Crystal Faye Review and Giveaway
Have you ever shopped with Crystal Faye? She has some of the cutest stuff and of course, since it’s monogrammed, it just doesn’t get any better than that. I am in love with the Clover Collection Lucite Tray. I’ve been eyeing one of these acrylic trays for MONTHS, thinking it was just what I needed for my ottoman in the living room. Crystal was kind enough to send me one for my birthday.. it even showed up like a birthday present! I immediately took it out of the box and laid it on the ottoman.
Only to come in the next morning to this:
No. That’s just NOT gonna fly. Plus… my ottoman is huge, so it really wasn’t doing the tray justice. (Just keeping it real, folks. This is what my ottoman ALWAYS looks like in some form or fashion.)
So, I made the wise decision to move it in to my closet with my jewelry.
A much better place for it, don’t you think? I already had a tray here, but I just swapped them out. 
I love how much deeper the sides are on this tray than what I had here originally. It helps keep my bracelets stacked nicely. (Yes. That’s a pearl tiara. Doesn’t everyone have one? No? Just me?)
This tray is so versatile.. it could really just go anywhere.
I think this tray is a much better option here on the ottoman. Although, I still think it needs some work.. I’m just not sure what! I’m not good with the details of decorating.
To help celebrate my birthday, Crystal Faye is going to give away one of these fabulous trays to one of you lucky ladies!!
Be sure to follow Crystal Faye on all of her social media platforms, she is always posting cute stuff to Twitter and Facebook!
BlissDom Girls Night Out
Are you tired of outfits from BlissDom yet? Apologies… it should be over soon enough. For Girls Night Out, I went with lace. And HOT PINK lace at that.
Here is a black version from H&M or here’s one similar. This one is fun too!
My shoes are gold glitter pumps from Payless a couple of years ago. Here and here are pair similar.
Trust the Training.
Here it is.. Nike Women’s is upon us and there is no turning back. I think we all know that I am a little nervous as to what to expect. My last month of training hasn’t been stellar, but I’ll be honest, mentally, I am ready to give it my all. I know that I can run a sub 2, but it may not be this week. I am determined to go down trying, though.
With the sickness, I missed my last long run, but I refuse to dwell. My training since December has transformed my running and I have learned so much about myself.
I hope to enjoy every step of Nike, because this race is huge for me. It’s half marathon number 10 for me. I was chosen from the lottery for it and I get to run it with one of the raddest ladies on the planet, in our nation’s capitol.
I’ve pretty much come to the conclusion that breaking the 2 hour ceiling isn’t going to feel good, but I really want this for #10. Running has given me so much over the past 3 years, and this is something that I never thought I would be able to do.
For my “taper” week, I decided to get out my bike and ride with a group that meets near my work in the evenings. Completely out of my comfort zone, I am so awkward in group settings when I don’t know anyone. Which, I knew NO ONE. I thought it was going to be an easy 10-12 miles… it ended up being 20. OOPS. I didn’t mean to do that AT ALL. Especially the week of a race. They were super nice and were always giving me a heads up on uneven terrain or if a driver was on their cell phone. I also had my first official fall. We were stopping to get some water, and I always unclip on the left. I was turning to the right and slowing down and I guess leaning into the turn, and just went down like a ton of bricks. There is literally nothing you can do when you are clipped in and start to fall. Just hang on for the ride. Luckily, I fell into a patch of grass, so it was all good. Minus the chain marks and the bruise on my leg, I am good.
I ran Wednesday for my last run before Nike and my legs were feeling a little tired. My chest was a little heavy due to the sickness, but otherwise, I feel good.
Nike released this little gem this week…
A Tiffany blue Free. I want it so bad. I’m still debating on if I should purchase them… I would never run a distance race in them, so it seems a little ridiculous to drop $150 on a pair of shoes. But.. they are so pretty!!!
I need to start working on my race playlist, so tell me what you favorite song is right now to run to!
Any last words on encouragement? Should I get the shoes?!
Lighting.. It Makes All the Difference.
This post came out inadvertently. During my photo shoot for my Easter outfits pictures, I had Hubs take these:
Blech. Shadows, shadows, and more shadows. With Photography, lighting is everything. You don’t want bright, sunny skies. Sure, you don’t want rain though, but a nice overcast day helps diffuse the sun and even out the lighting.
