Goals Update: March

How is it possibly the end of March already?  I still feel like I'm trying to recover from the Christmas that practically didn't happen.

I think all the traveling and scheduled activities I have had so far this year has been a big reason that this year is starting to go by so quickly.

Here's hope things slow down by the summer because I'm really looking forward to the summer.

1. Complete at least 2 items from my 101 IN 1,001 LIST each month - I'm starting to reach the point where the items on my list require some serious time investment (learn Italian) or traveling (NYC, Paris, etc.) or require an investment of money (helicopter ride).  Because of that, things are slowing down for me a bit.  I'm doing some pre-planning, I've realized that some things might not be attained, but you know what, that's okay.  I've accomplished a lot and it's allowed me to have some focus and also some fun.

2. GET IN SHAPE - So far, so good.  I'm in full swing with my running training and signed up for a few pilates classes at the gym.  Once I'm done with this spring traveling (late April), I would like to try to go to some of the classes offered at my gym and get some consistent lifting in.

3. EAT BETTER -  Lately I have been feeling sluggish and tired and frustrated that my body isn't changing from the running like I remember it happening last time.  I pulled up this book I got as a recommendation a few years ago called the Raw Food Detox Diet.  It's not really a diet so much as it is good training on how to pair types of food and what to eat to make your body be efficient with how it breaks food down.  For example, did you know that your body has a really hard time breaking down starches and flesh (meat) at the same time.  So really, those meat and potato meals take your body a REALLY long time to digest.  Anyways, I figured rereading this book and the practices would help me feel better overall.

#16 - Throw a party for someone

I have been really terrible at remembering what is on my list so when I accidentally, or not thinking about it, accomplish something, I actually realize that I did.

Maybe I should print out a copy and carry it around.  Though, truthfully, that would be as helpful as the little notebook I carry around that I haven't opened in like two months.

Details.

Anyway, my point.  Over the course of this list, I have thrown a few parties for people.  Most recently it has been a bridal shower for Lauren.

Unfortunately, I don't have pictures from the event (maybe Melissa posted some on facebook).  In any case, it was a really nice shower (in my humble opinion) :)  and I think Lauren enjoyed it too.

So #16 - Done.  :)

Random Ramblings

This week I challenged myself to go to the gym every day.  We have a bye on Thursday and I'm around all week, so this is a good goal for me.

On Sunday, I delayed my 5.5 mile training run because I was pretty sore from playing volleyball all day on Saturday.  So on Monday, I ran my 5.5 mile run.  Yesterday, I really didn't want to go - but I did and completed my 3 mile training run.  Today I have pilates class and Thursday I will go and lift.

Of course, in my rush to get out of the house before I changed my mind, I threw on one of the dozen Marquette Women's bball shirts that I got from Mem a couple weeks ago.  It was HUGE.  But I wore it anyways.

I realized a few weeks ago that I may be the only person that shows up at my gym not wearing the lululemon/underarmour/nike/champion running outfit.  The girls always seem to coordinate their cute yoga top with their shoes and always have the tiny running pants.

Me?  I wear whatever I can throw together and half the time, the colors don't even really coordinate.

I tried to grab a picture of my giant tunic shirt when I got back from my run.  Aside from being too big at the sleeve, it was nice to have a shirt long enough that I wasn't tugging at it.

This week my boss said we could have casual days the rest of the week.  This morning I tried to force spring by wearing my sperrys and cute striped top.  I didn't shower this morning since I showered after my run last night - hence the up hair.

*shoes - DSW, Top - JCrew, Jeans - Gap

Blogging

If you guys remember, I started this blog in 2011 based on encouragement from my grandfather to journal after my break up.

That was over two years ago.

Today.  I'm not sure where this blog is or what it is about.

Sometimes I feel like I have something to say, but most of the time I do not.

I know there are some people who really do read this to get updates and see what's going on.  But the pressure to right something every day is making me write about really stupid stuff.

