Independently Me

Obsessed

So it's no secret around here that I love yellow.  Oh, you didn't know?  Well now you do.

This year I've been wanting more yellow in my life.  It just makes me happy.  And while there are plenty of things to be happy about already, the visual reminder is always nice.

I also happen to love flowers.  All flowers.  But especially poppies with their bright yellows, reds, and oranges. It's a throwback to where I grew up and where they blanket the ground every spring. You stand on the crest of the rolling hill and look around at the sea of orange and feel the heat on your skin. Viva California.

If only it wasn't so expensive to live there... But I digress.

Behold, brightly colored flowers.  Beautiful citrus.  Dresses the color of the sun.  And my wish for eternal summer.

inspiration board via Style Me Pretty

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 See?!  Isn't summer the best season ever?  Well, until autumn comes of course.

i'm here for the boobies

 Saturday was the Race for the Cure.  High clouds covered the sun and made the temperature absolutely perfect for an easy 3 mile run.  Coming into downtown for this event is always overwhelming for me.  I love when so many people are gathered together for one purpose.  

They played music over the loud speaker and  I waited in the crowd with 20,000 other people for the run to start.  Cheer squads from 6 local high schools were cheering at the starting line and then throughout the course at the mile markers, the top of the 2 inclines, and at the finish line.  

This experience was so much different for me than the first time I did it.  Most of my trouble last time was wrapped around my physical readiness, which added to emotional breakdown.  I consider that time to be a success, it was an amazing experience.  But this time was so different.  I was more physically ready to run 3 miles which allowed me to be part of the celebration of the event and not the struggle.  

I ran the whole 3.1 in 35 minutes and it was pretty much amazing. I wish I had pink shorts to wear, that would have made it more fun.  I didn't stay very long for the celebrations and awards afterward. I have a hard time in crowds at the mall, let alone a crowd of 20,000 people.  

There was so much pink, and since it happens to be my second favorite color, it made me so happy!  It was everywhere from balloons and banners to bandanas and feather boas and tutus.  It was an amazing celebration.

There were many groups of people participating as a team.  They have shirts made with catchy phrases and pictures of loved ones.  My favorite?  "I'm here for the boobies" from Team eBay.  Loved it.  There were others like "save the tatas", "joggers for knockers", etc.  No reason to be embarrassed about it, it's ok to admit you love em too.

Besides, where else can a person go to celebrate boobs in a completely wholesome way?  

They are accepting donations through May so there's still time!  Go here.

Also, the local news coverage.

 

race for the cure

 

Every year in Salt Lake City, on Mother's Day weekend, the city hosts the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  I did it once, maybe 4 years ago?  It was incredible emotional.  There are so many people there, the amount of ladies wearing pink shirts (which recognizes them as breast cancer survivors) is staggering.  I spent the whole time remembering the women in my life who had died because of breast cancer.  

Do you realize how hard it is to breath, let alone run, when your hugely fighting not to cry?  It's physically painful. 

As part of my prep for the half marathon in November, I decided to participate in a few races this summer so that I'll be prepared for the 13.1 miles. For the first race of my series, I'm doing the Race for the Cure.  It is a 5k, which is 3.1 miles.  

The point is, I'm not one for fundraising or announcing the things I'm involved in, but I've been feeling like I should let you all know about this one.  If a donation is something you feel like you want to do, please go to www.komenslc.org.  It's very easy to donate online.  No pressure.  :)

Also, go here to find an event in your area.

I've been selfish with my time and it's about time I became involved in something bigger than myself.  I'd love to hear about the things you are involved in.  Will you share with me?  

obsessed

We are still battling this weird spring weather.  Yesterday was 67 degrees and wonderfully beautiful. This weekend is supposed to pop over 70 degrees  Monday is supposed to be 35 degrees.  I hope this stops soon.  I'm fighting a spring cold and the faster this nutty weather stops, the sooner I'll be feeling back to normal. And really, I like feeling normal.

To help bend Mother Nature into submission, and give me some sunshine, I I'm searching for white summer dresses.

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The last one is the one I bought last weekend.  I'm very ready for the sun to shine so I can wear it.

i'm a wedding junkie

I confess. I love a good wedding.  I've been stalking Style Me Pretty for more than 2 years now.  Multiple times a day.  I can't help it.  I have no explanation. 

Even I find this obsession odd, since it was only a couple months ago I looked at diamond rings with a critical eye.  I mean, the ring does come before the wedding right?

But I digress.

One thing I love about SMP is that they feature all types of weddings.  From the budget friendly DIY to the traditional extravaganza to the contemporary feature.  And I love it all.  While I most easily picture myself enjoying a quirky and colorful affair with DIY flowers, being swept away under a white tent with a catered sit down sounds equally fantastic.  Either way, I'm thinking I want a white dress that's tea length.  I'm in love with the quirky styling and the ease of showing off a pair of fabulous shoes. 

 

ps - Go here to register and make an inspiration board of your own!

goofing

a little bit of playing dress up is always fun.

especially when a mustache is involved.

it was so much fun that i told really bad jokes the whole rest of the day. to myself of course, since there's no one else here. my kind of a good time.

web favorites

There have been a few things on the web this week that have stayed with me.  And now I pass them on to you for your weekend leisure enjoyment. 

On the journey of realizing that the only person who can give me security is myself.

I keep returning to this one looking for an update and find myself confronted with an exploration of balance.  And balance is exactly what is missing for me.  

This post from her husband.  The very first paragraph made me tear up, someday I hope someone feels that way about me.  And by the end of the post I was bawling.  Good grief.

This ingenious engagement party.  LOVE the idea of having big engagement parties and an intimate wedding.  LOVE.

Love this flower garland.  Mingled with cafe lights for a backyard party? Yes please!

Picture of NYC from the perspective of Brooklyn, taken last September during a perspective changing trip.  Feeling ready for another perspective changing experience.

obsessed

It's Thursday.  So close to the weekend and sleeping in.  Yay! 

Here are a few things I can't get enough of lately:

1. Cadbury Eggs.  I practically love Easter for this reason alone.  I've already eaten waaay more than my fair share.  I've banned myself from the candy section.  My had will involuntarily snatch one off the shelf and hold if possessively while I walk the rest of the store.  Nope, can't have anymore of that.

2. Greek Yogurt. Did you know some brands of greek yogurt have 20+ grams of protein per serving??  I was blown away.  I get the plain so I can add what I want.  Which lately has been honey and fruit.  So in love with this.  And when I switch to vegetarian for 3 months, this amount of protein makes it totally sustainable.  Yay!

3. Peppermint Mocha ice cream.  Probably the best ice cream ever.  The label says limited edition but it's always there when I need it.  Like a good friend.  Or the bottle of gin.

Cheers! M

tax return shoes

It's fairly obvious I have a shoe problem.  This is not new news.

Meet my tax return shoes.

 

These shoes are perfect.  They are perfectly suited to fulfill the purpose for which they were purchased. Which is similar to the Birthday Boots and the Christmas Boots.  Love!

And I'm incredibly excited to add them to the collection.

 

craving pickles

I stumbled upon this recipe for fried pickles the other week and I've been craving them ever since.  

I'm hoping for some time to make them in the near future.

Makes my mouth water thinking about it...

Yum!