Enjoying a Red Sunrise from The Walking Company

Upon a recent visit to The Walking Company I fell in love with the numerous styles and colors of comfortable shoes.  Sure, there were the traditional walking brands, like Clarks, Birkenstock and New Balance, but I was blown away by the variety of stylish sandals.  For once a girl can be cute and comfortable at the same time!

With the help of the sales assistance, I had my feet scanned for a proper fit and within seconds, a high tech analysis had measured me as a size 39, also known as an 8 US.

I tried on a few pairs and it was love at first step.  I even tweeted about them.

The prices of shoes at The Walking Company compare to your average running shoes, therefore, I experienced no sticker shock.  However, I needed new running shoes before fancy, fun sandals and I had to overrule any purchases based upon need vs. want.  Like a good consumer, I left the store empty handed, but with very sad feet.

A few hours later, I received an email from The Walking Company stating they would like to send me a pair of ABEO Biomechanical Footwear shoes.  I only needed to visit the site and make a selection.

You’re joking?  No need to tell me twice.  I was on it like a fashionista famished for new shoes.

When I visited the site, I discovered the most amazing thing. The Walking Company sells shoes specific to plantar faciistis.  I had died and gone to shoe heaven, because my feet would be walking on clouds this summer.

Much like my experience in the store, there were so many fun styles online.  After clicking through the site, I decided upon a fun color for summer: the ABEO Sunrise Red Reptile.

shoe

Now, I could share with you all the high-tech terminology and features of the shoes, but that’s all listed on the website.  You only need to know one thing: I love them.

My Red Reptile ABEO Sunrise shoes are so comfortable.  I don’t have any heel pain when I wear them.  I can walk in them for hours and never feel a twinge of pain from plantar fasciitis.  It’s like wearing running shoes, only much more stylish.  I can dress them up or down by coordinating the shoes with a sundress or shorts.  I can wear them to church, the mall, the park, the beach, an amusement park or restaurant.

Anything goes with a Sunrise (even a glass of red wine and purple toenail polish), but it’s the trendy comfort that makes this so fitting for my active mother runner lifestyle.

*I received these shoes as a gift from The Walking Company and I received no compensation for my review.  This review was offered in return for The Walking Company’s generosity.*  

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Random Thoughts about Green Things and Other Gross Stuff

Little Lion Man’s green snot situation is still sticking around. Poor little dude can’t shake whatever he’s got and then this morning it escalated into a hacking cough.  I debated calling the doctor, but since I had to run some errands, I thought I’d call the doctor on the way.  No appointments were available until the afternoon, so against my better judgment, I decided to stop by Target while I was out.

Once in Target, Little Lion Man’s hacking developed into a projectile vomit situation and he puked three times in his stroller.  I made a mad dash to the cart wipes area to clean the mess.  As I attempted to clean up his entire stomach contents, Little Lion Man notices the bananas nearby.  “Mama, nanas.”

Yes, there are bananas over there.

“Mama, nanas, please.”

“Seriously, dude. You just puked all over yourself.  Now you want a banana?”  He replied with a huge grin across his face.

Wondering if this is a good idea, I reviewed the BRAT diet in my head.  “Bananas are good for upset tummies and we really do need diapers.  And Allana needs a science board and cough drops.  Right then!”

As I ran off to finish my shopping, I hoped no one would sniff him or the stroller while we shopped.

On my way to the infant aisle, I spotted some fun skinny jeans.   Before you judge, the women’s section is right next to the baby stuff and I didn’t try them on! I swear!  I just looked.

Mossimo Supply Co. Juniors Skinny Denim - Assorted Colors.Opens in a new windowMossimo Supply Co. Juniors Skinny Denim - Assorted Colors.Opens in a new windowVanilla Star Juniors Leopard Print Skinny Denim - Assorted Colors.Opens in a new windowVanilla Star Juniors Leopard Print Skinny Denim - Assorted Colors.Opens in a new window

Anyway, I love the animal prints and the variety of bright colors for spring.   Thank goodness I didn’t spot anything sparkly.  Poor Little Lion Man would have really suffered.

