yogaaa

I checked out a new studio this evening called I AM YOU Studio. It’s on Mulberry Street in Little Italy.  You are told to take the elevator from street level to the studio, it’s like a freight elevator or something. I’m always kinda nervous doing things for the first time and when I approached the building I did NOT see an elevator then I just kept walking and there it was. The studio is the epitome of a NY loft. Brick everywhere (surprised the floors weren’t brick) and the coolest art and there is a kitchen and it’s this massive really cool space. High ceilings, big windows and a huge christmas tree in the corner. The owner was a former Wall Street junkie turned yogi. MY DREAM. I am a wall streeter and I want to be a yogi ALL the time not just twice a week. Well I guess you bring yoga into your real life so technically I’m constantly practicing yoga… but you get what I mean. The class was tough. We held every single pose for 5 seconds, which reminded me of Bryan Kest in Santa Monica and at one point I think sweat was pouring out of every pore on my face. For $20 you get a sweaty hour and a half class, mat and towel, and you just feel really cool breathing in that studio. I’ll go back. And I totally forgot how weird it is down there. I got off the BD at Grand and it was hardcore Chinatown then all of a sudden festive Little Italy for a block or two.

Now I actually have to go be productive and finish laundry, shower and pack. PACK FOR LA, SAN DIEGO AND ARIZONA!! It’s like.. 73 degrees in LA right now. Be jealous. I land at 830 and I’m going to get dinner and drinks with some friends then Thursday I’m going to bike to Peet’s Coffee for breakfast then do the SM stairs and run, then get lunch with a friend, then yoga with Linds who flies in from London, then Other Room for beer and pizza then singing all night long at the Gaslite. Best 24 hours ever. Then my sis is picking me up to head to San Diego, then I head to AZ for Christmas and we are staying at some beautiful spa type place near a mountain. I just cannot wait.

I will not blog until I return. Happy Holidays!!

SPARKLES everywhere

My weekend was fun per usual. I actually can’t think of the last weekend that was not fun. Last week was long and not the best so when Friday at 530pm rolled around I was very very happy. I went down to Soho Equinox and ran my mile and took a spin class. The spin class was intense!! I always walk out of spin drenched feeling like I may pass out.  After getting ready and not washing my hair (cute) I went to Michelle’s for some holiday cocktails and delicious appetizers. Also discovered a really cool laid back bar on 10th called Kettle of Fish. I think this is where all the normal people go. Not pretentious at all and just cool.

these lights got me more in the spirit

Saturday I set my alarm for noon to allow myself to actually get the rest I needed but woke up at 1030am and was able to make the 1130a 30 60 90 class at Equinox. This class is hardcore. Not sure I’ll go back to this class at the Greenwich location because we were sardined in there. I stepped on some girls finger! sorryyyy I’d be so mad if someone stepped on my finger. 30 60 90 is an intense interval class where you do certain drills for 30 60 and 90 seconds each. I was dripping sweat allll over my little step thing. I steamed and showered, although the steam room wasn’t very steamy while I was in there and of course as I got out the steam kicked in. It’s slightly weird laying there completely naked without much steam. Saturday was let’s actually buy some Christmas presents day.

forcing myself to like these shoes I bought in AR and can't return. This is my stomping around NYC outfit

I walked in a giant square. From Jane down to get coffee at Jack’s on 10th then cross town on Bleecker to Bond Street then up Bowery to union square and ate Potbelly’s with Alex. Got holiday cards at Paper Presentation then a frame (which I have to exchange! I guess I don’t know how to measure, although it’s a painting from Uruguay so their sizes may be very different and I measured 11 3/4 by 15 3/4 soo I should have gotten the 12×16 but I got the 11×14 for some odd reason), then home! It was a perfect, but freeeeeeeeeeeezing, Saturday. Hello winter, not glad you could join us.

