It's Friday. It's Payday.

That's about how I feel about this week. Or two. Work has been busy. We're supposed to be training for a half marathon. And let's not forget about the pile of dirt.

Now moving on from our first world pains section of this post, let's talk about my new favorite.

I put this on my Christmas list, and purchased it for myself. From MS. He can do a lot of things, but picking out makeup might push the limit a little. Plus I got a great deal on ebates.

At first I wasnt really sure that I liked it at all. You know when everyone raves about something and you want to love it, but you don't feel the love? That was how I felt the first week or so. Now I'm SOLD.

I don't know if my skin just took time to get use to it, or I got better at the application, but either way I came around. I barely have to touch up during the day- it's great at controlling shine. And, if you do, it doesnt cake when you reapply.

The starter kit is an awesome deal - you get everything you see above for right around $60. Two different foundation shades, a mineral veil (finishing powder), bronzer and a primer. Considering the brushes alone are $24 each, I don't think you can go wrong.

I think I speak for everyone when I say TGIF. Have a great weekend!

Friday Favorites - Going Green

 Hello friends, I'm your Vitameatavegamin girl.
Are you tired, run - down, listless?
Do you poop out at parties?
Are you unpopular?
The answer to all your problems is in this  little bottle.  VITAMEATAVEGAMIN.
Vitameatavegamin contains Vitamins, Meat, Vegetables, and Minerals.

If you don't recognize this little speech, I'm not sure we can be friends. It's what I thought of when I first heard of the Green Monster. Minus the meat. I had seen this smoothie on blogs and then it started showing up on Pinterest. I didn't try it until a friend at work made it and assured me it did not taste like baby vomit.

Here's the ingredients I use.

One cup vanilla almond milk.

 8-10 sliced baby carrots.

 A generous sprinkle of cinnamon and generous squirt of honey.

 Tablespoon of almond butter. Sometimes we use peanut butter. Sometimes both. WATCH OUT.

 A few tablespoons of greek yogurt, for extra protein.

 One sliced banana. I usually slice and freeze these in individual bags, just to speed things up.

 A few handfuls of baby spinach.

One cup of ice.

Blend.

It looks a little like a bad jar of baby food, but I promise, you don't taste the vegetables at all. It has a nice peanut butter and banana flavor, but you still get all those good nutrients in one drink. I've yet to have a bad one. We've added blueberries, raspberries and strawberries and it's hard to go wrong. Read more about it here.

Happy blending.

Initial here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Red Nose, Sore Legs

 Saturday we got up extra early for the Red Nose Run 10 miler. It started at 7, so alarm went off at 5:35. I spent the hours from 1:30 to 4:30 playing the "if I go to sleep right now, I'll get xx hours of sleep" game. Soothing.

It's always great to get a dri fit shirt, but sometimes, I just like a plain t-shirt. Something I can tool around the brownie and ice cream aisle in. I can justify those four boxes of Ghiradhelli brownies. I ran 10 miles 9 months ago! This one was extra nice, because the sleeves weren't cuffed. Hopefully we're phasing that look out?

 We also got a red nose to wear during the race. Which seems like some kind of breathing hazard, but what do I know.

 Namath was intrigued. Like he needs something else to impair his breathing.

 This was the first time we had raced, per se, in months. I didn't break any speed records or anything, and I could tell my legs weren't used to a faster pace. With all those hills. Oh, the hills. They were alive, and not with the sound of music. I don't think I was this sore after the long marathon training runs.

Some cajun hollandaise sauce and champagne to ease the aching joints.
This breakfast brought to you by the color yellow.

Four weekends until Mercedes. I have no training plan. I have little motivation. Bet this will end well.

Fourteen

You know I love an even number. Although I'll take 21. Never in my wildest dreams did I dare hope for a shut out, but I won't be complaining. Zero is also an even number. Right?

Saw this Saturday night. I bet Honey Badger was wishing for one Monday night.

 Namath worked out his nerves by helping me get ready. Or sitting in the bathroom giving me dirty looks. Selfless, that one.

 Of course, you need a little touch of Tuscaloosa.

