Five Things

Five Things I Loved This Week:

1.  One Tree Hill - cherishing the last few episodes
2.  Meeting Baby Olive and catching up with Sara, Ashley & Ryan
3.  Impromptu date night with Jason last night
4.  Tucker
5.  Perfect patio weather in Houston

BUT...the best was hanging out with my mommy!!!  We celebrated her birthday at our new fave place, Coal Vines this week!

Monday, Monday

This little face can always get me through a bad case of the Mondays...those colorful peep toes don't hurt either! 

Photo taken by the uber-talented Robyn Arouty, Houston pet photographer.  If you are an animal lover, Houston-resident or not, you should definitely follow her blog.  Not only will you get to see the best pet photography, but she is a true animal advocate and posts recaps of her adventures.  The latest one is incredible - the story and the pictures.  We need more people like Robyn in the world to be a voice for mistreated animals.

And if that isn't reason enough why she is cool, just looks at the shots she captured of Tucker HERE and HERE.

We Finished!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and St. Patrick's Day!  Jason and I are happy to report that we survived Warrior Dash on Saturday!  We had so much fun - the weather was beautiful, we finished the run in under an hour and completed ALL of the obstacles!  There was WAY more mud than I thought there would be, lots of deep water to wade through, and a couple of obstacles (the ropes walls) that I didn't think I would conquer, but I did!  Sidenote: the whole run smelled like horse and cow poo so I'm pretty sure we were running in that too...Jason's advice to me (and now mine to you) is to keep your mouth shut while running since mud/poo was flying everywhere!

Jason certainly could have completed it quicker, but chose to run alongside of me.  It was a great experience for us to do together...we crossed the finish line (and jumped over the fire) hand in hand. 

We are nursing some bruises, scrapes and sore muscles today (and a sunburn for me), but it was all so worth it.  I recommend this run to anyone.  I know Jason and I will do it again next year.  I'm hoping for some great course shots from the professional photographers, but here are a few before and after the race that we snapped. 

Before the race

Before.  Rocking the green for St. Patty's Day

After!

Mandatory turkey leg and free beer post race

It looks like I have tan lines from my socks, but trust me, those are just mud lines!  I've never been so dirty and found mud in places mud shouldn't be!

Five Things

Rather than doing a recap of my week, I wanted to post Five Things that I loved this week.  I'm going to try and make this a regular Friday post. 
Five Things I Loved this Week:
1.  New car smell
2.  Running with Jason after work at Memorial Park
3.  Daylight Savings
4.  My mommy getting back into town
5.  Making plans with friends I haven't seen in awhile

Hope you had a great week and Happy St. Patty's Day!

Say A Little Prayer

Tomorrow Jason and I are running in the East Texas Warrior Dash.  You can read more about it HERE and on the official site.  I'm not gonna lie...I'm a little nervous.  Not because of the mud, fire or barbed wire, but because of the wall climbs, running over 3 miles and the unknown. 

Months ago I made a great workout plan so I would feel confident in my ability to run 3 miles plus 12 obstacles...epic fail.  Although I have been going to Define weekly, run/walking and doing aerobics, I DO NOT feel ready.  I realize for all you marathon runners, this is a stroll in the park, but let's be honest, I'm so not that girl.  One mile kicks my butt. 

We'll see what happens tomorrow!  You can follow my race progress tomorrow in real time on Facebook and Twitter. 

And since tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day, Jason and I will be sporting matching green outfits...that's the one element I always will make time to prepare for... the clothes...even if we will be covered in mud when all is said and done. 

Have a great weekend!

March Birchbox Review

I have been like a kid on Christmas Eve waiting for my March Birchbox to arrive.  I obsessively track it online and excitedly run to the mailbox after work.  Jason thinks I'm very strange to say the least getting so excited over a "Bento Box" as he calls it. 

Anyway, the March Birchbox arrived yesterday...a car and a box of beauty samples in one day...the Purifoy household did have Christmas!  This month's box did not disappoint. 

A few weeks ago I received an email from Birchbox asking if I would rather receive the "Teen Vogue" version this month or opt for the regular box.  I went reg, but you can read about the Teen Vogue version from The Stylish Housewife here.  My box had the following, which by the way, were all generous portions aside from the eye card:

Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens (Set of 25!!)

These shine-busting sheets absorb oil with all-natural green tea extracts.  Full-size, $10

Color Club Nail Lacquer in Lava Lamp

Brighten blah nails with this on-trend neon orange polish.  Full-size, $8

Grandma Stelle's Refreshing Hand Soap

Dress up your bathroom sink: this moisturizing hand wash has a winning citrus scent and leaves skin super soft.  Full-size, $20

Traditions by Nick Chavez Yucca Root Shampooing Cream

Hollywood stylists rave about the restorative abilities of this silky cleanser, which is made with fortifying wild yam and yucca root.  Full size, $20

Stila Smoky Eye Card

Take the guesswork out of matching eye makeup with this mini-palette.  3 shadows, $45

Kusmi Detox Tea

Look good, feel great.  This detoxifying blend of mate, green tea, and lemongrass is a delicious way to boost your wellness.  24 muslin tea bags, $21.95

I'm very excited to try the shampoo.  I can't ever get enough shampoo!  The hand soap smells really good, but I would never pay $20 for hand soap.  I've already tried the green tea oil blotting papers.  Works well, but the paper tears really easy.  I'll probably stick to my $4.00 Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets, but will use and so appreciate the 25 sheets included in my box!

Did anyone get a different Birchbox?  If you aren't a member yet, it's only $10.00 a month for a box of happy!  Join now HERE. 

Goodbye Miata, Hello Adult World

Yesterday I said goodbye to my cute little 2-seater convertible, named Zuma (yes, I name my cars).  I purchased him a few years ago after completing my MBA.  At the time, I didn't drive much except to and from work and running around town so he was perfect.  In my job today and looking into the future, he is VERY impractical.  Not very safe, terrible for long distance driving and impossible to hold much other than my purse.  I just realized after already parting ways that I do not have any pictures of him and I together!  Tragic.  This will have to do but don't feel too sad, I did kiss him goodbye and wished him good luck with future owners. 

Enter new company car...yet to be named, Honda CRV:

I love him (and yes, all of my cars are males)!  Oh to have a backseat and trunk again!!!  Very exciting day.  Any name ideas???  Jason's idea so far is Tanner because he is tan.  That husband of mine is beyond creative.