That night I went to Bryant Park with the intention of ice skating but it was an absolute madhouse so we drank apple cider instead (fine by me. Ice skating makes my legs SO sore). Then my friend Greg had a cookie decorating party. I made this gem below. When I lived with Alex we used to host a huge cookie decorating party. Reason 3 why I miss having a roommate.

so artistic

I had about 6 parties on my to do list thinking I’d go to 5, however I ended up at 3. Still successful I’d say! The party we didn’t leave because the dancing was just too good was this loft party in soho. I want to live in a giant loft with brick walls and high ceilings. I love you studio but you’d be WAY cooler if you were a loft. This guy had Christmas movie projecting on a huge white wall and a big tree and lots of lights flashing and champagne flowing AND SPARKLERS. I thought sparklers were just for lame clubs when someone buys a $2000 bottle. NOPE you can buy them and have them when you open your own not $2000 bottle of champagne. There were about 5 of us on the dance floor for a good 2 hours before anyone joined. Loved every second of it.

so fun

Future home? yes please

Sunday I met Alex at the Seaport, did damage at Jcrew, got Jacks, walked over the BK bridge, ate at Bubby’s in DUMBO the walked to Flatbush to go to the Dekalb Market. Super cool. A bunch of Etsy artists and their shops are in big storage containers.

baby tree!

my boyfriend Joe

necessary photo shoot

Then since we were there we just had to stop by Target. There is something wonderful about Target. Sunday night I (finally) put up some Christmas lights, wrapped presents, and baked cookies (my santa cookies growing up!) and drank apple cider.

lights AND my LA poster is finally up

As you know I’m now a pro chef but still shocked I made these cookies. You needed a hand mixer to cream the butter and sugar WHAT?! I don’t even know what that means but now I do!! It’s slightly difficult actually baking in a kitchenette. At one point I had both cookie trays on the floor and squatted down to brush on the egg mix (brush on= using an unused paint brush from my wall painting kit).

kitchenette=getting creative

success!

This am I managed to roll out of bed to run at the gym. 3 miles and some arm stuff.

Overall this weekend was great. It was frigid but I got to wear fun hats and scarves which I love. And this week is short because I leave for California on Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Monday.

Five Things to be Happy About Right Now

1. Nice holiday cards from friends. My friend Kevin sent me one of the nicest cards ever. And it was sealed with a K. So cool.
   

   he's so cool

2. The Bowery Presents because that email tells me everything I need to know in life. Or the cool concerts coming up… which is all you really need to know. Buying Foster the People for a summer kick off show in Central Park (tickets on sale way too early)and I saw the National last night at The Beacon and they were incredible. New York has some pretty sweet venues. Webster Hall is one of my favs. And my favorite show of 2011? I’d probably say The Head and The Heart at Music Hall of Williamsburg and, for the experience and music, Cut Copy and Foster the People at Prospect Park come in second.
   

   The Head and The Heart soooooooooooo good go see them in 2012!!!

3. This gchat I just received-  ok for tonight: I have the butternut squash thing, the brie thing, carrots and hummus, the sugar cookies, lizzie’s cupcakes, and sarah’s bringing something. Butternut squash thing+brie thing is seriously the best EVER. I’m excited.
4. California next Wednesday!! Peet’s coffee… yoga… biking.. friends… SUNSHINE
   

   ohh ya and lots of this at the Gaslite

5. The thought of becoming a winter runner. I think it’ll clear my head in the morning. Thanks Ali for the winter running is so great post. New York covered in snow is absolutely gorgeous.
   

   pretty. 'Stuyvesant Cabbage in Snow'

   

   I also went and saw the Rockettes on Wednesday! They are sooooooo good. Totally reminded me of my song days in high school. I looked exactly like them… I think the tap dance number was my favorite. I miss tapping. So fun. Speaking of which… I neeeed to get back to Broadway Dance Center to take class. On the New Years resolution list. (I think I just created this list in my head and there is one thing on it) I think my favorite Bar Method teacher was once a Rockette. (stalker)

   

   festive

   This weekend should be fuuun filled. Tonight, as seen above, I am eating very delicious food and consuming festive beverages at Michelle’s. Tomorrow… omg I have NO DAY plans tomorrow. How lovely. I’ll run… or do something. Maybe I’ll actually take a strength class. But tomorrow night I think I have like… 4 holiday parties or something crazy. Sunday again nooothing!! I’ll finish holiday shopping and I’ll bake. Sounds like a stress free weekend ahead.

   Enjoy!!

I’m Alive!

Not sure I’ll be eating any huge meals or working out anytime soon but I survived yesterday. I know you were very concerned I would not. I did get a great spin class and mile run in on Tuesday before going to Lupa for dinner! And tonight I’m seeing the Rockette’s woohoo. Tomorrow I’m going to see the National at the Beacon Theater and Friday and Saturday are full of holiday parties. Hopefully full of running, yoga, spinning as well.

I can’t believe I leave for California next Wednesday. It’ll be a busy holiday getaway. I’m flying into LA and land at 830pm on Wednesday. Staying at my friend AJ’s in Venice. I haven’t seen him in foorrevvverrr so I’m very happy to catch up.

