come sit awhile

Your Dekalb Farmers Market, Trader Joe's and ....

on Saturday, we decided on a whim to make our way 'downtown' to Your Dekalb Farmers Market

i loved every minute of it...except for that moment when we pulled in the parking lot and drove around for what seemed like 10 minutes for a parking spot while wondering for a split second if this really was a good idea or not?

ok, so i've heard of this place and heard it was wonderful but did not believe it's awesomeness until we arrived!  actually, right after the 'fresh fish smell' as we first walked in the door

there were so many people in this building along with fresh EVERYTHING, you could hardly move!  i thought to myself New York at rush hour, or something like that? 

"world market" to say the least!  almost difficult to take it ALL in...

i wanted to take photos so bad, but on this day it was impossible!  but give me a couple of weeks, ok?

their produce was unbelievable...the biggest blackberries and red bell peppers i had ever seen!  i can't wait to go again...grocery shopping, do you hear what i'm saying? 

if you're local, have you visited this wonderful place? 

tell me your favorite things! 

and if you haven't, then go

we also made a quick stop at Trader Joe's for some granola bars, cookies and anything that jackson might eat 

and oddly, this was our last stop!

oh, come on people...the HOT sign was on!

 

thou shalt not covet

unless when necessary...

this past weekend, jeff and i ended up in Knoxville, TN...our good friend Julie landed herself in the hospital, very unexpectedly...thank the Lord she is doing well

another friend we stayed with showed me her Ralph Lauren Denim and Supply scarf she received at Christmas

oh my gosh...i wanted it.  bad.

it was like wearing MacKenzie Childs on your body

once we returned home i was on a mission around the internet

this always happens

well, low and behold i found it AND it gets better...regular $60, on sale for $17.99 with an extra 30% off AND found a promo code for free shipping

can you say SCORE!

can't wait to wear it!  i know, i know it's black and cream but i'll pair that baby with some color and see what you think

 

hint of red

if you're keeping up with my lack-of-wardrobe-color-woes, then you'll be anxious to see...

ok, i'm joking

it's me on sunday! 

now don't go all judg-y on me with that big black sweater that you see here, it's like day 1 and all...but, i do however have on my most favorite-est red plaid Abercrombie shirt (gift), a big chunky silver and pearl bracelet (acquired as well), jeans (old/Gap), and boots (old/Ross)

not quite sure which is going to be the most difficult...taking the pictures or wearing the clothes??

baby steps...

 

color...not black or brown

i wore a purple cardigan sweater to work last week and let's just say that more than a couple of friends noticed...in a good way

if i were to describe my "style" it would be more along the lines of t-shirts, jeans and flip flops 10 months out of the year...with the occasional boots and sweater when the weather calls for it, but let's face it...i am in georgia.  i told myself before i turned 40 that i needed to step it up.  yes, i work with a bunch of 4-year-olds who most of the time notice absolutely nothing or could care less for that matter,  but i have also noticed myself, that when i put in a little more effort...it shows

so here's the thing,

i cleaned out my closet today, quite frankly we needed more space, but in doing so i found that i don't have many items that are in C.O.L.O.R.,  actual color, not black or brown...or grey.  I wouldn't say that i have a particularly favorite color, though if i had to pick it would be green, but i don't even see much of that in my closet either! 

while devouring Pinterest over the last few days, i notice that i am drawn to more and more color when it comes to clothes.  navy and yellow seem to be big, must be that sailor vibe??  i have found a couple of blogs with styles that I WANT TO WEAR too...even though i think they could be a stretch for me, i think i'll  give it a whirl!

here are some of my favorites!

ok, i know this doesn't scream color but i loved it!   and can you say big yellow bag?

i am desperately searching for a yellow cardigan and striped T, and what the heck, a white scarf too!

this would be a HUGE step for me, but i almost fainted when i saw it!   love, love, love it...and i just may have this sort of "thing" CURRENTLY in my closet! 

i NEVER wear navy. ever.  but paired with jeans and this heather gray tank (which i have something similar) i'm seriously liking it!  and the shoes...i really need those shoes

this look would be a big ol' stretch for me as well.  ruffles.  i don't do ruffles.  but i absolutely LOVE this!  could it be the green, maybe?  she paired it with black leggings (which i currently own) and black boots (another staple in my closet) it would be a must for the shirt to actually cover up what it needed to cover up, but i'm game for it, just not 20.  what do you think? 

all of the photos can be found, with their credits, on my pinterest style board

i have a bit of work to do, so let's hear it for some color in my closet and for taking some chances! 

 

stay tuned...

