Until I start to post regularly again...

Please enjoy: http://www.yesandyes.org/2010/09/31-things-ive-learned-in-31-years.html

Spring Vibrations

Today is the official first “warm” day of the year. My car thermometer read 60 degrees at noon and you would’ve thought someone told me unicorns actually exist or something because I’ve been pretty darn smiley ever since. I’m working on pulling together some more spring “must-haves” but until then I figured I could at least share my current spring-y music obsession.

 If you haven’t joined the Ellie Goulding bandwagon yet, I strongly suggest you get on board. My best description of her music is that it’s mostly “pop meets techno” (please don’t hate on me music snobs, I know nothing of your lingo). Anyways, however you want to describe it, it’s music that’s sure to get me amped up for both my first outdoor run in months in which I shall be sporting shorts (and snow-white legs) AND for summer nights in the city.

I would suggest just about every single one of her songs but ‘The Writer’ has been on repeat on my work playlist for days now. Just makes me wanna throw on some sea-foam green skinnies, a flowy top, and pick a nauseatingly perfect bouquet of flowers….with bunnies hopping around… and baby chicks.. OK, I’m done… and butterflies…

Note: I'm aware this song's message is rather depressing, I still dig it.

Here's to making it through the rest of the week...

Last night was awkward. my friend, Callan, and I decided to check out a weekly 5k that one of our favorite local bars offers... turns out a local running club hosts it and, oh yeah, they're all training for the Boston Marathon. The group leader told us,  prior to the run, that we'd most certainly come in last (we didn't by the way) and that we could enjoy some of the free food offered to the runners after the race (schwing!) Clearly, we were instant outcasts amongst this crowd but there isn’t a person alive who could keep me from enjoying a free meal so after the race we grabbed a beer and some food, weaved our way through the other runners, and plopped ourselves down to eat. That’s when a man decked out in long underwear, neon, and longish sweaty hair decided to join us. We made polite conversation with him as he lectured us on running and life in general until he started patting my back and all bets were off… as Callan and I made our way back to my car, the giggling began…

By the time we made it back to Callan’s apartment we had pretty much lost it. Our friend, Michelle, joined us  and the conversation shifted to our taste in music in middle school. At this point, Callan and Michelle stunned me with a flawless impersonation of C’est La Vie by B*Witched. By the end of the night we were all laughing so hard we could hardly catch our breaths. You absolutely had to be there to find any of this as hysterical as we did, but I woke up still giggling this morning. Nights like that are a complete reminder that laughter is absolutely the best medicine.

Oh, and, you’re welcome…..

The BAA Distance Medley

Medleys are not always fun. I want you all to heed my warning as you progress through your lives. You'll most certainly come across an event pegged as a "medley" and be tricked into signing up for it since the word itself evokes memories of adorable childhood Christmas pageants. A silent tear may even trickle down your face as you reminisce. DON'T be fooled...

Use my woeful tale as an example- A few weeks ago my dear friend, Callan, approached me about signing up for the BAA medley and I obliged- most likely because i was blinded by the cheeriness behind the offending activities' title. What is the BAA medley? Well it happens to be the 'BAA Distance Medley'- a collection of 3 races that begin this coming April. The first race is a 5k (do-able), the second is in June and is a 10k (ugh), and the 3rd is in October and is a half-marathon (WHATTTT, NOT AGAAAAIN). Yes, friends, it looks like I will be running the BAA half marathon for a second year in a row.

So, let's be honest, my running track record as of late has been less than stellar and if I'm gonna run this damn thing again I want to blow last years 2 hour and 29 minute time out of the water- SO, how does a perpetually tired, non-winter fan get herself inspired to begin marathon training circa mid-february? Well, through clothes of course!

Without further ado, I present my 'If I'm Gonna Voluntarily  Run 13.1 Miles Again, I'm Gonna Do It In Style' wish list (winter edition)

1. Women's Active GoDry Tees-Old Navy- These are perfect for winter running. They're great to layer or wear on their own on warmer days. PLUS the thumb-holes provide a little bit of warmth for your hands without completely covering them and making them feel heavy- trust me, a completely unwelcome feeling come mile 3.




