Sunday, November 28, 2010

Richmond Half Marathon 2010

So, it has been a few weeks since the actual event, but with travelling and Thanksgiving and working, I haven't had a time to post about the Half Marathon!  Anyway, it was a great day!  The actual race was November 13, 2010 and the race began at 7:30am.  The Half Marathon Training Team met at 6:30a for pre-race photos and motivation!

 Here is my race day prep list--shoes, check; hat, check; fleece hat and gloves, check; arm warmers, check; water bottle, check; fleece jacket, check
 Sarah, Amity, and I being dropped off by my sweet Hubby at 6:30am!
The Training Team members getting ready to get our race on!!

The morning was slightly chilly (around 35), then the temperature was getting up into the mid-50s  by the time we would be finished--hence all the layers in my race day prep list!  Amity and I ran most of the race together and she did awesome!  We ran a good race--with the first half of our race slower than the second half!  Which meant we did not push ourselves too hard and had a negative spilt!  Woo hoo!  That is always the goal!    Here are some pics along the course:

Here is Sarah burning up the pavement!  Go girl!!
 Here are Amity and I mugging for the camera.

I ran a pretty good race--faster than last year--and felt good at the end!  It was perfect running weather and the crowds who cheer you on along the race course are awesome!

(Plus you get a really cool medal for finishing.)


After the race, Hubby and I had plans to meet for dinner with Gary, Lori, Carter, Virginia, and my mother-in-law, June.  We were going to one of our favorite places--Frank's!  A family-owned place right near our house that has AWESOME pizza (which Frank is often making and putting in the brick oven himself), yummy pastas, and all sorts of other goodness on on their menu.  If you are in Richmond, you should definitely check it out!  Here are some pics from my post-race meal:
 Greg and split pizza--tomatoes and ricotta on my half; feta and ground beef on his.
Virginia enjoying her pasta with butter. 
Mom with her boys--Gary, June and Greg
Virginia took this one of me and Hubby--I thought it turned out quite well!



So I guess you  might ask, what now?  Well, I just signed up for another half marathon in March!  The National Half Marathon in DC.  I figure only one a year is not enough :)  Here's to more training!

~Lexie

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Giving Thanks

Hi Everyone!

I hope this finds you well and getting ready for Thanksgiving Day!  Hubby and I are in San Francisco celebrating our 5 Year Anniversary and we are loving it!  We have been exploring the city, eating great food, getting around on the public transportation system, and enjoying the people!  I have been taking LOTS of pictures, so be ready for a long post when I return!


Things to be thankful for in 2010: Hubby, Holly, family (especially to Mom and Dad who watched Holly for us while we were away for the first half of the week), friends (another muchos gracias to Emily who is watching Holly for us for the second half of the week), Thomas, my health, my mental health, being creative, being able to travel and explore new places, being employed, having a house, having food to eat, having wine to drink, and the love and support from all those who love me and whom I love!  I am truly thankful and blessed to have such wonderful people in my life!!!


 Hubby and me in New Orleans
Sweet Holly Belle
The Arnett Clan (Mom and Dad up front; Alex, Greg and me)

 
 The Gerczak Clan (Greg, Lori, Virginia, me, Bob, Gina, Carter and Gary) in Cancun
 My cousin Brooke and me

 My cousin Anna, Nanny-Nett and me in Savannah
 
My sister, Jackie, and me in Florida
Friends! Sarah, Marty, Jessica, me, Miggie, Lissa and Amity
 
Lori, Gina, mom and me in Wintergreen
Me and Lissa after the Rock and Roll Half Marathon Relay in VA Beach
Beth and I running the Richmond Marathon in 2008

Sweet Thomas!!!
Yummy food
Mmmmm...vino

Beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains


If you are not pictured and should be, it is not because I am not thankful for you--it is because I don't have a picture in my reserves and I need to take more!!!


~Lexie

Friday, November 19, 2010

I LOVE a Deal

I have been scoring in the deal department lately and I LOVE a good deal!  I love the idea of saving money on stuff--using coupons, discount codes, sale racks, etc!  It is a rush and I feel SO happy afterwards!  It is better than regular retail therapy, because you get MORE for your money!

I thought I would share the goods I stole scored!

Yesterday I went on over to Old Navy already armed with a 30% off coupon--I was in need of some long-sleeved shirts for layering in the cooler months and Old Navy is the best place to find good shirts at a good deal.  Luck would have it that they were also giving you 50% off additional lowest price on clearance items!!!  I got a shirt for $1.32 people!!!!  I also got a sweater jacket that was originally $50-ish for $13!!!  Woo hoo!!!  All in all I got around $80 worth of clothes at Old Navy for $28.  Go me!!!!!

Here are a few examples of the Old Navy goodies I snapped up!! 

Tonight I got a bee in my bonnet as I was packing for a trip and came to the conclusion that I was in desperate need of new boots--I really really was, so that is not an exaggeration (the ones I replaced were so worn that the screw in the heel was exposed and I was clicking and clacking with every step--total ghetto).  So, I zoomed over to DSW to see what I might be able to find, and lo and behold did I find exactly what I needed!  There were so many to choose from, but I was looking for something black, versatile, that would look good covered and uncovered...and were comfortable.  I was successful!!!  Not only are they classic, beautiful, and versatile (wear with jeans, skirt, dress, black pants, etc.)  they were originally $170 and I got them for $99.99!!!!!  Another deal done good!   I love my boots!!!  I am so happy that I found them and got to bring them home!  I think we will be very happy together!


