Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world. ~Grant Petersen

Hello Blogging world...been awhile I know. I'm sorry but you know how it is, busy...busy...busy. :-).
 First we had family in visiting us from Bath, England. We had a great visit and tried to show them around our little corner of the world. Checking out Downtown, Flagstaff, Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, etc. It was a great time and they tried convincing us several times to come out to their neck of the woods (like we need convincing!haha). wouldn't you want to see this...

We will get there...one day :-). But what got me so excited on their visit was the weather, beautiful sunny weather. Awww, Flagstaff. It can mess with you a lot  though, two weekends ago it was snowing like crazy, last weekend I got a sunburn, and this weekend is sunny but windy! haha. Oh well, I can still feel the promise of a gorgeous Flagstaff Summer. I love how green it is up here in the summer, that its warm and sunny but not too hot that you stay in doors.

 
Patio's are packed with people laughing, drinking, and listening to live music.

And, Downtown is a non-stop array of activities, festivals, and shows. 

And of course....Everyone is riding bicycles :-).

About a year ago I found my dream bike at AZ Bike shop in Flagstaff. It was everything I wanted fun, loud, at least 3 speed, and beautifully built. But sadly the price was MUCH to high. So whenever we went in I would just hug my beautiful bike be glad no one had bought her yet and pretend that 1 day I could get her.

Well my friends yesterday I went into the shop to discover my bike was on SALE! The words every girl wants to hear. :-). But don't get me wrong...SALE does not mean cheap and I still feared it was unwise to buy. But all night I thought about that bike and how if I went in 1 day and she was gone or heaven for bid I saw a girl riding it downtown I would be crushed :-(. So....this morning after some convincing from Jason, we walked in to the store and I put a down payment on the girl. :-)

It will take a few payments but my love is finally going to be mine. And by the time summer rolls around I will be sporting this beautiful lady downtown. The Electra's Amsterdam model, Classic 3i. My particular model is in the green sunflower. :-)

I am Absolutely in love with her!!!!! Now, I have to pray I don't have any medical crisis or unexpected bills heading my way....haha but I'm still elated. I just love her and have looked at her for so long and now...she's going to be mine :-)!!!!

What do you think of her?!?! I'm thinking a Bike as beautiful as her needs a name....Any Suggestions?!? :-)

It's going to be a VERY good summer :-)

Seeing RED....

So what's on my mind just before bed on a Tuesday night?!?!.....HAIR :-). (sad I know)

After living in south Italy for 5 months as a blonde I came back to the States wanting to try Brunette for the first time in my life. So, shortly after returning I did :-). I was many different shades of "dark brunette to lighter brown" over the next year and a half. Too be honest it was kind of a pain because my hair has a lot of copper undertones and just  a week or two after coloring my hair, it would always try and pull me back to the blonde side and in the process I would get these weird shades of I don't know what going on. It didn't help that my family had NO problem informing me that I looked better blonde. lol. Anyhow, long story short I am back to blonde and I'll admit I feel more like myself. However, there is a part of me that GREATLY wishes I had given RED a shot before I returned to my blonde roots. My Aunt (who does my hair) has mentioned a few times that we should try it. And I have to admit ANY time I see a girl with beautiful red hair it stops me in my tracks. I LOVE IT.

So...before bed I will leave you with some pictures that have me RED :-)

 
                                               Sweet Dreams, from an envious Blonde ;-)

Sticking to my Resolution...

Hola Peeps! :-)  Day two of the blogging world. Hopefully you are all done with the working part of Monday...because really isn't that the worst part of Monday? The start of a new work week. Fortunately, mine was pretty good as far as Monday's go. But my favorite part is my run after work. It's the best way to let go of the stress of the day and feel like I did something good for myself.

The funny thing is if you had asked me to go for a "run" 4 months ago I would said, "pass!" I loved workouts and aerobic classes but when it came to just plain running...I was bored out of my mind and just couldn't get into it. I would choose almost ANY exercise over running! But my sister and several friends loved running and were always discussing that "running high" and the benefits of running. So for my new years resolution I decided I needed to ditch my attitude and turn a new leaf with running.

In order to actually stick to my my new year's resolution I did three things:

1. Signed up for a race - a half marathon to be exact (13.1 miles)

 
I signed up for a race that was exactly 12 weeks away from the new year. Now at the time this seemed like A LOT of running for me haha. But I figured go big or go home, right? And If I signed up for a race, than I was accountable. I HAD to train or...I would fail. The other reason for registering was once I signed up for a race...friends and family knew about it. So... if I stopped training and some one asked, "hey when is your race?" I would have to sheepishly respond, "Oooh, I gave up on that."  And who want's to admit they gave up on something? Basically, by signing up I knew I would have to stick to my New Year's Resolution. 

