ashleyd /

Not Quite a Mermaid

 

It’s Thursday, Thursday….

Okay, maybe I’m not any Rebecca Black but I’ve been way too excited for Thursday all day! Only two work days (Friday and Tuesday) separate us from vacation!

This morning started out harder than most mornings.

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In the pool!

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In case you’re new around here, I’m not exactly a mermaid in the pool. My style is more like laying by the pool or playing categories or Marco Polo in the pool.

But, this morning I conquered my fears and jumped in the pool for the first time since July 4th weekend. So much for my summer goal of swimming once a week.

                                                                                 Then

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One thing hasn’t changed, I still look ridiculous in a swimsuit, goggles, and a swimming cap. 

                                                                                      Now

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Even though I’m not exactly a fish in water, today’s swim went 10x better than my last swim. Even though the pool was pretty crowded and I had to circle swim, I really enjoyed myself in the water. I swam 42 laps freestyle and then 10 laps using the pull buoys! That equals 1300 yards which mean I swam close to 3/4 of a mile!!

I’m not going to promise I’ll hop in the pool once a week but today’s swim made me more confident in my abilities and gave me a good starting point.

The rest of the day was spent stressing over work, crossing things off my to do list, and munching on breakfast and lunch.

I mean really, who do you think I am? Would I really have anything else for breakfast? I think not. But, please believe I loaded up on the peanut butter and banana this morning after my morning swim.

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Oh Greek salad how I love thee!

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Now, eleven hours later, I ‘m enjoying the perfect Thursday night. Sure, happy hours and dinners out in the fresh air were tempting but there was no where like home tonight. Loco had the right idea!

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There is no better way to start the weekend than brie, toast points, and a glass of crisp Sancerre wine.

Question: Do you go out to happy hours when you’re exhausted or do you go home?

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ashleyd /

Lashes Fit for Times Square

Happy Monday! While the New York City weather isn’t exactly smile inducing, I’m still riding a high from our great weekend!

If you’re catching up from the weekend, it was a busy weekend with some of my favorite blogger friends!

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We Partied Down At Leslie’s Wedding

Enjoyed A Great Run Along Kelly Drive with Meghann

Travelled Back to the City of Brotherly Love

After a wonderful weekend, Monday is always difficult but having an early morning spin class makes waking up easier! This morning’s spin class was earlier than normal but went well. The instructor never sat his butt on the bike during the whole class but his music was perfectly on beat with the workout and he pushed us. How do you feel about instructors who don’t participate?

After a great spin class, I’m always ravenous! I enjoyed a bulked up bowl of oatmeal this morning complete with protein powder and bananas!

IMG_2209 (640x478) The protein powder helped this bowl last for over four and half hours!

My lunch plans took a turn for the best when I heard drums in our office. We were all confused but quickly remembered that today was Asian Heritage Day in our office.

229093_10150188556986924_725756923_7577256_147251_n 226635_10150188557031924_725756923_7577257_1775634_n After the dragon came by our entire office was treated to a delicious Asian inspired lunch. I filled my plate with broccoli, sushi, and chicken. It was absolutely delicious and a nice change to the normal weekday salad.

IMG_2348 (640x478)After a late afternoon doctor’s appointment, I had two more fun stops before finding my way home for the evening.

My first stop was at JJ Eyelashes in midtown west. I’ve been playing with the idea of getting eyelash extensions for a few months, after seeing my friend Jessie’s lovely new lashes. After much debate, I finally made the leap today.

I was surprisingly pleased with my experience. The service at JJ Eyelashes was very professional, clean, and relaxing. The hour long treatment included a 15 minute leg massage and I even caught a quick cat nap during the treatment. In addition, my thin and short eyelashes went from zero to hero in less than an hour!

IMG_2349 (640x480) IMG_2350 (640x480) My mascara days are long gone! In just a few short hours, I’ve received two unsolicited compliments, one from Bo and one from our doorman. If you’re in the New York City area, I highly recommend them!

My new eyelashes and I headed over to Times Square next. My next stop was the Viacom headquarters for a University of Georgia Terry College of Business Alumni event. We loved seeing our famous G in the midst of Times Square!

230555_10100474899773890_4905769_62115676_1958003_n After a few glasses of wine with old friends, I made it home just in time for Too Big to Fail and a filling dinner.

One piece of Arnold toast, a sliced and salted tomato, two egg whites with cheese, and a piece of turkey bacon. Fast, easy, and simply delicious!

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Question: How do you feel about instructors who don’t participate in the class? Can they still be good instructors?

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A Great Run Along Kelly Drive

By 8:45, my morning buddy Meghann was up and ready to head out for a running tour of Philadelphia’s Skukyhill River Path! We hit the famous Kelly Drive for our run this morning!

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The sun was shining, birds were chirping, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky! I was so excited to show Meghann my favorite running path from my Philadelphia days.

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Sabrina and Trig live right near the Art Museum which is right near the trail head and the art museum!

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IMG_2267 (640x478)There was a high school regatta taking place on the water which was great for Meghann to see but the crowds made it difficult to run.

IMG_2268 (640x478) IMG_2269 (640x478)Our pace was under 9 minutes for the first mile since we hadn’t reached the crowds yet and I was anxious to push myself.

At one point Meghann said that we were in the 8 minute realm which left me excited but breathless at the same time. Knowing that I had 3 more miles left to run helped put my pace in perspective and slow down.

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It could have also been the sweat dripping in my eyes or my thirst that helped me bring the pace down. I felt badly because I knew Meghann could easily maintain a faster pace. Regardless of our pace we had a great time talking about her training woes, my personal training experience, and the upcoming Healthy Living Summit!

IMG_2273 (640x478) IMG_2274 (640x478) We ran two miles down the path before turning around and heading back towards the city and the Art Museum.

IMG_2276 (640x478) Meghann gave us an extra challenge by having us run around the museum and up the Rocky Steps! Phew it was an awesome workout!

IMG_2280 (640x478) IMG_2278 (640x478) IMG_2282 (640x478) By the end, I think I may have yelled “my legs are cashed” once or twice. But, regardless of how exhausted I was I had a blast squeezing in an early morning run with Meghann before our day of wedding festivities!

4.65 miles later we were back in Sabrina’s kitchen enjoying a delicious, thirst quenching breakfast!

IMG_2263 (640x478) IMG_2285 (640x478) A small cub of yogurt, granola, and strawberries complimented with an english muffin on the side was the perfect post run breakfast!

IMG_2288 (640x478) It has been the perfect start to a wonderful day! We’re so excited for Leslie and Charles’ big day!

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