Wishing my Husband Cared about my Wish List...

I took Thursday and Friday off last week and it was glorious! I ran errands, went on walks with the dog, actually made my bed in the morning, took a pair of jeans I've had for at least a year to get hemmed...it was amazing that I could actually get things done during the week. I was kicking butt and taking names with all of the time I had on my hands so when the errands were done there was nothing left to do but shop! I come by it honestly.

Have you met my mother and Nana? Sophie Kinsella based a series of books on them. I digress...

Sometimes when I go shopping I find nothing. My husband likes those times. This was not one of them. Lately it seems that EVERYTHING is cute. From the clothes to the shoes to the watches to the purses, back to the shoes...It's all very tempting. Dave's favorite 2 words are NO and BUDGET so I am left to wish and hope and dream. I'll share a few of those dreams with you...

I can't get enough of maxi dresses in the summer. I think they are so cute, flattering, and they're literally the most comfortable things I put on. This dress is from the BP section at Nordstrom so it won't break the bank at $48.

These had me at hello. Trouble is, I like them in every.single.color. Oh, and Dave would never let me pay this much for "flip flops". Ever.

This Michael Kors satchel is at least 3 X cuter in person than it looks on your computer screen. Guaranteed. My mom and I were both in love. The good news for me is that she usually gets what she wants so I'm holding out hope that this is no different and I can carry it when it's old news to her. :)

I am in LOVE with these stackable rings from Tiffany's. My sweet sister and dear friends each got me one of these for my 30th birthday and I adore them. They are so perfect and meaningful and I would love to add this "I love you" band from a special someone to the stack. (Was that hint as subtle as a bus or what?)

These would go with everything. No more justification needed. The link sends you to J. Crew but Dillard's and Macy's sell them too and they are slightly cheaper. Especially if you can get them with a coupon at Macy's.

This is the one thing on the wish list I can actually get, because at $15, it's a no fuss purchase. In fact, I might go get it today just to make me feel better about all of this wish list business. These Camelback water bottles are my absolute favorite. I have several colors, but I have my eye on this one because of the shape. Finally one that will fit in the cup holders in my car! You need this for all that water you'll be drinking this summer!

Happy shopping!

Giving "Carb Loading" a Whole New Meaning...

In this world there are runners and then there's me. I've said for several years that I needed to "get serious" about exercising but I'm always just lip service. A few months ago I decided to put my money where my mouth is and actually do something. What I decided to do is still a bit of a puzzle to me.

I was fed up with myself the day after Christmas when I was looking through all of our family photos and I was counting my chins, so I got on a local website that lists all of the Austin and surrounding area races several months at a glance. I decided (having never run a mile, mind you...) that I would participate in the Capitol 10K at the end of March.

I recruited my sister and her BFF Alyssa and then I began begging Dave. I knew with his classwork that it might not interest him, but he readily agreed. Which is good, because had it not been for those 3 accountability partners I might have backed out!

I went ahead and signed up, but didn't tell many people....just in case.

December 28th was day 1. I started with the couch to 5K program and away we went. I won't lie...I don't like to run. It's hard. I can't breathe. I sweat like a pig. My knees hurt (PS, they only hurt for like 2 weeks and then they stopped). My legs felt like led weights. Did I mention the breathing? Because I felt like my chest was loaded with dynamite and was literally exploding. I'm also a bit ADD so it was boring! BUT, I sweat. I got my heart rate up. And for the first week when I was hard to run from my house to the stop sign (which is about 4 houses...) it began to feel really good when I could run 8 houses...then 12....and it just got a tiny bit easier each time.

I began to doubt myself a few weeks ago when I was hitting my wall around 3 miles. I thought I had bit off more than I could chew with 12 weeks to a 10K. I thought I should have started with a 5K. But this weekend I sucked it up, laced up the shoes and put on my big girl panties... I joined 25,000 of my closest friends in doing the Cap 10K in Austin, TX.

Photo Credit: Kelly West- Austin American Statesman

The actual running on race day was the only thing I did all weekend that a real runner would do. Because the 3 baskets of chips I had the night before probably doesn't count as "carb loading". But who doesn't love a good sunset at the Oasis on Lake Travis?

