Sunday, September 30, 2012

Family Birthday Dinner

Tonight was my family birthday dinner at Trio in Narragansett, RI.


Somebody was sad she couldn't come with us....


sorry...no dogs allowed!

My family and I started with some drinks, my dad and brother enjoyed some beer (since Dan is now 21) and my mom had a 7 and 7. I, however, decided to try a Bahama Mama.


I wish it was as good as it looked, unfortunately it was very, very strong. It took a lot to get through it all...

Then came the bread..

It was delicious, still warm from the oven! We each enjoyed a delicious roll and couldn't wait for our meals to come out.


For dinner, I ordered penne alla vodka which was delicious. My mom had a meatball grinder, which she said was amazing, my dad ordered the Great White Pizza which he loved too, and my brother had the Kingstown Road Burger which he had no complaints about.  Overall it was a fantastic dinner and I finished almost my entire plate...



I had a fantastic time at dinner with my family, I am so blessed to have the family that I do and we had a great night full of laughs.




Haircuts and Shopping

This morning I woke up before my alarm (which hardly ever happens) and was able to spend some quality time with my DVR! I watched the season premiere of Criminal Minds, a show that I have watched on and off since it began. Criminal Minds is one of those shows I cannot watch when I am home alone or watch when it's dark out. I get very creeped out by the situations and killers! eek =(

Soon it was time for me to run to the hairdresser. My hairdresser, Kayla, is the sweetest girl in the world. I actually graduated high school with her so it's always nice to go and catch up with her. I arrived at the hairdressers looking like this:


And left looking like this:


I think my favorite part is getting my hair washed, dried and straightened. I also love how it feels afterwards and I don't have to worry about styling it for the rest of the day.


When I got home, my mom asked if I wanted to go shopping with her at Kohls (my favorite store). We had a great time looking around for bargains- I ended up picking up a few things for gifts and a few accessories for myself. I also picked out what I'm getting for my birthday from my parents =)  I'll have to wait to share those things with you on Wednesday....

I bought two belts:

this one by Relic...
Relic Braided Belt
and another one I can't find a picture of on the Kohls website.

I also bought two pairs of earrings by Lauren Conrad, one in the shape of starfish, the other pink flowery studs. 

I also bought some gift sets with this shower gel inside:
Scentsations Fiji Escape Shower Gel

It smells so good, and the sets were only $5 which will be great for gifts next spring/summer.

Finally I bought some Danskin yoga pants for work, and also got a little something for my mom for Christmas =)

Well I'm off to enjoy some relaxing time before going to my family birthday dinner!




Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn


The one word I would use to describe this book is: unbelievable. Not unbelievable as in the author didn't make anything seem like it was really happening....unbelievable as in I could not believe how truly horrible these characters were.

I could not believe how much I hated these characters, I literally could not stand either one of them. I hated Nick and then hated Amy and then I despised both of them. As much as I hated both of them I could not stop reading this book.

SPOILER ALERT! Stop reading if you have interest in reading this book and don't want it to be ruined.

I was pretty sure that Amy wasn't dead during the first part of the novel but I had NO idea she was so completely psychotic. Setting up her own death scene/kidnapping and blaming it on her husband. She had thought out every single detail, down to the very last hair, literally. Then on top of all that to get away with murdering Desi and then hold Nick into their marriage because of the baby? I mean Nick is psychotic in his own ways but at least he was hoping to get away from her until the last few pages. Two psychos living together for an eternity? I literally closed my kindle case and said to my mom, "and then the psychos lived happily ever after?" This was the most climatic, exciting book I have read in years. 

The only character I truly related to and thought was a decent person was Go. She just wanted the best for her brother and was so disappointed at the end! =(

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read. You will definitely enjoy every page of it!

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Start of Birthday Week Outfit



Teal Shirt- Elle (via Kohls)
Jeans- American Eagle (unpictured)
Owl Earrings- Francescas
Gray Flats- Wet Seal (found here)

The Start of Birthday Week

Wednesday night was the beginning of my BIRTHDAY WEEK! I have a long-standing tradition of stretching my birthday celebrations out as long as humanly possible. Of course this year it had to continue by starting a week early! 

