Color Me Rad - Ft. Worth 2012

Ran the Color Me Rad race this past Saturday in Ft. Worth. Let me tell you, I am not a runner. In fact, unless you count doing some 1 minute sprints on the trail when I'm angry and need to release the fury, the only time I run is when I'm in a mob of people for a 5K. Also, like Michael Scott on The Office, it usually makes me want to vomit (motion sickness, maybe?). However, this was an awesome 5K (for me): there were no clocks or mile markers, so I didn't have that internal self talk of "crud, I still have 2 more miles," or "Why do walkers and people with 15 children insist on starting with the first leg? Slowing. down. my time." Okay, I might have still had that last thought going through my head.

 

My boyfriend and I then spent the weekend in Fort Worth and had a great time. I actually really love Ft. Worth (but I would never admit that to the locals, of course). It's more laid back, there's still stuff to do (but it's not too big), and, unlike Dallas, the downtown is very much alive and walkable.* Also, they don't have to deal with that "Douchebag Dallas"/shallowness stereotype [it's the truth]. The place is just more genuine (and more "Texas-y" for tourists).

 

Anyway, for dinner we went to one of my favorite restaurants, Grace. It has my favorite steak tartare, and we also tried foie gras to start (don't leave me vegetarian readers! Although, it might behoove you to stop reading now so you won't hate me.).  I'd heard that foie gras just got banned in California, so of course I had to have it. Not a do over. I'm an adventurous eater, and I'm sure this restaurant did it right, but....it's not for me. It was served 3 ways: pate,  seared (the salt really made it - this was the winner of the three), and a mousse (oh dear god, help me). Guys....I'm going to say it: it tasted like animal crisco. I think if they used it as a butter and gave us copious amounts of bread, it might have been more appetizing. That said, we finished it anyway like champs. Entrees were one of the most amazing steaks I've ever had and the boy had a bass dish with clams that was also very good.

 

Tartare = yum!

Foie Gras = Well, I can cross that off the bucket list.

 *Note to other cities who want to maintain a popular downtown and good reputation in the rest of the nation: Don't assassinate a beloved president when he's visiting town. Seriously, there are newer skyscrapers and some revitalization projects, but most of downtown Dallas appears to be stuck in the 60's/70's.

Just the Two of Us....

This is me and the ol' pup, Daphne Devereaux. Just thought I'd share. :)

Uncle Sam has a way with words!

A girl I once worked with was also in the Army for few years. She just received this letter from the government, and it cracks me up:

Spring Showers (and a future vacation or two)

Umbrella via Target.com; Jacket and boots via Zappos.com

I'm suuuuch a grown-up, yall. I decided that it's time to finally buy rain boots and a rain jacket I'll actually wear. I feel like I deserve an award.

Don't get me wrong, I'm really a colorful person (although, I do get in the black and white rut sometimes, but...it's just so easy for the 8 - 5, you know), but if there's something I've learned from wearing so much color, it's that neutral accessories are my friends. You should know that I do consider olive green and dark purple neutrals, as well as hot pink. They work with so much! I still swoon over super colorful boots, though.

Here's a medley of other boots (beauts' too) from zappos.com:

One day I WILL have a yellow pair one day, although I'd really take any of these colors.



I'm normally opposed to wedge rainboots, but...these Hunters are hot.

And, a grown up pair to end it. I'd seriously wear these as real boots, even if it's not raining. They all classy and shi..tuff. ;)

Ah, that was fun. So, yeah, this shopping spree was brought on because 1) we got our first spring showers yesterday and 2) I'll be taking a trip to DC soon, and to England and Scotland later in the year, so I figured it might come in handy. Remember my dream couch? Well, it got sidelined for that overseas trip...which is during the time of the London Olympics. Make my checking account go owie.

Also, as I decided a few winters ago, I'm too damn old to be uncomfortable. I turn my heat or air up when I feel like it. I might as well invest in a rain jacket and rain boots I'll actually wear (I bought the bubble umbrella a few years ago, and it's been awesome). Here were the qualifications: For a jacket, it needed:

• a hood (sometimes the umbrella doesn't cut it)
• classic style that didn't make me look like a blob
• not black
• long enough just in case I sit down somewhere (I'm not very smart sometimes... and I've been to a few outdoor concerts in my day).

The boots were easier to figure out; I wanted something I wouldn't be embarrassed to wear to work oooor a hh.

I think I did okay, no? Also, what is it about crazy colorful rain boots that make us drool? Is it because we think that's one time we can get away with wearing pink paisley in public? Reliving our youth? Just want a pick me up from a gloomy day/time of year?

29.

Image from Google Images - This is the first picture that pops up when you search "29 years old" and that, my friends, makes me laugh hysterically.

Ah, leap year. I remember sitting with my friend watching the 2008 Olympics and saying, "Just think, the next time it's a leap year and the summer olympics are on, we'll be 30." I love the look on people's faces when I point out something horrible they've never thought of; I'm just a good friend, what can I say.

I actually really don't care about turning 30. I mean, no one likes change (I've really been relishing when I start my age with "twenty-..." lately), but it's not as scary as, say, 40 (that's always been my "scary" age; I mean that's when you either stay cool or you just turn into your mother).

Here's the problem with 29: it's felt like Sunday night for the last several months. You know what I'm talking about, when you've had a great weekend, and then it's Sunday night, and you're just sitting there dreading Monday so you can't even enjoy the rest of your weekend. Not that anything bad is going to happen Monday...maybe you even have a happy hour planned. The point is, 29 is Sunday night. For an entire year.

So, thank you leap year for giving me an extra day during my Sunday night.

Speaking of domestic skills...

This needs to go in my future suitor packet:

via Pintrest....sorry I don't know the original source!

I kill fake plants. :(

Really? This does not bode well for my domestic skills - I mean, it's bad enough that I have fake plants, but even they can't put up with me. Haha, oh well, it wouldn't have fit in with my future lottery sofa anyway.