Casbah Crazy

  See this outfit on Polyvore. 

I've loved this print every since it came out a year or so ago. I also love playing dress up- but only once or twice a week. I still enjoy those days where I get to wake up and throw on scrubs without thinking about it. I like to mix it up- to have variety. Which is why, if you didn't already know, I really love my new job. 

What a wonderful, short week it's been! Can you believe tomorrow is already Friday? 

I love weekends!

Sorry I'm so late for posting- it was a fun and busy weekend!

I finally feel like I have a concept of how magical weekends are, now that I am not working them (or at least not working full weekends, only Saturdays). Especially 3 day weekends!

This weekend I ...

Drank yummy coffee

Went to J. Crew with my sister and our new personal shopper 

(she smiles at everything we show her so she's bad for our wallets)

Wore pretty clothes

Classic Crew by alliefay featuring flat shoes

Memorial Monday by alliefay featuring linen skirts

This weekend by alliefay featuring cropped pants

 Opened fun packages

Played with my favorite little person 

Visited with both of my grandmothers, my parents, my aunt and my cousins

Missed my husband 

Now it's time to get back to work!

Running Rambling

For the past few months, I've had several reasons to get discouraged with my running. Whether it be my schedule, the weather, my shoes, this, that, blah blah blah... Point is I've had several runs I didn't do as well as I would have liked. 

But then sometimes, I go out there it feels so light and easy. That happened for me tonight. And I'm so high right now. High on endorphins. You know the feeling- it's one of the best feelings in the world! 

All cheesiness and over excitement aside, one of the things that made my run so enjoyable was my clothes. I've never been one to run in shorts due to the whole riding up issue. Last week, I thought I had found a pair that I could comfortably run in....

.... but I didn't after all. See the orange layer underneath? Yeah they ride up eventually too. 

But, I think I've finally found a pair that really, really works for me. They might look a little dorky and require a long loose shirt, but they are so comfortable and keep me cool. 

Running Uniform by alliefay on polyvore.com

I honestly do think I need another pair of these. I will be patient and give them one more try before I stock up. Of course if I do stock up, more of these shirts will be required as well to cover up my boo-tay.

All of this may seem ridiculous, but when I don't had to worry about my clothing while I'm running, I get to focus on the actual running. 

Or, if it's a good day like today, I don't think about anything. I just go and enjoy the time alone with a clear head. 

J.Crew Love

Have I mentioned that I LIVE for sales at J.Crew? It is virtually the only place I shop (besides Target) so I fill up my shopping cart online, then check the website every morning so that if there is a sale, I can just hit send!

30% off sale right now, with code LOVE IT. Just make sure it isn't final sale, because that makes it no fun. 

JCrew 30% Off Sale Purchases by alliefay featuring graphic hoodies

Those dresses have the best fit and length I have seen in a dress in a long time. With a cardigan, they will be perfect for many occasions and work. The stripe hoodie is going to be perfect to carry with me to San Francisco- it gets chilly at night! I've never tried on that tunic- but it looks so effortless for summer.


And these are the things remaining in my cart. They are still regular price, but as soon as they go on sale, and there is a 30% off sale sale, they will be mine!

JCrew Wish LIst May 2012 by alliefay featuring cuffed pants

That short sleeve sweatshirt looks so cozy for summer P.J's, and those linen trousers- to die for! I also love the length of this skirt, polka dots of any kind, and the pretty lace! Can you tell I'm obsessed with J.Crew ballet flats? I have an unhealthy number of pairs, but no other ballet flats compare. 

Triple Tangent Tuesday- The Food Edition (Except I didn't post until Wednesday)

1. I've never been a coffee drinker. Only sweetened lattes and frappuccinos for me. Lately, Brandon has started making me a home version of an iced latte- Vanilla Folgers Coffee, a little bit of cold soy milk and a little bit of sugar (or Splenda) plus some ice- and I'm obsessed.

This has replaced my morning Diet Mt. Dews, which is huge! Maybe it's not that much healthier, but it is cheaper and saves plastic. 

