Dang that was Crap-tastic

Warning - Not the usual happy post. This was so crap-tastic it boardered on ridiculous and I had to share.

On Sunday I took the plunge and signed up for the Fleet Feet half marathon training series. It's hot and I haven't been running. At all. Last year I really wanted to do the City of Oak Half Marathon and I made it up to 7 miles in my training plan, then I got lazy and didn't do it. 

This year I needed an extra kick in the pants to get myself going and I signed up to run with a group. Tuesday night was the first run, a 3 mile time trial. I signed up for the program at the North Raleigh location and figured that's where we'd start. Nope... That was just the beginning.

I get to the store and no, I went to the wrong one. The run started at 6pm and I was 25 minutes from the other store. The people at the North Raleigh Fleet Feet told me to try and make it to the Wade Avenue Store. Locals, you know how impossible it is to get to Wade Avenue from North Raleigh but it was the first night and I wasn't going to miss dammit! I booked it to the other store and had some serious road rage. I hate, hate, hate being late and I already drank my pre-workout beverage. Pre-workout beverage with no workout makes me ragey. Like I want to beat everyone with a stick if I don't work out in 15 minutes.

Any ways, as I was getting there, the groups were juuuust leaving. I was pulling into the parking lot and they were all lined up. Argh! I parked, ran into the store, signed in and took off running to try and catch them. I made it to some of the coaches and they said to be sure to turn around if it starts thundering and lightening.

So I'm running, faster than I should be, trying to catch up, like a 9 min mile which I can maintain for about 5 minutes. Oh, and it was my first run in my new Hokas (not a fan). Finally I see the first group running towards me and a little past 1 mile I finally saw the people ahead of me. 

At about 1.15 miles into the 3 miles and the turn around in sight, the first thunder happens. Fuck.

I turn around. About a minute later, a torrential downpour. Like I need to build an ark downpour. First of all, I don't run in the rain, ever. I hate being wet and I would never, ever run in the rain. Did I mention I was using my phone as my GPS because I took my Garmin to work and left it there? Yeah, I did. But I had to get back to the store, so run in the rain I did. I'm sure I negative split on the way back but I was afraid to take out my phone. 

It was as awful as I expected it to be. The one bright spot was the nice lady who told me that my mascara was running down my face. Thank the Lord she did. I'm sure I looked like Alice Cooper circa the 1970s Muppet Show. 

 

I don't know that I've ever been more wet in my life. Back at the store I wrung out my shirt and left a big puddle of water on the floor. (outside the store)

I was really concerned about my phone, I was wearing a pair of pants with a pocket on the side, where I put my phone. I got back to Fleet Feet and I was super nervous. I almost went into the Whole Foods to get some rice from their bulk bin. Ugh, how pretentious. Whole Foods bulk rice. 

I was so cranky I was wet, I stomped around Whole Foods leaving little puddles behind me and even left there without getting any dinner.

On my way home it stopped raining a bit and a rainbow appeared. The rainbow ended at Chipotle. It was a sign.

A sign that I needed to get a chicken burrito bowl.

When I left Chipotle the other end of the rainbow was Starbucks. Another sign.

I really really hope this isn't the a glimpse of what's to come.

Influenster YSL Review

A few weeks ago Influenster informed me that I was selected to receive a YSL box with a new Touche Eclat Primer and Touche Eclat Blur Perfector. You know I love trying new products and this was no exception.

I was super excited when the box came in the mail. Confession, this is my first time ever trying YSL products. Ooooo snazzy

I opened the package to find 2 fill size products, in shiny gold boxes. Shiny...

The first thing I tried was the Touche Eclat Primer, (please don't ask me how to pronounce it, I understand 0 French. When we go to France later this year, all I need to know is "can I get that with the sauce on the side". Which is apparently the worst thing an American can do. Oy... back to the face stuff).

