sweet summer

Fourth of July festivities on rooftop of a building on Constitution Ave.

I'm not getting pedis anymore. I'm dancing too much for it to make sense.

Pretty red nails that matched my swimsuit and you get a crotch picture. sorry.

Pool days. Love this girl. She's off to Quebec, San Diego, London, then Spain. Just a little jealous. 

I went with my friend, Andrea, to Bethany/Rohobeth for 3 days. 

Yoga with a random kid. 

Beautiful sunset view at dinner. 

Dinner at Serendipity in Georgetown with my friend Ashlee

In July, I spent a lot of time applying for jobs, hanging out at Northside Social (where I was also applying for jobs), and at the pool. It was so fun to have the time off. And now I'm totally consumed with my 200 hr. yoga certification. I'm really enjoying it, but I am so exhausted. I leave the house at 7 am and normally don't get home until 9 pm. This week will be better though -- I'm in the groove now and know what to expect. I know that doing anything at night is not a possibility so I can stop trying to fit evening stuff in. I also am going to stay at my parents so I have a shorter commute (my training is in Reston and Great Falls). They are out of town too. I also have been to Lucy once this week and to LuluLemon once this week. I think I'm now fully outfitted for this training. I didn't realize I was lacking yoga attire, but when you need two outfits a day since you sweat so much, it's necessary.

Weekend

It was a good one.

Went to the mall Friday with a coworker and went to Sephora, Nordstrom, and LuluLemon -- all favorite stores. We didn't make it to TJ Maxx though. Next week. Then, went to Lebanese Taverna - delicious (maybe the best hummus of anywhere) and then to see The Washington Ballet do Le Corsaire at the Kennedy Center. And I didn't buy a ticket since one of my students was in it.

Saturday went to a yoga class and it was amazing. I can't say enough how in love I am with yoga. Best workout ever. Went to a good friend's bridal shower in the afternoon and then tutored. It was a busy day, so I stayed in and watched Friday Night Lights in the evening. Love that show.

Sunday, I roller bladed in the morning (roller blading is an awesome workout and you should do it) from my house along the Potomac, down to the Lincoln and then back. Went to church, which was awesome and single. And then had dinner with my cute family.

And today was kind of hell. Didn't get to sleep early enough. Found out at 6 am my coworker wasn't coming in, so the day was busier than normal and without a coworker to keep you sane. Was asked to sub for two dance classes at Arlington Center for Dance last minute, but it was kind of an audition/interview for me to see whether I'll teach there. I didn't have any time to prepare so I really was just winging the class and of course wasn't familiar with the music. It was stressful, but I think the director, who watched both classes felt good about it. I had to rush leaving school, so I taught from 4:30-6:30 but stayed around for a long time after talking to the director and other teachers. Am home now and am exhausted. How is it already 9:30? Where did this day go?

Am getting really ready for the school year to end. SO need a vacation. I don't know where I'll go and who with, but it needs to happen. June 10th can't come soon enough. Maybe I can be at my parent's lake house all of June. That would be heavenly. And I want to have friends up. Am remembering the Deep Creek summers as a child and wish my life could've stood still during those summers.

The Hamptons

My President's Day weekend in the Hamptons could not have been any more lovely and relaxing. I took the bus up to NYC Friday after work and got into the city around 10:30. I had a much needed long night's sleep at Kate's place. She got up a little earlier than I to do a long run as she is preparing for a race. I headed out on my own a bit later and headed up and west crossing over to the lower west side of the park and then cutting through and ended up doing about 5 miles. At noon Carrie picked us up in the SUV and we headed to the Hamptons stopping in Queens to pick up Erin and Liz. 

