PopFitLife

Spartan Race Training Recap - 5/19

2013-05-19T05:00:00.000-04:00

There are only a couple weeks left until I participate in the Reebok Spartan Sprint on June 2, 2013. I really need to step up my training, but unfortunately my work week and the weather weren't really cooperating. This week I took a lot of SoulCycle classes which are great for cardio and weights, but I really want to get back into running and strength training. I see great results with running. I'm hoping I can get more done next week. Here is what I accomplished this week:

Monday - SoulCycle with Erin

Tuesday - SoulCycle with Chanelle and Abby

Wednesday - SoulCycle with Conor

Thursday - Run with Fitness Magazine for #FitBlogNYC

Friday - Rest

Saturday - Rest

Sunday - SoulCycle with Abby + 6.2 miles in 57:50

If you have any workout suggestions from blogs or YouTube, please send them to me via e-mail or the comments below. I love trying new things!

Stay fit and fabulous,

Adventures with Mom: Part II

2013-05-16T05:00:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned previously, my mom came to visit me in NYC for a long weekend. Be sure to check out my recap of Saturday's events - my mom's first SoulCycle class, the Five Boro Bike Tour expo, the Brooklyn Bridge, and dinner at the Trailer Park Lounge - if you haven't already.

Sunday morning, we woke up bright and early for the Five Boro Bike Tour. I don't remember where I first heard about this event, but I've wanted to do it for over a year and a half! I'll do a separate post on the Five Boro Bike Tour, but here are some sneak peek photos:

Although it isn't a race, it took a lot longer to bike the 40 miles around Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island than I thought (although we took our sweet time). We were still on Staten Island at 4pm, so it mixed up the rest of our Sunday plans. We grabbed a ferry back to Manhattan, had dinner while getting ready in our hotel room, and then made our way to our second amazingly fun event of the day - the MasterCard Priceless Premieres concert featuring Justin Timberlake!

My stepmom was kind (and lucky!) enough to get my mom and I tickets for this sold out show. The concert took place at the Roseland Ballroom, which is a very intimate setting for a JT concert! The venue was set up with just a bar in back and a large, open space in front of the stage which we all crowded against.

Timbaland made an appearance as well as many other celebs that came out to enjoy the show!

As usual, Justin put on a spectacular performance featuring all of his greatest hits plus more. In honor of one of his latest singles, he rocked a suit and tie the whole show which I loved (although his latest accessory - the wedding ring - is a dagger to my heart...)! My fourteen year crush on him continues on. Can you blame me? The guy has a great voice, killer dance moves, he isn't too terrible to look at, and he can captivate a room for hours. Someday I will cross of #54 on my bucket list - meet Justin Timberlake!

Post-concert, my mom and I made our way to Serendipity 3 to knock off #11 on my bucket list - try their famous frozen hot chocolate! Serendipity is known for their desserts including their $1,000 Golden Opulence Sundae. No worries - their frozen hot chocolate is more reasonably priced at $8.95. I've heard previously that their regular food is nothing special, and I'd have to agree. My mom and I randomly split a broccoli and cheese omelet that was just only so-so. The frozen hot chocolate, on the other hand, was fabulous! I've never seen a larger dessert in my entire life (the photo doesn't do it any justice). If you have a bucket list, I definitely recommend stopping by Serendipity 3 to taste it.

We didn't get back until about midnight. While still fairly early, we were exhausted from the day's activities. Check back tomorrow for my recap of Monday, my mom's final day in the city.

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

Adventures with Mom: Part I

2013-05-15T05:00:00.000-04:00

My mom recently came to visit me, and we had a wonderful long weekend exploring CT and NYC! On Saturday, we kicked off her first full day in town at SoulCycle in Conor's class. She has done cycling at her gym in Atlanta, but this was her first SoulCycle class. It's a little different than your average cycling session...

For lunch, we hit up Capriccio Cafe in Stamford, CT because they have outdoor seating and the weather was gorgeous. We shared the margherita pizza and the farfalle salmone (bow tie pasta with salmon). It's my go-to meal whenever I eat there. So good!

After briefly showing her around Stamford, we headed back into the city to hit up the expo for the TD Five Boro Bike Tour before it closed at 7pm. The expo was put together nicely and run really well. Although we checked out all the booths, we didn't spend much time there since we aren't serious cyclists. We did do what we do best though - take advantage of all the random photo ops:

Because we were in Lower Manhattan, we decided to make our way to the Brooklyn Bridge. I walked the Brooklyn Bridge solo a few weeks ago, and it easily made its way to the top of my list of Coolest Things I've Done in NYC. It's free, it's chill, and it has beautiful views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Statue of Liberty.

After that adventure, we hit up the Trailer Park Lounge. I forget where I first read about it (probably on a blog somewhere), but it was #145 on my bucket list. While the food isn't anything special (We split nachos, a Sloppy Joe with tater tots, and Moon Pies for dessert.), it's definitely a fun atmosphere. The walls are covered in old, colorful junk, and there is a full sized trailer parked in the middle. I really enjoy over-the-top, cheesy places like that.

We made our way back to TriBeCa post-dinner to rest up for Sunday's Five Boro Bike Tour. I'll be doing a separate post on that soon, but tomorrow I'll be recapping the rest of Sunday's activities.

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

Movie Review: The Great Gatsby

2013-05-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

It finally happened. After months of anticipation (especially after they postponed the release date from December to May), I finally got to experience The Great Gatsby! On Sunday, I planned a little movie date with my friends from work. It was tough avoiding reviews on Friday and Saturday. While movie critics seemed to love it, I was reading a lot of negative feedback on Facebook and blogs. I didn't want them to influence my own opinion of the film.

I ended up really enjoying the movie! I keep telling everyone that I think it's beautiful and fantastic. Below are the main things that caught my attention:

Photo from here.

The Director: If you don't like Australian director Baz Luhrmann's style then you won't enjoy this movie. I loved Moulin Rouge! and Romeo + Juliet, so I was really looking forward to experiencing Luhrmann's interpretation of The Great Gatsby. He's a very bold director though, so I can see how he might not be every one's cup of tea.

The Film: One comment I didn't ignore was people's thoughts on 2D vs. 3D. I read really negative posts about the 3D version being over-the-top and cartoonish. Because of that, I made sure I saw the 2D version (and I'm glad I did!). The film is already very colorful, artsy, and has a lot going on especially during the NYC and party scenes - I can see how watching it in 3D could be a little overwhelming.

The Music: I read a Facebook post about how the music completely ruined the film, but I have to disagree. I thought it was wonderful! I'm absolutely obsessed with the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack, so I had high hopes for The Great Gatsby's music. I love how Luhrmann takes classics songs from Elton John and Queen and sets them to a story that takes place in 1900 for Moulin Rouge!. For Gatsby, he took a little Beyonce and Kanye and made it work in a 1920's setting. When "Crazy in Love Kid" started playing during the movie, I couldn't help but smile.

Photo from here.

The Cast: Leo made a perfect Jay Gatsby in my opinion. I thought it was cute that his real life bestie, Toby Maguire, played Nick Carraway. Carey Mulligan was lovely as Daisy - it was easy to both adore and despise her character. My only complaint is that Isla Fisher (LOVED her since Wedding Crashers) is in the movie for all but about 10 seconds and 5 of those seconds she is playing a dead body! (No, I didn't ruin the movie for you if you paid any sort of attention in high school English class...)

