Thursday Threads–60′s Inspired Skirt
Today’s Thursday Thread is brought to you by the thriftiness of Forever 21. I realize a lot of their clothing may not be deemed “work appropriate” but some of the stuff is perfectly fine!
I bought this top at F21 in Vegas last summer– it’s so comfy and at $12, it hasn’t fallen apart yet.
This skirt is my favorite– very “Mad Men”. High waisted, with pleats in the back. Brooke told me it had the “right amount of butt curve”.
I will say, this is NOT a fat day outfit. I have a relatively flat stomach, especially for having two kiddos, and you have to be careful with this high waisted stuff showing a “pouch” when it’s not really there. 
This is ALSO a prime example for WHY I say NO SMALL STRIPES for photographs… they don’t and will never photograph well. 
The shirt was 12.80 and the skirt 19:80. STEAL!
Shoes are Jessica Simpson and I wish I had a pair in every color. Quite comfy for heels.
Earrings are the normal white ones– these are really the perfect summer earrings.
Bracelet- Rue 21.
Watch- Tag (I love my watch, for real.)
Hope you enjoy my Mad Men inspired outfit!
Country Music Half Marathon
This weekend was what I had been waiting for.. Nashville’s Country Music Half Marathon.
Kelsie and I decided to try to make it to the Expo before lunch– those RNR expos get cray-cray in the afternoons and I wanted to be able to look around without having a panic attack and/or hitting someone with a stick.
On our way, we were discussing what we had forgotten, you know that feeling– when you can’t figure out what you are forgetting but you know it’s SOMETHING. I told K, as long as we had shoes, sports bras, shorts and our tops, everything else could be purchased if needed. As we crossed the state line into Tennessee, Kelsie gasped loudly and slammed on her brakes, coming to a complete stop on the interstate. I looked at her… “What did you forget?” She said, “MY SHOES!!!” Whoops. Kind of a biggie.
After some choice words, and a few phones, we had secured someone to pick up the shoes that hadn’t left yet. Whew!
We got to the expo pretty easily and it wasn’t too crowded.
We had to get our pics taken!
Love this one!
We ate a delicious dinner at Demos with Natalie, Jolie, and her Aunt Donna, who graciously opened her home to us!
Runners have a lot of crap.
We set an alarm for 4 am.. or what I like to call, the butt crack of dawn. Made it downtown to park and onto a shuttle relatively easy.
We waited in line for a port o potty for 45 minutes, and actually missed the first coral going off. Whoops. There were not enough toilets, people!! It was awful!!
Everything was pretty well organized, but the streets cannot handle that many runners, and it was a complete mess getting to our coral.
Jana was in our coral too!! She stayed with us for a little bit, but broke off pretty early, which she managed to get a sweet time of 2:20 and at 12 weeks, preggo, I might add!!
Turns out, we were in the wrong coral. We were actually in the back of 23, instead of 22. Whoops.
Sea of people. This is what it looked like the entire race. People everywhere.
Kelsie was having a tough race and I don’t think the crazy hills or the ridiculous heat helped. I cannot tell you how hilly and hot it was… 86 at the finish, people! I felt great the entire race, never hitting a wall, being there mentally. Just extremely hot, most of the time. I cannot thank those kind residents that turned their water hoses into misting stations for us, or that had bananas, water, gatorade, etc out on the street. It was incredible.
I was afraid to leave Kelsie– it was obvious she was hurting. I stayed with her until about mile 11– I REALLY wanted that sub 2:30, and I thought I was in front of the 2:30 pacer, but I guess they passed me through the GU station.
I finished with a time of 2:36.. not bad considering my garmin died (apparently, it doesn’t like water) and it was hot and hilly. ( Did I mention how hot and HILLY it was?!)
Sunny found me somehow in the sea of people afterwards. These girls got sick the night before, didn’t sleep, and still came in with a sub 2:30– first 1/2 marathoners!! Can you believe it?!
Nat had us Mimosas waiting at the house.. A good friend always knows when to have the booze ready.
I wish I could explain to you the cluster that it was after crossing the finish line. It’s awful. People everywhere. It’s not easy to find the Family Reunion area, and forget trying to get to your car.
I figure this is probably my last RNR event. They are too big for me. While I enjoy the spectators, it’s too many runners and makes for major problems with parking, and just getting around. When crowds send you into a panic attack, it’s hard to deal with that many peeps.
This was a fun race, though. Don’t get me wrong. Excellent bands, scenic course, although extremely hard, and I do not recommend it for a first half marathoner.
I’m just waiting on my race pictures to come out.. I’m hoping for some goodies…
Race Outfit and the Tornado 1 year anniversary
Today is April 27th. Which means, it’s been one year since the tornado hit Cullman. Some are still cleaning up, some are rebuilding. I think it’s poetic, that one of the diners in town, that was hit and destroyed will reopen it’s doors in it’s new building today. One of the owners, was actually in the diner when the tornado hit, and survived with a few scratches. Amazing, huh?
