Me from A to Z

A. Age: 25

B. Bed size: King.

C. Chore you dislike: I hate vacuuming, yuck!

D. Dogs: None, but I love them!

E. Essential start to your day: Scroll through my Blackberry while watching channel 5 news. (I do miss channel 6 in PA though!)

F. Favorite color: Pink.

G. Gold or silver: I really love gold right now. I just ordered this beauty and I can't wait for it to get here!

H. Height: 5'7"

I. Instruments you play(ed): I playing the flute for a minute in elementary school, I was not very good.

J. Job title: Purchasing Coordinator.

K. Kids: One day. 

L. Live: St. Louis, Missouri 

M. Mom’s name: Faye

N. Nicknames: Mandy, this is ONLY, ONLY used by my Grandmom Brian. 

O. Overnight hospital stays: None.

P. Pet peeves: Bad drivers...

Q. Quote from a movie: "Just shut up! Here - I wanna marry you because you're the first person I wanna look at when I wake up in the morning, and the only one I wanna kiss goodnight. Because the first time that I saw these hands, I couldn't imagine not being able to hold them. But mainly, when you love someone as much as I love you, getting married is the only thing left to do. So, will you, um, marry me?" (I cry EVERYTIME I watch Definitely Maybe.)

R. Righty or lefty: Righty!

S. Siblings: My little brother David and baby sister Caitlin. 

T. Time you wake up: 6am

U. Underwear: I have been loving the Lacie.

V. Vegetables you don’t like: Celery. I really wish I liked it though. 

W. What makes you run late: My hair, I have thick hair and it takes forever to dry. 

X. X-rays you’ve had: Nose, and teeth.

Y. Yummy food you make: I would like to think all of the food I make is yummy. R loves my lasagna. 

Z. Zoo animal favorites: Penguin


With Love, Amanda 

GO! St. Louis

It's here! This weekend is my second half marathon and it's time to see how my training has paid off. I have been training with Fleet Feet since January and I feel very prepared. All that is left to do is carb load! 

Wish me luck?

With Love, Amanda 

Things I'm Loving...

My new Phillies gear from Victoria's Secret, this is my go to weekend outfit.

Target Red

A perfect red lipstick from L'Oreal.

What have you been loving this week?

With Love, Amanda 

Ohh La La!

Have you joined Ruelala?

This site is like a daily sample sale. I have found great deals on everything from Steve Madden shoes, J Brand jeans and even Spanx! 

Do you have any favorite shopping sites?

With Love, Amanda 

I'm in Love...

with Bethenny Frankel. 

And what's not to love. She is beautiful.

I love her Style.

Bethenny: "Part of the reason we want to keep Gina is because it's a very unique household, and I would prefer not to be sued."

Seriously, she makes me laugh until I cry!

Do you have a favorite celebrity? 

With Love, Amanda 

The Countdown begins!

On April 10th I will be running the Go! St. Louis half marathon. I am so excited I don't have words. I began training with Fleet Feet's training team in January and it is amazing how far I have come (over 160 miles actually!). I love team training and I plan to continue to this program after the race. I am thankful for my amazing coach, wonderful team and the friends that I have made through this program.

With Love, Amanda

Castlewood State Park

We had heard great things about Castlewood State Park and it was beautiful.

It has been starting to feel more like spring so we took a long hike on Sunday and enjoyed every minute. 

Do you enjoy the outdoors?

With Love, Amanda 

Time for Dinner!

This weekend I went to Time for Dinner in Brentwood for the first time and it was a wonderful experience. Before your appointment you choose the meals that you would like to make on their website. When you arrive you are given instructions and a small tour and then you can get to work. I made 6 meals in about an hour and they were 6 servings each! The staff at Time for Dinner help you to label and wrap everything so that it is freezer ready with directions and nutritional information. I almost forgot the BEST part...NO CLEAN UP! All ingredients are laid our for you when you arrive and you leave all of the dishes at your station! Does it get any better?

Myself, Melissa and Eve at Time for Dinner! We plan on making this a monthly event!

