and it was convenient. And I have to say...

The Apple Pecan Chicken Salad is a healthy, yummy, easy grab.

It comes with pomegranate dressing, candied pecans, gorgonzola cheese, warm chicken, and craisins. It's delicious. And it's only 340 calories for the half size. If you need a quick lunch, I would absolutely recommend it.

4. I found the best Christmas cards to send at Target yesterday, and even though I'm swamped by thank you notes, I'm planning to send out these cards to friends and family. They're precious. I can't wait to show you (but I can't yet).

And if you are participating in the holiday card swap, be sure to send your cards by tomorrow too!

5. I've always wanted to say, got to run! My plane is boarding! And even though it's not, it probably will be soon. So I'll cut this one short.

source

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Mine will be filled with friends, family, and chilly weather in Chattanooga! I love this time of year!

What are you up to? What could you add to a Five Things Friday?
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the jolly

2011-12-07T08:45:00.001-05:00

I had mentioned no shopping November, and I have to admit the guilty truth--November was definitely not no shopping. My Mint was definitely not pleased at the results. Oh well. Another month.

One of the things I purchased was the Jolly Shoes from ShoeMint.

I'm sure you've heard of all the 'mints? They've got JewelMint, StyleMint, etc. Now they've got ShoeMint. I had perused the others before and wasn't overly thrilled, so I signed up for ShoeMint's emails thinking it would be the same. It wasn't.

They released their first line on Black Friday and almost everything was gone by Sunday. I snatched these babies up within 15 minutes of seeing them. I had been looking for some like this since I saw the concept somewhere.

JCrew had a pair that I didn't love...

source

And the JCrew were $198 while I ended up getting the ShoeMint for under $70.

I still want the other booties I posted about (that are now on sale for $52), and I'm still working out what to wear these with, but I've worn them out once with leggings, a white v-neck, and a long thin open cardigan. And I've got at least a few more outfit ideas.

shirt/pants/watch, necklace, coat, shoes

I can't wait to find more outfits to piece together.

Do you have booties? What do you wear them with?

Did you look at ShoeMint? What did you think of the first collection? Have you done any of the other 'mint sites?

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full circle

2011-12-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

I mentioned a little while ago that in lieu of running I was going to take up a few new hobbies. One of the things that I mentioned was starting to knit again. I've learned in the past how to do it and had fun with it here and there, but it's something that has come and gone, much like other things that I've tried my hand at in the past.
While I had the intention of buying supplies at JoANN or Michaels one day (that may never have come), I ended up purchasing some much more unique yarn at an independent store when I was in Chattanooga for Thanksgiving. And it came upon me like the best of things always do, by accident.
It was on Saturday after Thanksgiving, and I wanted to partake in the $25 statement credit American Express was doing for Small Business Saturday. All I had to do was find a small business that was participating on the little mountain that I grew up on. I found that the bookstore I'd bought school books at in middle and high school was participating, so I headed up there in the car. When I got there, I found a neat little yarn shoppe (their spelling) next door, and I put two and two together, and I ended up with some wonderful yarn and needles.

And not only did I get something that I had been wanting to buy, I also got a great Black Friday weekend discount, a $25 statement credit from American Express (which was over half of the total purchase), and I was able to help out a small business in my local community, the Three Black Sheep Yarn Shoppe.

I've already decided what I'm going to make with it.I've been wanting a new infinity scarf, and I found a great pattern that I really like.

image viaShe even has a pattern on her website. Now I just need someone to translate that pattern into English...

CO 240, make sure you're not twisting stitches Place Marker and join in round

1st Rnd: Knit all stitches 2nd Rnd: *YO, K2tog*, repeat * * to marker. 3rd Rnd: Knit all stitches 4th Rnd: *Slip 1, K1, Pass Slipped Stitch Over (PSSO), YO*, repeat * * to marker.Repeat 4 rows until desired width. My scarf measures approx 60 inches around and 10 inches wide.
Does this mean anything to you? Where can I go to interpret all those numbers and letters? I would love a YouTube channel to watch and learn...
Did you participating in Small Business Saturday? Who did you support?Do you knit? How did you learn?
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engagement bliss

2011-12-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

Saturday night Tim and I had our engagement party at his parents house, and there are no words to express the happiness that the party brought to us both. It is really hard to put into words how special we felt without feeling like everyone had to focus only on us. We had around 65 people there, and while everyone was able to mix and mingle, we got to talk to everyone for different periods of time.

Tim's step-mom, Rhonda, decorated their whole house in Christmas decorations and made sure that she incorporated our main wedding color, Eggplant, into the decorations. She had the event catered, and the food and the entire setup was beyond perfection. To know the time and energy that she put into the perfect setup and preparation added to the amazing feeling of the whole night.

As people started coming in, it was a bit nerve wracking to know what to talk about with who and how to introduce people that have never met, but it worked out so well. People mingled, and I looked around and enjoyed knowing that in some way these people who made an effort to come to our party care about us. While people all have their own things going on, they came to celebrate this special occasion with us.

The whole wedding experience is very different from what I've seen on tv and movies and read in other people's blogs. I thought I knew what it would be like going into it, but last night made me really realize that it's just like life, only a little more special. The world doesn't stop spinning for you, but it spins on around you while everyone looks at you with a little smile and a special place in their hearts. I love that feeling. I don't want to be the center of attention; I just want people to smile for us and know how happy we are.

It's really the best feeling.

I bought my wedding dress last week when I was home over Thanksgiving, but I had this little inkling of doubt in my mind and was a bit disappointed that the whole experience wasn't like Say Yes to the Dress. And almost as though I had called God on the phone, I received a phone call from the bridal salon that they couldn't make the changes that I had wanted. Now, I have a week to sit on it, think about if I want it, and ultimately get to have that whole experience again to really be 100% sure and love everything about my dress.

Life goes on, but along the way the wedding planning experience makes you realize how lucky you are.

The party was amazing, and of course after the masses left our closest friends stayed for another hour or two and we got to just relax and sit back and take it all in.

So to all my girlfriends who attended the party and read my blog, thank you so much for coming and for everything last night. Your presence was so appreciated.

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Swap Goodies: Part 1

2011-12-03T14:09:00.005-05:00

Like I've mentioned before, I'm a sucker for receiving mail. I signed up for more than one handful of blog swaps this holiday season, and I've received and mailed off four of my packages. I love the four packages that I've received so far, and I wanted to share the first two of them with you.

For Tara's nail polish swap I was paired with Jaclyn, who is a self-proclaimed nail polish lover. She did a great job picking out nail polish colors that are versatile and can be worn in different combinations. I love the sparkle she picked, and she mentioned that she liked it because it could be worn over the other colors.

Then for the Thankful swap I was paired up with Sarah. She's so crafty and really has a knack for making things. She made me the prettiest sign that I now have on my nightstand in our wedding colors with Tim and my name with a bunch of other well known couples. She also sewed a bag that I've already used to transport magazines to the gym and on a recent car trip. Between those and then the thank you notes and lip gloss I racked up!

It makes it so worth it to receive such fun and "me" packages!