Later at the doctor’s office, I learned Little Lion Man has a nasty respiratory infection and some fluid in his ears.  Poor little guy!

Although Little Lion Man is my latest patient, it’s been like revolving door of a hospital ward in this house.  Someone has had some infliction or illness for the past month.  It’s crazy which also makes me crazy because it’s difficult to squeeze in my running when I’m playing nursemaid.

However, last Saturday, I ran in the Armadillo 10K (full recap to follow shortly).  Then, I ran 3 miles on Monday, but I forgot to charge my Garmin, so no stats.  This morning, I did some speedwork.  Nothing fancy, just 1 mile warm-up followed by 4 quarter sprints and a mile for a cool down.

1 mile

Time 9:46

 

Lap 1 – 0.25

Time 1:44

Ave Pace 6:53

 

Lap 2 – 0.25

Time 1:48:65

Ave Pace7:18

 

Lap 3 – 0.25

Time 1:48:22

Ave Pace 7:12

 

Lap 4 – 0.25

Time 1:50

Ave Pace 7:29

 

1.1 mile

Time 10:39

Ave Pace 9:43

My girls and I have the Spring Sprint 5K this Saturday.  I’m excited to run our first 2012 race together and of course, we’ll all be wearing green for St. Patrick’s Day.  Hopefully, Little Lion Man’s snot situation won’t coordinate with his shirt by then. That’s an accessory I can do without.

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Denise Mestanza-Taylor+

Irish Drinking Songs and Going Out In {green} Style

I am ridiculously excited about St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Saturday this year because there’s no work or after school activities to get in the way of our Irish beer consumption.  Although my girls and I do have a 5K race in the morning, it won’t be long before I’m finishing off a green beer after crossing the finish line.

Before we head out that evening, Allan and I will line our bellies with some Guinness corned beef and potatoes and then get onto to the drinking.  It won’t be too long before we look like this.

 

I’ll probably wear the same green top I always wear, but I love this shirt from Urban Outfitters.

I’m thinking about buying a green hair wig too just to change it up this year and go out full on green style.

 

 What are your plans for St. Patrick’s Day?  Will you be going out in style?



Random Thoughts about a Swelled Head, a Shrinking Waist and a Princess Problem

Marathon TrainingIn the past few weeks, Run DMT has been spotlighted on several websites and it’s giving me a big head.

Marathon Training Schedule compiled a list of top running blogs and Run DMT is #64.  Then, RN Central.com  shared 50 Inspiring Blogs for Your Post-Pregnancy Weight Loss and Run DMT is #5 on the list.  How exciting is that?!

I’m flattered to be considered an “inspiration” to others for post-partum weight-loss and I hope yours is going better than mine because I’m sill struggling to lose the last of my baby weight 19 months later. What’s that old pregnancy rule of thumb for weight-loss? Nine months up, nineteen months down?  That sounds about right.

Five unflattering pounds are still sticking around from my pre-pregnancy weight but I don’t put a whole heck of a lot of value on the scale since most of my old clothes are fitting me.

So the numbers on the scale are not dropping but I am definitely toning and shrinking inches, thanks to our Love My Abs Challenge.  If you haven’t been following along, you should go over there RIGHT NOW and check it out!  Each week, I’ve been sharing photos and a brief recap of my progress.

Tomorrow, we’re moving onto to Week 4 and 200 reps, but it’s not too late to join in the fun.  Even if you fell off the wagon, you can simply start over at 100 reps at Week 1. It’s not about how many reps or how long, but more about making a commitment to a better you.

Speaking of wagons, I will be catching a carriage ride over to Orlando this weekend for the Disney’s Princess Half Marathon.  I don’t feel prepared at all for this race, but it has nothing to do with training.  I still haven’t figure out what to wear!

Should I be Belle or Tiana? 

