Monday, July 12, 2010

RAMBLINGS OF A MONDAY AFTERNOON

 Oh, glorious Monday!  I love you even more after a day off!

1.  Yes, that's right, folks!  I actually have a day off now!  And I couldn't be more excited about it.  For my first Sunday of rest, I sat on the couch, feverishly assembling wedding invitations, and watching movies.  And by movies plural, I mean I watched 4 movies.  Yes, 4 movies.  In my defense, John was working all day, and I was actually getting work accomplished during my Mega-Moviethon of 2010.  I watched Sunshine Cleaning (loved!), Falling Up (eh...), Love and Other Disasters (entertaining enough), and Julie and Julia (two thumbs up!).  Netflix Instant Queue, you rock my world!

2.  Last Thursday, I had to either walk home from work in the ungodly hot temps or kill a little time until John could come pick me up.  I chose the latter.  After work, I moseyed over to Dairy Queen for a small twist with rainbow sprinkles (do you call them sprinkles or jimmies?), then continued across the parking lot to Plato's Closet.  I've mentioned before my love-hate relationship with that place, but it's air-conditioned, so I just had to pop in.  Has anyone else noticed that Plato's Closet is where bad micro mini skirts go to die?  Seriously, how is it possible that one small town can turn out that many toddler-sized denim skirts?  And furthermore, who the hell is buying all these used ones?!  Anyway, I found two amazing regular-people-sized skirts, which was evident on my face as I walked out of the store with a big ole' stupid grin on my face, prompting John to say, "I take it somebody 'scored'."  I love that he used the word "scored" as though he was trying his hand at some new language.  Yes, honey ... I totally "scored."

3.  Last week, I alluded to the fact that I'm undergoing some sort of style shift right now.  It's not so much a seasonal thing, though.  I think it's more of a growing up kind of thing.  After all, I am going to be 30 this year (holy shit, how is that possible?!).  I'm craving a bit more sophistication - blue collar style, of course.  Right now, I'm just looking to incorporate lots of different silhouettes, nicer fabrics, definitely more prints and a slightly more elevated use of accessories.  I don't think it's something that requires a lot of money or a total closet overhaul.  For now, it just means weeding out the stuff that isn't working for me anymore and keeping my eyes peeled for a few more unique pieces to add here and there.  I'll be sure to keep you posted on my progress.

4.  Because of said style shift, I've decided to change up my sources of inspiration, i.e. changing up my magazine subscriptions.  This past year, I've been receiving Lucky, Glamour and InStyle.  I'm going to continue getting Lucky, because I just love it so much, but I've decided to find something new to replace the other two.  So, Friday afternoon, I embarked on one of my most favorite activities that I rarely get the opportunity to do anymore - I plopped my butt down in Barnes & Noble with a giant stack of magazines, opened my mind, and started flipping.  I narrowed it down to 3 new periodicals: TeenVogue (laugh if you will, but it's pretty creative and fun stuff), Nylon, and possibly Harper's Bazaar.  Of course, I fell in love with all the imports of Vogue and Harper's, but girl can't afford those bad boys!

5.  And last, but certainly not least, the highlight of my weekend - I successfully completed my first 10K!  I admittedly was really nervous about it.  Even though I've been faithful to my training program, I was so worried that I would end up walking or getting sick or just plain sucking.  Now, I never claimed to be a fast runner, so my goal for this race was just to run the entire thing and finish with a smile.  I'm proud to say - mission accomplished.  It took me 1:01:12, which was actually what I was hoping for, but didn't think I was capable of.  Luckily the heat broke, so the weather was gorgeous.  The race started at 8:30, and by the end, the temps had only risen to a temperate 73 degrees.  I was really kind of terrified when I started.  There are so many fast, serious runners in the area that it's easy to feel like you're completely out of your league.  And I have a bad habit of starting strong and then pulling back for fear that I won't be able to finish.  Though, I'm sure I'll get better at that if I keep training.  I spent the first half of the race hating every second of it, wondering why in the hell I thought this was fun or a good idea or how I could ever run any further - a common train of thought when I run races.  But, once I hit the halfway point, things turn around and I get a surge of energy and determination that gets me through, and all those dramatic, biting thoughts become a figment of my imagination once I cross the finish line.  So, now that I know I can do it, I'm ready to do it better.  Next up?  Training for a ... half marathon!


Wow, I haven't had this much to say in a long time.  If you read all that, thanks.  I love sharing my inner-most workings with you all from time to time.  Have a great Monday!

21 comments:

  1. congrats on the 10 k. so impressive and super yay to not fast runners. i am currently training for a 5 k and i am just so nervous about completely it so i kinda have been putting off signing up for one. soon hopefully. congrats again!