According to Sephora the Touche Elcat Blur Primer preps skin for foundation application, creating an improved, refined appearance: pores seem to be minimized, skin texture feels smoother, and skintone is more even. It’s enriched with four nourishing oils—corn oil, apricot kernel oil, passiflora oil, and rice bran oil—to leave skin feeling incredibly soft without a greasy residue. Packed with blur technology, this universal primer provides a subtle, golden shimmer for ultimate luminosity.

I used the little paddle thingie and put some of the primer on my cheeks, forehead and chin, and blended it in with my fingers. Then I applied my regular foundation with a sponge over top of it. I use this one by Benefit. 

The primer felt nice on my skin, and I really liked that it had little gold sparkles but they didn't show on your face like some horrible 1990s glitter body spray. "Glitter is the herpes of the craft world". Still one of my all time favorite quotes.

Next was the Touche Eclat Blur Prefector. Sephora says: This portable perfector is Yves Saint Laurent’s first ever blur perfector encased within a compact. It transforms from a balm to a powder upon application to soften the skin’s imperfections—creating a transparent yet subtle, rosy-glow effect. Use it alone as an allover complexion perfector, to set makeup, or as a mattifying touch up to sweep away shine and hide imperfections. Featuring one universal shade that complements all skin types, it instantly minimizes the look of pores so that skin feels smoother and the complexion appears more even. 

I tried the Blur Prefector both under and over my foundation, I tried it first on my bare face then over top of my foundation. does it work? I think so, I felt my face looked like it had fewer imperfections. My only problem was the consistency. It's supposed to turn from a balm to a powder upon application but it always felt a little greasy to me. 

All in all, these were really nice products and I'll continue to use them. Here's a pic of me after the application. I like to think the blur you see is from the YSL Blur Prefector but sadly, it's probably just my blurry phone.

These products were sent to me to review by Influenster. As always, the opinions expressed here are my own. Linking up!

Garaytreasures Link Up  Style Sessions, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish

Scenes from the Weekend

How was your weekend? I swear they go by faster and faster. I think I just need one 3 day weekend or 4 day... just a little extra break would be awesome.

Everything is picking back up again, move in at NC State was over the weekend and today starts Spririt Week, I swear they just went home for the summer. I remember having to head back to school earlier than most, because every chapter has Spirit week and recruitment practice the week before the rest of the students come back. I swear it wasn't this stinking early. Maybe I'm just getting old and my memory is failing me.

Cleo isn't amused.

Friday night we started off with a trip to Margeaux's. We hadn't been there in a while and decided to go back. After work I stopped to get my nails done and got home later than usual. The nail place I've been auditioning, meh, I'm going to keep looking. I need you to do a good job on my raggedy cuticles and to be able to do a good job painting with dark polish. If you can't do that, you can't be my nail guy.

Anywho, I apparently didn't take any pictures of my food (I had salmon) or my cosmo, which of course I had one. Afterwards we went to Yogurt Mountain and I ate the toppings off my fro-yo and saved the rest for later.

Saturday Kev and I needed to get some much needed purging done. If we have any hope of selling this house we have to get rid of some of our crap. Namely all the crap that we brought from our last house and haven't used since we moved here. 

I cleaned out a TON of clothes, re-organized my dresser, the closet and all the cabinets in the bathroom. There were a lot of things....

Saturday night we headed to the Blue Note in Durham where there was an accapella shin-dig. 7 or 8 groups were there, Kev's being one of them, and they were all singing 4 songs apiece. It was a nice event, don't get me wrong, but the venue left much to be desired. They didn't have nearly enough tables in the main area to accommodate all of the people and it was worse than standing room only. We had our names in for a table over an hour before and when they finally called us, the only space they had was in a strange side room. Oh, and the owner / manager was a giant douche. While I was asking Kev if sitting in the back was OK, he tried to give our table away and I kinda got into it with him. Yea, not a fan. The groups did a good job and everyone had a good time, the owner just really put a bad taste in my mouth.