The Story: Speaking of English class, I thought the movie did a good job of sticking true to the original story. A lot of the script seemed to come straight from the pages of the book. As with Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, it's hard to take such a classic tale and spin it in a modern way without people complaining about it. I bet it's also difficult to keep people interested in a movie when they already know the ending. Luhrmann did a good job completing both tasks.

Photo from here.

The Fashion: The 1920's fashion and accessories might have been my favorite part of the whole movie. Obviously, I'm already a sucker for guys in great suits, so this movie was my heaven. The ladies looked just as stunning in their lace and beaded outfits. Daisy's flowy, feminine dresses were my favorite, but her Tiffany jewelry definitely stole the show. The first shot of Daisy includes just her left hand and her enormous engagement ring. It's so beautiful! Her diamond and pearl headpiece she rocks at one of Gatby's parties might be my second favorite favorite piece of jewelry (It can be yours for only $200,000!). I saw both pieces at Tiffany on 5th Avenue, and they are breathtakingly gorgeous in person!

While The Great Gatsby doesn't break my Top 5 Favorite Movies List, I still really enjoyed the film. Luhrmann and the cast did a wonderful job of representing the Jazz Age Era and F. Scott Fitzgerald's tragic tale. Plus, the soundtrack is amazing. I've been jamming out to it as I type this...

If you saw the movie this weekend let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

Restaurant Review: New Haven's BAR

2013-05-13T05:00:00.000-04:00

Right before New Year's Eve, Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie and I grabbed lunch at BAR in New Haven, CT. Our lunch date took place hours before my dad ended up in the hospital, so I never got around to blogging about it. But, BAR is definitely blog-worthy!

BAR, famous for its brick oven pizza and micro brewed beer, is located on Crown Street in a beautiful wood and brick building. It includes multiple rooms with different atmospheres including a room with a dance floor, but Erin and I just ate lunch in the main "Bru Room".

For starters, Erin and I split the BAR salad. It was topped with pears, caramelized pecans, blue cheese, and a vinaigrette dressing. It was really delicious and huge - a family of four could easily split it!

For our main course, we ordered the famous mashed potato pizza! It was the food item I was most looking forward to eating because I had heard so many great things about it, and it did not disappoint. I'm pretty sure you can add other topping such as more cheese and bacon, but we just ate it plain. With the garlic potatoes, the pizza doesn't really need much else. Like the salad, the pizza was huge especially for only two people. Don't let the thin crust fool you, the pizza is very filling! While I recommend ordering it if you make your way to BAR, I suggest splitting it with at least four people or plan to take home leftovers.

I've heard of Chicago and New York's battle to claim Best Pizza, but until I moved to CT, I wasn't aware that CT was trying to claim that title as well. There are supposedly many delicious pizza joints located in Northern CT, and BAR is known as one of the best (mostly for it's pizza crust and mashed potato toppings).

I'd love to return to BAR for some more pizza and beer sometime soon. A day of hiking Sleeping Giant in Hamden, CT followed by a meal at BAR sounds like the perfect summer day! I might just have to get on that. Who's with me?!

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

My Current Fitness Challenge - Become A Spartan

2013-05-09T06:46:00.000-04:00

Photo from here.

My next race will be the Reebok Spartan Race on June 2nd in New York! The Spartan Race is a timed obstacle course event with four different levels of TOUGH - the Spartan Sprint, Super Spartan (8+ miles, 20+ obstacles), Spartan Beast (12+ miles, 25+ obstacles), and the Death Race (unknown). I will be participating in the Reebok Spartan Sprint, a 3+ mile course filled with over 15 obstacles. You know, starting "easy" and working my way up ;o)

Photo from here.

Reebok, the event's sponsor, wants to empower people to get off the couch, get active, and be fit for life! Reebok partnered with the Spartan Race series in January 2013 as a way to promote this lifestyle. Participants will be challenged mentally and physically as they make their way through the course. Along the way to becoming a Spartan, runners will face obstacles such as fire, mud, barbed wire, multiple climbing walls, a spear throw, and my person favorite - the gladiator arena. I'm down. Are you?!

Photo from here.

While I have completed two obstacle races before, they do not compare to the Reebok Spartan Race. The races I did previously were more of fun "mud runs" with obstacles. They weren't even timed. This makes me both nervous and excited for this upcoming challenge! To train, I'm continuing cardio sessions of SoulCycle classes mixed with runs (2-6 miles) and adding more strength training. In addition, I will be working on my burpees - the dreaded punishment if you don't complete any of the obstacles. On Sundays, I will post recaps of my training from the previous week.

Interested in testing your own strength, endurance and resilience? Sign up for a race at the Reebok or Spartan Race websites. With 71 events happening worldwide in 2013 alone, there is bound to be a race near you! With a little training and the right mind set, we can all be Spartans!

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

I'm Back!

2013-05-08T06:45:00.001-04:00

I made this collage as I was leaving NYC yesterday - I love this city!

It has been a hot minute since my last post, but so much has been going on! I've spent the last 5 days playing tour guide around NYC while my mom was visiting. We had an amazing time, and I can't wait to tell you all about it. In addition, many exciting things are happening with my blog, so I'm just trying to keep up! I have a bunch of neat posts planned for the next few days:

Multiple restaurant reviews

Recap of the 5 Boro Bike Tour

Recap of Mastercard's Priceless Premieres concert featuring Justin Timberlake

Multiple items crossed off my bucket list

Announcement of my next race!

Photos from the Met Gala red carpet

Multiple posts related to The Great Gatsby...I'm beyond excited for the movie this weekend!

On Thursday and Friday, I will be heading back into the city to check out some of Reebok's latest products and gear. I can't wait to report back! I know this post is somewhat of a tease - I just wanted you all to know I haven't forgotten about my blog and that I have a bunch of exciting things to post about in the near future. Check back tomorrow for the announcement of my next race/my training plan!

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

Spring and Summer Fun!

2013-04-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

Spring is definitely on its way! This week I've taken walks in the park with Lily, drove around town with the sunroof open, and enjoyed meals outside. I'm absolutely loving it! While I was nervous to experience my first real New England winter, I survived. Winter isn't my favorite time of year, but it really does make me enjoy the warmer seasons more. Trust me - I won't be taking spring and summer for granted any longer! The best part of this week? I came home to this last night!:

Pool party, anyone?!

Here are some things I'm looking forward to this spring/summer:

Pool: You best believe I will be spending all my extra time at the pool this summer. It is the most convenient way to relax while soaking up some summer sun. I'm really looking forward to reading there and hanging out with friends.

Beaches: While northern beaches got nothing on the southern beaches, I'm really excited to see what they are all about this summer. I live along the Long Island Sound, so the beaches aren't too far at all. I'm mostly looking forward to jumping on a paddleboard again this summer. Plus, word on the street is that everyone spends their weekends at the Hamptons Thursday through Sunday, so hopefully I'll get a chance to see what that's all about as well. I'll miss my soft, white, southern beaches though!

Outdoor Dining: My friends and I already have plans to go on some picnics once the weather is nice. I loved going on picnics at Sweetheart Circle while in college, so it should be fun. When we aren't in the mood to cook and sit on the ground, we can hit up one of the many places in Stamford, Greenwich, or New York City that has outdoor seating. I noticed during my run earlier this week that the tables and umbrellas are already out!