I've gotten two ornaments for ornament swaps that I'll post about soon too!
Thanks ladies! It's been so fun swapping packages with you!
Tonight is our engagement party!! I'm so so excited and only waited until the very last minute to find a dress. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and will share them next week! And if you signed up for the card swap, check your email for an email about your pairings!Follow on pinterest Follow on twitter

giveaway winners

2011-12-02T21:26:00.000-05:00

I'm a bit behind on blogging and commenting. Let me get through exam preparation and crunch time and I'll be back to commenting and posting. I miss your blogs. I just wanted to announce my Scentsy and Classic Chic Designs Giveaway.

The Scentsy Giveaway winner is Allie.

The Classic Chic Designs Giveaway winner is Krystal.

I used Random.org and can guarantee fairness! Ladies, please email me and I'll get you hooked up with the sponsor! Thanks so much!

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getting in the holiday mood

2011-12-01T07:49:00.001-05:00

It's December! Rabbit Rabbit! Can you believe it? I swear it feels like I was just linking up for the 11 in 2011 series and telling you all about what I hoped to accomplish and looked forward to in the year 2011. It can't possibly be 11 months later now going into the last month of the year; but apparently it is.

Normally I'm a bit of a Scrooge and don't want people to play Christmas music until December comes around, but I have to admit that I put up my classroom Christmas tree yesterday while playing Christmas music--it was November 30th, and it put me so much in the holiday spirit. Plus, it came at the end of a very long day, and it was a nice mood lightener. There's something about listening to "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" while stringing lights and tinsel that just can't be squashed by a bad day.

And to boot, this weekend is two very exciting things: our engagement party on Saturday night and a cookie swap on Sunday. I've never been to a cookie swap, and I have no idea what to bring. I like Italian Lemon Cookies, but could you make suggestions of something easy if those are not? I'll need to make them on Sunday morning after the engagement party.

These are the Italian Lemon Cookies. Have you had them before?

Source: laurarebeccaskitchen.blogspot.com via Kelly on Pinterest

I hope you've had a wonderful week and are yourself getting in the holiday spirit! I put out my decorations on Tuesday and am getting the house in shape for my parents to come tomorrow. I am starting to really feel December!

And as a side note, the spin instructor yesterday said that the average person gains 5-10 pounds during the holidays. I wanted to let you know that it won't be me, and that in fact since posting about my re-found weight loss goal on November 1st, I'm down 7 pounds! It's a combination of MyFitnessPal, spin, running, and eating next to nothing (1200 calories is really nothing, FYI).

Here's wishing you a lovely day filled with sprouting holiday spirit! What are you doing to get in the holiday mood, or in some cases I know, what are you doing to curb your over-enthusiasm so that Christmas isn't spewing out your ears?

I'm announcing my Scentsy Giveaway and Invitation Giveaway later today!

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Holiday Projects

2011-11-28T06:30:00.015-05:00

I mentioned last weekend that I've been in a funk because of my inability to run as much, so I was good on my word and not only purchased a glue gun but also made something with it. Before I left for Chattanooga I made not only a Christmas ornament wreath but also a pecan pie for Tim. Both were really easy and a lot of fun to do. I've got more craft projects in the works, and I promise to post about them. I included the tutorial below as well as the pecan pie recipe.

I probably spent about $20 on supplies for the wreath, but I had to buy a glue gun and could have gotten the small and teeny ornaments at Walmart or somewhere cheaper than Joann. But I was there, so that's what I got.

I found the basic tutorial here, but basic instructions include gluing the balls in circles around the wreath and then continuing. I'm sure it could have been more methodical than I made it, but I'm happy with how it turned out. If I did it again I would spray paint the foam green or gold or something so that the white didn't show through.

Because I wasn't going to be in Tampa for Thanksgiving, I wanted to leave Tim with something that I know he loves and wouldn't get if I didn't make it. Pecan Pie is his favorite for the holidays. I used a pre-made crust (shh...) but followed a Food Network recipe exactly. I ended up baking it about double the amount of time they said, but I'm starting to think there's something wrong with my oven.

I shopped on Small Business Saturday and have to share with you what I bought, because it will be the inspiration for my next project.

And I enjoyed my time at home so much; I'll share more pictures over the next few days. I'm lucky because I'll be seeing my family this weekend for our engagement party and next weekend for a shower in Chattanooga as well as for Christmas. I'm going to get spoiled and used to seeing them this much. It's when I get to spend so much time with them that I realize how much I miss them when I don't see them for a long time.

I hope you had a wonderful long weekend and are ready for December! It's almost here!

Do you have any fun holiday crafts that you're wanting to try or can share with me? I'm looking for other ideas...

Today is the last day to enter my Scentsy $25 Giveaway and my Classic Chic Designs Invitation Giveaway!

And Sonja @ Running in Pearls won the BIC Band Giveaway! Email me your color choice Sonja! If you didn't win, check the BIC Band website and Facebook page for Cyber Monday deals!

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thanksgiving in pictures

2011-11-25T18:13:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!

Weather for the Turkey Trot 8k

Running the Race (See that hill behind me? That pales in comparison to some of the hills...painful for this Florida girl).

But we made it! I ran with a friend's husband. I finished my first 8k in 44:48 (9:01 miles), which I'll take because of my hip problems lately and the insane hills on the course.

Afterwards I visited my sister's salon (in her bathroom) for a quick hair and makeup fix.

And we were off to chow down at the family's house.

I was still good and counted calories and actually didn't go over.

Me and Kacey

Cousins {Ashley and Holli}, sister, great aunt {Peggy}

me and dad after a big meal (he perused the paper while I checked out the sale ads)

family
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I am going to share my Greatful Swap goodies on Sunday, because {Sar} did an amazing job! I am supposed to post today, but because I'm in Chattanooga and my goodies are in Tampa, I have no pictures! Suffice it to say she hit the nail on the head and I've already put my gifts to great use!
Thanks for reading! I'm so very grateful for my friends in the blogging world and wish everyone a wonderful time with their family!Follow on pinterest Follow on twitter

Thankful {for a lot}

2011-11-23T10:01:00.002-05:00

I made it home to Chattanooga last night. It was a long day that started with corralling children into learning on a day that they so did not want to (can't blame them...last day before Thanksgiving break?), and continue with a flight to Atlanta, and renting a car to drive to Chattanooga at 9:00 PM. Phew! But I made it...and it's good to be here!

I'm looking forward to relaxing for the next few days, hopefully running a turkey trot, and keeping my fingers crossed that there will be some great Black Friday deals online (although I'm really tempted by Best Buy's 40" Sharp TV to go get in line). Anyone seen any preview ads for what the sales are going to be online? Brunch at Saks has shared a few...I'm still looking for more...specifically Butter London nail polish

To link up with the Thankful link up, I wanted to of course talk about people I'm thankful for.

I'm thankful for my Fiance, Tim.

I love this picture, and I entered it in a contest to win $1,000 from Tiny Prints that we could REALLY use for our wedding. If you have a second could you vote for us? I would really be appreciative.
I'm also thankful for my family.

I took this picture. Don't know why I didn't then ask Tim to take one of the four of us. Hm. But! I brought my nice camera home with me so I'll definitely be taking some this week!
I'm thankful for friends.

