Eastern Market DC.... FINALLY

Marathon Training Update (because I haven't said anything about it lately and I can't go too long without doing so :D):

Last week was a light week; my scheduled runs were 4-4-8. I ended up doing a 4 and a 8.5. I was short 4 miles but no sweat... I technically was only short about a mile. I set out to run on Thursday and ended up walking all the way home (about 3 miles). I just wasn't in the mood apparently but Alicia always reminds me "miles are miles". I do a good amount of walking anyway throughout the week.

At any rate, since I was off on Friday, I did my long run that morning which meant I was free the rest of the weekend! THAT, my friends, was awesome! I usually have to keep it together on Fridays so that I can wake up early on Saturday mornings and knock out my long run.

This Saturday morning, I lazied around in my bed until my good friends, Brittney and Jana (of The Jane Tales), invited me to hang out at Eastern Market! I exploded into produce and knick-knacks and culture because I have been wanting to go there for a couple years now. It's quite ridiculous that I hadn't been because 1) I'm from the area and 2) I currently live all of 10 minutes from the market.

At any rate, I went there with the intention of buying an amazing necklace for this Lilly Pulitzer dress that needs to be worn before the end of the season (which is basically tomorrow ::weeps uncontrollably:: I heart summer). Well, that didn't happen, not because I didn't see any necklaces but because I saw these pants that took my soul!

I basically died and went to Harem Heaven! 

 Yes, Brittany and I both snagged a pair and were so enamored that we changed right there in the parking lot. Best decision eveeeeeer! ::hi fives Brittany:: Our market adventure took off from there! 

As the euphoria of these great pants and Jana snagging an awesome vintage piece herself (that I covet and is not pictured but check her blog, I'm sure it will be debuted shortly) settled in, we headed to the indoor produce/meat/fish area of the market. Absolutely, amazing! 

EllE FACT: I love produce! It's basically all I buy when I go grocery shopping! My cart and budget are usually full by the time I leave the produce section and I'm fine with it. 

So, one can understand why I was in heaven. Everything was so fresh and beautiful! These grapes Brittany got are a small testament to all the tasty, fresh, natural goodness that filled this place! Cheeses, Olives, Flowers, Fish, Seafood, Pastries, Meats, Teas, Fruits, Veggies! I need to remember to skip the grocery store and head to the market next time. 

Great afternoon at the market with friends and my harems will be a staple for these last few weeks of summer! 

Do you have a wardrobe piece you want to wear everywhere?

Do you do your produce shopping at farmer's markets, etc? 

From "The EllE Epoque"

I wrote this piece a couple years ago during a very dark time in my life and a time when I realized I had to stop scrapping things or doubting myself because one thing didn't go my way. I titled it after a Lupe Fiasco song that inspires me that "even if they cut the lights out" (aka things do not go my way) the show goes on. The message to myself in this is still relevant to me each and every day of my life. Several people have suggested I get this printed and mounted somewhere in my home. Hopefully I remember to do that one day.

 "The Show Goes On"

Something went wrong.

Something did not go as planned.

Something happened unexpectedly.

Something did not happen at all.

Something happened too little.

Something happened too much.

Only ONE something is the variable.

However, it seems it was connected to everything.

Now what?

Knock everything down.

Empty everything out.

Cut everything off.

Turn everything upside down.

Forget about everything.

All bets are off.

Nothing makes sense.

Nothing is good enough.

Nothing works.

Nothing is right.

Nothing is wrong.

Nothing will do.

Enough is enough.

Maintain as much as you can.

Love as much as you can.

Live as much as you can.

Dream as much as you can.

Pray as much as you can.

Smiles as much as you can.

Do as much as you can.

Try as much as you can.

Brow Envy, get behind me!

I've been walking around thinking people had these magical unicorn-esque eyebrows that I sadly could not attain. Brow envy at it's finest. ::weeps uncontrollably::

I never, for once, thought "Oh, they probably use a brow pencil" because honestly when I think "brow pencil" I think of tacky people (IMO) with a line for brows. You can understand why I'd want no parts of that can't you?

 ::cringes::

Anyway, I was cruising through my favorite blogs and Krystal of The Feisty House had just posted about her daily make-up essentials and routine. She mentioned using the Wet n Wild brow pencil. Krystal assured her readers that despite it's low price point, this pencil did the trick perfectly.

