Chattanooga Bound!

I'm headed out to Chattanooga tonight for my sorority's annual convention! Super excited, super stressed, as our first freshmen orientation session is Monday... butttttt excited to spend all of 36 hours with some of my favorite sisters in the world.

Last year, we were in Indianapolis and the year prior to Pittsburgh, all new cities for me (and Indiana a new state!). Though I've been to Tennessee enough, I've never been to Chattanooga (also despite living only two hours away for two years), so I'm excited to get a little exploring in.

Surprisingly, I haven't run in a week. I made it to Day 48 of my run streak and after heading out to Vegas and a little dose of smartness/reality from Doug, decided I needed to rest. While one mile super super easy style (re: 12-minute miles) is easy enough, it's still not rest. So I drank and ate my way through Vegas and got through this week without even the thought of a run. Turns out, it was a needed break.

So, despite some crazy weekend and workshops ahead, I'm looking forward to getting out for a solid long run on Sunday morning to go play around Chatt-town a little bit before our closing awards and a flight home.

What a pretty city! I can't wait to go exploring.

Suggestions on places to run in Chattanooga?

Friday Favorites - July 10

I love Carlee's regular Friday Favorites posts and I've got so many things to share this week, I thought I'd jump on board! I haven't done one of my own in five-ever, so it's about dang time.

1. Sparkly Soul NEON Fun!
I mean... y'all know I love my Sparkly Soul. That might even be the understatement of the year. BUT I also love all things neon. And now they've combined two of my loves together!

You can also enter to win these neon 4-packs!

ENTER TO WIN 1 of 3 NEON 4-packs (thin or wide - winners choice)- Enter via Rafflecopter here: http://gvwy.io/s7rj1dOR 

- SHARE your favorite neon headband or tag a friend on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with hashtag #NEONsparklysoul and tag Sparkly Soul (@sparklysoulinc) through 7/13 11:59pm PST. Who doesn't want to win all the neon love?

2. Strut Your Stuff Sign Co. 

Now that we're in our new plac (also more to come on that later), and I've been collecting piles of medals on the corner of a chair at my parents' house, I've been eye-balling getting a medal holder - FINALLY! - for all that bling! Strut Your Stuff has some of my favorites, if not just for the quotations that they've done on some of their boards. Aaaaaaand the best part is that I just won one from their Instagram account! 

Can you say exciting? I sure can! Now my medals will finally have a home! And I think I'll scoop one up for Doug so he has a place for his, finally too. Happy times!

3. We Have Our OWN Place to Live!

I know, you'd think this would be an update from a long time ago, but like many other things... that'll come soon. Doug and I finally moved to our own place about two weeks ago, so it's been a crazy time of unpacking, finding things, waiting for the interwebz to get installed (sad when you realize how internet-dependent you've become) and so many other things. I'm beyond excited and it's wild and weird and wonderful all at the same time. 

4. We're Vegas-Bound!

... I guess following #3, no it's not what you think. Doug's officially on his three-week summer vacation and my next six weeks are absolutely bonkers, so all we found time for was a weekend to get away and go do something. So we're out for a few days just to get away and relax a bit before the crazy begins for me on Tuesday and before football kicks back up for him in a few weeks. Hooray!

Happy times. Happy Friday. Happy weekend everyone!

Whatcha up to this weekend?

At the Halfway Point

Can you believe we're halfway through 2015? Though I see and write the date every day at work, it still blows me away that I'm now writing 'July ___' and summer is in full-blown effect at work. The crazy begins!

Part of my challenge is holding myself accountable throughout the year - updating at the end of the year typically just shows that I didn't accomplish all of them. My hope for the year was to be that as I do monthly recaps with mileage and races, that I also need to ensure I'm updating you  on my progress toward my yearly goals. I've slacked a little on this monthly recaps, but now that I'm back in action, I feel like I can get back on the swing of things!

With that... let's check in to how 2015 is faring for me as far as my goals for the year:

Fontana Days. 

- 1,000 miles: As of yesterday (because I haven't run yet today), I've got 501 running miles down on the year. So I am just over the halfway mark, just past the halfway mark of the year! I know I've got this in the bag, so long as I stick with the focus and progress I've made. I have a bunch of halfs lined up for the fall that will certainly aid me in getting there. Goal: in progress / halfway there!