And I'm thankful for my many other friends that I haven't seen in ages/haven't taken any recent pictures with. PS Blair, I know you read this, and we legitimately don't have any photos together electronically. That's sad and should change quickly.
And I'm super excited for my wedding weekend in July, because hopefully many of them will be able to make it from across the country and I will get to see them and get millions of photos to share with you!
I'm going to get up now (days off from work are so nice) and spend time with my family. What are you doing for Thanksgiving tomorrow? Are you going anywhere out of town? Be safe in your travels!
Enjoy a restful time, and be sure to enter my $25 Scentsy giveaway and invitation giveaway!

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$25 Scentsy Giveaway!

2011-11-21T16:53:00.002-05:00

To continue with my giveaway streak, Erin has offered up the best type of giveaway: one where you get to pick what you want!

Up for grabs!

$25 to spend on whatever you want from her Scentsy shop!

What will you pick?

With $25 you can get a mid-sized warmer, a plug in warmer and scent, or a whole bunch of scents! She also said you can apply it as a credit if you want to order more and she'll cover the shipping on the rest.

If you don't know about Scentsy, they're wickless candles that you plug into the wall. The heat from the bulb melts the wax, and it gives off the same strength of scent as if you were burning a candle. I like the little light like a lamp turned on.

It's a great gift for someone you're not sure what to get too!

There are several ways to win the $25 shopping spree (please leave a separate comment for each):

1. You must be a follower of my blog (Mandatory 1 entry)

2. You must visit Erin's site and tell me what you want (Mandatory 1 entry)

3. Like my brand new Facebook page (1 entry)

4. Subscribe to Erin's newsletter (1 entry)

5. Like Erin's shop on Facebook (1 entry)

6. Tweet about this and tag @lttlegrlbigwrld (You can do this once per day 2 entries per day you do it; leave a comment each time you do it) You could say: "Win $25 to spend on anything Scentsy from @lttlegrlbigwrld : http://bit.ly/v2MaQd"

7. Buy something from Erin's site (5 entries)

This giveaway will end November 28th at midnight so you'll have plenty of time to pick one out before the holidays if you're getting it as a gift!

And don't forget about my other stuff going on!

BIC Bands Giveaway (ends tonight!)

Classic Chic Designs GiveawayHoliday Card Swap Sign Ups

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Thankful {Thanksgiving recipe}

2011-11-21T06:20:00.001-05:00

I'm excited to be linking up again today with Meghan and Co., and I'm even more excited to share with you my favorite Thanksgiving recipe.

This recipe has been my favorite since I could eat Thanksgiving. It's my Grandma's sweet potato casserole recipe, and while we've always eaten it with Thanksgiving dinner, I remember first seeing the recipe when I got older and wondering why it hadn't become dessert. But nevertheless, it is my favorite favorite favorite part of Thanksgiving, and without it there wouldn't be Thanksgiving for me.

Thanks mom for sending it to me!

Sweet Potato Casserole

Layer 1:

3 cups sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

2 eggs, beaten

1 tbsp. Vanilla

1/3 cup milk

Mix together and put into baking dish (you'll need a 9"x13")

Topping:

1 cup light brown sugar

1/3 cup butter (slightly melted)

1/2 cup self-rising flour

1 cup chopped pecans (if desired)

Mix and sprinkle on top of potatoes

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes

The last step that isn't mentioned is to restrain yourself from eating the entire casserole in one sitting. It's hard.

I don't have a picture, but I'll take one this year and share it with you!

My mom is making it this Thanksgiving, because Grandma isn't coming up to Tennessee this year (I don't think. I'm going to have to ask mom). She'll probably make it more Christmas, though, because she knows how much I love it.

And if you don't like to eat dessert with your meal, try out mashed cauliflower. I made it a few months ago and realized that my life had changed because of that discovery (only a small exaggeration). They're creamier and even more delicious than mashed potatoes.

Can't wait to see your favorites!

BIC Bands Giveaway Classic Chic Designs GiveawayScentsy Giveaway (posted today!)Holiday Card Swap Sign Ups
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Sunday Funday

2011-11-20T11:45:00.001-05:00

I don't usually blog on Sundays, but today I wanted to break the mold and write a post catching you up on me, since a lot of posts last week were link-ups or giveaway announcements.

Last weekend I was really thinking I was going to be able to run my race this morning. I ran 3 miles on Saturday and then 6 miles on Sunday. They felt good, and my hip wasn't bothering me too much. I iced like a mad woman afterwards, but when I ran on Tuesday, I had pain like I haven't felt since this all started. It was bad. I thought maybe if I just stayed off of it until the race I would be okay, but after my post Thursday and the advice of a trainer at school, I decided it would be best to skip the race. And that was really hard to do.

Source: tumblr.com via Lindlay on Pinterest

I had a bit of a cry on Thursday night on the phone with my mom. I told her that I was having a hard time right now finding things that really make me happy about myself and my time. That's not to say that I'm not happy, because I am. What I meant was that running has given me an outlet and something to do and focus on for the last few months, and having it taken away has been a bit tough. It's made me realize that I need to integrate a few more fun things into my daily routine that give me little things to look forward to on a regular basis.

Source: sweetlittlesnippets.tumblr.com via Stacie on Pinterest

That's to say, I don't look forward all the time to getting up, going to work, coming home, cleaning, cooking, watching tv and blogging, going to bed, getting up and doing it again...like a lemming. I need to shake things up. I get bored with 'the same' very easily, and it's been 'the same' now for a few months. Do you ever get tired of 'the same'?

So I've had some fun ideas on ways to shake things up.

1. I'm going to take a knitting and crocheting class. And I'm going to continue practicing until I can actually make things. I've knitted before, and I love how relaxing and mindless it is while also producing something.

2. I'm going to be more crafty and have fun making little things here or there. Here are my first two crafting projects:

Source: matt-and-becky.blogspot.com via meghan on Pinterest

Source: thecottagehome.blogspot.com via meghan on Pinterest

3. I'm going to go back to the gym. Running is great, and once my hip cooperates I'll be back at it full blast, but until I can do that, taking spin and other classes at the gym gives me things to do and makes me feel better as well.

And for now, these ideas seem great to me. I need things to get me excited and have something to look forward to. I can't function on continuous routine.

I'm headed home to Chattanooga to spend time with my family on Tuesday, so I know that will help to shake this no-running-funk I'm in too. Do you get in funks sometimes when your routine is staying the same? What suggestions do you have to shake it up?

I also wanted to remind you about my two giveaways and the holiday card swap.
BIC Bands Giveaway ends Monday at midnight!
Classic Chic Designs Invitation/Card Giveaway ends November 28th!
Holiday Card Sign Up ends December 2nd!

And I've got another giveaway tomorrow!

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Holiday Card Swap!

2011-11-18T07:16:00.002-05:00

As you know, I've joined quite a number of swaps. But, When Krystal mentioned to me the idea of holding a Holiday Card Swap, I knew I had to bite. It's inexpensive, and because my love of mail, it's fun to get a few different holiday cards! Read below to find out what it entails and sign up!

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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Crossroads...to race?

2011-11-17T20:05:00.000-05:00

I need a little help...I'm at a point where I don't know what to do.

You know I ran a half marathon October 1st? And you know I said I was going to run another one on Sunday? Well...my hip that I really thought had stopped hurting returned with excruciating pain on Tuesday that allowed me to run just 2 miles about a minute and thirty seconds slower than normal and feeling like I was actually trying...it was terrible. And now my leg hurts again.

