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!

Glitter Thursday- I like free things

I'm attending a Christmas party on Saturday night and have been fretting about what to wear for an embarrassingly long time.My sister has had the same issue and ended up with a sparkly, peach colored mini before finding a pretty dress that trumped it.

Lucky for me, I happen to be the same size as my sis so, naturally, I swooped in on the skirt:



I think I shall pair her with sky high black heels, black tights, a slouchy sweater and my new black and white polka-dot clutch from Anthropologie. Pics to come!

What would Clark Griswold do?

I'm a self-professed Christmas lover. I get a secret thrill when i see decorations go up in department stores in October, I plan my cookie trays months in advance, and (with a little difficulty) I do a full-out dance routine in my car when 'All I Want for Christmas is You' comes on the radio. SO, why is it that I've been so grumpy this year? I'm not exactly sure why... except that being an official adult takes it's toll some days, which isn't a very good reason.

I did, however, figure out how to make this disgruntled-ness disappear. On Sunday, My family was basically re-enacting the scene from 'National Lampoons Christmas Vacation' where we were driving home, tree strapped to car, and along comes an angry driver who promptly begins tailgating us and illiciting many an angry swear-word from my father. It dawned upon me then, that I must watch NLCV in it's entirety should I have any hope of awakening my inner Christmas spirit. Alas, it did just the trick. If you're having this same dilemma: do I choose to be happy or angsty for no apparent reason this holiday? watch NLCV and use the Griswold's as a reminder that you are not alone...

Without further ado...

Glitter Thursday- Tis the season....

I put up with winter-y weather for exactly 1 month every year... that is the month of December. It's the time of year when the snow stays pretty and white, everyone looks sprightly in their winter coats, and there is an abundance of sparkle. Yes, for a glitter lover like myself, this time of year is just glorious. Since, the holiday party invites are starting to roll-in, I figured I'd share a few of my blinged-out holiday-party must-haves...

1. The quintessential sparkly eye- grab yourself some 'wet and wild' sparkles from the drugstore and pair with this nude lip-color and consider yourself smokin'

2. I just love how understated this blinging manicure is. holiday ready and office appropriate- win.

3. A girl can dream... This Anthropologie 'Polished Platinum' dress, for a mere $388, speaks for her pretty-little-self.

4. Top your look off right with this metallic lace head wrap from ban.do

5. Aaand finally, don't forget to be the perfect party guest... wrap a couple of these glimmery ornaments around a bottle of wine for a gaw-geous hostess gift


Incidentally, I would be elated if any of these items ended up underneath my tree... just sayin'