Trying to fit it all in

As stated previously, things have been crazy, busy lately. This weekend, both Ben and I were home and tried to fit in time together, time to get things done, and also time with friends-- oh and time for a workout too.

Friday night consisted of a craft night at Ben's cousin Annie's house. I am notoriously NOT crafty, but she helped me make this beauty.

My flower pin, made with love, and many mistakes

Somehow Annie got me to use the fabric cutter, and I didn't end up in the ER with stitches.


She was a great teacher to all of us, and even made her own beautiful flower pin that I will never be able to match in beauty!

Annie, surveying the other, more craft worthy, attendees


The hostess and her handy work

Thanks to these lovely ladies, I was about to get in a seven mile, very humid, and therefore very challenging for this asthmatic, run on Saturday morning bright and early.

Me, Jen, and Jen

Thank goodness we did our run when we did. Literally as I drove out of the parking lot to go home, and huge roll of thunder sounded and the the hazy clouds became dark and ominous, bringing on a big storm.

Then, I was able to attend my college friend Nina's wedding with the gals I went to Journalism School with. It was so great to have the five of us together, as this only happens maybe twice a year if we're lucky.

Jenna, Nina, Me, Molly & Sarah

It was a beautiful wedding, and the first Jewish wedding (with some Christianity mixed in to boot) that I've ever attended. I finally was able to see the breaking of the glass, the chair dance and many other traditions.

Sunday morning, Ben and I met his cousin Annette for breakfast at one of my favorite places in the Twin Cities, the Highland Grill. If you ever are looking for a breakfast place in the Twin Cities area, be sure to go to one of their many "Grill" locations; I've never had a bad experience with their breakfast menu.

Following breakfast, I had a large to-do list, but was SO glad I made time to head over to my pal Cindy's pool and hang out with she, Amanda and Jen.

Amanda, Me, Jen & Cindy

The couple of hours relaxing by the pool were exactly the relaxation I needed. I got a little bit of color, some much needed gab time, and was able to decompress before I hit the ground running on the errands, cleaning, laundry and cooking that the rest of the day entailed.

I also decided this weekend I'm going to be taking part in Jen's New Rules of Lifting for Women group workouts, check it out! I've heard great things about this book, and it's results and found a really cheap used (but said to be "like new") copy on Amazon. If you're interested, comment on Jen's post and get the book!

How was your weekend??

Summer Fashion Finds

Lately, bloggers have been talking about their summer fashions, and it has my creative juices flowing. I love fashion, I'm not always the best at creating an outfit, but God bless it, I LOVE it.

Recently, Tracy from Sellabit Mum did a great post on recent finds that she's wearing to an upcoming blogger conference. And, I also found this awesome blog, J's Everyday Fashion, that puts together outfits from stores that everyday people can afford.

My staple this summer has been this easy, cute, cotton Kimono dress from Target. I had a dress like this from Nordstrom last summer, but something about the way this one is cut, it fits and feels great, better than the other. I usually wear it with a black tank underneath, but it's great for car or air travel because it's comfortable, and you can still show up to feeling like you didn't just roll out of a hot car, or stuffy airplane.

I've also found some great stuff on the Gap Clearance rack this summer, including this dress for work.

Source

And let me tell you, when I bought this it wasn't freaking $45 dollars like it is online. With 40% off clearance, I got it for a whopping TWELVE DOLLARS. That's right, 12 bucks! I felt like it was a real steal (and it was!) I highly recommend Gap's clearance racks right now.

I'm a lover of dresses in general in summer, sure you may have to shave your legs more, but the easy, one piece outfit, is where it's at. Plus, in the freezing Minnesota climate wearing dresses, even with tights, in the winter is not an option most days.

And, if you really love a deal, and are looking for fall items, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is on now until August 1. I pretty much consider this sale a national holiday. This year I bought a few cute things (scarf, costume jewelery, basic black top, perfume, etc.), but nothing major, but I love the great deals that this sale includes!

If I write this post, it's real

I've been debating writing this post, because once I tell all of you, it's real...

You may have noticed in my "training for" area to the right on here, I've posted that I'm training for the Twin Cities Marathon in October (or, if you use a reader program, you may not have!) and that is what I'm here to tell you folks: I signed up for another marathon, I'm really doing it!

I feel crazy, confident, and determined all in the same breath about this challenge. Sure, I've done it before, but I was injured running it, it wasn't my best performance, and at the time, I just wanted to finish.

Obviously, I want to finish again, but I'd like to do it with a little more grace this time. =) (Not saying that I won't cry when I finish, I know I'll cry, it's me here, hello).

I feel more confident in my training this summer the second time around, but I'm of course not at the mileage I would like to be at, but is anyone ever?!

"Hello, my name is crazy!!"

I'm lucky that I have so many running buddies who hold me accountable, including the newly minted runner Jen, who's lost 70 pounds over the last ten months and developed a love for running. She's training for the TC 10 Mile Race and possibly the Monster Dash Half-Marathon, and is always up for adding on some good miles with me, even if it's a distance she's never attempted before.

If you've noticed, my updates have been sparse lately. Life has been crazy with working longer hours, some travel that's coming up for work, marathon training, plus selling our condo (therefore, having to always make sure it's clean!), but I have a few great posts in store, including some recipes of my own (that's right, NOT someone recipes linked, my favorite kitchen creations!) that I'd love to share.

What are you training for right now? If not races, what are some summer goals that you have accomplished?