2. Women's Adjustable Strap Sports Bras-Old Navy-The only time I deem a pinch of visible bra as cute is when layering a workout tank with a neon sports bra. This version from Old Navy does just the trick.


3. Run: Your Heart Out Tight-Lululemon- It took a long time to convert me to one of those people who wears spandex when they run. I had to give in when it became too cold for shorts and I wasted more energy hiking up my sweatpants than actually running. I received a pair of these running tights from Lululemon as a gift and absolutely love them. I jiggle minimally in them and they actually stay up!


4. Run: Swiftly Tech 1/2 Zip-Lululemon- I have a 1/2 zip very similar to this one from Lululemon and am absolutely baffled by how warm it keeps me. So worth the extra billzzzz, trust me!

Glitter Thursday-Blog Renovation

It's about time I changed the ol' blog up a bit so please bare with me as I update the design and features over the next few weeks. I'll feature recipes but, let's all be real with ourselves, the ratio of glitter references and lurid descriptions of the effects that running has taken on my toenails to actual recipe posts speaks for itself... SO! "Peace, Love, and Tarts" shall henceforth be known as: Primp, Prance, Puree. "Primp" refers to my love of trends and fashion and spending money I barely have... at one point I went to fashion school and studied in Paris people, NBD. "Prance" refers to this unfortunate new form of fitness I have taken up that's somehow turned into a hobby: running; it'll also refer to some new fitness ventures I'm trying out- boxing anyone? And finally, there is "Puree" which is obviously a reference to my love of cooking. In fact, check back tomorrow for my new Friday series called: Real Food Fridays.

Now for your weekly-ish dose of glitter:

You may recognize this as my old  title image. I took this picture after one of the best meals of my life (duck confit at la Caveau du Palais- those French sure know their way around a duck) with my family who had come to Paris for a visit and some dear friends. It perfectly captures everything I love most about Paris. It's just the most sparkling, captivating place on earth. This pic always brings me back to my time spent at school there when I was 20... I ran around like I owned the joint, completely carefree. Every once in awhile I'll stumble on this image and am reminded of what a great little life I lead.

Glitter Thursday (a fews days late)- Spring Things

There are 59 Days, 10 hours, and 42 minutes left until spring. How do I know this? Well, when one unsuspectingly prances outside of her apartment in a cute little coat, dress, and black tights and is cruelly back-handed by 16-degree weather, one instantly googles "spring countdown" when she gets to work that day and adds this link to her bookmarks list. Thus, it's time to start day dreaming of few spring favs... some glittery, some just awesome...

1. Spring Produce-

Is there anything better about the changing of seasons than the food that comes along with it? Answer: no, Amy, there is absolutely nothing better in the world with the exception of puppies. Me: You are correct, sir.
Spring foods are always a welcome, fresh, leafy and lighter batch of flavors.Around April-ish you can usually find me making salads like this, followed by 4 to 5 helpings of this covered in extra whipped cream (or don't even bother).

2.Shiny Toms-

In the winter my go-to footwear is Uggs and when it's warm I switch to these suckers. Both types of footwear are insanely comfortable but the Toms are way cuter and don't possess random people on the streets of Allston to tell me "say no to elephant feet" when I wear them... haters be hatin'

3. New Essie colors- unable to stop myself from physically drooling over the spring 2012 line of sherbert-y Essie colors for spring. that cute little peachy orange will be mine.


... and speaking of officializing "sherbert-y" as an adjective...

4. Jcrew calls this color "festival green"... screw waiting til spring.

Glitter Thursday- post holidays outlook

Firstly, as promised, an awkward pic of the sparkly skirt I rocked at my friends uber-fabulous Christmas party... Apparently, I'm trying out for the Rockettes in this pic. Also, featured: my adorable little sister, Brooke...

Now for today's Glitter Thursday feature:

http://theglitterguide.com

Siiiiiigh, these girls just get me. The Glitter Guide is a "glitz and glamour" newsletter focusing on lifestyle, trends, and more. Find some great "2012"  inspiration on everything from organization to food to fashion to fitness.

Enjoy!