Boston

I am absolutely sick over the events that happened at the Boston Marathon yesterday. As I've mentioned before, I've finished three marathons, and at each of these marathons I've had three goals. The first was to finish. The second was to set a personal record. The third was to qualify for Boston. I still haven't completed the final goal, but I have every intention of doing so someday. Why? Because Boston is the Holy Grail for every marathon runner.

The process of training for a marathon is rigorous and time consuming. The process of running a marathon is brutal and rewarding, full of constant ups and downs. But finishing a marathon makes it all worth it. When you cross the finish line, you're so overcome with happiness and inspiration and joy over the fact that you actually did it. For someone to target this incredible moment of euphoria by planting bombs at the finish line of the most respected, honorable marathon in the U.S. shocks and disgusts me. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this event. 

Happy Weekend!

The weekend, the weekend! It's finally here. This week, like most of mine lately, was extremely busy. I am either working or doing something productive almost constantly Monday through Friday, and I think that's the same for a lot of people. It's either work, commuting to and from work, working on the blog or The Everygirl, or running / going to yoga. But lately I've been finding that I'm not always very efficient. I'll take "5 minute work breaks" that somehow turn into 30 minute work breaks that then turn into 30 minutes less sleep. This week I definitely improved my level of efficiency a little and it was so nice. I got more sleep and felt (at least somewhat) less stressed than normal. 

This weekend I'm doing some spring cleaning / organizing and I'm really looking forward to it. I'm one of those weird people who loves organizing and purging things. Recently I've been noticing pieces of clothing in my closet that I haven't worn in a year or more. And that's ridiculous. I'm also planning to fit in a bit of work, a workout or two, and some time with friends.

Happy weekend to you! What are your plans for the next few days?

P.S. Oh what I would give to be in the scene in that photo right now. It snowed in Minneapolis all day Wednesday and Thursday and a little bit today. Snow! Even in Minnesota, this is not normal. I need 

a beach. Stat!

image via

Ten Little Things (that are inspiring me lately)

I see inspiration everywhere. All over the place. On my way to work in the morning, watching TV, talking with my friends and, of course, while reading blogs. For my next ten little things list, I thought I would pick a few of the things (mainly people) that have been inspring me lately.

1. This article: What Extremely Successful People Were Doing At Age 25. Have you read it yet? Sometimes it's just reassuring for me to realize that most people don't have everything figured out in their twenties.

2. One of my best friends. He moved to Chicago recently and got a job at an amazing company there (you may recall that I visited him there this summer. Also the same trip on which I met this lady). He's constantly sending updates on the amazing things he's doing and he is seriously inspiring to me. Not just because I've dreamed of moving to Chicago for years, but because he went ahead and created this new path for himself all on his own. I hope to do that someday in the near future, too.

3. Other friends. One just started medical school and another recently moved out to Los Angeles and is building up her resume as an actress. None of us have it all figured out yet but my friends are some of the most driven people I know and they inspire me all the time.

4. Pinterest. Every day, all day.

5. My editors over at The Everygirl. You're just going to have to get used to me mentioning them. They're pretty awesome.

6. Relatedly, Alaina Kaczmarski's home tour that was posted on TEG last week. I picked up so many ideas that I want to use in my own apartment!

7. Robin Roberts. Wow. I recently watched a special on her journey this past year and it is just incredible how far she's come. She is such an inspiring woman.

8. The two books I'm reading right now: Bossypants by Tina Fey & Grace: A Memoir by Grace Coddington. Two very different women in two very different fields who are both inspiring to me in their own ways. (Allow me to take a moment to pat myself on the back for reading not one, but two books at once. I'm the "I'm too busy, I don't have time to read" girl, so I'm pretty impressed with myself at this recent improvement.)

9. This "Find Your Greatness" commercial from Nike. Maybe it's because I'm a runner, but I just love it.

10. And finally, a quote from Pablo Picasso. "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working."

Where do you find inspiration?

Transition Pieces

In this awkward in between time between the end of winter and the beginning of spring it can be tough to plan a wardrobe that meets the needs of the season. Although it's starting to warm up in Minneapolis, it's not fully spring yet. In this transition period, an intermediate coat is an absolute necessity. I've retired my winter coat but I still need to wear something. I love the outerwear options at Zara this season. Which of these is your favorite?

classic trench | pop of color

I think (okay, okay. I know) I'm leaning toward the colorful coat on the right. It's so ladylike and classic and the coral color makes it stand out. I've also been seeing it on the pages of Anna Jane's blog lately and can't help but love it there.

What are your favorite winter to spring transition pieces?