2. Used the Nike Plus Sportband!! (P.S. Thanks for that Mom!) :-)

This thing is FREAKING SWEET! (oh FYI  you also need nike + shoes) :-).  It records your distance, pace, time and calories burned while you run. When you’re done with your run (and the band can save up to a week's worth of runs before you have to download), you connect the removable Nike+ SportBand Link to your computer to go to nikeplus.com, where you can track your runs, set goals, get advice, challenge others, and MUCH more. By the way, it’s also a watch. :-).

The website is VERY user friendly and keeps track of ever single run you download. You can compare runs, see progress, make notes of weather, map the run, how you felt that day etc. For someone new to running this was a GREAT training tool!! It has some fun features as well like "Nike levels" which is a way to recognize the total distance you’ve achieved since joining Nikeplus.com, creating an avatar, and they also have videos pop of professional athletes congratulating you from time to time...cheesy but kinda cute :-). The website does have a few glitches that Nike could work on but overall it's a really cool tool to use!

3. The last thing I did, was stick to a routine. 

No matter how long the work day or how cold it was...I tried to make sure I got my 5 runs in that week. (in the 12 weeks I think I missed a total of 6 runs?!? hey, it happens right?) There are tons of schedules out there for training for a race. I found one that worked for me and my schedule, and was suggested for beginner racers :-).

Honestly, I know it sounds cheesy but before I knew it I was looking forward to my runs! It was a great way to clear my mind and I felt good afterward. Not every run was great, and some felt longer then others. But overall, I was always happy I did it. And before I knew it...it was race day :-).

On March 27th, I successfully completed my first half-marathon in 1:48:16. :-). It felt great and I hope it was the first of many to come.


So....what was your New Year's Resolution? Did you stick to it, did you have a plan? :-)

I don't believe there's an atom of meaning in it.

Dear Lord! Ok so after Barnes and Nobel I went to GNC to buy my normal vitamins for the month. They had several posters up advertising HCG. The new hormone diet craze I have been hearing a lot about. Now the first thing I want to say is....how in the heck does Carmen Electra become a spokes person for a weightless program?

To my knowledge Carmen has never had a weight problem and therefor has no "before/After" story to share from this program. It's not like she is a trainer giving advise....she's just a hot chick, who too my knowledge has always been that way through her rigid diet and exercise I'm sure. I don't know, is it just me or is that annoying?!? Lol.

Secondly, I did some research on the new diet fad when I got home. Now HCG OR (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a hormone produced during pregnancy by the cells that form the placenta. While it is most commonly associated with pregnancy, it is present in both genders.  What it does is signal the hypothalamus (area of the brain that affects metabolism) to mobilize fat stores. Doesn't sound so bad so far right? However, an ESSENTIAL part of the HCG is that you follow a rigorous 500 calorie a day diet.

No your eyes do not deceive you...I said 500 calories MAX a day!!! Now, I am all for healthy, low calorie foods! During a normal week I try and eat as many healthy, organic, small portions meals as possible. I'll admit I am not as disciplined on the weekends and I am sure I could find areas to improve on my diet however, 500 calories a day for 45 days seems a bit extreme!! Call me crazy, but on 500 calories a day HCG or not your going to loose freaking weight!!! haha. That's not a hormone miracle that's hungry!!!

So I looked it up.....and I found out that 500-calories per day is not even enough calories to support normal brain function. Your body will try and compensate by using stores of glycogen, protein (muscle) and some fat, which lowers your resting metabolism. And to top it off there is no scientific evidence supporting HCG as a weight loss strategy.

So as much as I (as well as so many other women I know) wish for a "miracle fix"  in weight-loss...I fear this one is not for me. Before I actually saw any weight-loss I would probably become a cranky teacher and or girlfriend lol. 

Now, don't get me wrong...I know people who have tried and swear by the diet. And I garuntee you would loose weight if you were able to stick to this diet (again, 500 calories a day outta do it). But Alas, I'm a afraid this fad isn't going to work for me. Guess I'm sticking with good old regular exercise and diet for now. Hmmph...

"Why is a raven like a writing desk?"

So this is my first attempt at a blog :-). Probably would have been more exciting had I started it during my travels in Italy and through Europe, during my days of college, or even my masters....but alas I'll start it here. A 26 year old finishing her first year in the "real world" which with it's cruel twists and turns and new adventures and challenges at every corner, has made me feel a bit like Alice. A dreamer making her way through a strange and unknown place. :-).

But let's get into that stuff later ;-). For now I'm looking for inspiration to decorate a new apartment (1 I have yet to find...I currently live in a 450 sq ft apartment, cozy maybe...trendy no.)

I'm looking for an earthy whimsical feel, maybe eco-chic...?

Anything with browns, greens, and white catches my eye

A MUST have in my new place is a bird cage...don't ask why...but I NEED it

I'm just in love with the look of the bed and the big window here!!

I'm not sure i'm sold on this look but there is something i like about it..

 

You think I could find this in flagstaff?!?

Haha. Alright enough pictures for now....I'm off to barnes and Nobel