Blood, Sweat, and Glitter

My mom, our family friends (Yoga In Heels whom I've known for over ten years + her mom and sister), and I run the Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon every February in Florida.  Its so much fun!  When runDisney announced the Disneyland Tinkerbell Half Marathon for January 2012, we knew we had to do it!  California + Disney + Tinkerbell = one happy girl. 

I was doing pretty well with training this year with the Jeff Galloway training program for the Disney Princess Half (it even incorporates the Tink Half into the running schedule).  Unfortunately, getting staph infection and traveling during the holidays messed up my awesome training groove.  Thankfully, our whole run group had slacked on training, so we were all a little nervous flying out to the OC.



I met Jeff Galloway  at the expo later in the weekend!



We decorated our hotel room door to get in the Tink spirit!

My mom and I got into Anaheim, CA late Friday night after work.  Saturday morning, we met the lovely Burke ladies at Mimi's Cafe for breakfast.  After some delicious French toast and a fruit smoothie, we headed to the race expo.  I was a little disappointed that they ran out of some of the official merchandise by the time we got there, but I still picked up a cute "Eat my pixie dust!" shirt.  I also got a lime green sequin headband for the race.  I won a Chia pet from the Los Angeles Angels booth and picked up some brochures on some West Coast runs.  I think the Run Like A Diva Hawaii Half would be the ultimate for me.  How gorgeous would that be?! (Plus, a tiara, medal, pink boa, champagne, and chocolates at the finish line wouldn't hurt either!)

We got our race bibs!

One thing that I thought was really cool about the Disneyland expo was that ABC had a booth and did some television show research/screenings as well.  My mom and I went to see Ashley Judd's new show, Missing which airs in March.  I was surprised she transitioned from movies to tv (hopefully not for good!), but overall I thought her show was interesting.  I wrote a ton of comments on the back of the comment card, so you better read them ABC peeps!  We actually ended up staying for the next show as well.  I have seen commercials for The River during Revenge.  It was interesting, but it reminded me of Lost mixed with Paranormal Activity, so I don't think I'll be watching that in the future.  I am more of an action/drama lover than a sci-fi buff. 

While at the screening, I met Ruty Rutenberg.  He moved from the South to LA to pursue acting.  He announced the beginning of each screening and gave a brief intro to the shows - the guys sitting around us all whispered that they wanted his voice!  It was great talking to him about the ABC shows and some of his acting gigs.  I wish I could have talked with him more about the entertainment business since I think its really interesting.  I told him he needs to move to Atlanta since its the Hollywood of the South!  He said he will move back to the South one day once he establishes himself in California and is ready to start a family - which I have no doubt he will be a big star in the future (should've gotten a photo with him for when that happens, right?! darn.).  Check out his website and "like"/"follow" him on Facebook and Twitter! - then you can say "I knew him when..." :o)

Ruty Rutenberg

After the Expo, we headed to Disneyland for some fun in the 80 degree sun!



Reason #34638 why Donna aka Yoga In Heels is my bff is because she always says I am going to be famous one day, so this photo made me think of her!

At Princess Aurora's castle! Its got nothing on Cinderella's castle in Florida...I'm just saying.



The coolest room I have ever been in - the Beauty and the Beast library!  In LOVE!

On Sunday, we woke up at 3:30am for the race.  Thankfully it started (and finished) right outside of our hotel!    The sunrise was gorgeous coming over the mountains at the beginning of the race.  One thing I loved about the race was the course.  It ran through Disneyland, the city of Anaheim and California Adventures.  Once inside Disneyland, there were a ton of photo opportunities.  We had to stop for all of them, of course!  Unfortunately, we realized we weren't yet to mile 3 and our time was almost at an hour!  At mile 3, the sweepers warned us that we needed to pick it up or they would pick US up!  Umm...Scary!?  I wanted my race bling aka my medal!  From then on, we booked it.  I don't think I stopped running from that point on except to drink water at the stations and eat GU gummies (I recommend these if you think GU gel is nasty like I do!) .  We ended up finishing just under 3 hours which was my goal!

Me, Donna/Yoga In Heels, and Becca - we all went to high school together!

With the princesses and princes!

With Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip outside their castle!



Tinks with Wendy and Peter!



This photo is out of place, but I just wanted to throw it in because how gorgeous is the sunrise over the mountains!?



FINISH!

bling, bling!