Below is our race day adventure. I forgot to take any pictures after the 10K, but everyone passed the finish line with flying colors! #WINNING.

PS...I do realize that most of you run a 10K in your sleep and it's part of your daily routine but this was a new adventure for me. I'm thrilled that while I will not lie to you and say I am "a runner" and have been bitten by the running bug, it did feel good to set a goal, work hard and accomplish it. A marathon is STILL not on my bucket list, but I am feeling great and hope to make a 5K and/or 10K part of my yearly routine to keep me working hard for something. And maybe (MAYBE) I might one day do a 1/2 marathon....maybe.

It only hurts when I'm awake....

Spring is here! I know that because I have a sunburn, my nails are broken and it hurts when I sit down to go to the bathroom.

Too much information?? Well, David and I put the petal to the medal this weekend and we did yard work until the cows came home (or until the sun went down because we don't have any cows...). We trimmed trees, pulled weeds, pulled out pretty much every bush in our flower beds and I worked for 2 hours digging up monkey grass that has over taken an entire flower bed.

Lots of crazy things were planted by the previous owner and we decided to start fresh and begin to get things the way we want them. But the way we want it takes a lot of work! And on Sunday (day 2) I may or may not have stepped on the end of a rake and the handle popped up and slapped me in the face! For a brief moment I thought it broke my cheek bone it hurt that bad. So I decided that yard work was dead to me and I went inside and started laundry. I'm only halfway through with that project. Can't we just buy new underwear??

But here are a few fun "spring-things" inside my house....

I used a few of the branches we trimmed and put them in a vase on my dining table. My co-worker gave me this cute "Happy Spring" sign for my birthday!

My $4 flowers I picked up at the grocery store really make a colorful splash in my living room....

And in random fashion, I thought I'd throw in a recipe for y'all. I went to Lynch and Ryan's house for dinner last night to watch some of the Madness and I was in charge of dessert. Since I didn't have a lot of time and couldn't move parts of my body very well I decided to go the easy route. Ice cream pie!

Ingredients:

• Chocolate pie crust (the Oreo crusts are the best but I can't ever find them anymore. You can make your own with Oreos and butter blended and formed into a pie pan but I wasn't about to go there!)
• 1/2 gallon of Blue Bell Cookies 'n Cream Ice Cream (You can use other cookies and cream ice cream but I'll just feel sorry for you that you don't have Blue Bell!! That's one of my favorite things about Texas! :)
• Tub of Cool Whip

Here's the hard part...it will take you an entire 3 minutes. Ok, maybe 5: Let the ice cream soften and stir it until it's creamy. Dip about 3/4 of the softened ice cream into the pie crust. *You can freeze it at this point for about an hour. If I have time I usually do and let it harden before spreading the Cool Whip. Then spread the tub of cool whip on top and freeze it. It's best if you can freeze it for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving. I find it easiest to slice with a pizza cutter.

Enjoy!!

Take Your "Child" to Work Day....

Due to circumstances beyond my control, it became necessary that Rookie come to work with me today. Luckily, we are a very small staff (16) and the majority of our staff is out on spring break with their kids, so my boss readily agreed that it would be ok.

In preparation, homeboy got a bath so he would look professional, we packed his lunch, and he got a stern talking to about office policy and etiquette!

So far so good, but we've got a long day to go! He's taking "Casual Friday" to a whole new level!

You Give me Fever...

Bieber fever, spring fever, it's all good. I do not suffer from the former but definitely from the later!

I am itching for green grass, flowers in bloom, back-to-back-to-back gorgeous sunshine days, white pants, flip flops, You're a Pisa Work OPI pedicures and little girls in their Easter dresses! BRING.IT.ON.

Last Thursday I got a wild hair and started painting furniture in my house from black to off-white. I decided I just needed to lighten things up. I took 3 chairs to be recovered on Friday and there is no telling when I will actually get them back, so my house is in a bit of disarray right now....but for some reason it feels better. It's exciting to me to be changing things up. I think that's it...I need a bit of change. I need my yard to be colorful and blooming. I'm ready for floral, cheerful candle scents instead of all of the spice and cinnamon filled fall and winter candles. I'm ready for frozen yogurt and strawberries instead of hot chocolate and marshmallows.