Something to always look for, is open shade. A place that allows a TON of light in, but helps diffuse. Sometimes, trees are a good option, but you have to be careful because they can let light through their pesky little leafy holes. (RUDE.)
So, I literally moved 10 feet to under Mom’s portico thing, and had my sister snap this…
So much better, right?! You can completely see my face. Sadly, it also shows how pale and Cullen-like I am. Both of these photos are SOOC (straight out of the camera.), which means, no editing.
So, I urge you, the next time that you are out snapping pictures of your kiddos, take a look at the lighting and the difference it plays on the shadows.. you’ll be surprised!
It’s Official. I’m 29.
Well. I turned 29. There was no stopping it, much as I didn’t want it to happen. And… I have no choice but to be okay with it.
Good news? I got everything I asked for… minus the pajamas. So, I cannot complain about that. I honestly have the best friends and family. Becca couldn’t break tradition.. she got me the pink TOMS wedges and they are fab. Part of my present from J was to go see Dave Matthews a few weeks ago.. I absolutely love Dave. From way back. He played some amazing stuff… and I would share with you some of the pictures if I could get my iPhone to upload to photo bucket properly.
I also got a new HOT PINK Lululemon skirt from Philly and the girls. I ordered the Epiphanie bag with the money my mom and step-dad gave me. Dad and Karen gave me a fabulous necklace and my beloved Thorlo socks in some super fun colors. My sweet friend Mary sent me a lululemon gift card instructing me to buy something cute and fun with it.
No birthday is complete without some good food and I think I surprised Philly with my birthday requests… a local restaurant called The All Steak that I generally don’t like. They moved and got a facelift, so I wanted to try it out.. it wasn’t fabulous but the atmosphere was very cool. Saturday, I worked and I am officially sick, so I didn’t want to do much. J picked up Full Moon BBQ (say whaaatt?!) on his way home. I had the vegetable plate, since I hate BBQ and it was delicious. Sunday, we met Dad and Karen at Outback.. I was craving some cheesy fries and a Bloomin’ Onion. It didn’t disappoint. On the way home I told J that I wanted to go check out the new Barons baseball field at some point and he looked at me like I had grown two heads. I’m generally not a baseball fan, but that place looks pretty cool. He demanded to know what had been done with his wife and this alien was a terrible impostor and didn’t know it’s subject.
Anyway, this birthday was extremely low key, and I have decided that the BIG 3-0 needs to have a righteous party. I have a whole year to embrace the coming of my 30′s, right? Obviously, we need to start planning this right away.. what are your ideas?!
A Fashion Post– White jeans
We’re friends, right? I have a confession. I am 110% completele obsessed with white jeans. I am practically living in them. Someone will stage an intervention by the end of summer, I feel certain. They are just so crisp and clean and scream warmer weather.
I’m sort of in love with this peplum top from Forever 21 found here. White jeans are from Target found here.
My beloved TOMS wedges.. found here or here.
Jewelry courtesy of Molly Suzannes… love her jewelry!
Tell me.. are you as obsessed with white skinnies as I am?
P.S. I use affliate links.
Beef Tips
I should give credit where credit is due on this recipe– Rebecca gave it to me, and while it’s taken some time to perfect, I think we have finally gotten it down pat. And when I say “we”, I really mean Philly, since he is the one who cooks around here these days. (Thanks, honey!)
Alright. So, first things first.. Here’s your ingredients:
Allegro Marinade
Beef Broth
Flour
Butter
Flank steak
White rice
Marinate the meat 30-1 hour in the Allegro.
Melt the butter in a NON non-stick pan. It works best in a stainless pan. Whisk in the flour (1/4 cup), making sure it is completely blended (J says no lumps are key.)
SIDE NOTE: We did it “wrong” in the pictures. We added the beef broth before the flour. Will it kill you to do it this way? No. {Disclaimer: Philly thinks I should wait to make this again and re-take the pictures. Ain’t nobody got time for that.}
So anyway.. AFTER you mix the flour and butter, then add the beef broth. Whisk that together as well. Then you add your meat. Cook it for 4-5 minutes. You want it cooked throughly, but not long enough to make the meat tough.
Cook your instant rice and then Voila! Dinner is ready!!
It’s pretty much delicious and super easy and quick to make!
Doesn’t it look yummy? Makes me wish I had some right now!
Update on my 30 before 30 List
I’ve been updating my list.. I just keep marking stuff off!
