ITS THE WEEKEND!

It is fi-na-ly Saturday and I have two whole days off in a row and I am so darn excited!!! I have a very full weekend planned and it's blowing my mind a little bit.  I am really really not the type to make plans two days in a row.  I like quiet time to recharge, but the opportunities this weekend just couldn't be passed up!

Today we are kicking it off by heading to Universal Studios for Mardi Gras and the Fall Out Boy concert! I am geeking out a lot!  I have never been to Universal so I am obviously way excited to see and do all the Harry Potter stuff (we are already planning lunch at the Leaky Cauldron!) and how can I not be so far beyond excited to see Fall Out Boy?! They are on literally every running playlist I make.  #NoShame

Sunday is a total change up.  We are heading up to the Ocala area to check out the Live Oaks International...which is a big deal horse show with show jumping and a Combined Driving Even which is something I have never actually seen in person.  Plus the Budweiser Clysdsedales are there!

Be sure to follow along on my Twitter and Instagram this weekend!

What are you up to this weekend? Big plans? Relaxing at home? Tackling the chores you've been avoiding (aka what I should be doing!)?

Five Ways Weddings are Like Marathons

It has been a seriously insane week of non-stop running around.  Only one actual run has happened so far, but I feel like I have been flying around all over the place trying to get stuff done.  This wedding planning thing is no joke...and now that we are just two weeks and one day away, all the little pieces are needing to fall into place ...and they are taking more than a little nudging!

It is also time for the Friday Five hosted by Mar on the Run, You Signed Up for What?, and Eat Pray Run DC.  If you haven't checked out this weekly link up I highly recommend doing so!

With all the insanity I wanted to take a little break for some smiles and laughs.  SO! I am sharing with you today:

Five Ways Weddings are Like Marathons!

1) You have to make a LOT of preparations.  For a marathon you do all your training runs, for weddings you book all your vendors and make arrangements for your guests.  The jury is still out on which is more painful and time consuming! Of course leftover cake tasting samples at the beach is never a bad thing!

2) The rehearsal is key. How will you know how fast you can expect to run your marathon if you don't do some training that simulates race day.  I am hoping the wedding rehearsal will shed similar light on how the next day will go! Because weddings and marathons are full of surprises

via GIPHY

3) A coach can be the most valuable asset. While I have never considered myself a "good enough" runner to have a coach (I know I know skip the lecture I am telling it to myself right now lol) I have seen so many instances where they are able to make a runner so much better than they ever thought possible.  They also provide structure and a reassuring presence.  Weddings have coordinators.  The day I found Rebekkah at Runway Events I knew she was exactly the coach I needed to make it through this all in one piece!  Like a good coach, a good coordinator keeps you going when things are a little dicey and they are there to congratulate you when you succeed!  SO many times they are the unsung heroes that make the magic happen :)

4)  You can't prepare for either without putting it all over social media. Every long run must be documented or it didn't happen.  Every vendor booked and every bridezilla moment must also be shared for posterity.  We won't even talk about how many selfies I took/shared after my makeup and hair trial yesterday...

5) You do the important stuff, then there is good food, alcohol and a party.  This is self explanatory. I pick races for the party after (ok and the medals) and people go to weddings for the receptions!  This doesn't make the first part any less meaningful, but the second part is always way more fun!

If you have read all this way thank you for indulging me and letting me try my one shot at being a comedy writer.  I don't think they are going to want me to write for any big shows, so you'll still find me right here tomorrow ;)

Happy Friday!!

Bulu Box Review: My first subscription box service

Disclaimer: I received a three month subscription to Bulu Box to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Are you a subscription box lover? I have always been a bit skeptical because I am not a huge fan of surprises.  I like to know what I am buying before it comes home with me.  However, I have always been interested in trying small samples of stuff before I commit to buying a full size package.  Bulu Box was the perfect way to test the subscription box waters!

When you sign up for Bulu Box they give you the option to choose between a more weight loss focused box or general box with their usual mix of healthy snacks and supplements.  I went with the regular box since running is usually all I need to stay at a good weight.

One of the first things I noticed about Bulu Box was that they had very good communication.  When you sign up for a box you get an email that lets you know when it will be mailed.  Once it is mailed they send another email with the tracking information.  

When I go the email that my first box was on the way I was so excited! Unfortunately due to weather further north it didn't make it on the originally projected date (obviously through no fault of Bulu Box) and I had to wait a couple more days for it to get here.  Having the tracking number was amazing though, because I could be sure that it hadn't just been delivered to the wrong address instead.

When the box got to me I was so excited to see the variety of samples and goodies it held!  What made it even better was that it had many products that I would not otherwise have tried because I would not want to commit to a full size purchase.  

