Bridge Run Weekend

Well, the 33rd Annual Cooper River Bridge Run is over, the people have cleared out, and I have my city back!!!

The 10k race was a semi-success in my book. Matt and I finished in 47:25. Not too shabby and 15 seconds better than my time last year.  Matt was able to put his competitive nature aside and run it with me this year so that I could improve my time and hopefully reach my goal of 45 minutes. I didn't get there this year, but I WILL, and after I do, I'm retiring from the bridge run! (I have to go out on a good note)

Here we are at 5:30 a.m. getting ready to head over to Mt. Pleasant for the race! We look a little rough; we had to wake up at 4:30 to start getting ready.  Getting ready involved Matt drinking a Diet Mountain Dew (which he swears by) and me eating and applying mascara.

Fashion Rule #5: Yes, I always have at least mascara on when I walk out of the house. I really can't help it! I have read in magazines that the majority of girls (especially those that have boyfriends) rarely leave the house without at least eye make up on. Do you agree or disagree?

So the best part about the race is that after you finish there is a TON of vendors at Marion Square giving away all kinds of goodies! We racked up.

After the race we treated ourselves to some of the best food in town.....

...YESSSS! We love Chic-Fil-A. A BIG thanks to Sue and Stew who picked up the tab that day!! : )

Matt even got a little crazy at lunch....

He got a cookies and cream milkshake!! *gasp*

And he shared ~xoxo~

We ended our Saturday with great friends

Eating Lowcountry Boil!

THIS is why I love the South!

Hope you had a great weekend as well!!

101 Simple Pleasures

I saw this article on Yahoo that talked about how small pleasures in life are worth more than anything money can buy.  I think this is SO true, especially in this economy when people are struggling and forgetting about the small things.

This is the list they created of 101 simple pleasures, they made me smile!!


coloring (yes, grown-ups can do it, too) -Who doesn't love this?


crisp cotton sheets

soft skin

old family recipes -Makes me smile thinking of my mom's cooking

the first daffodils of spring -or the smell of freshly mowed grass!!

sleeping in --#1  in my book

an exercise endorphin high

window boxes

a perfect cup of coffee

a genuine compliment (giving or receiving)

the way babies smell

a handwritten letter --it is sad that we don't do this much anymore. handwritten notes/letters are the best!

waking up in a good mood...for no real reason

singing in the shower

finding a couple forgotten dollars in your pocket

doing something nice for your neighbor

a home cooked meal

laughing


movie theater popcorn


playing hookey


a bubble bath

swimming


an afternoon nap


street musicians


your favorite song


saying thank you

helping someone in need


old fashioned photo booths -love this!


fresh whipped cream


inspiring blogs


a glass of wine


rainy afternoons

the funny things kids say


a novel you can get lost in -Twilight?


finding the perfect piece of clothing...on sale --Or not on sale if it is perfect. Fashion Rule #4-If it's perfect, it's perfect, and it is meant to be yours....


clean laundry


the wind in your hair


treating the person behind you at the drive-thru -I have always wanted to do this for someone!

sharing an umbrella


the smell of lavender


a long walk that clears your head


a bear hug


The Beatles


smiling at a stranger


eating with chopsticks (Chinese food optional)


butterflies


staying in your pj's all day


singing along to the radio and knowing all the words -You know you sing Miley Cyrus Party in the USA in the car, don't deny it!


fresh herbs


ordering in pizza


happy endings...even if they're fictional


flying a kite


puppies


root beer floats


holding open the door...


...or having someone hold the door for you


fountain soda


white, fluffy towels


sunshine


spending an afternoon at a museum


really great advice


green lights all the way home


the sound of rain hitting the windows


sitting in a booth


holding hands


a great hair day with no effort


building a fort with your kids


when someone falls asleep with their head on your shoulder


fireflies


the perfect taco


geraniums on a windowsill


slow dancing


the smell of fresh-baked bread


cheesy, uplifting musicals


great stories


the smell of gasoline


the cold side of the pillow


love letters


old friends...


...new friends


a pull-through parking space


a baguette -- crisp on the outside, airy on the inside


when a dog licks your hand


sitting at the counter at an old-fashioned diner


using your favorite dishes


reading your child a bedtime story


Girl Scout Cookies -THIN MINTS!


flossing --You have to prevent heart disease!!


kissing someone you love


the smell of onions and garlic cooking


hot chocolate


jumping in puddles


old photographs


birds hopping on the sidewalk


Ella Fitzgerald


a spoonful of peanut butter straight from the jar


your softest t-shirt


a new magazine in the mail


fireplaces


having exact change


bacon and pancakes cooking on Saturday morning
 
**I love this list. All 101 of these just put me in a great mood! It really is the simple things in life that we share with the people that we love that make the days better.
 