Here’s the mission: Complete these 30 tasks before I turn 30.
Fitness:
1. finish a 1/2 marathon
2.run, without walking, an entire 1/2 marathon
3. finish a sprint triathlon
4.learn how to swim properly
5. reach a goal weight
Family Life:
6. decide if we are finished having children
7. have a somewhat successful photography business
8. have a date night once a week for an entire month with hubs
9. be in a bigger house
10.learn how to make homemake cupcakes and decorate them
11. finish the girls baby books
12. organize my desk and keep it organized for one month
13. grow an herb garden and hopefully use it
14. Live on a budget for two months
15. Donate my hair to locks of love
16. take Addison to an Alabama gymnastics meet
17. Adopt a child from an Angel Tree at Christmas
18. Cook dinner every night for an entire week (0/7)
Travel:
19.Take both girls to Disney World
20. go to Chicago
21. wine tasting in Napa Valley
22. go to a Pro football game
23. See every SEC Stadium (4/12)
24. go to Vegas
Bloggy:
25. meet a bloogy friend
26. do a complete blog makeover on my own
27. go to a Blog conference
Miscellaneous:
28. Sky Dive
29. Make John homemade Tiramisu
30. Take a Girl’s Only trip
BlissDom Night Fashion
The first night of BlissDom was really like a Meet and Greet. It’s an excellent way to familiarize yourself with some fellow bloggers and the sponsors. You can wear whatever– people were there in jeans, dresses, what have you. I just like to dress up and wear dresses. I borrowed this dress from my friend, Brooke.
This dress actually came from Old Navy, but I found one similar here, just not in the color. Boo.
The Purse is Molly Suzanne. Isn’t it fab? I think she has the necklace too.
Shoes are nude pumps. These came from Target, but I found some similar here.
Running Ruts
Confession Time. I’ve been in a running rut. For a few weeks. It was really just a gradual thing. I was going to take a week off after Tuscaloosa, to re-coup and get some things done that get neglected during intense training like I was doing. Then I had BlissDom. Then I couldn’t meet Shannon for a long run… and still haven’t. I ran a long run last Sunday– 8 miles. I did one on Saturday–9 miles. No where NEAR race pace or a PR. But things are starting to heat up around here (literally), it was 80 last week. And heat isn’t a factor that I have dealt with for a while.. and it’s taking a toll on my running. I am afraid that in all of my mopping and laziness that I have lost my sub 2. I haven’t put in the training that I should or the distance and I only have myself to blame. I was well on my way to a 1:55 half and now? I think I’ll be lucky to break 2:05. I’m not shaking a stick at that, but it does stink that I “threw it away” in Tuscaloosa because I wanted to “save it” for Nike.
Anyway, back to my rut. I am very blah about the running. I am having a hard time making myself run, and I am certainly not enjoying it. My friend Mary told me to go grab every race medal that I had and to put them on to remind myself that I am a Bad Ass. So, I did. It helped a little. I read this post by Jen Hatmaker too. I did what she said by making a giant list of everything that I need To Do, and am marking them off one by one. I do love a good list. That has helped some.
I finally was able to force myself to get up early and run on Saturday, and while it wasn’t some amazing “Oh yes!! This is why I run!!” run, it wasn’t terrible either. I watched the sky turn from dark to purple to pink to orange and I semi-enjoyed it. At this point, I’m just glad to be logging the miles, whether they are fast or not.
Molly and I also decided (finally!!) on our outfit for Nike Women’s. I’m pretty excited about it.
It probably doesn’t help that I have gained about 5 lbs and with that, a gut. It also doesn’t help that the girl in Lululemon Friday night asked me if I was about to start my period when I mentioned my pooch. No, but thanks for making me feel bad about myself.
I guess what I am saying is, while I am not in the “I’m gonna Clowney this!” running phase that I was a couple of months ago, I’m also not in the “running is stupid” phase that I was. Baby steps, people. Hopefully, I can rally in the next two weeks before Nike. And maybe I can find enjoy of my Beast Mode to pull out that sub 2 hour half. I am just not sure. I honestly have no clue how running ruts affect your speed, because being semi-speedy is new to me.
If you have any pointers on how to get out of a running rut, I am all ears, please. Or if you have any extra Beast Mode laying around, I’d be glad to give you my address so you can send it to me.
