Overheard

"Dad, what happens to the clouds at night?"

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"Dad, there are plants in this Biology book! Hahahaha isn't that funny?!"
"Jules, that's because Biology is the study of living things."
"It is?"
"Yep, it is."
"Ohhhhhhhhh"

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Jonathan on the results of our recent Bath and Body Works shopping trip:
"It smells like a pina colada in here."

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The kids were having a conversation about how to make a baby and Jules told Josh that the girl has to have an egg. Josh's response: "But I wanted to hatch an egg."

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And this one's my favorite... sort of reminds me of the time Julianna blamed her mess on the Pilot Paula Fischer Price Little People figure....

"Jane, who got the marbles out?"
"Josh did it."

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what i love wednesday

The Mast General Store in Winston-Salem has officially opened.

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I'm not really loving this but it seems really silly to NOT use it when they give you cash back on items you'd purchase anyway. So have you started using Ibotta yet? It's a lot like Cartwheel and I've already quickly made $5 back on purchases in the last week.

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I read a tip somewhere that you could use hair conditioner to shave your legs and it's so simple and works so well. Try it!

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Project Repat T-shirt Quilts

I'm really thinking about getting one of these made with all of my race shirts. I have entirely too many technical tees and this is a good way to make them useful and still keep them. Right now there's an excellent promo going on for May.

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I won a copy of Christy Nockels new album from Jennifer at The Simple Pen and I am loving the upbeat "Freedom Song." It makes me very happy. Take a listen if you have the chance.

what's going on at our house

Last week was Spring Break and it was glorious.

I started the week off by running the City of the Arts half marathon with a group of friends. The actual race ended up being canceled because they couldn't get approval from the city for some of the road closures but one of the girls wrote the race director and told him that we were planning to run the course anyway so they came and brought us some of last year's shirts and medals for our efforts. I thought that was pretty nice. We had a group of ten and we all were different ages so we all placed first in our age groups. Very cool. Probably the only time that will ever happen to me.

We followed that up with a lunch with friends at one of my favorite places. Yum!

Julianna and I kicked around together all week not doing a whole lot but still filling the time with plenty of fun.

We redeemed some of the coupons for birthday treats that she had gotten a week earlier.

We ran together and rode bikes together.

We went shopping and bought some of Jonathan's 38 birthday gifts.  And we had lunch at the mall with all the girls.

We drove by my old house and took some stalker pictures.

Then on Friday Jonathan and Josh were off so we got up and drove to the beach for the weekend. It was a quick trip but so nice to get down there even for a couple of days.

Mom, Whit, and I took the kids to an Easter Egg Hunt.

Dad and I ran and took silly pictures at Wings on the giant conch shell.

Then we packed it up and came home in time for Easter lunch at Memama's.

Fun, relaxing, and refreshed... and counting down the days until summer.

What's going on with you guys?

10 ways you know Spring is coming

ONE: You notice you're wearing your hair up every single day. Even though you still have on a scarf. And possibly a light sweater.
TWO: The daffodils are poking up, looking around confused. 
THREE: Your runs no longer require a jacket, gloves, and a hat. And they don't give you frostbite.

FOUR: Chick-fil-A has tulips on every table. You might get jealous a bit.

FIVE: People start planning their summer vacations. And count the days until they get to eat at Margaritaville again.

SIX: You use your free time to order tank tops and bathing suits. Then you try to stop thinking about those Girl Scout cookies.

SEVEN: You drink more water naturally. Because you're hot. In both ways. 

EIGHT: Basketball is still on your mind.

NINE: The farmer's markets start popping back up.

TEN: You get to work and the sun is already up. You're going to miss taking all of those sunrise pictures, but it sure will be nice to not have to get up before the birds.

What signs have you seen that Spring is on it's way?
What are you most excited about this Spring?
Leave me some comment love.

what i love Wednesday

Have you seen The Tonight Dough, Ben and Jerry's new ice cream flavor? Do I even need to say anything about this other than "Caramel and Chocolate Ice Creams with Chocolate Cookie Swirls and Gobs of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Peanut Butter Cookie Dough?"

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Sequin Skirts
My friend from college is making these GORGEOUS skirts. They are coming soon to MyLovelyYou Boutique. Check out her Etsy shop to order.

Another Sparkly Lovely Skirt handmade by me! Coming this Spring to my Etsy shop! Where would you rock this skirt? #lookbook #styleblogger #seamtress #lovelyyouboutique #ootd #sparkly #skirts #wiw #style

A photo posted by Natasha (@mylovelyyou) on Feb 18, 2015 at 9:39am PST

Chambray + Colorful Sequins = Ready for Spring! This Sparkly Lovely skirt is handmade by me, coming to my Etsy shop for Spring...super excited! #handmade #sequin #skirts #lovelyyouboutique #styleblogger #lifestyleblogger #lookbook #ootd #streetstyle #pretty #sparkly

A photo posted by Natasha (@mylovelyyou) on Feb 17, 2015 at 1:33pm PST

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Teach Your Monster to Read
You probably know that I'm a computer teacher and like most of the eastern side of the country right now, we've been out of school. Josh has spent a lot of time playing Teach Your Monster to Read and it's by the Usborne Foundation so you know it's gotta be good, right? He sits a few feet away from me and needs virtually no help to figure it out. He advances from skill to skill and he laughs out loud along the way. It's completely free and you can print parent reports to see your child's progress.  If you have a little guys learning to read, I think you should take a look at this site. (And no, they didn't pay me to say this.)

