ready to R U N!

so friends, after a tough running year in 2010, I am back and excited for a great year!!!

I am registered for the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia which I ran in 2208 and 2009! It is a great 10 mile run with lots of Philadelphia spirit. I enjoy the flat course, fun people, crazy cheerleaders, fabulous Sunday morning gospel choirs and spirit of this race!

While in Naples, I made a purchase that I am super excited about sporting for the next few months of training. These great red laces are created and sponsored by Nike for The Lace up Save Lives project.

1. You purchase (NIKE)RED laces.
2. Nike is contributing 100% of its profits from the sale to the Global Fund and to soccer-based programs that help fight AIDS in Africa.
3. Funds are received by programs like Grassroots Soccer, which uses football as a framework to teach youths how to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS.
4. Funds are also contributed to The Global Fund to fund HIV/AIDS programs that support the purchase of lifesaving Antiretroviral (ARV) medication, training of medical staff, HIV testing and treatment to help prevent the transmission of the virus from pregnant mothers to their babies.
5. Life-saving knowledge is received by the next generation in Africa.




I also have created some fabulous smoothie recipes that I make in my one cup blender. Using light coconut milk from Trader Joes is revolutionizing my smoothies! Add in a little organic lowfat vanilla yogurt, some frozen pineapple and mixed berries and VOILA... Yum! If you need a little protein, some vanilla protein powder is a perfect addition. My fabulous rubber cup sleeve designed for hot drinks (thanks Sam!), works perfectly for these chilly evenings with a smoothie!

a bridesmaid adventure

I love everything wedding. It is a great honor to attend a wedding and an even greater honor to stand by the bride and groom's side as they say "I do!"

I am honored to stand beside Christie and Dave in May as they exchange vows!!! It will be a beautiful garden service with family, friends and children! Christie and Dave have many special little ones in their lives that will ring bells, toss flowers and just look adorable. Everyone will be dressed beautifully in khaki suits and lovely light green, midori, dresses in various styles! (my choice)

I made an appointment at a lovely bridal boutique for my dress fitting and so began the adventure. After being under-impressed by the sales woman after she knew my dress would be ordered in Gallatin, TN I knew it was going to be an interesting morning. The woman at the boutique "allowed" me to try on the dresses to then be informed that she would not take my measurements since I was not purchasing the dress in their shop. Seriously? You have to be kidding me. Simple measurements. Boat Shoes and I were not pleased, so we continued on the trek for measurements.

We arrive at location 2. My favorite tailor in the area which no longer exists. Sad.

We arrive at location 3. Boat Shoes favorite tailor which has changed owners and no longer does measurements or fine tailoring. Sad for boat shoes. However, the new owner recommended the most wonderful boutique and fine tailor.

We arrive at Sew Rob. An adorable boutique and fine tailor that has now become a FAVORITE place. All things happen for a reason and now I have a lovely tailor and a new place to shop! Rob completed my measurements and was a joy to work with. He had great suggestions for a dress I will be wearing next weekend to a black tie event and for the new dress I purchased with an adorable collar line and exposed zipper in the back! Don't worry, I will share when I wear it! I am so excited about this new hidden gem!

To complete the story, I went for a little shopping adventure with my dear friend Jen to find her a fun new outfit. We were going to Suburban Square my favorite shopping venue. What could be better than an adorable little square with a J.Crew with their new spring line, Lilly Pulitzer with their beautiful new years collection and a Starbucks for a warm refreshing drink..Just to name a few. We found her a precious new dress and we ventured to an adorable boutique called Styche. It is a favorite of mine with wonderful service, adorable and elegant clothes, fun and festive accessories that all make a statement. I found the most fabulous coat that makes a statement. As the store owner stated, "this is a conversation coat." It is part of the Ariella design collection, is black with a fitted bodice, bubble bottom and fabulous shawl neckline.

Chic. Very very chic.

(Oh and by the way, tailoring came up in our conversation at Styche...and the owner shared that he is Sewrob's brother!!! crazy small little fashion world!)

laughter.

 

 

 

 

and one of the best parts of our trip was laughter! We danced, had happy hour on the beach, had happy hour at our house, played dress up with fun watches, layed in the sun, cheers to bride and groom koozies, had yummy dinners, laughed during yummy dinners and enjoyed every second of our trip! We were thankful that our dear friend Kate could join us for a few days and experience Naples...and are thankful that mom and dad boat shoes are officially snow birds in their new home. They laughed right along with us!

we enjoyed...

 

 

 

every moment and capturing them with our new camera!

from snow to sun!

