Colorado Adventures Part I: Boulder

Last Friday husband and I packed up and headed out late to visit friends and find adventures in Colorado. We love to ski {we went skiing for our honeymoon!}, hike and basically do anything outdoorsy, so traveling out west is essential for us. Our trip last year was unfortunately cancelled, so we tried our best to fit in as much as possible this time!

We flew into Denver and drove about an hour north to Boulder, where two of our sweetest friends live. {We went to high school with this guy's brother, and honestly feel like a part of their family. K used to spend weekends at the family's cabin in North Georgia when we were in middle and high school.} It was so great to spend time with Joseph and Holly! We haven't been able to just hang out with them since I was in Athens at pharmacy school. They are such cool kids -- so laid back and fun, always up for adventure, and they share our love of delicious food. 

We spent Saturday morning wandering around Pearl Street, stopping for coffee at Ozo, hands down my favorite coffee in Boulder. The gorgeous blue sky and flatirons made a great backdrop for the cold day and hot coffee warming our hands. We bopped into the Patagonia store, where husband bought me what I call a "sleeping bag" jacket. It's just. so. warm.

We lunched at Illegal Pete's, and let me tell you, the chicken pesto burrito is where it's at. After lunch, the snow started and we packed up and headed to Winter Park with plans of skiing the next day. The evening was spent telling stories, eating homemade tacos, and playing spades and taboo. Ha! We love games, especially when we have friends to play them with.

We actually spent another 24 hours in Boulder at the end of our trip. We had dinner at a really neat new restaurant called Under the Sun. Delicious handhelds {sandwhiches} made of lemon rosemary chicken + sun-dried tomato aioli + arugula + mozzerella and pulled pork + bacon + honey mustard + arugula served with kale slaw. Um, yes please. The following morning we brunched at Snooze, which was akin to my favorite Athens spot. Breakfast burritos, egg scramblers with goat cheese, and a homemade hashbrown with each plate. 

Needless to say, I was pretty smitten with Boulder. If only we had family out there, we would move in a heartbeat... but we just can't stand being that far from our loved ones. So we will visit... often.

xoxo 

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A Quick Hello From 9,052 Feet

Hello from Colorado!

Husband and I left late on Friday to spend a few days out west visiting friends, touring towns and doing a bit of skiing. I'll be back later this week with plenty of photos and other fun things.

But for now.... 

I have a snow-shoeing/cross country skiing adventure to get to!

xoxo

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Spring Inspirations: Pink + Yellow

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

Happy Friday. I'm so glad it's finally here.
xoxo

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Happiness: A Saturday Story

6:00am   wake up, get movin, get motivated

6:45am   turn on the seat heaters & hit the road

7:30am   arrive at Heritage Park Dirty Spokes Trail Race, butterflies ensue

8:30am   get your {8 mile} trail run on

10:00am   handsome husband gets an award, swoon

10:30am   post-race brunch at the grit, baby smiles & a trip to trader joe's

3:30pm   family nap in the sunroom, puppy cuddles & warm feet

5:30pm   wake up to tingling feet, espresso pick-me-up

7:30pm   GF chicken and pineapple pizza, GF brownies
9:30pm  fall asleep cuddled on the couch

The best way to spend a Saturday

xoxo

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St. Valentine

festive, yet casual /  coral Hunter wellies

viola intimates set / anita jersey romper

pink peonies /  necatrine & basil pizza

cupcakes / sparkles

Because I am completely smitten for blush pink & coral, gold & beige, sparkles, and anything my husband will cook for me.

xoxo

Layered Basics

{Loft dress, H&M blazer, Modcloth tights, Seychelles booties, Michael Kors bag & watch, Anthropologie necklace, vintage & F21 jewels}

With the weather here fluctuating between 70-degree afternoons and cold-enough-to-ice-the-windshield mornings, layering has become a must. And although most days I wear pants purely for practicality, sometimes a dress and tights is what a girl needs.

xoxo

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Weekend Adventures: Tampa/Clearwater, Florida

Last weekend husband and I went to visit two of our closest buddies down in Land O' Lakes, Florida. I must say, the weekend was an absolute blast. Aside from the general merriment associated with friends you only see a few times a year, we had a schedule jam-packed with fun activities.

 

Saturday we spent most of our day at Weeki Wachi Springs, paddling down the gorgeous, serene natural spring. We took turns canoeing and paddle boarding, our first time on paddle boards, which was so fun. The water was so clear and teal that it honestly looked fake! Toward the end of our trip we also saw a family of about ten manatee, swimming and sleeping in the deep ponds at the end of the river.

