A Tuckered Pup

I can’t believe that I’m sitting in my family’s Vermont home right now looking at this adorable face.

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The day has been a complete whirlwind but wonderful all the same.

The morning started with a glute and arm killing workout at the gym.

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Followed by a mad dash to Penn Station with more bags than I should have ever attempted carrying, including 8 days worth of clothes, ski gear, and presents! Bo is bringing the rest of our presents when he comes up Thursday!

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I wisely spent $23 to upgrade to business class on Amtrak which allowed me unlimited bottles of water, more reliable wi-fi, a large private seat, and plenty of room for all my stuff. While the view outside was serene the ride unfortunately left me feeling “train sick.”

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Once my aunt picked me up in Albany our day has been filled with gobbling turkeys, grocery shopping, decorating, cooking, and now finally curling up in front of the roaring fire before our guests arrive for a small dinner party tonight. While neither of us are crafty, I’m pretty impressed with the headway we made on the house this afternoon.  It’s been so much fun spending the day chatting as we decorate the mantle, hang lights, and cook together.  By Saturday evening both my family and Bo’s family will all be here for the holiday so I cherish these quiet moments we have together.

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Yup, I am definitely feeling like Samantha, the tired pup, right about now. Time to sip a glass of wine and find more energy!

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Stocking Stuffers for Men

If you’re like me, you haven’t finished your holiday shopping yet. Normally I wait until the very last moment to do my shopping, especially stocking stuffers or small items for friends and co-workers. But, this year since I’m heading up to Vermont tomorrow to kick off vacation with my family, I wanted to be done with shopping in advance.

Yesterday I spent almost an hour perusing the shelves of Sephora and then the internet in search of the perfect gifts for co-workers, friends, and family members. Here are a few of the my favorite gifts that I discovered yesterday for the fellas on my list! Even better is that all of these ideas are under $15!

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Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm with SPF: This tube delivers a conditioning lip balm in a manly form. Bonus points for the fact that you’ll love it just as much as he will!

The Art of Shaving Styptic Pen: Every guy nicks himself shaving and next time he’ll think of you as he stops the bleeding with this handy, unscented alum block. In case you’ve never heard of it, alum is a natural antiseptic mineral with amazing healing powers. If your guy uses a electric razor it can be used ahead of time to prep the skin!

The Pocket Ref 4th Edition: This is the perfect gift for the guy who thinks or wants to know everything. It is filled with random facts ranging from battery sizes and characteristics, sports rules, to how to treat a burn!

In addition to these items, here are a few other thins you can pick up and add to any gift!

  • Mini bottles of his favorite liquor
  • Lottery tickets
  • Gift cards to his favorite coffee shop
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Gift Guide for Runners

In my second gift guide installment, I’m highlighting a few items that are great for both your favorite male and female runners. Each of these items have been tested and loved by either Bo or myself and are currently hanging in our closet, hanging out in the dirty clothes pile, or folded and put away in our drawers.

These range in price from $5 to $130 so hopefully you’ll find something to fit your personal price range!

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1. Pro Compression Socks: So I’m a little partial to the amazing and bright marathon pink, but these bad boys. For nearly as long as I’ve been running marathons, I’ve sworn by compression. But, these socks, more than any others I’ve tried, fit perfectly. They provide ample compression in the legs, are long enough for tall runners, and don’t leave my feet feeling tight and suffocated. I especially love that they are very reasonably priced too, making it easy to have one pair clean at all times. Bo has also taken these for a test run and loves using them for recovery after tough boot camps that our heavy on box jumps, leaving his calves screaming. If you follow them on Facebook you can learn about their “sock of the month” program which includes a new style, discounted at 40% off each month!

2. New Balance Minimus 20v3 Cross-Training Shoes Mens &Womens: These super light shoes are perfect when your favorite runner is cross training. These shoes which come in tons of fun colors help keep the weight of your body in the heels of your foot instead of the ball, which is necessary when driving with power and working with weights. For the past month, we’ve been wearing these at least 3 times per week during weight and boot camp sessions and are absolutely loving them!

3. Clif Shot Bloks Chews in Margarita: These bad boys pack in 3 times the sodium and are perfect for any runner or endurance athlete on your list. Have multiple on your list? Then buy one box and split them up as perfect little stocking stuffers!

4. New Balance NBX Windblocker Jacket: Bo received this jacket to review and loves it due to the fact that it is breathable, windproof, and still wicks moisture. Bo used to run in his North Face rain coat which did a great job keeping him protected from the outer elements such as wind, rain, or sleet but it wasn’t breathable in the least. Now he can run in comfort versus a sauna. $135

What’s on your holiday list if you’re a runner?

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