Shopping is a Girl's Best Friend

I follow lots of wonderful blogger like Veronika, Chloe, and Idle Banter that always post the CUTEST clothes from Ann Taylor Loft. I have a store literally right up the road from me and I had never gone in. This past weekend was friends and family and I saw a sign from the street that clearance was an additional 40% off, I mean really it was like they were giving it away! So I decided to stop in and see what I could find. Well, I could have walked out of there with so much! I think I found a new store that I love! ATL where have you been all of my life?! 

I got this adorable dress for $30 (org $70!) 

 I also got this shirt for $12 (org. $30)

 I love how ATL has xxs and 00P. I have a small frame and these clothes fit perfectly. I can see more ATL purchases in my future :) 

 I got this dress a few weeks back at American Eagle. I think it will look cute with my cowboy boots. For $25 I thought it was a good deal. 

I picked up this towel at TJ Maxx. It is my inspiration for our bathroom redo. I was tired of our brown walls. It isn't a large bathroom so the dark color made it well, dark! I wanted something lighter. We went with a color that matches the blue. I will have a before and after post as soon as we are done painting! 

I love a good deal! Did you get at ATL friends and family event? Any tips for a newbie like me shopping there (when the best deals are etc.)? 

Run Girl Run

So this weekend I was not only in one race but two! I know, what was I thinking right?! Saturday, I ran in the 1st Annual Meters for Mozart 5k. Being the first year for the race only a little over 100 runners were signed up. I thought this was a perfect first race for me. A friend of mine, Jessica, was running in it along with her friend, Kelly. While it was a chilly 40* it didn't take us long to get warm. 

Kelly and I kept pace with each other. 

Right after the second mile I broke away from her and picked up my pace. (btw pics when you are running do not turn out that great ha!)

I could see the finish line and I sprinted in. I came in with a 25:15. My best time yet! I was so proud of myself. Kelly kept saying that I probably won my age division but I didn't think so. We stuck around for the awards and it turns out I did win my age division (19-24, a baby I know). I was even more proud of myself-my first race and I actually won something! I came in 27th over all out of 103 (first place came in at 17:36!!)

I am looking forward to running more races with these girls

Then, this morning my brother and I did a 3.6 trail run. I've always heard how fun trail runs are so I thought why not try this one. We stayed together most of the way. I loved running in the woods, having to jump over fallen trees, and seeing the beautiful sites. We hit the last mile and we thought okay, we can do this.Uh no, it was straight up hill! It was killer! We both finished it and that was our goal. I am really proud of my brother, he hadn't been running for the past 2 weeks! I came in at #79 (out of 141) with a time of 36:21. That number worked for me. I have never done a trail run so I really didn't have a time goal but now I will :) Oh, and my brother came in at #86 with a time of 37:04. I will post pictures as soon at they are uploaded. 

Sunshine weekend

I'm a little late on my weekend update. The weather here has been nothing but beautiful! We had such a great weekend. 

It started out with me volunteering for Cinderella's Closet. It is an organization that makes it possible for girls to go to prom looking beautiful who otherwise couldn't. I was a "fairy godmother" (aka personal shopper). We had to make these girls feel like the princesses they are by holding their purses, carry around the dresses, help them get in them, get some shoes for them and put them on for them, as well as their jewelery. I had 2 very sweet girls. One of my girls thanked me over and over and said how she wished her mom would do stuff like this with her. That broke my heart, but that is exactly why I did this. I know I made a difference in her life-even if it was only for the hour we were together. I can not wait to do this again next year! 

It was also my mom's birthday. We took her out for dinner and drinks! I love my mama and I always try to make her birthday really special for her. 

 I just had to show off me wearing my new boots! I love them oh so much! 

Then on Sunday, A & I picked up some lunch at a local deli and went up to the park to enjoy our lunch and the weather. We sat right by the lake and were greeted by these two:

They were not afraid of us at all. They were so cute! It was so nice to just relax and take in all the fresh air. 

Oh I also wanted to mention I won tickets off the radio yesterday to see a sneak peak of Jennifer Lopez's new movie The Backup Plan. I get to see it next Monday! I can't wait and I will come back with a report since it doesn't come out till next Friday! 

This week is the kick off of kickball! It is so fun to play every week and I can not wait! I will have to take pics this year too! I also am running in 2 races this weekend (my first two!!) I have a 5k Saturday and a 3.6 mile trail run Sunday morning (thankfully my brother is running with me so I'll have someone pushing me!)

Hope you all have a fantastic rest of the week! 

Easter weekend

I hope everyone had a great Easter! We lucked out here in Cincy and had great weather all weekend. A & I even took the bike out for a short ride.Today is my last day of break and head back to work tomorrow. I can already feel summer bug kickin in so these next 2 months better not drag on!

Friday I had a hair appointment..twice, but not planned that way! I walked out of the salon with brassy colored hair. I called my friend to look at it and she informed me I should of never left and told them I wanted my money back/a redo. Long story short, I went back down there-the owner took me into the spa room and talked with me. I am not one to complain, so I told him how bad I felt. He let me know the girl who did my hair was going to come back from lunch and sit back in the office till I left. He was going to redo my hair for me. I thought they were very willing to work with me and he thanked me for coming back so I could get what I wanted. He made sure to do me up with curls and all when I left! I am still a little too blonde for my liking but everyone says they love it.

 After that fiasco I wanted to go out to dinner. So thats what we did. We went to one of my favorite places. Red Robin. All I asked for was somewhere with a patio.

Saturday we had a 1 year olds birthday to attend. We rode the bike up there and missed the rain (thank goodness!) and then the sun was shining for the rest of the day =) I had to go home to finish these guys up for Easter:

Aren't they cute! 

I also made a new wreath for the front door. I love primitive stores. My mom and I went to a "new to us" store Saturday afternoon and I found this garland. I knew it would make a good wreath for the front door. I'm happy I finally found something to put on the door!

Sunday started off by going to breakfast at First Watch (my fav!). I brought my camera but I was too caught up in the conversations to remember to snap a few pics!

I then went to the in-laws for a few then was off to my cousins. The kids had a great time hunting for eggs

All in all it was a good weekend! I am dreading going back tomorrow! I will be volunteering this weekend and it is also my mom's birthday so I am really looking forward to this week being over!