Outdoor Concerts: The amount of outdoor concerts that I'm excited about this summer is insane! Justin Timberlake and Jay Z are playing Yankee Stadium two nights in July. LOVE! Governors Ball, a three day music festival on Randall's Island, is happening June 7-9th. I really want to see Kings of Leon and the Lumineers, but of course they are playing on different days. In addition, Alive @ Five, a weekly summer concert series in Stamford, begins again soon. While I'm not too impressed with anyone on the line up, I might just head down there to see what it's all about. I've heard good things!

Central Park: Central Park is amazing anytime of year, but it's especially gorgeous in the summer. I can't wait to enjoy my favorite part of the city during the warm months ahead.

Sleeping Giant: Sleeping Giant is a mountain outside of New Haven that obviously looks like a sleeping giant. I wanted to hike it in the fall, but Hurricane Sandy ruined my plans. I'm definitely going to make my way up there this summer, and maybe stop by BAR in New Haven for a little mashed potato pizza along the way.

What fun things are on your list this summer? Let me know in the comments below!

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

Pinterest Projects: Slutty Brownies

2013-04-24T05:00:00.000-04:00

My friend, Margaret, decided to make slutty brownies this week. I didn't know them by name, but I've definitely seen this delicious dessert floating around Pinterest. Slutty brownies consist of...

A top layer of brownies!

A middle layer of Oreo cookies!

A bottom layer of chocolate chip cookies!

(...these are a few of my favorite things!)

Make the cookie and brownie mixes as directed. Tip: Homemade chocolate chip cookie dough makes the best slutty brownies according to Margaret! Layer the desserts in a pan. Set the oven for 375*F. Depending on the thickness, these brownies should bake for about 40 minutes. Margaret suggests checking with a toothpick at the 30 minute mark. When the toothpick comes out clean, the slutty brownies are done! (If you want to torture your friends, feel free to text them photos of each step like Margatet did...)

I suggest serving these with a tall glass of milk...although you'd be surprised how many people I've met up here that hate milk!

The final step - ENJOY!

What's your favorite dessert recipe? Let me know in the comments below!

Stay fit and fabulous (but always save room for dessert too!),

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

Throwback Thursday: Adventures of A and Flat Kennedy in NYC

2013-04-18T09:32:00.002-04:00

This isn't technically a "throwback" post since it happened last week, but I'm just now getting around to writing about it. Wednesday I went into the city for some fun in the sun (Thankfully, the weather was actually gorgeous!). Since I wanted to take advantage of the beautiful day, I decided to get off the train in Harlem instead of Midtown and walk the extra 83 blocks through Central Park. As I type this, I can see how that sounds crazy, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Plus, it gave me more chances to take photos of Flat Kennedy with different city landmarks.

Along the way, I finally found the mysterious Belvedere Castle in the middle of Central Park. I saw it in a CSI: NY episode once, and I've always wanted to find it. It's the perfect castle for a city princess! Central Park was filled with people enjoying the coat-free day and soaking up some vitamin D. I was happy to be one of them.

I was getting a little hot after trekking through the park, so I decided to stop for ice cream. Whenever I'm not searching for ice cream, there seems to be a shop on every corner. This isn't the case when finding an ice cream or fro-yo joint is your life's mission. I used my map app, and it brought me to je & jo in Hell's Kitchen. While it wasn't exactly the ice cold chocolate milkshake I was looking for, my je & jo ice cream cup hit the spot. The strange (yet amazing) thing about their ice cream cups is that each flavor has cookie dough in it because...well, why not?! While $4.50 for a 4oz. serving of ice cream is robbery in my book, I probably didn't need any more than that. My only real issue was that je & jo serves their cute cups with wooden spoons! Wooden spoons give me the heebee-jeebees, and while one isn't supposed to eat ice cream with a metal spoon because it ruins the flavor, I believe wooden spoons shouldn't be used unless you are a peasant in the Middle Ages.

I took my ice cream down to the Hudson River, so Flat Kennedy could ohh and ahh over the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum and the Enterprise space shuttle. Plus, the breeze off the water felt amazing. A few blocks south, I jumped on the High Line. If you ever get the chance to walk the High Line, I recommend it. It's an old railway line about two stories above the NYC streets which has been transformed into a beautiful park spanning from Gansevoort Street to 30th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues. The High Line views and art make it worthwhile especially if you are going to be walking north or south anyway. (Sidenote: Thanks to Instagram, I discovered that people are petitioning to make a Low Line - an underground equivalent of the High Line from an old trolley terminal in the Lower East Side. How cool?!)

After, I made my way to Union Square Park to meet my friend, Penn. We made an immediate bee-line for Popeyes when we discovered one on 14th Street. Penn and I are both from Atlanta, and we love our food. She gave blood earlier in the day, so we stopped in for some mid-afternoon fried chicken, beans and rice, coleslaw, biscuits with honey, and Arnold Palmers (half sweet tea, half lemonade). Later when we were in search of an outlet to plug in Penn's phone, our only option was a place called Pop Burger on 9th Avenue. We weren't hungry, but we bought a cookie and Coke anyway. Every one's burgers looked absolutely delicious! The restaurant's vibe was neat too - the Jetsons meet a 1950's diner. I'm definitely adding it to my list of restaurants to try.

Later in the evening, we met up with our friend Teresa for drinks and girl talk at SoHo House. SoHo House is a private members club and hotel in the Meatpacking District. It includes a restaurant, screening room, rooftop bar and pool, photo booth, and more! I still want to move to SoHo to live amongst the amazing restaurants and art all the while being fabulous, but I think I can include SoHo House in my future fabulous lifestyle. It would only be a short stroll from SoHo. A girl can dream...

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

My 2013 Summer Movies List!

2013-04-17T05:40:00.000-04:00

I seriously adore movies. One of my favorite feelings in the world is that moment when the previews begin after waiting what seems like forever in a dark theater. Unfortunately, due to outrageous ticket prices, I don't go as often as I used to. Unlike in middle school when the local theater was the Friday night hot spot, I rarely go these days unless there is something I really want to see. I must say marking much anticipated movie premiere dates in my calendar months in advance does help build the excitement though! Below are the five movies I am really looking forward to watching this summer. I will definitely be seeing The Great Gatsby in theaters in a month! Will you?:

The Great Gatsby - May 10

Duh. I've been excited to see this movie since before I can remember, and I was really bummed when they pushed the premiere date from December to May. Fortunately, May is now just around the corner! While there is a slight chance this movie might not live up to everything I've imagined, I don't know how it can go wrong with the star-studded cast, amazing soundtrack, and a script inspired by the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic. I'm already planning a viewing party where I will be rocking my "I party with Jay Gatsby" t-shirt. Would you expect anything less from me?!

The Hangover 3 - May 24

I was really disappointed with The Hangover 2, but I'm hoping they learned from their mistakes for the third installment. Plus, it's the final film of the trilogy, so I hope they went BIG! I really love these actors, and I'm hoping going back to Vegas - where it all began - will help this film be as good as the first one.

Now You See Me - May 31

I'll probably wait to see this based on the reviews it receives, but to me this looks like Ocean's Eleven meets a magic show. Plus it has Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson (Zombieland reunion!), Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman (Batman reunion!), James Franco's little brother, Dave, and Isla Fisher! What are your thoughts?