So I can't get in to a doctor until Monday (after the race...) to make sure that it isn't a stress fracture or bone problems, and I have to make the decision of whether to run it and hope things clear up by Sunday or sit it out...and I'm so upset about it. Like, tears...upset. And even thinking about GU and ice baths and fuel makes me sad. Because I want to be okay. Because I was training SO. WELL. for this race. I mean, I was going to break 2 hours, and it's tearing me up that I've barely been able to run at all in the last two and a half weeks. What to do. Anyone have hip problems in the past and can help? I ran 6 this past Sunday and was only a little sore after...I guess it took two days to catch up to me. I want to run!! :(

I'm so torn up...

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Classic Chic Designs Giveaway

2011-11-17T06:31:00.005-05:00

I've got another fantastic giveaway for you today that I'm super excited about. I told you a little bit ago about our amazing engagement party invitations. Amber at Classic Chic Designs was amazing to work with. She sent me all kinds of mock ups and drafts and helped me decide on what kind of paper and envelopes to get to match the invitations.

I emailed her last weekend and told her that our guests love the invitations and that I was so pleased with the overall look. I asked her if she would be interested in doing a giveaway on the blog, and she said she would love to give you your own customized digital file of anything in her etsy shop. Or, she'll give you half off a completely custom design, which would make it $20.

Check out some of her beauties currently in her etsy shop. She'll change colors for you and work with what you're wanting.

A fun holiday party invitation!

A holiday photo card (she's got lots to choose from)

Invite to Thanksgiving?

Another holiday cocktail invitation

Any kind of birthday or cocktail party

Bachelorette party? Engagement party?

So, if you're having any kind of dinner party, engagement party, shower, or holiday gathering coming up or you're looking for custom holiday cards, enter to win a custom invitation file! She emails you a high resolution digital file that you can send to a printer or print yourself at home. And it's all custom done!

Here are the details (leave each in a comment below):

1. Mandatory. Go to Amber's etsy shop and leave in the comments which of her designs you would pick or what you would like her to design for you if you choose the custom design!

2. Like her brand new page on facebook.

3. Be a follower of mine.

4. Like my new facebook page.

5. Tweet a message with a link to this post. You could use this: "Enter @lttlegrlbigwrld's giveaway for party invitations or holiday cards: http://bit.ly/uYzGpB".

This giveaway will end November 28th.

I can't wait to see what you pick!

And don't forget to enter my BICBands giveaway that ends Monday the 21st!

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Thankful {Chattanooga}

2011-11-16T19:00:00.000-05:00

I'm a little late today, but I just had to linkup for the day to be thankful for your hometown (ps I know I'm a teacher because I inherently typed out homework even when my brain was thinking hometown).
I love Chattanooga; I grew up on a little mountain in Chattanooga called Signal Mountain. The other mountain in Chattanooga is called Lookout Mountain. There were quite a number of battles of the Civil War fought in and around Chattanooga, so the names come from the Civil War era. I just love that little tidbit being the history nerd that I am.
This photo of Signal Mountain is courtesy of TripAdvisor Even though I don't think I would live there again, there are so many wonderful things about the city.
I love that there are seasons, and I love that they are distinct but not extreme. In the summer it's pretty hot, and in the winter you need a good coat, but you never feel like you're walking on the sun or the north pole.
It's silly, but I love the song Chattanooga Choo-Choo. You've probably never heard it, but when I meet people who don't know Chattanooga, I'll say, "you know, like the Choo Choo". And yes, there is a Choo Choo, and it has a hotel you can stay in, but don't stay there; it's not that nice and not in a great part of town.

There're also a number of things to do in Chattanooga on a family vacation. There's a huge freshwater aquarium, a children's museum, an art district, an art walk, an art museum, several malls. It's a pretty nice place to visit if you're looking for a little weekend getaway.

But the reason that I love Chattanooga the most is because of my family.

I wish I didn't live so far from them and could see them more often (I also wish I had more family pictures...), so I really can't wait to see them on Tuesday next week when I head home for Thanksgiving! I just wish Tim would be able to come this year...
Also, I'm really excited, because I have two more giveaways coming up in the next few days! Be sure to enter the BICBands one and look forward to the ones coming up!Follow on pinterest Follow on twitter

thankful {exciting releases}

2011-11-15T05:04:00.000-05:00

The topic for today's thankful link-up is supposed to be why I'm thankful for YouTube.

But I'm going to hijack it a little bit and put my own spin on this topic (is that okay Meghan?).
I'm not a huge YouTuber, but what I do want to share with you comes from YouTube, so it counts!On Monday, I found a few bloggers talking about the exciting release of the official Hunger Games trailer, and I'm one of the hooked ones.

I swallowed this book whole, and I wrote a review about it. It's the fastest read, and because it's a young adult book it doesn't require a whole lot of thinking. I promise you that you won't regret it. My mom and sister read it after me and loved it, and you'll absolutely want to read it before you see the movie in March.

Now, for you die-hards, there is one thing in the trailer that I believe is different than the book. Can you spot it? Or is it portraying a different part of the book than I'm thinking of? Leave me a comment if you notice.

I'm super thankful that someone got me started on these books, and I'm super excited that they are now coming out in movie form. I just hope they're as amazing as the books.

Now, if you'd like, go enter my giveaway! It's for one of my favorite things!

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my christmas list + BIC Band Giveaway!

2011-11-14T15:30:00.003-05:00

Be sure to read #1 for the giveaway! :)

Most years at Christmas, my mom asks me to send her stuff that I want and I spend time looking online and shopping in the month of November/early December to find a few things I like. I am always at a loss for understanding why there are so many things I would love to have all year long and then I can't think of anything when it comes time to make up a list.

Well not this year. Pinterest and my complete stoppage in shopping have really helped me out. Sending my mom items here and there for Christmas has not been hard at all. And since I know it's helpful to get ideas from others sometimes, I thought I would share with you what I've sent to my mom and dad/fiance/sister/anyone else shopping for me.

1. Three new BICBands. I'm asking for gold, smoke, and purple. If you are looking for a good running/wearing around headband, these are the best! They really don't slip!

And! Exciting news! I had totally written this post and thought about contacting Sandy for a giveaway, and she wrote me back so fast and agreed to offer one!!

Here I am after my half marathon in my silver one:

Here are the details:

Sandy is going to send the lucky winner one sparkle BIC Band of your choice. They're great for all sports, working out, and even wearing around during the day (because of the cute sparkle)!

BIC Bands is an amazing company for a few reasons. First of all, she donates $1 from every headband to a difference charity every month (Last month she donated $850 to Breast Cancer Research). A lot of times she pairs up with runners fundraising for races. Also, the BIC stands for Because I Can. I just love that. And, they're the least expensive of the non-slip headbands out there. They really don't slip!

Here's how to enter (leave a separate comment for each telling me you did that one):
1. Be a GFC follower of my blog and tell me below (Mandatory 1 entry).
2. Go to BICBands and tell me which color sparkly skinnie minnie you would like (Mandatory 1 entry).
3. Follow @BICBands and @lttlegrlbigwrld on twitter (1 entry).
4. Follow BIC Bands on facebook (1 entry).
5. Tweet about the giveaway. You could use this tweet "@lttlegrlbigwrld is giving away a sparkle @BICBands. They're the best non-slip headbands out there. Enter here: http://bit.ly/tkmcGl"
6. Like my brand new facebook page (1 entry).

