Angry Julie Monday

Being Active, Means Activewear

October 10, 2012

It is official, I have become “a runner”. Which means that I need the right clothing to do my “runs” in. After running awhile, I’ve found what types of clothing work and don’t work for me. I’ve also discovered my favorite brands to run in.

Because I’m running several times a week, 4+ days…this creates a ton of laundry. I think I wear workout and workout clothes and/or running clothing more than normal clothing. But really, what is normal clothing for me, jeans and t-shirts. Because I have my favorite brands and I know the sizes that fit me right, I’ve turned to online shopping for I can find the best deal on running clothing.

I was recently given the opportunity to shop online at Macy’s Department Store in their Activewear section. They have great brands like Nike, Puma, and The North Face available. I focused in on what Nike had to offer as I have several other items that are Nike currently at home. Nike’s sizing is usually the same across the board, so I know that if I select the size online, it is usually spot on.

I chose the following items:

Nike Skinny Active Dri-Fit Shorts (black)

I love love love the shorts. Yes, they are a bit short but so comfortable. They are perfect for yoga or a short run. They are not quite compression shorts but just loose enough where they are don’t cling. I’ve washed them already and they are super soft also.

Nike Dri-Fit Pro Combat Sports Bra (black)

This a great sports bra. It is tight enough where everything is not bouncing while I run. Plus, black is a basic for my workout/running wardrobe. I usually size down so that my sports bra fits a teeny bit tighter.

Nike Dri-Fit Pro Sports Bra (purple)

This bra is very similar to the black sports bra above but is a simpler style. And a gorgeous purple color. I love purple.

All of the items that I selected where on sale for great prices. They shipped super fast also and were here in less than a week. I love when you receive online orders fast! Also, there is nothing better than coming home to find a package on your doorstep. It’s like Christmas!!!

I’ve shopped at Macy’s for years. I actually worked there for a year while in college (random trivia for you). I had a great shopping experience finding Activewear online.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored review via GigaSavvy. All opinions and random thoughts on fitness are mine.

Filed Under: Reviews 1 Comment

Wordless Wednesday: As Seen On My Run

October 10, 2012

I went for a little 3 mile run tonight. It has been two days since my half marathon and I need to train/keep training for my second one, which is in a month from today. At about mile 2, I stopped for a water break and looked up at the sky. The clouds were big and puffy.

Welcome to “Angry Julie Monday’s Wordless Wednesday Linky”!

If this your first time here, HELLO! I do a link-up every Wednesday! Post a picture(s) and link back to it here. Wordless Wednesday is a great day to post an awesome picture that “speaks” for itself, no words needed.

Be sure to check out Wordless Wednesday Link-Ups at these other sites also:

Project Alicia, Better in Bulk, Crazy About My Baybah, Dear Crissy, Five Minutes For Mom, Live and Love…Out Loud, Naptime Momtog, Parenting By Dummies, Seven Clown Circus, The Divine Miss Mommy

Also, Lindsey from The Pleated Poppy does “What I Wore Wednesday” every week with a great big link-up.

Filed Under: Orange County, Photography, Running, Wordless Wednesday 10 Comments

Aquarium of the Pacific Kid’s Fun Run

October 8, 2012

On Saturday, my son ran the Aquarium of the Pacific Kid’s Fun Run in Long Beach. This race was a free race in conjunction with the Long Beach ICB Marathon and Half Marathon. This was not my son’s first race. His last race was on the 4th of July, where he had some difficulties (tripping over adults and small children, chaos!).

Before we even got to the race, Angry Kid had a soccer game. Yes, an 8am soccer game where he played the entire time. It was one of those games that took forever. But he knew that he had the race after, and ironically he didn’t whine. He even got his shoes ready the night before.

We got to the race on time, and waited for the 7-year old group to start. While we were watching we saw some super fast kids in the 8 and 9 yr old divisions. I think Angry Kid got the hint that he was there to run. When it was time to get ready, they placed all the kids in a waiting space. They didn’t allowed adults to run with the kids which made everything 100% better. When the adults run with their kids, they only pay attention to their kid, which causes confusion and chaos. Believe me, we experienced that on the 4th of July.