So, with the Country Music 1/2 the day after, Kelsie and I wanted to support our town with our race outfits. It came to us on an evening run, after we saw someone running out of a building like he stole something.
Matching tempos, purple shirts, and a purple Sparkly Soul band.
The printer messed up the spacing and the color of the hashtag, but whatevs. They were done in a day! 
One of my favorite verses is Hebrews 12:1-2, and it’s Kelsie’s as well.
“Run with endurance the race that is set before you.”
We’ve decided we are going to dominate. No excuses. We want the glory of a sub 2:20, which means, shaving 14 minutes off my DC time (Only a month ago!). I’m not sure if it’s possible, but I’d rather go out with a bang. This is the last half for me for 2012, and I don’t think I can live with knowing I didn’t reach my goal because I decided to quit pushing myself because of pain. Our plan is to run the first half at a 9:30 pace and slack off for a 10:30 if needed on the back half. Think it’s possible?
If you have ANY advice, comments, quotes that I can take with me along the way– please pass them along. If you are running it, wave to me, or if you see me passed out somewhere along the course… please pause my Garmin.
“If it feels good, you ain’t doin’ it right!”
Thursday Threads– My Yellow Dress.
This dress was the first thing I bought after scoring my new job. Of course, I’ve had to wait a while, but I get so many compliments on it!
Also. I’m proud of my rose bush. It’s a tad OOC. And we have a birds nest in it, but it’s pretty nonetheless! (Apologies for standing so awkwardly.)
Dress: I got at Altar’d State, but it’s that Esley brand that I love.
Shoes: Target
Earrings: Honeymoon present in Jamaica.
Hope y’all enjoyed my yellow dress! If you happen to have a tan you could mail me, I would greatly appreciate it!
Turning 28 Rocked.
This year, I tried not to think of my birthday as a number and just as a day celebrating my awesomeness.
It worked!
My dad and Karen sent me some beautiful flowers at work, which was awesome because people would ask and then I would tell them it was my birthday and they would be all.. “Oh, a birthday! Happy Birthday! You don’t look 28!” Totally works for the self esteem. So next time you are feeling blue, just send yourself some flowers at work!
I would like to point out, this is one of the first birthdays I’ve had in a long time that I got everything I truly wanted and needed!
This is me wearing everything I got. I’m a dork. 
First off, Thursday night, I opened my presents since the girls left for the beach Friday with my Mom. 
I got that gorgeous grey purse that I asked for, but sadly, it just wasn’t big enough for my needs and I couldn’t justify the price for a purse not big enough, so John let me exchange it for this beauty.
I got money from most everyone else, so I bought myself a new running outfit. Yes, my shirt says “Like a BOSS.” 
The largest chunk of my money came from these bad boys.. I opted for these since the sunglass man and J vetoed the Pradas. I dig them.
Becca got me some Nuun. What a friend, yo!! 
As well as these flippys. Most comfortable shoes ever. I think this is becoming a birthday trend for her. A new pair of Old Navy flip flops. I also got a new robe from her that I am wearing in the above picture. It’s so soft and comfy. Everyone should have one!
This may seem odd, but I really want a pretty yard and so John got me some turf builder and a hand crank seeder… I’ve already used it and it was so easy! 
Dad and Karen got me a new Keurig.. hopefully now I won’t wake kids up with my loud coffee maker! I had an original Keurig that I actually got for my 24th birthday… I feel like my in laws got their money’s worth, no?
I got a couple of gift cards as well… and John, Robbie and Rebecca and I went to see The Lucky One on Sunday… so good. Thankfully, I was able to bite back my tears.. I didn’t need John and Robbie making fun of me for crying.
The girls are still at the beach with Mom and Bill and my sis and her gang. They are having a blast and J and I are getting some stuff done around here before they come back.
I think we need to name my new purse… what is your suggestion??
Also.. I have stopped getting the notifications through e-mail on blog comments.. anyone know how to fix that?
I am also lengthening the duration of my E-Meals giveaway… you people need to sign up!!
Easter 2012.
Wow. I totally meant to schedule this post for last week… but whatevs.
We took some impromptu family pictures for Easter.. I mean, of course I wanted one of our family being all color coordinated, but we had some time to kill before lunch, so I took everyone outside.
Look how cute these girls are… they love their daddy!
Such sweeties! And.. what’s that? Both girls smiling AND looking at the camera… it’s a miracle!
Addy has perfected her NEW gymnastics salute.. as opposed to the old one…
Claire has hers down pat too… 
John said he looks like an insurance salesmen… 
Addy took this.. be still my heart. The rule of thirds AND negative space. I love it. 
She took this one as well… our poor chins are working with the height disadvantage of a 5 year old. 
