The Little Blog Dress: August 2013

A Traveling Runner

Greetings from Atlanta! Atlanta and I have very old stories together, some are fun, some are tumultuous, most shaped my early adulthood. I always come back here with hesitation, but I am so lucky to come visit one of my favorite people with my bestie. We have had a great time so far and this weekend, I get to see all my hens at NASCAR. Yay yay yay yay.

I was excited to take a run in Piedmont Park, the big city and the things that big cities accomplish for its residents amaze me. I only wish 1/8 of this would trickle down to Daytona Beach. Take the park for example, at 6am there had to be a 100 runners, a yoga class, a juicing food truck and five boot camp classes. All in the same place. At 6am. On a Friday. I am sorry to be all doe eyed, but how awesome.

Although, I wasn't crazy fast...being around the environment made me keep going and not stop. As much as I love running by myself...Running around others gives me a tiny push...you?

Hope everyone has an amazing weekend!

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Keurig® Brew Over Ice #Giveaway

The funny thing about me, is that I can come over to your home and cook you a gourmet meal in seconds. One thing I can not do? I can not, hand to God make a proper pot of coffee if my life depended on it. I have milled around the radio station's kitchen for years, waiting patiently for help. I have forgone an extra cup of coffee because that would leave it dangerously rude and near empty. Actually, right now I am sitting in Atlanta waiting for my friends to get up so I can have some coffee. So, to say the Keurig is the greatest invention since sliced bread, isn't exactly stretching the truth.

I was excited to be contacted by the Brew Over Ice people asking if I was interested in participating in a review and a giveaway of some of their cool iced beverage Keurig options. I love a good cup of coffee in the morning but it is Florida and anything iced and caffeinated is awesome. I knew a guy I used to work with who drank hot coffee all day long, and I am sorry but that is just gross. Anyway, I digress.

Did you even know you can make refreshingly cool iced beverages with your Keurig® brewer? Whether you’re craving an iced coffee, or a home-brewed iced tea, you can enjoy delicious beverages from the comfort of your own home with Brew Over Ice K-Cup® packs! If iced coffee is not your thing, they have a variety of mouth-watering flavors, including Crystal Light Tea, (my favorite) to satisfy you. Simply fill a tumbler with ice, choose the brew that best suits your taste buds, hit the 6 or 8 oz button on your Keurig® brewer, and get ready to enjoy the sweet sensation of Brew Over Ice!

As you can see, I was sent a really package with everything you need to Brew Over Ice this summer and now is your chance to try it for yourself!

While you are waiting to see if you won,

Be sure to participate in the "Brew Over Ice Sweepstakes"

Gran a $2 off coupon

Like Brew Over Ice on Facebook and Twitter

Now for the giveaway, this is what is included for one US winner, Good Luck!

3 Brew Over Ice K-Cup® samples to help you find your favorite icy brew
1 Brew Over Ice tumbler
4 Brew Over Ice coasters
1 Brew Over Ice light-up ice bucket with ice tongs to help keep those cold drinks a-brewin'

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Never Ever Ever

I have lots of Never Ever Evers this week!

I Never Ever Ever

* will be able to keep in a BIG secret Megan and I have that we can tell you next week!
* will not believe the things people write on Facebook
* will not stop feeling overwhelmed this week, and next week, and the week after.
* will not believe my good fortune today
* pack properly for my upcoming trips!

What would you Never Ever Do?

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Friday's Fancies - Around Town

This week, I joined a new linkup that allows me to go in and create an outfit and share with you! Yes, this is a hard sell for me! The theme this week This week's Friday's Fancies theme with Long Distance Loving is around town. You can tell by this outfit, that I am officially over Africa Hot Florida weather. Fall, you need to bring your A game, and bring it soon.

Joe's Boyfriend Jeans, silver flats and an awesome red satchel would make any boring errand run bearable. I have been wearing MAC Ruby Woo ever since my wedding. For someone who only wore neutrals, the pop of color is amazing for me and I really like it! Except when it smears and I look like a street walker but we will chat about that later.

So, I started selling Stella and Dot. This company is kind of like a crack lab for addicts. Like seriously, I can't take how awesome the jewelry is, how I have to buy and wear it to make my shows better and how fabulous everyone looks in it. I am BIG into multi bracelets this season and I have these three in both gold and silver...I wear them a lot. In fact, I covet them like children.

