Pray for Boston

I had been prepared to post yesterday about Marathon Monday and the coming together of a community for a day of racing, personal achievement and support in and for the Boston Marathon. Instead, I have a heavy heart, as that same community is coming together today for different reasons - comfort, prayer and aid.

Although details are uncertain as to how or why this occurred, we are hearing the stories from the people/witnesses involved, and those who have put those focus towards hope. One NBC correspondent posted on Twitter that, those racers who finished the race, ran to Mass General Hospital in an effort to donate blood.  Former Patriots linebacker, Joe Andruzzi, who was at the finish line, did his best to assist in getting the injured to help. I hope more stories like these shine through this tragedy.  I think this online article sums up some of these heroic efforts. This article was also great.

In the last 12 hours or so, I have also received countless emails and notifications from the local running communities.  Runners are a tough bunch. We run tirelessly for long distances. We celebrate the love of the sport and the events that allow us to come together to demonstrate this passion. Despite it being a sport of the runner and the road, we support each other, and I think we will begin to see that strength in the days, weeks and years to come. 

Today, I will be joining runners at the American Racing Company in Clearwater for a memorial 5k. Today I will run in honor of those we lost. Because today we are all Bostonians. Check out this link for a downloadable "Runner's Unite" Race Bib for your future runs!

Scalloping

The warm weather is here and all I can think about these days is my planned trip to Cape Cod for July 4th! It seems so far away, though!

Of course, thinking about Cape Cod reminds me of my favorite seafood meals, including Maine lobster, steamers and SCALLOPS! In honor of these delicious morsels, I am searching for new spring/summer clothes with a scallop design.

 

This gold-edged scallop clutch from Etsy Shop, Matine, is perfect for summer! $129.00

 

 

Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere makes this J.Crew scallop dress look flirty and edgy. $168.00

 

 



 Of course I love the mint color of these Club Monaco scalloped shorts. $70.00

 

 

And a new iPhone case for summer from Anthropologie. $28.00

 

Now that I'm hungry, all I can think about is making a healthy scallop dish. Check out this great recipe from SkinnyTaste.com for seared scallops over wilted spinach and risotto!

 



Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Take me out to the ballgame....but don't let my waist line pay for it! I am so excited that baseball season is in full swing. I love going to the stadium, and it's pretty exciting that this is the view from my new apartment! (Insert debatable comments about how ghastly the Trop is and how the Rays need to move!)

If the hefty prices of ballpark franks, sodas and popcorn don't deter you from enjoying these unhealthy snacks, maybe the nutritional facts will!

1. Ballpark Frank/Hot Dog

Serving Size: 1 frank
Total Fat: 16 grams (6 grams saturated fat)
Calories: 180 (144 calories from fat)
Cholesterol: 40 mg
Sodium: 560 mg
Protein: 6 grams

2. Roasted Peanuts

Serving Size: 1 ounce
Total Fat: 14 grams (2 grams saturated)
Calories: 166
Protein: 6 grams

3. Dippin Dots (Cookies n' Cream Flavor)

Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Total Fat: 11 grams (7 grams saturated)
Calories: 203
Cholesterol: 28 mg
Sodium: 79 mg
Protein: 3 grams
Sugars: 17 grams

4. Nachos with Cheese - STAY AWAY!!!

Serving Size: 1 meal
Total Fat: 59 grams (19 grams saturated)
Calories: 1101
Cholesterol: 58 mg
Sodium: 1580 grams
Protein: 24 grams
Sugars: 1 gram

Bits of My Weekend

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend and took full advantage of the long weekend....if you had Friday off like I did! The weather is finally warming up down here which means a lot more outside adventures!

Laura Forte of Forte Fitness held another Spartan challenge on Friday. 100 jump squats, 200 push ups, 300 sit ups, 400 BURPEES!!! I hurt for days!

 

Had a chance to see Dennis Miller Live in downtown St. Pete. Some good laughs!

 

 

In order to earn all of that good Easter food, I was found on these machines all weekend!

 

 

My attempt at an artisan cheese plate.....success!!!

 

 

Egg decorating competition....categories included most creative, best funny face and best colors!

 

 

One of my entries.

 

 

 

This "little" girl could not get enough of the pool!

The Happiest Place on Earth

You can make fun of me all you want, but I am still a Disney kid.  Since the age of 2, my parents took me to Disney World every two years for vacation, and every time, I was in awe of "The Happiest Place on Earth."  My family and I enjoyed it so much, we celebrated the Millenium there, and my mother and I took a trip to Orlando when I moved to Florida for law school. 

Each time I get to the park, I am 6 years old again. Although I gave up on the character autographs a long time ago, I am still a sucker for taking a picture with Goofy!

Last week one of my besties, Kate, was visiting Disney for work from San Francisco. Not only was it wonderful to see her, but we got to experience the Magic Kingdom together, along with her co-worker, Matty!

 

Pulling up to the place where dreams really do come true! Sorry mom, I know you were not a fan of me taking this photo while driving.

 

 

 

Riding the monorail to Magic Kingdom.

 

 

 



A very merry unbirthday to you!

Kate's sad score on the Buzzlightyear ride....in her defense, her laser shooter was broken.

My laser shooter was not broken....

 

 

But Matty beat us all!

 

 

And yes, they still have the Electrical light Parade!

 

This was a new feature at the castle. What an amazing show. My video just does not do it justice. Enjoy!

Cause Friday, I'm In Love

Sorry boys. I'm off the market! J/k. But I am in love with a little man named, Lentil. I have a feeling, once you see this little guy, you will be too.

I learned of Lentil, the Frenchie with a severe cleft palate (but the cutest disposition), through an article on Buzzfeed.  After hearing about his fight, his wonderful foster mother and the mutiple vets helping this little guy, I was instantly inspired, and began following his progress. Thank you to his foster mommy for sharing his story with us on her blog My Name Is Lentil or on his very own Facebook page! Trust me....seeing the bean's fuzzy face in photos and videos will brighten your day, regardless of how bad a day you may be having!

 

According to the blog, this is one of the initial pictures of "the bean". So tiny!

 

 

This is one of the pictures posted, showing what Lentil is working with! What a trooper!

 

 





Of course he had an instant fan following! How cute is that painting!?!?

 

At the doctors'...cute is an understatement!

 

 

 

I love his foster mommy's sense of humor!

 

 



Lentil today! The ears are growing and he's up to 3 pounds!!! Love you Lentil and sending you good thoughts!

 

As I have posted before, I am loving these monthly subscription companies that send samples of goodies to your door every month.  Now it looks like your doggies can get in on it, too, with Barkbox which gives $10 in donations to the French Bulldog Rescue for every subscription.  Please support these causes, and remember....ADOPT! It will change your life, as much as it will save their's!

 

 

 

Me and my pound pup, Ellie Mae.

 

St. Pete Saucy

St. Pete Saucy by caitlin-sirico featuring meredith wendell

One of my favorie bloggers, Julie Sarinana of Sincerely Jules has teamed up with Meredith Wendell to design a great bag for spring, the Saucy Pan featured at Bloomingdales.  Now Sincerely Jules is hosting a contest over the next three days where you can win one of these gorgeous bags by creating a collage on Polyvore.  Here is my entry. I am loving the scalloped shorts for spring and summer! Good luck to all that enter!