Hot Chocolate Race

So I ran my very first half-marathon last year....the Chicago Spring Half Marathon.  I am NOT a runner, and even after running it I still don't really consider myself a runner.   I decided to run initially to challenge myself to do something I have never done before and wanted to do something physically exhausting. Since that race, I have not done a lot of running.  So the Hot Chocolate 5k/15k was coming up and I thought, why not do another race?  I decided to do the 5k only, and the decision was 2-fold. My friends were doing it who don't generally run, and my husband was doing who NEVER runs.  In anticipation I did run the 3.1 miles twice two weeks before, and then the week before.  I was surprised to find that my body was able to get back in the groove of running with relative ease.  It was not very challenging to discover my rhythm again.  The day of the race was a beautiful, clear day.  Chilly, but no rain or snow to be seen.



























I have to say it turned out really well! I am pleased with the experience overall and excited to have run my first ever race with my husband.  It didn't hurt that the end of the race had a delicious chocolate fondue and fun things to dip into it.  It was the best end of a race I've ever seen and the smell was amazing!

Have you ever done anything as a team with your spouse or significant other? 

                                                          XO,

                                                          GG

Follow me on Bloglovin

Bloglovin is a new tool to follow your favorite blogs.  I am just beginning to use it and understand it. Here is a link to try and download the mobile app.   Have you tried it out yet?


<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11163851/?claim=hprud7zpk8p">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Dancing like nobody is watching

I am a dancer, correction, I was a dancer. I have danced my entire life....until I graduated from college and stopped. When I moved back to Chicago I started doing all sorts of things and dancing just wasn't one of them. I have tried over the last 5 years half-heartedly, to get back into it but I hadn't found anywhere that I really loved. I took several classes; some that I could have done in my sleep,  and several advanced classes that I was way too embarrassed to ever go back to.  Cue, All About Dance in Old Town.

This was one place I had never tried but had heard awesome things. Friends of mine who were on dance team with me in high school and college had recommended it to me many times but I never got around to trying it, until last night. I'll admit I was nervous, I was wondering if I had lost all my skills. Deep breath...

I took the adult cardio class. This was a combination of excersice with abs, arms and stretching. Then we learned a dance routine quickly and practiced it over and over to different tempos and new hit songs. I had a blast! And bonus, I am sore today! Not only am I excited to be back at dancing but I got an awesome workout in the process. It has inspired me not to put off something I love doing again. Wednesday is a ballet class, one of my all time favorite types of dance, and I think I'm going to try it next!

Have you ever re-ignited your passion for something??  

                            XO,

                            GG

Fall into fashion finds

So if you're like me, you absolutely love summer but are looking forward to Fall fashions. I had the opportunity to visit the new Fashion Outlets of Chicago to score some new items for Fall. Overall I was really impressed with the mall. It is clean, well organized and parking couldn't be easier. Some of my favorite stores were All saints, Last call Nieman Marcus, Tory Burch, J. Crew Factory and Bloomingdales the outlet. Most of the stores had a good selection but only a few felt like you we're really getting a deal. All Saints was one if those. Not only did they have a huge selection of clothes but they were actually reasonable! A fully beaded sequin top, $98. A distressed leather jacket, $495. I didn't buy anything but I plan on purchasing next time.

Tory Burch was my next stop, they had a great selection of shoes and clothes. I wound up scoring two pairs of flats, and a headband. The flats were about 30% cheaper than I've seen anywhere else! Around $165 for the Reva flats and $100 for the Eddie folding flats. The black patent ones are currently being sold at Nordstrom! The headband I wound up taking back because it didn't fit my head but it was $45.  

The last stop was the Bloomingdales outlet store.  A great selection of dresses, shoes and accessories. All at a fraction of the regular price. I wound up with a new pair of Rachel Roy booties for $170 and a L. K. Bennett dress for $200.  Amazing!!

Hooray for great deals! Have you guys visited the outlets recently? Found anything good??

                                                                   XO, 

                                                                   GG