Making Crab Rangoon Chicken, YUM!

My freezer full of meals.

Chicken Corn Chowder!

What is your favorite meal from the Time for Dinner menu?

With Love, Amanda 

Day 30 – A photograph of youself today + three good things that have happened in the past 30 days

Before my work dinner tonight. (No, I don't dress like this every Tuesday!)

1. My grandfather's health improved and is out of the hospital (without the pacemaker they thought he needed!)
2. Lisa gave birth to a handsome baby boy. Owen is now a big brother and I can't wait to go home and meet Brody Wilson!
3. I have improved my pace on my long runs and found wonderful running buddies in my running group.

It's been a very good month!

How have you been?

With Love, Amanda 

Day 29 – Something you could never get tired of doing.

COOKING! I never get tired of cooking. I love trying new things and taking classes. These are some yummy stuffed shells that I made the other day. I love cooking and of course tasting what I make! I am taking a cooking class next Saturday with some of my girl friends and I can't wait.


Do you like to cook?


With Love, Amanda 

Day 28 – Your favorite movie.

Definitely, Maybe

I love, love, love this movie. I laugh, I cry, seriously this IS better than Cats. Such a good movie.

What's your favorite movie?

With Love, Amanda 

Day 27 – A picture of you last year and now and how have you changed since then?

This is a picture of me from last Easter in our old house. In the last year I moved to a new state, changed jobs (changed industries), welcomed many new people in my life (new friends, beautiful new babies and new family members), ran my first half marathon, joined Junior League, started a blog and loved every minute of all of it. All of this has made me stronger, healthier and helped me to realize that there is always a plan. 

I am so blessed and thankful.

With Love, Amanda 

Day 26 – A photo of somewhere you’ve been to.

I just got back from a work trip to Natchitoches, LA. I really enjoyed my first trip down South. Even though I was called a Yankee once or twice. The weather was beautiful, the town is filled with history (Steel Magnolias was filmed there) and wonderful food. I even had my first sweet tea!


Have you been anyway fun lately? 


With Love, Amanda 

Day 25 – What’s in your purse?

 I love my purse it was a gift from my boyfriend for my 24th birthday. 

 Even though I try it alway ends up filled with junk. I am glad that today was what's in your purse so that I can clean it out for once!

So what is in my purse: various pens, a blue hi-lighter, my calculator (I work with numbers and I was on a work trip this week.), card holder from J. Crew, JL name tag, flash drive, wallet, gum, plane ticket, ipod, Luna bar (YUM!), my work ID, a brush, a notebook, my checkbook (I'm old school!), Cole Haan sunglasses, contact case (in pink!), mini Marc Jacobs wallet (from Kristi B!), my camera, and last but not least my make up bag. 

What's in your purse?

With Love, Amanda 

March Madness

Thank you to Brittney over at Running in High Heels for this wonderful idea. March Madness will allow us to reach our fitness goals together. 

This weeks topic: Introduce yourself and share your goals.

I started running about a year and a half ago, it took a while but I actually enjoy it now. That being said I love food and that is the hardest part for me to stick to when looking at my fitness goals. 

Goals:

• Limit alcohol to once a week. (Do I really need to go to happy hour, drink wine with dinner and go out for drinks and gossip on Saturday nights??)
• Write down everything that I eat and drink. (I signed up for my fitness pal but I seem to forget about it on Saturday and Sunday.)
• Finish my half marathon training strong. Go! St. Louis is on April 10th and I am going to beat my time from October!

Want to join in the fun? 

With Love, Amanda 

Day 24 – A photo of something that means a lot to you.

These beautiful earrings were given to me after my grandma Parker passed away. They are a special reminder of her.

With Love, Amanda 

Day 23 – 15 facts about you.