The Bling Ring - June 14

The Bling Ring is a movie based on the real life robberies of celebs' Hollywood homes from 2008-2009. The robbers stole millions of dollars in cash and jewelry from celebrities like Paris Hilton and Rachel Bilson. The kicker? The robbers were a group of local teenagers that robbed female celebrities because they admired their fashion sense. I'm excited for this movie because I think it's a fascinating true story. Plus, Sophia Coppola is directing and my girl Emma Watson is staring!

Despicable Me 2 - July 5
One word: MINIONS!

What movies are you looking forward to this summer? Let me know in the comments below!

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

2013 Sports Bra Challenge

2013-04-16T10:00:00.000-04:00

This weekend I participated in the SEAK Foundation's 2013 Sports Bra Challenge. The SEAK Foundation is a non-profit organization that encourages women to be proud of their own bodies. It promotes fitness as a way to gain confidence. It has the SEAK Builds Confidence Project which works with public and private schools to create a custom fitness program for each school so the schools' students get the most out of their fitness experience. Also, the SEAK Foundation will host the SEAK Builds Confidence Retreat in 2014. This will be a week-long program for women ages 16-22 years old who deal or have dealt with eating disorders or some sort of negative body image issues. The Sports Bra Challenge is a way for the SEAK Foundation to raise money for these wonderful projects. In addition, money raised from the Sports Bra Challenge also benefits City of Hope's Positive Image Center - a place where patients can learn how to minimize the cosmetic side effects of illness or medical treatments such as hair loss.

I heard about this event through SoulCycle friends, and I was immediately intrigued! I registered in early March with six of my SoulCycle buds. The anticipation grew from there. We shopped for sports bras together, worked out together, and even "practiced" rocking just our sports bras in SoulCycle classes to prepare for Sunday's event. It brought us closer together as we encouraged each other to eat right and exercise.

On the day of the event, we made our way to Union Square Park in NYC. 300 bikes were set up in the middle of the park. Since my typical SoulCycle class has 60 bikes, it was a really neat sight to see!

We checked in and headed straight for the sponsor booths. Supergoop was there giving out free samples of sunscreen. I've never heard of it before, but I'll have to buy some from Ulta or Sephora. It is packed with antioxidents! My favorite booth might have been the one for Calorie Count though, a phone app that keeps track of your calorie and water intake as well as your fitness activities. (I downloaded Calorie Count yesterday to give it a shot, and it's actually really interesting! Not only is it cool to have a log of what I'm eating, but it also breaks it down into graphs at the end of the day. I definitely recommend it.) The neat thing about their tent is that they had a trail mix bar! The trail mix bar included raisins, dried apricots, sunflower seeds, almonds, and chocolate chips. It was perfect! I'm going to make my own after my grocery store run today.

We also couldn't resist a little photobooth fun!:

At noon, it was time for our SoulCycle class to begin with instructors Melanie and Stacey. While I've taken numerous classes before, none of them have compared to this experience - the sunlight, the pack of 300 women (and a few men), the spectators, the energy! Union Square Park was definitely full of love, confidence, and SOUL that afternoon!

I'm already looking forward to participating in the 2014 Sports Bra Challenge! Sunday's event was the third annual challenge, and they seem to get bigger and better every year. I cannot wait to see what next year has in store. Can't make it to NYC? According to the SEAK Foundation's Facebook page, the Sports Bra Challenge is going nationwide soon. Follow their page to see if they are coming to a city near you!

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

Weekend Recap: Sushi and Sports Bras

2013-04-15T13:54:00.003-04:00

This weekend was a lot of fun, and I'm excited for this upcoming week as well (with what is hopefully a restful weekend!). It all kicked off Friday evening with my sushi dinner date. Earlier last week I was craving sushi and a Shirley Temple, and I finally got it Friday during a date night with my friend, Katie. We went to Fin II in Downtown Stamford. We split a California roll, a spicy yellowtail roll, a shrimp tempura roll, a Fin roll, and a tempura lobster roll. I also ordered a Shirley Temple, my Japanese restaurant usual. The dinner was filled with delicious food and girl talk. We topped it off with some New York cheesecake and vanilla ice cream. Delish!

I took it easy Saturday evening because I knew I was going all out for Sunday Funday the next day! I took a SoulCycle class with Nina in the afternoon, napped, and spent my evening on the couch watching Twilight movies. Sad but true.

Sunday morning, I woke up bright and early to meet my friends in Union Square Park for the 2013 Sports Bra Challenge. I'm going to do a separate post on this event tomorrow morning, so check back then for photos and details! Here is some photobooth fun to hold you over until then:

After the outdoor cycling class with SoulCycle instructors Melanie and Stacey, we grabbed brunch at The Half Pint in the West Village. Our brunch location changed twice and then I found out that The Half Pint's brunch menu recently changed from the one posted on their website. Needless to say, it was an emotional roller coaster trying to pick a brunch item for this new foodie!

I settled between the breakfast nachos and the Whopper pancakes. Our server suggested the pancakes, so I went with her recommendation and a mimosa. While delicious, the Whopper candies didn't do much for the meal except create random crunchy spots in my pancakes. I immediately regretted my decision - I should've gone with the breakfast nachos! Next time I guess... The Half Pint also has a bottomless drink deal for brunch - just add $12 to any entree. Unfortunately, they don't tell you this deal is over when you're done eating (Thankfully, my table had me - the slowest eater on the planet!).

I ended my Sunday Funday exhausted on the couch. Did you happen to catch the MTV Movie Awards? I was a little disappointed with the opening number. I was expecting big things from the cast of Pitch Perfect. At least Skylar Astin was nice to look at! The summer movie trailers made it worth while though. Look out for a post later this week on the movies I'm most excited to see this summer season!

Check back tomorrow morning for my recap of the 2013 Sports Bra Challenge!

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

Weekend Recap: Festivals, Flat People, & Fabulousness

2013-04-09T05:00:00.000-04:00

Photo from here.

Friday: Single day tickets went on sale Friday for the Governors Ball Music Festival (June 7-9, 2013). Unfortunately the two bands I really wanted to see - Kings of Leon and The Lumineers - are playing on separate days, so I have to pick one or the other. I'm still debating between Friday and Sunday and talking it over with friends. Feel free to throw out your opinion in the comments below!

Saturday: Saturday morning I took an early morning SoulCycle class with Chanelle. The energy and the music were amazing, and it made waking up for the 7am class well worth it. When was the last time you heard Pretty Fly (For a White Guy) by The Offspring?! It made my morning!

After class, I headed into the city for an adventure with Flat Kennedy, my niece's elementary school project. Flat Stanley is a book about Stanley, a child flattened by a bulletin board. His parents decide to take advantage of the situation, and instead of buying him a plane ticket for their upcoming trip, they send him in the mail because it's cheaper. While I realize that actually sounds like a terrible children's story as I write this, the Flat Stanley project is quite popular. It helps children learn about different parts of the world and how to address/mail a letter.

These guys wanted to put Flat Kennedy in their movie!

I spent all of Saturday walking around NYC taking photos of Flat Kennedy with some of the city's most famous landmarks. Thankfully, the weather was gorgeous! I started at Grand Central and walked all the way to Brooklyn and back. I haven't spent much time in lower Manhattan, so it was actually really neat. SoHo was probably my favorite area. There are so many restaurants and art galleries - good people watching opportunities! I checked out many paintings along the way. It made me want to go home and get my paint on! SoHo was so pretty that it inspired this tweet:

Who's with me?!

