You all know me by now, and to say I spend 90% of my life in workout clothes could actually be an understatement. So I love any chance I have to get dressed up and put makeup on!

So it was a no brainer when Canopi contacted me to attend an event, hosted by Elle Magazine and Wella Hair Professionals.

(from Charles Scott’s Facebook page)

The event was held at Charles Scott in Rocky River, where I’ve actually had my hair and nails done before. However, it was much different from what I remember.

The place had been remodeled and there was a DJ, professional photographer, cocktails (champs!), appetizers, and complimentary hair styling, makeup, and nails!

(me and Suzanne)

I didn’t waste any time picking up a cocktail and sitting down to get my hair done.

I’m a sucker for pampering.

Plus, I ran into a lot of my favorite Cleveland bloggers so that in itself made it a good night!

Bloggers chatting, drinking, and waiting to get their nails done. We’re definitely a chatty group.

The only issue I had with that night was trying to sleep without messing up my waterfall braid!

I didn’t get much sleep that night because I kept waking up trying to make sure I wasn’t moving around too much. Hehe. I’m ridiculous, I know this.

Do you get your nails done, do you do them yourself, or are you a bare nails type of girl?? I live for shellac, but right now I’m doing them myself!

Man, I don’t know how Alicia does it all, but she puts on one hell of a party.

Both the food and drinks were spot on Wednesday night.

I immediately went for the drinks and Jay, obviously, went for the food. I wish I had a picture of him, you guys. He was on a MISSION. A mission to eat all.the.food.

Which he definitely did.

All those check marks?? Yeah, he tried all of those. 29 out of 40. TWENTY-NINE. And the only reason he didn’t try all 40 is because it was food he had had already (Angelo’s pizza, Aladdin’s hummus, etc).

Jay’s two favorites were Deagan’s and L’Albatros (with Jammy Buggars giving them a run for their money!).

Mine? Deagan’s (omg, the chicken paprikash was to die for!) and Blue Canyon (s’mores, yum!). But I mostly dominated the cocktails. It was that kind of night.

And, best of all, we got to support The Arthritis Foundation and all our favorite local restaurants in one night. A win-win!

Plus, a lot of our favorite people were there, too, so it was a complete trifecta!

It’s sad that our favorite event of the year is over already, but we’ll be back for more next year. That’s a promise!

Do you have a favorite dish from a local restaurant where you live?

This is it. It’s Cleveland Marathon week! 

You’ve probably read all about and prepared for fueling, water stops, what to wear, how much to carb-load, etc.

But have you thought about what you want your EXPERIENCE to be like?

We all have different goals. Some want to PR, some want to “just finish”, and some are out to pace others. But, no matter what, PLEASE don’t forget to HAVE FUN!

This could quite possibly be a day you remember forever.

So remember to:

• smile for the photographers
• high five the kids cheering you on
• thank the volunteers
• give your friends and family a hug/kiss/thumbs up when you see them

And respect the marathon. Respect the distance. Don’t try to beat it, because it WILL beat you if you let it. Follow your plan, roll with what mother nature offers on Sunday, and take it all in. Again, it could quite possibly be a day you remember forever (can you tell how much I cherish my Cleveland Marathon memories?? ).

To everyone running on Sunday – go get it, and make some kick ass memories!

Are you racing this weekend???

Through Fitfluential, I’m excited to be part Under Armour’s What’s Beautiful Campaign. I wish I would have thought of this idea myself because it’s genius: to redefine the female athlete by encouraging women to set big goals, team up, and go after them in a big way.

(source)

My goal: To be a strong mom and good example for C. To show him it’s cool to have a mom who can do pull-ups! #IWILL

It may be pretty generic, but I think everyone’s definition of beautiful is different. I don’t necessarily believe I would be a failure if I didn’t complete 20 pull-ups. So I’m leaving this open so I can challenge myself along the way – see what I CAN do!

You can join my team, or another team, or set your own personal goal. Then go get it. There are amazing prizes being offered!

Check out this video to learn more about the campaign – it’s pretty inspiring! And then follow the hashtags #whatsbeautiful and #IWILL.

And tell me: What’s YOUR Beautiful?

Oh, and the winner of the Silver Spoon Awards Party tickets is……………..Mike T!! Congrats! Mike, email me your contact information by Friday at 5:00 so I can pass along your info to the powers that be.

I’ve been eyeing these Kate Spade earrings for months and just haven’t pulled the trigger. Same with the Sperry hat. I tried it on in the store and haven’t stopped thinking about it since!

But what I REALLY want this Sunday is a nice, peaceful, stress-free, relaxing day with my two favorite boys.

Life has thrown me some major curve balls the past 2 weeks and I just need a day. A day to unwind. A day to feel like me again.

BUT, if the boys are looking for ideas for presents, any of the above will do.

What are you wishing for at the moment??

Let’s be honest. You never know what the weather is going to be like on Cleveland Marathon day.

I got lucky in 2010 and had the PERFECT WEATHER. It was 55-60 degrees and sunny and just crazy perfect.

But in 2011 it was windy and rainy and cold, and in 2012 it was 80 degrees+. This place loves to keep up on our toes.

You always have to be prepared if you’re a Cleveland runner.

