For the love of running

(Images via Womens Health)

I've always had a passion for running, the adrenaline rush and energy I get from a good run is what gratifies me. I guess you could call me a "runner". This last weekend was the Nike Hood to Coast relay and I've never had the opportunity to participate, but I think it's the next step in my running experience. The adrenaline, the thousands of people, the lack of sleep and the miles and miles of running at all hours of the day/night just sounds like something I may want to try! In the meantime, I'm going to sign up for different races around the Portland area, check out some races going on in the next few months:

Sunday, September 13th

Pints to Pasta- 10K

Sunday, September 20th

Race for the Cure- 5K

Sunday, October 4th

The Portland Marathon- 5 Miler/ Marathon

Sunday, October 25th

Run Like Hell- Half Marathon/ 5k/ 10k

Laid back weekend

The weekend was laid back and relaxing, but for some reason I'm still feeling exhausted on this Monday morning. I cant believe its September tomorrow and Labor day this weekend, time is flying by- where did June, July and August go!? Any plans for the long weekend? I am planning a trip up north to visit my best girlfriends from college-we are planning on attending Bumbershoot, doing lots of shopping, laying out, and consuming good food. I can't wait!

Happy {play-time} Weekend!

The weekend, already!? This week definitely flew by! I'll be enjoying playtime with my girlfriends, the boy and my family, can't wait!

Enjoy the last weekend of August (ah, summer is slowly coming to an end)- hopefully the sun will come out to play too!

Fashion Find

(Image via Cup of Jo)

I love this outfit for the fall/winter and wish I could dress like this everyday...

For the love of wine

(Images via Portland Monthly)

I've always been a big fan of Portland Monthly- their creative, bold and entertaining style makes it the perfect lifestyle magazine in the Portland area. Every month, in every issue, they feature essential guides to the best of the city. Reading the magazine every month inspires me to get out, and explore the lovely city of Portland.

This month they feature the 50 best wines in Oregon. Conde Cox's task was to try more than 650 wines over three weeks and to pick the top 50 wines of the season- the 30 best at any price point, plus 20 that cost less than $20 (my kind of wine!). Wow. Cox, at 55-years-old, has been tasting wine for more than 30 years and was recently accepted to study at the London-based Institute of Masters of Wine, a program that has only graduated 275 experts with in it's 56 year old history. I'd say that he definitely knows his wine! I can't wait to try some of his (cheaper) recommendations. I raise my glass to you Mr. Conde Cox for taking on this task for Oregon. Cheers!

Fashion Inspiration

These outfits are so simple, yet so chic. I was chatting with my bestest (who's in Rome) on Skype this week and she couldnt stop talking about the most amazing fashion, clothes and style she has witnessed while in Rome. It made me want to jump on the next plane out there just so I can be apart of all the fun.

Refreshed and Reenergized

I'm finally back to my normal self. I caught up on a lot of sleep this weekend, which was exactly what I needed. This morning I woke up ready to tackle Monday and the rest of the week... things are looking up.

The weekend was calmer than usual, but still lots of fun. My Friday was spent laying around and doing aboslutely nothing- it felt so good! Saturday, I was back in action, running errands, going to appointments, and hitting the town with my girlfriends. Sunday was back to relax mode. Ahh, the perfect relaxing weekend! Any good weekend stories?

Happy {catching up on sleep} weekend

(image via Le Love)

My only plan this weekend is to catch up on my sleep, I stayed out way too late, and woke up way too early all this week. I need to get back to my normal schedule of sleeping early and waking up at a decent hour. I just can't wait for the 5:00 hour to hit, so I can begin my sleeping weekend. Do you lovely readers have anything (more exciting than me, I'm sure) planned for the weekend?

Have a JOYous weekend!

Arrivederci

As tears rolled down my face I said farewell to my bestest friend who is off to Rome for the next 4 months. I wish I could have gone with her...oooh the possibilities. It was such a bittersweet goodbye, and as I write this, I begin to choke up. I am absolutely planning my trip out there because 4 months is just too long without her. Jen, I'll see you SOON!!

late nights, early mornings

Late nights and early mornings dont mix... thank goodness for coffee! But honestly, I wouldnt have it any other way, late nights with my bestest friends out in Portland is well worth it. Last night, my girlfriends and I tried two different restaurants in the Pearl, Vault for drinks and Palomino for dinner (and drinks)... We prefered Palomino! I definitely recommend it, especially if you're looking for a happy hour that serves good drinks, good food and great, speedy service! Tonight we are off to the "Thirsty Thursday" Beaver game, cheap beer and good friends... sounds like a good time to me!