Now we are onto the next half in a month - the Walt Disney World Princess Half in Orlando, Florida.  The Tink  Half has definitely made me want to get back into training ASAP!  The last two miles of the race Sunday were killer.  I thought I was going to throw up.  Plus, there was blood dripping down my ankle, lots of sweat and glitter pixie dust (hence the title of this post)!  Thankfully, Yoga In Heels had some encouraging words.  She better be practicing her inspirational speeches for the Princess Half too - where I will be running my first half marathon for an actual good time!  Sunday was also neat because we got to meet up with our family that lives out here after the race as well!

The fam on the Indiana Jones ride!

Did you run the Tinkerbell Half Marathon this weekend?  If so, comment below and tell me your opinion on the expo/race especially if you have run in other runDisney events.

SAG Awards 2012

Although I am in Anaheim, California right outside of Los Angeles, I did not get to watch the SAG Awards last night!  I was way to busy having fun at Disneyland!  As you know, the red carpet is my favorite part about award shows, so I still had to check out what the stars wore and give you my best dressed list.  I must say I was a little disappointed with the dress choices this year.  This isn't high school prom or Halloween, people?! Below is my list of the best dressed in no particular order, but I will say that no one blew me away a la Charlize Theron at the Golden Globes.  And can I please add that while Emma Stone is my girl, I think she has been slacking during this year's award season...and this is supposed to be her year!  She better be holding out on something special for the Oscars.  Until then...



Dianna Agron from Glee
Although this dress is almost a little too prom for me, I think she looks absolutely gorgeous in it and I loved her messy braided hair as well.

Jayma Mays from Glee
I love me some sparkles!  She looks radiant here.

 

Lea Michele from Glee
I don't really know if I love this dress, but Lea's poses are killer.  I think she could rock a paper bag on the red carpet and no one would notice.

Naya Rivera from Glee
I am seeing a theme of Glee girls rocking it on the red carpet this past weekend!

Octavia Spencer from The Help
I am also seeing a silver theme going on here.  Love it!

Regina King from Southland
I love that lavender has been popular this awards season a la Octavia Spencer and Jessica Alba at the Golden Globes.

Sofia Vergara from Modern Family
She always looks gorgeous...and always wears huge diamond and jeweled earrings.  I love it!

Stacy Keibler from...uhh...aka George Clooney's arm candy
I think Stacey might be my Best Dressed for the night.  I love the hair.  I love the dress.  I love the simple accessories. She has been looking gorgeous since dating George.  Keep it up, Stacy K!

Who do you vote as best dressed star of the 2012 Screen Actors Guild Awards?  Let me know in the comments below!

Operation: Princess Pen Pal Letter 10

Kate on her wedding day!

My 10th letter is from Duchess Catherine!  I was beyond excited to receive this letter.  Although I wish her letter writer had included a photo, I am still happy just to receive her royal stationary! 

When I saw the "C" I knew exactly who it had to be!

The best part about this letter, other than that its written on Duchess Kate's royal stationary, is that it says "private and confidential" :o)

About Duchess Kate

If you have been reading my posts (like this one and this one), you know that I am obsessed with Duchess Kate!  Growing up I was in love with Prince William, and if he had to marry anyone other than me, I'm glad he chose her.  I just don't think there is a classier, more elegant celebrity out there since Miss Audrey Hepburn.  I love that she always looks so put together - even when leaving a club at 4am. 

Kate right before her 30th birthday!

If you didn't know already, Kate has no royal background.  She met Prince William at college at St. Andrews in Scotland.  They were friends for a while before they started dating.  They both dated other people at that time. (I think I read in People Magazine that they had 7 ex's at their wedding this past April!)  The media always claims that their romance started when William saw Kate modeling a see-through dress during a charity fashion show...and the rest is history!

Gorgeous!

Kate enjoys fashion, history, photography and rowing.  She is often compared to Princess Diana because of her fashion choices and in the way she carries herself.  Fortunately, I think her and Prince William have a strong relationship and the sad, royal drama that happened with Diana will not repeat itself.

Kate in Los Angeles!

If this isn't a modern Cinderella story, then I don't know what is?!  I love that they are so down to earth - he is busy working as a rescue pilot and she is seen shopping around the Chelsea District and buying food at the local grocery store when not fulfilling royal duties. 

Kate in Canada!

I can't wait to see what they do in the future! I am hoping for a royal baby soon!