AJ is one of my best friends. He's great.

The 22nd will be full of my LA workouts- yoga, biking the boardwalk and Santa Monica stairs.

<3 Runyon

This is not yoga, sm stairs or the boardwalk but it’s Runyon Canyon and it’s awesome. I don’t think I have time to hike this beauty but it gives you such peace in the craziness that is LA. It’s such an “LA” hike though. Celebrities with coffee and dogs… seriously.  East Coasters would just laugh. Then I’m going to San Diego for a day to hangout with my sister who I love and miss dearly then going to AZ to spend Christmas with the kindest greatest family and another best friend. I’ll explain another day why I’m spending Christmas with a friend’s family.

Anyway I will enjoy the cold NY weather and fun holiday parties until then.

 

I’m a huge baby when it comes to ONE thing

trowing up. I have such a hate/fear of throwing up. Probably because freshman year of college I threw up every 5 minutes and had to go to the hospital. Special. I haven’t had the strength to type today until now because I was in this state:

This is me dying.

Legit dying. Rewind to dinner last night. Amazing dinner at Lupa with my really good friend Marissa. I had a gift card there that her and my other friend Alex got for me! so nice! Lupa is great I really have only good things to say about the place. I may have overeaten… we got salad, squash, brussel sprouts, 2 pastas, braised short ribs and a bottle of wine. Andddd ate it all. EXCEPT Marissa did not have a bite of my salad so I’m thinking I have food poisoning from that. It could be a stomach bug but I called my doc (of course because I really did think I was going to pass out in my little studio bathroom) and he thinks food poisoning.

I won’t go tooo into it but my day went something like this… woke up at 545am to go to the gym (hah) rolled right back over and was like uhhhh that doesn’t feel right. About an hour later I got reallllllly hot and threw up then was freeeeezzzing cold and shivering then 2 hours later same thing and 2 hours later same thing. Luckily only 3 times and thank goodness for my friend Liz who brought me gatorade and Pedialyte and saltine crackers for tomorrow. I guess I can only sip clear liquids today, no raw food or dairy for 3 days, and carbs tomorrow. Sounds great to me.

Anyway still feel like complete death. Watched Friends with Benefits (tear jerker!) then slept the rest of the day. I seriously couldn’t even type. I could click for the gem above and this gem below.  Must feel better for Rockettes tomorrow. Oh ya I decided NO more kids because of morning sickness and I would fail at Hunger Games and Survivor and my day is reminding me of Into the Wild (yes I’m comparing myself to someone who died from poison) but no thank you. NO thank you.

check out whats saving me. thank you electrolytes.

And your welcome for these very pretty pictures.

hands vs. feet

Why is it so much harder balancing on your hands than on your feet?! And why is it so much harder balancing on your hands when you are 26 and not 10? I remember winning handstand competitions in dance class as a kid and being able to walk around on my hands. Oh ya I also remember being able to do standing back flips in high school haha that’s funny. The thought of just flipping myself and landing back on my feet…

Anyway! Yesterday I went to an inversion workshop at Yoga High in the LES. It was awesome and helpful and I learned lots.  It was 2.5 hours and for about 30 minutes we did a quick vinyasa warmup then 2 hours of being upside down. Well.. maybe 15 min of actually being upside down. I practiced pressing hopping up from straddle to a handstand. I honestly think it’s easier than kicking up because your weight isn’t being thrown backwards. We also did lots of forearm stands. We practiced doing a  somersault (such weird spelling) out of it so you won’t be scared about falling/crashing on your face. I also practiced changing my gaze “drishti” from between my forearms to looking in front of me. It was so peaceful floating in the air like that. Then I practiced going from a headstand to forearm stand. It was all very fun. I love inversions.

pretty Clinton Street

Something that may be more exciting to hear about is SantaCon! Were you at all annoyed by 100s of Santas on Saturday? I apologize because I was definitely running around in the midst of it all. But I wasn’t a Santa, I was a present.

bows!! (about 80 of em)

Not gonna lie… the costume was a huge hit! Showed my overambitious seeking attention personality but it was sparkly and fun. We woke up far too early for bagels and mimosas then went and met up with fellow Santas on the pier then to Southstreet Seaport and played games and thank goodness friend/former roomie Alex lives above the bar! = clean uncrowded bathroom. Then we went to Pete’s Tavern on Irving. The 6 train Christmas singalongs were pretty hilarious. Pete’s Tavern was festive and fun, as was Rolfs. We ended our evening at Blind Tiger with water. Longggg day.