The one concern I had about the first box was that perhaps my idea of healthy and the Bulu Box idea of healthy were not quite on the same page.  While the fruit sticks looked promising, I am not usually a fan of weight loss enhancing pills or energy patches.  That said, I was more than willing to hold out final judgement for the second and third boxes.  I will say that I was not impressed at all with the protein brownie (all protein taste, no brownie taste) but fell in LOVE with the fruit snacks.  Maybe I am just a kid at heart, but they made the perfect mid-run pick me up when I hit the trails and needed just a bit of sugar to keep me going.  They were also great in airports and the friends I shared them with also shared my enthusiasm!

The second box was much more up my ally. 

 It arrived on time this time around (thank you weather for cooperating!) and it had many more samples that I was very interested in from the start.  It included protein powder, some fizzy energy drink mix, hand lotion and a honey cough remedy.  Of course this is the one winter that I didn't get my crazy cough so I haven't had occasion to try the honey.  Not that I am complaining about not having a cough...but I am keeping the samples on hand for when it eventually comes!  Of the things I have tried from the box, the chocolate peanut butter protein powder is my favorite! I tried it in my oatmeal for a little boost of flavor and nutrition and loved it.

I am still anxiously awaiting my third box in the mail and can't wait to share the goodies with you!

Overall I am much more interested in Bulu Box in particular and subscription boxes in general after this experience.  I think it helped me when the first box didn't fit my interests all that well but the second one was much better.  The price for Bulu Box is only $10 a month ($5 is you use the code BIBRAVE5 ) and it is really fun to know that there are fun new things waiting in your mailbox at the end of a long workday.

Have you tried Bulu Box? Do you enjoy subscription boxes?

Happy Hump Day!

This week is flying by...and I cannot believe the ridiculous weather we have been having this week! It has been so sunny and warm then the night before last there was apparently a torential rainstorm! I got out to the barn to ride but the arena was under water so I spent a little quality time grooming the horse I've been riding then went back to town to run errands before work.  I wound up working on Monday rather than having the day off, so I feel like I have spent the entire week playing catch up! Not exactly the best way to kick off the week, but I think I am almost back to where I need to be...just lacking in the sleep department!

The good news is that I FINALLY made it out to run last night.  I joined to MOAT group for a garage run and got in some hill training Florida style.  You know you live somewhere super flat when you find yourself running college parking garages to train for inclines.  It is not the most thrilling approach, but it gets the job done!

Today I am back to work then I have the day off tomorrow to finally catch up on all the things I've been trying to do!

So, have you ever run a parking garage? Or do you have real hills?

Have a great Wednesday!

Ultimate Coffee Date: February 2016

It is the first Saturday of the month and that means it is time for the Ultimate Coffee Date!

I am currently sitting at the dining room table typing and drinking my coffee in a hustle as I get ready for another crazy day at work!

If we were having coffee I would share with you that yesterday was an insane day at work.  It was our sale that is even bigger than Black Friday and our corporate office didn't turn on the sale prices in the computers...so for the first 3 hours we had to check and correct the prices of every item on sale.  Eek.

If we were having coffee I would tell you how glad I am that I live in Florida rather than somewhere north of here.  It was about 50 degrees yesterday and I was freezing. Then I remember other people are dealing with a whole bunch of snow and actual freezing weather and feel pretty lucky.  It doesn't make me any warmer, but it is a nice pick me up.  If you live somewhere with super cold weather and lots of snow I am very sorry!

If we were having coffee I would want to talk to you about the fact that I am getting married next month and I still can't quite entirely believe it! So far this month has been crazy with all the meetings I have been scheduling to get everything planned.  When we got engaged and set a date it felt like such a long time to plan, and now that it is almost here I am realizing how much I should have done earlier!

If we were having coffee I would ask you if you are running any races soon.  I have not been running as much as I should and I REALLY need to sign up for a race soon to get some motivation!

If we were having coffee I would ask you if you have big plans for the month and if January was good for you!  I hope your month is off to a good start!!!

Friday Five: Fitness Trends I Want to Try

It's Friday! That means I am linking up with Friday Five hosted by Mar on the Run, You Signed Up for What?, and Eat Pray Run DC.  If you haven't checked out this weekly link up I highly recommend doing so!

It seems like every time you turn around there is a new fitness craze.  I am often way too busy during the hours that these things are offered, or I am too far away from where they are happening.  I was a PureBarre fiend for a few months since I drove past two studios twice every day.  Eventually we moved and the cost of the membership and the distance to the studio caused me to nix the habit.  That said, I realized there is a big fun fitness world out there and they some of these crazes really do live up to the hype!  So, this week I want to share with you the 5 fitness trends I want to give a shot!

1) SUP and SUP yoga. Ok this trend has been around for a while now, but I think it is still trendy so I am putting it on here!  I am just straight up too terrified to try this kind of thing in Florida because I am convinced I will fall off into the water and be eaten by an alliator.  Disregard the fact that I have only seen two real live alligators since I moved here. The danger is real.  That said, Stand Up Paddleboarding looks like a blast and I just really really want to try it...in safer waters.

2) Spin class. Again, this is not a new concept, but I feel like spin classes are really having a moment and I want to get in on it.  I think it would totally destroy my legs but in a kinda upbeat and fun way right?

