Here are the five things I’m going to aim for this month (May) – who’s in to join me?
Plan a Texas getaway. I’m super guilty of telling people that I like Houston but I love Texas, but it’s the truth. I’ve visited quite a few places in Texas that I love (Austin still has my top vote), but I know there is so much more to venture out into and Texas has some of the damn cutest bed and breakfasts, so that’s my mission for May. The tricky part is that my boyfriend doesn’t get much vacation time, so it needs to be within 2-4 hours of Houston. Any suggestions? (My last real Texas getaway was this trip to San Antonio.)
Buy two new books. Here’s the thing as a writer myself: I read so much (and I’m not afraid to put down a book I just can’t get into, my time is too precious and there are too many good reads out there) that it gets expensive. The writer in me wants to support other writers by buying more books, but it’s tough. Then I realized this. I’m not afraid to spend $35 every 2-3 weeks on a mani/pedi or get a new pair of sandals from Target (because, I literally think anything I guy at Target is deemed as a necessity), so why not spend that same amount on reading and bettering my mind and myself? Boom – now hit me with your book suggestions.
Buy an outfit or piece of clothing outside my norm. This month sounds like I plan to spend a lot of money already (oops!) but I notice that my wardrobe is all pretty much the same. I have a ton of amazing workout clothes and some great party dresses for special occasions (like a wedding or social event), but I don’t have anything that is cute and fun for a Friday night dinner date or just an afternoon.
Make money selling what I have. In a way to declutter, simplify life and hopefully make a few extra bucks, I’m going to try to find stuff already in my apartment that I can sell (or at least donate). It was initially prompted by this theeverygirl.com post, but also by how much crap I have just laying around. One of the great perks I have in this line of work is getting sent a ton of stuff to review, wear for social media, test out, etc. That means I have way too many *barely worn* running shoes, headbands, bluetooth speakers, gym bags and more. So stay tuned for my eBay account or follow me on social media to see it.
Crunch the numbers. I typically only assess how much money I make and spend at the end of the year or when it comes around to tax time (PS – I do not like doing taxes, at all, but who really does?). The month of May means we are five months into the year, and that’s a great time to look at the numbers – see where my money is going (is it being wasted anywhere, are there stores I should avoid, etc.) and what kind of money is coming in. As a business-owner, I am responsible for invoicing my clients, but I’m also responsible for keeping track of them. Often times my outlets and sponsors forget to pay or a check gets lost in the mail – doing a number crunch in May will help me stay on top of all that.
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With this new running buddy, you can train to the tune of 500 songs of your choice. And it stands to reason with the recent and sudden passing of music icon Prince, that I would run my heart out to some of his best tunes.
Here are a few features of this new fitness gadget:
24/7 activity tracking
GPS tracking
Multisport mode
Built-in heart rate monitor
Up to 500 songs of music storage
And I highly recommend the bluetooth headphones. It will truly change your running game.
You also have a 30-day money back guarantee, which is a huge plus anytime I order new trackers – sometimes they just don’t work for my particular activity or they aren’t comfortable. Everyone is different, so it’s great to know you can send it back if it isn’t motivating you like you need.
PS – what’s your favorite Prince song? Mine is a tie between Little Red Corvette and Party Like It’s 1999 (since that’s the year I graduated highschool and we played that song on repeat).
*This post is in partnership with my role as a Women’s Health Magazine Action Hero.
Join The Blonde Side’s Wings for Life Selfie Run Team
Join The Blonde Side’s team for Wings for Life Selfie Run, Sunday, May 8th – it’s free to sign up and you can run from anywhere!
This is a ground-breaking event (I mean, who doesn’t love anything involving a selfie?) to support spinal cord injury research, that allows anyone/anywhere to run with the entire world in a race with no finish line.
Here’s how to sign-up (it’s super easy, and did I mention free?):
DOWNLOAD THE SELFIE RUN APP ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK OR CREATE AN ACCOUNT
SET YOUR LOCATION TO “ANYWHERE IN THE HOU METRO” AND CONFIRM YOUR SELFIE RUN PARTICIPATION
CLICK ON “TEAM RUNS” AND SEARCH FOR THE BLONDE SIDE. JOIN!
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This Wednesday, Houston runners/athletes/social do-gooders get a chance to train with the best – Calum Neff, a local Houston based distance runner. Cal competed and won the 2014 Wings for Life World Run in California (the inaugural run), being the last man standing at all 5 North American races. He competed in the Turkey race last year extending his time 19 minutes covering 39.95 miles (I need Gatorade just reading everything he’s done!).
The training session will be at Memorial Park from 6-7:30p – you can check out the FB event here.
I will be there, who wants to join?
Here’s more info on Cal’s training session this Wednesday:
The next Wings for Life World Run takes place worldwide on May 8th, 2016 and anyone, anywhere can run in the event (be sure to join THE BLONDE SIDE’S TEAM). Even if you can’t make one of the actual race locations you can run for those who can’t and raise money to cure spinal cord injuries by using the World Run Selfie App.
We will meet near the benches in front of the Tennis Center on the Memorial Park Running Loop at 6PM before heading out on a training run where world record holder Calum Neff and his daughter in the stroller will simulate the World Run by giving you a head start and chasing you down! Don’t worry, this is all for fun and ALL paces are welcome, we will run one 3 mile loop (but feel free to do more).
*I’ll be doing an article/interview with Cal to get some expert running tips for summertime weather (especially for us Houston folks). If you have any questions you want me to ask him, leave a comment below and I’ll try to include it!
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Part of my 2016 makeover is falling back in love with Houston.
Looking for the cutest and most unique date nights in the area, new brunch spots, local shops and stores to spend money I don’t have and so much more.
That’s why I love this deal from Houston Tidbits for 1/2 off Sweet Paris Crepes – I’ve already bought two. Now I just have to figure out who I want to invite along with me.
If you haven’t been to this cute spot (there are two, I’ve only been to the one in Rice Village), you will absolutely love the scene and the menu options. Calorie overload, but well worth it!
The deal is for $20 (which is normally $40) and you will receive a meal for two including any two savory crepes or waffles and any one sweet crepe or waffle to share, plus two apple ciders, or two glasses of wine.
I got this press release and so wish I was in Washington to help Muckleshoot Casino aim for this record.
Check out the release below, and if you’re in the area, go in my place! This casino was named a “local favorite” by Thrillist.
MUCKLESHOOT CASINO AIMS FOR OFFICIAL GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® ATTEMPT AT LARGEST SLOT TOURNAMENT ON APRIL 30, 2016
Event at Muckleshoot Casino’s 21st Anniversary Celebration Features Top Prize of $21,000 and Chance at $1 million in Everi’s TournEvent of Champions
AUBURN, WA (April 5, 2016) – Muckleshoot Casino in Auburn, Washington will mark its 21st anniversary with a celebration destined to be one for the record books. On April 30, the casino known as the “Biggest and Best in the Northwest” will kick-off of Everi’s 2016 TournEvent of Champions® as it seeks the distinction of hosting the world’s largest slot tournament.
“Muckleshoot Casino has a history of being an industry leader so attempting the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the largest slot tournament is a natural fit,” said Conrad Granito, General Manager of Muckleshoot Casino. “As the first gaming facility in Washington to offer machine play, cashless technology, and interactive in-game bonuses, we now aim to be the state’s first casino to secure a world record as certified by an official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS judge.”
The exciting record attempt will take place at Muckleshoot Casino on Saturday, April 30, beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing until history is made. To claim the designation, more than 3,001 participants must take part. An official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS representative will be on-site to validate the achievement.
Participation is free to everyone 21 years of age and older*. More than $100,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to participants who are each guaranteed to win at least $21 in Free Play. The top finisher at Muckleshoot Casino’s April 30 event will receive $21,000 in cash and a four-night trip to Las Vegas to compete for a chance to win $1 million in Everi’s national TournEvent of Champions® championship event on September 28, 2016.
“While our TournEvent of Champions slot tournaments always bring fun and excitement to casinos nationwide, Muckleshoot Casino has taken its event to an entirely new level by attempting to break the record for world’s largest slot tournament,” added Linda Trinh, Everi Vice President, Marketing & Promotions. “We’re thrilled to partner with such a distinguished property like Muckleshoot Casino and look forward to making this TournEvent of Champions event one for the record books.”