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is now probably in my Top 5 coolest NYC experiences! I also got to mark it off my bucket list - #130!

It was a gorgeous day!

I'm in love with this photo!

I couldn't resist since I love "Ho Hey" by The Lumineers!

I was completely spent by 6pm that evening, so I headed home to make fish and asparagus and watch some TV. After I mapped the day's adventures, I realized I walked 14.48 miles around the city - over the distance of a half marathon. Insane! I'm heading back into the city on Wednesday to finish taking photos with Flat Kennedy, check out the Museum of the American Gangster, and have dinner with some work friends. I'm really looking forward to it!

Sunday: I took it easy during most of the day on Sunday. In the afternoon, I decided to do a double at SoulCycle with some friends for Ryan F.'s classes. Sunday marks one week until the 2013 Sports Bra Challenge in Union Square and summer is right around the corner, so it's on! The first class wasn't too bad, but I didn't know if I'd make it through the second one. My legs were just not having it after walking all day on Saturday!

I decided that yesterday would be a good rest day, but I had to make it an active rest day once I saw the weather report! LOVE that spring is coming!

How was your weekend? Is spring on its way in your neck of the woods? Let me know in the comments below!

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

One of Those Days...

2013-04-02T07:00:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was just one of those days. While it should have been one of my favorite days of the year as of yet - the sun was out, I didn't have to wear a coat, and I got to stroll through Central Park (one of my favorite places) - I didn't see it that way. On the contrary, I let small hiccups get under my skin and stress me out. Instead of walking around the city in awe of the architecture, history, and people as usual, I became what people think of when they imagine a "stereotypical New Yorker". I was fast-paced and annoyed with everyone I came in contact with. The line for lunch? Longer than it needs to be! The kid slowly walking in front of me? Move. Get out the way! I never want to be like that again in my magical city...

Yesterday was just one of those days. Even after I arrived back in CT, I couldn't shake the mindset I was in from my city adventure. It was raining during my walk home from the train station. There was traffic on my way to work. I had stuffed myself with Shake Shack even though I wanted to kick-start healthy eating habits on the 1st of the month, so I was feeling terrible. It was a Murphy's Law kind of day...

When I got to work I was greeted with smiling faces and kind words. While an issue or two popped up, it was nothing we couldn't figure out/fix together. In addition, my co-worker brought in my new Michael Kors Hamilton tote she picked up for me...and a mint hot chocolate from Starbucks...and a pink cake pop. #daymade I also had some time to reflect on the morning's events, my current "problems" in life, and on my day at work.

You know what I realized? This life I live isn't too shabby at all. I'm blessed to be able to spend random days in one of the greatest cities in the world. I'm blessed to have wonderful opportunities. I'm blessed to have amazing and thoughtful co-workers that I can call 'friends'. I'm blessed to have a job I love - a job that's my happy place. I'm blessed.

Yesterday was just one of those days...and I couldn't be more grateful.

Stay fit and fabulous,

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Random Rhinestones: Happy April 1st!

2013-04-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

I hate that I haven't been publishing daily posts in what seems like for...ev..er... I literally feel like all I do is work, sleep, and eat unless a friend invites me to do something fun. In that case, I have to say yes, right?! I need to start planning nightly dates with my blog as well. I've missed it. Today's post is just a Random Rhinestones blog on happenings in my life and my latest obsessions.

The Bachelor

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter then you know I applied to be on ABC's The Bachelor in December. They contacted me and requested that I send in a video - similar to a vlog. I'll keep you posted on if I get another call after they watch it.

Snapchat

This iPhone app is seriously addicting. It's pretty simple - you send photos to your friends that last only ten seconds or less. The best part is that you can write and doodle on them before you click "send". The only way to save these photos is to take a screenshot, but you will receive a notification if one of your friends does this. Download it and have fun!

The Month of No Plans...

I posted this photo the other day on Instagram. I can't decide if a month of zero plans is depressing or amazing. I'm going to go with amazing! Hopefully I won't be so sleepy all the time like in February and March and I will save money for some summer fun! I do have two things marked on my calendar though. On April 14, I will be participating in the Sports Bra Challenge and sometime this month I need to stop by the Museum of the American Gangster to use my Groupon deals before they expire.

HBO
Many people recommended I watch the show Girls. I was instantly hooked! It's like Sex and the City but better and more realistic. I'm pretty sure I watched the first two seasons in a week. Now I'm patiently waiting for the next season to air. #storyofmylife I also rewatched season 2 of Game of Thrones before the premiere last night. While I enjoy Girls more, Game of Thrones can be just as addicting. I look forward to seeing what the third season has in store. (All of these shows can be found on OnDemand if you are interested.) Keep it coming, HBO!

Photo from here.

Michael Kors Hamilton Striped Canvas North South Tote
This bag will soon be mine! I cannot wait to rock it this spring/summer. It's so gorgeous, no?!

Let me know what you are currently obsessed with in the comments below!

Stay fit and fabulous,

A

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My Spring 2013 Goals List!

2013-03-20T07:00:00.000-04:00

1. Get crafty. I remembered to grab my paintbrushes while visiting GA, so I can get my paint on now. I love to paint and do other crafty things, but I haven't really done anything since my move. That's about to change! Other than paintings, I think my next project is going to be a custom made sports bra for the 2013 Sports Bra Challenge.

2. Schedule a date night to the Museum of the American Gangster. I purchased a Groupon for two tickets to the Museum of the American Gangster which expire mid-April. My friend Angela @ Runner in Denial accompanied me to the Spy Exhibit after I bought that Groupon. It was actually really interesting! Maybe I can convince her to be my date this time too.

3. Rock out at the 2013 Sports Bra Challenge! I'm nervous/excited for this event! I can't wait to spend the day having fun with my friends and hundreds of other women for such an awesome cause, but I've also never rocked a work out in just a sports bra before. I'll be sure to do a blog post after the event takes place on April 14!

4. Get rid of my To-Do List. I have this To-Do List filled with semi-easy tasks that has been looming over my head for months. Isn't that the worst?! I just need to sit down and cross them off. Easier said than done obviously...

5. Be an awesome tour guide. I am so excited for my mom to visit at the beginning of May. She hasn't been up here since I moved, and she's only been to NYC once for work. I'm looking forward to showing her the sights (the 5 Boro Bike Tour will help me out with that!), eat some yummy food, and hopefully mark some things off my Bucket List. I already have some fun things planned!

6. Attend a SoulCycle new studio grand opening! SoulCycle is opening a bunch of new studios in the upcoming months in the NYC-area. Unfortunately, I missed the Greenwich studio opening because I was in FL for a race, but I'd love to attend a different studio opening if possible. They seem like so much fun!

7. Plan a trip to CA. I'll be making my way out to the West Coast come the end of May. I haven't been back to Cali in two years, so I'm stoked! I'm already making fun plans for that trip, but I need to go ahead and book it...

8. Attend a summer concert. Summer concerts seem to be really popular up here. I'd love to hit up the Legends of the Summer concert with JT and Jay Z and/or the Governors Ball Music Festival. I haven't purchased tickets yet (Legends of the Summer tickets have been hard to find!), but I'm on the hunt.