- Marathon PR: When we celebrated the new year, I had only one marathon on my calendar, but was pondering another one for late fall or early winter. LA Marathon was tough, no lie, but I did technically achieve this goal with a new marathon PR of 4:52:52. If I can use the fall line up to keep myself in check and in shape, I think I can put together a marathon training plan to work to another PR later this year. But for all intents and purposes...  Goal: Achieved! √

- New states:  I want to cross off at least two new half marathon states and would love to cross off at least three new states to visit! Coming up in the fall, I've got two new states on my travel list (!!): Portland, Oregon on October 4 (more on that soon!) and Brooklyn, New York on October 10 (join me? Use code RUNMEGANRUN for $15 off registration). It'll be a fun week. :) I don't think I'll be getting to any new states to just visit, but I'm excited that I've got new half marathon states coming up! Goal: halfway there!

- A job: HOLLA. Done and done! I promise, I owe y'all a lonooong over-due post all about the job. Unbelievably, I'm three months in already and LOVING it. The next six weeks are going to be insane and I'm beyond excited. More to come soon, I swear.  Goal: Achieved! √

CSUSB lovin'. 

- Reduce debt by 50%: That's a big percentage. Truth be told, I did a poor job of setting myself up to track this accurately from where I started at the beginning of the year! However, I have a small credit card paid off and have made great progress towards knocking things out. Is it anywhere near 50%? No, but I'm okay with where I am at! Goal: in progress.

I'm really happy with the progress I've made so far this year. I'm looking forward, above all else, to tackle my 1,000 mile goal and make that a reality. I'm definitely looking forward to my two race-cations, one that will involve visiting my sister again (I haven't been to New York to see her in nearly four years) and the likelihood of a birthday trip to Oregon with Doug for my 30th and another race. How lucky can one girl get in a year? We shall find out!

How are your 2015 goals coming along? 

Fourth of July Fun + Giveaway Winners

Happy July... 6th!? Unbelieve that this weekend is over already. I had a three day weekend, Thursday-Saturday off, and had to work today for an event on campus. Despite that, had an awesome holiday weekend with plenty of red, white and blue fun thrown in!

Saturday morning started with  10K (ish) with the IERC, obviously, and a super fab red, white and blue themed club run and potluck. Despite pacers normally wearing our highlighter yellow, we also got to particiapate in the patriotic awesomeness, so naturally I went all out, because who doesn't love holiday dress-up? Especially in these sweet ProCompressions!

Because... 'merica.

After run club, Doug and I headed up to Big Bear, to my aunt's cabin. My parents had been gone all week but were up in the mountains as of Friday, where my aunt, uncle, and other friends were already waiting for us. It sprinkled on the way up and was cloudy, despite apparently being super hot on Friday afternoon.

We headed down to the lake about 3 - apparently my mom and aunt and friends had been down on the shore staking out a spot at like 6:30 am and then came back up to the cabin. Mind you, we were totally lakeside, and right across the water from where the fireworks would be going off. In a total cluster of a production, we had a BBQ, kayaks rented for a few hours, cornhole, and all kinds of thing going on!

Adopted puppy for the day. :)

I took Doug kayaking for the first time - where I pretty much flipped him over not too far into our venture. Pure accident... whether or not he believes me is a different story. Sorry babe!

And before long, it was 9 pm (and cold!) and fireworks time. Big Bear reports that about 80,000 people come up to this mountain town for the Fourth and I would fully believe it. People stayed out in their boats to watch the fireworks, people all over the shores. It was unreal!

It was a wonderful holiday - tons of people, food, fun, and all my favorite things rolled into one!

Other favorites? Giving away fun things! Congrats to the winners from last week's Rock 'n Roll Brooklyn tee/tank giveaway!

Winners, you've all been emailed and have until Friday, July 10 to respond or new winners will be chosen. Congrats! And even if you didn't win, make sure you use code RUNMEGANRUN and you can still save $15 on registration for RnR Brooklyn in October! See? Everybody wins!