{a reluctant thumbs up from husband & the resultant frown from me. ha!}

Sunday we ran a 5 miles race at the Clearwater Running Festival. Our friends were total rockstars and completed the half marathon! The route for both races followed the road along the ocean and bay, traversing multiple bridges {the Florida equivalent of a hill}, and allowing lovely views. After the race {and showers... and a nap} we headed down to Ybor City for a dinner feast at The Columbia Restaurant. After 1905 salads, crispy calamari, traditional cuban pork, and a {shared} bread pudding, we were all stuffed and ready for a long winter's nap.

Here's to a great weekend and sweet friendships.

xoxo

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2013: Your {30 Minute} Morning Workout

Many of my goals for the new year are focused on physical health and fitness, and I am looking forward to the journey of achieving them. That being said, I am notorious for not getting out of bed when it's cold outside! I love to sleep, and the flannel sheet are just. so. warm. After I've hit the snooze button a couple times, a long run in the mornings is pretty much out of the question, so lately I've been doing morning sprints. 

Here's the breakdown:

4 minutes to get out of bed & get ready

5 minute warm up - light stretching, a bit of yoga, jogging in place

16 minutes of sprints - 8 rounds of 30 seconds on, 90 seconds off

5 minute cool down

It's that simple. 
Best part? I only have to wake up thirty minutes earlier than normal.

I try to fit in sprints two to three times a week in addition to a strength program {three times a week} and two or three met-con WODs. Weekends are for long trail runs, swimming laps and riding my road bike. 

Here's to morning workouts and new fitness goals in 2013.
xoxo

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Friday Favorites

Even though Monday was a holiday for us, this week felt impossibly long. So after a long, slow ten hour work day, I am ready for a low-key weekend at home. Hope yours is a wonderful one!

currently....

watching 

listening

reading

tasting

smelling

wishing

feeling snug

xoxo

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Sesame Almond-Flour Crackers

When I was in high school and college, my mom used to stay up late with me when I was writing a paper or studying for a test. She would sit with me until the wee hours of the morning, usually dozing off now and then, but always beside me. She would make us cups of hot cocoa and saltine crackers with cheese just barely melted on top. Perhaps because of this, cocoa and crackers has become like comfort food to me. So now and then, when I get a serious craving for saltine crackers, I turn to these little guys. 

To make...

3 cups almond meal {I used unblanched}

1 cup sesame seeds

1&1/2 teaspoonful sea salt

Stir together dry ingredients, then add

2 large eggs

2 tablespoons olive oil

Roll onto parchement paper until desired thickness {these will not rise at all upon baking}. Slice into squares with a knife and bake for 12-15 minutes at 350. Cool for 30 minutes before serving with almond butter, cashew hummus, chicken salad, or raw milk cheese or anything you desire.

I got the recipe from this cookbook, which I highly recommend. We also love the savory pie crust and use it for both chicken pot pie and breakfast-for-dinner quiche. 

xoxo

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Sambo's First Year

It hardly seems like it was a year ago we added sweet Sambo to our lives. When we got Sam we were living in a small rental house far from our family and friends, had just lost K's mom to cancer, and were looking towards my last six months of pharmacy school. It was a difficult time in our lives, but also filled with moments of joy. We grew closer as a couple as we struggled through those six months together. And we added Sambo to our lives. 

Since then, he has been on many adventures with us, and it's hard to imagine life without him. Coming home every day is so much sweeter when there is a furry face and wagging tail to meet you. He gets so. excited. And evenings are filled with laughter as he tries to sneak his way onto the couch to cuddle. {Sam weighs about 55 pounds but believes himself to be lap-size.} There's no doubt this furry little creature has wiggled his way into my heart and taken up a permanent residence. 

xoxo

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{What I'm Wearing}: No-Brainer

Levi's chambray, J. Crew skinnies, Dolce Vita wedges, Francesca's necklace, vintage & F21 bracelets, Michael Kors watch & bag

Some form of chambray and black cigarettes is my go-to, no-brainer outfit. For work, for church, for play, it's easy to dress up or down and makes transitioning from day to night a breeze. Which was perfect last weekend. Because after reading through therapy updates and a  thirty-page contract for work, I didn't have much brain power left.

P.S. I love how Sambo kept photo bombing me here. He was just so excited that we were home!

xoxo

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2013: Focusing on Gratitude

One of the simplest ways to gain perspective is to keep a gratitude journal. Having a visible, tangible representation of things hat I am grateful for helps to soothe my soul after a challenging day and reminds me of the countless blessings in my life. It's also uplifting to read my past gratitudes and relive the precious moments I recorded. Most of my gratitudes deal with my husband, family and friends, but sometimes even the small things like french roast coffee can make your day just a bit brighter.

So, for 2013 I challenge you to keep a gratitude journal. Every day, or as often as you choose, jot down one thing that you are thankful for that day. I also like to record one moment from the day that touched me or one that I just want to remember. Even in the face of adversity, we are so very blessed.

xoxo

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