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Coffee With A Story
Chick-fil-a's new coffee is scrumptious! Throughout February, nationwide you can get free coffee all day at your local CFA. My favorite is the Vanilla Iced Coffee, but it's really sweet so if you don't like coffee with your sugar I suggest you try the original. But do try it. YUM!

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What are you loving lately? Leave me some love in the comments.

links i love

Winstagr.am
This site compiles all the photos on Instagram that are tagged with the hashtag wsnc. So cool! Locals should definitely check out the gorgeous photos taken in our City of the Arts.

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Eagerly awaiting this completed development.

source

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It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Fleet Feet Sports. I started my first training program there in January 2012 and it has changed my life. I have continued training with Fleet Feet for three years and I've made more successful changes as a result of my affiliation with this store than anything else. Plus, the friendships I've made and the confidence I've gained from becoming a runner are pretty amazing. I never would have thought I could do the things I've done with Fleet Feet.

If you're curious about running a 5K or some other distance, I want to encourage you to check out the training programs offered by Fleet Feet. Now through February 13th you can use this coupon to take $20 off any winter training program. The support and accountability that group fitness provides cannot be matched.

links i love

Santa 'N' Winston is a Secret Santa that buys gift certificates to local stores and hides them around town for people in the Dash to find. Local peeps, you can follow him on his Facebook page and join in the fun. Thanks for spreading Christmas cheer, Santa!

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Things are Looking Up
I recently shared with my coworkers that I struggle with a bit of on and off again depression and anxiety and ever since then five other people have approached me sharing their similar personal stories. It's such a taboo topic and people don't really talk about it publicly. Even I regretted saying it once it came out of my mouth, but I'm starting to think a little differently now. I want to share this link of the current sermon series at my church. These have been some of the best messages I've heard in a while and I encourage you to check them out. Really good stuff, folks!

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Candy Cane Oreo Pie?
Yes, please.

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I'm not a DIYer but I have dreams of becoming one. (Standard response to myself: After the marathon.) At any rate, Beckie created the cutest hallway cart and you can find out how here. Seriously, very cute.

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Thuy's Berry Basket series is one of the most creative gift wrapping ideas I've seen this year. Get five gift ideas wrapped in a simple and adorable berry basket here.

What are you loving lately?

Also, I still need book recommendations and giveaway entries here.

things i love

I Like the Way You Work It T-shirt

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The Summit Church Lip Sync Battle
This is my pastor, y'all!



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My Ivory Kate Wire Wrap Headbands
I look like Rosie the Riveter when I wear them but I still adore them. Great way to jazz up an outfit.

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The little bow tie I got for Josh from Little Mr.
It buttons on his shirt and doesn't go around his neck and it's so stinkin' cute. He was excited about wearing it for school picture day and he just beams when you tell him he's handsome.

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My niece dancing
I don't know if the video is short enough to load but if it is then please ignore my horrible singing




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Salted Caramel Gu
I've finally gotten my stomach to adjust to taking gels and Gu on long runs and my favorite flavor by far has become the Salted Caramel Gu Energy Gel. I like it so much that I bought a case on Amazon. It's like dessert and running at the same time. My favorites! Yum!

What are you loving today? Let me know in the comments.

goodbye, august

August, by the numbers:

1 book read
4 books started
5.5 pounds lost
94 degrees forecast for tomorrow
2 races on the calendar
121.3 miles run
1 pint of blood donated
3 cars test-driven
5 days of school completed
6 billion sighs over sleeping babies

around the www

If you have a Harris Teeter in your area I highly recommend checking to see if they offer the Express Lane service. I've been using this service off and on for about a year now and I absolutely love it. I recently paid the $99 fee to do unlimited shopping there for the next year. Let me just tell you how convenient it is to do your grocery shopping on your lunch hour without going anywhere. You just go to their website and either browse the weekly ad clicking the objects you want to purchase or you just type in the name of an item you want to buy and add it to your cart. Then when you get to the store you pull up  to the designated parking space and they bring it right to your car.  I cannot say enough about how easy this is for working mamas.

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If you have a minute please go here to vote for several of my sister's family members to win an arts grant in our city.  There's no need to register, you just check a box and click vote and you can vote for up to three. Please select Frackadelic Studios, NC Brass Band, and Spring Theater. Thanks!

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Julianna and I were featured on the Reynolda House Blog. Take a look!

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Lots of new training programs are starting up at Fleet Feet. I've had great success changing my lifestyle with thanks all to these programs. When I first heard about these classes I seriously thought it was ridiculous that people would pay someone to lead them in a running group and then drive all the way there to do it when you can run anywhere for free.  I can attest to the fact that these programs are so much more than that.  If you're local you should consider joining a group exercise program that will help you stay active, make plenty of new friends, and provide information and support along the way.

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Don't forget to enter my #grilledlove giveaway before Friday! Leave a comment on this post by Friday to enter.