happy december!

happy november!

happy october!

happy september!

happy august!

rock & roll

This past weekend the half-marathon that I've been training and preparing for since last Nov./Dec. finally was here! I surprisingly didn't get nervous til I was standing at the start line waiting to get into our corral. My parents arrived in San Diego Saturday morning and from there we went to the Health Expo at the SD Convention Center to pick up our bibs and other race day necessities (although I had gone the day before to get mine with Pati). We enjoyed taking some silly pictures at a few photo opportunities, sampled some running "snacks", walked around the booths, and most importantly got our bib, shirt and swag bags!


Dad with his Elvis mask and us both with blow up guitars...rock on!

The Expo

The Expo

From there we got some lunch and spent the afternoon relaxing. That night we joined my sister Molly and her bf for dinner at Sammy's for a carbo loading dinner! Then it was to home to relax. I didn't sleep well the night before race day due to all the adrenaline and frequent bathroom trips related to my pre-hydrating all day. Regardless if I slept, race day still came and luckily I still had lots of adrenaline to get me through the day.

The morning started with a light breakfast, coffee and more water. Pati came to my house and then mom, dad, Pati and I walked to the start line about 1 mile from my house. The walk there was along very empty roads that would soon be filled with thousands of runners, we even passed by the first band that was warming up!

Empty 6th Ave.

Dad walking by the first band on the course.

The super fast runners in the first corral.

The start line!

Right as we got to the start line the first corral (aka the really fast runners) were released and sped by us. Our corral didn't get released until about 1 hour after the first. As our corral got closer and closer to starting I got slightly nervous and then before I knew it we were running.

Pati and I pre-race.

Dad and I pre-race.

Rock Stars!

In our corral ready to go!

The music at the start line had me all pumped up and despite feeling like we started off too fast Pati and I kept a 12 minute mile pace for the first 4 miles. At mile 4 we hit the 163 from downtown and for the next mile and a half had a large uphill to battle. This hill didn't get us too far off our pace and we knew that at the end of the hill we had a large downhill to help us recover! Starting around mile 9 I was starting to hurt pretty bad, at this point we hadn't barely walked. Mile 10 and 11 proved to be even more difficult, the bottom of my feet were just screaming. The only problem was if I walked it hurt more than running. At mile 12 I waved Pati ahead of me and told her to finish strong since I was struggling so much. I finished just under 2 minutes behind her and then my dad was about 4 minutes behind me. I was so proud of my dad especially because he has been struggling with plantar fascitis for the past month and a half and it was killing him during the race. I know he would have finished ahead of me if it was not for that injury. We all did so well and I was so happy to beat my goal time. I had no idea I could run a 12:30 minute mile pace for 13.1 miles. We ran about 97%. It just goes to show how powerful the adrenaline of race day is! I can totally see now how running can be addicting...I don't like it while I'm doing it yet the feeling when you are done is so good you want to keep running! Weird I know!

Pati and I post race

Runners happy to be done!

So proud of this guy!

Our special cheering squad! Thanks guys!

After the race we celebrated at the Original Pancake House and then surveyed the damage to our bodies, I'm happy to report I've had very few 'war' wounds. I had the best shower of my life and then after some relaxing and icing my parents and I headed to Del Mar for a picnic where we were happily surprised they were having their Sunday night concert series.

It was a beautiful night and made me so happy that I live in this beautiful place called San Diego. I went to bed and slept so deep I don't know if I moved an inch all night! I know this may be crazy to say but I cannot wait to run and improve my time when I run my second half-marathon in January at Disneyland!

happy june!

4 days till Race Day...Can I just say how scary and at the same time exciting that is! I am more interested than anything to just be part of it, experience the whole thing, and to complete the half-marathon! I am happy that in January I will have the opportunity to run another half-marathon again and try to improve upon my time. On another note, I am considering taking my camera along on the race or getting a disposable to bring on the race. I kind think it would be fun to take pictures from the runner's perspective where as on most races you see pictures from the spectator's point of view (we shall see, the idea of carrying a camera for 13.1 miles while running doesn't sound like the best idea).

I am hoping to enjoy some of the fruits of my labor from my garden this month. I am also planning a few home decorating projects which I will share with you if they happen or shall I say when!

