Ah, exercise. So that's what it feels like?

I had a great walk yesterday.

Today, we ran. It has been 3 weeks (or more!) since Ben and I had gone out for a run. I vaguely remember a morning treadmill run in there somewhere...it is all so unclear. Kind of like my sinuses for the last 2 weeks.

Hoping not to be too graphic, but I think the best thing for my sinuses was getting out and running today. Lots of tissues used! But, I feel clearer than I have been in weeks!

It helps that the sun was shining and it was 36 degrees.

My body reminded me just what happens when you don't run for a while. I could not do the entire run; I probably did 2.5 miles out of the 4.2. Nonetheless, I burned 600 plus calories. Which came in quite handy, because today, I baked.

Here is the recipe for Browned Butter Chocolate chip cookies.

About 170 calories per cookie. Yeah, totally worth that run!

I had a busy morning; I poached a chicken, and now I have chicken for lunches for the week as well as no sodium chicken stock. I have a pot roast in the crock pot. I made the cookies. I even worked on the book.

I worked on the book last night too!

So, I had better get back to work.

Thanks for checking in; hope your Sunday is treating you well!

xo

Kel

Really?

I feel like a bear that went into a cave for 2 weeks to hibernate!

I can't believe I have not written on here for almost 2 weeks on Monday. I can't even think what happened during those two weeks. Certainly nothing remarkable.

There have been long hours at work, a head cold that kicked my butt-ocks, and lots of going to bed early. I wish I could tell you it has been a ton of excitement, but alas, it has just been a ton of February.

I think this is just the time of year to bury oneself under the covers and peek out every once in a while, just in case spring has arrived. Nope, not yet, go back under.

Ben had a lot of pictures on his camera, and here are a couple of them that recently made their way to me...

I am wearing a dress in this pic which, obviously, you can't see. However, it is one that has not been worn before - ever! It is an AnnTaylor Loft dress that I purchased off of eBay almost 2 years ago I believe. I had not worn it as I was unsure about one thing...did I look pregnant? Ben assured me I did not...but, hmmm, he did not send me the full body shot...is he trying to tell me something? I don't think so! The dress is very flowy and a-line, but has a tie in the back. There is just something about it that reminded me of a maternity dress I had. I love the color, and it worked well with this necklace.

I love this dress! It is far more appropriate in the spring and summer months, but I needed something that would make me stand out in a crowd that day. I auditioned for a runway show that Target is having at the Spring meeting. I have not heard back yet - keep your fingers crossed!

This dress is almost 3 years old now. I love the colors, I love the "loudness" of it, and it clings in all the right places. These shoes are sky high. I think they are probably my highest heel without a platform. They are from Nine West, and I picked them up at Marshalls two years ago.

Here is my new red stripe! I got my hair cut and colored on Wednesday of this week. I told Sheli is was time to have a little fun, especially since we are growing my hair out. She did a trim, and I asked for a stripe. I decided it was only appropriate to wear the same colors that were in my hair for my work "debut".

I don't think you have seen this dress before on the blog. Those of you that are here from Nutrimirror may recognize this dress as it is the one I wore for my Christmas video. Here was the picture that accompanied that video:

I just love that picture, so I had to share it! Ben obviously softened it up and brought out some drama with the colors, but it is old world glam to me.

I got this dress last summer at Off Saks, shortly before the shopping spree came to an end. I had to make it work appropriate so I added a trusty black cardigan. These are not the shoes I wore that day. The ones I wanted were my simple black pumps, and they were sitting under my desk at work, so these were the stand in....or shoe in! Ha!

Notice - we are back on the front porch! It was not frigid that morning, and I would not be seeing Ben for lunch, so we headed out doors. It was still cold, but he snapped quickly for me!

As for lunch time photos, Ben has gotten a new job with another company. It is a great move for him, but we are both sad that there will be no more lunches together. Photos will be back to the morning and back to the porch!

