I work out:

Real life: sometimes I get bored with my training -- especially my clothes. I've been living in running tights and long sleeve shirts. But it seems like all the tights I own are black. And with it being so gloomy outside, black tights are really starting to depress me. So, I've been looking for a change; something that will brighten things up as we suffer through what remains of winter. Enter Ellie.

It's a subscription service for workout apparel. For $49 a month, you get to pick out two pieces (any two pieces) and they ship them to you for free. If you don't like what they have that month, you can skip it and they won't bill you. It's a lot like JewelMint and ShoeMint (both of which I love) in that way.

So this month, I picked these fun blue leggings and the black open-back top. You know, really mix things up.

Happy Weekend:

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Happy Friday, everyone! We made it another week!

What are your plans for the next few days? Anything fun? We're going to dinner with some friends tonight. And we've got our longest run yet (12 miles!) on Saturday. And then plan on pretty much relaxing and resting the rest of the weekend. My legs are already killing me!

Here are a few highlights of our week:

1. We made homemade pasta for the first time! It was delicious!
2. We finally bought the bookcase I've had my eye on for weeks!
3. I've been living in my new book, Outlander. I cannot put it down.
4. Random text messages of love from far-away friends are my fave.
5. I had a headache Tuesday so I took it easy at home. And had a bonus Mexican Coke. Sometimes you just have to treat yourself.

One of my favorite new weekend traditions are Sunday afternoons spent at the dog park near our house. We walk over and spend an hour or two leisurely reading while Tillie runs around and sniffs her little heart out. So, it's fun for the whole family. Plus, it's usually just us three and the quiet, fresh air, and sunshine feels really nice and luxurious.

Have a great weekend! XO.

We love:

Yesterday we woke up early to score this bookcase:

I first discovered it last month but wasn't able to buy it until Wednesday. Beautiful. In pretty great shape. And only $100!

We got it home, cleaned it up, and I have been staring at it every since. I can imagine using it in a million different ways (shoes! dishes! books!)

I'm still deciding on whether to strip it and re-stain it or paint it. Or do anything at all. I kind of like the beat-up look. But look how pretty.

Best Ad Ever:

Best ad of the Super Bowl, hands down:

New Reads:

This week I'm reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. And I'm glad. Very glad. Last week, I was doing a little research to find out when the next books in my favorite trilogies were coming out and was disappointed to find that none of them had release dates for 2013. So, I was in need of a new story. Something that would suck me under and carry me away. And one of the girls that I run with suggested that I give Outlander a go. I am only about a third of the way in so I can't speak too much about how good it is, but I am really enjoying it. 

Here's the basic plot summary:

"The year in 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon -- when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach -- an "outlander" -- in a Scotland torn by war and raiding Highland clans in the year of Our Lord ... 1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into intrigues and dangers that may threaten her life ... and shatter her heart. For here she meets James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, and becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire ... and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives."

I can always get behind a historical fiction novel. Especially one set in Europe during one of my favorite time periods -- WWII.

I am happy to have stumbled upon this story. And the really great news? There are, like, eight novels in the series. Should keep me busy for a while.

I love the girls I run with. They help the miles really fly by. And it just so happens that we all really love to read so it's been a real joy to share novels with them. We've been introducing each other to authors and stories that we haven't been exposed to before. Whenever I'm torn about what to read next, they always pull through. It's a really great thing we've got going -- sort of a running book club.

More 30 Rock:

I just can't seem to get over the finale of 30 Rock. It hung out in my brain all weekend. So, if you saw me lately and I was laughing silently to myself, please don't think I've gone insane -- I've just been mentally hanging out with Liz, Jack, and the TGS gang since Thursday.

To string out this little 30 Rock party that the internet seems to be having, take a look at these links:

21 Life Lessons from Liz Lemon and Friends

10 Classic 30 Rock Jokes, Retold as Infographics

The Best 5 Moments from 7 Seasons

So sit back with a cup of tea (or coffee, if that's your jam) and start your Monday off Liz Lemon style.

P.S. Did you know that Ben & Jerry's is releasing a 30 Rock ice cream? It's called Liz Lemon Greek Frozen yogurt and it's a "lemon Greek frozen yogurt with a blueberry lavender swirl." Sounds delicious. Wonder how it will pair with their Alec Baldwin's Schweddy Balls ice cream.

Happy Weekend:

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Happy Friday, everyone! I love a good Friday, don't you? You've got jeans on at work, you just got paid, and you're only one day away from doing whatever you want. I would say it's my favorite day, but let's be honest; it's not. Saturday is #1 in my book. Sunday is runner up. But Friday is definitely a close third.

On a completely unrelated note, can you believe it's already the first of February? January really flew by. It'll be spring before we know it.

So,what are you up to this weekend? Anything fun? We're running in the River Trail 15k on Saturday. And then I plan on doing lots of sleeping followed by lots of lying around in pajamas. It's going to be glorious.

Have a great weekend, everyone! Hope it's a relaxing one.