Work has been keeping me extra busy.  I am volunteering for 3 committees so that is taking time.  I have been doing some wedding stuff for Lauren, training for my half marathon and attempting to date.

I'm busy.

So I'm not sure where this blog is going to go, but I'm done pressuring myself to write every day.

Pinups

Remember back in December when I did a pinup photo shoot at Vavoom Pinups...

I mentioned it here and here.

Well earlier this week I got the email that my album and photos were ready!!!  I could barely contain my excitement until Friday evening when I could swing by the studio and pick them up.

I have to say (as if I haven't already) that I LOVED, LOVED my time doing this shoot.  I had a blast and got fully into it.  It was like my dreamland - that retro girly wonderland she created there.  I've developed a pretty hard core crush on Heather, the photographer, and her team of ladies. 

So imagine my excitement when she told me they were planning some things for super fans and vets and hopefully some happy hours!!  

Here are some of my favorites from the shoot.  I love the Americana ones more and more every time I look at them.

Photos all credited to Vavoom Pinups and their wonderful team!

It's supposed to be spring today

Today (Wednesday) I stayed home from work.  I did some work in the morning from home and then had to head downtown for a committee meeting and educational session.

I grabbed a photo of my outfit before I headed out for the meeting.  I was pleasantly pleased with this outfit.

*Blazer - H&M, sweater - JCrew, pants - Macys, shoes - Target, bracelets - Stella & Dot

Do you guys read as many fashion blogs as I do?  Because most of them have the women in all these modeling poses and usually there is an actual photographer (husband/friend/etc) taking the photos.  Sometimes I think I might try a nicer pose and then I just laugh.... so for you guys.  Don't say I don't love you.

Here is my attempt... I'm still laughing about it.

I also received one of the best compliments a girl can get.  One of the other ladies at the meeting today came up to me and told me that she loved my style and that I looked like I just stepped out of a JCrew catalog.  Hilarious since I love that store (makes sense) but also because only the sweater was actually from there (typically not the case with my outfits).  It's really flattering to have another woman compliment you on your style.

Match Update

I haven't updated on match in a while because I wasn't really doing much.  Sure, I was occasionally checking, but I had decided that I was not going to renew my subscription when it expired on March 23rd.

Of course, as soon as I made that decision, it was like match spammed me with attention from people.

So I have been talking to two guys, both very different but very nice.  I met up with one of them last night for dinner.

In our conversations leading up to the date, it was very nice.  I wouldn't say I was attracted to him (at least via the pictures I'd seen) but he was very personable and we had quite a few things in common.

Dinner last night was nice.  We had great conversation and had a lot in common.  And he was very nice.  And that was it.

At the end of the night, we hugged goodbye and mutually agreed that it was nice to meet each other.  There was no promise of being in touch or setting something up in the future.  And that's okay.  I think we both probably felt the same way.

I have one more date lined up for next week, so we'll see.

I had a text conversation with my grade school friends saying that just once it would be nice to leave a date with something more than "he was a really nice guy".  Just once.

I'm glad for this online dating experience and that it has gotten me out and dating, but there will be no more internet dating in my future.

St. Patrick's Day 2013

This year for St. Patrick's day, I followed Brooke around while she worked.  Our task - chaperon the bagpiper and drummer from bar to bar in River North.

With 30 mins at each stop, this was a brisk trip.  I wore the green wig for 3 hours until my head was hot and itchy and I couldn't take it anymore.

Somewhere along our pub crawl, some guy tried to buy it off me!

Also, at some point at one of the bars, some chick told me I must think I'm the sh*t because I was with the "band".  Seriously?!

Lessons learned while shopping

Yesterday I had an appointment downtown on Michigan Ave. after work.  It happened to be in Water Tower Place so I found myself wandering over to the H&M and Topshop after my appointment.

H&M was having a big sale I guess and I've been successful finding blazers there before.  I spent maybe 10 minutes in the store before I walked out.  The place was a disaster.  There were racks of clothes just randomly placed about the store, things were flung over the racks, and on the floor below the racks.