The giveaway will close November 21st at midnight!

Now back to my Christmas list...

2. Some Butter London Nail Polish. I love that Zappos and Nordstrom carry them online, and I had no idea until Saturday. I would love to have The Black Knight, No More Waity, Katie, All Hail the Queen, Frilly Knickers, and Wallis. A combination of any of them would be just lovely!

3. A new gym bag. The one I want is the Zella gathered tote at Nordstrom, and it's meant to be a gym bag so has lots of pockets and place to store things.

4. A gold Meghan necklace. BaubleBar has some really cute ones.

5. Straight leg corduroy pants.

6. These Seychelles wedges that I've been eyeing for over a year. They're called the Eye to Eye.

7. Some running tights. It always seems to be colder in Florida after Christmas than before.

8. A scentsy warmer and some scents. This one or another one that I showed her.

I'll add a few more things here or there for the next little bit, but I was sure to tell my mom that I'd let her know when LOFT was having 40% off.

I also told her she HAD to use ebates on every single online purchase she makes. She didn't know what it was, so I filled her in. Do you use ebates? I've gotten $80+ back so far, and I don't even do that much online shopping. You just go to ebates.com and type in the site that you're wanting to shop for and it gives you a certain % cash back. Four times per year it will either mail you a check or deposit the amount into paypal (whichever you ask it to do). I swear it's legit...I just recently got a payment. And you can still use coupon and discount codes on the actual site.

What's on your wish list?

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Thankful {guilty pleasures}

2011-11-14T05:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday! It's going to be a great week. It's the last full week of school before a short two day week and Thanksgiving break! And, I get to go to Chattanooga to see my family!
I'm excited to play along with Meghan and friends in their challenge. I met the amazing Meghan for a run while I was in Chicago this summer, plus they hooked me up with Sar for the swap, and I'm thrilled to have been paired with such a sweet girl. I don't play along with a lot of these challenges, but with such great topics, how can I resist?!

The whole challenge is about things we're thankful for, and today's is "I'm thankful for my guilty pleasures".

Here are some of the guilty pleasures I'm thankful for, and at least one I'm ashamed to admit to.

{1} Reality television
It is without a doubt my biggest guilty pleasure in the whole world. I adore reality television. Between Bachelor, Bachelorette, Top Chef, Next Food Network Star, Real Housewives, I'm hooked.
And here's the one I'm ashamed to admit...I am watching Real World this season. And not only watching...recording (please still be my friend?).

source
It's just cracking me up because the people are so not crazy, and MTV is trying to make drama out of it, but they can't...and I love it.

Moving on...quickly.

{2} Dunkin Donuts

If you've followed me for a while, you know how much I love it. I have in fact tried to give it up multiple times (January 22...August 6...the month of October) because of what it does to my monthly budget. Sometimes I'm successful, sometimes I'm not. But ultimately it's my go to when I have a bad day, a good day, a day?

It's absolutely a guilty pleasure as I have that picture on my computer and didn't actually just take it...

{3} Frozen yogurt

I'm just another blogger who loves frozen yogurt...and if you're new here you may not know I'm trying to lose 38 pounds for my wedding in July (I'm down 3 so far). And ya know what? It hasn't stopped me...I just count it in my calories...and you have no idea how many calories it can be...(the one pictured was from before I started...I've cut out the Reese's cups...)

{4} Getting the mail {and blog swaps}

Source: dailydoseofstuf.tumblr.com via Terri on Pinterest

You're probably thinking getting the mail isn't a guilty pleasure...you're probably thinking that it's something that everyone does once a day (and you'd be right), but when everyone that I've ever lived with knows about my obsession with checking the mail and the happiness that it brings me, it becomes a guilty pleasure. Roommates past and present have purposely not gotten the mail to let me get it every day. Even when I go to Chattanooga for holidays and trips, my parents let me get the mail, even though the chance of me getting something at my parents house is slim to none. Is it starting to make sense?

And because of this obsession...blog swaps become part of the guilty pleasure...
I've signed up for 7 in the next month...because the only thing better than getting something in the mail to me is getting a little package or hand written envelope and sending one to someone else to make them smile...

In case you want to participate in some (a few haven't closed sign ups yet):
Plenty to Be Thankful For (sign ups closed)
Holly Bloggy Christmas (sign ups closed)
Nail Polish (sign ups closed)
3 Christmas Ornament Swaps (I think they're all still open)
Secret Santa Swap (still open)

Does that make it more guilty?

What guilty pleasures are you thankful for? Go link up with Meghan.

And I have another post scheduled for this afternoon to share my Christmas list (plus a giveaway that I'm so excited about...be sure to come back this afternoon)...because online shopping is another guilty pleasure, and I had that post scheduled before I saw these fantastic topics.

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good news!

2011-11-10T20:16:00.000-05:00

A few things to share.

{1} An H&M opened in Tampa today. I heard that they were giving out gift cards to the first people to go, but I unfortunately had to go to work today (sad how work gets in the way of the important things).

That means I can get fun things like this...

Source: hm.com via Amanda on Pinterest

...and this...

Source: hm.com via Carly on Pinterest

...and this.

Source: hm.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Because before, there wasn't an H&M near me.

But don't worry...I won't break NO shopping NOvember. I'll wait until December 1st.

{2} I lost 1 pound this week! Since I only have to lose 1 per week to meet my goal, I was content. I just hate how weight fluctuates, though. I should just weight myself once on Tuesday mornings...but I'm so tempted to think that maybe I'll have magically lost 10 in one day and can buy my TOMS.

Source: chrismadden.co.uk via France on Pinterest

{3} I had a flat tire when I went to walk to my car after work today (that may or may not have been low for the last week). I was so worried it would take me hours and hundreds of dollars to fix.

But. Thanks to a wonderful colleague, the spare got put on, and thanks to a cute (using that word loosely) little tire place (at the sketchy BP down the road), my tire got patched. All of this was done in an hour and for $15. The guy (Santana) wouldn't even let me tip. Isn't it amazing to come across wonderful people? I want to do something nice for my colleage...he doesn't drink Starbucks or Dunkin, so I'm thinking...ideas?

Source: gabrielleandmichelle.tumblr.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Santana did not look like this. That would have iced the cake.

{4} I won Neely's giveaway from her Week of 1000 followers, and I can't wait to get my prize!
I got a scentsy nightlight warmer and a scent. Erin was so nice and let me buy another scent to ship with the warmer without having to pay shipping.

Here's the one I won:

...I also added a mid-sized warmer and some scents to my Christmas list. For some reason I've just wanted one of these Scentsy warmers for the longest time. I can't wait to get my prize and more scents and warmers in the future!

{5} Tomorrow is Friday. That in and of itself is great news. You can't have a bad day on a Friday.

Have a great weekend lovelies! I've got a lot of errands, chores, and relaxing planned. I can't wait. December is going to be a hectic month...so I'm cherishing the more relaxing November.

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so not me. nail polish?

2011-11-08T17:48:00.000-05:00

If you knew me in real life, you would know that sometimes I'm a bit of a hot mess. I leave the house without makeup on quite a lot, I don't always look so put together, and I almost never have my nails polished.
Don't get me wrong. I would love to have my nails polished perfectly on a daily basis, but it's just not happening at the moment. I see people post pretty colors, I buy pretty colors, yet I just can't seem to get it together.
That's why you don't see a ton of (any?) nail polish suggestions on my blog. But, I ran into these polishes on pinterest, and then I read the blog, and then I found the creator of the nail polish, and I must know more. First I have to show you what I'm talking about, because you may know of it too.

Source: steffels.blogspot.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Source: steffels.blogspot.com via Ciera on Pinterest

Source: steffels.blogspot.com via Krista on Pinterest

Source: steffels.blogspot.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

Source: steffels.blogspot.com via Charleen on Pinterest

Are these not amazing? And do they not make any of you non-frequent nail polishers want to become frequent nail polishers?
I did some digging (I used a plastic spoon...it wasn't a hard dig) and found this blog steffels. She's the one that these amazing polishes have been pinned from. She posts them a lot...
...but the polishes seem to come from this place called Lynnderella. I think she makes her own polishes and sells them...but I can't decide how the ordering process works or when she's going to open the store.
steffels. says that if you want to order you have to be ready because they sell out fast. I don't get it. Someone help me. Where am I not connecting the dots? How can I get in on all of this business? I need some of this nail polish and I sound really ridiculous right now. Do you know what is going on or how I can get in on it?
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Mission Statement

2011-11-07T08:09:00.000-05:00

I was on twitter on Sunday and saw a tweeter mention that writing a mission statement for your blog can help you stay focused and remember what you're writing for when you lose a bit of inspiration. Since I had mentioned my loss of inspiration a few weeks ago, I thought this would be something beneficial to myself and also to you, my readers.

What I think would be additionally beneficial is if you think I've forgotten something or added something that you don't see in my blog. This way, I know how I can alter the statement or my blog to meet the statement I'm going for.

So, here is my mission statement:

Little Girl in the Big World is a personal blog written to share my everyday interests and inspirations with my readers, while also seeking advice and suggestions from those who read. My goal is to remember what's going on in my life in a positive fashion without divulging too much unnecessary personal information that I don't want floating around the internet. By writing the blog I want to feel that I have an outlet to the world around me, and I seek to remember that life is not that serious all the time. I hope that my readers feel connected to me while also respecting me as a person for my own views and opinions.

I think this is a working statement, and as I determine more of a focus I will be able to further focus the missions statement.

Also, as an aside, do you know of any blog swaps going on that I can participate in? I'm currently signed up for these:

Plenty to be thankful for
Holly Bloggy Christmas
Nail Polish Swap

But what else is out there?? I know there's an ornament one. I've seen it. But now I can't find it...

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Ten Things Thursday

2011-11-03T21:30:00.000-04:00

Ten? I know. It's a lot. But they're worth it...especially the last one. Make sure to read the last one.

1. I've decided to make November a NO shopping NOvember. I'm sure it shows my high level of creativity to play off the NO at the beginning of the month. But since last month was a really great month for me budget-wise, I've decided to make it another great month by continuing the streak. My goal is to spend no money on any unnecessary items for myself, including any clothing, accessories, shoes, or junk that I somehow always waste money on. The only thing that I'm going to allow myself to buy is a dress for our engagement party December 3rd and our first shower December 10th.

2. Here are a few dresses I like at the moment. What do you think? They're all from anthro.

3. Our engagement party invitation has been received by a lot of the people that are coming, I think, so I thought I'd show it here. I bought it on etsy, and the girl that I got it from was super easy to work with. I emailed quite a bit about changing colors.

4. I'm going home for Thanksgiving, and I can't wait! I'm going to go wedding dress shopping with my mom and sister in Atlanta the Wednesday before. I'm looking to find this dress for many thousands less than the Monique Lhuillier pricetag.

Source: fashioneestar.tumblr.com via meghan on Pinterest

5. I think I did something to my left hip flexor when I did my 11 miles on the treadmill on Saturday. It's been hurting me quite a bit since Sunday, and even my kids noticed today. I took a few days off from running, but I had to go out today and get in a few miles. I ran 4 not too hard, but now my hip is really hurting. I stretched and foam rolled and iced, so I really hope it starts to feel better soon. I really don't want to take off any more time.

6. Because I hadn't been able to run, I decided last night to go try crossfit at a gym of one of my co-workers. They had me do the warmup twice, which wasn't too bad. The warmup yesterday was:
800m run
15 pushups
15 situps
15 ring rows
15 back extensions
100 toe touches

I think that bothered my hip too, though, because it hurt a lot more this morning. Frustrating.

Anyone else do crossfit? Do you like it? I'm deciding whether to join this crossfit gym and it's a big expensive.

7. I'm making a small Christmas list. My parents are helping us with the wedding, so I'm not asking for much for Christmas. I have to say, though, that Nordstrom catalog that came in the mail yesterday made me want both break the NO shopping NOvember and also make a large Christmas list. Here's one thing I think I'll add from anthro's catalog yesterday:

I've wanted a pair of slippers for a while, and these are so fun! I love the blue polka dots but also the fur lined ones.

8. My gung-ho start at weight loss is going well. I'm taking Kelly's advice and I'm going to go hard or go home for these first 30 days. And I've definitely felt genuinely hungry for the first time in a while, which I think needs to happen with me a bit more often.

9. I can.not.wait for the Alabama vs LSU game this weekend. It's going to be huge! I'm so pumped up, and this video is amazing

10. My friend Calley sent me a link to a blog post at A Cup of Jo. I love her blog, but she posts so much that I often-times don't get to read everything. This post was absolutely amazing. If you get easily stressed or you have a lot on your plate right now, you should read it. It is amazing how instantly you feel a sense of relief while reading. I'm bookmarking to go back to it frequently.

Do you worry too much?

I can't wait for the weekend. I hope you have a great one.

If you've never commented, or if you have, share something random with me! I love getting to know other bloggers and readers and learning little fun things.

things are getting real

2011-11-01T07:09:00.000-04:00

After the amazing wedding I went to this past weekend, I had some serious realizations.

This is getting real. I'm getting married. And it's not "really far away" like I've been telling myself as I look and look and look and make no decisions or solid plans.

Well, that's a lie. I have plans. We picked our date, venue, caterer, dj, and photographer. We've scheduled our engagement pictures, we have a shower and an engagement party planned. We're not doing that bad, but after talking to another bride this weekend, I realized I've got to put on my big girl panties and start doing the little things I've been putting off.

I've got a list. In my Erin Condren. But it's really overwhelming.

And can I ask you brides a couple questions:

1. When do you send the Save the Dates?

2. When do you go taste cake?

3. When do you meet with a florist and what do you tell them?

And what I'm actually thinking about right now...is myself at the wedding. What do I want myself to look like in pictures? What do I want my hair to look like, etc? And it's made me make a few goals. I'm sure you're going to be shocked to see what comes next.

{1}

I really need to lose weight (like I have all these other times), but this time I've got a serious goal. I mean, it's the best goal I think. When else will it really matter this much? And it isn't because I want to just be skinny for my wedding, it's because I've always wanted to lose weight, and I don't want to look back on July 21st 2012 and wish that I had started on November 1st 2011 and have opted not to. I mean, on March 11th 2011 I decided I wanted to start running with the Couch to 5k program (when I couldn't even run a mile), and on October 1st 2011 I ran a half marathon in just over 2 hours and 6 minutes. I can do this. I just need a little more motivation.

I have almost 38 weeks to go (263 days to be exact). And I want to lose 38 pounds. Funny how that works. And you might think that sounds like a high number, but I assure you that it is not at all for my height and current weight. I carry my weight all over, and 38 pounds on me will look more like 15 or 20, I assure you.

And I'm putting it out there to hold myself accountable. And to give myself little rewards along the way. Because rewards to myself are the only way that I'm going to get there. And they're going to be pretty good, because I'll need them (and I'm sorry if I'm offending you with talking about weight loss or rewarding myself with things, but this is what I've got to do...for myself).

At 10 pounds, I'm going to buy myself these:

or some other color. that's not what matters. it's that i want a pair but can't justify. at 10 pounds i'll be able to.

At 20 pounds, I'm going to buy myself these:

Because you've seen me post about these at least here and here.

At 30 pounds and 38 pounds, I'm going to buy myself something else. I haven't decided what yet, but I will choose as that date comes closer. And it will.

And it isn't about me being happy, because I know it'll be the happiest day of my life so far no matter what. But it is about my confidence and the ability to really love every single picture and every single memory. And I hope that it's okay with you that I'm putting this out there. Because I assure you, this isn't a new goal. I wish it was. I wish the name of my blog hasn't been Little Girl in the Big World: Pennies, Pounds, and Ponderings since the day I started it. I wish my first post hadn't been about losing weight. But alas, it has been. And now I vow to myself and to you who'll believe me for the 5th or 6th (or 7th?) time, this is it. November 1st, 2011 is the day that I begin.

Because...

Source: linnyjanevintage.blogspot.com via meghan on Pinterest

And by a year...I mean just under 9 months...

I'll be doing MyFitnessPal again.

{2}

I want to have more hair than the thin mop that I have right now. And to do that I'll have to remember to take my hair vitamins and biotin every. single. day. And my thyroid medicine. Everything that I need to remember to take. I mean, I told you that it worked. I don't know why I let it go sometimes...

And to remember that I'm going to buy one of those little pill things that your grandma has so that I can fill it weekly to remember if I've taken my pills each day.

And for now those are my marked goals. And I'll be keeping up with them. And I'll post sometimes. But not too much.

Thanks for your support! It's always nice to know there are other bloggers and people out there who have similar goals or who have had similar goals and achieved them. I'll be there one day.

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a wonderful wedding weekend

2011-10-31T07:27:00.000-04:00

This weekend was wonderful. I took the day off Friday to head to Naples for a wedding at the Ritz-Carlton. And while taking a day off alone could have made for a spectacular weekend, the rest of the events made it even better.

When driving south to Naples from Tampa, you have to drive over the sunshine skyway bridge that connects the opening of Tampa Bay to the Gulf of Mexico, and I have a very strange fascination/fear of that bridge. It is gigantic. Cruise ships have to be able to get under it, and they close it when it's too windy. It's a suspension bridge, and I honestly took more pictures of it than I did anything else the whole weekend. I'll just share one...

Can you see how massively gigantic it is in the distance? Okay, I digress.

When we arrived, we started acting like celebrities from the moment we dropped our car off at the valet. The hotel was beautiful and amazing, and because we had been monetarily planning for this weekend for a few months we were able to really enjoy the lavishness.

PS All of these pictures were taken with my new iphone. The camera quality is pretty impressive.

Tim was a groomsman in the wedding and headed off the rehearsal while I squeezed in a run, then I showered and we were off to the rehearsal dinner at Shula's Steakhouse. It was delicious. I enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine with my steak, creamed spinach, steak fries, and cheesecake.

I needed a picture of myself with the giant mint-filled martini glass.

We headed back to a bar at the hotel for a little while before calling it an early night. I had plans to get up and run 11 miles the next morning.

And run 11 miles I did. By myself. On the treadmill. It was pretty terrible, but I did it and got it out of the way so that I could enjoy my time at what I knew would be a beautiful wedding. Then I went to breakfast with a girlfriend and met up with a few of the other girls for manicures and pedicures.

We did this while the boys got ready while being photographed by the photographer and videographer. No pressure.

Before heading out to the beach for the wedding, we all met in the lobby for a drink.

And while it had rained throughout the day and rained later in the day, the rain held our perfectly for the duration of the wedding. You can even see the clouds waiting in the background.

I'm not going to post any of the pictures I got of the bride or groom, because she has a blog and I want her to be able to unveil the first pictures of herself, but I had to include one of my Timmy waiting for the bride to come down the aisle.

Afterwards was a beautiful and insanely fun reception. Each of the bridesmaids and groomsmen walked in to their own song, the cake was made of cheesecake, and the liquor was top shelf. We had an amazing time.

Along with the amazing valet, it was wonderful to have a housekeeper that organized your makeup on the counter for you, chocolates with your turndown service, and a bellman help carry your bags to your afore mentioned awaiting car.

So we returned Sunday to the reality of our lives only a little worn down from our amazing weekend. It's back to work tomorrow with a long week ahead, but I can say one thing for sure: there is nothing that lights the wedding planning fire under you like attending such an amazing and immaculate wedding. I'm in planning mode. Now someone tell me what to do first...

How was your weekend?

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the future

2011-10-27T23:15:00.000-04:00

Running has become so much more to me than something that I have to do. While I'm not saying that I'm always rip-roaring to go when I head out the door to go run, I do look forward to it and feel lazy if I go more than a day without running. I joined a running club, and it's been so motivational and inspirational to run with other people. And depending on the day, it really keeps my pace faster.

I'm hooked. People warned me. And because I'm hooked, I've signed up/committed myself to a number of races coming up and planned a few others.

Here's what's on the books/planned:

November 20: Women's Running Magazine Half Marathon

I'm already registered, and I'm excited to make this half marathon #2. Last year there were 6,000 people running, which is only a little smaller than the Wine and Dine. The start is only 45 minutes from my house, so I won't have to stay in a hotel the night before, which is nice. The course is flat, and we get to run through Tropicana Field, where the Tampa Bay Rays play. And, it's sponsored by Publix, so I'm thinking there should be some good post-race food.

November 24: Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 8k

This is at home in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and I hope that my dad, mom, and sister will come cheer me on. My dad and sister haven't seen me run, so I would love for them to get to see me. Plus, it's an 8k, which is a distance I haven't run, so it'll be a clear PR.

December 17: 23rd Annual Say No To Drugs 10k

This seems to be a pretty big race. I haven't signed up yet, but I'm pretty sure I'll be doing it. It only costs $19, which is a good price for a chip timed race. And, it'll be a reason to keep running after the Women's Half and Turkey Trot.

January 8: Walt Disney World Marathon Relay

The Marathon Relay is a new event this year. Someone at work asked if I wanted to do it with him, and I was super thrilled. I get to run the first half of the marathon (a half marathon) through Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Then, we tag off and he takes the second half, which is the route that I ran in the Wine and Dine. He said he's run through Magic Kingdom so many times in previous races that he wanted to do the second half. I'm excited too because I love Disney blink. I'll get the Chip and Dale Medal on the right, which I think is really cute!