The whole weekend was wonderful. The house we stayed in was beautiful (Carrie's employers were generous and let us stay). We each stayed in our own room with bath. And we each took over responsibility for a meal. Saturday night we went out for dinner at a nearby place. It was delicious -- I feel like the food in NY just tastes better. We headed to the grocery store that evening as well. Sunday, Carrie made an amazing breakfast for us, while I taught a yoga class for the others. After breakfast we got ready quickly and started out on the one hour drive to church. It was a far from memorable meeting, but it was good we went. Returning from church, Liz made an absolutely delicious frittata combining all my favorite things -- protein (eggs), cheese, green stuff (spinach), and red stuff (tomatoes) (I like my food to be colorful and have lots of the food groups). Sunday afternoon we relaxed and read and then went on a drive through the different areas of the Hamptons and down to the beach. Oh, and don't worry - we were one street over from Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa)'s home. It took us a long time to be hungry Sunday evening. I'm not used to three big meals in a day. We ate a really late dinner. Monday we woke up to snow! A LOT of snow! I worked out in the gym (yes, there was a gym) before we washed and ironed sheets and headed back to the city. We weren't there for very long, but it kind of felt like we were. It was just so nice to get out of the city and eat and relax. The conversation was so excellent too. Wonderful girls. It was great to get to know them. 

Kate in one of the little girl rooms. 

Me in the room I stayed in. 

Carrie's room

Kate posing in Carrie's room

Erin getting toasty by the fire.

Liz right before we began breakfast of pumpkin pecan pancakes.

The beautiful kitchen.

Frittata!

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/greek-frittata-10000001613225/?xid=dailyrecnews

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Serves 4| Hands-On Time: 10m | Total Time: 40m

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 10 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 5-ounce bag baby spinach
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
• 4 scallions (white and green parts), thinly sliced
• 8 ounces feta, crumbled

Directions

1. Heat toaster oven to 350° F.
2. Add the oil to a 2-quart casserole and transfer to oven for 5 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk together the eggs, salt, and pepper. Add the spinach, tomatoes, and scallions and combine. Gently stir in the feta.
4. Remove casserole from oven. Pour the egg mixture into casserole. Bake until the frittata is browned around the edges and slightly puffed and a knife comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.

By Frank Mentesana,  September 2006

See Nutritional Information for this recipe »

Nutritional Information

• Per Serving
• Calories 461Calories From Fat 68%

• Fat  35g
• Sat Fat  4g
• Cholesterol  579mg
• Sodium  1,868mg
• Carbohydrate  8g
• Fiber  2g
• Sugar  5g
• Protein  26g

What does this mean? See Nutrition 101.

And the Ocean!

Dinner late Sunday -- amazing salad, green beans with almonds, pork, mashed potatoes, and amazing rolls. 

A last view of the beautiful room. 

February

I know I gained some weight in February. Because

1. I ordered myself a box of these:

No one else buys me chocolate. I deserve it. My favorite is the "nuts and chews" box. I'm pretty much convinced See's is the best chocolate in the world. We used to get a box for every person in my family from my great aunt and uncle every Christmas. They'd ship it to us from Cali. They've passed away and I like to remember them in this way.

and

2. Girl Scout Cookie Month. I only buy two boxes - one Thin Mint, one Samoas. It's a yearly tradition I want to uphold.

It was a good month.

Friday Night Lights

I am loving Friday Night Lights right now. I'm kind of addicted. Maybe that's not good. But I love sports and I love all the relationships. And there are just the cutest football players ever -- even if they are in high school.

So, Tim Riggins (see below -- beautiful) goes in to kiss his 30-year-old neighbor after chumming up with her 8-year-old son, and she stops him saying "You're just a kid." He apologizes, saying he's sorry and that he must have misread the situation. And the next day she's waiting for him as he pulls up. She grabs his hand and says "Bo (her son) can never know." So, they hook up. 

Was the only thing holding her back before the fact that she has a son? She was worried about wrecking their relationship? How many 30-year-old women are hooking up with high-school age kids. Seriously if they look like Tim Riggins I might be tempted. Oh boy. 

Bad boy, Tim Riggins:

Matt Saracen (the team's QB) is just about the most adorable thing ever. Could definitely make out with those lips. 

Talbots

I used to think of talbots as a mom store. But it totally isn't any more! It's darling! I think they've totally changed their target, but unfortunately they've also bumped up their price point. I'm loving the double pocket grace fit jacket below.

However, they do have things that go on super sale. I bought three sweaters the other day and spent less than $60. Two of them were less than $20! One I bought is the one below. So cute?

My mom told me 3 things before I went on a date.

keep these in mind girls...

1. Be on time. 


2. Touch him/hold his hand at some point in the night. 


3. Don't wear a scarf around your neck. 


My mom knows what's important.