1. I never thought I would say it but I enjoy running, it clears my head and has brought new friends to my life.
2. Singing in my car with the sun roof open makes bad days better.
3. I am so blessed to have wonderful friends and family that I can count on at all times. 
4. I love to cook and bake but I hate doing dishes.
5. I CRAVE Sushi. When I order take out they typically give me two sets of chop sticks because I order so much!
6. I wear mascara everyday. I have a dozen or more tubes because I am always looking for the perfect one.
7. I read 6-7 magazines every month. 
8. My grandmother is my hero and I strive to be more like her. 
9. Lifetime movies suck me in.
10. I wear a dress almost everyday. 
11. James Patterson is my favorite author. I get excited when a new book comes out and I feel like I am part of Alex Cross's family. 
12. I am obsessed with my Garmin Forerunner 110, I have to download my run the second that I get home. 
13. I can't leave Whole Foods without a chocolate chip scone. 
14. I love going to the movies and of course getting popcorn. 
15. My dad taught me so much about cars, money, family and life. I find more and more that I say, "Well my dad taught me...." at least once a day. 

With Love, Amanda 

Day 22 – A letter to someone who has hurt you recently.

Dear...


At times we forget about how our actions will effect the people around us. I know that you are excited and think about your family first but I feel pushed out of your life and uninvolved. 


I want to be a part of your life and all of the exciting things going on right now. I love you and I wish you all the best.


With Love, Amanda

Day 21 – A photo of something that makes you happy.

She wants a Piña Colada in a pint glass...

She wants to be where the summer won’t stop,

She wants gin clear water and milk white sand,

A sunburned nose and a drink in her hand

With a pink umbrella on top! -Gaelic Storm

With Love, Amanda 

Day 20 – The meaning behind your blog name.

What's in a name? At first I had tons of ideas for blog names and what I was going to write about. Fashion, cooking, running, moving, you name it I thought of a blog name for it.

Then I thought why not make my blog name general so that I can write about all of the wonderful things on my mine.

With Love, Amanda 

Day 19 – Another picture of yourself.

With Love, Amanda

Day 18 – Something you crave a lot.

Photo Credit

With Love, Amanda 

Day 17 – A photo of you and your family.

My Parents and My Grandparents

My little brother David and baby sister Caitlin (a few years ago)

With Love, Amanda 

Day 16 – Your celebrity crush.

I hate this question. I never have a good answer but I do love Brian Dawkins. Even if he is no longer an Eagle.

Photo Credit

With Love, Amanda

Day 15 – Something you don’t leave the house without.

My Blackberry. I NEVER leave home without it and if I do I'm a MESS!

With Love, Amanda 

Day 14 – A TV show you’re currently addicted to.

glee

With Love, Amanda 

Day 13 – Your favorite musician and why?

Billy Joel

I love Billy Joel. He is an amazing musician to see live. He has such passion and I love the stories that his songs tell. I can sing everyone of his songs, and I do, on my way to work, 4 days a week. 

Who is your favorite musician?

With Love, Amanda

Day 12 – A photograph of the town you live in.

A view of St. Louis from the arch. 

With Love, Amanda 

Day 11 – What’s in your makeup bag?

My Makeup Bag

• Tory Burch Patent Bag
  
• MAC Lipglass in Wildly Refined
  
• Essie in Mink Muffs
  
• Reach Total Care
• Crest Glide
• Sephora Lip Gloss in Bronzed Beauty (sample)
• Nars blush in Orgasm
  
• Nars Lipgloss in Pillow Talk
  
• Sonia Kashuk Blush Brush (From the Breast Cancer Collection)
  
• Voluminous Million Lashes in Very Black
• Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse in Nude Beige

With Love, Amanda 

Day 10 – A photo of your favorite place to eat.

I love going out for dinner on the Hill which is the Italian neighborhood in St. Louis. YUM! 

With Love, Amanda 

Day 9 – A photo of the item you last purchased.

I just bought this little beauty. After months of looking for a fun but still functional Ipad cover I found this winner. 


Thank you Kate Spade!

the journal ipad cover

With Love, Amanda 

Day 8 – A song to match your mood.

With Love, Amanda 

Day 7 – Your dream wedding.

Let's wait for a ring and then I'll start planning...

