Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge

I think the world just about lost it this past week when Kate Middleton gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. The new Prince of England and an heir to the throne! (I imagine the Queen had a large drink that night knowing the line wouldn't end with Harry).

After hours of letting us plebeians squeal with delight, the royals finally announced the name of the new heir: Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge

Really... Prince George!? When that name comes to mind, I typically picture old portraits of George Washington or the man who's featured on the Quaker Oats logo. But for a baby!? No. Baby "George" just doesn't ring the cute bell in my brain. Here are some other royal names Kate & William could have chosen from instead of George...

Henry
William
Albert
James
Richard
Oliver
Edward
Harry
John
Edmund
Stephen

In my opinion, Kate & P-Willy should have blazed some royal trails and named their kid Albus, Mad-Eye or Severus. A little nod to the great English novels of our time!

Movies, Heat, Running, ICE-POPS!

A few fun updates...

1) Brian and I had a cinematic adventure last night and saw "This is the End" on the big screen. Abso-freakin-hilarious! If you have yet to see this film and enjoy raunchy comedies, please get off your couch right now & go see this movie. It features some of the biggest names in Hollywood, starring as themselves, and portrays what would happen if the Apocalypse were to strike during James Franco's house-warming party.

2) I started training a few weeks ago for the 20-mile race I'm running this September. Unfortunately we've been having a heat wave and temperatures have soared into the triple digits. My 6AM runs are already 80+ degrees. I have found the following tips very useful during outdoor long runs..

• Always bring water. Multiple bottles of it if possible. If you're cool enough to wear a fuel belt, do it!
• Don't be scared to stick random (appropriate) body parts in public water fountains. Getting your head wet can keep you cool for MINUTES in the hot weather!
• Run laps around a route close to home rather than a "there and back" distance for long runs. If you feel like you're going to die, you'll be much closer to the AC!
• If you get the chills or start seeing unicorns, you should stop running immediately! At least that's what Runner's World magazine said.
• Put your running shirt in the freezer for a couple of hours before your run. (I have yet to try this, but it sounds like a good idea, right!?)

 

Stay cool, readers! Make sure to eat your Sponge-Bob ice-pops.

Summer 2013: Adventures of Late

What a fun summer it has been so far! Here are a few pictures that show what I have been up to lately...

Brian's band had a show this weekend at the Velvet Lounge in DC. Here he is rocking out on stage!

I took a trip to NYC the other weekend and visited the MET. This "Turtle Mug" was definitely my favorite piece of art. Ken Price was the artist of this classy creation!

I also played some serious mini-golf in NYC at Randall's Country Club. It was an "All-You-Can-Putt" 36-hole course. I obviously concluded the round with the obligatory ice cream bar.

As you know from a previous post, I ran the North Face Endurance Challenge in June. I think it is clear from this photograph that I've mastered the art of race photos.

More summer 2013 adventures to come! Stay tuned :)

Monograms!

Cute, personalized & prep-tastic, monogrammed gifts are the perfect way to show someone that you're AWESOME at present-giving! No matter what you're presenting someone as a gift, adding a monogram says, "I know your full name and can spell it too! I like you so I spent a little extra time & money to add letters to this otherwise plain gift." Weddings, Birthdays, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Half-Birthdays, whatever! Gifts for every occasion could benefit from a little monogram love.

Here are some cute monogram finds from Etsy that are sure to WOW your gift receivers.

A monogrammed necklace. Silver, personal, classy, prep-tastic!

A monogrammed bracelet. Silver, personal, classy, prep-tastic!

A pair of monogrammed earrings. Silver, personal, classy, prep-tastic!

A little monogram love on a serving plate. You + Me = US!

 Monogrammed iPhone chargers. So you can tell yours apart from the 10 other chargers in your house!

Monogrammed Tervis Wine Tumblers. I don't think an explanation is necessary. TRULY-AMAZING!

 Monogrammed Car Decals... So you can tell your silver car apart from the 100 other silver cars at the mall!

Monogrammed Beach Tote... All you need is a Lilly Pulitzer pullover, JCrew sandals, and a big sun hat!

Monogrammed Lockets... A great everyday necklace!

Monogrammed keychain... Cute, personalized, classy!

Monogrammed windbreaker... adorbs!

And, finally, the monogrammed koozie... because tailgating w/out a koozie is un-lady like.

The North Face Endurance Challenge

I woke up bright and early this Sunday morning to run the North Face Endurance Challenge. It was a half-marathon trail run from the scenic Great Falls, VA to Sterling, VA along the Potomac River.

My synopsis of the race... it was terrible. As Mckayla would say, I was not impressed. 772 people competed in the race, (which is not very many), so I expected it to be a fun, non-crowded event that I could run quickly & finish w/ a decent time.

What I did NOT expect, (but what actually happened), was for 75% of the race to be along a single-file path, meaning you could only go as fast as the person in front of you, had to maneuver around walkers and couldn't pass the out-of-shapers who didn't run up hills. I was hoping to run an average mile time of under 10 minutes. I ended up running closer to 11.5 minutes/mile because of the single-file paths. I also saw 7 people face-plant because of the tree roots and rocks all along the course.

But the WORST part of the race was the actual distance. Paying over $70 for a race hosted by a respected company, I expected the course to be 13.1 miles long. However- according to my GPS watch and the watches of those around me, the course was 14.5 miles long! Whoever mapped out the course should have his/her head checked, (or should stop smoking on the job).

On a more pleasant note, I did end up getting pretty decent stats! While my time was abysmal, (2:34:05), I finished 223rd out of 772 runners, (the top 28% percentile!) I also finished 69th out of the 333 female runners and finished 12th out of 71 runners in my age group! Not too shabby considering the circumstances.

Needless to say, I will not be running this race next year. Nor will I be shopping at The North Face any time soon.

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day weekend! I hope you all have exciting plans full of warmth and sunshine. I plan on celebrating with my new colorful cactus friends, Margo & Rita. (Margo & Rita... Margarita! HA!)

 When the weather gets warm, it's a sign that the time for Pinkberry has arrived! (I had my first one this week. NOM, NOM, NOM!)

 

Happy Memorial Day!

DACHSHUNDS!

I have an obsession... a slightly unhealthy obsession. I will cross the street to pet this obsession, secretly rent books out of the library on this obsession, and Google pictures of this obsession if I'm having a bad day. What IS this obsession, you ask? DACHSHUNDS!

They are just so cute and long and goofy-looking and cute! OH how I love those adorable, little-legged dogs. I am already a member of several dachshund meet-up groups, (despite now owning one), and aspire to one day attend NYC's bi-annual Dachshund Day! (And also own my own dachshund, dress it up in a hotdog costume & parade it around the neighborhood on a daily basis).

Here are some adorable dachshund-themed pieces I found recently on Pinterest & Etsy. It's cute little things like these that fuel the fire of my dachshund love!

Dachshund Love Decal... I would honk & wave excitedly if I saw this on someone's car!

Dachshund Cookie Cutter... The dogs are so cute you want to eat them. (Now, you actually can. Ethically!)

Dachshund Love Thank You Notes :)

Dachshund Book Marks!

Dachshund Mug... Simple & Classy!

Dachshund Artwork... HAHA! (silly puns)

Dachshund Umbrella... Adorable!

Dachshund Clock!

Dachshund-shaped Oil & Vinegar Canisters. Bon Appetit!