Stella and Dot Renegade Cluster

Stella and Dot Glided Arrow Bangle

Stella & Dot Christina Link Bracelet - Silver

Stella and Dot Christina Link Bracelet

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Thursday Things

I think the Dido station on Pandora should be called the Darlynn station. I am glad that you are not here listening with me because you would get real tired real fast of me saying OOH! I love this song!

Thank God the weekend is almost here. It was a huge crazy hamster cage week. I swear I have a million things to do.

My husband and I are going to an auction thingy tonight. This used to be my favorite event all year. Usually I don't drag beau to these kind of things but I want him to come. I donated an auction prize and hope to get a new client from it!

Speaking of new clients, I get to work with one of my dearest friends as a new client. So so so exciting to do what I love and work with people I love. It is def the highest point of owning your own business.

I realize I hate agendas and think I may skip on a couple of scheduled things this weekend to play part of the weekend by ear.

I hope all the things I did this week, will pay off.

How was your week??

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Meeting Bethenny Frankel

When asked who inspires you, what do you say? A family member, a boss, an old teacher, all makes good sense. For me, I have to model myself after someone who is like minded and embodies that entrepreneurial spirit that I wake up every day fighting for. I have been a fan of Bethenny Frankel for quite some time, just because she seems like someone that gets it, works hard and doesn't follow the mold that is laid out for everyone else. It is just nice to know that there are ~~people~~ women out there that make stuff happen.

Bethenny is debuting nationwide her talk show on September 9th. Megan received an invitation as a Tampa blogger to come as a VIP to her Tampa stop on the Calling All My Girls tour. What is funny, is that we both entered the NYC National stop (which I hope to still win, ha ha) and I didn't think about going to the Tampa stop.

The event was at Grille 116 (which was hot as a Grille, but anyways) and we received pink carpet treatment with blogger laminate and Skinnygirl cocktails galore...oh! It was awesome.

What you may or may not know about me, is that my background is in radio. I have met every single alternative artist in the 90's you could throw a stick at. Some of them are my dearest friends...so to say that I don't get nervous to meet someone I respect isn't really a stretch. I was really excited to meet Bethenny but I was nervous as hell, haha! But, I wasn't leaving her side without telling her that I was a small business owner, she inspires me and I was so freaking excited for her next journey. I don't think I took a breath through that whole word vomit diatribe. I am sure she hears it all the time but I wanted to let her know that as a girl trying to make it happen for herself...she is quite the role model!

If this week wasn't crazy enough for Miss Bethenny, her book Skinnygirl Solutions came out today. In our fabulous swag bag came a copy and I can't wait to dive in.

So come September 9th, check out your local Fox affiliate or on her website here, you can enter your zip code.

Follow Bethenny on Facebook and Twitter and #bethennytv and #callingallmygirls

Oh, and cross your fingers that we get to go to NYC for the National stop. You can enter here too but you may be begged to take me with you. I don't snore.

What would you say to someone you really respected?? (Don't forget to breathe while doing so!)

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Never Ever Ever

I am cross eyed exhausted today. I'm waiting ever not so patiently to grab my Bethenny pictures so I can tell you ALL about my evening last night. It was perfect in every way.

This Never Ever Ever feature is fun...here we go!

I Never Ever Ever

* will regret getting a chance to tell Bethenny Frankel that she inspires me last night
* will stop laughing at the things I have googled this week in regards to Baby Making '99
* will not feel guilty about having a easy week.
* believe that I am addicted to Big Brother
* know what I would do without this blog and hope I never find out!

What would you Never Ever Do?

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Today I Skipped

I rely on my Map My Run app to run more than I ever knew. Today, I couldn't figure out what happened it had a different screen, but most importantly as a Galloway runner, it wasn't telling me when to stop or go. It was throwing everything off, only to blame that it was really early...and finally, I figured out that I am the dumbass- I forgot to switch off my spinning extravaganza off and had to put it back to run mode.

I'm so bad at math, and my inability to make myself run longer than a minute no matter what really messes with my head....then it makes me start the wave of self doubt. I know I'm not the quickest of all that is running...and I really struggle with that..Do you know what I am talking about?

So, I am sorry Map my Run that I cursed you from here to high heaven but it actually became a really peaceful morning. I shut off the app...said a couple more cuss words and decided to take the bridge.