 

why i run

it was misting rain this morning as i drove jackson to school...i had my new mizunos on and the usual apparel that go hand in hand with my shoes, the temperature was nice but lately it seems like i just need a little something to make me stay indoors

the mist slacked off a bit as i drove into the parking lot at my nearby park/track...so what, i'll get a little wet

i grabbed my faithful ipod and away i went

just over 3 miles in 31 minutes...i even sprinted the last quarter mile, and i NEVER sprint anywhere

the sweat was pouring down my face and back...made for a good feeling though, i was glad to be back in the game

one of the many reasons why i run

i took about a 5 month hiatus and i honestly missed running, not only could i tell it physcially...boo!  but time spent with my girlfriends were something i looked forward to

running is something i do for me.

i run for my health

i run for my appearance, sounds vain...i know

i run for my sanity, and trust me...it works wonders

i run for the feeling of accomplishment...3 miles or 13.1, it's still accomplishment

i run because i can

this was the Snickers Half Marathon, Albany Ga last year...just after my finish,  my knee was absolutely killing me due to an overuse injury, and i could barely walk back to the car!  But after a day or 2 of much needed rest, i couldn't wait to do it again

April 22 is my next half marathon, number 3...and I CAN'T WAIT 

 

phew

{Photo a Day Challenge} day 9

Photo a Day Challenge

day 9...daily routine

daily routine for me is a long list...i'm a routine kind of person, i just can't help it!

over the past couple of months, i have visited Sephora more than i would like to admit...it's becoming a bit of a habit...but all in the name of beauty, right? 

maybe it was turning 40...maybe it was the shape my skin was in...maybe it was a deal that i came across at Sephora, one day, a sample box of 18 eye shadows for $30??  (those samples get me sometimes...) regardless, my morning makeup routine has changed...i found a love for bareMinerals about a year ago, thanks to a friend...and now Urban Decay, Smashbox and MAKE UP FOR EVER are at my reach every day

i can't say enough about the good stuff when it comes to makeup and part of my daily routine!

 

{Photo a Day Challenge} day 7

Photo a Day Challenge

day 7...favorite

one of my new favorite local spots to dine AND shop is The French Market

with a New Orleans flare and even a good burger if you so desire, this establishment takes the cake!  we so needed a place like this...

and the quaint little shop...well, let me just say that this girl knows her stuff!  i really need almost everything that there is to purchase.  like everything. 

 

saturday goodness

i've been trying to make my way to the Scott Antique Market for several months now...i would absolutely love to visit on a monthly basis but life doesn't always work that way, does it?

jeff (and jackson, sort of) was kind enough and because he loves me...to go with me this past saturday!  between me and you, i think this place is starting to grow on him

as for jackson...we'll, that's another story

my favorite part of this place is the "outside garden area" that is filled with absolute goodness as pictured above

one day i'm gonna have me some lockers...promise

crazy things out here...sink anyone?  earlier this year, jeff and i saw a small porceline drinking fountain.  the price wasn't that bad and not that great either but it was so unique and at the time i couldn't justify it?  must have lost my touch or something?? 

i could kick myself for it now

here is another awesome piece!  possibly some type of baking island/table...of course, you would have to have a pretty large room for something like this

blurry pic but still wonderful!

and this.  with a 10 year old in tow,at a place like this...he's going to spot all sorts of anatomy!  just imagine the front...

  ok, don't

these seemed to everywhere!  not even sure what they may have been used for?  i really wanted one...
really bad

we left without spending one single dime, which is amazing in itself!  i plan to go again in january and i want a basket or maybe two? 

i have a slew of WONDERFUL ideas floating around in my head...mostly which include burlap, so stay tuned

 

do you like antique'n?

 

until next time...

 

 

a few of my favorite {Christmas} things

i visited The Nester's blog yesterday and low and behold she was having a "favorite things par-tay!"

and it would be pretty Grinch of me not to share my favorites with you...

so i thought, why not join in? 

 

here goes...My Favorite Things {under $30}

 

my Dang Chicks collection!  these are my new favorite go to t's, soft, burn out fabric and they fit perfect!  this one is on it's way to me now, along with the 'dang southern'...they show $38 but i ordered at 30% off

 

more of a splurge than anything this time of year...but i can't live without a Peppermint Mocha every now and then!

 

most anything from bare minerals!

 

 

ok, i know this isn't an actual 'product' but i make them all the time!  Green Monster Smoothies...yes, they look weird and a tad gross, but once you give it a try you'll be hooked!  promise.  {updated with Smoothie recipe in the comments}

 

i have these sitting on my counter right now.  found mine at Publix but you can pick them up almost anywhere.  dark chocolate expresso beans are to die for...consider yourself warned

hint * hint * most of these will make great stocking stuffers for Christmas! (except for that blender full of veggies) that would be weird

 

now don't be stingy...let me in on your favorite things too 

i may just need to add to my list

 

drop by the nester and join in the party!

 

 

choosing december 1

well my goodness, where did november go? 

today is DECEMBER 1

which only means 24 days left until Santa makes his entrance!!

yikes, because i have bought 2 presents

with the start of a new month and the fact that i've only ran or done anything particularly fitness-y lately, ok maybe twice...there is no time like the present to get my butt in gear

today is a new day!

no excuses.  no tomorrow.  no "i need new shoes."  no to the laundry.  no to cleaning.  no pinterest. 

i'm choosing to feel sore today and not sorry tomorrow

i only need one hour 

 

are you finding time for yourself? 

it's time to choose