The Start of a Bedroom Redo

This past weekend Andy had mentioned that he might want to look for a new comforter. Ours is about a year and a half old and has seen better days (guess that is what happens when we let our pups on the bed all the time). This is our old set:

We decided to go with a duvet, instead of a new comforter set, that way it is much easier to just take it off and toss it in the wash when muddy puppy feet get on it. And then we were off to Target!

I had a cartwheel coupon for 10% off Threshold bedding. If you don't have the cartwheel app, you need to get it right now, best thing ever. Anyway, we made our way to Target but didn't really find anything that we loved, and there is no point in buying something that we didn't like just because we had a coupon.

We then made our way to Bed Bath and Beyond (good thing they are in the same shopping center!). I knew that even though they were more expensive that Target, they would have tons of options, so we decided to check it out. We found a Trina Turk set that I had seen online/other blogs/instagram/etc and I really loved, and lucky us, it was on clearance! We got the duvet, two standard shams and two euro shams for 50% off the original price!

I love the way it looks, but now I want to redo our whole master bedroom! First off is new sheets. We currently have cream sheets, and it just doesn't go with the white in the new set. I am thinking white, or navy, or maybe white with some navy trim.

We have these really pretty lamps (in the picture at the top) that we bought from Cracker Barrel, of all places, last year. They matched out previous bed set perfectly, and I do not want to swap them out just because we changed the bedding.

I am wanting to do some navy and white throw pillows for the bed to tie in the blue from the lamps. I am going to pick up some fabric and make these awesome DIY pillows. I am also thinking about getting some navy curtains, but we will see. Everything goes with navy so even when we change out bedding our room will still have those navy accents to pull everything together.

I really love decorating/re-decorating and I also love finding ways to update a room without spending a ton of money. Now, I am off to put a million things in my virtual shopping carts from different sites and decided what we want!

Do you love to change up rooms in your house every once and a while?

What are your best money saving tips on decorating?

On an unrelated note, I ordered this clutch last week and I love it so I wanted to share! It is by Aldo and I got it from 6pm.com. It is the perfect size and makes me miss NYC like crazy!

One Month Away!

It is official.... I have exactly one month until my half marathon! Ahh!

I am nervous and excited and all of those feelings that you get whenever something big is coming up. I am nervous because I am afraid that I will have a crummy time, but I am excited because I am going to do it! I will complete the race and cross the finish line of my first half marathon!

The Rock and Roll race series is one of the best known half marathons/marathons out there. I have not completed any of their other races, but from the amount of info and emails that I get from them, they seem super organized and on top of things. They even sent out a preview of the course a while back, check it out:

They also have the full marathon route posted as well, if you are running that one.

We have been up to Denver a few times since we moved to Colorado in February and I really love the city, so I am excited to run through it and see some parts of town that I haven't been to yet. It also doesn't look like a terribly hard course, which makes me happy since its my first half. So, off for some more training so this race doesn't kick my butt!

Have you done any of the Rock and Roll series races? What did you think?

What are your recommendations of a must-do race?

The Great Debate: Lululemon vs. Athleta

Last year I did a post about how I didn't see the point in spending money on running/workout clothes. I used to only really wear stuff that I got at Old Navy or Target, which I still wear, but I started the get to point. I realized that you get what you pay for. Those two stores have a nice price point, but the clothes aren't always as flattering and don't have the bells and whistles that more expensive brands have. Also, I have noticed that they don't always hold up as well. 

I first walked into Lululemon the day of our St. Patty's 5k since the shop is downtown and we were waiting for the parade to start. Of course I wanted to peek in and see what all the rave was about. Well, between the awesome gals that work in our Colorado Springs shop, the fact that their dogs were just walking around the store also greeting everyone that came in, and the nice products, I was sold. 

It is rare that I pay full price for anything, so of course I has happy to find out that they were having a sale on all products that were green/have even a little accent of green for St. Patty's Day. They also offer a 15% military discount in our local shop, so it was a good deal. I got a pair of the Run Inspire Crops, their best selling running capris along with a Swiftly Tech Racerback. I love both and since then my little collection has grown to 3 pairs of run inspire crops, 2 swiftly tech racerback tanks, 2 sports bras, 1 short sleeve swiftly top and 1 long sleeve swiftly top (all purchased on sale or were gifts, thanks to my awesome husband and momma). 

I have heard about Athleta and knew they were the main Lululemon competitor. From their quality of clothing, to their similar business model of offering free classes in their shops and allowing you to bring in your furry friends. However, we do not currently have an Athleta shop in the springs (though I hear one might be opening up here next year), so I never got a chance to check them out. Until this past Monday, when I got an email that they were offering free 2-day shipping. 

I thought I would check out what they had to offer, and found a pair of crops (Relay Capri) and a long sleeve top (Fast Track Top) and popped them in my virtual shopping bag. Sure enough, they arrived yesterday afternoon, so I was excited to try them out on my run this morning!

The verdict: split down the middle!

I think I might like the Athleta Relay Capri a little better, though I still love my Run Inspires. They did not ride down at all during my run, I feel that they have a little more compression, and they have nice reflective strips on the hips and back of the calves. Both have a good sized zipper pocket on the waist in the back and vents behind the knees. They are also less expensive, usually $69 (I got mine for $34), compared the Run Inspires that go for $86. 

Regarding the top, I like aspects of the Fast Track Top, but think I am still more of a fan of the Swiftly Long Sleeve. The Fast Track and Swiftly lines are both made from their own version of anti-stink fabric, which means even when you are super sweaty, you don't smell it. The Fast Track has grippers at the hem so it doesn't ride up, along with nice thumb holes. But, the Swiftly is softer, has longer sleeves (for us girls with long arms) and moves better (I felt like my range of motion was a little restricted in the Fast Track top).

Overall, I am a fan of both, now I just have to be on the hunt for a good sale at either, because finding a great sale is half the fun, right?!?!

What is your go to fitness brand? 

Do you care more about the price or what you are getting for that price? 

I'm Back!!!

I have been inactive on the blog for the past four months, but I am back! I was off enjoying life, enjoying living in Colorado, going on vacation (California and NC!) and just didn't find the blog a priority. I was also a little discouraged in the running department and didn't have much to write about.

I had signed up to complete a half marathon in July, and ended up not running it because I did not feel prepared. I was upset with myself for getting lazy and not training like I should, so that just made it worse. I know things don't always work out the way you plan them, but this was my own fault, so I was bummed. But I got over it, completed a few 10ks since I last wrote and now I am more pumped up because I am registered for the Rock and Roll Denver Half Marathon and I will complete it!

I have also been busy with work, trips and life. And the blog takes a back burner because I will not put the internet before real life. We went to California to Disneyland and San Francisco in July and had a blast!

I also flew back to North Carolina a few weeks ago and it was wonderful. It was the first time I had been back since our wedding two years ago and it was just as beautiful as ever. It was also so great to see my family and friends back there.

We have also been loving our new home in Colorado and getting to know the area and all the great things Colorado has to offer. We are very excited and are loving life out here.

That is all for now, but I promise I will write more and be back at being the greatest self I can be!