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  2. I have a liking for Marie Claire. The items can be spendy but they have some great insipiration.

    I currently get Glamour, Lucky, Instyle, People StyleWatch, and Marie Claire.

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  3. I watched like 4 episode of Glee straight last night so I feel ya on the sitting-on-the-couch-Sunday! :) I was doing my nails & working on grocery lists so I suppose I was productive still ;) CONGRATS on the 10k!! That's really awesome :)

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  4. 10k?! So fantastic. I've just recently taken up running after I banned myself from the eliptical machine. Maybe one day I'll run a marathon....What you said about the denim skirts was hilarious. I think this is universal :)

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  5. Looking forward to seeing your style evolution - it's already so fearless and amazing, can't wait to see how it evolves! I too love Lucky - the pretty pictures get me every time. And kudos on completing the 10k - that is awesome!!

    Small Time Style

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  6. wow, congrats on your marathon finish!! that's an amazing accomplishment.

    i looove teen vogue(almost better than the non teen version) luckily my daughters have a subscription so i "borrow" their issue when i'm home alone:D

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  7. Super congratulations on the race! Well done woman!

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  8. Hi, I found your blog recently and love it! Congratulations on your 10K! That's fantastic! I'm a runner too and am training for my first half marathon in September.

    Not to sound all stalkerish or anything since we are strangers, but I just want to say I think you're awesome! I don't know much about fashion myself, but I like that you have your own unique style that's both comfortable and budget friendly.

    Hope you have a great day!

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  9. first off, CONGRATS on the 10k! that is awesome!! especially awesome in this kind of heat. wow. also, i'm happy you put up that list of netflix instant movies. i loved julie&julia too, and will have to check out the rest.

    for magazines, i get lucky, people style watch (junky reading but good eye candy), and harper's. i love some of the editorials in harper's, and i actually read it more than any of the others. it makes me laugh a lot of times- their "cheap thrills" suggestions that are never under 1k, for instance. but i definitely get inspired by it. ~joelle

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  10. Congrats on completing the 10K!!! Way to go!

    I just got a subscription to TeenVogue because I love their editorials-- so colorful!

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  11. Congratulations on running your first 10k! As a long time reader I'm looking forward to seeing how your style shifts in the coming months. :D In regards to the micro minis - I have no idea who exactly buys them, but someone must because you find them in stores new as well! Madness, haha.

    Oh, and I call them sprinkles. I had actually never heard them called "jimmies" before. :)

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  12. Congrats on the 10K! You must feel so encouraged and successful :) Keep it up and can't wait to hear about your half marathon!

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  13. Holy crap, congrats on the 10k!! I have wanted to run a 10k for two years. Last spring while I was training for it (starting to hit my 7 milers), is when I came down with a strong of stress fractures in my tibia, ending up in a walking cast for 3 months. Then I just started hitting my 3-milers when my back fell apart and I had surgery. Phew... I do hope next year is my year!! You give me inspiration, thanks girl!!

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  14. Congratulations on achieving your goal!

    I am on the magazine subscription hunt myself at the moment. I used to love RUSSH but it's changed lately. I like LOVE but it's only twice a year and I like to read more than that. I'm leaning toward W and maybe Another Magazine which only comes out a few times a year too. Gosh, tough decisions huh? ;)

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  15. Congrats on the 10K! I have such a love/hate relationship with running, but when I go long enough without (like now) I really start to miss it.

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  16. Congrats on the 10K! That's really terrific...proof that training and determination work! I need to get back to running...

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  17. mags are hard, for me they're a complete bust. i've gotten tons more inspiration and help from finding style bloggers with whom i resonate.

    and i'd rather have a wardrobe with just two colors in it than just two silhouettes. i love different silhouettes more than anything (i've worn panniers and bustles under my everyday clohtes)........

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  18. My dad just did his first 10k this last May too and almost had the same time!!

    I did a post on him a few weeks ago :) Way to go!!

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  19. Hey - Have you checked out Bust magazine? That is one of my favorites. I bet you'd like it too. Full of creative, individual and real world women and fashion.

    Congrats on the 10k! Awesome!

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  20. Great job on your 10k! That's faster than the first one I ever an. And how exciting about your half-marathon. Can't wait to hear more.

    I used to shamelessly read all the teen fashion mags as "research" for my job. They really are more fun because they feature realistic budget items as opposed to haute couture that no one can afford or work with.

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  21. I totally feel you on the style change. One day I just sort of wasn't interested in having what everyone else wanted and I liked the idea of quality stuff (expensive or thrifted doesn't really matter) that I wouldn't have to replace every few weeks.

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