Welp... that was my take home point! I decided I would add it to my daily make-up routine also.

A quick trip to CVS and exquisite brows were born

::shrieks:: 

I felt so complete and finished. Like I had the magical qualities the other ladies I've envied admired possessed.

Here are all my daily make-up essentials plus my new bestie: the brow pencil!

Tweezers to perfect my brows, toothbrush to brush them, brow pencil to make them magical.

Ambi facial moisturizer with SPF 15 (only 5 BUCKS!)

Nars "Taj" Blush

Nars "Laguna" Illuminator

I heart Sonya Kashuk make-up brushes (available at Target)

Random RIMMEL mascara 

I won't ever have an emergency again that drives me to purchase their mascara. I go back and forth between lux mascara and OTC mascara. My favorite lux mascara is MAC "Opulash" and when I'm doing OTC I usually go with Maybelline (which ever one interests me at the time).

Fun make-up fact about me:

If I was banished to a desolate island and could only take one beauty/make-up item I would take mascara. I do not leave the house without it. I used to be torn between mascara or lip balm but then I realized there are plenty of natural moisturizers so I'm totally packing my mascara!

What is your make-up routine? Do you have a "can't leave home without it" product?

Marathon (26.2 miles) Training

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayddddddddddddaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

I must say that I have seen so much growth in myself through my running. It's been 3 years, 4 half marathons (13.1 miles), and I have 2 halfs and my very first full on my calendar in the next 7 months.

I run half marathon training schedules on a regular basis so I thought I could approach my marathon with the same ease of mind: a couple short runs and fit club during the week and long runs on the weekend (adding miles each week, etc).

SMH.

No.

I had a major panic attack about not making it to the appropriate miles at the appropriate times. I had to break out the tried and true method: write it down.

These 5 precious pages are my guidelines on the road to finishing 26.2 miles on November 16 at the Anthem Richmond Marathon. It was definitely helpful to visually map it all out and see that I will be just fine!

I, also, picked up some other new running accessories

I have a very low tolerance for distractions and discomfort during my runs. It really really throws me off my game. I like to get into my zone and stay there until I have completed my mile goal but with things like sweaty earbuds sliding out of my ears, my hands cramping from holding a water bottle, adjusting waste pack, fatigue, and thirst happening... that is nearly impossible... or at least it feels that way.

So, I picked up a new pair of sweatproof earbuds. They really work! :) No matter how insanely sweaty I get!

For energy, I am testing out the GU Roctane and Clif Shot Blocks. I normally run races with GU Chocolate, but I decided I might need something that packs more punch for my 26.2 miles. I haven't tried the Roctane yet. I did try the Clif Shot Blocks! NOM NOM NOM! oh... and they did give me the energy boost I needed to knock out my 7 miles. This Saturday I am going to go for 9 miles and I will take some Roctane with me. Stay tuned because I am nervous about the flavor options. I really like the chocolate GU versus all the funny fruit flavors that didn't make me feel good. GU Roctane sadly only comes in funny fruity combinations.

Since the start of my running career, I have strongly been opposed to running with anything on my back, including a shirt, when I can get away with not wearing one. So the thought of wearing a backpack is DOA. However, as time as gone on, I do not like wearing a hydration belt or carrying the handheld bottle. I just want to run free and "naked"! Also, in the past if I hydrated properly beforehand, I didn't really get thirsty during my runs... no matter the length, so I just stopped carrying hydration all together. During races I would stop for gatorade or water maybe 2 or 3 times. Recently, though, I have become very thirsty, very early in my runs. No Bueno. It was to the point that I would just quit running because I was uncomfy.

::enters idea of hydration pack::

I did some research and trial "runs" (went to running store and ran on treadmill with hydration pack). I realized that the pack experience wasn't as aggravating as I imagined. And now, that I have acquired the above pack and been on a few runs, I am so happy I gave the pack a try! It has saved my sweaty, parched, running life!! :)

What are your fuel and hydration tricks?

Keen-Wooooooooooooooh Success

I realized I am halfway through the year and I should probably review my "30 before 30" list in order to access my progress. Honestly, I was concerned that I had totally forgotten the 30 things I am supposed to be conquering. However, I discovered that I have succeeded in quite a few things on my list, I needed to edit other things, and tighten up on the rest. I was actually happy about where I stand at less than 6 months from my 30th Birthday.

