Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!

How is everyone?!  Is it just me or has this week been the Mondayest week of all time?  I think it's a combination of the super hot weather and the awful rain/wind/floods.  Gross.  Gross.  Gross.

In traditional Friday Fashion, I'm going to list off my new faves!

1.)  Notorious  O.M.G.  If you were a fan of Covert Affairs you will LOVE this!  I love Piper Perabo and I think she's brilliant!  The show is part television producer ruling the world/legal drama.  All parts perfect!  Thursdays at 9, y'all!

2.) Erin Oprea's book The 4 X 4 Diet 
If she trains Carrie Underwood, then she's good enough for me!  The book is a great combo of fitness, lifestyle, and food.  The book reads like a casual conversation with an amazing trainer friend.  The book is chock full of recipes and tabatas for all fitness levels.  Erin then goes into the science behind all of her finds, ideas, and recipes.

3.) Girl on the Train hype!  Is anyone else as excited as me about the release of this movie?!  Currently I'm in a Facebook chat entitled Girl on the Train Groupies!  I loved this book and read it in 2 days.  2.  DAYS!  It usually takes me a while to read a book because I'll get sleepy or caught up in work, but this kept me riveted from start to finish.  I think Emily Blunt will kill it!  Also, Justin Theroux is yummy so I want to see him.

4.) PT is ovahhhh!  I loved PT and I had a great experience at Strive PT in Moorestown.  If anyone needs a PT, get there ASAP!  I worked with Abby and she was amazing.  I cannot thank them enough for all of their hard work.  I think she really took all of my goals and made them come true.  She was fabulous and I cannot say enough good things about my time there, but I'm happy to be back to my usual self.

5.) Return of Running!  I can run again and it feels amazing!  I ran 6 miles on Sunday and 5 miles on Tuesday with little pain!  I had the biggest and goofiest grin on my face the entire time I was running.  I probably looked insane to those spectating my run, but I don't care!  I loved it :)  It feels good to be back.  This past month was hell for me, with not being able to run, and the whole mental game, so this was an amazing experience!

5.) Calia!!  I can't believe that I've gone a year and half without these workout clothes in my life!  In the past week I've ordered 3 pieces.

All can be found here

They're so comfy and perfect for transitioning from summer to fall and from the gym to brunch :)

6.) Brantley Gilbert's new CD is coming soon!  I heard his new song The Weekend and then the DJ said that the CD is coming out in November!  I can't wait!!  He's one of my favorite singers and songwriters.  No one writes a love song quite like him.

7.)  Carrie Underwood's Calia commercial!  So inspirational and it definitely gives me all the feels.  It's the only commercial I watch lol

I'm off to work with a new trainer (He's trying to kill me.  He texted me that.  I. CANT. WAIT.)

After that, (If I'm still walking) I'll be grabbing din din with Kate!  Can't wait to see her after the wedding and her minimoon!  I can't wait to hear all about it :)

Enjoy your weekend!  I have a 5k on Sunday, and dinners with Cait on Sunday and Saturday!  There may or may not be some Melting Pot in my future...


-E

Friday Favorites

It's the Freakin' Weekend...I'm about to have me some fun!

Happy FriYAY!   I don't know about you, but I definitely feel like I earned this weekend.  I can't believe that in one week one of my best friends will be getting married!  Grown up married, not like 5th grade married!  Crazy!  So excited for her!  I know this will be an awesome week full of fun and festivities.  

This past week was a struggle.  I have been to PT for a week now and I am feeling a lot better.  I know it's a long road ahead, but slowly and surely I'm getting used to my new normal.  Adapt or die, ammiright?  I've been using kinesiology tape and I'm loving it now.  Maybe it's all mental, but I really think it's helping!  One of my students told me I looked like an Olympian.  Someone clearly wants an A...My PT said I can do light interval running aka 1 min walk/1 min light jog.  Hey, it's a far cry from 1/2 marathons, but I'll take it :)  Sunday morning I'm going to start my day with a little run/jog/walk.  

