We Run SF

This year I participated in the The 10th Annual Nike Women's Marathon - SF on October 20th, 2013. It was my first ever half marathon and I was really excited that it was going to be in SF and with Nike.
Up until this point I have only done two 5K races; The Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning last year and the Donate Life Race, which you may remember from here.

Saturday morning, Brett & I drove up to the city early to check out the Expo that was happening in Union Square. It started Thursday, but with 30,000+  people coming into the city for this race we knew it was going to be busy. The earlier we could get started, the better.

On the way up there, we made a quick stop to start the "carb-o load" :)

The Expo that Nike put on was amazing. The main sponsors of the event were there handing out some free goodies, offering free shuttle transportation through the town as well as an area to create signs that people can hold up on the sideline's to support the runners. Brett made me a couple of amazing signs!

Sunday morning came and at 5AM sharp my phone started playing loud music that I was not ready for. I looked outside and it was pitch black. I grumbled and eventually rolled out of bed. Soon, my sleepiness turned into nerves as I could hear the thousands of women outside my hotel and the announcer's voice booming through the streets. I got dressed quickly and froze. It all became so real when I put on my shirt and looked down to see my bib number.  This. Is. Really. Happening. We made our way into the streets in the pitch black, freezing cold with thousands of women.

Before I knew it, fireworks were being shot out of the starting line and my feet started to go. It took until about mile 3 when the sky lightened and the sun rose. Not that you could see the sun or the sky  as the city was covered in a thick blanket of fog all morning.

13.1 miles came and went faster than the blink of an eye. (seriously!) I rounded that corner and saw the finish line in sight. As soon as my feet hit the red carpet, I couldn't believe it was over. I anxiously went over to receive my little blue box as two handsome firemen congratulated me and posed for a picture. It was over, just like that.

Despite the typical cold San Francisco weather, I had a really great race and beat my expected time which I am really excited about. Maybe this is the start of a beautiful new hobby.

 X x

pumpkin, my pumpkin

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year for many, many reasons. Now granted I live on the west coast in fabulous California so I know we don't get the full effect of fall like you east cost-ers BUT STILL - I love it anyway.

There is something so special about feeling the warmth of the sun on your back, while at the same time feeling the cool crisp air running through your cable knit sweater. Waiting almost 9 months to begin eating everything possible pumpkin again. Watching scary movies, cuddled up in a blanket peeking through the holes with some hot chocolate by your side.

Once October hits I officially go into "holiday mode" because the fall transition to Halloween leads to Thanksgiving and then Christmas & then comes the new year. I just love all the warm fuzzy feelings,  going out to get decorations and gifts, plus the get togethers with friends and family - it's all so magical.

X x

Lauren Conrad Gets Me

Let's talk fashion for a little bit.

I've been really struggling with the fall fashion this year. As soon as August arrives I usually dash out to the malls and search through racks or online pages and pages of clothes getting excited for wool, tights, and scarves as we make the beautiful transition from fall to winter.

This year was different. I went out to the malls mid August, money in hand and ready to spend. I went through countless stores and racks hunting and searching only to be disappointed in everything I saw. It seemed to be grungy, dirty, crop tops, leather skirts, thin shirts, all with a $$ price tag that was bigger than it should have been.

It's October now so I had mostly given up on finding some new wardrobe pieces and now have focused my attention on puffy jackets and over sized warm sweaters for winter - until late one Monday night. It was by accident that I passed Kohl's and I thought "oh yeah, let's see what kind of Lauren Conrad selection they have!" Best. Idea. Ever. With only a couple other shoppers in the store, I had the entire LC Lauren Conrad collection all to my self! Everything I loved, the colors, the patterns, the size and of course the price!

I walked out of there with arms full of new clothes and a happy wallet in my purse. Here are some pictures of my lovely new LC collection wardrobe!

X x