Weekend Recap

This weekend was easily one of the best weekends I've had in a while! The weather was absolutely gorgeous so we spent as much of it as we could outside. Saturday morning I ran in the Marlin Run 5K in Pawleys Island. I was super excited and nervous at the same time to run in the race. I have been training for a 5K using the couch to 5K app but I haven't finished the program so I didn't know if I was ready. I decided to sign up anyway and I am so glad I did! It was a smaller 5K with 76 people running in it. I told myself I would be happy if I could finish in 31-33 minutes but when I got close to the finish line and saw 28 on the clock I knew I could finish in under 30 so I sprinted the rest. I ended up with a time of 29.22! Considering this is only my second 5K ever and my first one in several years .. and I haven't finished my training program I was thrilled with the results! I did have to walk some in the last half so I'm hoping to continue practicing and run another one in April. Here was my breakdown:

Time: 29 minutes 22 seconds

Avg Pace: 9:27

Mile 1: 8:49

Mile 2: 9:08

Mile 3: 10:21

Mile .10:  9:01 <--not positive because I forgot to turn off

 my map my run right away

30th place out of 76

After the race they provided all of the runners with a Chick-fil-A sandwich and a Michelob Ultra.. umm yes! If this is how all races are sign me up! We had made the drive down to Pawleys for the day and the weather was so nice I had packed a change of clothes so we could spend the day down there. We went shopping at some of the cutest seaside stores and then headed to Murrells Inlet to grab lunch and watch the UNC game. We love visiting the Marsh Walk at Murrells Inlet because there are so many neat places to go eat and have a drink right on the boardwalk. There were tons of people out and live music to listen to. It was the perfect way to spend the day!! 

We found these pictures at a little place called Seaside Cottage... the cutest store if you are ever in the area!! I LOVE them and cannot wait to have them framed and hung in the living room! 

That night Justin and I went over to a friends house for a shrimp boil and bonfire. It really was the perfect day!! Sunday was spent at church, lunch with my parents and then visiting for a bit with Justin's parents, and FINALLY getting the tubs of Christmas items that have been tucked away in the guest bedroom put away in the attic. I made a trip to find frames for our new pictures but forgot Hobby Lobby was closed so I'll have to try again this afternoon. I hope you all had a lovely weekend! 

Weekending and Couch to 5K

This past weekend Justin and I traveled to Reidsville to visit with family and celebrate my sisters birthday. I hadn't been to my hometown since Christmas so I was really ready to see my family and visit! We got to town kind of late Friday night after working all day so we didn't do much other than making a quick stop for Mexican half way. On Saturday the weather was GORGEOUS! As it has been really all week. I have major spring fever as a result! We spent  most of Saturday visiting with my grandmother, helping her do some chores around the house and doing a run around the neighborhood. That night we celebrated my sisters 25th birthday! We went to a Japanese steakhouse for dinner where to cook on the table. Way too much food but lots of fun! Sunday was filled with church and then heading back home with a stop to see Justin's parents for dinner. Nothing crazy over the weekend but a little family time was good for the soul! 

My sister, Ginny, and her new husband Doug! 

we snagged a couple pic as well(: 

 Ginny and my dad (in case you are wondering my sister isn't throwing gang signs.. she is doing the "best buds" sign her and my dad have done since we were little (; 

with my sweet grandmother 

Lots of pictures of my sis, but isn't she just the cutest?! So now my couch to 5K update. I'm finally starting to feel like a RUNNER! It is an awesome feeling. I can totally see why so many people are dedicated runners. This is my recap of week 5 C25K.. you can find weeks 1-4 here. 

Week 5 consisted of some 5 minute jog intervals, then 8 minutes then ended the week with a 20 minute jog. YES- TWENTY. The jump went from 5 minutes, to 8 minutes to 20. I was terrified for this week but I DID IT! and now I feel more confident about my running than ever. 

Day 1- The first day of 5 minute jogs wasn't too bad. It pushed me but I did it and felt good about it. 