How was your Fourth? 

Stitch Fix | June 2015

So last month, I finally got my first Stitch Fix box. It was super exciting, and truth be told, a little underwhelming. In fairness though, I think the first box is just a test to see what you're really into, what works and what interests you, and at the same time... what doesn't.

Stich Fix has you fill out an online style profile, which provides outfits for you to rank your interest in (which is hard, because I'll love half the outfit, and then hate the other half), but then also indicate what you're interested in receiving - accessories? Bags? Jewelry? Then, from there, for $20 a month, a stylist will choose 5 items of clothing and/or accessories (jewelry, bags, scarves) based on a style profile you fill out about yourself. You can also use your Pinterest board to show your stylist what you're into, which I think they do a great job looking at. I also love how they piece together outfits and ideas of things you can wear with the things they send:

My stylist this month, Holly, nailed it. As soon as I opened the tissue and saw all the fun florals, colors and patterns popping out at me, I squealed. No lie. 

Papermoon - Waters Printed Maxi Dress ($68)

Holly noted that I said I'm normally all about fit & flares, but that she wanted me to try this out. This dress is a little different though, in that it's got a tie at the waist that can still help me 'fake' a waist (I'm pretty stick-straight in body shape). As soon as I saw the paisley print unfolded, I knew it was love.

Keep it or leave it? Keep it! A little more than I'd spend normally, but it'so soft, flowy, and really... you can't beat maxi dresses in a Southern California summer.

BRIXON IVY - Priya Abstract Floral Print Knit Back Tank ($48) & Kut from The Kloth - Kate Boyfriend Jean ($78)

I was nervous about this top, only because unfolded, it looked very shapeless and hung loose enough that I was worried it'd just hang straight down on me and continue to give me zero shape whatsoever. However, after putting it on, it actually is shapely enough that it hugs in all the right places. I love the floral, fun pattern on the front but the sheer gray fabric on the back. Easy, breezy, and so right. I even have purple cropped slacks that match this to a tee for work. Major win.

Keep it or leave it? Heck yes! Keep it!

The jeans I was also antsy about. I've never tried on nor owned nor worn a pair of boyfriend jeans and all the ones I've seen are slouchy and weird and... well, maybe that's why I've never tried them. So I was a little anxious, but once I put them on... gahhh. They were so stretchy and so comfortable and those are usually the last words I use to describe jeans! As soon as I walked out in them though, I said to Doug, "I'd destroy these in about 5 minutes." White and I are not BFF - but I'd rock these in another color any given day!

Keep it or leave it? Leave it. Another color? They'd totally be a keeper.

Le Sample - Kahlo Embroidered Racerback Tank ($38)

As soon as I saw the embroidered detail, I was super intrigued by this tank. I love the floral, swirly pattern and thought it contrasted in such a pretty way against the navy and faintly gray stripes. Once it was on, though... meh. It was a surprisingly heavy fabric, and though I realize the photo cuts it off, was an asymmetrical hem which I don't love on anything. The back I loved - though just a racerback, I think it's a totally different cut than I've seen elsewhere and I thought was really neat.

Keep it or leave it? Leave it.

Fun2Fun - Toronto Bicycle Print Split Neck Top ($48)

As soon as I saw this print, I kind of giggled, but loved just how fun and random  the bicycles are! The top is incredibly soft and light (sense a theme? Thank you, 100+-degree-summers!) and perfect with shorts. After rockin' this top around all day today, and getting oodles of compliments, I'm loving it more already. I'm also really excited to pair it with my navy pencil skirt and give it some office flair, too.

Keep it or leave it? Well, the tags are off. Guess it's a keeper!

Totally loved this month and can't wait for more already. This box was a lot more 'me' in terms of patterns (floral, paisley & fun), but also a little experimental, too. Holly nailed it. I'm only going to be doing Stitch Fix once per month (you can do more frequently, every 2-3 weeks), and we'll see how long I'm going to fund this closet project for, but I'm excited!

Are you a Stitch Fix-er? 

All Stitch Fix links in this post are referral links. Should you sign up for Stitch Fix through those links, you benefit me in my referrals and bonuses! Thank you in advance if you do! :)