Hi Everyone!
I’m back and can finally take a deep breath. I have been running around like a chicken with it’s head cutoff for the past couple of weeks. I’ve been out of town every weekend and I finally have this week completely free to blog, work, add all the new items to the shop and fulfill orders tonight.
It’s been raining here for weeks straight and it’s finally going to end tomorrow! I’m thinking about fitting in a fun outdoor run instead of the dreadful treadmill. The only good thing about the cold and rainy weather is that it forces me to stay inside and get everything done!
I had one of the best weekends and I’m excited to blog all about it. (well some parts…)
On Thursday, I had to run to the mall and find a dress for our friend’s wedding. I’m sure most of you girls can relate to the “I have nothing to wear” quote, while standing in front of a closet full of clothes. I just think it’s our subconscious mind trying to find an excuse to buy a new outfit.
After shopping around, I finally found a dress.
I was so hungry and decided to stop at Starbucks to have my first skinny peppermint mocha latte of the year! I have them do half the pumps instead of the full in the tall because it’s way too strong. It’s my favorite drink at Starbucks!
I hate going to the grocery store on an empty stomach so I grabbed a blueberry apple That’s It bar and mixed nuts with fruit. And because I love sharing new favorite products with you…this Smartfood white cheddar popcorn is delicious! I found it at Harris Teeter and I can’t wait to try the other flavors. It’s perfect for a late night snack.
I tried to recreate one of my favorite salads from Potbelly’s, the Chickpea Veggie Salad, with an addition of some of my other favorite salad toppings. When I lived in Chiacago, I used to eat this salad five times a week for weeks straight. Potbelly’s was on my way home from my nannying job and I was always too tired to cook dinner, so it was so convenient.
Thank goodness for my readers because I’ve always raved about Potbelly’s nonfat vinaigrette dressing. One of my commenters found out the brand of dressing they use, Hendrickson’s Original Sweet Olive Oil and Vinegar. I can make all the salads at home now. I found the dressing at Harris Teeter.
This salad has romaine lettuce, feta, chickpeas, red onion, cucumber, tomato, croutons, avocado, chopped hard boiled egg, fried onion crisps, and sweet olive oil and vinegar dressing. It’s such a delicious combo!
Thursday morning, I had breakfast and fit in a run before heading out of town. One of my favorite pre run breakfasts is cheerios, almond milk, and banana.
I run so much better outside. My times are awful when I’m on the treadmill, but it’s better than nothing. After my run, I did a fifteen minute deep stretch and twenty minutes of arm weights.
I usually have greek yogurt after my workouts for recovery.
After showering off and packing my bags, I made some snacks for the hotel room and the trip. Pineapple, and apple, and popcorn!
The traffic was a pain in the butt, BUT IÂ made it. I headed to the hotel to get ready for the dinner. I wore an outfit put together by H&M.
It consisted of a simple shimmery tank, a blue cardigan, and the Jacquard weave skirt.
We had so much fun at the rehearsal dinner. I love hearing the speeches and seeing the bonds people have created over the years.
The rehearsal dinner was held at Al’s Upstairs Italian restaurant. The food was fantastic! I had the filet mignon with potatoes and vegetables. I’m not a huge cheesecake person, but the pumpkin cheesecake was hands down the best cheesecake I’ve ever had.
We all met up at the Oyster Bar for drinks after dinner.
I met everyone over at Hickory Tavern for early drinks and lunch.
Boot: Francesca’s
Top: Express
Jeans: American Eagle
I’m not a champ and can’t drink early mornings. I had to have my coffee fix so I could recover before another fun night.
#hydrating
 
I went back to the hotel around 1:30 to get ready for the wedding.
I went with a dark berry metallic lace cutout back sheath dress from Express. I have always loved their dressed for winter/fall weddings or events.
I paired the dress with black tights, black heels, necklace, clutch, and a black bangle. I tried to straighten and curl the ends of my hair out but as soon as I stopped outside, it fell flat. I probably should get some layers put back into my hair.
I rode over to the wedding with our friend, Abby. Her husband is one of the most hilirious people you’ll ever meet.
The ceremony was beautiful and Brooke looked absolutely breathtaking.
 
How cute are those koozies?
This was so fun to watch.
A beautiful bride <3
Take two!
 