Both princesses are equally smart, brave, fearless, beautiful and good role models for my girls (next to their mom, of course).  But…
If I dress as Belle, I’ll wear a yellow running skirt, matching yellow top, a tiara and carry a red rose.

If I dress as a Tiana, I’ll wear a green top, green shorts and a magnolia rhinestone hair clip in my hair.  I wanted to find a green tutu to wear over my shorts, but I haven’t had any luck yet. 

As any stylish, runner (a.k.a stunner ) will tell you, tiaras and tutus are a must for any Disney Princess race.  I think what I wear will be a game time decision, but I would love to hear your vote: Belle or Tiana?

The girls have the Gasparilla Jr. Race on Saturday. Next year, Liam will be old enough to run the Gasparilla Jr with Emmalynn, but this is Allana’s last year to run it as she’s getting too old for it now.  The thought of it makes me all melancholy, but she’s moving on to bigger distances with her mom.

And who knows maybe she’ll run a Princess race with me someday.  Then she can be Belle and I’ll be Tiana!  There. Problem solved.  Hopefully, by then I would have found a green tutu or made one or bought one of these shnazzy sparkly skirts.  A runner mom can dream, can’t she?  Like a wise mouse once told me, “If you dream it, you can do it.”

And now for my running stats!

I suffered from a stomach bug for two days after the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon, but I think the forced rest helped me run under 30 minutes for the first time in nearly a year.

2/15

3.1 miles

Time 29:35

Ave Pace 9:33

Max Pace 7:31

 

2/16

4 miles

Time 41:09

Ave Pace 10:17

Max Pace 7:59

 

2/18

6 miles

Time 1:13:27

Ave Pace 11:51

Max Pace 8:56

 

2/21

3.1 miles

Time 30:21

Ave Pace 9:48

Max Pace 7:06

 *Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Christmas Shopping with Shutterfly

Next Wednesday, we have our annual family Christmas portrait session with my fabulous photographer friend, Kelly.  With much anticipation, I’ve added the final touches on everyone’s outfits.  For this year’s portrait, we’re all wearing variations of red and black.

Also in preparation, I’m keeping a list of the poses I’d like to capture this year.  I love close-up shots of my kids’ smiling faces.  They’re perfect for Christmas photo cards sending Christmas cheer to wish everyone a merry and bright holiday.

When choosing our family’s Christmas card, I prefer a large card (5×7) that includes at least 1 family shot and 3 individual photos of each child.  I also prefer the colors of the card to match the colors we’re wearing in the photos; however, finding a card that displays that many photos in one card while color coordinating with our outfits makes the search for the perfect Christmas anything but merry.

Thankfully, Shutterfly makes the search for the right Christmas card or holiday card simple.  With its sophisticated system, Shutterfly helps refine my search by the number of photos and color.

 

 

On the Christmas card product page, I can view an assortment of cards with the appropriate number of photos and color by selecting that option in the sidebar.

 

 

I’ve already found a large variety of cards that fit my criteria, however, some the cards were folded.

 

Still not a problem!  With a simple click, Shutterfly shows the flat 5×7 photo card option.

 

 

But this year, I’m also considering purchasing photo books and other personalized gifts for our family’s Christmas presents.  Our Christmas portraits are such a treasure and I’m sure both sets of parents would love mounted wall art of our family as a Christmas present.

 

 

 

Even a pewter ornament would make a great gift but not solely as a Christmas tree ornament.  After Christmas, our extended families can hang it on the wall to enjoy it all year long.

 

 

Shutterfly offers so much from a variety of Christmas cards that fit my color by number criteria to wonderful gifts our family will enjoy throughout the year.  And that makes Christmas shopping very merry!


*Shutterfly is offering FREE standard shipping on orders over $30.  Enter code SHIP30.  Hurry! Offer ends November 30, 2011.
*

Earrings! She wants them! She needs them! She loves them!

When my niece, Meghan had her ears pierced, Allana wanted her ears pierced too.  My mom had been begging to pierce the girls’ ears since they were babies, but I wanted it to happen when the girls asked for it.

