Fantastic Friday - My Swag Bag

I'm linking up with Kelly today for Show Us Your Life - Beauty Secrets. I have virtually zero authority on this subject, but it's Friday, I'm working with unflavored coffee creamer and a high in the 40s, so I'm throwing caution to the freezing wind and joining in the fun.

I picked up some new favorites last time she did this, so in true philanthropic spirit, I'm attempting to pay it forward.

I don't have many secrets, per se, but I do love some beauty products. I could roam the aisles of Sephora, or heck, CVS for well, a while. Read: this post could be slightly lengthy.

I love a fairly consistent skin care routine. LOVE this stuff. I think I've used it since high school. Wash, tone, moisturize. Love that it has sunscreen as well.

Now, on to the more fun stuff.

I think I've talked about this before, but since I've kept it around, I think it deserves another shout out. I hear rumours there is a body scrub. Perfect when it's time to trade the turtlenecks for tank tops. If you don't believe me, look...it was vetted and deemed worthy by the Glammie committee. Which I'm sure is an arduous process.

While we're in the shower phase of this post, lets move to a great product I discovered last Show Us Your Life. It claims to "shampoo away yellow, and refresh faded highlights." It does a great job. Not to mention, who doesn't love a bright purple shampoo? And it is PURPLE.

Post rinsing out all the purple shampoo and pre-blow drying, this is a must. My hair isn't super frizzy, but it leaves it really smooth. Bonus points for thermal protection.

In an effort to keep it summer all year while simultaneously avoiding skin cancer, which is no fun for anyone, this has a permanent spot in my makeup bag. It works great on mornings with the St. Ives.

I've had a good relationship with bronzers since college. I prefer it to blush, but I don't think I've bought the same kind twice. Physicans Formula has a great line, and I usually end up back there. In the winter, this has also become a favorite for weekends, since it has a little sparkle that I think my workplace would frown upon. Much like Martha Stewarts egg nog, you need just a little.

An old trick I've been re-introduced to is using your blow dryer to heat up the lash curler. I had forgotten what a difference it makes. Caution - it only takes a second. I don't think the burned eyelid look is the one anyone is going for.

Always fun to try new stuff. Just in time for this post, Rossi blogged about my wedding day makekup. She did a great job and I loved seeing all her products and brushes. Still trying to muster up the courage to try these lashes by myself!

Happy Friday!

Why I Run

The eternal question. Not really...but I do ask myself this a lot. Specifically when it's cold. Or hot. And my legs are tired. And I'd rather be eating Taco Soup and watching a movie. I wish I was one of those that just craved a daily workout and couldnt go without it. Alas, it is not so.


I started running just to prove I could do it. I had a few friends who were running half marathons and marathons and I just wanted to prove to myself I could do it too, if I wanted. Just once, of course. I started and could barely run 2 miles. As each week passed, I couldn't believe that I was able to keep up with the training plan. Twelve weeks later, I finished my first half marathon and immediatley wanted to do another, so I did. I loved the competitive spirit of racing and it made working out more fun.



Soon after, this happened. The stress took a toll on my body, and consequently my running took a serious hit. As in, completely stopped. I remember putting on my running clothes to get out and relieve the stress and only being able to walk. It was another thing I had lost. When the dust settled and I gained some strength, I started back with that same 2 miles. I remember texting one of my best friends, "It feels so good to be back!"


I started training for Mercedes and is it got closer it became increasingly symbolic for me - that I had come out the other side and was strong again. I remember telling this to Matt, feeling just as cheesy as I do now typing it, and him relaying that he had thought the same thing. Try writing that on a conversation heart....and just in time for Valentines Day. I ran my best time ever that year, and will never forget how good I felt after.


Since then, Matt has run nearly every race with me, and most every run. He's only beat me a couple of times:)



This was not one of them.


Running has been a part of the worst and best parts of my life. Do I absolutely love getting out in the freezing cold or burning heat? No. Can I imagine my life without it? Absolutely not.


I love the challenge. I love how there are good days that make you feel accomplished, and bad days to remind you of how much work you have to do. Climbing a hill and speeding back down. Crossing the finish line and drinking a cold beer. The competition with yourself is always new. Which can also be a little annoying, if I'm being honest.

And some good rap on the iPod doesn't hurt either.


Happy race weekend!

Wordless Wednesday - We All Love The Office

Woman Vs. Food

Sometime in the past month, I got a bee in my bonnet about cooking a whole chicken. I always see them on sale, wonder what the heck to do with them, and then move on. Well, I figured out what the heck to do with them, and the results were pretty tasty.