Audrey Brooke-audrey brooke dylan boot  

(I have to admit to you that I did not look for a coupon on-line before I left, which I normally do, and refuse to look now because it might kill me if I could've saved more and didn't--even though these babies would have been worth it).



Anyone else scored any good deals lately?  I'm always on the lookout!!

~Lexie

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Veteran's Day 2010

I know Veteran's Day was last week, but I wanted to share with you all that I accomplished!  I spent a lovely morning with my precious godson (went on a run and to Lowe's), completed the priming phase in our bathroom, and spent an evening bonding with my Momma!

Amity and I met for our last run before the Richmond Half Marathon to do a little 3 mile jaunt--we took Holly and Thomas along for the ride.


After the run, we played in the backyard...



 "Cheese!"
 He loves flowers.
 And he really liked this green ball/globe.
 Holly was happy to run and romp with Thomas, too.  She says, "it's a tough job, but someone has to do it."

The, I dragged fulfilled Thomas' dreams of a Lowe's outing...

 He gave me his input on possible colors for the bathroom.
He helped my pick out the best paintbrush for the job--later he tasted it to let me know it was pretty good.
 He pointed to the neon pink reindeer that he wants for the front yard (don't worry, Thomas, Godmommy will come through for you on that, one--we just won't tell your Mom).
 He was amazed at how Lowe's has been taken over by all things Christmas, and Thanksgiving hasn't even rolled around yet.
 
 Now this is a scary Santa (the pretty lady with the awesome yellow purse is Lissa, one of my best friends and Thomas' mom--we were discussing all of the possible children who might be traumatized filled with joy by this Santa during this Holiday Season).  The traumatizing filled with joy discussion started because as we were walking along, all of a sudden this Big Boy starts moving and a grooving--I startled and said "scary!"  Thomas then repeated "scary" for the rest of the trip--I hope that Santa has not been ruined for him--he is only 2 years old and has lots of Christmases left.  But that Big Santa that moves all of a sudden IS SCARY.

After I tucked my sweet boy into his car seat in the back of his Momma's car, I zoomed on back home to get my priming on...here is a bit of my handiwork.


Don't worry, I got a TON all over my hands, legs, arms, etc.  Luckily it was latex, so it came off pretty well in the shower.

After I took a nice exfoliating scrub to all of the paint covering my body shower, I got ready for a Night out with my Mom!  We started for a quick bit at Europa--it was quite yumm-o!!  We went at the right time (around 5:30)--they were having HALF-PRICE TAPAS and HALF-PRICE GLASSES OF WINE!!!  There were some super scrumptious tapas--my favorites were the sea scallops, fried oysters, and the stuffed peppers with chorizo, chicken and mascarpone cheese.  I give this place a 3.75 out of 5 stars and will definitely go back--especially to try the baked artichoke and lump crab, chorizo quesadilla, artichoke misto...and get more of the sea scallops!
 Sea Scallops and Fried Oysters
 Mom, showing off the menu--what a goofball!

 Stuffed Peppers and Flatbread Duck Pizza
 If that wasn't a great evening...there is more!  I was the lucky winner of the tickets to RHome Holiday Event at La Diff where Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan from Apartment Therapy was the Guest Speaker!

 It was great!  We got to wander around La Diff and ooh and aah at all of the chic, cool, modern pieces and fun accessories; look at some very cool and festive wreaths and holiday tablescapes on display; and be entertained by ballerinas from the Richmond Ballet's Nutcracker! 

Here are some of the cool things I perused in La Diff...

 LOVE these wall thingies (I'm sure there is a name, but I am not sure what it is, so I'm going with wall thingies).  I can just see the flowers in a little girl's room, or maybe in a family room.
 Doesn't my mom look relaxed and stress-free???  I guess that is why they call this "Stressless."
 This...is outside furniture!  Cool, right?!  And, it is comfortable!  I tried it out!  I LOVE it!  It reminds me of Alice in Wonderland or something...I don't know why, but it does.
I LOVE this chair and would like for it to be in my house---Santa?  You hear me? 

 
 I like this dragonfly pillow--I could see it on my screened porch in a big fluffy chair for reading in...
I LOVE this rug!!  It is in French!  Je l'adore!!! 
 I just thought these were funny.
 Maybe you would like them in gold?
I LOVE this swanky sofa.  One day, when I have a more formal living room, I think I will purchase this... 
 

 I don't know about you, but I always wanted cardboard animal heads mounted on my wall...actually these would be cool in my office and I could dress them up according to the season.  I could also see them adding a little something extra in a boy's room.
 I love over-sized jars for home accents.
This chandelier is awesome. 

The wreathes that were on auction were awesome!  I was tempted to put a bid in on these two:


but I've decided that I am going to do a DIY wreath this year, here are some I've seen around the Blogging World that are inspiring--

 
From Apartment Therapy

From Apartment Therapy


Anyway, back to the RHome Event...check out this beautiful holiday tablescape Strawberry Fields put together.


I love this little birdie--if you look closely, you can see the robin eggs tucked inside!

With Thanksgiving next week and Christmas around the corner, I will leave you with some twirling ballerinas to get you in the holiday mood!  I'm thinking that I might want to check out the Richmond Ballet's Nutcracker this Holiday Season after seeing these lovely ladies! 
 








 If twirling ballerinas and Nutcracker Suite in your head don't get you in the holiday spirit, then I'm not sure what else will, besides maybe some hot cocoa, fleece pajamas, and A Christmas Story.

~Lexie