This one took some work.. I should show you the outtake of the family picture.. it’s classic! 
I want to do a photo wall with these pictures… Can’t decide how to lay it out though.. What are your thoughts?
Are these good enough to constitute their own wall?
Also.. I should announce a winner for the Estrea Giveaway…
Maybe that will help make your day, since your kiddos have been sick! Email me at runningbackwardsinhighheels@gmail(dot)com with your address and I will get the info to Estrea!
Training Tuesdays
I haven’t updated y’all on how training for Nashville, lately.
I’ve been running more outside with Kelsie. It’s been hard, but C-town has some hills and so does Nashville, so hopefully it helps.
We ran 10 miles Saturday after work and I ended up with this super awesome tan line…
I’m calling it my official runners tan. I think I can be in the club now.
It was hard. And hot. And Kelsie planned some major hills along our way.
Also– I am beginning to think that my feet are rebelling against standing in heels all day and then running. I don’t understand why they would do such a thing.
I’m still working out with weights- I’m starting to see a difference in my arm muscles (yay!)
We’ve been working on our Nashville outfits… I’m pretty pumped about them. Y’all will have to just wait and see!
On another running note.. y’all. I am burned out. Bad.
I have to force myself to run. My heart isn’t in it anymore. I need time away from the daily miles. I’m ready to lift some weights and see change in my body and muscle definition.
I’ve only got 2 weeks until Nashville… (Wait. What?!) I will NOT give up and quit.
So.. send me some motivation.
P.S. My birthday is Friday. What did you get me? 
Dinnertime.. Made Easy!
Y’all. Have you heard of emeals? It takes the thinking out of dinner. You can pick your different plan and every week a new plan comes out. It has 7 meals and even prints out a shopping list.
The dinners are easy and usually we have enough left overs to eat lunch on the next day. WIN! It gives an estimated total for each weeks grocery list and it’s ALWAYS under $100 for our family of 4.
Best part? My kids loves them. Claire- the picky eater- will eat most of the meals. It’s a miracle!!
You can check out the meals blog for some recipes, tips on how to simplify your life, organize your days, and plan family fun.
Check out their blog HERE
Check out their Facebook HERE
Their Pinterest is HERE
Follow them on Twitter HERE
Normally, meals runs $5 a month, but I am giving away a 3 month subscription to a lucky winner!
The contest will end April 23rd.
All you have to do is check out emeals and let me know which plan you want to try.
You can also sign up using the coupon code BLISSDOM and you will receive a discount.
Anyway, our family loves emeals and you know anything Dave Ramsey likes, I dig.
If you are interested in extra entries, follow emeals on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter and leave me a separate comment saying you did so!
Now, go enter!!
Thursday Threads- Easter Edition.
Hello Lovelies!
I wanted to share with you my Easter dress… it took a trip to Huntsville and a trip to Birmingham shopping.
But, ultimately, I borrowed it from Brooke’s closet.
Such a good friend!!
John doesn’t dig having to be my fashion photographer, but I think he is starting to hide it well! 
The dress is from Express–last year. They have a similar one online, but the store didn’t have my size.
I was informed later that my dress was too short. WHOOPS! Better than wearing pants to Easter Sunday, AmIRight?!
Shoes are from DSW’s Miss America line.
They were also my Easter shoes from last year.
(Jesus loves some bling.– Best quote ever from my friend, Becca.)
How is your Thursday, lovelies?!
Remember That Time I Went To DC?
So, I realized, I never finished my DC trip..
After the race, we crashed on the couch and Sunday Molly fixed a delicious breakfast and we did a few family pics– which I basically had to beg to do for feeding and housing me for a long weekend.
Here are a few of my favs.. Molly posted the rest of the pics here. 
After that, they took me to my very first winery. Which, I highly recommend doing. SO FUN!!
We bought a bottle and sat outside on a gorgeous day and watched Coop run around and chit chatted.
It was a fabulous day… Of course, I took a few shots of these two… 
And then Molly and I may have had a couple of sips too many… 
Crazy gal… 
One of my favorite pictures ever. Internet Besties ROCK! 
I think I may hire B as my assistant.. sadly, the pay is nonexistent.
I must say… I really do have the best friends ever. They take care of me. EVERY. ONE. of them. I am so blessed.
The power of the Internet brought me this one.. who may have been scared the first time we met at a PF Changs when they moved across country. They invited me into their home and force fed me amazing home cooked meals, which made me gain 3 lbs. They drove me to and picked me up from the Baltimore Airport. I feel like these few pictures don’t do enough justice for my amazing weekend in DC, nor do they repay the hospitality I was shown by this incredible family. Hopefully, B got to know me a little bit better and he is either frightened by our friendship, or approves.
I sincerely hope it’s the latter.
Blissdom 2012
Running Fool