Operation: Princess Pen Pal Letters 8 & 9

Hey everyone!  Here is my update on Operation: Princess Pen Pal!  The letters I got over the holidays were a little disappointing, but it is still fun to receive royal letters and tell you about these lovely ladies.  I even got some photos this time!

I have a list of princesses I want to send a second batch of princess letters to.  I haven't written to them before.  Plus, I think this would be a cool project to do with a child.  If I know I am having a girl, I think it would be cool to write letters in advance to the princesses and have a princess book waiting for her when shes born.  Weird much? I don't care.  It will be special!

Letter 8: Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg

How cute is she?!  And what a great name!

The royal letter!  Someone from Luxembourg will have to tell me who is on the stamp.  I tried to see if it was her father, but I don't think it is. 

Short and sweet...I guess this is what happens when princesses go off to college.

About Princess Alexandra

Princess Alexandra is one of five children in the Luxembourg royal family.  She is the only girl!  I couldn't find much information about her except one cool fact:  She is actually attending college in the United States in....Ohio?!  Yep, she attends Franciscan University of Steubenville.  Its a small private, Catholic university.  I thought this was strange at first (I can understand all the royals that go to NYC, but Ohio?!), but then I found out her brother lives in Florida with his family while he attends the Florida Institute of Technology.  She enjoys history, tennis and swimming at the school. 

__________________________________________________

Letter 9: Princess Martha Louise of Norway

I have this special power: right when I open the mailbox I can tell if there is a princess letter in there!  Royal Radar is basically my sixth sense.

...so it says she is too busy spending time with her three daughters and husband to write me a letter.  Good reason.  Understandable.  I guess.

I finally got princess photos!  See something strange? One photo is way older than the other - look at the husband and children!

About Princess Martha Louise

She is sooo pretty!

Princess Martha Louise is 4th in line to the royal throne of Norway behind her brother and his two children.  She grew up and attended school in Norway.  Through her degree in physiotherapy aka physical therapy, she started a spiritual school, Astarte Education.  She believes she can talk to animals and angels.  According to the website, if you attend this school, they will teach you how to do the same.  Unfortunately, the school has caused quite the controversy in Norway with people wanting Martha Louise to lose her royal titles because of it.   

Royals are so interesting, no?

What do you think about these princesses?  Comment below!  Check back tomorrow for my letter from Duchess Kate!

 

25th Birthday Wish List

I decided to post my birthday list because I have a lot of cool items on it this year.  Plus, my birthday is on Valentine's Day, so maybe your Valentine can you get you something off of this list.  Think of it as a haul but of items that I haven't bought...yet!  Just click the name of the item to go to the website where it is available:

KitchenAid Mixer in Raspberry Ice



This combines two of my favorite things - baking and PINK!



Anything and everything Paris decor from Sur La Table

Sur La Table has a ton of super cute items like this tea set above!  They have everything Paris themed from china to dish towels to cupcake holders.  And in the words of Sharpay Evans - "I want it all!"

Harry Potter Mug

When the mug is filled with warm liquid it goes from saying "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." to "Mischief managed." Umm...every Harry Potter fan must own this!

Target Xhilaration Swimsuit with Ruffles

Victoria Secret always sells a suit like this, but the one from Target is more than half the price of their suits! Its only available online though.

Target Pink Glitter Heart Bowls and Plates

How cute are these?!

Yellow Rose Bush

I think potted flowers are always the best kind because they won't die after a week.  Yellow roses are actually my favorite potted flower (although I have never had one before) along with orchids.  They are so cheerful!  Tell me the photo above doesn't make you smile?! Plus, I got an email from ProFlowers that they are only $19.99 + shipping!

The Hunger Games Box Set



I got the first book for Christmas and read them all by the end of January.  I read the final two books on my Kindle Fire, so I would like hard copies as well for my library.  These books are amazing!  I definitely recommend them. 



Water for Elephants DVD

If you haven't read the book and/or seen the movie, you need to get on it!  Water for Elephants = The Notebook + a circus = so romantical!  Great Valentine's Day date night movie if I do say so myself.

Well, that's basically my list! I also really want some "boring" items that I should have gotten years ago! I want a Georgia Southern leather organizer/letter pad for interviews, a Georgia Southern frame for my undergrad diploma and a Georgia State frame for my grad school diploma. 

Did you see anything you want for Valentine's Day? It is right around the corner! Comment below!