I have been filling up my summer schedule with fun plans such as Family Reunion Picnic, and camping at the beach in July, visit home in August, and a trip to the East Coast in October (okay, ya that's a ways away and in the Fall for that matter but a girl can get excited)! Hope you all enjoy the beginning of summer and have some fun plans of your own to look forward to and hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend (I will share what I did with you this week)! Congratulations to all those, including 3 of my cousins, who are graduating (2 from high school and 1 from college)! Way to Go!

recent sewing projects

Oversized Purse/Tote

Coordinating yet funky fabrics in a unique pattern. Bag has a pocket inside so smaller items don't get lost in the main purse space. A single snap closure keeps bag secure. This bag got to go live with my sister in honor of her birthday!

Retro Fruit Print Burp Cloths

Patterned fabric sewn in the center of cloth diapers make for a cute, soft and functional solution for burping...these went to an old patient/friend who spends many hours a day burping!



I added my 'Rosebud Designs' label to the back.

one week!

7 Days left!

In one week from today I will be running 13.1 miles. Yesterday I ran 5.75 miles of hills and it was my first run in 2 weeks due to my cold that lingered forever! It went much better than expected so I am feeling better about having to run a half marathon next week than I would have if I haven't gotten that run in. I think that my 6 months of training will be sufficient to get me through the half marathon without a hitch...at least that's what I'm telling myself! I am planning my rock and roll outfit for race day to go with the Rock and Roll Marathon. I am planning on dressing for the 80's (neon colored stop watch, pink shirt, multi-colored neon nail polish, possible 80's sweat band over my running hat...not sure what else...ideas?) I am shooting for 2 hours and 50 minutes which is about 13 minutes per mile and don't want to go over 3 hours. Here is to a relaxing, hydrating, and healthy eating week leading up to the day that I've been working toward for the past 6 months!

spa day

So it's been a little while since I've posted cause I've been recovering from being sick and then once I was just barely well enough to go back to work I've been working most nights since.

May 15th, friends, Pati and Steph, and I went to Glen Ivy in Corona for a spa day to celebrate my birthday. It was absolutely A-MAZ-ING! It was everything a girl could ask for...beautiful scenery, great company, relaxing warm pools, spas, baths, pampering galore, yummy food, and overall the most relaxing day with no agenda what-so-ever!

We got there around 10:30 am, checked in, got our things put away in the lockers, went to the hot springs mineral baths,

Mineral Baths

after relaxing there awhile headed to fill our bellies with yummy healthy spa food,

The Cafe

then to the mud baths where we slathered ourselves in red mud, let it dry on our skin while we sat in a warm room and then once it was dry washed it off and we were left with the softest skin.

Behind the gated area is a muddy warm bath with a pile of mud on a pedestal to slather on your body!

From there we headed to "The Grotto" which we were taken underground to these "caves", we were painted with a mixture of aloe, Shea butter, and coconut oil. After letting it soak in we washed it off and then went and sat in a tranquil room drinking tea. In the afternoon we laid out in the lounge pool, drank pina coladas, I got a massage, and had an afternoon snack before heading home.

The Lounge Pool... just 1-2 feet deep and warm!

At the end of the day I didn't think there was any way I could have been more relaxed...my body felt like jello, it was great! I compare Glen Ivy Spa to an adult water park...and I recommend you get there fast for some well deserved relaxation...I cannot wait to go again!

5 things {I love right now}

1. Porcelain Berry Basket...perfect for displaying store bought strawberries and will hold my strawberries and tomatoes when I harvesting! I recently also lined one of the baskets with parchment paper and place my homemade baked sweet potato fries and placed on table to share...cute and functional! (Can be found at Sur la Table or Antropologie)

photo from Sara's Sweet Life

2. Farmer's (Porcelain) Egg Crate...for easy access to eggs while baking and for morning cooking! It just makes me happy! (From Antropologie)

Image from Antropologie.com

3. Nespresso, Pixie (espresso machine)....helping to break my Starbucks addiction! (Can be purchased at Williams Sonoma or Bloomingdales)


Image from Williams Sonoma

4. Garden Markers...a cute way to remember what you have growing!

Garden Markers from Etsy.com, photo from Sara's Sweet Life

5. Maxie Dress...stylish, comfy, and the perfect summer staple!

Dress and Image from Banana Republic

garden 2011 update #2

 My garden is exploding! These pictures were taken May 8th. In this first picture the sugar snap peas are on the left and have now grown past the trellis, not sure what my plan is now for that...There are no peas growing yet. To the right of the SSP are the green beans; these are not as tall but very full and the leaves are huge. In front of the green beans are green onions which you cannot see because of the large leaves hovering over them, hopefully they will still produce some green onions!