I was so proud of Angry Kid when I saw him coming around the bend, he was running full force. I loved seeing him run. I think all of my crazy running lately has motivated him somewhat. This kid has some speed and energy, and I knew that running would be the perfect way to channel all of that.

At the end of the race, he got a shiny medal with a cute penguin on it, plus he got a free ticket to the Aquarium of the Pacific. I had to take a ton of photos to share of course. My husband asked if he ran and finished running the race, I said of course! I quickly texted the husband a picture also.

After the race, Angry Kid was a trooper. He walked back to the Official Race Expo with me so that I could pick up my race bib and other stuff for the Long Beach Half Marathon the next day. He LOVED the race expo. It was hilarious. He tried all of the different types of energy bars and drinks. You should have seen the faces that he made.

I think his favorite part of the expo was making this poster for me. He was going to be home while I was out running but he made me a little “support poster”. Ironically, I call him the “mean running coach” because he wrote, “Go Faster” twice on the poster. He says the same thing when I’m running and he rides his bike alongside me.

I think that this race was a great new opportunity for Angry Kid. He even wore his running shoes to school today, because he wanted to run to school. He is signed up for another kid’s race in December, but I might sign him up for a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot also. I’m not quite sure yet.

I will be posting about my race, which was my first half marathon, soon…I need to recover a bit more.

Filed Under: Parenting, Running 5 Comments

Wordless Wednesday: Rainbow Ice

October 3, 2012

I love Dippin’ Dots. I met my mom and my son at the OCC Book Fair on Sunday. My pals Debbie and Dan from The Fountain Valley Dippin’ Dots were serving up some of their goodness! I had to get some rainbow ice dots!

Welcome to “Angry Julie Monday’s Wordless Wednesday Linky”!

Be sure to check out Wordless Wednesday Link-Ups at these other sites also:

Project Alicia, Better in Bulk, Crazy About My Baybah, Dear Crissy, Five Minutes For Mom, Live and Love…Out Loud, Naptime Momtog, Parenting By Dummies, Seven Clown Circus, The Divine Miss Mommy

Also, Lindsey from The Pleated Poppy does “What I Wore Wednesday” every week with a great big link-up.

Filed Under: Photography, Wordless Wednesday 7 Comments

Seventy-Eight Miles in September

October 2, 2012

September was INSANE!

I started the month off with the Awesome 80’s Run. Then school started for my son. Then soccer and soccer practices started.

You can’t even imagine how much planning it has taken to get my runs in this month. Working full-time five days a week, shuffling around the kid, soccer practice twice a week, plus soccer games on Saturdays. Somehow I fit in 78 miles! It would have been 87 miles, but I had a total long run fail on Saturday. I’m blaming the fail on wearing heels to a wedding the night before, and also getting a flu shot.

September’s goal was 44 miles and I almost ran double that amount. Crazy! Insane!! And wow, the heat, there was so much heat. I also got another pair of shoes. I love my Saucony Kinvara 3’s and my original pair was getting worn down and had way too many miles on them. I heart these pink, black, and purple ones!

October’s goal is 41 miles. I can’t wait to support everything participating in this for another awesome month!! This is Half Marathon Month!! Eeek, I will be running my first half marathon on Sunday, October 7th, the Long Beach Half Marathon. I’m scared and anxious. Wish me luck!

To see more of my running challenges, and mileage: June, July, and August’s totals!

P.S. I even got up early today and ran 3 miles before work!

Filed Under: Just Julie, Running 8 Comments

Drybar Blowout, Totally Worth The Money

October 1, 2012

On Friday evening, the husband and I attended a wedding. If you haven’t been reading my blog lately, you wouldn’t know that I’ve been spending all of my time, working and running. I usually wear my hair with some kind of headband, clip, rubberband or some other instrument to hold it back.

I have a lack of desire to mess with my hair, you know, actually do it… It is at a weird length and I have naturally curly hair. I wanted my hair to actually look decent for this wedding. So I made an appointment at The Drybar in Newport Beach. Yes, folks…I had never gone to Drybar before.

People, why don’t you tell me about awesome places like this? Yes, I’ve seen my friends’ hair post-blowout, but I did not realize the awesomeness. Yes, I love my hair all done and blown out after color, a haircut, etc.