This is why our Keurig is so awesome. One cup of apple cider or vanilla coffee for me, and one cup of some bold coffee for Brandon. 

2. Have you ever tried Nutella? I just did. It's a chocolate-y hazelnut butter that tastes like heaven. I don't think I will ever be satisfied with regular peanut butter again. I'm making a grocery list of things that will go with Nutella as I type, because I've demolished all of the pretzels in the house so far. The best things I can think of are bananas, apples, pears, and celery. 

Any more ideas? BTW don't bother typing Nutella into Pinterest because you will be tempted with all kinds of yummy recipes like Nutella pancakes, Nutella cookies, Nutella cupcakes, and a million other things I can't stop thinking about. 

Source: hpotterfacts.tumblr.com via StubbedMy on Pinterest

We are so alike, me and Hermione. Or Emma Watson and I are destined to be BFF's. Or both!

2.5 I also think I'm going to try carrots and hummus for a snack, or even peppers and hummus. I love both of those veggies in a salad or dipped in ranch, and I LOVE hummus, so I must love those veggies dipped in hummus as well, right? Right. 

3. My husband is bringing me back some of my mother-in-law's potato salad after his visit this weekend, and I'm so excited. It's like a summer must-have for me. And it's almost summer so I must have some. She's given me the recipe but I can't make it like she can. Or maybe it just doesn't taste as good if I have to do all the work. 

3.5 Speaking of doing all the work- I'm waiting for a day when I have enough time to make tomato soup from scratch. I'm obsessed with tomato soup from Jason's Deli and Panera, and I just tried tomato soup from the store and it doesn't even compare. I found the recipe to both of their soups online, so I'm hoping I can make a large batch and freeze some, because we all know I don't like to spend time in the kitchen. But I need more yummy tomato soup in my life.

Now I must get work out then get to work because the Glee finale last night, I get to watch it when I finish working.  Tears will be shed. I actually thought last week was the finale so there were tears shed during that episode as well. I get emotional over my TV shows, don't judge. 

Weekend Rewind

I had a fabulously productive weekend. I'm still high on endorphins and pure bliss. 

Brandon's best friend Evan just graduated pharmacy school and is moving to Memphis. Yay! He came to stay with us this weekend to go apartment hunting. We took him to dinner at one of our newest restaurant on our 2 favorite restaurants rotation, Las Delicias. 

Jeans, Shirt, Necklace and Shoes- J.Crew
Bag- Kate Spade
Matching Mint headband (not pictured but my new favorite) - J.Crew

This is what I came up with when I had exactly five minutes to get out of my scrubs and get ready. I would say that two hungry boys weren't willing to wait long, but honestly I'm a just a get-ready-in-five-minutes kind of girl.

Saturday morning, I went for a run and a short bike ride to get a few errands done. This was the first time I've ever run in shorts successfully, but it worked because these shorts have built-in compression-type shorts underneath for extra coverage. Love. Need 5 pair. 

Do you love how I managed to tell you the story of the temperature and what I had for breakfast in this one picture? It was 83* and you can barely see the edge of my cereal bowl. 

Dress- J.Crew on clearance!
Shoes- J.Crew
Bag- Kate Spade

Even eventually woke up and we went for a late lunch at the only other restaurant we frequent, R.P. Tracks. The boys goofed off while I got ahead on a few work things for the week. The exercise and productivity that happened this day was phenomenal. 

But then... I had time left over to spend a few hours with my sweet little Annie Ruth. 

And the amount of non productive lounging around that happened Sunday was even more amazing. I tried to work out, and I guess technically I did, but not for long. Did a little online shopping, then Kelly and Anniston came over to see how Anniston liked our pool- this girl is gonna be a swimmer for sure!

I was going to attempt another run Sunday night but a storm was on the way, so I decided to watch a movie with my hubby instead.

It was a nearly perfect weekend! 

Getting Organized

....... it makes me happy. Calms me down. Makes me feel in control. Does it do the same for you?

Meet my pretty new work bag- the reason I went to the Kate Spade party with 20% off in the first place. It's big and beautiful and durable, but also easy to clean since it also is my lunch box. 

The only problem was that it wouldn't stand up on it's own, and that gets on my nerves. I have to carry a gazillion files with me on a daily basis, and they kept getting bent up and it was impossible to find what I needed. 

Enter this awesome invention. Which was exactly what I had in mind that I needed, even though I didn't know it existed. But it does!

It's basically just an open top, lightweight file box with handles that can be pushed down so they don't get in your way.

They were buy one, get one half off at Office Max, and they are miracle workers. My bag stands up perfectly now, and I can access whichever files I need without having to dig through a pile of messy, bent papers. 

This post wasn't sponsored, it's just that organization makes me this happy. And it impresses my boss. And then he brags on me. And that makes me super happy. :)

A Pretty For Me, A Preview For You

A few weeks ago the Kate Spade boutique here had a little party with 20% off. Of course, Kelly and I couldn't resist. I already knew I wanted a new work bag, but I didn't expect to find this beauty.

Pinks and purples have been my favorite lately. Plus, this bag is this perfect size for me, because I can fit my iPad and my camera in it. And polka dot fabric on the inside? Please. This bag was calling my name!!

Kelly and I are almost done with our big photo shoot with Anniston. It's taken a while because when you mix a beginner photographer with a busy 7 month old, sometimes results are unpredictable. But, here's a little preview for you. More to come soon. 

For Moms

This is a special Mother's Day for my family, since it's the first one my sister gets to celebrate as a mother. I couldn't be happier for her. 

What could be better than being a mom to the sweetest baby in the world and having this beautiful face light up every time you walk into the room?

 Maybe being this beautiful baby's Aunt Allie..... who gets a good amount of smiles and kisses, too. 

And who gets her very own Mother's Day card for the first time. 

I've loved this child so much from the first second I heard her heartbeat and even more since the first time she wrapped her hand around my finger that sometimes I feel like I am her mom. Hopefully, that's exactly what I'll be to her- a second mom. 

Just like my aunt always has been to me. 

She's the perfect example of a woman who does it all. She is an amazing wife, mother, sister, aunt, daughter, and Christian. Somehow, she balances that with a demanding job and still manages to find time to take pictures and scrapbook for her family. I've always credited any creativity and talent in photography that I might have to her, and hopefully I've picked up a few (or many) other similarities to her along the way. 

My own mother is the definition of sacrifice. She's always, always, done anything and everything she possibly could for us. I don't want to even begin to count the miles she's driven back and forth to see us, clean for us, bring food to us, or anything else.  Most of those things we didn't even have to ask for. She just did it. Thank goodness I found a husband who treats me as good as he does because you could say I'm accustomed to being taken care of. Very well. And now she's just as giving and caring to Anniston as she was to us. 

My Granny has always given us the love, support, crocheted goodies and sweet treats that a Granny should. She is one of the most positive people I know- she is always so genuinely happy. There is something to be said about always being able to see the silver lining- and in my Granny's case, she can sometimes find it in the funniest way possible. She's probably the coolest Granny there is, because she emails us and talks to us on Facebook, all from her iPad. Most importantly, she raised one of my favorite people in the whole wide world, probably the man with the best heart ever- my Dad. 

Words cannot even begin to express the love, admiration, respect and gratitude I have for my Grandmom. This woman has set the bar so high for women in our family- I hope we can live up to it. The amount of love that she had- and still has for my Granddad is inspiring. The passion and dedication she has for caring, cooking, and being there for us is so endearing. The energy that she has at almost 85 is unheard of, and is a result of daily exercise and healthy eating habits for years and years. The hard work and savings she has built to be able to give to us and others as much as she does is unbelievable. Her southern charm, sweet laugh, unexpected jokes and insistence on being grammatically correct..... well that's just Grandmom. I look up to her so much.

I hope you all know how much you mean to me. 

(  And if you didn't, this sappy post should give you a pretty good idea. :)  )

Happy Mother's Day