get it? presents under the tree.. ha ha

the crew

southstreet seaport santa spectacle!

my special friends

I slept in on Sunday and it was glorious. Can’t even think of the last time I slept in and just hung out in bed. Got up at about 1130 and cleaned my apartment. Then walked to Yoga High for the workshop. Stopped by Soho to return something at Bloomies. It wasn’t as crazy crowded as I thought it’d be 2 weekends before Christmas! There really is something about soho and the east side that I love. I know I’ve only lived in the West Village for about 2 months but the east side still feels like home. But to be honest…. Santa Monica still actually feels like home. Got home at about 6pm and I just…. relaxed. I sat in my big chair and read (reading Middlesex. People say it’s their fav book so I’m excited to finally be reading it. It’s honestly taken me 10 tries to get into it. I’m now into it) and ate sushi. Got a cookie and a chai tea latte and continued reading… cruised the internets… showered… and slept. One of the best Sunday evenings yet. I foresee more of these in the winter.

Also… let’s forget about that mile a day thing since I missed the last 3 days. Oops. Getting back into it today!

Every day is booked until I leave for California. Should be an excited week and a half.

Peace.

Five things Friday

Five things to be happy about right now!

1. Sequins. I wore a 100% sequin dress last night and it was amazing and I’m going to wear it for every festive thing I do in December.
   

   If you don't know me this is my model pose and is not seriously at all

2. The weather. The other day I was complaining that it wasn’t cold and doesn’t feel like winter/holidays. WELL I take that back because I just know in a few weeks I’ll be regretting that statement. I’m going to embrace the brisk chilly beautiful NOT freezing days.
3. Joe’s Coffee. They are awesome. Besides making the best espresso drinks in the city they are so nice. They are cash only and yesterday I was about to order and saw that I had NO cash and said “ah never mind I have no cash” and the nice girl said “oooh it’s ok! you can come back and pay for it tomorrow” I love you Joe’s coffee you are so nice. And this morning I went in an paid for my americano misto (which is by the way amazing. Steamed milk in an americano is definitely better than cold).
4. Animal hats and mustaches. They make everything hilarious. As party planner I get to pick out gifts too. These were HUGE hits. Everyone got the animal I thought fit them best :) I am of course Amanda the panda bear. 
5. Karaoke. I’m a terrible singer but I absolutely love karaoke and performing. Our company holiday party always ends with karaoke and it’s awesome.

I’m looking forward to the weekend! AND I’m not hungover. Even though I karaoked till 3am it was pretty tame. My songs were- Faith by George Michael, Don’t Look Back in Anger by Oasis, Our Song by TSwift, Save Tonight by Eagle Eye Cherry, I got you Babe duet with my boss, Picture by Cheryl Crow and Kid Rock duet with coworker, and made a guest appearance in a few others.

Tonight I’m going to spin class at Soho Equinox then to the LES for wine and cheese with my “Third Thursday Dinner” friends. Excited for a chill night in. Tomorrow we are meeting bright and early at my friend’s place at 9am for Santa Con!! The email chain we currently have going is pretty hilarious. The most recent gem is “Apparently santa suits are made for fat old men…who woulda thought? I am swimming in red velvet and white fur.” Like I mentioned before I am a massive present. 80 bows. Get excited.

Sunday I have committed myself to an inversion workshop at Yoga High. My handstand practice finally clicked in Mel’s class at Yoga High, so I’m looking forward to taking a workshop with her! And let’s pretend I did a mile a day yesterday and will do one today. Only bringing spin shoes to the gym = just spin and pretending to do arm work on the mat.

I also MUST get Christmas presents for people.

How cool are these? Morse code necklaces!!

That’s all I got!

Enjoy the weekend and the people around you who make your life complete and put a smile on your face.

Well isn’t today just a crazy day! This is the first time I’ve actually sat down at my desk and it’s 2pm. Let’s see what time I finish writing. Probably 4. Craziness following the crazy storm that was last night holy hell. I did manage to get my  nails done (red toes and sparkly pink nails), buy flowers for our company dinner tonight and work on my santa con costume. (glue > pinning. poor choices). Video chatting with 2 friends on google hangout > making santa con costume.

One of my favorite parts about my job is the event planning aspect. I planned our holiday party tonight and wanted to pick out the flowers for dinner myself so I went to Gramercy Park Flowers in the Chelsea Market and they are beautiful! I LOVE the Chelsea Market and need to go more often. And I completely forgot about the Anthropologie there.

you are pretty chelsea market

aren't these adorable?