 

Naples was such a refreshing time! We left a snow covered home to arrive in a warm paradise!!! Every day was sunny... even the bit of rain led to a gorgeous double rainbow and sunset. It was a vacation full of laughter, fun and relaxation at its finest!

gone in paradise

I have been missing in blog world for a week... because I have been gone in paradise...Naples, Florida.

Stay tuned for some lovely photos and recollections of a fabulous week of flip flops, boat shoes, sun, sand, beach walks, shell finding adventures, bike rides, pool time, time with dear friends and family, yummy food, shopping, and RELAXATION at its finest.

One more night in paradise...Ciao!

weddings and babies oh my!

Two of the most wonderful events in life... weddings... and babies!!!

Boat shoes and I are in the phase of life where there are still lots of weddings and now bouncing little babies! I am currently planning a his and hers wedding shower for a dear friend of mine here in Philadelphia and a baby shower for boat shoes little sister!

Wedding shower info to come soon... but while in the baby shower brainstorming phase, I have come across a few adorable ideas! love the ABC idea... ducks are cute too...we wont know if baby pittman is a boy or a girl so neutral is the way to go!

 

 

A is for Almost here
B is for Baby
C is for Celebration!


Some adorable baby shower ideas here

Cycle for Survival

On February 12, 2011 Boat Shoes and I are headed to the Equinox in New York City to cycle for our dear friend Jen. She has been fighting the battle of her life and does so every day with a great big smile. She is strong, she is graceful, she is talented, she is humble, she is kind, she is gracious and giving, she is fun, she is creative and she is an excellent friend. We will ride for Jen. If you would like to give to our team you can click here .

wedding bells

are ringing for Christie and Dave!!! After about 2 hours on the phone with one of my bestest friends in the world, I am getting so so excited for her and her special day on May 14, 2011!!! Christie and Dave will be married in Gallatin, TN in her parents beautiful gardens. The bride and groom are thinking about greens, yellows, and flowers galore!

 

 

 

Green bridesmaids dresses are surprisingly difficult to find! Has anyone seen some beautiful, simple and elegant green dresses?

a year in review and a look ahead

January
Flip Flops signed up for the Nashville Marathon on December 31, 2010 – training partners with Angel in Chattanooga, TN...ready for the challenge!
Attended the Philadelphia Auto Show Black Tie Gala
The A3 gals came to Philly for a girls weekend~ always such a blast together!
Skiing in the Poconos…12 ladies on a ski trip!
2 fabulous ladies started working at the same spot as flip flops and have grown into 2 very special friends.

February
Training for the marathon continues... in the snow!
The Blizzard in February… snowed in. Learned that snow makes a lovely cooler.
A simply elegant valentines day with our fine china
A wonderful visit from Susan and Darcy Mae ~ dinner, shopping and lots of puppy fun

March
Meaghan and Rob are engaged~ Celebration time!
A fabulous long run ends in excruciating pain for flip flops. Experienced first MRI , and was diagnosed with a stress fracture at the top of my tibia. disappointment gained a new meaning.
Time to re-do our room…new bedroom furniture and a new mattress!
An adventure to NC: presented at a conference in Charlotte, NC, reunions with dear friends and travels around NC included – hanging out with Katy, seeing sweet Jack, Frances and John, meeting Charlotte the adorable weiner dog, visiting with dear Gina, traveling to see grandma, Berit and Courtney, visiting and remembering great times at the flip flop family lake house, visiting elon, and seeing boat shoes best friend Ed, Judi and son, Riley
Its time for New glasses… with lime green lining!
A Richmond adventure: Walking the Monument avenue 10 K with mom.. dressed up in tutu’s and Hope for Haiti tshirts! Kate, Meaghan & Rob joined Derek and I for the adventure
Celebrating Derek’s bday in the city

April
Easter in Ardmore and the Inner Harbor with Boat Shoes family
A phone call that our home will go on the market, deciding not to buy it and starting to pack…again.
Nasvhille adventure: Marathon fun for Kate; Half Marathon fun for Angel (and we held hands across the finish after I ran approximately .1 miles with her); visiting with Clark and Sterling, good ole roomie Adam, and receiving my first pair of Tory Burch’s as a fabulous gift.

May
Happy 1st b-day to Lilly Bean!
Time to move to our new home…more space, great location, welcoming to pups…perfect!
Mom visits to help us get organized and we visit The Devon Horse show


June
A lovely Lilly Sale
Cape May for Julie B’s bachelorette weekend complete with fun in the sun, yummy meals, shopping and an adorable beach cottage
Welcome Murphy our new family member…adopted from Virginia!