 

Well, now Allana was asking for it.  Boy, was she ever!

Auntie Kirsten told Allana that she would pierce her ears for her 10th birthday.  Last Friday, Kirsten stuck to her promise and Allana feared for the state of her ears.

 

Allana chose hot pink peace signs for her first pair of earrings.  Meghan and Emmalynn held her hand while Allana nervously waited for the piercing to happen.

 

A few dots to mark the spots and then…

1-2-3…CLICK!

With a Claire’s sales associate on either side of Allana, both ears were done at the same time.  It was over in seconds and Allana said it didn’t hurt.

 

Now she is obsessing over dreaming about all the different earrings she can wear as soon as her ears heal.

*This post was inspired by this week’s Sticky Fingers The Gallery theme: Faces.  I think my daughter, Allana, made some brilliant and beautiful faces.*

Photography

*The title of this post was inspired by Judith Viorst’s Earrings.*

Random Tuesday Thoughts about Being Pretty in Pink and Pumpkins

During my girlfriend getaway on Anna Maria Island, I had all good intentions to run.  I packed three running outfits, a hydration belt and my old running shoes so my good pair wouldn’t get sandy from the beach.  Well, they sure didn’t get sandy!  My old running shoes didn’t even see one grain of sand or the light of day, because they stayed in my bag all weekend.

My friends are such saboteurs.

I didn’t get a decent night’s sleep until I returned home.  Now, my sleeping pattern has been so good that my lazy behind hasn’t been up to run since being back home either.  The Thursday BEFORE my girlfriend was the last time I ran and it was only 3 miles. Not good.  And it was a terrible run too.

3.1 miles

Time 34:07

Ave Pace 11:01

Max Pace 8:44

 
I joined Team Striders and I registered for the Race for the Cure 10K.  I really love this race. There’s no pressure, just a bunch of people raising money and awareness for breast cancer research.  Plus, the course is gorgeous along St. Pete Pier over the Gulf and through sea of pink.  Which reminds me… I need to buy a new pink running outfit for the race.  Maybe I’ll wear a tiara this year?  But before I worry about my pretty in pink ribbon outfit, I need to get a couple of 6 mile runs in before the race.

I also have the Frankefooter Half Marathon in October, which requires another special outfit.  I’ve been perusing the Halloween aisle at Target to check what costumes have been added to the displays.  No Glee Cheerios Cheerleader costume yet but there’s tons of candy.  Last week, I bought a bag of Twix and this week I bought candy corn.  Craptastic.  If I don’t get running soon, my ass is going be a scary sight.  No costume necessary because with my cheesy grin, I’ll look like a Jack-o-latern.

Speaking of pumpkins, I can’t bring myself to eat anything pumpkin flavored yet.  It’s like my brain can’t enjoy allspice when the weather is warm.  Even though fall starts Friday, the forecast predicts temperatures in near 90 and that’s not perfect pumpkin weather yet, which is probably a good thing.    I can put off my butt looking like a big-ass pumpkin muffin for a few more weeks.

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

I’m Bringing Sexy Back

Despite our beach trip getting rained out and not finding a room at the Don Cesar (the pink castle), I still had a FABULOUS birthday week.  Thank you for all the lovely, sweet birthday wishes!

 

This Saturday, Allan and I are throwing birthday party in my honor and I cannot wait!  I’m looking forward to letting my hair down, laughing over drinks, dancing and acting silly with my friends.  I feel like I haven’t seen my friends in ages!

 

For the party, I will be wearing a sexy little number I picked up at White House Black Market a few weeks ago.   I don’t mean to brag…well, all right maybe I do mean to brag…but this dress looks seriously smoking on me.  You know you’re looking fine when the sales associate says, “Girl, that’s HOT!”  Sold!

 

 

With all the hours spent running my ass off and this little black dress, I’m bringing sexy back just in time for my birthday party.

 

 

Visit AmandaXmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.