There is a reason I very infrequently go to discount stores (like Nordstrom rack, Marshalls, etc.).  I cannot stand when clothes aren't organized and neat looking.  What about that mess would make me want to  buy anything?  Maybe I'm getting older but that was not cool.  I walked right out.

Then I ventured over to Topshop.  I see lots of dresses online that seem like they would be so cute.  I found a handful and went into the dressing room.  I knew they would be short, but I figured at least trying them would like me know for sure that they would not work for me.  I was right.

They looked like little baby doll dresses - it was kind of ridiculous.  But at least I know now.  It was what I expected, but you never can really tell for sure without trying things on.

One of these days, stores will sell the TALL sizes actually in the stores instead of only online.  Yeah, I'm talking to you GAP and Banana!!!

St. Patrick's day festivities

Yesterday my office held a press conference for the St. Patrick's day initiative we were working on.

Here's one photo my coworker grabbed of all the ladies with Patrick, the man in charge of the Chicago Shannon Rovers.

Life List

Sometimes, there are things you do so that you can check them off your life list.

Participating in the Southside of Chicago St. Patrick's day parade.

Saturday was a really long day with Lauren's bridal shower and I crashed and burned around 8:45 on Saturday night.  I knew I had to get up around 6:30am to get ready, walk Samson and head over to meet our trolley.

Having completely forgot about the time change (thank God I use my cell phone as my alarm), I was exhausted in the morning.

It was rainy all day, but at least mildly warm (45). The parade itself was not as crowded as I was expecting, though I think a lot of that has to do with the no consumption rule change two years ago.  And it is LONG!!  14 city blocks is a long parade.

I made it home around 3:30 and was pretty much done for the remainder of the day.

Here's my best rainy day parade attire.

For a girl's who's favorite color is green.  I don't really have much of it.

b-u-s-y

I think I've said this before.... I'm feeling overwhelmingly busy right now.

With Lauren's bridal shower on Saturday, getting their wedding invites together and being in the Chicago southside Irish parade on Sunday - I am SWAMPED!

I am planning to try to tackle some things from my 101 list, but it may have to wait.

1 Year

Today is my one year anniversary at my job in Chicago.

And it's supposed to snow 6-9 inches.

I wore a dress to celebrate.

*dress - inherited from Amanda, tights - target, shirt - jcrew (old), shoes - Steve Madden

Don't worry, I brought my snow boots.

I can't believe I've been here for a year.  I don't know how time went by so quickly.

Goals Update: February

Sorry this is late.  Usually, I pre-write my goals update if I am going to be gone/busy at the end of the month.  This time I just wasn't prepared.

So here it is!

1. Complete at least 2 items from my 101 IN 1,001 LIST each month - Done.  Barely, but done.  You can read about them HERE and HERE.  I feel like I may need to print off the list and carry it around with me.  Or else, pre-plan which things I would like to accomplish on my list each month.  We'll see.

2. GET IN SHAPE - Started at least.  I joined a gym, so that's awesome.  And I started my half marathon training.  I missed week one because of being sick, but now I'm back on track.  I'm into week 3 now.  The best part about it, the combination of the the running training and the incentive to visit the gym 36 times in the next 90 days to get my $180 enrollment fee back is awesome!

3. EAT BETTER -  Aside from my recent trip to New Orleans where I am not sure they know what veggies are - I have been eating pretty well.  I am still interesting in exploring a bit more, but for now and how busy I am, this is good.

#24 - Get a facial

I completely forgot that I accomplished this a couple weeks ago.

I had a silk peel (which really wasn't a peel) from Leah Chavie Skincare Boutique.  I saw an offer for them on Living Social, did a bit of research and found out there were really close to my house and had some really great reviews.  So I figured, why not?

The facial felt amazing.  I left the appointment feeling super moisturized and glowing.  Which was good since I had to go bridesmaid dress shopping downtown with no makeup on.  Awesome.

I really liked the silk peel and will probably go back there for something in the future.