3) OrangeTheory. These studios are popping up everywhere! I am usually skeptical about all the claims these fitness studios make, but I really like the concept of their workouts targeting a certain heart rate zone. Plus it is displayed so you can be all competitive with the other people in the class. Whether they know it or not. 

4) Camp Gladiator. Is this a fad or does it just keep popping up in random places in my life?  I feel like it doesn't have the media attention so much, but I keep hearing so many little bits and pieces about it that I feel like I need to give it a shot.  Not to mention the idea of group workouts that are still different all the time is very appealing!

5) Aerial yoga.  I mean does it not look like the coolest thing ever? The only thing that has held me back so far is my acceptance of the fact that my upper body strength does not exist so I am a little scared that I would not be able to keep up!  That said, the yoga studio I go to does offer aerial classes so I need to sign up soon!

Have you tried any of these? Do they live up to the hype? 

What wourkout crazes are on your must try list?!

Have a great Friday!!

Tent Sale Set Up Day

Want to know the best feeling ever? When you are scheduled to work for 12 hours then get off work three hours early!  Can I get an amen hallelujah for that?!
What doesn't feel so great is when you can feel your coffee wearing off and you are nowhere close to done for the day.
When I realized I was getting off work early I briefly thought about going for a run, then the skies opened up yet again (do they not know it is supposed to be the dry season here in Florida?!) so I quickly nixed that idea!
That said, I did manage to get over 10,000 steps in today at work! We are setting up a giant tent for a sale this weekend so there was a lot of walking around all day today.  My schedule doesn't really free up until next Friday, so I am buckling down and doing all I can to stay healthy through the craziness!
For now, it is time to curl up on the couch with a well earned beer and watch Harry Potter until bed time!
Hope you had a great day!!

Wedding Planning Wednesday Update

Alrighty, so it has been a while since I did one of these posts...and I just have a lot on my mind that I wanted to share!

To start with, our wedding is just over a month away!  How crazy is that? It's insane to think that we have been engaged for well over a year now. I have no idea how people can plan a wedding on short timelines. I am impressed with their mad skills.

The best decision I have made regarding wedding planning since my last wedding related blog post (or really the best decision in the whole process) was to hire a Day of Coordinator.  If you are getting married in the Orlando area, contact Rebekkah at Runway Events.  Even though she is technically just our Day Of Coordinator, she has gone above and beyond to provide recommendations for all the vendors I have not booked yet and from the very first consultation I had with her she made me feel like this whole thing was going to work out just fine.

On the downside of things, I am still waiting to hear from one bridesmaid about whether or not she will actually be attending the wedding.  So that is fun.

On the other downside, the friend who was going to be our officiant let me know yesterday that she wasn't going to be able to make it due to a lot of scheduling conflicts, so I am now scrambling to find a new officiant with only a little over a month to go...and my wedding is at one of the busiest times of the year. Luckily I really have the very best DOC so I at least had an idea of where to start!

Back to the upside of things, next week is going to be a ton of fun.  I have an appointment for my hair and makeup trial (in the morning before work so I am going to look fabulous for my shift haha) on Wednesday then our venue visit back out to Birdsong Barn with Rebekkah to make a solid plan for how things will go on the wedding day!

It is finally starting to feel just a little more real!

Question: If you are married, did you use an officiant that you did not personally know? I am freaking out a little so tell me happy stories ;)

Hello February!

Does anyone else feel like January went by way too fast?  I still have some Christmas lights up in my dining room...oops.  But the tree is gone so that counts for something right?!

Since it is the beginning of a new month, I want to take a look back at how I did on my goals for last month. Spoiler alert: not great.

-I did yoga about half the days of the month, so not a terrible start but I want to do better this month.

-I ran maybe 20 miles total for the month.  It was bad.  I need to work on scheduling better if I am going to hit my 100 mile/month goal this month!

-I shared photos almost every day though I need to get better about adding them to my Facebook album.

-As for my goal of 5 blog posts per week...well if you follow along here you know that was a total bust in January.

So overall I pretty much flopped on my goals in January which makes me like pretty much everyone else out there I suppose.  The good thing is that I feel like I set goals that I can easily refocus on at the beginning of each month.  Here is hoping I do way better in February!

Luckily I had a pretty productive weekend and I have today off as well (leading up to a VERY busy week at work) so I am tackling some of the big projects that can't wait.  AKA wedding invitations are finally sent and thank you cards from our wedding shower are in the works ;)

I also got this wreath done...it's hanging on our door at the moment but it is actually part of our wedding decor.

I love when I can get things done and have the instant gratification of getting to use something immediately.  Here's hoping nobody decides to "borrow" it off our door!

My big goal for today is to finish Thank You cards...and when I need a break I can take some time for yoga, a run, and scheduling some blog posts! Helloooo doing better on my goals already!

Did you set goals for 2016? How did you do in January?