Thankfully we didn't eat there. Instead we went to Vin Rouge, home of the delicious steak tartare. Nom nom nom....

We took a good selfie too.

On another note. my front camera has been super blurry recently.I need to figure out what's up with that. 

Sunday morning came and I headed out for my usual grocery shopping, 

I did go to a 3pm Pump class at the gym. It went something like this...

Me: Oh, my hip has been bothering me, I should lower my squat weight. Oh, that lady, who I've never seen before, and never will again, has more weight than me. I guess I could use my regular weights. This is why I have issues....

That's my weekend, tell me you did something awesome!

Linking up with BLoved Boston!AND

How to Deal with Wearing a Jumpsuit all Day

I'm pretty sure that several months ago, here on this very blog, I poo pooed the jumpsuit / romper trend. Well it's time for me to take those harsh words back.  What happened is, sadly I've reached that point in my life where styles I wore when I was younger are back. They're all back. overalls and crop tops and chunky boots for the fall.

I remember seeing trends when I was in high school and my mom would comment that they had that back in the 70s or 60s. I'd blow it off and think she was just old.

Yea, that's me now. Lordy. 

Back when I was in high school I rocked the the romper / jumpsuit. As a matter of fact, that snazzy purple number I'm wearing in my senior picture is a shorts romper. 

That bad boy buttoned up the front like a pair of pajamas. It was awesome. I also had a "casual" romper that was white with blue flowers. I'm pretty sure there was lace around the legs and I looked good. 

Oh, for clarification, I consider a romper a once piece outfit that you have to completely take off in order to pee.

Since I rocked a romper back in the day, I swore I'd never do it again.... Until I signed up for the GYPO Summer challenge and one of the items was a... you guessed it, romper. I decided to be open minded and not only did I find and fall in love with that black number but this one too,

"Resort Wear" 'yo.

I know there are a bunch of people who wore the romper back in the day but just and bring yourself to try it again. Well. I'm here to tell you you can AND give some handy tips on how you can make wearing a romper more manageable.

1. Limit your beverage intake for the day. Not even kidding. Less beverage, less pee, less getting naked in the bathroom stall.

2. Give your self extra time. I don't know about you but I'm the type of person who ignores having to potty until the last minute and then have to run to the restroom. Don't do that if you're wearing a romper. The first time you feel that twinge, lock your PC, get up and go.

3. Look for the bigger stalls, You need to take all that -ish off, ESPECIALLY if you have a jacket on over top. You need space. Head for the handi-capable stall. Nothing worse than trying to get half undressed in a tiny stall.

4. Maybe wear a tank top or camisole under your romper. That way you won't feel completely naked when it's time to half take it off in the stall.

5. I really don't have a #5, but list posts need to end on an odd number. Only having 4 things just doesn't seem right. Can I think of something.... nooooope.

Alrighty, that's all from me. I've talked about the potty far too many times in this post. Sadly, I could keep going, but I won't. Go get you a romper and rock it!

Linking up!

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Scenes from the Weekend

Happy Monday! Can you believe it's already August/!?!?! I'm actually OK with that, I'm so over summer fashion. I'm ready for some fall fashion and I know I still have at least 2 months to go. I've been thinking about my fall wardrobe recently, especially after hitting up the NAS sale. I want jackets and booties and jeans. AHHHHHH....

I know that part of my annoyance with the Summer is that our AC died on Friday. Seriously, crapped out, 95 degree heat. It's BS. Especially since our unit was new when we bought the house 5 years ago. It's all under warranty but when it dies on Friday, you have they guy come out on Saturday, they can't fix it until they order a part on Monday, your ass is sweaty and you get cranky. Soooo cranky. We braved it for 2 days but Sunday night some friends were nice enough to let us come and crash at their house.

Even though the house has been toasty, we still had a pretty decent weekend. Friday night we had reservations at Vinnie's. August is our anniversary month and that means random coupons. Like $20 off $75 at Vinnie's. That -ish came and we spent it that week. 