 Feeling pretty good going into halftime. Has LSU even made it to the 50 yet?

 The Grizz got to come down and enjoy some social time. That's a jersey, not capri's. Once a shirt goes over his dome, there's no saving the neckline. Puzzling...

 The best Monday we've had in quite some time.

What a great night for the Tide! How did ESPN so eloquently put it? What the wind destroys the tide helps restore? Deep thoughts from cable...

All that to say, what a year to bring home the crystal trophy to Tuscaloosa. We are elated!

I Think I Have Bedsores

I've been at my job for close to seven years. I also recently filled a prescription for some Retin-A. Related? You tell me. All that to say, most people at my work have been here for about 73 years and have as much vacation time.  But somehow, this year I got to join them in the week long holiday vacation tradition. I'm practically ready for retirement.

I ate a lot of peanuts - circus and regular. Did some running with friends. Lunched and shopped. Watched the entire first season of Homeland - in a day. You should Netflix it or watch it On Demand immediately. What else are you doing this cold, grey month? After tonight, anyways...

Before my vacation, we celebrated Christmas with the family. MS serenaded me with Straight No Chaser the whole way there.

 We also celebrated our tradition of Chinese food and Christmas Vacation. I usually make a frozen chinese meal (I know, I know), but this year I made homemade, with a recipe from, where else? Pinterest. Beef and Brocolli.

 

 We also got to see Black Jacket Symphony perform U2's Joshua Tree. Probably one of my favorite albums ever. I think I sang just about every word. Which I'm sure was charming, not annoying.

 While everyone else ate their greens and black eyed peas, we had the tandoori mixed grill and non from the Indian restaurant down the street. What does this say about the Searson's 2012? Your guess is as good as mine.

 I also abandoned my comfort zone for some REALLY red lipstick. I think it was called "Certainly Red." It certainly was.

 And that about catches us up.

2011 Check Up

Last December we began the tradition of having a 'goal lunch' - eating some good food and talking about what we wanted to accomplish in the coming year. I blogged about it here. Lots of fun stuff planned for 2012, but before I get ahead of myself (who are we kidding, I havent blogged in 10 days), let's send out 2011.

Physical

1. Sub 2 hour half marathon - Mercedes - 1:58:40 for me, 1:56:40 for MS - his PR:)

2. Run Statue to Statue 15k- main goal is to survive the mountainous climbs - 1:25:42 for both

3. Run two 10ks - Ran  Village to Village. and the Power Run. Also ended up running a full.

Spiritual - We've been visiting a church for a while now and we both feel this is where we want to be and want to further our involvement.

1. Find a Sunday School and become involved

2. Join the church. We are looking forward to this process and having a church home.

3. Continue devotional time together. We started this a few weeks ago and its something I really look forward to. Having a specific time to talk about our relationship and praying together can be a little awkward at first but I believe the benefits to this time together will be priceless. After finding this on a favorite blog this morning, I was even more inspired to spend this time investing in Matt. -Added this to 2012. We didn't do great in this area, and I'm a little dissapointed we let it fall by the wayside, as it's one of the more important ones.

Financial - This was the easiest category for me. If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time, you know I'm nerdy about the budget. It is refreshing this year to have a partner in budget goals. 2010 mainly went towards paying off the car and a wedding, so this year we're playing a bit of catch up in some other areas and trying to find some balance and enjoy life. Sorry Dave, I just can't get on the rice and beans plan.

1. Triple emergency fund savings.

2. Begin saving for a house downpayment - I got seriously burned in the housing market crash and I will never, ever again buy without a good e-fund and a down payment. One of my bigger regrets. Although, it is what fueled me to be more responsible with money. See, always an upside if you look for it....

3. Pay cash for travel. This is one of the things I'm most excited about this year. I'm really looking forward to doing some traveling with MS. We are already enjoying throwing around ideas for potential destinations. Accomplished this with Greece (here, here and here) and our anniversary trip to San Francisco(here, here and here.) We also took a late winter trip to the mountains with the Grizz.

2011 was pretty good for an odd numbered year. No pressure 2012.