Cold weather tips:

1. Dress in layers: The key is to stay warm at the start. You can remove layers as you warm up.
2. Wear gloves: You can get throw away gloves for less than $3.00 at Target!
3. Wear a hat: Keep your head covered to retain as much heat as possible.
4. NO COTTON SOCKS

Warm/Hot weather tips:

1. Dress lightly: Wear light-colored, breathable fabrics. Moisture wicking is a MUST.
2. Use sunscreen: Be sure to apply all over as your clothes will most likely move while you’re running.
3. Wear sunglasses: This could help prevent a headache from the constant squinting.
4. Wear a headband or visor, especially if you’re a heavy sweater: I never run without a headband to help soak up the sweat!
5. NO COTTON SOCKS

If you ever have any questions on what to wear, check out Runner’s World’s What to Wear tool. You can input the temperature and weather conditions and it will tell you what to wear. I use the site all the time!

What’s your best tip for cold weather running? Hot weather running?

p.s. You can still enter to win tickets to this year’s Silver Spoon Awards Party. Don’t forget you can tweet once a day until this Friday!

Get excited, kids. It’s time for this year’s Cleveland Magazine Silver Spoon Awards Party!!!

J and I couldn’t be more excited – this will be our fourth year attending – it’s our favorite party of the year!

(source)

The main reason J and I love this event so much is ALL.THE.FOOD.

Here is just a few of what is being offered:

• BonBon Pastry & Cafe: Spice sponge cake with toasted meringue & lavender (omg, seriously?)
• Blue Point Grille: Blue point oysters
• Deagan’s Kitchen (our fave!!!): Chicken paprikash
• Market Garden Brewery: Chorizo potato cheddar pierogi with beer cheese sauce, creme fraiche
• Mama Roberto’s: Cannoli
• The Root Cafe: Ginger & cinnamon sweet potato collard wrap

And much, much, much more! More food than you can ever imagine. More food than you can imagine in your belly. But still manage to put in your belly.

Be sure to wear your stretchy pants that night, kids. (I’m not kidding)

Here are the deets:

• Wednesday, May 15th from 6-9pm
• Intercontinental Hotel on Carnegie Ave.
• Proceeds benefit the local Arthritis Foundation programs in Northeastern Ohio

General admission tickets are $85 and VIP tickets are $135 – which can be purchased online.

OR, you can win a pair of general admission tickets RIGHT HERE!!

Three way to enter:

1. Leave a comment telling me which of the foods I listed above you’ll try FIRST.
2. Follow me, @SilverSpoonCLE, and @ClevelandMag on twitter. And leave me a comment saying so.
3. Tweet “I want to win tickets to eat more food than @heatha262 & @jamursch at @SilverSpoonCLE http://tinyurl.com/bvsxsaj“. And leave me a comment telling me you tweeted. You can tweet once a day until this Thursday, May 9th at 5pm.

I’ll announce the winner on Friday – good luck and hope to see you there!!!

J and I were provided a free pair of tickets to this event, as well as the giveaway tickets – but I stand by this event 100% – it’s the most delicious food in CLE and supports an amazing organization!

I can’t wait to recap the Tough Mudder, but I want to wait until I have the photos. You can check out my friend, Mallory’s, recap here, though. Her pictures are fantastic!

A few weeks ago Designer Whey sent me a little goodie basket to try out.

I didn’t waste any time digging into the Peanut Butter Crunch Protein Bar – and it was seriously delicious. The chocolate caramel crunch was just ok, but the peanut butter was the jam! But what I really wanted to do was try a recipe with the protein powder(s). J and I are always looking for something quick to grab before heading to Crossfit and, after 2 miserable failures (seriously, the cookies I made ended up as dog treats!), I finally hit the jackpot.

Homemade protein granola bars!

I based the recipe off this one from the Designer Whey website, but I substituted ground flax for the wheat germ and only used half the oil and honey the recipe called for. I also added raisins for some extra chewiness, which was a great idea. I made them this afternoon and they’re already half gone!

C also loves the Lemonade Protein 2 Go packs. He drinks them before and during his soccer games/practices, and even when we’re just hanging out!

Thumbs up, Designer Whey!

Do you use protein powder? What brand is your favorite?

Due to being a Fitfluential ambassador, I was provided this sample pack from Designer Whey free of charge in exchange for my review.  As always, all opinions are my own.

I was so excited to post about my second amazing Marathon Monday, but that was immediately thrown to the wayside when explosions occurred about 4 hours into today’s race.

(source)

I’m happy to say that my friends who were at the race are safe and ok, but it saddens me to no extent that there are people in our world who deliberately plan to ruin other’s happiness.

Live coverage from the Boston Marathon finish line.

I was thinking today about how I don’t think of myself like others think of me.

Meaning, I think there’s this perception of me that my life revolves around working out.

Of course, exercise is a HUGE part of my life – I couldn’t live without it. But it’s not my WHOLE life.

I also think people think I’m super strong and have tons of will power. When both are SO far from the truth. I guess maybe I’m decently strong, but I have little to no will power. Like none. For real. It’s why I still can’t fit into my favorite jean shorts!

And as much as I find these things flattering, I tend think of myself as:

• a slow runner (which I’m ok with!)
• still pretty weak considering how often I go to Crossfit
• having absolutely no will power
• being way too critical of myself
• a good mom, wife, and friend

I am so supportive of my friends and always see the best in them – I wonder why I don’t always see it in myself. I can’t wait until I think of myself as STRONG. That’s my #1 goal. To confidently believe that about myself.

How do you think of yourself? Are you confident? Or do you tend to be your own worst critic like me??