Best Cosmo in town, x2

Saturday morning we were up bright and early to head to the Farmers Market. Actually, it was hot and I couldn't sleep and Kev slept on the couch. We didn't sleep well, so we might as well go buy some vegetables. 

We like to go to the "big" Farmers Market, it's the NC State one. I really like the section in the back where no one seems to go. It's supposed to be for the restaurant people but the vendors sell in smaller quantities as well. It's super, super cheap over there. We ended up with all of this for $12. Really. $12

Those spaghetti squash were 2 for $1. A DOLLAR!! I've seen spaghetti squash go for as much as $7 at Whole Foods which is ridiculous. The bag of cherries was $2, 3 heads of romaine for $1, 2 pints of blueberries for $3, the watermelon was $1. Great deals. Which is good since we can't turn on the oven or anything like that. 

After the Farmers Market we went to Tupelo Honey for breakfast. It wasn't awesome. I just want a decent place for breakfast that makes nice eggs and doesn't over cook them. If you can't do eggs, you aren't a breakfast restaurant. Period.

Then I was off to look for new spin shoes, I had mine for at least 4 years and last Tuesday in class they broke on the bottom and I ended up with a blister on the bottom of my foot. It's time for a new pair.

Next to the bicycle shop is Fresh Market where I saw this...

IT BEGINS!!!

Also at the Farmers Market I got some treats for Cleo. She's a big fan.

Since we can't turn on the oven, Kev and I headed out for dinner at a new to us restaurant, Farina. As of 2 weeks ago it was Paparazzi. I really, really liked Paparazzi. Farina, not so much.

I got this blueberry / lemon / vanilla / soda drink and it was meh. It had what I can only describe as a "baby aspirin" aftertaste. 

Instead of recapping our experience, here's my Yelp review. I really anted it to be good and it just wasn't. I'm so sad and now we have to find a good Italian option in Raleigh. 

Another sweaty night, I woke up un-rested but still needed to get groceries. I went to Fresh Market, land of the Pumpkin Spice coffee, where I found this taste of heaven. 

It's everything I needed it to be, I so love me butterscotch and caramel and coffee. Om nom nom... It was flipping awesome.

Later in the day I had an appointment at a local consignment / recycle shop to try and sell some clothes. I didn't make out very well in the sales department but I did snag this Loft blouse with the tags still on it for $9.80 and this skirt for $7. I'm apparently really bad at selling things but much better at buying.

We tried to go to the pool but I was tired of being hot so we headed home after an hour. 

Now we're imposing on friends and their air conditioning. We might be here a while.

How was your weekend???

Linking up with BLoved Boston!AND

How to have a Successful Outlet Shopping Trip

I don't even try to deny that I love me some outlet mall shopping. Always have, since the first time I experienced the glory and majesty that is outlet shopping. I think part of it is due to what Kev calls, my "seemingly endless ability to walk around and look at stuff".

I don't deny it, I really can look at stuff forever.

Last week while Kev was away I opened the mailbox and saw this....

Well, well, well, I knew what I was doing on Saturday. Since I love outlet shopping so much, I thought I would share some of my favorite shopping tips.

 - Wear some comfy shoes. I can walk endlessly in sandals, so I'm good either way, but there's nothing worse than smooshed toes when you still have a lot of shopping to do! But not too comfy. Anything with laces is a no-go. I hate having to take off my shoes and re-lace them each time I try something on. Don't get me started on shopping in boots either. 

 - Be smart when you choose your outfit for the day. I saw ladies in maxi dresses and gladiator sandals on Saturday. Poor choice.... Again with the having to take everything off.

 - Stay hydrated! I stopped and got a beverage on the way there. Really though, you need to drink, unless there aren't many bathrooms at your outlet mall, or they;re far apart. In that case, drink next to nothing.

- Look for gems in unexpected places. I found these awesome shooties at the Gap outlet and they were an additional 20% off, plus my coupon. They're perfect for the fall. I'd never expect to find cute shoes at the Gap, but I've had pretty decent luck there.

