The Seven Things I’ve Done Since July

Oops. I took an unintentional, unplanned blogging hiatus. But I promise, it’s been for good stuff. Like actually writing for another blog or two. And a bunch of other stuff. BUT instead of just laying out for you, I figured I’d go with a little assist from the artist formerly known as adorable, Miss Miley Cyrus. (Aside: I can’t stop writing Yelp reviews to songs. Blame Yelp.)

Is this Miley enough?

Is this Miley enough?

Please, if you’re able, read along to the tune of Miley’s 7 Things I Hate About You. If you’re not, just listen to the linked song about 24 times. And then read…

The Seven Things I’ve Done Since July

Sha, sha, sha

I probably shouldn’t say this
But sometimes life escapes me
And I totally forget about
The blogger I wanna be
Life’s for living, I’m forgiving
Of the fact I haven’t written for a while….
But it’s “fall” now and it’s time to
Nose to grindstone, she’s back at it
In Jordan styleeeeeee

Hold onto your butts. this is gonna get weird.

Hold onto your butts. this is gonna get weird.

The seven things I’ve done since JULY!
The seven things I’ve done since JULY!

The Gang en Blanc

The Gang en Blanc

Oh, my….
Dîner en Blanc, turned twenty eight
Moved apartments, that was great
Took a trip to San Fran, I… chugged four beers while running a MILE.

FAM IN SAN FRAN!

FAM IN SAN FRAN!

Spent weekends at the beach, hit up a Festival called The Peach
I wanna share, everything I doooooo.
And thanks to the blog, y’all know how it’s gonna go.
I’m gonna tell YOU.

I spent most of this August
Prepping for a big night
4,500 people, they were all dressed in white.
Went to San Fran with my whole fam,
Ran a beer mile, forced a big smile, then

Peach Music Festival (or "maybe I'm too old for music festivals?")

Peach Music Festival (or “maybe I’m too old for music festivals?”)

Off to Peach…
Barely made it back…
And then I relaxed at the BEACHHHHH.

Running my first beer mile!

Running my first beer mile!

The seven things I’ve done since JULY!
The seven things I’ve done since JULY!
Oh, my….
Dîner en Blanc, turned twenty eight
Moved apartments, that was great
Took a trip to San Fran, I… chugged four beers while running a MILE.
Spent weekends at the beach, hit up a Festival called The Peach
I wanna share, everything I doooooo.
And thanks to the blog, y’all know how it’s gonna go.
I’m gonna tell YOU.

It’s been a busy summer
And I feel I did it all
Probably shouldn’t mention….
The stuff coming up this Fall…

The seven things I’ll do in the FALL
Some pumpkin beers, raise them up (cheers!)
Halloween: it’s almost here!

Whip out your grease makeup, folks.

Whip out your grease makeup, folks.

New restaurants, there’s lots to eat, Kayla Itsines will get me off my seat
Headed down to Chapel Hill, I’m thrilled, and I’ve gotta book a flight
I’m getting back to writing more again
Guess the seventh thing that I will do in the fall….
I’ll share with you all.

Yup. That was super ridiculous.

Glad to be back.

Halloween Hullabaloo

I have a favorite holiday. It features warm weather, fireworks, grilled meats, cocktails on the beach…. and maybe my ideal color palette consists exclusively of red, white, and blue.

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That said, and unfortunately for us all, Independence Day is just that…. a day. So while I have zero qualms chanting “U-S-A” in mid-February, the rest of the country may not be as prone to shout it back (this could mean they hate America, but that’s neither here nor there). Luckily, come autumn, while I mourn for the end of my favorite season, I can rejoice that another season is on the horizon.

A season that is the Holy Grail for every semi-professional theme partier. A chance to pull out all the stops. Where the cream based makeup flows like water…

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NoLibs Zombie Crawl 2013

Where visits to Joann Fabrics are not only frequent but fruitful.

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Togas totally come in teal

The hair is molded like clay.

Walking into spiderwebs...

Walking into spiderwebs…

And just about any interpretation of a costume is tolerated… dare I say, embraced?

I'm a zebra.  Duh.

I’m a zebra. Duh.

Halloween tends to last anywhere from 1-3 weeks, and this year should entail 3-4 costumes. Potential Halloweek(ish) plans range from Yelp Events to house parties to theme parties to handing out candy to sick children. And this is the kind of time that I train all year for…. Now the real question is, do I shake my tail feather while Making Time? Do I whiskey-a-go-go to Trestle Inn to viva Brazil? You KNOW I’ll be Zombie Crawling through Northern Liberties the night before Halloween… But the next night, should I geek out at Tattooed Mom’s while getting Emojional?

Decisions, decisions

Decisions, decisions

The world is my oyster. Or at least Philly is my clam rocking an oyster costume….

Time to get shucking.

Tap n’ Run Takes Philly

It might seem, if you’ve been reading semi-lately, that all I do is eat and drink beer. I promise, that’s not true.