9. Read 5 books. I can't wait to read these books while chillaxing poolside...

10. Mark 3 items off my Bucket List. I haven't been giving my Bucket List much attention recently. I blame the cold weather. I fully plan to take advantage of the warmth and sunshine and mark at least three items off my list before the summer season officially begins on June 21st.

What are your goals for spring? Let me know in the comments below!

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

Winter Goals Recap!

2013-03-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

Even though there is snow on the ground here in good old CT, tomorrow is actually the first day of spring. Because winter is officially over (at least according to the calendar), I can recap my goals list from the season. I rocked my Winter Goals List if I do say so myself!

rocking my medal!

~~1. Complete my first full marathon.~~ I am officially a marathoner after completing the 20th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon! I completed the race with a time of 5:36, didn't lose any toenails, and had a blast!

relaxing...eating...

~~2. Get ready for bikini season.~~ SoulCycle has also been helping me get bikini body ready. While pool days and beach visits are just around the corner, I'm actually more concerned about preparing for the 2013 Sports Bra Challenge in April. During this event, I'll be rocking just a sports bra in New York City's Union Square along with hundreds of other women. I'll do a post on it soon. My countdown to the 2013 Sports Bra Challenge began one month out on March 14th, and I've been hitting up SoulCycle daily ever since.

soaking up sun with my momma

~~3. Plan a vacation somewhere warmer.~~ I got to hit up sunny FL twice during the winter months. Actually being able to lay out by the pool and soak up some sun in February was just what I needed! In addition, I took a trip to Atlanta for my sister's bridal shower and bachelorette party. While there wasn't pool weather there yet, not having to wear a coat made me one happy camper.

~~4. Apply to law school.~~ I almost got to this one. I took the LSAT on December 1st and made my list of potential school choices, but at the end of December I decided law school wasn't for me...at least not for now. I started a new job at the end of 2012, and I've been loving it. I'd really like to try to move up and around in the company if possible. I've found a job/company I adore so much that I go there even when I'm not working. I don't think many people can say that!

my birthday ride

~~5. Plan a fun 26th birthday celebration.~~ I'd give myself a solid A on this goal. I had a delicious birthday dinner at Serafina Fabulous Grill, had an amazingly fun birthday ride at SoulCycle, and saw Safe Haven. While I didn't plan a party like my bowling outing for the big 25, I still had a blast celebrating this year. My friends definitely made it a birthday that I will never forget!

6. ~~Finish 5 books~~. I read more than five books in the last few winter months - 50 Shades Darker (reread), 50 Shades Freed (reread), Happier at Home, Something Blue, Safe Haven, Why Men Love Bitches, and Setting the Table. I recommend all of the above.

~~7. Ring in the New Year right.~~ While I was looking forward to ringing in the New Year at SoulCycle's NYE Soul Party with Angela @ Runner in Denial, I had a family emergency and immediately flew out to TX. I ended up spending NYE in the hospital with my dad, and there was no where else I would have rather been.

~~8. Enjoy the season.~~ Unfortunately, I didn't get to participate in any snow sports this winter (although there might still be time with this crazy weather). I enjoyed the season though - having hot chocolate with apple cinnamon oatmeal for breakfasts, watching the Super Bowl with Penn, walking around the city while snow fell, etc. I'm not going to lie though I am definitely over winter and am ready for spring to arrive!

Did you do anything fun this winter? Do you have any exciting goals for spring? Let me know in the comments below!

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

Music Gives a Soul to the Universe...

2013-03-18T08:01:00.001-04:00

Photo from here.

I have this theory that a one's iPod can tell you a lot about him or her. I've decided to bare my soul, and give you a peek into my Top 25 played songs on iTunes (at least since I've owned this laptop). In regards to my theory, I don't really see any common factor that explains the inner workings of my mind other than it shows how obsessed with "Ho Hey" I am since it is quickly making its way to the top. In addition, it looks like I have a serious thing for 80's music...

1. Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon

2. Your Love - The Outfield

3. Come on Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners

4. The Boys of Summer - Don Henley

5. To Be With You - Mr. Big

6. Empire State of Mind - Jay Z ft. Alicia Keys

7. Mr. Jones - Counting Crows

8. Take Me Home Tonight - Eddie Money

9. Crazy Bitch - Buckcherry

10. Kiss the Girl - Ashley Tisdale

11. Sitting at a Bar - Rehab

12. F*** Her Gently - Tenacious D

13. Tiny Dancer - Elton John

14. Drinking Again - Corey Smith

15. You Are the Only Exception - Paramore

16. Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons

17. I Heart NY - Samuel

18. Ho Hey - The Lumineers

19. Gives You Hell - All American Rejects

20. Wild Ones - Flo Rida ft. Sia

21. Raise Your Glass - Pink

22. Twenty-One - Corey Smith

23. River Flows In You - Yiruma

24. The World's Greatest - R Kelly

25. Price Tag Mash Up - Pitch Perfect Soundtrack

Since I'm constantly listening to music at work, my taste in music has changed a bit. For example, I thought I would hate The Killers playlist on Pandora, but it is actually amazing! What songs are on your Top 25? I'd love to download them, so leave me a list in the comments below! Happy Monday!

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

Weekend Recap: The Wedding Shower

2013-03-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

I got to be reunited with my bestie, Donna, this weekend!
My dress is from Express and my shoes are from BCBGeneration. I'm in love with both items - I have two pairs of the shoes and the dress in multiple colors.

Saturday afternoon we celebrated my sister's upcoming wedding with a bridal shower at my mom's house. Surprisingly, only my guy friends have gotten married as of yet, so I've only been to one bridal shower before. I didn't know all that went into planning these things - the invitations, the menu, the games, etc. Thankfully, my godmother, Cindy, and her daughter, Jamie, are wedding party professionals. They came to my rescue! I told my mom that when my wedding festivities come around I just want a day of paintball and BBQ or a dance party, but she said that was unacceptable because I need a fabulous party... #sadface

The event turned out really nice. The food was delicious (My sister says I only talk about working out and food, so I shouldn't stop now...)! We had chicken salad sandwiches, mini brownies, macaroons, mini cinnamon rolls, veggies, cheese, and crackers. I'm pretty sure I went back for fourths and fifths! The neat part about the food spread is that my sister let us help her pick out her wedding cake! During her cake tasting, she couldn't decide which flavors were her favorites. She decided to order cupcakes of her top three favorite flavors and have her shower guests give their input. The three options were a vanilla cupcake with lemon filling, a chocolate cupcake with raspberry filling, and a lemon cupcake with vanilla filling. I'm not a huge fan of lemon, so I think I'm Team Chocolate. We will see which flavor makes the cut come June 29!

We didn't play any shower games because eating, socializing, and opening gifts took up most of our time. My sister got tons of fabulous gifts from her registry. She needs to take up cooking and baking because her future kitchen will be filled with great accessories to make some home cooked meals.

Everyone has their own traditions, but our tradition is every ribbon broken while unwrapping gifts equals a future child you will have. For whatever reason, my sister carefully unwrapped each ribbon without breaking a single one! I decided to accessorize with them. I will be making all the ribbons and bows into a bouquet for her wedding rehersal this summer.

After the shower, we hurried downtown for the bachelorette party. Check back tomorrow for a recap on that event!