February 12: Rock 'N Roll St. Pete Half Marathon

I already signed up for this one when I found a discount code, and I can't wait to participate in my first Rock 'n' Roll event. I'm hoping to collect some of the heavy medals this year (where they give you more medals depending on how many Rock 'N' Roll events you do). I'm sure there will be HUGE numbers at this race, and I'm looking forward to it. It will be half marathon #4, and I'm hoping that by this point I'll be able to break 2:00:00. That's my goal.

Those are my plans up until February at this point. I'm sure I'll fill in a few weekends with shorter races, but I'm scared to run events and not PR. I'm afraid it will discourage me, and I have to talk myself out of that fear.

What races do you have coming up? Anyone else coming down to the Disney Marathon Weekend? It would be fun to do a meetup!

I'm off to Naples in the morning to go to an amazing weekend! I'll take pictures! :)

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money and celebrities

2011-10-26T17:29:00.000-04:00

I'm in such a strange mood, and I really just feel like word vomiting, and since this is my blog, I'm going to do it (and yes, that was a run on sentence, and I don't even care).

Yesterday I was getting gas and the tv above the gas pump told me that Michael Jackson made $275 million this year.

I don't make $100,000 (I wish), but I just wanted to remind myself of the above.

Does this frustrate anyone else? Does this seem fair? My initial thoughts when I heard this included, 'where is this money going?' and 'how can I get in on it?'.

Then, this morning on my way to school I learned that Lindsay Lohan has agreed to pose for Playboy and is earning $1 million.

That disturbed me more, I think. I'd be willing to contribute to the fund to see that she doesn't pose in that magazine. I think the things that she does and the way that she acts are atrocious, and it makes me mad to no end that people will continue to let her act this way and pay her.

And although this probably isn't news to anyone, as I've read it three times in blogs in the last hour, Jessica Simpson wants $500,000 for the rights to announce that she's pregnant.

Do we look like idiots? Are celebrities having a hard time making money right now too? But Dear Lord I'm just worried some news source is going to do it. And then where does that leave us as a society?

I'm not a celebrity (clearly, I can't even make $100,000 alive), but that doesn't stop me from living like one. Speaking of which, I've got to go make sub plans for Friday, do the dishes, and lick my own engagement party envelopes.

Any other celebrity gossip I haven't accidentally caught up on? I normally don't know these things (or care), but this has all been thrown at me in the last 24 hours. Thought I'd share. And I apologize in advance for continuing to refer to Michael Jackson making $275 million dead.

Follow on pinterest Follow on twitteroriginal photos of lilo and j.simpson before my hilarious-i'm-sure captions

5 things

2011-10-24T21:59:00.000-04:00

Sorry I haven't posted a lot this month. I don't know why. Or I kind of do know why but don't really know what's gotten into me. I do care a lot about my blog, and I love having it and connecting with people through it. I love posting on it and hearing your comments, but in the last two weeks I've been more interested in reading other blogs or enjoying down time than posting anything myself.

It's not that I don't have anything to say...I'm sure I could come up with something. I have ideas from time to time of what I want to say, but I just haven't followed through with them a lot. So, to jumpstart my posting...here's 5 really random things.

1. Couch 2 5k

I was just thinking yesterday about how 8 short months ago I couldn't get up and run one quarter of a mile without falling over sideways in agony. And now, I go out on Saturdays or Sundays and run 10+ miles on a regular basis.

If you're trying to get into running, just do the couch to 5k plan. Seriously. Start tomorrow. It's slow, it takes time, but it's so worth it. The feeling of accomplishment when you run your first 30 minutes straight into your first hour, half marathon, etc. are so worth it. Just trust me?

2. kate spade iphone case

I bought this one on Monday...after the 30% off sale...because I forgot about the sale when it was going on. Isn't that the worst? Luckily I still got 15% off.

3. day off

I'm taking the day off of work on Friday to head down to Naples to go to a wedding at the Ritz Carlton Naples. I'm pretty thrilled, because it'll be a wonderful wedding. It'll also be a perfectly relaxing weekend to enjoy time with Tim. He's been working so so much and doing so so much school work, and I miss him.

4. grocery stores and cooking dinner

I still hate them. I wrote a blog post about grocery shopping a long long time ago when I first started this blog, and it makes me laugh. I like to cook when I have time, but a lot of times lately I have wanted to do anything but make a grocery list for the week or cook dinner each night. I saw this on pinterest today when I was looking for easy dinner recipes, and it fit my thoughts perfectly. I definitely get into bed each night thinking this...

Source: annetaintor.com via meghan on Pinterest

5. Wedding Planning

I have done quite a lot on this front without updating you all. I'm sending out engagement party invitations tomorrow, and once I'm sure everyone that reads this has gotten them, I'll post them on here. I'm so pleased with them, and the eggplant color matches the color of the envelopes that I ordered off of etsy perfectly. It was like they were meant to be together. We have a few other things pieced together, but I'll wait to post until I have more time to devote.

How are things going with you?

Is this post entirely too random?

It's the best I've got right now.

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another erin condren deal!

2011-10-24T12:30:00.000-04:00

I'm sure you've seen around the blog world about everyone's love for Erin Condren. I am of course not an exception. I was in fact looking today to order an address book to store all these wedding addresses I've been collecting, and I happened upon another deal!

I was thrilled!

Today on Plum District you can get $50 in Erin Condren product for $25. Plus, you can use the code FABULOUS to get 10% off of that $25!

I'm going to get holiday cards, an address book, and some notepads, because I definitely bought 2 of the deals.

So, here is the link to the deal today only on Plum District. And after you buy it, you can find several other codes around the internets to get even more money off. If you don't know of any other codes, let me know and I'll email some to you.

And I promise I'll be returning tomorrow with a real post. Life has just gotten hectic as of late.

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fall decor

2011-10-18T09:19:00.001-04:00

I've seen so many amazing posts on fall decorations (my favorite here), and I've really been meaning to do some decorating of my own. I mean, unless this one light counts as decorating.

I've been so busy, so it really never even made it onto a to do list. But after we came home from the grocery store yesterday, Tim asked why I hadn't put out the spider votive holder yet. I was so surprised, because I didn't think he cared. I thought it was so cute that he remembered one specific little thing that I had bought last year for Halloween.

So with that, I started putting out the Halloween and fall decorations. Halloween decorations were always some of my favorites that my mom has. Over time, she's gotten me little things that are like the ones from home.

She always has a pumpkin on the counter filled with candy to get you in trouble.

Candles help the room smell fresh but also add a fall feeling to the air.

She got me this haunted house this year. It's the exact one she and dad have at home. I love it!

I love the spider look to this votive holder without being gross or creepy (obviously Tim loves it too).

I picked these up at the store today since Tim seems to really appreciate fall decorations more than I realized.

I really like decorating with pumpkins because they can be left out past Halloween (or turned around to have no face on them). I'll pull out my cornucopia here in a few weeks and place that at the center of the dining room table. I'm just not sure I'll do with all those pumpkins I got today.

Do you decorate for the holidays? What's your favorite one to decorate for?

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