SOMETIMES…. I run and drink beer. Well, not really all that often, but there’s definitely those times where I exercise. It’s been less, but now that I went and graduated, I can’t wait to get back into a routine. But, just to make sure that I ease into the transition…. I figured this might help.

TapNRunLogo

Tap n’ Run is a ridiculous “race”, a 4k (I’m sure all my running friends are scoffing at me…) with four “chug stations” along the way.  I pretty much can’t stand running. I’m not terribly good at it.

Know what I’m great at, though?

Drinking cheap beer.

Especially with the help of three girlfriends, four feather boas, and a lot of suspenders.

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After a delicious brunch of huevos rancheros made by yours truly at the home of my buddy Susan, complete with mimosas and margaritas, we were fueled up and ready for action. Team Crops n’ Hops!

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After a few warm-up beers at Xfinity Live, hosts of Philly’s Tap n’ Run, and a celebratory “start” chug, we were off (those were the beer-lerinas in front of us. so much pink….)

Unfortunately for the sake of my fellow runners, they did NOT use the facilities before we hit the road, and within less than half a mile, had to hit the porta-potties. Sure, we got a little behind, but it ACTUALLY didn’t matter, because before we knew it, we were at the second chug station.

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Chug-a-LUG and time for another lap around the stadium. I don’t really know, I’m not an expert at that little stadium area. Best part of this whole “chug” thing was the fact that the beer we were chugging was NOT the Heady Toppers and Russian Rivers that I had been drinking for the previous week.

NOPE!

Coors Light! Blue Moon! They even have some gluten free stuff, if you’re into that kinda thing….

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TASTES LIKE WATER!

And then, before I knew it, it was time to push through the finish line to the dulcet tones of Gangam Style.

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Oh yeah, we also got medals.

They’re bottle openers.

Like a boss.

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I would NOT say that Tap n’ Run is a race for people trying to boost their PRs. It’s not an experience that is going to leave you drenched in sweat thinking “wow, running gives you endorphins! LET’S DO A MARATHON!” It IS an experience that leaves you so happy  to have friends with extra hot pink duct tape and value your years of all those years of college. And who couldn’t use a nice 4k in the summer complete with some chug stations and a lot of feather boas along the way?

 

 

Halloween Brainstorming

Happy No-Pants Wednesday, folks!

Thanks so much for your feedback on Group Fitness Etiquette, loved hearing your rules and habits!

However, I’m being a bit blasphemous today.  It’s just too cold.

No shame in that game.

Some pants are okay on No Pants Wednesday. If they’re comfy, cozy, and bought from Considering this chilly weather (I know, I’m being a bit of a pansy, but the mornings are freezing for this summer girl!), I wanted something hot hot hot for lunch.

Steamy... just how I like it.

Grilled buffalo chicken sammy!! Sharp provolone cheese on a sandwich thin with Frank’s drenched chicken. Perfectly paired with some steamed veggies. Just what my belly needed.

In other news, quite possibly my favorite holiday is right around the corner.

HALLOWEEN!!

Honestly, any real reason to dress up in a costume, and I’m 110% down.

Pirate-ina!

I have an entire GIANT bag of costumes that takes up more room in my closet than anything else.

Psychadelic fairy!

Wings, glitter, feather boas, cat ears…. the list goes on.

Wooooootini!

Last year, for a theme party, I was even a (sexy) Ewok.  I am probably not going to post EVERY picture of a costume I’ve been recently (there was that year I was a “superman’d ho” – my personal step back for all feminist progress, but hilarious in my eyes).

Jersey Girl: We Pump Fists, Not Gas

My senior year, I embodied my all-time favorite film, Dazed and Confused, trying to match the badassery of the Senior Girls.

AIR RAID!

And the ever popular Toga Party.

Just call me Artemis.

Or that time I dressed up as a Zebra for the Lady Gaga concert.

Little Monster

Last year, I was Patty O’Green from Rainbow Brite, my first time wearing a fancy store-bought costume (since I was a little girl, at least).

Luck of the Irish

This year, though, I’m trying to figure out what to be. I don’t even know what my plans are (other than UNC’s homecoming weekend with ClaireB) but I’d love to make a funky costume.

Here’s what I’ve thought of so far:

1. Hop Cone

This is an ingredient in beer. It is NOT a pot plant.

2. Redfoo from the Sexy and I Know It video

Animal print pants rocking outta control.

3. Bubbly

Pop champagne wooooahhhh

(I know this is a rerun from New Belgium’s Tour de Fat Durham visit…. But reuse-recycle, right? Green’s the new orange and black.)

4. Big Boss’ Angry Angel

My favorite Kolsch = my favorite costume inspiration?

Basically, since there’s no real character, I’d just take some creative liberty.

5. No Doubt Gwen Stefani

Remember the video for I’m just a girl?

I might not have the abs (yet!) but she’s such a rockstar. I’d just need a tank top, put some Old English letters on there saying GWEN, curl my hair, VOILA!

What’re you being this year for Halloween?

What’s your best Halloween costume of all time?