(My favorite "ring" picture.)

With Love, Amanda

Day 6 – A photo of an animal you’d love to keep as a pet.

A photo of an animal I would love to keep as a pet. This is Tucker, my best friend's dog. He is crazy but I love him, so does my boyfriend and I would love to keep him as a pet!


With Love, Amanda 

Day 5 – A photo of yourself two years ago.

Halloween 2 years ago! 

With Love, Amanda

Day 4 – Your favorite photograph of your best friend.

This is my best friend, her name is Nikki and I love her. She knows EVERYTHING about me. She makes me smile when I'm having a bad day. She makes me laugh until my cheeks hurt and she gives me the best advice. Sadly she is back in Pennsylvania. I love going to visit her and her family and whenever we see each other it's like I never left!


With Love, Amanda 

Day 3 – Your idea of the perfect first date.

I guess I should start by saying that I am all about chivalry. Whatever the date entails I want my door to be opened, my chair to be pulled out, yes please pour my wine for me and help me put on my coat. 

Now on to my perfect date, I love food and it's not a date if we don't go to dinner!  On a first date I want to go somewhere fun, maybe a new restaurant or one of his favorite places. After dinner show me your favorite part of the city, St. Louis is a beautiful city. I think it would be fun to just walk around the city garden and get to know each other better. After that I would like to just grab a little dessert and/or a drink. 

What is your ideal first date?

With Love, Amanda 

Day 2 – A photo of something you ate today.

Chicken Burrito's

This is a favorite in our house. A friend taught me how to make mole sauce and I must say I can't eat a burrito without it now. I don't follow a recipe, it's more using what I have in the kitchen that day. 

Today I used:

Chicken breast cooked with taco seasoning, Mexican rice and cheddar cheese for the filling. The sauce is one can of black beans mixed with Lint chocolate that was in our refrigerator and Chili powder. 

What is your favorite week night dinner?

With Love, Amanda 

The Busy Family Cookbook: 370 Recipes for Weeknight Dinners

Day 1 – A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was.

That's me! In St. Louis, my new home on the Fourth of July.

For the description of my day...I thought leaving the North East would mean leaving this crappy weather! No, not the case. Today is filled with ice, snow, sleet and freezing temperatures. 

Yuck!

I am thankful that I am able to work from home today. There are a lot of conference calls and spreadsheets in my future but I can't complain if I can wear yoga pants.

So, how is your day going?

With Love, Amanda

30 Day Blog Challenge

Happy February! I thought it would be fun to do a 30 day challenge. Let's get to know each other...

Day 1 – A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was.
Day 2 – A photo of something you ate today.
Day 3 – Your idea of the perfect first date.
Day 4 – Your favorite photograph of your best friend.
Day 5 – A photo of yourself two years ago.
Day 6 – A photo of an animal you’d love to keep as a pet.
Day 7 – Your dream wedding.
Day 8 – A song to match your mood.
Day 9 – A photo of the item you last purchased.
Day 10 – A photo of our favorite place to eat.
Day 11 – What’s in your makeup bag?
Day 12 – A photograph of the town you live in.
Day 13 – Your favorite musician and why?
Day 14 – A TV show you’re currently addicted to.
Day 15 – Something you don’t leave the house without.
Day 16 – Your celebrity crush.
Day 17 – A photo of you and your family.
Day 18 – Something you crave a lot.
Day 19 – Another picture of yourself.
Day 20 – The meaning behind your blog name.
Day 21 – A photo of something that makes you happy.
Day 22 – A letter to someone who has hurt you recently.
Day 23 – 15 facts about you.
Day 24 – A photo of something that means a lot to you.
Day 25 – What’s in your purse?
Day 26 – A photo of somewhere you’ve been to.
Day 27 – A picture of you last year and now and how have you changed since then?
Day 28 – Your favorite movie.
Day 29 – Something you could never get tired of doing.
Day 30 – A photograph of youself today + three good things that have happened in the past 30 days

Note: I didn’t come up with this! Thank you Google!

With Love, Amanda