- Sign up for coupons. I know. we all hate the endless sale emails, but you want those coupons when you go to the outlet. I send all those types of e-mails to my yahoo. That way I can filter out the things I care about and the junk. That weekend I had a coupon from the Gap outlet for an extra 15% off all sale and clearance. Yes please!

- For $10 Tanger Outlets will sell you a lifetime membership into their "savings club". Each time you visit you van get a coupon book that has an extra % off. I did that last year when we got my MK purse and the extra 20% off the bag more than made up the cost of the program. And they send you extra coupons. 

- Plan to visit around holiday weekends. The outlets are more crowded then, but the Labor Day / Memorial Day / Columbus Day sales are usually pretty good!

- Get something for Kev (or your Kev) when you go. It helps deflect the number of bags you bring home. :)

Those are a few tips for a successful outlet shopping trip! So, what did I get?

At the Hanes outlet I got 2 pairs of clearance crops and 2 sport bras. They were 75% off and $8 apiece. NICE! Oh, and a pair of Zella crops from Nordstrom.

I so love this waterfall / kimono / cardigan sweater from the Loft. I wore it on Monday with a black dress underneath and it was super cute. It's going to be even cuter with tights and booties in the Fall. 

Not from the outlet but one of my folks had on this sweater the other day and I fell in love with it. She got it at Target and no lie, I went and got it at lunch that day. It's so soft and perfect for the fall, or now in a cold office. 

I KNOW... I have a small cardigan problem. Really though, this one is super lightweight AND it matches the stripes in a dress I've had for a while. A white cardigan looked dumb with it but it was all I had. Until now. :) This one is from the Gap

And I totally got the gray shooties from the Gap.

All in all, a pretty successful trip! 

What re your favorite outlet shopping tips?

Things I Learned While Kev was gone

The last week Kev has been away at a convention. You may think by the collage that it was a bacon convention, sadly, it was not. But by the number of pictures of bacon he sent me, you would have thought it was.

I didn't post him being gone, I wasn't terribly concerned about anyone coming to my house and touching my butt. I was more worried that Cleo would mess someone up.

We've had various things to attend in the past and have spent a few days apart but when either of us have big conferences to attend, one usually joins the other for a few days. Since I just got back from Orlando and we're heading to Europe at the end of the year, I needed to say home and save my days. This might be the longest we've been apart since we've been married. Crazy!

Well, since Kev was gone for almost an entire week, I realized a few things would happen if I were home alone more often.

 - I would eat Mexican food almost every day if it was just me. I love me some Mexican food and Kev just isn't a fan. I might have eaten it 3 of the the last 7 days...

 - All the plants would die, We really only have one plant, and it's a pot of basil. Thankfully I remembered to water it yesterday. I didn't want him to come home to a dead plant.

 - It's quite a bit cleaner around here..... No comment

 - I would go to the gym more. Last week I went 5 times. Because it was just me and the dog. Going to the gym filled the late hours. If it wasn't for Kev, I might have abs. lol

 - The garbage would never be emptied. As I'm typing this, he comes home tomorrow and the garbage can is at critical mass. I can shove like 3 more things in there before I have to get a new bag. I can make no garbage before he gets home. Garbage is gross.

 - I would know how many rolls of paper towels I had. Before Kev left  he told me we were out of paper towels. So I spent the next 4 days wiping my fingers on my pants. Sunday I bought paper towels and when I put them in the garage, what did I find? Paper towels...

 - The dog might actually start listening to me.

 - The bed covers are always neatly tucked in and it's made when I get out of the bed.

 - There's no one to tell me not to buy naughty food. I had golden Oreos and hot tamales while he was away. It's all delicious, but I don't need them. Thankfully I went to the gym 5 times.

 - It's also pretty lonely. I'm glad that he's finally home! Welcome back Kev!!

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