After the wedding, we headed to Tin Roof for drinks. After Tin Roof we ended up in the hotel lobby eating pizza and kicking the shoes off! Pizza at two am is so much better!
It was such a fun night and one of the funnest weddings I’ve been to.
We wanted to head out of town pretty early in the morning so we could watch the Panther’s play. We stopped at Panera bread for some food and coffee. I just needed something to cure the aftermath. I had half a blueberry bagel and a power smoothie.
Chicken noodle soup once I got home. It was incredibly delicious!
I had such a great weekend and I wish I could live it all over again.
It’s time to get to those packages, maybe a workout, and DWTS tonight!
xo xo
Looks like it was a really fun weekend! You look beautiful!
Thank you Tara! It was a blast 🙂
You guys look like you had a great time! You looked gorgeous & ya’ll make such a cute couple!
Thank you Sarah!!
Weddings are so beautiful! I’ve never been to one myself though.
Oh my goodness! Well you must go soon! They are definitely fun and beautiful!
You looked beautiful! I love your dress. Also, that soup looks so delicious!
http://www.justbeingbrooklyn.com
Thank you Brooklyn! & yes yes yes he makes the best soups!
Looks like so much fun! 🙂 Glad you had such a good time!
I was wondering are you still taking classes? If so how do you handle school and travel? I’m about to start classes in the spring and I work full time. I didn’t know if you had any tips for handling both and staying healthy?
Hi Ariel! Thanks 🙂 It was a blast!
All my classes are online so it makes it easier for me because I travel! It’ll change next year though! I’ll be doing on campus classes.
Okay that makes sense! That’s a good idea but unfortunately online and me don’t work well. Ild end up reading your blog versus homework 🙂
hahahaha 🙂 It happens 😉
Love the dress! Inspired to go shopping for some new holiday dresses now haha 🙂
Thanks Olivia!!
I agree, you look absolutely amazing… I especially love the photograph of you and Nick at the top- that would be a great one to put on a canvas! Also, lately I have been loving popcorn as well… I’m actually eating a bag right now… haha!
Thank you Angela!! 🙂 & I don’t think I could live without my late night popcorn! Love it!
Oh my gosh that dress is HOT! Ow ow!
haha thanks Em!
YAY! I’m so glad you found the dressing! 🙂
Thanks girl!!! 🙂 You saved my life! 😀
Looks like a great weekend! Im in the market for a nice dress for an upcoming vacation. Maybe I should check out express! Did they have a nice selection?
They do, but a little out of stock on the sizes! I kept finding dresses that i loved and they didn’t have my size, so I’d stick to shopping online with them!! But I do love their selection.
Thanks! I’ll take a look online!
OMG! I work right around the corner from all of those places you were at! I wish I could’ve ran into you and fan-girled a little. lol. So happy you got to enjoy our city for the weekend. I hope you stopped to look at our beautiful state house since you were near it 😉
That is so cool Jacklyn!! 🙂 It was such a beautiful place! xo
Love seeing all your pictures from the weekend! I loooove weddings! It looked very fun! I bet you’re happy to be back at home though 🙂
Will you be restocking the Football Friday Stadium Scarf!? 🙂
Thanks Hannah! I just restocked some new scarves:) I’ll try to get the others back in! Xo
i love your outfit choice!
Thank you!!!!
Weddings are always a blast, this looks like it was a fun one!
It was:)
hahah! my boyfriend is a “frat-star” too as I like to call him…I definitely never thought I’d end up with one, but he’s pretty great. I suppose all frat guys aren’t too bad 😉 The wedding looks like it was a blast & I love the necklace you had on with your pink top!
http://amchang9.wix.com/medicineinmichigan
Thanks girl!!
lol We didn’t have a lot of frats in Iowa and I think it’s huge down south; they’re definitely not your stereotypical frat boys 😉
You look so pretty!! I have a wedding to attend in two weeks and still need to find a dress! I’ll have to check out Express 🙂
Potbelly’s salads are the BEST! The Greek one is really good too. Now I need to find that dressing!
p.s. I was so bummed to see Alexa leave last night. Her last dance was INCREDIBLE!
Thank you Melanie!! Express has a great winter/fall selection.
I can’t believe how amazing her dance was…she was incredible and it really portrayed her story perfectly.
& yes yes yes try the dressing! It’s sooooo good!
Looks like such a beautiful and fun weekend! So glad you had a good time 🙂
Thanks Cara!!
Love the necklace!
Thanks!
You look beautiful in that dress.
Thank you!!
I bet you have the prettiest wedding in the entire world.
aww well thank you!
You and Nick are so cute.
Thnks Sarah!
Tara you look so good, I really admire you for having overcome your eating disorder (or the phase of being stick thin). I personnally have beaten an eating disorder too but still struggle loving my body. Hence I am still skinny and try to figure out how to love myself with more curves and less bones. Keep it up, Girl <3
Thank you CC! You will and can beat it! Keep on thinking positive and strive to be the healthiest version of you!
Oh and don’t mind my english, love from Germany
xo xo I went to Germany for an afternoon once 😉
I love your dress.
Thank You!
Your hair looks amazing dark!
Thanks!
Wow I’ve just found your blog 🙂 you look gorgeous!
Thank you! xo