The official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS attempt at the Largest Slot Tournament will mark the culmination of Muckleshoot Casino’s landmark 21st anniversary celebration. From its humble start in a tent in 1995, Muckleshoot Casino now proudly serves as the largest gaming establishment in the Pacific Northwest.
*Muckleshoot Casino Players Club card must be presented to participate. Membership is free to guests 21 years of age and older with a valid photo ID. On-site registration will be available.
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via @black_whitehtx Instagram: Wine Down Wednesdays
Black & White: a new Houston restaurant featuring two different menus (you guessed it – one side is black and the other is white), perfect for the couple who can’t ever decide what’s for dinner.
Located in the Heights with a sprawling patio perfect for Spring-time weather, Black & White will surely become one of the newest hot spots in Houston.
And to stick with the color scheme, be sure to check out the Gray Bar, which is located inside the restaurant between the “Black” and “White” seating areas. It features thoughtfully selected and reasonably priced wines from various regions available by the glass or bottle and a new light bites menu.
The concept here is really unique and cool. If you get a chance and they’re not too busy, ask for Claudia as your server – she was amazing and helped us select from all the delicious menu choices!
Just a few of our recommendations:
Mahi Mahi Salpicón: Grilled Mahi Mahi chopped with onion, green tomatillo, serrano chili, cilantro with a soy and orange sauce. $12
Tuna Tostadas: Chipotle mayo spread, covered with delicate cuts of tuna tataki marinated in Ponzu sauce with thin slices of avocado and fried leek. $11
Costa del Sol Mahi Mahi: Seared Mahi Mahi with capers butter and served with mashed potatoes and ratatouille. $24
Did someone say happy hour?
Don’t miss Black & White’s Wine Down Wednesdays, which features 1/2 off select bottles of wine. Pair your vino with our Chuleton de Cerdo, a center cut pork chop drizzled with a Maker’s Mark demi glaze and served with mashed potatoes and asparagus, and we promise you will not be disappointed (photographed above via Black & White’s Instagram account).
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Probably one of the strongest brunch games here in Houston has to go to PESKA. I’ll admit – brunch here is a little pricey. Until you realize everything you’re getting and the quality.
I’m typically a french toast and bacon kind of brunch gal, but every so often it’s a good thing to step out of your culinary comfort zone and that’s what brunch at PESKA was. For starters, it’s ALL YOU CAN EAT. Yes, all you can eat. Challenge accepted.
Brunch at PESKA is set up very uniquely with different stations, but in my opinion, this is not a buffet. Yes, all you can eat it great, but all of the food is prepared right in front of you and you can get it made exactly how you want it. There are at least four different kinds of ceviche, and if one of them has one tiny ingredient you don’t like, just ask nicely and the staff will make you a special one.
They have a raw bar (fresh market oysters for days!), jumbo shrimp, crab, french toast, pancakes, eggs benedict and so much more. Probably one of the best things about my previous experiences at PESKA is how incredibly knowledgable the staff is. When it comes to seafood and certain fish, sometimes I don’t know the difference, but they are always so quick to explain and give wine pairing recommendations, etc.
Plus, bottomless mimosas and sangria are only $6, so go ahead and splurge. You deserve it.
EAT ME – I’M FRESH
Oh, and they have a dessert table with about 20 different homemade desserts to choose from. This Sunday Funday was well worth every single calorie I put into my body and I can’t wait to do it again!
Brunch is only on Sundays from 11a – 3:30p and I recommend you get there early and stay as long as you can. Seriously, the seats are cushioned, so kick back and relax and get up 20 times for refills. The staff won’t judge you – I already tested out this theory, trust me!
Click here for their full menu and scroll down to Brunch Menu.
If you are interested in attending an Omarkase dinner or a private event, Dante Laugier, the event manager, will take great care of you. Call him 832.215.8736 or email him dante@peska.us.
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I got this press release and so wish I was in Washington to help Muckleshoot Casino aim for this record.