Does anyone have anything fun going on this weekend?  I'm babysitting tonight and tomorrow I teach my last Total Body Blast class for the year.  This has truly been one of my favorite summers because of this class.  It was kind of a dream I didn't know I had.  I'm definitely getting certified this fall so I can hopefully have my own class soon.  Sunday I *maybe* have a breakfast date with Amanda for acai bowls.  Deb and I then have manis for Kate's wedding.  Then, Cait, her mom, Deb, and I are going to Valenzano Winery for their annual wine fest.  I love this!  I think this is my 6th favorite day.

If you're wondering my favorite days go as follows:

1.) Thanksgiving

2.) Christmas Eve

3.) Souper Bowl Day at school

4.) Cookie Tray Day at school

5.) Cole Swindell Concerts

6.) Valentano Wine Fest

7.) My birthday

8.) Halloween

9.) Fourth of July

10.) Valentine's Day

Speaking of Favorites...here are my favorites from the week!

This hair cut!  I'm obsessed with Carrie Underwood (duh, total girl crush!) After Kate's wedding I'm totally cutting it!

President Barbie!  Every election, Barbie comes out with a President Barbie, but this time she's different!  There are 2 of them!  They are also multicultural.  I was also blown away by Barbie's career diversity.  While I was perusing the aisle at Target, I saw Barbies dressed as pediatricians, vets, scientists, and businesswomen.  Win win win!  

When I was in Target, some how these little babies ended up in my cart.  Weird how that happens, huh?  I wanted to try these puppies out.  Half way through the bag, I can say they are pretty good.  They remind me of the Crispy M&Ms.  They're really sweet, though.  They taste more graham crackery than marshmallowy.



SPIN!

My favorite spin instructor goes down the shore for the summer, so I'm thrilled when she comes back and I can finally take spin again.  Yes, spin is still offered at my gym when she's not here, but I really only like her.  So I take the summer off to focus on running, and then get back in the (spin) saddle come September.

I was supposed to have a half on Sunday, but I obviously have to pull out of it.  I'm really upset about it, but I know that I'll get better and be able to run again soon enough.  To all my friends running on Sunday, best of luck!

What are you loving this week??

Love Love Love,

E

Injured

Hey Friends!

Happy Tuesday!  It's my first full week back at work and OMG am I tired!! Also, what's everyone doing on Monday and Tuesday nights now that Bachelor In Paradise is over?  So. Much. Free. Time. 

Today started at 4 am because I taught a HIIT class at the gym. I love these classes because eneyone is working hard and game for anything you throw at them. I'm also super motivated to go extra hard because everyone there only has 1 hour to work out so I better make it count and worth the early wake up time. 

Ok, so on to the injury. About 6 weeks ago, right about the time I got back from Miami, my left foot was swollen really bad. I figured it was just from the salty un-Erin food and travel. My doctor thought the same thing. She said that in a few days the sweeping would go down and all would be Bueno. Well in a few days the swelling did go down, but I still had a lot of pressure in my ankle. I figured it was just sore from the swelling. Then I started noticing that my running speed was slowing a LOT. Like 30 extra seconds on a mile slow.  My ankle then started to hurt when I ran until it became impossible to run. I began dreading my runs because I knew it wouldn't be a fast run and more importantly it was going to be painful. So I went to the doctors again and she said I had Achilles tendinitis and prescribed PT. AND NO RUNNING. my heart sunk. I knew I wouldn't be able to compete in the Rock N' Roll half marathon at the end of the month. I was/am devastated. I've been training for months and just wanted to feel the rush that only a race can give you. I still haven't accepted the reality of the situation. 

I started PT on Friday afternoon. It was really fun and my therapist is awesome. I still have to hold off on running for a little while, but I am experiencing a lot less pain and more mobility in my Achilles. 

How have my workouts changed:

-no running

-rest days

-modified barre classes 

-elliptical running

I'm not going to lie, I miss running all the time. I notice a huge difference in my mood and my weight. My body doesn't feel as tight as it used to. It's a lot flabbier and that really weighs on me. No pun intended. When you're used to doing 30 miles a week, your body responds to it and looks a certain way. When you cut it way back your body doesn't know what to do. I can tell I'm gaining weight and losing muscle definition. It's also hard to reach your body that you're no longer training so you don't have to eat as much as you're used to. It's really hard to retrain your body to not be as hungry. I know it's probably only about 2-3 more weeks without running, but it definitely puts a psychological toll on you. It's hard when things don't fit and you dread shopping or putting on pants because you don't know if they're going to zip or not. While I can still elliptical, it takes a long time to reach 5 miles on the machine as opposed to 40 minutes of running 5 miles. 