But anyway, here’s a cruddy before picture taken by me. Baseball hat with tiny pigtails. And you can’t forget the Hello Kitty shirt.

And of course, the after photo. Totally worth the $35 plus tip! Awesome, right?

The sunglasses were totally on, because, ummm no make-up + Julie tired = SCARY!

So if you ever want really awesome hair for a special occassion, etc. and you have one near you, The Drybar.

And Tera Rae Stephens most awesome stylist, please forgive me for my dark roots, I will be in soon, I promise!

P.S. Husband asked me asked me, “Why I don’t do my hair like this all of the time?” Ummm Hello, it costs money.

P.P.S. This post is totally sponsored by VISA and my general lack of ability to do that whole round brush and blow dryer behind my hair octopus dance. Seriously, you need a second person to do stuff like that to your hair.

Filed Under: Just Julie, Orange County 8 Comments

Wordless Wednesday: Fall Sunset

September 26, 2012

We went to our first LA Galaxy game on Saturday night. While we were walking from our car in the parking lot, I noticed this beautiful sunset. Of course, I had to stop and take a picture. My husband’s friend thought that I was taking a picture of our parking spot to remember where the car was. Umm, hello…can you not see the pink skyline above you?

Welcome to “Angry Julie Monday’s Wordless Wednesday Linky”!

Be sure to check out Wordless Wednesday Link-Ups at these other sites also:

Project Alicia, Better in Bulk, Crazy About My Baybah, Dear Crissy, Five Minutes For Mom, Live and Love…Out Loud, Naptime Momtog, Parenting By Dummies, Seven Clown Circus, The Divine Miss Mommy

Also, Lindsey from The Pleated Poppy does “What I Wore Wednesday” every week with a great big link-up.

Filed Under: Photography, Wordless Wednesday 7 Comments

Hello Monday {Decorating, Food, Running, and Soccer}

September 24, 2012

Hello Monday!

Hello Busy!

Since I have no time to edit all of the fancy photos that I’ve taken with my DSLR lately, I thought I would share a view of this past week via my iPhone. My iPhone4 y’all, not an iPhone5.

Hello Bedroom Gallery Wall!

My friend, Casey knows me too well. She picked up this “Dance, Just Dance” typography for me at Homegoods. It looks perfect up in the top right corner of my gallery wall in the master bedroom. My husband doesn’t quite get the “gallery wall” theme, but I just keep adding to it anyway.

Hello BBQ Chicken!

With two busy working parents, and a kid with a huge social schedule, dinnertime is getting difficult. The husband and I worked on a menu list for dinners last week. We had Jessica’s BBQ Crockpot Chicken one night for dinner last night. This meal is always a huge hit in our house. We pair it with beans and King’s Hawaiian rolls.

Hello Yoga!

I admit that I am not a yoga devotee, but a yoga class every once in awhile feels good. Luckily, my friend Doris teaches the class. It is not fancy yoga in a studio, but I don’t mind, mid-morning yoga in a 24-Hour Fitness at a mall. I had my water with Nuun Hydration in it, to help with all of the sweating that I do. I’m quite the Nuun addiction, and I totally blame Kelly!

Hello Early Morning Run!

Hello 11 Miles!

What, you didn’t get up at 5am to run 11 miles on a Saturday morning? Running, it is the new cool thing to do. I survived my 11 mile training run for the Long Beach Half Marathon. Two more weeks and I will be doing my first half marathon.

Hello Blaze Pizza!

A yummy lunch at Blaze Pizza in Irvine with friends. This was a pre-party for Kyla’s Pinterest Party.

Hello LA Galaxy!

We went to the LA Galaxy game on Saturday night. It was our first professional soccer game. It was a blast and highly entertaining. I was amazed at the player’s skills. It was an event for my son’s AYSO Soccer League.

Hello Monday!

Hello to another busy week with work, school, soccer practices, a 12-mile run, a wedding, and anything else that comes our way!

Is your week as busy as mine?

Linking up with Lisa Leonard and her Hello Monday Series!

Filed Under: Just Julie, Running 10 Comments