And these are the flowers we put together. I’m kind of obsessed. We are doing dinner at Frankie’s Sputino and have a private room that has all brick walls. I’m putting the flowers in mason jars and I think they fit the vibe perfectly.

And the best part of the Chelsea Market was getting a BLTA from Friedman’s Lunch. it.was.so.tasty.

and vino, yes you guessed it, because it was raining

The sound of rain in a studio apartment is way better than a 2 bedroom. It’s really peaceful and cozy. So I have almost every day booked in December and I’m way busier living in a studio, even though I originally thought it would slow me down, but I’m wondering if it’s because I don’t want to sit alone having nothing to do. Snowy days are definitely more fun with a roommate so I’ll see what this winter brings and how I feel about it. But for my sanity and health, I need to calm down and stop booking myself silly! There is a tough balance between the whole.. I’m 26 years old and have the energy to be fun and run around NYC and I’m going to wear myself out and get sick. I think it’s really important to hang out with yourself and just chill out. I did it a whole lot more in Santa Monica. Last year I did a “me” month. I think it needs to happen again. Maybe February.

Did I mention we do karaoke at our company holiday party and that’s why this is my favorite event ever? My go to karaoke song is Faith by George Michael. In LA we lived literally half a block away from the most amazing karaoke bar ever, the Gaslite. We’d be in our pajamas watching Gossip Girl, look at each other with the exact same thing in mind, jumped up and hopped over to the Gaslite for a quick song. We were locals and I loved it. End of December we are hosting a reunion ‘we are back in LA’ party there.

Tomorrow will be a waste of a day in a very hungover state I imagine. I’ll likely eat a bacon egg sandwich of some sorts. Probably from McDonald’s. However, if I am NOT hungover then I’m definitely going to my favorite spin class. Hungover or not I’m going to my friend’s place for some holiday wine and cheese. There is a group of 4 of us who started a Third Thursday dinner club. It’s fun because we rarely see each other so it’s an excuse to get us all together and catch up. These are the girls I made those cute cookie jars for that made me look all domestic (which, as a reminder, I am not).

So my whole mile a day thing is a mile every other day kinda thing. Anyone else doing it!? Not easy. Especially not easy when you do a million other workouts. It’s a good thing to keep on my mind  and I’m glad I’m running more sans shin pain.

Oh look it’s 2:55 and I’m going to stop writing.

Enjoy the cold but gorgeous day.

Because it’s raining

It’s raining and it’s not cold and I again can’t stop sweating from the gym this morning. I also find it so amusing when it has stopped raining but people are still holding their umbrellas. Part of me wants to tap them on the shoulder and inform them that it’s not raining!

Yesterday was a “rest” day but quite productive. Rest=not working out=running around accomplishing lots of things. Old roommate Alex and I intended to hop around the holiday markets in Bryant Park and Union Square and quickly remembered that they are all the same… every year and we didn’t really need any random jewelry or knick knacky type things and it wasn’t cold enough for hot cider. BUT rain on a weekday means less tourists so it was pretty peaceful. We walked down to Madison Square Park to get Calexico, which of course was closed, so we popped into Eataly (also empty!!) and shared pizza, pasta and wine. I mean why not? It was raining.

yumm

she described this having blueberry flavors. It does look kinda blue doesn't it?

Stopped by the Union Square market and got a cookie, looked at shoes, then went to Kmart. We needed costumes for Santa Con and yesterday I came up with the brilliant idea of simply pinning about 100 bows to a sweater and wearing red tights and a huge bow on a headband and be a present. I don’t think I will EVER be a ‘sexy santa’ orr sexy bumble bee, sexy strawberry shortcake.. one time I went to visit my sister for Halloween at UCSB and I wore part of the bumble bee outfit with a turtle neck tank top (really not cute looking back) and this guy asked, “you don’t go here do you?” No no I do not and I am ok with not looking slutty enough.

ANYWAY so after trying on lots of heinous but hilarious sweaters I bought a black zip up, 80 bows (don’t think it’s enough), and ingredients for my cookie jars. Got home, watched an episode of Gossip Girl (sad that it’s just not that good anymore) and started pinning.

the start of something great

 

Then I made my jars. Cute and easy.

This makes me look domestic. I'm not.

This morning went to the gym at 615 (woof) and ran 3.5 miles. Running outside > running on treadmill. If only I didn’t have to be at work at 8. I would do 10 more push ups, lay in shavasana, actually make my hair look presentable.