I'm really upset about it all and hating the negative fitness results I'm having. I feel disappointed in myself and just lethargic and honesty ugly. I know we're all supposed to be strong, unaffected by the scale/other's opinions, and free of societal pressure, but dammit it's hard!  I feel bad because my injury isn't that bad and I'll be fine, and I know I'll recover and PR my next half, but for right now I'm sad. 

Sorry for the pity party post, but injuries are hard. As athletes we train constantly and our bodies are our job. Sidelining injuries take not just a physical toll, but an emotional and mental one as well. To all of you out there dealing with injuries, stay strong and tough. It's only a drop in the bucket. It's only a small piece of time in the grand scheme of our fitness journey, but boy is it a sucky time! 

Xox,

Erin 

Abstainers/Moderators

Happy Thursday!



What is everyone up to today?  Today is a pretty hodgepodge kinda day over here.  Last night my beloved spin class was cancelled so I decided to call it a night and curl up with a glass of wine and some DVRed Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.  Guess who I found?!

Haley and Emily!  

Ben's TWINS!  How crazy?! Also, fun fact, Melissa Rycroft also started her reality tv fame on this show!

Also, Sean Lowe appeared on this show because he was Brooke Sorenson's boyfriend in season 2.  ALSO, Brooke went on to marry Laynce Nix a Philadelphia Philly for 2.5 seasons.  Cacacacrazy!

The title of the post is something that I found inspiration on Julie's blog.  The post is based on the Happiness podcast and it deals with 2 kinds of people:  moderators and abstainers.  Moderators can have one little nibble of a treat and be fine.  Abstainers have to have it all or nothing.  

I'm definitely an abstainer.  I can't have just one piece of chocolate.  I want it all.  I can't have candy, cookies, or cake in the house because I know that in 24 hours it will be gone.  I'm the same way with grapes.  I could live on grapes.  I've always been this way.  I could NEVER be one of those girls who can just *share* dessert.  No thanks!  I need my own piece.  For example, when I prep for races, I cut all refined sugar out of the house.  I can't have any of it or I'll eat all of it.  For short races, I cut refined sugar out for a week.  For longer races, it takes a solid month.  I just find this interesting.  Everyone has different vices and it's interesting how people engage and tackle their vices.  

Yesterday I ended up running around trying to accomplish some top secret errands.  I'll post them in a few weeks when the secret is no longer under wraps.  But until then, my lips are sealed.  

I went (unsuccessfully) shoe shopping for the upcoming weddings.  I didn't find any shoes, but I did find Jaclyn's birthday presents!  

Last night I was exhausted so I called it a night at 9:30.  I did not set an alarm since the only thing on the agenda was Pilates, Barred, lifting, and a run.  I woke up at 9 today!  9!  I never sleep that late!  I kinda enjoyed it ;)

 I went on a quick 5 mile run this morning.  It was a speedy, schweaty run...just the way I like them :) I usually like running at 5 am, but when the opportunity to sleep in presents itself, THIS GIRL will take it.  There's a few differences between running at 5 am and running at 9 am.  

• PEOPLE will see you rundance.  Rundancing is something that I invented to keep me motivated to run at 5 am.  Rundancing is kind of a mix or dancing, running, and sign language. I kinda sign the lyrics while I dance a little bit and obviously run.  It's also great for the endurance!  It's totally dorky, but it's really really really fun! The cars I pass while rundancing at 5 am, I feel like we have a special bond  (who really wants to be up at 5 am?) so they don't care about what I do.  The 9 am-ers have all been up and had their coffee and they know that you are crazy.  
• It's freaking bright!  I don't wear sunglasses when I run because I usually run before the sun comes up.  Plus I hate when they slip down your face.  I ended up with a squinty face.  Mix that with the rundancing and you've got one sexayyy runner...jk.

While I was running today I was thinking, wow, it would be great finances wise to get a babysitting job this weekend.  Well, when I came home and got out of the shower I got a text asking if I could babysit this afternoon.  I then immediately said wow, it would be great if Chris Evans showed up in my life!   Still waiting on that one ;)

Tonight is going to be a great workout, then some Scandal!  So excited!  This season is really picking up and I can't wait to see where all of the story lines go.  Also, it's my last day for wine for a whole month...gotta kick it into high gear for Broad Street! 

I hope everyone has a great Thursday!  

xoxo,

E

Phillies 5k

Hoppy Easter Weekend!!

So...I'm the worst blogger ever.  I used to be good at this, but then I grew up, got a big girl job that I LOVE and completely ran out of free blogging time.

Anyway......

Today I ran the Phillies 5k!  If you know anything about me you know a few things

1.) I LOVE baseball
2.) I LOVE running

Put these things together and you get one happy Erin.

I had to do some mayyyjahhh convincing to sway Deb into letting me run this race.  We usually head down to Virginia to visit the brother on Easter Saturday, but she generously allowed me to run as long as I promised to be home by 10 am.  No greater PR motivator than an angry mama for 5 hours in a car.  Yikes!

By the time I convinced her, the race was up to $50.  That's usually more than I spend on a 5k, but the buy in included:  2 100 level seats to 2 different games, a 20% coupon to the Majestic Club House (hello new running jacket), a free app at Xfinity Live, a medal, and post-race snacks.  You also get to walk around the warning track to cool down.  Since I have no kids under 12 and am not a senior citizen, this is my only *legal* opportunity to go on the field.  I seriously think people have kids for 2 reasons:

1...eat their Halloween candy
2...run the bases at professional baseball games


The race was super fun and well organized.  They gave you multiple options for packet pick up, easy to swap game tickets, and a chance to walk around the field!  The runners were a good mixture of competitive and casuals.

Phillies shoe wine holder?!  Does this scream Erin or what??

The race also started at 9 am which was nice because then I didn't have to get up super early.  Parking was a breeze (and FREE) and as we walked to the starting line we passed pretzel vendors (gotta love Philly) who also had COTTON CANDY!  Swoon.

The race started at the stadium and had us run around CBP and then under the 95 overpass and through FDR park.  There was one water station and I (unsuccessfully) guzzled some water.  Can anyone tell me how they manage to actually get the water into their mouth?  I end up looking like a rabid dog trying to lap up water.every.single.time.  I end up wearing the water on my shirt like a boss dork.  The race course was really fun.  It was a good mix of scenery and was all pavement running.  The race ended with us coming up Broad Street and having to run a minor hill before we went down hill to the finish line.  There were multiple bands playing to encourage us, but minimal spectators.  No signs either.  The signs are really motivating so I definitely missed them.

Of course the Phanatic was there to officially start the race.

Oh hey, Big Buddy!

Once we finished, we were greeted with our medals, a bottle of water and our choice of either a soft pretzel or a banana.  I rolled with the pretzel because, let's face it, I wasn't going to make the 10 am departure time requested by Deb so I figured I'd bring her a pretzel peace offering.  If you're wondering it worked like a charm ;)

Peace Offering

The coolest medal!

It's a baseball cap

After catching my breath and guzzling the water, I went down the tunnel to the field.  It was pretty cool being in the tunnel.  I got to walk the warning track from 1st base, around home plate, and up to 3rd base.

View from the field

I asked one of the sweet ushers to take my picture, but it was kind of a weird picture.  Note to self, always ask a girl to take the pic.  We know the good angles.  Guys are like, whatever you're in the frame and it clicked so it's good enough.

Awkward post race pic

Baseball season is right around the corner :)

Post-race view 

The race was really good.  I didn't PR, but I finished in 22:43, 172nd out of 6,000 entrants, 8th female overall, and 25th in my age group.  Not too shabby for my first race of the season.

