ashleyd /

A Single Lady Evening..

 

After a long week and an even longer day of work today, I left the office contemplating a couple of options for my single lady evening since Bo had a work dinner.

  • Manicure and a cocktail
  • Manicure
  • Yoga
  • Head straight home and sleep I chose a manicure and relaxing evening at home. Unfortunately, there weren’t any yoga classes taking place at a convenient Equinox location when I finally left the office.  I’m also trying to limit my alcohol consumption during the work week, which made the cocktail portion a bad decision. I also knew that while going home and heading to bed was a nice option, my nails weren’t publicly acceptable anymore. Help was needed immediately!
    I enjoyed a wonderful and relaxing manicure at QQ Nails, my new favorite nail place when I’m looking for an inexpensive but clean manicure.
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I love the bright color and I may or may not have used a scissors to open the cereal box as I didn’t want to ruin my nails. 🙂

IMG_0573 I’m spending the next hour in this comfortable spot enjoying my current nightstand book and dinner. (Confession, I’ve slept with my blankie for 27 years and am not ashamed to admit it! Though I will say he hid under my pillow during the day in college.)

IMG_0575 My mom and I both wanted to read Ree’s novel so we purchased it at Target this weekend and are sharing it. I claimed it first so I’ll mail it to my mom when I finish it. In exchange, she’ll mail me a book she just finished.

IMG_0574 A good book, relaxing scented candle, a sound machine to mask the street sounds of New York City, and a cozy bed; I’m in heaven!

Last but not least, I’m going to start sharing daily health tips on Twitter  and Facebook so follow me if you don’t already!

Question: Do you sleep with a blanket, stuffed animal, or other childhood keepsake still?

NYC Readers/Bloggers: I am hosting a brunch for are bloggers and readers. I’d love you to join! Please let me know, via comment section, whether March 12th or 13th is best. THANKS!!

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ashleyd /

Are You Pouring on the Pounds?

Happy Thursday! Since it’s Thursday, regular readers know that I met my gym buddy, Sara, for an awesome spin class this morning.

equinspinShaina’s spin class is an hour long on Thursdays which means it pushes us extra hard and allows us to enjoy a few extra minutes of Shaina’s music. Meghann joined us for the class two weeks ago and loved it too! Do you prefer hour or 45 minute classes? I like hour classes as I feel like I get a more complete workout.

My favorite song’s this morning was Lady Gaga’s Born This Way. I know everyone has different feelings about this song and how much it echo’s old Madonna but I love it and it has quickly earned a spot on my running playlist.

Leaving the gym this morning, I noticed that the new Spring fashions have taken over the windows in SoHo! Hopefully they are right and we’ll be able to wear these light, frilly fashions sooner versus later. For now, I’m still rotating my winter wardrobe which is far darker than my bright Spring clothes.

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On the way to work, I had the luck of snagging an empty 6 train. Many days the 6 train is so packed you can barely move but today I was able to sit down and read during my 12 minute subway ride! In fact, the extra room allowed me to notice the new ad campaign, Are you Pouring on the Pounds?  IMG_0566 IMG_0565 IMG_0564While the images of fat pouring out of the fruit punch and energy drink are a bit disgusting, I think this is an effective and strong campaign! Unfortunately, there are still a number of people who don’t realize how unhealthy soda, punch, and energy drinks are if consumed on a regular basis. One of my friends from home recently decided that he wanted to lose a few pounds and the first suggestion I made was that he give up sweet tea. Many restaurants put an unbelievable amount of sugar in their tea! for example, McDonald’s now famous sweet tea has more than 28 grams of sugar in the 32oz size!!

I’ll step off my soap box now to share this mornings breakfast with you. :)  Due to this morning’s intense workout, I brought some fruit to work for a morning snack as I don’t know if my oats and banana will hold me over as well as normal.

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Question: How do you feel about ad campaigns like the one featured above? love hem or hate them? Are they too graphic?

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Back on Schedule…

 

Hello and welcome to all my new and old readers alike. Bo and I are back in New York City and finally getting back in the groove.

I’ve received a few questions about the numerous guest posts. My grandmother passed away early Wednesday morning and Bo and I quickly headed down to Savannah to be with my family. IMG_0440I wasn’t sure how I would feel during the process, how much time I’d have to dedicate to blogging, or whether I’d want to share any of it with my readers. Therefore, when some of my favorite bloggers offered to do guest posts, I jumped at the offer! Now that we’re back in New York blogging has returned to the regular schedule.

This morning I urged Spring’s arrival by dressing as if the sun was reflective of the temperature.

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Not so much! My feet and calves were freezing in the 23 degree weather this morning! Oops!

IMG_0543I warmed up at the office with a bowl of warm oats. These oats were even more special due to my new bowl! It isn’t as bright in pictures as it is in person, but it’s still a fresh new bowl.

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Lunch wasn’t pictured as I was in an all day meeting and my camera was unfortunately at my desk. But, I was proud of my choice as I enjoyed a can of Progresso’s Low Sodium Chicken Gumbo with an Arnold Sandwich Thin instead of a catered Cosi lunch. Ten points for planning ahead!

All day work meetings are so exhausting! I don’t know whether it’s the eight hours of sitting, quiet, staring at the screen, or stale air but a day of meetings leaves me far more tired than a day of regular work. I love the fact that my job includes interacting with co-workers all day versus staring at the computer screen!

All I wanted to do after work was come home and get to bed early. But, I had plans and I wasn’t going to break them!

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I had the great opportunity to see my cousin’s husband, Rich Orlow, perform Fahrenheit 451 throughHAPPENING SOON: Fahrenheit 451 on Feb 23 at Joe’s Pub the American Place Theatre Company’s Literature to Life program.

Here is a small summary of the amazing program:

Literature to Life®, The American Place Theatre’s performance-based literacy program, presents professionally staged verbatim adaptations of significant American literary works. This educational program gives students a new form of access to literature by bringing to life the world of books with performances that create an atmosphere of discovery and spark the imagination.

Rich was amazing and it was such a pleasure to see him in person as it’s a rare occasion that he performs in New York City!

After the show I enjoyed the evening weather while catching up with a friend on the phone. Long walks in perfect weather are one of my favorite things; especially when they provide the perfect opportunity to chat with old friends.

Here are a few pictures from this evening’s walk:  IMG_0552 IMG_0553 IMG_0554 IMG_0560

 

 

 

IMG_0556 Question: Do you walk and talk? When do you catch up with old friends via phone?

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