What would make your list of simple pleasures?
 
My #102 would be when Matt calls me "baby" because after 4 years that term of endearment NEVER gets old, and I hope he still calls me that when I'm 50.

Pull Up Competition

The other week Matt came to visit me and brought his new "toy"...his new pull-up bar. Yes, like a toy to children, he considers this something that brings him extreme enjoyment and amusement. sick.

***

So naturally we had the 1st Annual Pull-Up Competition of 67-C!

Here are the results:

Naturally Matt got 1st by doing 156 pull-ups.

Tracy Brown got 2nd for impressive effort of 1 1/2 pull-ups

(judge note: Miss Brown was not fully hanging and did have a small jump, but her pull-ups were counted and scored anyway.)

And although I was unable to successfully complete 1 pull-up, I felt good about my effort and even managed a smile.

Note: It is my goal that after my 90 days of P90x that I will be able to do 1 pull up (at least).

P90x begins right after April 15. More details to follow.

Everything's Bigger in Texas...

This week Lindsay, my co-worker, and I ventured to Dallas, Texas for cost segregation work. After a rocky start (a cancelled flight and an angy yankee woman) we made it to Dallas Tuesday night.  Dallas is a gorgeous city, and the skyline is incredible at night.

(See that tower with the shimmering sphere on top..that's Reunion Tower...we stayed right next to that!)

Reunion Tower is home to one of Dallas' finest restaurants...one that I was lucky enough to dine in.

Welcome to Five Sixty

Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck is one of the nicest restaurant I have ever been to.  The restaurant sits atop the tower in that shimmering sphere.  The restaurant actually rotates 360 degrees in 59 minutes.  The view of the downtown Dallas skyline at night is incredible. 

The food is OUT OF THIS WOOOORRRLLLDDD. It is Asain cuisine with some unique choices and flavors. Check out the menu.  Our meal was complete with Lobster and Shrimp Springrolls, Pork Belly and Chili Oil Dumplings, and a Valhrona Chocolate Souffle.

For dinner I actually stepped out of my safe little chicken box. I wanted to come to a new city and try something new. For dinner I had the General Tso Quail with Spicy Greens. Words cannot describe the mouth-watering taste of this dish.

Here are some pictures of Five Sixty which I found here

(This was our chocolate souffle..mmm...heavenly?!)

Dallas was a very quick trip, but I hope to go back again someday!

fashion rule #3

***
When traveling, always keep your make up with you on your carry on.  Never, EVER put make up in your checked bag! Doing so may result in a surprise when you go to use your make up....

...your $30 Clinique bronzer was smashed and crumbled into a million little pieces.

awesome. thanks American Airlines.

Another weekend...

Another weekend gone--nothing but a distant memory as I get ready for another work week.  I love my weekends and I'm sad that I can't enjoy them more. Soon enough!!  This weekend was BEAUTIFUL in Charleston-the tourists are are starting to come out of the woodworks!! Aside from working, I was able to enjoy this lovely weather we had and I got a lot of things accomplished!! This week/weekend I...

-Ordered P90x and got my yoga mat!!!
-Got Matt the BEST 4 year anniversary present ever
-Went on a nice 7 mile run
-Made some delicious chicken salad for lunch
-Bought some new brown sandals that I have no use for at this point

***
fashion rule #2

Just because you don't have a use for a pair of shoes at the given moment when you see them, you should probably get them if they are cute. It will give you an excuse to update your wardrobe!

***

This is the Cooper River Bridge, and this is where I like to run when the weather is nice. The Cooper River Bridge 10K is at the end of this month, and I'm SUPER excited about it.  Last year was my 1st year running in this race.  The experience is like no other.  Running alongside 36,000 other people is the greatest feeling ever.  I remember running up the bridge and being around so many people that all I could hear was people breathing in and out! crazy.

If running is my favorite thing, racing is a close second.  When I ran the race last year I still got the same butterflies and the same "pit in my stomach" feeling that I did when I ran my first race in the 8th grade (i love that feeling and i hope it never goes away). When I race adrenaline takes over.

This year Matthew is going to be running with me! Last year we started together, but I run a little too slow for him.  Running together will help me reach my goal time of 45 minutes!

Lots of rambling tonight.

***

Buh-bye weekend....Hello manic Monday!!

fashion rule to live by

Rule #1:

The fact that you can't get a pair of strappy heels fastened by yourself is NOT reason not to get them.  Even if it takes you 20 minutes, there will always be someone who can assist...

3" heels...yes please!

{Thank you to my wonderful boyfriend who assisted me in looking fabulous in my new high heels. You are always there when I need you.}