More Trash Talk!

This weekend has gone by fast!  Today has been foam rolling, errands, cleaning and binge watching Wentworth Season 4.  Friday night was my adventures in lawn mowing including overfilling my mower with oil.  Turns out, that makes it appear your mower is about to catch fire with a lot of smoke action.  Lucky for me my neighbor has a nifty gadget to get the oil back out.  Lesson learned.  We had another great Saturday morning long run this week with a 7 miler and thankfully cooler temps.  This week is a big one as the kid gets ready to start off true college life in her new apartment.   

While I was taking pictures I noticed this commotion in the background.  Living room sprints followed by rolling around furiously on the floor...someone was excited about my trash.

I can't tell you how obsessed I now am with taking Collagen.  My nails have only been this long in the past when I drank 2 protein shakes a day.  Even then they weren't this strong.  Now they are growing to the point I am going to have to file them down because they aren't breaking on their own.  Except for my thumbnails.  Weirdly they don't match the rest.  My other eight nails look amazing.  This empty bottle is Marine Collagen from Amazon ($13.57).  I switched back to the first bottle I showed you which is higher mg and also Bovine.  I don't want to think much more about that detail.  I used another bottle of O2 Gold which we know I'm obsessed with...just restocked that ($31.16) and a bottle of Equate Ibuprofen ($2) which I really need to remember to buy again.  I go through a ton of this stuff.  It's great to take before bed to ward off the headaches I always get in the middle of the night after a hard workout.  Total $46.73

I finally burned up my last Vanilla Snowflake candle from last year ($10).  It's only July and they already are stocking their fall candles.  I haven't bought a candle yet this year.  I really don't like their summer scents because they are too sweet.  Their warm fall scents are where it is at.  I still have plenty of candles to burn through though before I justify purchasing any.  It will probably be November before I let myself splurge on some.  I also went through this bottle of Purex Crystals in Tahitian Breeze ($4).  I didn't love this scent and have switched back to Lavender...which doesn't really smell like Lavender to me...it just smells good.  Total $14

Hair products...when I ran out of dry shampoo the kid hooked me up with this bottle of Loreal (I think $5ish).  It smelled good but I'm sticking with my $3 Suave dry shampoo.  I finished this bottle of Suave conditioner (prob $2) which I believe I got from one of my 5k's last year.  The Alterna CC Cream is one of my favorite products but I not enough to buy the full size.  The small bottle I got as a point perk from Sephora and retails for $8.50.  Total:  $15.50

Finished 2 bottles of hand soap...Boardwalk Vanilla and Orchard Walk.   I usually end up spending around $3 each on these.  I have a ridiculous supply of these soaps and am happy to use them up.  Total:  $6

I am super proud to use up 2 lotions that are not just Mango Temptation!  I finished the Maui Mango Surf and Pear Margarita from Bath and Body.  I use these at night and save the Mango Temptation for the day.  They are all $5 each.  I wanted to go through the ones I had in my stash in addition to my favorite.  I actually picked up the Maui Mango when I thought Mango Temptation had been discontinued.  It is no substitute but I didn't hate it.  Total:  $15

I finally replaced my Beauty Blender.  It lasted about 8 months before I decided it was done.  I replaced with a double pack on sale.  They retail for $20 but I got this one on sale when I bought it too.  I definitely wouldn't spend the $20 on it but I do really love it.  I finished a small Vaseline lip balm and LOVED it.  It was $1.99 at Target and will definitely buy it again.  It was a bittersweet ending to say goodbye to Colour Pop eyeshadow in I Heart This.  It is by far my favorite color of their shadow and lasted for-ev-er.  For a $5 price tag you cannot beat the quality.  I have plenty of others to go through but will buy it again sometime I'm sure.  Another jar of my favorite gel moisturizer from Garnier was $7 which I already replaced.  Lastly, a Lancome eye makeup remover, another point perk ($15).   Total:  $48.99

Sidenote:  The dog toy stash is just as ridiculous as when I had an overwhelming amount of kid's toys laying around.  Spoiled.