What are your favorite shower games and snacks? Let me know in the comments below!

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

Weekend Recap: Back in the A

2013-03-11T13:53:00.000-04:00

This weekend I traveled to GA for the first time in six months. My sister is getting married this summer, and we planned to have her bridal shower and bachelorette party in one weekend. It was the perfect weekend to get away because I left this behind in CT:

Special shout out to US Airways by the way! When I was checking in, they randomly offered to put me on a Delta flight. By taking the Delta flight, I got to arrive in GA earlier because it was a direct flight and skip the risk of being snowed in during my layover in NC.

GA had gorgeous weather - no coat needed! I miss 60* winter temperatures, Chick-Fil-A breakfasts, and cars with Georgia Southern bumper stickers. While I'm used to calling CT home, GA will always be in my heart as home too. I seriously love Atlanta...

I spent the day preparing for the weekend's festivities with my sister, but Friday evening I hurried over to my friends' apartment. It was great to see some of the guys I went to college with. Charlie's mom made him a lasagna last time he was home, so we enjoyed that for dinner.

After dinner, we watched Looper with Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon Levitt - love both of them! I rarely see movies anymore which is sad. Looper was different than I thought it would be. It was one of those movies that makes you focus and think throughout or you just won't get it. I was really impressed by JGL's mannerisms and speech. He plays a younger Bruce Willis, and he somehow got him down to a T! I'm surprised he didn't get more recognition for his role.

Charlie and I finally exchanged Christmas gifts. Loving our new shirts!

After the movie, I went home and hit the hay. Bridal festivities started bright and early on Saturday! Check back this week for recaps on the bridal shower and bachelorette party.

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

Thursday Thoughts: Where Them Girls At?!

2013-03-07T11:24:00.000-05:00

Photo from here.

When I first moved to CT, I didn't know a single person my age. While the move was one of the most exciting moments in my life, it included a huge challenge - making new friends. I was never actually scared of making new friends during the move. While I was really shy growing up, I think I've come out of my shell a lot. Now I'm not intimidated by going up to random strangers and starting a conversation. The problem was - where them girls at?

In the first few months of living up here, I went to bars, restaurants, and the gym alone as a way to meet new people (even though my GA friends thought I was nuts!). This just got me a lot of guy friends since guys are usually the ones to approach girls at these locations. While guy friends are awesome, nothing beats a good group of girls! Not to lady hate, but it's tough to make new girlfriends post-college. Thankfully, I've come to realize that even though we have our own core group of girlfriends by our mid-twenties, we all are still open to making new friends as well. Here are some ways to meet new girlfriends that I've encountered over the last few months:

The Work Place - My work is about 95% female, and surprisingly we all get along really well. While I love my job, I think I love the daily interaction with my co-workers the best. The great thing about making friends at work is that you already share a common interest - your profession! If a co-worker seems like she has BFF potential, ask her out for post-work drinks or to join you for lunch in your cubicle. Having friends at work makes the hours there more enjoyable!

The Fitness Class - My friend recently met a girl during a SoulCycle class that she thought she could become friends with. She got up the courage to ask the girl to accompany her to a class one evening, and now they coordinate attending classes together from time to time. Like at the work place, fitness classes are a great way to meet new friends because you already share a common interest with each other.

The Guy Friend - You know who else is searching for the perfect girl? Your guy friend. Why not take advantage of this and use him to find girlfriends for yourself? His Friday night group outing to the bar? His Saturday night house party? Great opportunities for you to meet new people!

The Internet - While this one might sound sketchy (and it can be!), I've made a lot of friends though blogging and Twitter. A great way to do this is to attend meet-ups and local blogging events. If you love a blog written by a gal in your area, why not suggest meeting up for lunch or dinner? You could get a new friend out of it, but at the very least you will have a new "restaurant review" post!

The Friend-Of-A-Friend - As I mentioned previously, when I moved up here I didn't know anyone...but my friend, Donna, did! Donna set me up with her friend, Sarah. While Sarah lives in Brooklyn and we don't meet up as much as we should, it's still nice knowing she's close by...especially when Twilight: Breaking Dawn came out and I needed someone to go with me! If you both already have a friend in common, there is a pretty good chance you two will hit it off as well. As it turns out, Sarah and I are both obsessed with books and movies. Perfect!

The Alumni Association - Your high school and college alumni associations are great ways to meet new friends - or catch up with old ones! While I didn't actually go through my high school's alumni association, I heard from a fellow alum that an old high school buddy of mine was living in the city. While I was good friends with Rebecca throughout high school, we lost touch in college because we attended different schools. We met for brunch last Sunday at 1pm. We had so much fun catching up that our friend date didn't end until 6pm! It was really neat to reconnect with her, and I think we will continue to hang out.

These are just a few places to meet new people. Do you have any other suggestions? Let me know in the comments below!

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

Restaurant Review: Disney's Be Our Guest

2013-03-06T17:11:00.000-05:00

If you keep up-to-date on all things Disney, you know that a new addition, Fantasyland, was recently added to Magic Kingdom. The new section includes Prince Eric's castle (including A Little Mermaid ride) and the Beast's castle (including an interactive storytime with Belle), but, the best part of Fantasyland is definitely the restaurants!

Last fall, I made reservations at the new Be Our Guest restaurant. All the buzz had made me excited about this restaurant for months, and I couldn't believe I would get to go in February! When we actually got to Orlando, my excitement grew. Disney hotel employees couldn't contain their happiness for us when they heard that we had reservations. I was ready to experience Be Our Guest for myself.

Saturday night, my mom and I met up with her co-worker and her co-worker's son for our 7:05pm reservation. While waiting for our table, we chatted on a drawbridge that had lovely views of the Beast's castle and the surrounding forest. Once our party was called, we finally got to enter the Beast's castle to see what all the hoopla was really about!

The Disney Imagineers did not disappoint. Fans of Beauty and the Beast will be amazed at the details that went into this dining experience. The restaurant itself included the stain glass window featuring Belle and the Beast dancing as well as the beautiful chandeliers. I loved that even the napkins were folded into roses, but the best feature was the snow that fluttered down outside the windows.

Gorgeous, no?

While beautifully painted, these babies creeped me out. If you look closely, they look very real. I think they are based off of people's baby photos.

The west wing of the castle includes the magical rose and a portrait of the Beast as a human.

The food was great as well. We had the option of ordering drinks in a glow-in-the-dark goblet which of course we had to do! (Other than crazy pens, I also collect cheesy mugs including a Das Boot from a spring break in Key West and a butterbeer mug from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.) For an appetizer, I tried the French onion soup and some mussels. Personally, I preferred the mussels to the soup, but I didn't want to fill up too much before the main course.

My mom and I were both torn between the steak and salmon, so we decided to order one of each and split them. I got the steak. Once it came to the table, I wasn't too excited about it though, but I'm more of a filet mignon-type of gal. On the other hand, the French fries were delicious especially in the mayonnaise-based dipping sauce. It sounds disgusting, but it was actually really good. There wasn't a single fry left on my plate! I was a little jealous of my mom's salmon, but she shared. The only reason I didn't order it was because I thought it came with a baked potato. Instead, it came with mashed potatoes which I adore. Yum!

