Creature of habit

I'm a very routine person. I run the same routes over and over. I eat the same meals for months at a time. I go to the mall and shop at the three same stores. I'm habitual. And while I'm certainly not opposed to change, I find great comfort in a daily routine.

This winter, I made an effort to mix up my fitness regimen. I tried to integrate more than just running into the schedule and it definitely has had a positive effect on me. Not only do I feel fitter, but I look forward to my runs more.

With such a positive impact, I decided I need to think outside the box more regularly. The first step has been in my wardrobe. I recently found two amazing shirts in unexpected places.

The first is this Mossimo blouse that Jordan found at Target. While it's clearly not super creative to shop at Target, I generally look for more casual/comfortable clothing there. I was excited to find this shirt on sale for $14.95. It acts as an alternative to those J.Crew blouses that are very much a habit, and much more expensive. See the shirt in action on Easter.

The second is the Origami ruffled sleeveless striped shirt from Talbots. Considering the last time I went to Talbots was in elementary school and I needed to find white gloves for cotillion, I was skeptical. However, I found it in a magazine and couldn't resist the nautical feel. It's really cute tucked into a skirt, and definitely worth the journey into the terra incognita of Talbots.

!

People - especially girls - have a tendency to overuse the exclamation point. And while I certainly get a little carried away in text messages and emails because I worry my emotions will be lost in translation, it's a pet peeve of mine when they're overused elsewhere.

The exclamation point is unnecessary in professional writing because sufficient description does the job more effectively. If you want me to be excited about something, make me excited with your words. Tell me how amazing the XXX will be, or how beautiful the XXX is, or why this XXX is the best. And through your amazing description, I too, will be excited.

However, my recent discovery of Emersonmade made me rethink my distaste. Instead of having The Big Poppy section, they have The Big Poppy! That exclamation point made me so excited about their big poppy. How big is it? How bright is it? Does it smell good too?

And aren't The Littler Roses! just so adorable? And don't you just want to put flowers in your hair!? I want to click on everything (!!).

Easter at Horseguard Close

When it comes to Easter, there's something we can always count on: Sam is so bad at finding the eggs.

He claims that he just doesn't care and is fooling us into doing all the work (Huck Finn?), since my mom will inevitably have us divide the eggs evenly. I'm not so sure I'm convinced though.

Yesterday, in lieu of an egg hunt, we had a basket hunt. We were each responsible for finding one basket. Then, we had to bring it back and we'd each open the one that was ours. Of course, Duke and I found baskets the immediately (it may sound cocky, but it’s a fact after 23 years).

Because Sam was struggling, I decided to help him. After about 10 minutes of hunting, Duke admitted that he had found the third basket right away and decided to hide it in the trash can.

This basket happened to be mine (which Duke knew!). So, my precious gifts from the bunny spent a good portion of the morning among the trash...luckily, I don't think any of the candy was damaged.

Between the hunting, the candy, and Duke's prank, I certainly felt like a kid yesterday. It makes me happy to know no matter how old we get, some things will never change. So even though it was our first holiday in a new house, with new hiding spots for the Easter bunny, it felt like home from the start.

Of course, it would have been much better with Court and Ash (+ families) home too. But, I think Lily might have given us some competition for the baskets. Then Sam really wouldn't have stood a chance.

la-paz-itively-hot

At 80 and sunny, I think I can officially say it's spring in Indiana. Tulips are popping, our house is dancing with sunlight, and I drove to work with my windows down (and sandals on!).

This weekend will be marked by margaritas for Kelsey's birthday, free concerts downtown for the Final Four, runs with Duke and Sam, and nights out in dresses and no tights.

Sara and I decided to kick off the lovely spring weekend with manicures and sushi last night. Although I can safely say Sara can paint my nails much better than the ladies of the $15 mani, there's something so indulgent about getting it done. We both felt a little sunkissed from an afternoon outside and as we sat in the salon catching up, it took us back to the sweet days of summer.

Much to our surprise, the sushi restaurant was also offering BOGO martinis. Another opportunity to indulge?

After one each, we were debating round two when a creepy sir sat down at our table. Needless to say, after 20 minutes of him swearing that his friend used to be the "number one shooting coach in the NBA", we were ready for round two. Ultimately, he decided he couldn't trust us, because "his mom always told him not to believe a girl with pink nails." Who knew that little mani-indulgence would lead to such great luck?

Happy spring weekend :)