Running In The AM

On the mornings when I can actually roll myself out of bed and into my Nike's, this is what I get! Not too shabby, eh?! My pooches, Healy and Rooney, live for mornings like these - the sun shining and the sand between their little paws (or big paws when referring to Healy) - too bad they also bring the beach into my lovely apartment... Did I mention how much I enjoy cleaning? Yeah, because I hate it! But say the word "walk" and my doggies are at full attention and raring to go. How can one deny Healy's big brown eyes and Rooney's cocked head? Well, I guess that's what keeps me getting up and going! One of the things anyway. I actually enjoy running, that is, once I'm out there. So much so that I ran a half marathon this weekend.... without real training... not so smart, but I did it, and I did much better than I expected. My cousin, Whitney, made me sign up for the Nike + Women's Half Marathon in November and at the time, it sounded like a great idea. Basically, December snuck up on me and running went out the window; Billy's family came to visit, then Christmas and New Years... How do my no-time-for-running excuses sound??? I was all set to conveniently forget the date of the race, when my darling Whitney called the Thursday before to make sure I was still running it. Obviously I said I was, so I did, never mind that my longest run since signing up was that day. A whopping 8.5 miles three days before the looming 13.1. It's a good thing I have a secret weapon and her name is Scottee. Couldn't have done it without her. We had an "enjoyable" run and finished with an unexpected ease. Yay! Now I'm thinking the Santa Ynez Half in May... It's ends with wine tasting... Sounds good to me! Nothing like some vino to motivate! Anyone with me??

My Rag & Bone Obsession

I want to wear these....

Look 1

Floppy Brim Fedora

Bromley Blazer

Hamilton Boxy Top

Jodhpur Legging - Cognac 

Durham Boot

Look 2

Noa Jacket

Danby Sweater

The Quilted Driving Glove

Scuba Legging - Midnight

Classic Newbury

And Just Because...

Belfast Coat

Why is Rag & Bone completely amazing??? The 2 designers are hitting the nail on the head with every piece they create! The fit is spot on (comfy too!) and each design has some sort of twist that makes it different from ever other sweater or legging. Whether it's a zipper, asymmetrical hem, or piece of leather or lace, it's always a little unexpected and genius. I can safely say that 7 out of the last 10 garments that I've acquired have been R&B and in some perfect parallel universe, the R&B label would be sewn into every piece of my casual attire. What can I say, the dude's know their duds!!! The only problem I have now is that Spring 2012 ready-to-wear will soon hit stores, and I'm not ready to end my lusting over their Fall collection! Life is so hard sometimes! 

Food With Friends

Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro Downtown Santa Barbara

First up, lunch with Heidi.... FINALLY!!!! She is one of my best friends and we hadn't seen each other since her b-day in November (nevermind that we live 1 mile apart in the same neighborhood)! She spends her time getting buff for Bikini Competitions.... pretty cool, if you ask me! We spent our lunch date at Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro on State Street (most things in Santa Barbara happen on State Street) eating various forms of chicken and drinking wine, well, I drank wine. Isn't there some rule that if you go out to lunch on a beautiful, sunny day in January you have to indulge in a glass? I'm pretty sure there is, and just to make sure I wasn't straying from the law, I had 3. What?! It's not like I knew that the Build-Your-Own-Flight comes with 3 nearly full glasses ;) Not that I'm complaining, because every drop of the Rose, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc was thrown down the hatch with delight, I'm simply justifying the 3 glasses. I would never order 3 three glasses of wine at lunchtime....... Haha! I couldn't even type that with a straight face! Any who, the afternoon with Heid was much needed and our joint New Years Resolution is not to let crazy amounts of time pass between visits. Yes!

Brophy Bros. at Santa Barbara Harbor

Onto the next.... Dinner at Brophy Bros. with the Lambes! But first, let's talk about these artsy pics taken with my Hipstamatic app... I kind of die! Makes me feel like I have a good eye and that I'm really creative. Hey, anything to stroke my own ego, right?! Moving on, the night was perfect. Great friends, food, and atmosphere. Friends- I like to think of John and Maren as Billy and I of the future. We're so lucky to have people like them in our lives. Food- Seafood anyone?? Yes, everyone but me, please! I'll take the chicken sandwich with no bun. Atmosphere- Gorgeous night outside on Brophy's patio. There was a nice chill in the air, and our corner table had its own heater so the temp was Wunderbar! Conversation is always so easy on nights like this and there's rarely a dull moment (except when club soccer talk sneaks out of someone's mouth). Haha, just kidding! I love everyone and everything that has to do with Santa Barbara Soccer Club. All that was missing from this evening was the strumming of a guitar around the fire pit and our vocals of anything from Rod Stewart to Oasis or The Beatles. Throw in a little John Denver and we're set! Talk about expanding my musical repertoire, I've learned more songs from the 60s, 70s, and 80s in the last 3 years hanging with these peeps! Stay tuned for more detailed posts in the future about sing-song nights... They are the best!!! Maybe I should title them, "My Nights as a Rockstar!" We shall see.... :)

The Start of Something New... Like A Year!

Hmmmm... how do I make this post seem different from a traditional Facebook post of a few girls going out on New Years Eve??? I know! I'll only add one picture from the beginning of the night - before we look like we had 1 too many vodka sodas with lime and champagne (which of course we did)! These are 3 of my most bestest friends: Scottee (yes, that's actually her name), Heather, and Bree. We spent the entire evening downtown at Dargan's Irish Pub on State Street, dancing to the tunes of this funky band that consisted of 7 African American men (age range 30-65) and 1 white guy dressed as George Michael. As usual, Bree ended up on stage dancing with our new band friends, and Scottee, Heather, and I settled for the stage stairs where we busted a move with the lead singer's 70 year old mother we dubbed Big Mama. It was pretty awesome! Almost as awesome as the Potato Croquettes that Scottee and I ordered at 10:55pm. The way I like to describe them are Little Golden Nuggets from Heaven, but basically they are mashed potatoes mixed with Irish cheese that are breaded and fried golden brown. In other words, a party in my mouth, especially when dipped in ranch dressing. I know, you're thinking total health nut. It's cool, I understand. When Midnight rolled around, the bartenders provided everyone with Champagne for a toast. I love it when bars do that! It totally brings everyone in the place together. We clanked flutes, wished all the best of luck in 2012 (sadly Auld Lang Syne was nowhere to be heard), and gathered our belongings with the intention of conquering what some believe as the Earth's last year (crazy Mayans)!! I think this was the best NYE I've ever had, which probably means 2012 will be the same! Hey, a girl can hope!! The 7 of us trudged home (4 girls, 2 husbands, and a finace), stopping at Wahoo's Fish Tacos, laughing and eating the rest of the night away. And just for you, since I missed it......

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

We'll take a cup of kindness yet,

For auld lang syne

Happy 2012!