Day 2- The second  day of 8 minute jog intervals I was excited about because I was doing it with my sister in Reidsville. What I didn't account for was ALL of the hills in my hometown that we do not have at the beach where I live. The first 8 minute span went really well and went by fast. I think that had a lot to do with talking to my sister! I'm usually running solo. The last 8 minutes was mostly up hill and in the sun. It was tough. Really tough. I felt discouraged at the end but called it a day. 

Day 3- Day three made a jump to twenty minutes straight jogging. After being discouraged on the 8 minute jog on day 2 I was super nervous and felt like there was no way I would be successful. I knew I had to at least try though. So I tried... and I DID IT! Yall... I was so proud of myself! I know 20 minutes- 2.09 miles isn't record setting or anything but for me it was the most I had been able to do in at least 2 years. So yay!! Now I am feeling better than ever about running and really motivated to get out there again and sign up for a 5K. So a little more specific about the day 3 run- When I heard my map my run come on and say I had ran 1 mile and was 9 minutes 20 seconds, I had also just reached the front of my neighborhood so I slowed down to a walk for about 20 seconds. After the 20 seconds I realized I was a) not about to die and b) could easily start running again. so I did! At the 17 minute mark I really wanted to check my time and decide if I should turn or keep heading back to the house so I slowed down to a walk again for no more than 10 seconds. When I saw I only had 3 minutes left I picked it back up. So of the 20 minute run I walked for no more than 30 seconds. I wanted to put that in here just to be honest and to be able to look back at in the future. 

I'm feeling good about running but wont be finished with the C25K for three more weeks. With the weather so nice I'm considering signing up for a 5K in Pawleys Island this weekend? We will see!! I haven't decided yet. Happy Wednesday!

Wedding Recap

I posted yesterday about my friend Sarah's bachelorette trip to Charleston, SC. Well, I'm back today with a recap of her wedding day! This wedding was so special! I am honored I was a part of Mike and Sarah's special day. You could truly see the love they have for one another! 

I set up a mimosa bar for the bridesmaids to kick off the wedding day. We were able to eat and sip our drinks at the house while we had our hair done and got ready. I think everyone needed a little something to ease the nerves before the big day! (; 

Have a little faith & if that doesn't work, have a lot of mimosas

It's hard to see here but we had peach, orange and grapefruit juice for the drinks

some of the girls getting ready!

with the maid of honor and bride to be! 

all of the bridesmaids 

After a fun filled morning getting ready for the big event it was time to load up the car and head to Sarah's church. I don't have a ton of pictures from the ceremony and reception because I was so busy and having a ball! I can promise you though it was the most gorgeous wedding EVER! The ceremony was sweet and sincere. I might have even shed a tear as Sarah walked down the aisle. The food was delicious at the reception and the dance floor was full all night. I call that a success! 

With my main squeeze (:

This picture isn't the best quality but it's all of our ECU girls back together! 

I had to sneak a picture of Henson in here somewhere. I was missing him up a storm all weekend and couldn't wait to get home to him!!  

I still can't believe one of my best friends is married! I'm so happy for you Mike and Sarah!! 

Charleston Bachelorette Weekend

A little over a month ago one of my friends celebrated their Bachelorette Party in Charleston, SC. With the sweetest bride to be and the southern charm of Charleston the weekend turned out absolutely perfect! I just love that town and especially being there with such good friends! We all arrived at different times Friday so we had more of a low key night grabbing dinner and celebrating at the hotel. 

 I just loved these adorable lingerie sugar cookies and diamond ring pretzel rolls! 

 Morning after kit made by the maid of honor complete with gatorade, snacks and tylenol. Just what the doctor called for! 

 All the girls before heading out for the day

On Saturday we woke up bright and early to make our way to Wadmalaw Island home of Irvin Vineyards and Firefly distillery. This was SUCH a fun trip, especially with a group of girls. Anyone looking for a fun activity around Charleston I highly recommend visiting the distillery/vineyard! We reserved transportation to carry us around all day. David, our awesome driver picked us up right on time complete with mimosas ready to go. The vineyard and distillery are located right beside each other. The land is absolutely breathtaking with rows of vineyards, live oak trees, a tire swing and barn styled buildings. We started out low key with a wine tasting and shopping at the gift shop. We then had a little bit more fun visiting the distillery and just hanging around enjoying the live music. It was by far the best part of the weekend!  