Phanatic Love

A lot of people ask me if there's a difference between short races and long races.  I think short and long races are totally different animals.  My longest races have been half marathons and my shortest races have been 5ks.  Here's how they are different:

• Half Marathons require a whole lifestyle change.  You need to change your approach to eating, sleeping, and training.  When I'm in "training season" I cut out all processed sugar and alcohol. I also up all smart carbs--hello, baked sweet potatoes!  I also get up to run 5 miles a day Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.  Sundays are dedicated to long runs.  Speed isn't as important as endurance.  I try to get an hour of cardio in a day just to teach my body how to withstand the 1:45-2 hours it will take me to run the half marathon.
• Halves let you find your pace.  You eventually settle into a pace that is comfortably uncomfortable for you.  I usually end up running those miles in about 8:10-8:14.  I'm tired, but not out of breath.
• Halves require less food before the race...for me anyway.  Before halves I usually eat a homemade breakfast cookie.  Nothing too heavy or big because I'll get sick.  I usually eat this about 5 minutes before the race.  No water before a long run if it's in the am.  
• 5ks are more about speed. I sprint the entire thing.  My pace usually falls within the 7-7:20 range.  
• 5ks also require more food...for me anyway.  I eat oats, almond milk, 1 oz walnuts/almonds/pecans or whatever other nuts we have on hand, cinnamon, and a splash of vanilla.  I ate this about 2 hours before the race.  I also drank about 4 cups of water before this race.  
• I don't refuel carbs wise while running halves or 5ks so in that respect they're the same.  

I'm off to VA now to visit Dylan!  I'm hoping there's some biscuits in my future!  And maybe some ice cream from Kline's...

This race made me even MORE excited about the upcoming season.  April 11th can't come soon enough.  Padre and I are going to the game on April 12th for Opening Night.  Hello free tee and Dollar Dogs (for Dad...I eat before the game)!  I'll also be there next Saturday for a Future's Game!  We also have tickets for Runner's Day!


xoxo,

e

Every Mile A Memory

Happy Hump Day!

How is mid week going for everyone?  Everything is peachy over in my corner of the world.  Some exciting things have been happening to this girl!

I was one of the lucky Broad Street Run lottery winners!  I'll be running with 40,000 of my closest friends in the Philadlephia Broad Street Run on May 1, 2016!  I applied for it about a week ago and was trying to go into it with zero expectations.  Every year this run gets bigger and bigger and thus, more and more people don't get selected for the lottery.  I tried to be optimistic and realized that there are still 40,000 OPEN spots.  One of them was bound to go to me, right?  RIGHT!!

Monday morning I saw the email in my inbox and I quickly read the yada yada yadas and went...

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This is the largest 10 mile run in the country and to say that I'm excited is a gross understatement.  I always find that signing up for new races invigorates me and breathes new life into my workout routine.  

So this girl is back in training :)  Thank you NJ weather for being weird and awkward, but allowing me to get a slow as molasses 5 miler in today.  

Why was the run awkward?  Well, let's recap the NJ weather shall we?  This weekend was the coldest day in years...9 degrees for the win/loss depending on how you wanna see it.  BUT today was one of the warmest!  It was 57!?  So yesterday at 5 am when I began my run, I encountered a weird terrain...snow, slush, ice, and normal.  Well this resulted in me running like this:

Prancercise meets Dogs wearing shoes for the first time.

It was purrrty!  I almost slipped nine times!  I should have turned around, but alas I was a determined little runner.  Plus it was 5:10 am and I was already a schweaty betty so I'd have to shower and thus not be able to sleep anyway.  It was moo.  

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Gotta love Joey!

Speaking of Joey and all things Friends, have you seen this?  It's dead on!

Also, today FB granted me this little gem and I felt the need to share it.

This little gem is a fossil from Ra and my roomie experience in Decker Hall at (if you can't tell) TCNJ.  This was our favorite year in college.  So many fun memories (we actually had a full day of classes together woot woot!), our first practicums, and our first WaWa Wednesday/Italian Food Thursday, and midnight rides through Princeton/PA/random locations.  We look like babies in this pic!  We were 20!  INSANE that was 5 years ago!  

We used to match at least once a week...not on purpose!  4 days a week our sophomore year we had opposite wake up schedules (she had 8 ams on the days I had 10 ams and vice versa) and we would inevitably match at least once a week.  It wasn't like jeans a TCNJ hoodie (P.S. no one wears TCNJ gear AT ALL on campus after freshman week freshman year.  This pic was a joke with our school spirit) no, no.  It would be obscure things.  I had a yellow floral dress and she would wear a yellow shirt with a white skirt.  Or we'd both wear black shirts and matching scarves with jeans and Uggs.  Very 2010, Very Sears Family Portrait Studio.  

Also, dontcha just love the pose I'm rocking?  Arched back, popped knee, had on hip,  head tilted...yup, can you tell I was a high school cheerleader?

Anyway, anyone else going to be running Broad Street this May?!  P.S. Did anyone else sign up in anticipation of acquiring a new running outfit?  TBH I always start planning my race day outfit as soon as I hit submit :)  Dorky?  Duh!  

I hope everyone has a happy Wednesday and know the weekend is coming!

XOXO,

E

When You're Chased By A Honey Badger

Happy Thursday!


One more day 'til the freakin' weekend!

Does anyone have any fun plans today??  For me it's usually Thursday Girlsday with my gym girl squad, but tonight my godfather is coming for dinner so we're going to push it to Tuesday.

This past week, Zach and I spent some time planning my upcoming NOLA visit!  He sent me a spreadsheet complete with price ranges and websites for all of the places we're visiting.  My Type-A heart skipped multiple beats when I saw how pretty and organized it is!  Is there any question as to why we're friends??



So back to the title of today's post.


In my training for Disney's Wine and Dine Half Marathon, I've been running 5 days a week--4 days 5 mile short tempo runs and one long run.  This week starts 11 Mile Month aka 11 miles every Sunday Runday.


Usually, my runs are completely uneventful.  With the exception of seeing some gym friends on my run, it's usually quiet and calm--just the way I like my runs.

Until yesterday.

I was on the last mile of my run when out of nowhere a rabid honey badger a Chihuahua named Pinky comes out of thin air and starts nipping at my ankles!  I'm 5'8" and my eyes are usually focused on the sidewalk ahead of me (let's be honest--I'm looking for uneven concrete so I don't wipe out like I did last month lol  Whatever, I looked like a serious runner klutz right?)

As a runner I have a few fears--albeit it some are irrational fears--but nonetheless very real fears for me:

-Chased by a dog
-Chased by a murderer
-Kidnapping
-Broken ankle
-Someone hearing/seeing me jam out while running

I've quelled some of these fears by realizing that I could climb a tree (see what I mean about irrational?) or start screaming (much more realistic)

Well, all of a sudden out of the corner of my eye I see a honey colored creature start nipping at my ankles.  It's about 6:30 am and I don't want to start screaming and waking up the neighborhood so I start making this weird, Mrs. Doubtfire's boobs are on fire scream sound.  I start doing this weirdo shuffle thing to try and avoid death.

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What is attacking me?

I have two thoughts:

Rabid Honey Badger

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(If you're wondering, Wikipedia informed me that honey badgers are indigenous to Africa and Southeast Asia.  NOT NJ)



Rabid Giant Squirrel

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Log.ic.al.

In those 10 seconds I really thought

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I'm going to die here.  A mile from my house, without make up, with a sweaty nest of hair, in mismatched clothes.  That is not how I want to go, people!  I want to be an adorable old lady with blue hair and pink lips a la the ladies in the VW commercial.  Those are my people.

About 10 seconds later, Pinky's (I know, the name couldn't have been something scarier like Dante or Damian…no no no…Pinky) owner decides to show up and call her killer 6 pound beast back to the threshold thus freeing me from my real-life nightmare.  Needless to say, I think I burned a few extra calories on that run.

Anyway, that is my eventful recount of my usually boring Tuesday morning run.

Has anyone else been savagely attacked by a wild beast miniature dog that celebrities usually keep in purses while running?

Happy Almost Friday!

I hear there's a wine tasting in my near future and a Phillies game, too :)

XOXO,

E

Weekend Recap

Happy Oxymoron Day,

How was everyone's weekend?

Mine was super bueno!  Busy, bustling, and full of friends.  Just the way I like it.

A little prep for the conert

Friday started out with a much needed OFF day from working out.  The girls and I went to Florida Georgia Line.  Thomas Rhett and Frankie Ballard opened for them.  All of them were fantastic.  TR performed a new song off his upcoming album and he told us his wife asked him to write a song that wasn't about beer.  So he penned a beautiful love song for her.  I melted.

FGL killing it!

Male entertainers rarely dance and bounce around the stage, but FGL kills it!  They jump around, bounce around, and dance.  It hypes everyone up.  If you want a party concert--you go to FGL!

Their logo

The girls getting ready to get our Shine On

FGL did a great job and we dance all night long!