Pretty peaceful walk to the subway. West side commute > east side commute.

Enjoy the rainy day! Tea time. Peace.

Must Listen To Body

Sometimes I listen to my body other times I don’t. When I’m sick I actually need a doctor to say, “Amanda do not work out and just rest” for me to actually not work out. Sometimes I just need to remind myself to chill out. I’ve managed to add something to my December calendar every day except 4. Four free days which will probably include me working out so technically aren’t free.  I just cancelled a dinner  (I hate cancelling!) so I can make these cookie jars for Friday and a santa con outfit for Saturday. These stresses are pretty frivolous but still stresses for a 26 year old :) Compared to some stress I had last year at this time I’m happy to be too busy with fun things to have time to make a santa con costume.

I’m going to pin, tape, glue I have no clue,  millions of these onto a dress. I’m going to be a present!

Last night I went to yoga, skipped mile a day, ate delicious Whole Foods and watched Millionaire Matchmaker (best night ever?) and when my alarm went off to run this morning at 545am I changed it to 7am and got up at 720am. Sometimes your body just NEEDS sleep. I was very happy to listen. I think you need rest days and I haven’t had one since … oh my gosh November 22nd. Not ok. Tonight I will frolick around Bryant Park and Union Square holiday markets with Alex, get my nails done, and make the cookie jars. Lovely.

My weekend was pretty great! I couldn’t believe the weather. Seriously last year at this time it was snowing and freeeeezing. Oh my calendar tells me that last year today was the “first snow” of the season.  I’m still wearing dresses to work without tights! I’ll embrace it just as long as it doesn’t last through March again. Friday I went to spin and did my mile a day. Spin class theme was Lady Gaga with music videos. Amazing.

run post spin = hard = triathlon would be really hard

That night I went out with some girl friends. It was fun exploring more of the West Village bar scene. Exploring WV bar scene until 5 am, however, isn’t the best idea :)

Not the best idea because Saturday I had big workout plans. I bought my friend a gift card to Bar Method and we planned on going Saturday at 1130. It was so great being back there! There is something about the environment that I love. I haven’t been in months and they STILL remembered my name. That must be how they get everyone to fall in love with the place. And it’s a kickass workout. I’m still sore. After chugging 3 water bottles I headed to my yoga workshop at Strala. Ally Hamilton from Yogis Anonymous in LA was in town doing a 2.5 hour yoga class. (and this is why exploring the bar scene until 5am was not a good idea). I love Ally I think she’s the best yoga teacher in the world. I started going to her at Bryan Kest Power Yoga in Santa Monica in 2007. She teaches an amazing, sweat filled, vinyasa flow class and mixes in words of wisdom. It’s seriously like therapy. Some things that have stuck with me are… while in warrior 2 the pain is temporary- like most pain in life. Heartache, disappointment, so many sad emotions are temporary. And it’s how you carry yourself during that tough time that matters. She’s also reminded me that you can’t change anyone. On Saturday she talked about going into meeting people and relationships curious. Not with an end goal in site, just curious to get to know someone and see where it goes. (i.e. I need to get the idea soul mate out of my head). Ally is the best.

Post sweating for about 4 hours I ran around Soho and  checked out the bloomies sale and tried not to punch tourists. Saturday evening I made my salted caramel brownies (for the third time) for my friend Sam’s bday!

mmm

Went to Williamsburg for a little cocktail dinner birthday party. Went to bed “earlyish” and got up on Sunday for my Arthritis Jingle Bell Run!! woohoo!!! It was great. Last year it was freezing, raining, in Prospect Park, and about 30 people showed up. This year it was sunny, high 50s, tons of people, in Battery Park and really fun! Three of my friends and I ran together finishing the 5K in 28:54 minutes. I think that’s good! I’ve never really timed a 5k so I guess this is my PR :)

4 very tired girls

awesome

We sounded like reindeer

We went to Philip Marie for brunch after, I did 3 loads of laundry (so productive) and continued shopping. Not sure why I am “thinking” of buying presents then proceed to buy things for myself. Oops.

Instead… I bought this

SPARKLES!

100% sequins? Yes please. Wearing this for EVERY event I attend in December.

And went shoe shopping…

so pretty

I left with these gems:

I’ll debut the sparkly dress this Thursday at my company holiday party. Dinner and karaoke! My favorite event of the year.

Well. I’m going to go enjoy my gloomy rest day. Chau che!