Friday, I love you!

Today I am SO happy it's Friday. This week actually went by quickly, but I could really use a day of sun and mag reading by the pool right about meow.

Here are my five wins of the week:

Trivia/steak night on Tuesday at Front Porch...team name was Big Test Icicles.  It was me and three dudes to start with. And I didn't have a better name. 

Umm cinnamon coffee at BG for a late mornings breakfast on Sunday hit the spot.

Made perfectly crispy potato wedges in the oven. And then forgot to take an "after" pic. FAIL. But huge win, so win trumps fail Bc they were delish.  Basically lots of olive oil, sea salt, and cracked pepper to coat the guys.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, turn over, and then bake on the other side for 30 minutes.  Just perf with grilled corn and turkey dogs!

My puppy can go outside and he loves itttt!!  He is so happy to explore the outdoors and that makes us happy!

Found myself some flawless ombré hair-aspiration for fall if I want to take it slightly darker.  Jennifer Carpenter, I want to steal your hair.

As a bonus, this text from Bryan on Sunday:

Mmmm that references one of my DIAMOND STUDS that he got me for graduating from grad school. 

In Barley's mouth. So needless to say we were relieved that I had the other in still. 

How it fell out/he got it is a mystery. May need to look into making them screw backs. 

What was your highlight of the week? That your puppy didn't eat a diamond earring? Or something a little more low key? Like you just got in a good workout and made it to work on time every day this week? 

Half-Marathon Training or "Why Did I Do This?"

**Disclaimer:  I have no idea what I'm talking about.  I'm not a science person, a doctor, or anything like that.  I just know what's working for me right now.**

Let's be real.  I am not anyone's definition of an athlete except for my own.

So today's post will cover the ins and outs of starting from scratch when it comes to training for a half-marathon, which is basically what I'm doing now.

I can run a mile plus a little extra no problem.  That is/was my starting point.

I did a lot of research on plans to follow, and how to prep, and basically came up with the following formula:

Frequency + Distance = Finishing a Half Marathon

Basically, committing to training on the regular is a huge part of this.  That combined with increasing your distance, even if it means slowing down or *gasp*, WALKING, is important.  Your body has to adjust to being in motion for a longer period of time, period.  

I read on one site that "moving forward is what matters", especially in the beginning stages.  Eventually your body will get used to it, but now it's about training for endurance, and the mileage will follow.  

I caught on fast that if i skip a cardio day at the gym, it really messes with my ability to see progress in my runs, so I am definitely adding in straight cardio on my off-days from running.

Part of my issue is that I absolutely hate running inside on a treadmill.  I truly prefer to be outside and be getting fresh air and setting marks for myself "k, make it to that trash can, then make it to the that gazebo."  

Isn't this view of Hermann Park better than a gym?!  We are lucky enough to live dead across the street from this, so I have a perfect training track right outside my door, hence my further dislike for the gym.

Sooo yeah...I still have lots of time to train, and I'm obviously not going to break any records, but finishing that halfsie in January will feel pretty damn amazing.  

Coming soon will be a guest post from my dear friend from all the way back to high school on yoga flows for runners! 

She is amazing, as this photo proves:

To tide yourself over until her post follow her on IG @angiestarz24, and check out her website: 

Angie Starz Yoga

If you are lucky enough to live in Chicago, she teaches lots of great classes there! 

Annnd of course, training tips are welcome! I'd love to hear how you powered through your half or full marathon!

My TV BFFs

Today,  I want to use my favorite thing, GIFs, to show you all who my TV BFFs would be.

If they were real.

Sometimes, I'm watching these shows and I hear characters say things, and I'm like, "Damn, I need a person like that in my life!" or "Wow, let's have a sleepover now and braid each other's hair and drink wine coolers and eat brownies."

Except, I mean Lucille Bluth would totally make us all throw up after we had brownies.  But then she would totally help us freeze Liz Lemon's bra.  (K am I the only one out there who ever did that/had that happen to her at middle school sleepovers?!)

Lucille Bluth.

That's just good policy.

Liz Lemon.  I could do a whole post on this one alone.

Zero tolerance zone.

Leslie Knope.

I regularly make outrageous yet harmless threats about things.  And no apologies for that either, don't cut me off in the left lane on 59!

Cameron Tucker

Ok, could not find a gif of this.  But, 'nuff said. 

Tom Haverford and Donna Meagle.

I need more enabling friends to let me buy cashmere slippies.

Blair Waldorf

Blair's one-liners are aspirational!


Dr. Mindy Lahiri

Um, when haven't we all fallen asleep watching a movie we are "supposed" to love and then woke up only to find that we have spilled either A) our booze, B) our melted ice cream, or C) BOTH all over ourselves.

Sidenote, one time in college I fell asleep eating chicken tenders with BBQ sauce, woke up in the morning, and DEF thought I was bleeding somewhere. 


Nurse Morgan Tookers

Um, everyone needs a Morgan in their life.  A roundabout, hilarious and a little-bit-off reformed car thief to dialogue with. 

And finally, DJ ROOMBA!

Oh, what? Doesn't everyone want a Roomba that doubles as a DJ as a BFF4Lyfe??

Also, select Real Housewives of OC, BH, ATL, NYC, and NJ.

But that's for another day.

Weekly Round-Up, Lazy Girl Edition

So this is the post where I lazily recap the week for all y'all in photos.  You know, I'm pretty sure this is how the Associated Press does it, so I'm in pretty good company on this. 

Ruining my dog's life by being a creep.

Dog ruining my sleep by being a creep. 

Finally used my new Wisconsin mug at work! Thanks Nippy!

Home sick yesterday, almost finished this book!

Got my new CC cream from Birchbox. In loveeee. 

And finally, Barley telling his daddy to be quiet and stop taunting him!

Hope everyone else had a great week!  And even better yet, hope you have a weekend full of sun, drinks, and relaxation! 

My 5 Greatest Talents

1. Getting cranky over things like doing the dishes, unfolded laundry, k so chores in general obviously.

 

2.  Watching House Hunters and Love it or List it on HGTV.  Like, all day, I would be the CEO of watching HGTV if that was a viable career option.

3.  Reading text messages, typing a response and forgetting to hit SEND.

4.  Renting a movie from Netflix that I haven't seen.  Let's say it's Lord of the Rings.  And then not watching it for a month.  And then still not watching it.  And returning it un-viewed.  Even though I know I really should have watched it.

5. Going to Target for a frozen pizza and some paper towels and leaving with nail polish, makeup, a couple tops, a new notebook, running shorts, and no paper towels or pizza.

What are your "greatest talents" in life?  Making a disaster in the kitchen and then complaining when you have to clean it up (that's my #6)?  Maybe it's saying you'll buy one bottle of wine and walking out with six, because you get 10% off of six? (My #7.)  Share on, pretties!