Sometimes you can't really dance to country music, but FGL makes it easy.

25K strong

Random hibiscus flower in the bathroom…because why not?

Saturday was a packed day.  It started with my favorite kind of triathlon:  Zumba, Spin, and Pilates.  I also did a weight session.  After the workout frenzy, I headed to get my nails done.  My manicurist saved me the last bottle of O.P.I.'s Cajun Shrimp nail polish--she's a gem!  (It really is the best color, thus being sold out frequently from every store…EVER)

Cajun Shrimp FOR THE WIN!

After my mani, I headed home to prep for Amanda's beautiful engagement party!



I made watermelon, goat cheese, balsamic, and whole wheat petit toasts.

OMG!  

Flavor explosion!  These are delicious--creamy, crunchy, sweet, tangy, strong, mild--all things wonderful!

The beautiful bride and me!  I wore pink to match our bride's maids dresses

Adorable napkins picked out by the groom-to-be

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The beautiful happy couple!

Matron of Honor and two bridesmaids 

Lilly cups!  Green cups with pink sangria and a pink and white straw :)

Monogrammed water bottles?  How cute!

The beautiful cake that her aunt made!  The top layer was mint chocolate chip, middle layer chocolate chip, and bottom layer was vanilla.  I actually miss this cake. 

The delicious cake!

Cheers to chocolate covered pretzels

As a friend there is nothing better than seeing your bestie deliriously happy and in love.  I'm so excited to be a part of their big day.  I always feel like when my friends are settled and happy, I'm happier.  

Sunday was spent with a long 10 mile run.  The last 10 mile run of my training!  Next week starts 11 miles!  Every mile longer I realize that I'm 1 mile closer to Disney World.  I'm really excited :)  As you know, I've been dealing with a boy ghost (the worst kind of ghost) for a while, but last week I finally released him and my speed went down by a whole minute.  I think it's my karma reward for letting go :)

source

Post-Run fuel, no?  

Amanda's aunt made these, too!  I ate the stem and shared the rest with the parentals.  They were mucho appreciative.  And yes, it was as delicious as it looked.

The rest of the day was spent meal prepping for the week.  Lunches and dinners will be garlic, lime, sriarcha chicken with Southwestern Quinoa salad.  I will post pics later before I demolish it.  

Sunday night, Kate and I went to Woflgang Puck's American Grille (not sure why an American restaurant is spelling grille the English way?  But I digress) at the Borgata.  We pretended we were real Housewives of NJ.  I had the Salmon Hong Kong style.  It was face rocking amazing!  

Sangria Cheers!  Note the matching Cajun Shrimp nails
#soulmates

Your lips taste like Sangreeeeeuhhhh!

*Fun Deb Story* Deb hates that song because she's like, "Why would anyone want to kiss someone who tastes like wine?  That's gross"  LOVE HER

Delicious Bread.  Seriously the square piece tasted like Thanksgiving

Triangle pizza flatbread thingy

Salmon Hong Kong Style

Kate's pasta dish!  We played switch-a-roo and hers was amazing

Doesn't this remind you of Belle's library in the Beast's castle

Ariel/Finding Nemo moment

Ahhh, gluten free chocolate cupcake :)

Classy girls wander AC with dessert

Reality of how we eat and wander the casinos 

Isn't this the cutest sign?  I love the message--little life happinesses

Elevator Photo Shoot

Because that's what we do

When we get bored

Fun fact-we kept sending the elevator to different floors so we could play and take pix.  

Anyway, I heard there's a farmer's market trip for me tomorrow so I'm off to bed so I can scour the cream of the crop (for real lol…like my pun?  I'm a dork, I know)  I'm in the (farmer's) market for peaches, zucchini, and maybe some raw honey.  Can you guess what I'm going to make?  I'll recap it and post the recipe soon!

Tomorrow the girls are coming over for The Bachelorette finale!  Whose team are you on?  I'm Team Shawn, but I have to say that I think he's too good for her.  I'm totally Team Ben Z. for Bachelor 2016, though.  He even sits like a hot guy!  He's so cute :)  I digress.

I'm going to leave you with a FGL quote that I'm fawning over:

Follow your trouble like a champagne bubble.  

Eventually it will pop and be like nothing was ever there.  

See you later,

E