If you...

 ever wondered what I do at 5 AM on any given Wednesday:

Gold sheet metal

Designing a {GOLD} Hollywood Regency Parsons Sofa Table, OF COURSE.

Paris in just a few days. ALMOST THERE SARAH!

Givenchy

How to Steal a Million Bucks

This Givenchy black Chantilly-lace cocktail dress is amazing, don't ya think?


 Enjoy your day!

I'm READY

To wear this...

Sherbert Seersucker Bikini

Without wishing these days away for tomorrow. 

Is anyone else ready for Spring?

Morning Views

Today is going to be one of those really long days. Although, I am not complaining. My plate is beyond full due to the amount of work I am trying to accomplish before our big Parisian adventure. 

 Sometimes when I know I am going to have an incredibly busy and stressful day, I will wake up 30 minutes earlier than usual and read something fun while drinking my first cup (of a full pot) of coffee.  I have absolutely always done this. Except, in college instead of reading (who reads in college?), I would take a drive around town and clear my head. I fully recommend this to anyone. Also, a quick run would be nice, but I do not run in the dark as I am clumsy enough.

Today, I am feeling totally inspired by Mary & Russel Wright's Guide to Easier Living. I found this gem while in an antique store in Seattle last Summer. It is the coolest book filled with hand drawn images and orthographic photos of the ideal mid-century home. How can you not be inspired?

This book was the precursor to Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook, which I also own. Only, Martha doesn't draw, and she does not show sample floor plans to keep your home organized. Gotta love the Wrights. 

Fight Gone Mad

I told you I was a trendy bitch right? 

Well, now I have up and joined a Crossfit {inspired} gym, Fight Gone Mad. 

Ways to describe FGM:

It is absolutely the MOST fun I have ever had while getting my ass handed to me. 

or

It is the absolute best time I have had without a glass of wine in my hand.

or

Once you start, you can't stop (like Pringles, less calories).

Take your pick.

Either way, I got in a full body, kick my butt up and down the street 25-minute workout, and I feel all warm and fuzzy from it. 

So why fighting like mad? Well,  a few weeks ago I was reading something with Bob Harper from Biggest Loser fame (der) and he was speaking to the amazing effectiveness of Crossfit on the body. Like, mentioning it several times in the article (aside to the audience: right now I am dodging my cat's teeth as she is biting my fingers at the keyboard... she loves me?). And while I was reading it, I realized how scared I had been of box jumps and kettle bell swings...and that's when I knew I had to try it out.

 What was I so scared of? Oh falling on my face off of a big piece of wood? {insert joke here}

Hell, yes I was scared. And I still am.  I sort of walk in every time with a bit of a fear "am I going to be able to finish the workout", "will I die here"? 

Y'all know, I have absolutely NEVER been an athlete. Everything I am and have physically, I have worked my butt off for it. Do you ever see those runners who seem to glide seamlessly across the pavement? And have you ever seen those people on the side of the road who look like they are about to lose their lunch and are spitting into their shirt (because they can't spit right, OK!) and they are red faced and about to die from a 2-miler? 

I am what's behind door #2. 

So for now, this new experience is a real sense of accomplishment. I am not doing this so I will look better on the beach, well partly. I am doing this because I want to be strong. I have always known I am stronger emotionally, when I am stronger physically. 

Shoving weights around, rowing, long jumping, and pull ups (assisted, who am I, Arnold?). I feel like a real badass. Don't ruin it for me, go with it. 

It is definitely not for everyone. But right now, it's right for me. I have put my comfortable, trusty yoga mat aside and picked up a kettle bell. And with that, I have put away some fear and picked up some newfound confidence. I think I am sort of addicted, now. 

world, watch out!