And I saw this.

Once I got over the self depreciation, I decided to have a good morning and I walked, skipped a second, ran down the bridge (because that makes me feel real fast) and even did some walking lunges.

Taking the pressure off how fast (or not so fast) my miles are really made my morning a peaceful one. I went farther, and enjoyed the outdoors. It wasn't the most caloric loss to date but it was good for the soul.

How do you get out of the monkey brain when you run? Do I really need a Garmin, or has my May My Run app learned its lesson?!

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Thursday Things

Ok, now this is ridiculous...where the hell is the summer going!? It was just Thursday...LAST week five seconds ago!

How was your week? Mine was easy and breezy, not too much going on! Actually if you can keep a secret...I have already done all my work for tomorrow so I may take the day OFF!! WOO! Wouldn't that be crazy...this would also never ever happen unless I left the country.

I have a Stella and Dot shindig this weekend at my friend's house. I am REALLY loving selling Stella and Dot!! It is easy and fun and I get to wear all the product, who is luckier than me! This is my favorite pieces this week...I love layering bracelets...click here to see some of the awesome line and let me know if I can place you an order!

On Sunday, we will make the treck to Orlando to try on Alfred Angelo bridesmaids dresses for Megan's wedding. Should be fun! Hope we pick something amazing out, I am sure we will!

This week I have been searching for fun bloggers to network with and I have found some really fun ways to connect with like minded individuals. I participated in some link ups, hoping to meet some new peeps....that is what its all about right?!

One of my favorite ladies Carly of Digitwirl, just announced that she launched her new website Carly K. I am so excited for more stuff from her, she is awesome!

Poor A-Rod.

Have a great weekend! WOO

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Easy Mustard Garlic Rosemary Pork Mariande

Its awfully difficult to be busy bees sometimes isn't it? My day starts at 5am and its go go go all day. Not that this is any different from anyone else...but I really like to have fabulous meals even if it is Wednesday. So, I am constantly on the lookout for easy, seamless recipes.

The joke in our home is that I never make the same thing twice. That is not entirely true...but I like to experiment with the new..so I know this recipe is a keeper because I have made it no less than five times this year...that is good for me!

Its an easy marinade with probably what you have in your refrigerator right now. I also shake it up a little...sometimes, I use dijon and crushed fresh garlic but today I used Trader Joe's Garlic Dijon Aioli, Crushed Garlic and Pink Salt (be careful it comes out quick) plus fresh Rosemary in my garden.

In my opinion, the secret is the kind of olive oil you use. It makes a huge difference. For this I took advantage of Carbonell Extra Virgin Olive Oil- Much like Spanish wine, Spanish olive oil offers a distinctively different flavor that liberates meat, fish and vegetable dishes from the confines of traditional, expected taste. It's Spain’s #1 olive oil, Carbonell and its great to use for light summer recipes.

I adapted this recipe from The Communal Pantry and made it my own, but it is an easy recipe to follow. You know what is delicious with this? Scalloped Potatoes! Yum!

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Never Ever Ever

I will never ever ever

Not wish to sleep for a full eight hours. I did my daily work last night for today and sure enough I was up at 4a.

Not feel sorry for A-Rod, even if I am the only one. I am in a so what, who cares mode. I think they are trying a little hard to make a point. Can't take this passion and go cure cancer or something?

Stop thinking about what I am going to do for my or my husband's fortieth birthday. I know we just spent a ton of moo getting married this Spring, but that's not an excuse. I think I have decided to go to NYC for the week, staying in an AirNB apt like a real girl. Except, I just think if all goes according to plan, I will be 2-4 months pregnant...and it will be a different experience.

Want the karma gods to think that I was just complaining about potentially being pregnant during my 40th birthday celebration.

To clarify before anyone freaks out, I'm not pregnant...just what iffing at this point.

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How to Change The Fitness Fail

This week, I wasn't really feeling any sort of physical activity. I am sure initially I could say that I killed myself trying to relive my ballerina days when I did my first real Fit Barre class. So when I finally regained feeling in my legs around Wednesday, it made me really lazy.

Then I started some medicine that will kick our family planning in full gear. Wanting to rip someone's throat out with your bare hands didn't quite make it to the side effects page on the prescription sheet. I know that this will be all worth it, but it really deterred my good mood. And my ambition to do anything.