Here are a few "Spring Things" I'm crushing on...

Potterybarn's garden lighting. I don't even know which one to choose. I love the mercury globes, and of course the globe string lights are so classic, but I also really like the fisherman's lanterns. Decisions, decisions.

J Crew's Perfect Shirts which are at the outlet mall right now for $36! They are 40% off until at least Thursday so hurry, hurry.

Special thanks to C&P for this fabulous find- Essie's Demure Vix nail polish.

I wish these were about to sprout in my backyard...oh how I would sit out there every.single.night. drinking a glass of wine and reading a magazine. Do we think this is even possible in Texas or is it too hot for them?

And a spring day (or night) can certainly be made complete with a trip to the park...

What are you loving this spring?

30, Flirty, and Thriving!

My 20's...how I loved thee...let me count the ways...

College- Check! Loved all of it. Made many precious, dear friends who are still by my side today. We made many wonderful memories and we continue to "do life together" even though life has changed a bit from fraternity parties and dance parties to baby showers and lunches planned around nap schedules. I wouldn't change a thing!

Dave- Who would have known that 23 would bring me you. It's so fun to think that you knew the 23 year old version of me, now the 30 year old version of me, and God willing, the 50 and 75 year old version of me!

My 20's brought me a breast cancer scare with my mother, a triumph over breast cancer with my mother, an appreciation for my family and friends and the understanding that life really is short and we're not promised tomorrow. My prayer is I would live each day as my last and never let my family and friends go a day without knowing how much I love and appreciate them.

My 20's brought me a wedding, made me a wife, and shaped the beginning my life with Dave. God is good!

I've loved the last decade and I praise God for who He is and what He has done in my life. Who He has made me to be and how He continues to mold me into the woman he wants me to be. Life is good and I'm hopeful that the blessings didn't stop at 29. So here's to 30 and the promises that lie in my next decade!

The celebrations leading me into 30 were nothing short of fabulous!! I enjoyed a wonderful family dinner on the lake complete with the most beautiful sunset! Saturday brought pedicures and brunch with my sneaky Austin girlfriends and then a wonderful dinner with my sneaky boo! After dinner we were "meeting Bradley and James for drinks" which turned into a surprise party for me! It was SO fun...SO surprising...and SO special to see all of my family and friends in one place! I am humbled and grateful that you all would celebrate with me! I love, love, love you! *PS...most of the pictures from Saturday night were taken with Bradley's camera since my camera card was full (who knew I was having a surprise party and needed more room??). So I will be sharing more pictures of my dear friends once I get those!

My sister- Kristen, Me, Nana and Mom

The whole fam...without brother! We miss you already!

Papa and Nana and Me and Dave

My boo...

My cute cake which had 30 sparklers on top that almost set off the smoke alarms...oops!

Birthday brunch and pedicures with my girls! They were so sweet (and sneaky) to still have brunch with me even though they were going to be celebrating with me again that night!

Kristen and I after the big surprise!

Mom and Dad

Dave was so sweet to plan such an amazing party for me! But he enlisted the right help with decorations! Mom, Kristen and Bradley brought fun decorations...yes, that is an Anthropologie candle...in the bar on 6th street. Mom thought it smelled "a little musty". Love her. Also, please note the personalized party favors!! Chapstick (I'm an addict) that says, "Life is Glamorous and Fabulous". LOVE.

All of the girls

Nana and Papa! Total troopers partying it up on 6th street! Nana said, "Do I need to put my drink down for the picture?" No way teeny!!

Alice and Jeff

And Sarah and Lauren!

There were other precious friends there, but the pictures aren't on my camera!! Know I am so, so thankful for you to! I can't wait to see the other pics!! THANK YOU ALL! XOXO

Here's to the dirty 30!

Here Today...Gone Tomorrow...

It's amazing how time flies. And by time I mean 29 years. Today I can still pull the "I'm in my 20's" card. Tomorrow marks the beginning of my older, wiser, more mature years. Or something like that...

I thought I would document the final sunrise of my 29th year. (Really I just took pictures of my very pretty view from my hotel room and it happens to be the day before my birthday.) Here's to the beautiful city of Austin and to the final 24 hours of my 20's...