One of the things I need to tighten up on is grocery shopping. I had a nice little routine going a few months ago and then I had a checking and a savings and well... my mission was deterred. Life happens. As much as I glitter, I'm not all gold. :) At any rate, last night after fit club (formerly or better known as "boot camp") I took myself to the grocery store. I picked up a few things last week during a Target run but I still needed some core ingredients.

I have learned that I do very well taking my goals in segments. That is actually how I entered into the "meatless" lifestyle. I decided to go vegetarian for a week and by the end of the week I felt so good that I decided to give it another week and the rest is history. Which brings us to this week, I told myself that I would challenge myself to go the entire week without spending money aka I will not fall victim to spending 10-15$ per day on lunch while Im at work (do not do that math... it will hurt).

Sidebar but totally relevant, I would like to make a huge edit in the minds of people that "know" me. The statement "elle doesn't/can't cook" is false. The correct statement is "elle doesn't go to the grocery store" but, when she does go to the grocery store that is less than 100 yards from her door, we get things like this:

Sauteed quinoa (Keen-Woh) (like rice) with spinach, onions, and tomatoes and over roasted paprika sweet potatoes with baked salmon.

I eventually mixed the quinoa into the wok with the spinach, tomato, and onion tossed with olive oil, sea salt, and pepper.

I tossed the sweet potatoes with EVOO, paprika, sea salt and pepper, and garlic before placing them in the oven at 450 for about 25 minutes.

                                                 

::waiting on the goodness::

 

If you are obsessed with plating like I am, then I sincererly apologize for not have a final picture of this goodness. I did this at 10 o'clock last night and packed some for lunch today. I can assure you it looks and taste as good as it sounds. (Yes, I am patting myself on the back)

The Doll in Brooklyn

I've always felt so country upon returning from a weekend in New York City because I'm usually exhausted and overwhelmed. The city really never sleeps and seems to be going a mile a minute at all times.

The thought of living there makes me tired and I've always detested the idea.

However, I spent this past weekend (two weekends ago, really) in Brooklyn (mostly in Fort Greene and Brooklyn Heights) and it took me about 5 hours to fall in love.

Brooklyn is still urban but minus all the pomp & circumstance of Manhattan. The awesome boutiques and shops. A wide variety of restaurants offering unique experiences. The street markets. The city is booming with culture and diversity. For me, Brooklyn is the essence of "city living".

My favorite dynamic of the weekend was that we hung out with locals which means we got a real life perspective of Brooklyn. When I was in Trinidad & Tobago a few years ago, I realized this is the best way to visit most places. In my opinion, this makes the experience so much more authentic and fulfilling.

Our first evening in Brooklyn was spent at this awesome restaurant located in Fort Greene called "Madiba", a South African dining experience paying homage to Nelson Mandela. The ambiance is inspired by shebeens, which are informal dining halls in South African townships. The idea is to relax, release, enjoy, and love in this place. And that we did!

Despite our hope for a happy hour, the unique experience captivated us. I ordered the "Tristan da Cunha lobster tail" (lobster tails over saffron rice in a mango and lemon butter sauce). Let me tell you!! That rice could have been the only thing on my plate. I will crave it forever.

I capped the meal off with a few laughs and a few authentic "dark n' stormy" cocktails. When I discovered that they carried Goslings rum and Goslings ginger beer, there was arguably no other cocktail to choose.

In a nutshell, I will probably crave that rice and this little Brooklyn "shebeen" forever. Can I vacation in Brooklyn every summer? Sounds like a few long weekends in Brooklyn are in order.

I Missed You, Too

It's been just over a month since my last post... while I do hate to let my readers down with such a lag in posting, I have to say that I am unapologetic because.............................................................

MAY WAS SO MUCH FREAKING FUN

 Every weekend and arguably every day was filled with mostly lots of fun.

Birthdays, Balls, Graduations, Concerts, & Weddings (I caught he bouquet for the first time)!

So, in short, I'd like to raise my e-glass to May!

I will be back on the ball with more substantial post in the next few days. I just wanted to say hello!