July
Happy Birthday big brother flip flops… Bentley turned 30!
Julie and Peter’s beautiful wedding in MA (with the greatest wedding party house ever!), followed by a James Taylor concert and a visit with Kate and her family at their Time Out cottage
The 4th annual flip flop fun party with guests from Philly, Nashville, DC and MD
I learned how to garden… weeds are therapeutic.

August
We purchased our new Honda Pilot, a 2 car family once more…leather heated seats are a plus!
Susan and Andy married in Annapolis; what a beautiful weekend of sundresses, MD crabs and new friends
Lindsay and Scott married in Charlotte; a super fun weekend with Best friend Lareun, Will and their families, dancing with grandmom was a highlight; seeing Gina is always a joy!
Grown up meeting about being good stewards.
First hospital admission and first hospital sleepover ~ Appendicitis. Thankful for my dear Boat Shoes, a wonderful husband and caretaker. Thankful for my mom and a quick train ride to arrive right before surgery. Thankful for so many dear friends…visits, calls, messages, cards, emails, flowers, balloons and treats oh my!
Andrea and Sean marry at the Shore in NJ; the ceremony was elegant and beautiful, if it wasn’t 1 week post – op I am sure we would have enjoyed the reception as well!

September
A trip to Naples and seeing boat shoes parents new home! Time with both of our families in Naples is surely a delight.
Bentley and Jessica’s first visit to Philly complete with the The Parkway run – 5 k; cheese steaks, a climbing gym and city fun

October
A tropical get away to Puerto Rico; highlights included a pina colada in a pineapple, meeting Abuela for the first time, relaxing on the beach, a beautiful beach front room with a balcony
Carmens surprise 60th at the Capital Grille with friends and family, what fun to plan parties!
A bumblebee and a lobster for Halloween…Murphy and Lilly love getting dressed up!

November
A wonderful 28 bday with boat shoes and my First Broadway Show...Elf! Followed by a wonderful visit with Julie and Peter!
Best friend Lauren flew through Philly…we love the Marriott at the airport.
The Lilly sale – lots of samples and a visit from Rebecca in Charlotte
The Philly Marathon…Run Kate Run! Boston Qualifier!
Hosting the Elon alumni event at Fado
Dereks first 5 k – the lemon run
Picking the perfect picture for a great Christmas card.
Thanksgiving with both families…a JOY.

December
The Rockettes with flip flops family ~ a New york and Philly adventure – complete with a tiffanys box and great memories.
Hosted our first Christmas party…and it was a success. Flip Flops made buttercream icing and cupcakes from scratch for the first time, used our punch bowl for the first time, and wore a gold dress for the first time. Guests came from near and far for a night of toasting and treats.
Noble completed the World Race and we welcomed her home in stlye!
Flip Flops couldn’t be happier… and Boat shoes too…Elizabeth Grace is born to dear Angel and Todd! We cant wait to meet her in 2011!
3rd annual tacky light tour in Richmond VA
Christmas with boat shoes family early then flip flops too. Beautiful new jewelry…a fabulous new camera…and we will be aunt flip flops and uncle boat shoes in 2011.


What a splendiferous year!

In 2011 we look forward to…

A January trip to Naples, FL
Race for the Cure in NYC for our dear friend Jen
Meeting Elizabeth Grace
Meaghan and Rob’s wedding in Georgia
Christie and Dave’s wedding in Gallatin, TN
Jen and Pat’s wedding in Delaware
The birth of Camille and Sam’s child
Photography Classes
Finding a Sunday evening church service that we love
flip flops 5th half marathon and 4th 10 miler…with no stress fractures
Enjoying our two puppies

Not moving…staying right where we are…

…and seeing where life takes us!!!!

Ringing...

in the New Year with dear friends!!!

 

What a wonderful New Years Eve! Boat Shoes and I enjoyed getting dressed up for an evening of cocktails and appetizers at our friends home Nicole and Dave, followed by dinner at a wonderful restaurant Tango and finishing the evening watching the ball drop!!! For dinner I enjoyed a lovely roasted salmon with risotto and brocolli and boat shoes enjoyed jumbalaya. I highly suggest this chic restaurant for anyone in the area! Meaghan, Rob, Susan, Nicole, Dave and I enjoyed a wonderful, quaint, relaxed and all around FUN evening!

A highlight of the evening was our "white elephant" gift exchange! Each person brought a gift wrapped beautifully, ready for some trading fun! What happens at a new years party, stays at a new years party, but lets just say we all ended with some "treasures!"

Happy 2011...Boat Shoes, Lilly, Murphy and I's Year in Review is coming soon!

ending 2010...

a silly photo shoot with a fabulous new camera...a special 3-0 bday for Katy...and the Richmond Tacky Light Tour!!!