2011 - The Year of Color

Lovelies, how was the close of 2010 and the start of 2011? For me NYE was very low key. As it turns out, the thought of getting super fancied up and going out just didn't hold a candle to sitting with a group of great friends and playing board and video games for the evening. Seriously one of the better NYE celebrations. 

And with a new year comes new trends. This year is apparently the year of color, according to Refinery 29, and I couldn't be more excited. Oranges, Blues, rusty earth tones, oh my! 

For 2011, I resolve to embrace more colors and these beauties should help me along the way. 

via J Crew

 I could totally see myself rocking this bright orange outfit during our "beat the winter blues" vacation. Doesn't this outfit just make you feel instantly better? And warmer? Wait, that's just me?!

via United Bamboo

This is more within my comfort zone of color, but yowza is this trench hot! The earthy rust tone screams "look at me!" but without any words. It's instantly being added to my must-have list. 

So is there any color you're dying to try this spring?

Relaxing in the Mitten

I hope you lovelies have had a fabulous Christmas with your families. I'm relaxing in the Mitten (aka, Michigan) with Stephen's family until the new year. So far it's been stuffing my face with cookies, cake and wine, but there's nothing better in my book. I'm not sure I'll post again before we're back in Boston, so if not, have a wonderful New Year's!

A Last Minute Christmas Wish List

Dear Santa, 

I don't know if I've been naughty or nice this year (who am I kidding? We all know I've been a little of both) but I found some last minute items I would really like you to bring me for Christmas. 

Spotted on Julie's site here, I'm hoping this shows up under my tree come Christmas morning. If not, I'll snag it for myself ASAP

La Sportiva Hobnail Grips - a must have for anyone who wants to brave the snowy streets

CW-X Insulator Stability Tights - Geared to keep your muscles aligned, these promise better runs - and who doesn't wish for that?

So there you have it, Santa. It would be super swell if a few (or all) of these items found their way under my tree. I promise if they are, I'll be even nicer next year. 

Best,
Michele

Santa Speedo Run

This is quite possibly the post I've been most excited to blog about in a really long time. It's the photo recap from the Santa Speedo Run, which was held last Saturday in Boston. 

First, I want to say thank you to everyone who donated to my run - I raised $415 against a goal of $300, so thank you, thank you, thank you! And even bigger news?! The run raised almost $220,000! That's a lot of good going toward some wonderful children's charities. 

Before I show you photos, I want to say that I sort of cheated in the race; I did not wear a speedo. I opted for a modest coverup and went with some booty covering PJ shorts from Target instead. I wanted to be nice to those running behind me, and skipped the possibility of having my speedo ride up during my run. I also wanted to note that mother nature sort of cheated too. She gave us gorgeous temps in the upper 40s - that sort of defeats the purpose of running through Boston in winter wearing very little. That's ok though, I think it was a way to ease me into this run - I bet next year we get snow and temps in the teens. (fingers crossed... sort of.) 


Without further ado, the 2010 Speedo Run, seen through my eyes. 

Runners celebrating pre-run

Mark and me pre-run

Mark, Justin and me pre run

This guy looked like Jesus

Heading out for the run

And we're off!

I give this run a thumbs up

Hilariousness ensued throughout the run

Justin's action shot

Coming up on the finish line

The end of the run - look at all the watchers

 So there you have it - one of the best races I've run in a while, and already looking forward to next year's race.

I'm Back, With Good News!

Lovelies, 

Thank you so much for your patience while I was temporarily disengaged. I'm pleased to report that I secured a new laptop power cord and I'm back in business (thank God!)

So much has happened in the nearly two weeks I've been gone - but all really good things. 

I owe you two posts - one on my Michael Buble experience a few weeks ago, and of course, last week's Santa Speedo Run. All I will say about that right now is holy wow!, that was a fun race! 


In other good news, I got a promotion at work! What an incredibly lucky girl, right? It's a position I've been working toward my entire career, and it means I'm officially management. Me, helping develop young minds in their career is a scary thought, no? All kidding aside, I'm over the moon about it. I've only been with my company for four months, so this promotion was completely unexpected, but I'm incredibly thankful for the faith my company is placing in my ability. 


Thanks for sticking with me while I've been out. I promise I'll get you posts on the ever handsome Mr. Buble, as well as my run.

A shameless/ful plug asking for your donation

Friends, I realize it's right before the holidays, but I'm kindly requesting your help (and a small donation) for a charity run I'm doing next Saturday. However, this is not a normal charity run. This is the SSRun. Formerly known as the Santa Speedo Run, this will be the craziest/most fun run I've ever done. 

What is the Santa Speedo Run you ask? Well, let me tell you! It's where 2,500 of my closest friends get together in December wearing nothing but speedos and run through the streets of Boston, all for charity. See? 

(I spared you photos of dudes in speedos - you can thank me later)

photo via Santa Speedo Run

This year, all donations will go to benefit three amazing charities: Starlight Children's Foundation, Hospitality Homes and Play Ball Foundation. So please take 5 minutes and donate $5 to my run. In return, you'll get photos of me running practically naked through Boston. In December. I know, scary thought, but please don't let that keep you from donating. My donation page is http://www.ssrunners.org/ssrun/participantpage.asp?fundid=388&uid=565&fkroledescid=5 and every dollar helps. 

So please, I'm asking you from the bottom of my crazy charity heart, please donate to these worthy charities.

Laptop Down

Y'all, I have to apologize for the lack of posting this week; my laptop's AC power adapter bit the dust this weekend and the battery is officially... dead (RIP power cord, you've had a good life.) 

I have my work laptop, but I can't download any photos onto it, so I'm sort of...stuck. And I have stuff I want to post! I have photos from my night at Michael Buble, photos of gift ideas on my Christmas wish list, and... and... well, I'm sure there's other photos I want to post on here! 

I don't suppose anyone has a spare power cord for a Dell laptop they'd care to send my way? Bueller? Bueller? 


Ok, until I get this problem resolved, you're left with my unwitty ranting. I promise I'll get a solution worked out soon and be back on track ASAP. 

Until then, thanks for your patience!