That and its Africa Hot out! I mean, it will literally be 100 degrees today. Noone wants to do anything in this weather. Right?

So, instead of beating myself down and complaining...I took a little break. I made penne ala vodka and ate it three times. And today I sit on ways to make myself get motivated for the week to come.

Music

First up, I need some songs that I can say, this is my JAM! Of course, I have been listening to Blurred Lines over and over, and the rest of the album is totally different and it is very awesome. I am just not sure I am gonna be able to run very fast to it.

In Spotify, I found a good running playlist-I like this one because its all over the place! It has Breaking Benjamin, Coldplay and then it busts out with Stevie Wonder. A train wreck of awesome.

New Outfit

Of course, any activity will be better with a new outfit. And it is better if it is pink. I actually need to go down and get new running shoes. I don't know about you...but this is daunting. I feel like I am cheating on my original pair. But, my feet have been hurting when I run so I think its time to take a little visit.

Sign Up

A motivation to get back in the swing of things is to sign up for some 5K's and other classes to try. I will hopefully be taking my friend Keri to one of her first yoga class. There is also the monthly 5K that will be good (its at night) I also know the Dumbo 10K will be here before I know it, must wrap my head around that as well.

Try Something New

Because of my inability to eat very much before I run, I am always on the lookout for something quick and good for you before I head out. I was contacted this month by Jonathan, who started ZEGO with his co-founder Colleen, to try out their ZEGO bars.

These bars are delicious, and I am loving the sunflower (with a hint of caramel). They are gluten, soy and dairy free, low in sugar, vegan and high in protein. Best of all, ZEGO donates a full 20% of their profits to improve nutrition for low income children via the non-profit, "Campaign for Better Nutrition" Find them on the web and on Twitter and check out some of their new press. This is a great grassroots story! My favorite!

How about you? How do you stay motivated when you get in a funk?

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Sunday Social

1. What are 3 items you can’t live without on a daily basis (water, food, shelter, and clothes don’t count) My cats, my phone and an internet connection. Of course!

2. What is your all time favorite book? Why? I have a couple, but I loved Barbara Walter's autobiography...it really resonated with me at the time.

3. What is something you’d like to accomplish before the end of 2013? Just a peaceful continuation of all that it is good. I hope to continue to run and get quicker and quicker!

4. If you could go back and relive any year of your life which year would it be? 26-It was a time when I was thought I knew almost everything and I was getting pretty good at it!

5. What do you wish people knew about you without you having to tell them? That I am super sensitive about a lot of things.

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Thursday Thoughts

I was on the Today Show with Robin Thicke on Tuesday, so how was YOUR week?

If you know anything about me or this blog, I am NBC, all the time and I watch the Today Show like a religion. As many times as I have been to NYC...I have never gone down to stand in the crowd although I want to really bad. Just haven't had the time. My dream of all dreams is to sit and collaborate on my prattle on all that is um, well ANYTHING! So, the next to best thing is to have my tweet underneath the gorgeous Robin Thicke. I literally dropped my coffee. May I say, it will probably be the only time I will ever be underneath Robin Thicke but I'll take it. Can you say those things when you are married? I don't know!

I was also included in the Today Show Storify on the event and RT by their Sr. Community Manager for @NBCNews who has the coolest Instagram ever. He always makes me miss NY very bad. So, that was quite the sugar high!

I joined the Ormond Beach Chamber today, it was about time. I think it will be neat to see when you are officially being out there advertising instead of thankfully and luckily relying on word of mouth. We will see.

An agency I worked with pitched me for social media for a RFP we were working on, as well as another client and it got accepted. I can't wait to see what comes out of this. Very exciting.

Today is Thursday and I almost have the feeling in my ass back from the Fit Barre class I took on Saturday. Isn't that incredible. I really want it to work for me, but I don't know I look forward to running this weekend now that I can move without looking like an idiot.

Onward to a new month and a new weekend. I hope it is a good one for you.

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H&M is now ONLINE in the US

Ow. Ow. Ow. Excuse me that is me, pinching myself over and over. After the longest awaited launch in history-today H&M launched online shopping. I think this may be the best news since sliced bread. I literally have to drive to Orlando to get my fix. Now I can sit from the comfort of my own home. Holy Moly.

First up for sure is THIS bag-must have right now.

Get your fix by clicking here to start shopping. What is on your list?!

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