I got out of work and headed to Waterford, CT to meet up with my best friend, Rachel for dinner and some shopping. We had a lovely meal at Olive Garden. Both of us got the never-ending pasta bowls and also enjoyed breadsticks and salad. We also both tried signature cocktails which we really enjoyed! Rachel had the Italian Margarita which she liked a lot and I chose a Venetian Sunset which had pineapple and cherry juices. It was delicious! =)

Afterwards we found a really nice man to take our picture outside the restaurant. I have a story about asking people to take your picture....but I'll get to that later!



After dinner we headed over to the Crystal Mall and poked around Christmas Tree Shop and Bed Bath and Beyond. I just HAD to purchase a few decorations....





I bought a few of those stickers for windows and mirrors. I stuck them on my bedroom mirror and my bathroom mirror. I also bought the little Hocus Pocus pumpkin which looks so cute!


My bookshelf with my birthday card from Rachel and my pumpkin!

Rachel told me that I would be getting an e-mail about my present...and so I did!


I'm so excited to now be a member of BirchBox and get the subscription...I have a sneaking suspicion that I will continue to subscribe even after my gift subscription ends =)

I also finished day 2 of my 5K Training.


Does anyone else's face get unbearably red after exercising? Mine always has even as a kid. It also turns red when I get embarrassed or really nervous. I've always hated it but unfortunately it's not something I can really change at all!

My exercise plan for day 2 started with a 5 minute walk, then 20 minutes of 1 minute runs and 1.5 minute walks, followed by a 5 minute cool down. Just like with day 1, I didn't feel overly exhausted by the runs and always felt as if I could run for a longer period of time. I hope to get my next run in either tomorrow or Monday and continue on this fitness plan!

My playlist for this workout consisted of:

Loser Like Me- Glee Cast
All The Small Things-Blink 182
DJ Got Us Fallin In Love- Usher
SexyBack- Justin Timberlake
Firework- Katy Perry
If Only- Hanson
Without You- Glee Cast
Moves Like Jagger- Maroon 5


The rest of my week has basically just involved working and reading, I started Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn on Thursday and wasn't able to put it down! Book review to come sometime in the near future...

For the story I promised, one of my mom's friends has a daughter who is studying abroad in Paris. She asked a stranger to take a picture of her and a friend with her iPhone and the guy ran off with her phone! So a word to the wise, be very careful who you ask to take your picture! I try to always ask someone who doesn't look like they could run away too quickly, or a family with young children since they can't get away too fast with those kids around! =)

Finally a little dash of cuteness for ya'll on this rainy Saturday night!



Enjoy your weekend!


Friday, September 28, 2012

A Weekend Outfit

So I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who does this....

On Saturday I work all morning into the afternoon, when I get home I usually shower and change into whatever outfit I'm going to wear the rest of the day,

This past Saturday I only wore my outfit for a few hours to visit my cousins and it was so comfy that I wore it again on Sunday to my convention. Don't judge me!






Here's the scoop (some of which you can't see!)

Sweater: H.I.P. via Kohls
Tank Top: Old Navy
Necklace: Wet Seal
Jeans: American Eagle
Flats: Lauren Conrad via Kohls

I curled my hair with a Conair 1 1/4 inch curling iron.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Visiting my cousins!

As if last weekend wasn't busy enough, I also went to visit my cousins in Lebanon, CT on Saturday night.


Sibling Love! My mom and Uncle Craig


Cailean and Annabel playing with glow sticks


<3 my cousins!


Cuties


Uncle Craig and his kids


Goofy Annabel

We had a great pizza dinner paired with green beans, salad, and homemade cookies sent from their grandmother in Arizona! They were so excited to have my mom and I over they invited us to stay for a movie which they chose, Gnomeo and Juliet. It was a very goofy movie, nothing I ever would have picked to watch on my own but pretty good for a kids movie!


Wednesday, September 26, 2012

When On A Walk...

When on a walk.....


Roxy doesn't like to move fast. In fact she often gets dragged along behind. Or carried.



But after her walk....




Somebody won't sit still.....


I don't understand her!!!



5K Training Day 1 Playlist

A list of the tunes I listened to during my run yesterday:


5K Training Day 1 Playlist
Where’s The Love- Hanson
Who Says- Selena Gomez & The Scene
Why Not- Hilary Duff
Without you- David Guetta & Usher
When will my life Begin- Mandy Moore (Tangled Soundtrack)
What Goes Around Comes Around- Justin Timberlake
We’ve Got It Goin On- Backstreet Boys


I just realized that my Iphone must have been playing the songs in alphabetical order and randomly selected the W's to shuffle through...weird! I guess this is my W playlist!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

First Day of 5K Runner Training

Today was my first day of following the 5K Runner app.

*Waits for applause*

Although finishing just one day of this program isn't anything completely life changing, I am still proud of myself and am hoping to stick with this program which lasts 8 weeks. It recommends that you alternate running days and rest days but I'm unsure exactly how I am going to follow the plan yet.

First off, this is a free app you can download from the Itunes app store right onto your Iphone. I forget where I heard about it, but it is really cool. I listen to music as I run and whenever the app wants me to change from running to walking a voice comes over the music and tells me what to do. I've named the man who tells me what to do Steve (as in Steve Jobs- even though I'm 100% positive it is NOT his voice telling me what to do).

My first workout looked like this:


I started with a 5 minute walk, then alternated for 15 minutes with 1 minute runs and 1 1/2 minute walks. I had a 5 minute walk at the end to cool down.

Overall this workout was not anything terribly strenuous. I did not find myself having a hard time completing the 1 minute runs, I actually found myself craving running at the end of each walk and was surprised when I finished the workout because it was over so fast.


The only time I had a hard time was on the way back home, my runs seemed to always be when I was heading up a hill, it was like the app had timed it perfectly!

Overall it was a great workout and I feel really refreshed. I am proud of myself for completing day one and can't wait to complete day 2!


Race Goals

I thought it might be a good idea to include some info on some of my race goals I have for my future, not only are these race goals but just some fitness goals in general.

1. In May I will be attending the Rainbow Race that I walked last year. The walk was 5K the run is 10K, I am hoping to be able to at least be able to run the 5K next year, or potentially run the 10K...

2. I would like to find a 5K before that to run for some extra practice, also so I can get an idea of just how races feel! Any suggestions?

3. Someday I would like to participate in the Avon Walk For Breast Cancer. My grandma died from breast cancer and I would love to participate in something that does so much good for the cause.

4. I would also like to participate in the Komen Race For the Cure. This race also supports breast cancer, I would love to be a part of it.

5. The Providence Rock n' Roll Half Marathon would be amazing to run as well, I REALLY want to be a part of one of these Rock n' Roll races and the next one is next September so we will see if I am prepared enough to run it then or if I will wait another year =)

6. The CVS Downtown 5K is held in Providence every September so I might plan on running this next year because it could be a great experience. My brother used to run it every year with cross country during high school so it could be a fun time!

7. A Warrior Dash. This is one of those obstacle course runs that looks like a ton of fun to me!

8. Disney's Princess Half Marathon. This is one of my ultimate goals! I would love to run this race! I am hoping to do this in the next few years!

Monday, September 24, 2012

Strawberry/Banana Smoothie and a Fall Walk

This morning even though *somebody* didn't want to get out of bed, we took a walk down the street and back...


The pair of us were a little sleepy, one of us was a little cold without a fur coat, and one of us was feeling rather lazy.


One of us also spent our time sniffing around a very suspicious looking area of plants...

Yup! Poison Ivy. Of course.

Once I got home I decided I was in the mood for a little snack...




Chilled me to the bone but man I love these smoothies. I drink the whole container, not just half and I add in extra milk to make it creamier. Best smoothie ever.

Yum, now off to try to do a work out circuit!



Dance Masters Teachers Rejuvenation!

On Sunday I went to an event run by my local Dance Masters chapter. I have been a member of Dance Masters of New England (Chapter 5 holla!) since January. I successfully tested into the chapter and have had a great experience so far!