After resting up we headed out again that night for a very nice dinner and bar hopping out on the town. It happened to be restaurant week which meant lots of delicious food options. 

It was the perfect weekend! I'm a little late on my post so the gorgeous bride to be has already had her wedding and is enjoying married life. I'll be back to recap the wedding day! 

Monday Blessings

After this weekend I can't help but feel SO incredibly blessed! This is  my weekend recap post but I just had to title it Monday blessings because that's just what this weekend was- a blessing! 

On Friday I headed to the beach to see Justin. Since I am in the process of moving I went ahead and took a FULL car load of my things. We needed a place to store some of it and luckily his parents had some extra room that I could temporarily put everything. Since we were already there we decided to stay the night and visit. J's dad made possibly the best shrimp, zucchini and corn I have ever had. Seriously, it was amazing. 

Saturday morning we woke up to homemade blueberry pancakes. I may have gained 5 lbs. this weekend from all of the ridiculously good eating I did thanks to J's family! We then spent the first part of the day house hunting. We didn't find a winner but we did find a possibility. I'm telling myself to be patient- good things come to those who wait. (it's just so hard to wait when you're as excited as I am!) When we exhausted housing options for the day we visited one of J's clients who manages a local winery. We were able to do a quick tour and a wine tasting. In the gift shop I found a slate cheese board that you can write on with chalk. I just LOVED it and showed it to Justin in passing. He ended up getting it to surprise me for our anniversary! Just one of the reasons I love him. (: 

That evening we did a little shopping and J took me out to eat for our anniversary. Afterwards we headed back to his hometown for the night. The church he grew up at and his parents still attend just got a new preacher. It was his first Sunday preaching so we wanted to be there for that. 

After church we went to a home style country cooking buffet (remember the 5 lbs I told you I gained this weekend?!). We spent the rest of the day lounging by the pool at his parents. I'm now back in Greenville ready to kick start the last 9 days of school! This weekend was just what I needed. I'm starting the week relaxed and with a full heart. I hope your weekend was just as nice!  

Five On Friday

Naturally I typed up a 5 on Friday post and forgot to publish it.geez louise. We will call this Five on Saturday (:


Happy Friday friends! I'm linking up once again for Five on Friday with 4 of my favorite blogs Thanks for hosting April, Christina, Darci and Natasha! 

one. I never had a chance to recap last weekend! It was such a nice time I want to make sure I document it. I headed to my hometown with my sister to celebrate her 22nd birthday. Justin came for the weekend as well so we could still do a little valentines celebration. After a weekend of family, two home cooked meals by my mom, 1 huge lunch at Macaroni Grill, 1 afternoon of drinks and Carolina basketball and a church service I left with a full heart and 5 pounds heavier. I kid.. hopefully.

two.Please just take a second to see how clever my boyfriend is. Ah, I was so tickled when I saw his very creative idea to protect his not so waterproof loafers from the snow.  

three. I have always loved chips and dip for a snack. When I saw this peach mango salsa I knew I had to try it. If you love peaches/mangoes then I think you would like it. I can't get enough of it! 

four. This week Eastern, NC has had temps in the upper 60's. I cannot express how much this gorgeous/oh so perfect weather has lifted my spirits. I always get very motivated when the temperature starts rising. I know this is just a tease as it is supposed to get very cold again soon but I am soaking up every second of the warm weather while I can! I was able to get out and do a little walk/run and it has me motivated to get back to running. whoop whoop! Motivation I tell ya. 

five. This weekend I am heading to the beach to see J. I am even more excited than normal because the nice weather is supposed to last throughout the weekend. We are going to a wine tasting on Saturday and I couldn't be more excited!