Tuesday Thoughts!

Well, it has been a while since I updated this bad boy but this past week since I got back from Detroit has been absolutely crazy! And on top of all of that, I haven't been feeling so hot for the past 24hrs so things are kinda insane! I am working on my Detroit race recap so look out for that this week or the coming weekend! Onto more important things- my Tuesday Thoughts:

I know I've made promises to drink less coffee in life but sometimes, I just need it in IV form.

I just feel like doing this to so many people in life. srsly.

awkward dance party? Yes pls.

red wine makes my life complete.

bahaha oh Kanye.

Tuesday Thoughts?

Ok, so I am still struggling with life and recovering from a fantastic race weekend in Detroit (recap coming one day soon) so here are a few of the things roaming around my crazy mind while I get ready to sign up for my 4th and final half marathon for 2013!

why I do all these silly races..

this is how I felt after running 13.1+ miles in 40 degrees+high winds in Detroit/Canada on Sunday..

my thoughts right before I start a big race… hahahah

yup.

ugh math is dumb.

I still haven't had the post-half marathon meal I've been dreaming about for 12 weeks so I'm gunna make it happen this week, which includes ice cream :)

 

Friday Favorites: Running Edition!

Here's what I'm loving this week- all running inspired for my upcoming race on Sunday!! My brother helped me change my flight to early tomorrow morning from rdu instead of clt so I could be at my house when my passport card came so now I'm completely, 100% ready for this race! I'm just taking it easy tonight so I thought I would share some of the things that are going to get me through those 13.1 miles on Sunday!

 

Nike Racer Women's Tank Tops

 

 

Ok so it wasn't until this past summer I felt completely comfortable running in a tank outside but these are the best! I am a sweater when I run (I know, gross but I blame my genes… haha) but these never feel heavy or make me feel gross like many other running tops/tanks I've tried over the past few years! I love them! I love it even more when I can find some cute ones on sale at the Nike outlets too haha! These are great with compression capris or my running skirts so they are perfect for any running occasion!

Nike Lunarelite +2

These shoes are my bffs when I run.  I've been wearing these shoes for nearly 3 years now (uhh not the same pair, duh) and I love all the fun colors! I'm currently wearing my yellow ones but they are on their last few races so I have my orange ones ready and waiting once I am done with Detroit! I like to have 2 pairs of shoes going at the same time so when it's time to switch, there's no new shoe break-in period! These shoes are a godsend for my feet and ooooh I love them! 

Lock Laces

Well, if you know anything about me you know how much I hate shoe laces and having to untie/re-tie them whenever I run.  Well, I learned about these during one of my past races (I think PHM2013?) and they are amazing! These laces are kind of elasticized and provide a bit of compression on the tops of your feet.  I love how much more secure my feet feel in my shoes with these new laces.  I'm not going to lie, I was a little intimidated when I first got these, trying to figure out how to lace my shoes (ugh I hate doing that!) but with the little youtube instructional video, it wasn't that hard and they look and feel great on my shoes! I have the black ones on my current yellow/grey lunar elites and I have the red ones on my orange lunar elites (go hokies!). Love them!

Gu Energy

OK, so I know I'm not supposed to "love" this stuff but it really just keeps me going in these long races! They taste horrendous but over the years I've gotten the talent where I can suck those little packets down without even having to taste it/touch my tongue so I'm good to go every 45 minutes! I usually take one every 45 mins but whenever I am at a water station so I can chug some water after since they always make me thirsty! My favorite flavors are the lemon sublime and the tri-berry.  I love that the tri-berry has caffeine so I try to save that one for the second half of my race to push me through the end! PS the espresso option is pretty tasty too as well as the orange one!!! I usually love the Gu Chomps but lately I've been all about my Gu Energy gels!

SparkleSkirts

So I am totally a girl when I run and I love running in these oh so comfortable running skirts! I love how there are so many pockets that I don't need to wear my running belt/spibelt to hold my phone  and there are great pockets in the compression shorts underneath that I can put some kleenex and my chapstick and Gu packets! Not to mention, they are super cute! I will be sporting the beautiful red option below this weekend, I can't wait! Hoping it brings me luck for another PR!

Sweaty Bands

I discovered these bad boys when I did my first Princess HM back in 2011.  I love them and they keep all my hair out of my face when I run, especially after sweating through the first few miles! They are way cute as well- I picked up a couple of the PHM13 special edition ones and I love the glitters ones but my favorite has to be my Greek/sorority letters one! They don't slide or slip off my hair when I run and that is the most important thing!

 Eminem

I feel like his music got me through a lot of my tough training runs.  Maybe I just have an excess of his songs on my playlist since I will be running in Detroit and all but still.  Love it.  My brother once ran into him in Panera once and ever since I want to "run into him" every damn time I go to Detroit to "visit my brother" haha but seriously. Lose Yourself is my jam for this race!

(ps. that bridge you see in the beginning of the video- yeah that's the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor, Canada and I'll be running on it Sunday morning!!!) 

Tuesday Thoughts!

Sooo, I had this post ready to go last night but for some reason, Time Warner Cable sucks so bad that my internet, cable, and phone went out until early this morning so I wasn't able to post this but finally I can! Here's what I've been thinking this week….

<3

Oh Zack Morris..

Amy Poehler…living the dream.

my favorites are back hosting the golden globes for the next 2 years. yeesssssssss

who remembers my former days of no doz in college?? haha now I just still with straight espresso

after my race on Sunday, I want ALL the pizza.

annnnd this is what I'll look like for my post-race lunch!

ALSO, I WANT, NO NEED, TO HAAVE  DANCE PARTY ASAP. KTHANKS.

 

 

Best of Playlist Wednesday!

Well, I'm getting really close to my race and it just dawned on me during my run this past Sunday morning that I haven't updated my running playlist since JULY! How insane is that? I am definitely going to need help with some suggestions for new additions before I leave on the 17th for my race! I desperately need to update and any suggestions in the genres of Calvin Harris or Jay-Z/Eminem would be greatly appreciated!

Also, it literally hit me when I was driving home from work that I'm running the Detroit International Half Marathon in ELEVEN DAYS. Ohhh, no big deal… I don't even know what I'm going to wear! Crazy!

In lieu of new songs to share, because let's be real, there haven't been new additions to the playlist in nearly 2.5 months so I thought why not do a 'best of' post! Here are some of my favorites that I can't seem to get rid of off my playlist and will definitely get me through this last week and half before my big race:

• Lose Yourself- Eminem
• Does this song really need any explanation? "Success is my only motherf-ing option, failure's not."
• Heaven is a Place on Earth- Belinda Carlisle
• This song has literally been on my running playlist since I ran my first half marathon back in 2011! Love it and love the 80s!
• Forever- Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem
• Ahhh another favorite that's been on my playlist since 2010! I think I fell in love with Drake and all his emotions back when I first heard this song so I love running to this one!
• American Boy (feat. Kanye West)- Estelle
• I just love how damn catchy this song is! I tend to sing aloud when I run and this is definitely a fun song that I just love!
• DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love (feat. Pitbull)- Usher
• ummm, this song takes me back to things from fall 2010 but I try to ignore those silly thoughts and just enjoy my Ursher and upbeat music! This song never fails to get me going during a run!
• Hold It Against Me- Britney Spears
• OK, say what you want about Britney but this song is pure genius. I mean "You feel like paradise, and I need a vacation tonight"-- lyrical amazingness. I love having Britney on my playlist but this has definitely been a staple since her last album came out! 
• Feel so Close- Calvin Harris
• I am pretttty obsessed with Calvin Harris. His music is one of my favorites for my running playlists but this song is definitely one of my favorites!
• I'm Real (feat. Ja Rule) [Murder Remix featuring Ja Rule]- J.Lo feat. Ja Rule
• I don't care what people think about Ja Rule. I've been obsessed with this song since I was 15 and I love having this song on my running playlist! 
• What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)- Kelly Clarkson
• This song really needs no explanation! It is just a great song to keep me motivated and encourages me to keep pushing through whatever negative thoughts and feelings and accomplish my goal.
• Glamorous (Feat. Ludacris)- Fergie
• Well, this is just for fun! I love Ludacris so this is mainly for his portion in this song but I love how ridiculous it is too!
• Mowtown Philly- Boyz II Men
• Every time I hear this song, without a doubt I think of that one episode of Full House where Stephanie messed up in her dance recital to this song. This is another one I love to sing out loud when I run and always get funny looks haha!
• We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)- Rihanna
• Oh Calvin Harris, you musical genius! I'm not a huge Riri fan but I love this song. 
• Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell Williams)- Daft Punk 
• OK, so this song is a newer addition from this past spring/early summer but I'm pretty obsessed with this song and anything with Pharrell so it's an overall winner in my eyes!
• Only Girl (In the World)- Rihanna
• Again, not the biggest Riri fan but there's just something about this song that it never left my running playlist since October 2010! So catchy to sing along with as well!
• Sweet Nothing (feat. Florence Welch)- Calvin Harris
• Ok, I swear, last Calvin Harris song.  Florence Welch just has the most amazing voice and totally makes this song amazing and addictive. I can't help but singing along whenever I hear it so you can imagine how I am when I hear it on my running playlist!

 

Tuesday Thoughts!!!

Well, another Tuesday is here! I literally have a million (or maybe more) things running through my mind these days and I feel like I am coming down with a head cold so I'm going to keep this short and sweet! Here's what I've got on my mind this week:

mte Olivia Pope, mte.

this is literally how I feel EVERY halloween. ugh small children.

that would be nice...

man, I love this movie!

I feel like this every damn day….and weekend.

<3

 

My favorite OOTDs from the past few weeks…

So I know I've been seriously slacking on my blogging recently but I have some fun posts planned for this week! It has definitely been an exhausting month and things aren't slowing down but I wouldn't have it any other way! Here is the first- a collection of some of favorite outfits from the past few weeks (and some new pieces too) since it's been foreverrrr since I had an OOTD post!!

Dress: Ann Taylor; Cardigan: Target

Top: Ann Taylor; Skirt: The Limited; Not Pictured- Blazer: NY & Co.

Dress: Loft; Not Pictured- Cardigan: likely Loft 

Dress: Loft; Belt: NY & Co.; Not Pictured- Blazer: Ann Taylor
(I swear the majority of my wardrobe is Loft/Ann Taylor!!!) 

Blouse: Target; Skirt: Tahari; Belt: Loft; Not Pictured- Blazer: NY & Co.

Dress: jcp; Belt: NY & Co.; Not Pictured- Cardigan: Target
(I LOVE this orange-y/tomato red dress but I hate how big it's on me now even with a belt!) 

Cardigan: Ann Taylor; Blouse: Target; Skirt: NY & Co.

Blazer: Ann Taylor; Shell: H&M; Lace Skirt: Target

I feel like I wear a lot of pinks and purples.. I need to incorporate more of my favorite color (RED!) with some work-appropriate options! I feel like all my clothes are way too big nowadays so I definitely need to go shopping soon or at least get all my suits/clothes taken in! Hopefully I can get some fun shopping done (and for once, not all online hah!) soon, I desperately need to clean out my closet and make room for some new additions too!