 

Yellow-Bellied Beauties

Kristi of Live and Love…Out Loud and Alicia of Project Alicia are hosting Crazy Days of Summer Photo Challenge.  This week’s theme is “yellow” which immediately reminded me of a photo I took on Easter of my sister, Simone and Allana because both beauties chose to wear yellow on that lovely spring day.  The color really suits them and I love their sunshine smiley faces in this photo.

Whenever Allana wears something yellow, she always says, “I love to wear yellow because it looks so good on me. It’s my color.”  Yep, no self-esteem issues with my little fashionista.

Live and Love Out Loud

PhotoStory Friday

Random Thoughts about Running, Bikinis and Boobs

My SIL, Kirsten, has been trying to shed some weight, which she cleverly nicknamed Operation Shed a Small Child.  The other day, we were discussing our weight loss progress and how certain foods cause us retain water which makes the numbers on the scale fluctuate.  I mentioned how I only weigh myself once a week, if I remember to weigh myself at all.  I prefer to use my clothes as the tool to measure my success.

However, for the past month, my weight is holding strong at 135, which is still about 10 pounds heavier than I was before my last pregnancy.  The last 10 pounds have been a struggle for me.  But like I said before, I try not to pay attention to the numbers on the scale.  Obviously, I’m losing inches and slimming down because I am fitting into all my old clothes.  Sure, some things are still a bit tight, but I’m getting there.

Oddly, I’m not losing weight it my chest.  I’m not complaining, mind you, but I figured with all the running, exercising and weight loss, I would lose my boobs, but these bad boys are still holding strong.  Could that be why my weight is not dropping on the scale?  They’re not that big, but my boobs have been the topic of conversation more than once with my girlfriends frequently commenting and complimenting me on my recent…eh hem…developments.

So, I’ve lost a few more inches and things seem to be firming and sizing up a bit around here, which means I keep braving my bikini in more public places, like the beach and the YMCA.  I was feeling so confident about my somewhat 6-pack abs that I bought myself a new bikini with a leftover gift card from Christmas.

My first public appearance in my new suit was at my friend, Chrissy’s pool.   My girlfriends wanted me to model my new swimsuit for them.  So I slipped into the suit but somehow it didn’t fit like it did in the store.  The top seemed baggy and I was disappointed although my girlfriends liked it.  Then, Chrissy realized the top was on upside down.  Yeah, it fit much better right side up and my girlfriends liked that look even better.

I joined the Striders last Tuesday for some intervals.  At 5:30 a.m., it was ridiculously hot and humid.  It felt like I was running in a sauna.  I couldn’t even get a good pace going to get the strength to do any intervals.  I could barely keep up with the pack.  I attempted 4 miles with short sprints to catch up with crowd.

4 miles

Time 42:37

Ave Pace 10:39

Max Pace 7:18

On Wednesday morning, I joined Tracey at Suncoast Running for 6 miles.  It was another hot and humid morning, but at least there was a breeze for some relief.  I guess the short sprints paid off because my time was two minutes faster this week.

6.2 miles

Time 1:09

Ave Pace 11:08

Max Pace 8:36

I wanted to join the Striders on Thursday morning but my legs were too tired.  I couldn’t move.  So I rested on Thursday and Friday.  On Saturday, I had all intentions to join the Striders again at Starkey Trail, but I flaked and overslept.  My body must have thanked me for all the rest, because I ran a hard 7 miles. It was a good run!

7 miles

Time 1:16:13

Ave Pace 10:54

Max Pace 8:37

I rested on Sunday and on Monday, I schlepped around Busch Gardens with the kids instead of running.  This morning, I tried my damndest to get out of bed to join the Striders for intervals again, but after a long day at Busch Gardens, I just couldn’t do it and sadly, I flaked again.  However, I did run 4 miles an hour later in my neighborhood and my time was nearly two minutes faster than last Tuesday!

4 miles

Time 40:46

Ave Pace 10:12

Max Pace 7:49

I really like this two minute faster trend.  Now if only my weight would show the some progress.

*Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy