Hey guys! How is your week going? Things over here are going well. My work week is very much what I call a “catch-up” week as I don’t have client meetings but I have a lots of things on my to do list that I’m trying to get done as well as cleaning out and organizing my entire Outlook inbox.

I have a number of posts ready for next week including some fun announcements, but today I thought it’d be fun to share some random musings with you guys as we wind down the week.

Tuesday night I headed to Royal Palms Shuffleboard for an evening of beers, laughs and shuffleboard with fifteen other local P&G employees. It was a great place to sit back, relax, catch up and talk about everything except work. If you haven’t ventured out to Royal Palms yet, I highly recommend it. They have a great beer selection, plenty of booths for catching up over drinks, ten shuffle board courts and a food truck serving an assortment of Greek food. You can walk-in or you can make a reservation in advance, which costs $40 for an hour court time. Don’t worry if you’ve never played before – they provide a complimentary lesson!

My goal half marathon, the NYC Half, is in five weeks and I’m excited and nervous at the same time. My training has been very different this time around with only three runs per week but my cross training has me feeling stronger than ever. During yesterday’s B/X class at Brick Grand Central via ClassPass (<–get $25 off your first month) I could feel the difference that the mix of cross training is making. My legs, arms and abs felt strong as we pushed through the multiple five minute AMRAP sessions including wall balls, rowing, push presses and jump squats. I am going to use this week’s eight mile long run as a diagnostic to assess any changes I need to make in the coming weeks. 

Speaking of running and training, I wish I had a crystal ball to know how much longer winter was going to last. I am tempted to invest in a few more pieces of warm weather running gear like better gloves and a wind-proof vest. Since I’m running outside at least two days a week now, having the right gear is a must. Tonight’s forecast already has me feeling cold – 25 degrees and 20 mile per hour wind gusts! If I was to order new gear today, I’d buy these Asics wind-proof gloves, this Nike vest and this Nike Dry-Fit wool top.

Until reading her post today, I’d never heard of the “Jesus year” but if anyone is making it happen it’s Theodora. She has shown so much strength this year and is truly making 2016 her best year yet! Today is her birthday so be sure to hop over to Preppy Runner and show her some love!

After a number of emails back and forth, my best friend Amy and I finally booked a long-awaited girls vacation for the end of April! We are going to spend four sunshine and blue water filled days enjoying cocktails, massages and relaxing at the adults only Iberostar Grand Hotel at Rose Hall. I’ve been craving a warm, sunny, beach-filled vacation for a while and I was elated when Amy said she was happy to join in the fun. Years ago we planned to plan a similar trip for our 30th birthdays but due to living abroad, babies and life it never happened.  I’ve never been to Montego Bay, Jamaica but considering that our goal is to read, relax, swim and enjoy drinks poolside, this all-inclusive resort fit the bill perfectly!

As you guys know, this weekend is Valentine’s Day. Similar to New Year’s Eve, this is one of those holidays that I feel is over hyped and way too commercial. Instead of going out to an over priced dinner where we’re forced to order from a special pre-fixe menu, Bo and I are doing something a bit more fun AND inexpensive.  We each are choosing a favorite workout, favorite food and favorite activity to enjoy together on Sunday and Monday. I think mine is going to be enjoying a homemade cheese plate, going to hot yoga at Tangerine and going to see a movie at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) which is supposed to be a gorgeous venue.

So, I’m craving a change in the hair department. My hair is the longest it’s ever been and while I love it, some days I go to Pinterest and search “lob hairstyles for thick hair.” I mean how cute are these styles?  But then I think, “Ashley who are you kidding, you don’t know how to blow dry your hair like that or use a curling iron to get those tousled waves.”

I think part of this haircut inspiration is due to the fact that the amazing hair stylist who I loved when we moved to Carroll Gardens didn’t in fact move to South America like the salon told me! It turns out she’s working a few blocks over at Sara June, a small, boutique salon near Park Slope.

Your turn: What’s on your mind today?