The best course is always last - dessert! Guests can choose from an assortment of cupcakes. Once again, my mom and I decided to order two different kinds of desserts and share them. I got the triple chocolate cupcake while my mom got the strawberry cupcake. Even though we are both chocoholics to our core, we ended up destroying the strawberry cupcake right away. It was so good! While the chocolate cupcake was tasty, it was a little to rich. I did get a to-go bag, so I could save it for later though. I ate what was left post-Princess Half Marathon!

If you are planning a Disney trip anytime soon, I definitely recommend making reservations at Be Our Guest. Dining reservations can be made online or over the phone 180 days in advance. I highly suggest you do this! I heard Be Our Guest dinner reservations are booked until August 2013! No worries though - the restaurant is also open during lunch. While a less formal experience than dinner, lunch at Be Our Guest is still very popular. When we walked by the restaurant mid-day on Saturday, there was over an hour wait! The experience is definitely worth it, but I suggest making dinner reservations. It beats waiting out in the hot, Florida sun.

Have you dined at Be Our Guest before? What was your favorite part? Let me know in the comments below!

Stay fit and fabulous,

Please follow me on Twitter and "like" my blog on Facebook if you enjoy what you read. Thanks!

Climbing to the Top!

2013-03-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday morning I participated in Climb to the Top at Rockefeller Center! Climb to the Top is a charity event which raises money for Multiple Sclerosis. MS affects the central nervous system of the body. The symptoms can range from mild to paralysis, and it affects everyone differently. There is currently no cure for it, which is why the National MS Society is working hard to raise funds for research and to provide programs to help individuals living with MS. Participants in this race had to raise at least $250 by event day. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to raise the money. Surprisingly, I raised almost $500! I wasn't aware that many of my friends and family members know people affected by MS.

Rockefeller Center

My wave time was scheduled for 6:55am, so I had to head toward Rockefeller Center bright and early. Sunday morning (when everyone else is still asleep) is my favorite time to walk around the city. It's so quiet and peaceful.

No crowds or honking taxis!

Once at Rockefeller Center, I left my bag in bag check and waited a couple minutes for my wave time to be called. They took about 100 people each wave. Because each participant had to enter the stairwell via a single door, we had to be spread out by about 10 seconds each. I was surprised by how empty the stairwell was when I entered! Other than volunteers who were stationed on each floor landing, I only saw about 10-15 people on the stairs the entire race! Around the 30th floor/halfway point, there was a floor open for construction. They set up a table with water, Gatorade, crackers, and candy. The Gatorade caught my attention, but what really interested me was the amazing skyline view. It was breathtaking (or maybe that was the 600 steps I just climbed...)

How amazing would it be to see this everyday while working?

I stopped for a photo op around the halfway mark. 33 more flights of stairs to go!

When I finally reached the observation deck about 17 minutes after I started, I was hit with cold weather and the loud cheers from a crowd of onlookers. Obviously there weren't many people at the finish line, but it was still a really neat experience to finish a race on top of a skyscraper in the middle of New York City! Top of the Rock will always hold a special place in my heart. The views are gorgeous no matter the season. Plus, it was where I found myself during my first solo trip into the city right after I moved to CT. I hung out at the top for a little bit taking in the 360* views before heading back downstairs for my jacket and snacks.

Not only was this my first real fundraising event, but it was also a new type of physical challenge for me. I've done lots of horizontal running, but this was my first vertical race.

photo from here.

I ran the Disney Princess Half Marathon the Sunday before this race, but nothing makes you feel like less of an athlete than climbing stairs! My legs weren't too bad, but my lungs and heart felt like they were going to explode out of my chest! I was actually surprised how well my legs held up. Post-race I walked about 5.75 miles around the city and took a SoulCycle class. That might sound crazy, but it was actually a really fun Sunday Funday! To top off this wonderful day, I heard the 1,318 Climb to the Top participants raised over $700,000 during this event! How neat?!

Do you enjoy mixing fitness with a good cause? Let me know your favorite organization and thier fitness-related fundraising events in the comments below!

Stay fit and fabulous,

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5th Anniversary runDisney Princess Half Marathon 2013

2013-02-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

This weekend I got to enjoy some sun in Orlando, FL for the 5th Anniversary Princess Half Marathon! I have a bunch of posts about my trip coming your way, but I thought I would kick them off with a race recap.

As usual, race morning started with a 3:00am wake up call. I don't understand why it is easy to stay up dancing until 3am but it is so hard to wake up at 3am. Life's unanswered questions I guess...

my mom and I waiting for the bus

During this visit, we stayed at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. (In my opinion, the hotel you stay at affects your race weekend experience especially on Sunday morning.) Saratoga Springs only had one event transportation area (unlike Caribbean Beach which has many bus stops), so there was a long (and unexpected) line for the buses to the Start line. Some women were even refusing to get on buses if they had to stand. Umm, we are princesses not divas, ladies! That probably didn't help with the hold up. The race instructions say you should be on the bus by 4am and in your corral by 5am (There is a long walk from the parking lot where participants are dropped off to the Start line). We weren't even at the EPCOT parking lot by 5am! I had to sprint to Corral A where I only waited around for less than a minute before the fireworks kicked off the start clock!

Being in Corral A was amazing! If you aren't a runner, you might not understand this simple joy. Corral A has many benefits. First, during the Princess Half this corral is girls only! No boys allowed! Literally - I saw them turn down a little boy from running in Corral A. Second, it's exciting to start with the elite runners as opposed to seeing them at mile 8 while you're not even to mile 3 yet (not that I ever saw them again - they finished in almost half the time it took me!). I also noticed that many participants in Corral A don't stop for photos with the characters, so the character lines were really short. Lastly, for whatever reason, I've always wanted to run through Magic Kingdom when it's still dark out (Weird, I know!), and this year I got the chance to do just that!

Cinderella's Castle looks pretty in pink at night!

always have to stop for this photo op!

hanging out with the guys!

I did it! - 4th Princess Half, 5th runDisney race, 6th half marathon!

I was torn between running this race for fun or for time. To be honest, I only ran 3 miles since finishing the Disney Marathon in January. I decided I would try to do both - run as best as I could but stop for any photos I wanted as well. Surprisingly, I ended up finishing in 2:23 which is only 10 minutes slower than my PR from the Runner's World Half Marathon in October 2012. It's also a runDisney race PR for me by about 26 minutes! It makes me wonder if I could have finished this race with a PR if I didn't stop for photos at all. A sub-2:00 half marathon might have to be my new fitness goal...

Another great thing about being in Corral A was getting to see the awards ceremony. My Colorado roomie, Carissa @ Fit2Flex, presented the awards to the Top 3 finishers. I was excited to see that Rachel Booth finished first...again! I got to meet her last year during the runDisney Princess Half Meet Up at EPCOT! She is so sweet.

the Top 3 finishers with Carissa from Fit2Flex!

I took a long, much needed nap post-race! Around 4pm, we grabbed lunch/dinner at Paradiso 37 in Downtown Disney. The restaurant had a lovely patio overlooking the water. It also had every food I was craving during the race - a burger, a chocolate milkshake, and chili con carne. It was a random meal yet delicious!

I ended the evening in bed watching the Academy Awards. (The ladies brought it this year, no? The gowns were absolutely gorgeous!) I'm bummed I don't have anymore Orlando trips planned until February 2014. I might have to come up with an excuse... If you're interested in running the Princess Half in 2014 be sure to register your e-mail here for updates!

Stay fit and fabulous,

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