Off to get this Saturday started. Not too much on the agenda. I am grocery shopping, making a pot of soup (here is the recipe I will be using if you are interested), I will be taking a long walk, and I will be writing. Yes, writing as in the book. Ben was so sweet and cleaned the whole house yesterday, so it left me with no excuses!

I am so looking forward to that walk too. Two weeks without exercise is not a good thing. I have not been this exerciseless in about 4 years. Wow, it is easy to fall out of the exercise habit!

Have a great Saturday all!

Thanks for checking in!

xo

Kel

Happy Monday all!

I can say that now that it is over!

We have some amazing weather here right now...so amazing, that it took 2 hours to get to work this morning...18 miles people...sigh...stay positive!

My bladder was not happy with me by the time I got to the office!

Meetings were scheduled, some went short (thank you Patty!) some got cancelled...all in all in ended up being a decent Monday!

Ben and I shared a little of yesterday's Pasta "Fazool" and a wrap over lunch. Followed, of course, by our photo shoot.

Why do I like this spot where we have been taking photos so much? The background? The natural light? Nope and nope. No one can watch and I feel far less self-conscious. Silly, I know.

This dress is about 4 years old. It is from Ann Taylor Loft. I love the color and the easy care fabric. It is short sleeved, so a cardigan was a must.

The shoes are quite old. They are at least 5 years old, and are BCBG girls. I remember the shopping trip when I purchased them at Nordstrom. I remember it because I purchased a lot of shoes that day. I do miss those days sometimes. Now, I think I am getting to the point where I truly appreciate every purchase.

Headed to bed to get a good night's sleep. Please vote below!

Thanks for checking in!

xo

Kel

Oh I Will Miss the Weekend!

Hello All!

Just sitting here going through emails from last week, and I found a picture from Friday in Austin. The rain finally cleared, and we were able to enjoy an hour outside before we had to head to the airport.

There was a beautiful river running along side the hotel, and a swing was hanging over the water. Of course I had to get on! My friend Tricia was kind enough to snap this picture!

I had a very relaxing weekend. Yesterday I slept in, ate breakfast and then went back to bed for two hours! I did walk 5.4 miles in the afternoon, then spent some one on one time with the couch. I finally made it to the grocery store at 6. It is wonderfully empty at 6pm on a Saturday!

Today was a cooking day. Yesterday I cooked some black beans for meals throughout the week. Today I cooked Borlotti beans for tomorrow nights Borlotti beans in tomato sauce with polenta. I have made it before and it is so good! I added extra red pepper flakes to the sauce so it is quite spicy! I will make the polenta fresh tomorrow night. I also made a pot of Pasta Fagiole. The recipe is actually called Pasta "Fazool" but I didn't want you guys to think I was unaware that it was spelled wrong! That will be for lunches/dinners this week as well. I had to try some today. Amazing!

Dinner was yet another bean dish; Christmas Lima beans with Pork chops and asian pear relish. It was delicious and extremely filling. The bean mixture also had cabbage in it. It seemed like a very German mean to me. I am back on the couch, and my nose has been itchy and runny for the last hour. I really hope I am not getting a cold. Boo hiss!

Good thing I got a long walk in today too, because if I wake up with a raging cold in the morning, I am not sure if I will be able to convince myself to get up!

Just wanted to say hi!

Thanks for checking in!

xo

Kel

Making New Friends

I am in Austin at a work conference. Sorry I have been absent!

This is the closest I can come to a outfit picture, as Ben is not with me. Thanks to my friend Tricia for being my stand in photographer!

I met an on-line friend today for lunch. Her name is Jamie, and she fits right in with her style!

She loves Silpada. I love Silpada. She was carrying the same purse that I also own. She loves big rockin' rings. Me too!

I was to pack pretty lightly for this trip - and not repeat any outfits - by having a couple of black dresses and different jackets/sweaters. You have seen this dress before. Check it out here. Holy crap my hair was short!

The jacket is quite a few years old - at least 3. It was a clearance item from Gap. I like the 3/4 length sleeves.

Okay, I had better get back to paying attention at this conference. I am glad you stopped by. I have missed you!

Thanks for checking in!

xo

Kel