Trash total 7/31/16 $146.22
Trash total 6/26/16 $171.92
Trash total 5/22/16 $366.77
Trash total 4/10/16 $169.93
Trash total 3/14/16 $180.62
Trash total 2/7/16 $311.07
Trash total 2/17/16 $251.02
Grand total YTD:  $1,597.55

The Badass Moment

This weekend I've been pondering the saying "There is always, always, always something to be grateful for."  It's probably true.  It's cliche and a little overused in my opinion.  That being said, I have a spot in my daily planner to write each day something I'm grateful for.  I do think it's important to remember the positives and not focus on the negatives.  However, I'm proposing we look at this old thought in a new way...I'm proposing instead of a daily gratitude thought...we look for a daily "Badass Moment."

This came about because I posted a photo on my fitness Instagram account this weekend about how seeing improvements in my running made me feel like a badass.  Later in the day I started thinking "Oh no, did that sound cocky?"  "What if people take it the wrong way and think I think I'm all that and better than everyone?"  Long story short...I started doing what I've done for FAR too long in my life.  I started the awful process of overthinking.

Then I started thinking "Why shouldn't we all feel like a badass every day?"  We should!  Each and every one of us should have a daily badass moment.  Somedays when I fill out my planner I have to sit and search for what I'm grateful for "well that ice cream was tasty I guess."  Sure these little things are nice but I want moments.  And yes, we should have both.  Absolutely, we should appreciate the little things in life.  But sometimes we just don't give ourselves enough credit and when we do, we may worry if we sound cocky or if people will take it the wrong way.

So here is what I propose...continue to be grateful for the little things.  Appreciate every small thing that life has to offer.  But also take the time each day to think about what you did that day that made you feel like a badass.  Don't stop being grateful for the little things but add in your daily badass moment.  THAT, I truly believe, will make a huge difference in your self-esteem.  Sure the gratitude makes you content and appreciate life but feeling like a badass, well that makes you feel like you can conquer anything life throws your way.

Here are a few things lately that make me feel like a badass:
-Mowing my own lawn.
-Killing ants and tackling how to get rid of them around my perimeter outside of my house (both of these making me feel like a truly independent woman)
-Feeling WAY more financially stable as a single woman than I ever did married
-Going into the gym and being the only girl in the weight room with a bunch of men and not giving a damn what they think
-Actually not giving a damn what anyone thinks (always a work in progress)
-Getting faster
-Getting stronger
-Buying a car on my own
-Jump starting a car by myself
-Wanting to go on a solo vacation (and plan to soon!)
-Not letting the moods of others impact me like they used to
-Telling people no when I want to tell them no and not getting pressured into things (and not feeling guilty)


This list of possibilities is endless.  Today I ran around an overgrown high school track and I stopped to take a picture to admire it's beauty in all it's overgrown, unkempt way.  I appreciated and was grateful for that.  Then I felt like a badass as I sprinted around and felt fast.  Gratitude and badassery both in one day.  Strive for it.  I know I am.

June Favorites and some fails

Hard to believe we are halfway through 2016.  Why does time go faster when you are an adult?  My June favorites and fails....

The Spatty.  Handy little tool.  A mini spatula...perfect for getting those hard to reach areas of beauty products that you don't want to waste!

For example...this eye cream that has a pump but is ridiculously thick and whoever designed it didn't obviously ever attempt to test it.

So I remove the pump and use the spat daddy to scrape the product out.  Perfect!

My new favorite Spark flavor...Limeade.  I've been blending it up with ice and it makes a frozen limeade.  It's been the perfect summer treat.

I'm hooked on these Laughing Cow cheese wedges.  I can't be without them.  I'll eat them plain or with chicken or turkey sausage.  They are also good on eggs.  You really can't go wrong.  The Pepper Jack is my favorite but the original Creamy Swiss is also delicious.  I haven't tried all the other flavors yet.

I've recently bought several different kinds of dark chocolate as I'm indulging in nightly dark chocolate as part of a new diet I'm trying.  This was one of the first I bought.  It is delicious.  Turns out, it isn't exactly dark chocolate however.  The ingredients are actually semi-sweet chocolate.  I had a feeling when I liked it so much that it was too good to be true.  Very deceiving packaging Ghirardelli.  Whether you are a dark chocolate fan or not, this is worth trying out.  Dark chocolate is growing on me.  I'll have some actual dark chocolate favorites for next time.