First, gather your young chicken.

Unwrap and pull out the sack of goodies inside. This step not pictured.

Place the Young, Fine Chicken on cutting board. (Which is what MS called it for two days straight).

Tell yourself it's just your imagination when it looks familiar.

Gather a few favorite seasonings and season the Young, Fine Chicken.

Place in slow cooker (God's gift to working women) on low. No need to add water unless you want to go all Little House and make stock.

Move over, Laura Ingalls.

If you add additional water and cook on low over night, you can have your very own homemade chicken stock. I thought I was being crafty, but in reality, I was not pleased with the results and I never used it. Maybe I need to further research that step.

The chicken, on the other hand was delicious. We had plenty for 2.5 meals. It was great with mashed potatoes and green beans, and then the next night with stir fry. Not too shabby for $5.34 of chicken.

Cheers to learning new things in the kitchen...

In Christ Alone

I'm always so surprised (sad, but true) at how God meets us where we are and is present in the details of our life. I talked a few weeks ago about the attitudes of my heart, and it seems since then nearly every message I've heard through Bible study or church has referenced the sheer power of what fills our heart. Coincidence? Unlikely. Nonetheless, it's amazing to me how God hears our struggles and desires to teach us.

Saturday night, on my run to CVS (party people!!), I heard this classic hymn on the radio. It struck me how powerful the lyrics were, so I dug up an old CD with this song and listened to it on the way home. I laughed when I opened the program Sunday and it was the closing hymn.

After a looong Monday...it's good to hear it again.

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Happy Monday:)

The Mrs.

Today is Mrs. Smith's day-of-birth. Let's celebrate, shall we?

Since Mrs. Smith is about to have a birth day of a whole different sorts, this year's celebration will be a bit different. But I will go to the karaoke bar if you really want to. And I will gladly drink your Dos Equis.

Mrs. Smith and I were pledge sisters in college, but we didnt become close friends until we left the sorority house and went from being seperated by some thin walls to just a few city blocks. Being 22 years old and working for companies that have been around for about 122 years makes you grasp for anything familiar and young. (It sounds totally ridiculous now, and I'm laughing as I type this). The emails we swapped were priceless as we tried to figure out life outside these four white walls.

Luckily, there was a central meeting place, a border, if you will, that we would often make a run to.

Yes, we ate the Taco Bell meat and it was delicious. These Border Talks were often the highlight of the work week.

Mrs. Smith was the MOST laid back bride. It was a pleasure to travel back to our college town and stand by her side on the day she became Mrs. Smith.

Who doesn't love a bride who drinks beer on their wedding day? 1000 cool points. I told you she was laid back.

Somewhere along the way, we both got on the budget train together and regularly emailed our latest find or accomplishment. It was SO nice to have someone on the same page as we were getting on our feet and planning for the future. Thanks Budget Buddy:)

Mere months ago, she stood by my side on my wedding day. She was a fantastic bridesmaid and went above and beyond to make planning easier - and budget friendly, of course.

Mrs. Smith is the type of friend who I know - from experience - will drop everything when you need help. I love the spirit of service and loyalty she posseses. She is a rock - not much can get her down or keep her down. I know she will make a wonderful mother in just 3 months (?!)

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Smith! I will bring you and baby Smith all the Taco Bell you want!

Where'd It Go?

We had a good weekend...I think. Let's see if I can jog the memory.

Friday night we celebrated a birthday. What better way than with Mexican and cookie cake?

It was supposed to say "Have a DINO-mite birthday!" Instead, the artists at the cookie company simply said Happy Birthday. Which totally negates the point of the dinosaur. It did add more frosting, and who can complain about that? It's a gift in itself.

We moved our long run to Sunday so I had all day Saturday to grocery shop, clean and do laundry. It sounded better in my head. I think we can all agree these activities are much more fun accompanied with coffee and the Kardashians. Which is exactly how they were enjoyed this weekend. With the back door open becaue it was fabulous outside.

Spoiler alert: I actually saved more than I spent at Publix this week. Pretty exciting stuff, folks.

I'm unabashedly bragging here that we got up and ran our 9 miles before church Sunday. It might have been one of the bigger accomplishments of the last 3 months, at least....

Which was about the last time I picked up this. Until this weekend.

There's a reason I didn't sign up for the whole "Read 5000 books in 2011" plan.