Weekend Recap

My weekend was just as I suspected it would be, relaxing (with little sleep), filled with wonderful friends and great family. The weekends fly by and before I know it, I'm waking up on Monday morning, slowly getting ready for work. Time (life) needs to slow down, I need more time to appreciate the little things in life.

Happy {relaxing} Weekend!

I dont have any major plans this weekend and I'm just so excited to relax. I do have Jenny's surprise going away party, but other then that I have nothing else on the agenda, and it feels great. One of my bestest girlfriends from college was in town last night, and I forgot how much I absolutely love spending time with her, so I'm planning a trip to Seattle next weekend to visit my 2 bestest friends from college. We were up way too late last night for a "school night", but luckily I'm working from home (on my bed) and only working until noon. Once the clock strikes 12, I'll be off enjoying my weekend! Any big fun plans this weekend? Any weddings?Parties?

Have a lovely weekend!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

I've been so exhausted lately, it doenst help being sick, but its been a real struggle these last few days. All I want to do is lay in bed and do absolutely nothing. Thank goodness it's Thursday, and I'm working a half-day tomorrow!

My bestest friend is leaving on Tuesday for Rome for all of fall so we are planning a surprise going away party this weekend, which I'm so excited for. But I'm not so excited for her to leave. I don't know what I'm going to do without her for a whole 4 months.. I guess I'll just have to go to Rome and visit her!! I've always wanted to go to Europe, and now I have the best reason to!

Color Love

I'm loving these Trina Turk outfits! The dresses are colorful, bold and perfect for any end of summer occasion

{Wedding Filled} Weekend Recap

Both weddings were a huge success and so much fun and not to mention SO beautiful! I'll post pictures soon! I ended up finding a cute purple strapless dress from Urban Outfitters and Josh found a nice dress shirt from Banana Republic, they both worked out great! On Sunday, Josh and I got to sleep in a little and then I was off to the bridal shower! I can't wait for that wedding! I have two weddings to attend in September, and as you know me, I'm SO EXCITED!

Happy {lovely} Weekend!

(image via Max Wanger)

I only have 7 more hours until the joyous WEEKEND! Josh and I are headed to 2 weddings tomorrow, and then I have a bridal shower on Sunday... such a busy, busy weekend! Unfortunetly, it doesnt look like the sun will come out too much this weekend, hopefully it doesnt rain on Saturday!

FYI, I made the Blueberry Crumb Cake that I mentioned in my post earlier this week and it turned out nothing like the delicious looking picture. I may just have to try it again... atleast I tried :)

baking goodness

I love, love, love to bake, but havent had the time to even think about baking. I found the greatest blog, Bake or Break, with recipes for all sorts of goodies, it just makes me want to run home, turn the oven on and whip up something yummy. A few recipes I have promised myself I'm going to attempt:

Blueberry crumb cake

Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Dont you want to run home now and bake up some goodies?

take me somewhere..anywhere

I am in need of a major vacation. I wake up every morning dreading getting up and heading in to work. I need a serious break. Don't get me wrong, I love my job (for now) but I need some time to relax, sleep-in, read and do nothing. Josh and I have been talking about taking a vaca for some time now, but we get side tracked with work and our day-to-day routine lives that we forget to plan anything out. We have thrown out ideas such as Mexico, Caribbean, or Hawaii... any suggestions!?

(images via LeLove, and Lauren Photography)

City of Love

I'm absolutely loving the work of photographer Irene Suchocki, especially her work of "Paris: City of Love". She also does amazing wedding and engagement photography, which I obviously can't help but glance over (ah, my guilty, guilty obsession!).

Wedding Outfits

I need to find something for Josh and I to wear to the weddings this weekend.. A couple items I'm absolutely loving...

(images via Nordstrom)

Weekend Happiness

(image courtesy of Chris Craymer)

A perfect weekend, with good friends, good food, and laughs. Josh and I finally got to "sleep-in" this weekend, which was nice because it rarely happens. I love Sunday mornings with him.. I just feel so complete.

The pub crawl was a huge success, hundreds of people in matching shirts, walking the streets of Portland, it was wonderful. And to my surprise I felt great when I woke up on Sunday. Josh and I relaxed on the boat on Sunday, basking in the sun, while dreading the work week. I love Sundays, but hate them at the same time beacuse I just dread heading back into work on Monday. Case of the Monday's...every Monday? Yes, I do believe so! Do you guys have the same problem?