If you liked The Killing check out Marcella on Netflix.  Reminded me of The Killing.  Not quite as good but still worth the binge watch!

My favorite You Tuber lately has been Kara Corey.  I watch her videos every morning while I get up and ready.  She has a great variety and some great fitness and nutrition information.

I got this Fresh Sugar balm as a sample from Sephora.  It's terrible.  Not even worth attempting to use anymore.  I rub my finger in it and still barely get any product picked up.  I love the Fresh Sugar chapstick style lip balms so I was disappointed in this one.

I grabbed this Target brand of Windex style cleaner.  It cleans fine.  But it hurts to use!  The nozzle hurts both sides of my hand!  It actually tore off skin.  I have to hold it with both hands just so I don't tear my hand up using it.  I definitely won't buy this stuff again.

Overall June isn't my favorite month.  Too hot, nothing really exciting happening.  However, at least I didn't have to mow even one time in the month of June!  That itself, a huge favorite!

So you want to be a runner...

Saturdays have become the long run day while training for the Roots N Blue's half marathon.  It's going good so far...but it has reminded me of a few things nobody tells you about when you get addicted to this running thing.  So I thought I'd share what I've learned over the time I've developed this addiction.  

• Anyone can be a runner.  If you think you are too busy, too slow, too overweight, too anything...you can still be a runner.  Ask anyone who runs and they will tell you "If I can do it so can you.  I never thought I'd be a runner."  (Unless they've been doing it since high school track or something then they don't count, don't ask them) 
• Say goodbye to pretty feet.  Don't waste money on pedicures.  But the trade off is pretty legs.  Worth it.  (If someone else is that worried about your feet I'd be a tad uncomfortable anyways)
• Speaking of feet, investing in good shoes is worth every penny.  If you'll be running a lot you'll want a few pairs.  When you wear out a pair don't throw them away.  Keep them handy for mud runs.  The last thing you want is to get a new pair of running shoes all dirty.  (also, don't buy all white ones even though they sure are pretty)
• You can get about 500 miles out of a pair of shoes and if you don't keep track of the miles, it won't be long before the shoes will tell you the relationship is over.  Listen to them.  Let them go.  If you wanted a more permanent commitment just go buy the same shoes again.  I've done it.  Same exact ones.  Because I have a type.  
• You may make new friends!  The running community is huge and awesome!  I was driving home from my trail run this morning and recognized three people running around town and smiled thinking just how awesome the running community is.  
• You may start to annoy some of your current friends because all you want to talk about is running.  How much time did you shave off this week, what's your PR, what's your goals, when is the next race, what kind of foods do you eat before a run, how long before a run do you eat?  It's fascinating to listen to what works for everyone else.  
• You'll spend more money on workout clothing as you discover what is most comfortable to wear.  Those funny running shorts with the built in underwear that I said I would never wear?  Can't run in anything but those in the summer now.  When it's hot it's hot and I don't care what I look like.  
• Something about the habit will become addicting, in addition to the habit of running itself.  Whether it is signing up for the next race, going to a Wednesday night running group, chasing that next PR, or just increasing overall mileage...there will be something that keeps you going. 
• You don't have to run fast to be a runner.  Anything counts.  Especially running/walking intervals.  That's how most everyone gets started and even people running for years take walk breaks.   Somedays walk breaks are the only things that get me through.  They are a necessity during training and sometimes you'll then find not so much a necessity during a race.  Either way, walking can help you run.  
• Weather becomes defined by whether or not it is good running conditions.  Walking by my neighbors last night who are runners the convo went like so:  
• Neighbors "Hey there!  How are you?" 
• Me:  "Hey!  Good, enjoying these great running temperatures!"  
• Neighbors "Oh I know that's right!"  

• Somedays the training all comes together and you have a great run.  Other days, you may say to yourself "This sucks today."  (I did today during my last mile)  You just wonder why it doesn't always feel easy.  Then you get done and just know you'll be doing it again.  But first, we foam roll.