The event that was being held was called a Teacher Rejuvenation and was for anyone 18+ who wanted to attend could come, along with all the chapter members. We had some great classes: Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Improv/Choreography, and Preschool Work. I had an amazing day but the last class of Preschool Work was definitely my favorite of the day! =)

I went with my favorite co-worker Doreen.


 Doreen and I get along so well because we are so similar! We both are so organized and love working with kids so we get along really well which always makes things fun when we get to hang out!


Also, I ran into Kelhan who is on the same dance company that I was a part of in college! It was so nice to see her and I didn't expect to see her so it was a nice surprise! =)

During the day, a representative from Capezio dancewear came to promote some products. All attendees got "swag bags" (love that word!) When I opened mine I saw I only had a pen and a business card  and was really bummed...until I found out that if you had a business card inside your bag you were a winner and got to pick something out of their catalogue! I was super excited and actually already e-mailed the representative to ask if I could get new tap shoes with my winnings! I am still so excited because I never win anything! =)



I can't wait to get my new tap shoes! However,  I left with a brand new Dance Masters water bottle, an ugly swag bag, and a pen...and of course my member ribbon! 

And as if that wasn't enough of a day, after I got home, I quickly hurried to a 2-year old birthday party as it was ending to drop off a present to Sammie!


I gave her a book called "How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight" and had to read it to her before I left. She was so excited and kept talking about how big the dinosaurs in the book were, it was adorable!

Have a great day everybody!


Friday, September 21, 2012

Inspiration, Goals, and a lazy lazy dog!

Roxy moving a little too fast as we left the garage.
Yesterday I left off when I was about to take my favorite little girl for a walk on a beautiful day! Roxy loves the IDEA of walks. When you simple mention the word she bounces off the walls so excited to embark on a little adventure. She is our line leader- booking her way down the driveway. For the first quarter of a mile she does pretty well, stopping often to sniff or pee as she marks her territory all up and down the street...

Line Leader Extraordinaire.

However, within a few minutes she has slowed to a crawl and it's as if I have to literally drag her by her leash in order to get her to move. Needless to say, a walk with Roxy is NOT a workout by any means and more often then not I end up carrying her up most of the driveway. (Maybe it's a workout for my arms..?) Once I put her down however, her second wind kicks in and she takes off, looking back like "Comeon you guys! Why you so slow?!"
(Disclaimer: I am not racist in any sense of the word, I love everyone equally but since Roxy is a Shih tzu and they originated in China, I often give her a broken American- Chinese accent)



"Why you so slow???"

 We did enjoy some beautiful views, I live in such a beautiful place and am very lucky to live in the middle of nowhere!


Overall it was a nice walk with my favorite little girl!

Always looking at something else....


Pretty blue flowers we found on our walk.

This is where the "Scruffy Varmitt" lives. A long-going joke with my mom and I.

Absolutely exhausted! "I need water!"
After our walk, Roxy could be found hiding out in her favorite hiding spot. She hides under the coffee table and seems to think no one can see her under there!
"I am the best hide and seek player ever.."

"How'd you find me?!"

Last night I worked later than usual, and definitely worked myself until I felt completely sore. I'm not sure if I've mentioned it on the blog before but I teach dance and gymnastics. Last night I was spotting a teenage tumbling class so my whole body is sore from throwing kids around all night.

I also was super excited because my best friend, Rachel, called me as I was on my way home!  I hadn't gotten a chance to chat with her on the phone in a while, but it was so nice to catch on all that is going on in our lives. I am luckily going to see her next week at some point (or potentially this weekend if plans allow it) so it will be nice to see her!

This morning I had a hard time getting out of bed due to a little lazy girl...


She looks wayyyyy too comfy don't you agree?!

However, I forced myself out of bed and outside to go on a run. 

Now here's something I have to admit: I am NOT a runner. I wish with all my heart that I was just one of those people who could lace up their sneakers and run miles and miles, but I'm not. I get tired REALLY quickly, I have no stamina, and I want to give up just about every second I'm running. So clearly I'm starting off from square one. I'm hoping that this blog can follow my training and hopefully someday follow a race story?! =)

This morning I ran/walked one mile. It's not much but hopefully a start to this journey I'm embarking on....