 In the first planter in the picture on the right is Italian flat leaf parsley, lettuce, chives, and cilantro. The large pot to its right is my Roma Tomatoes which are growing very nicely and have some little yellow flowers on them which should turn into tomatoes!

 Next to the tomatoes is a slightly smaller pot with bell peppers. This plant has been growing the slowest of them all so we shall see what summer brings if it decided to produce bell peppers or not : /
Behind the bell pepper is more lettuce, which started off slow but are doing better now. To the right of the bell pepper are the strawberries which are doing great and have many reddening strawberries which I cannot wait to eat soon!

And lastly, on the "shadier" side of the porch are the first the basil and oregano doing really well as of the past week, then 2 pots of carrots which the greens are getting huge but I have no idea how to tell when they are ready to pull out of the soil and eat. And lastly the planter on the right has yes... more lettuce!

I am getting really excited to be able to start eating and cooking with the products from my garden! Bring on the sunny, warm weather!

a very happy birthday to me!

Today was a wonderful day filled with great friends, lots of yummy food and beautiful weather! After dragging myself out of bed, I met up with Pati and Isaiah and we headed to downtown La Jolla for some lunch at The Cottage (fabulous menu, I could have closed my eyes and picked anything and I think it would have been amazing!) and we then walked around the shops and down to the ocean! It turned out to be a sunny, warm and just beautiful day! Here are some pictures of our afternoon!

Gorgeous!

Love them!

Happy Boy!

For dinner, Pati, husband Leith and Isaiah, along with friend/coworker/neighbor Stephanie all came over for some good ole' Spring time grillin'! We had a yummy dinner of burgers, chicken, salad, and homemade baked sweet potato fries! Pati brought brownies for dessert which was a perfect ending to the night. I opened gifts from my parents with the help of Isaiah and then we called it a night. I cannot believe my 2 days off work is already coming to an end and I am now 27 years old (that's a little closer to 30 than I'd like, at least I have a few more years to get comfortable with turning 30!)

Admiring my new Vera Bradley flip-flops!

Enjoying Steph's company!

Thanks to all my friends and family for the Facebook messages, text messages, phone calls, cards, and gifts! I love you and and you have made me feel so special!

birthday cake {lemon poppy seed cake with raspberry curd}

I have no qualms about making my own birthday cake and this year that's just what I did. On Mother's Day I was scheduled to work, which also happened to be 2 days before my birthday and the beginning of National Nurse's Week, so I decided to celebrate by bringing cake. Growing up with a mom who bakes amazing desserts and the best bakery in town, Icing on the Cake, there was never a birthday or special event that I didn't have some amazing dessert to celebrate with. With my birthday being in Spring time I have always enjoyed birthday desserts that were fresh, light and with berries. The inspiration for my birthday cake selection this year came from my favorite cake at Icing on the Cake, lemon poppy seed cake with raspberry filling and cream cheese frosting. After searching many websites and blogs I came across a recipe from the blog Chicken on the Green, which I have featured below. Everyone at work and myself especially loved the cake. It was perfectly moist, pretty, and the perfect combination of Spring time flavors!

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake (adapted from Annie's Eats)

Ingredients:
For the Cake:

2 1/3 cups cake flour
2 3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tbsp. poppy seeds
5 large egg whites, at room temperature
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tbsp. finely grated lemon zest
12 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup 2% milk

For Raspberry Curd Filling:

8 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 12-oz. package frozen raspberries, thawed
5 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
3/4 cup sugar
Pinch of salt

For Vanilla Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting: (adapted from All Recipes)

8 oz package reduced fat cream cheese, thawed
1 stick butter
3/4 tsp lemon extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
5 cups powdered sugar

Directions:
For the Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Spray 3 8" round cake pans with cooking spray with flour.
3. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, poppy seed, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
4. In a clean, dry bowl, beat egg whites with a hand mixer or stand mixer with whisk attachment until foamy. Add cream of tartar and beat on high speed until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
5. Place butter in a clean bowl and beat on medium speed until smooth.
6. Add the sugar and beat until incorporated. Mix in the lemon zest. Beat the mixture on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.
7. Add 1/4 cup of the milk and beat until just blended. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture alternately with the remaining milk in three batches, beginning and ending with the flour. Beat until just blended.
8. Using a rubber spatula, fold one quarter of the egg whites into the batter. Be careful not to deflate the mixture! Once incorporated, add in the rest of the whites and gently fold in until well combined.
9. Divide batter evenly between the three cake pans.
10. Bake for 18-20 or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
11. Let cool in pans for about 10 minutes and then flip them out onto a cooling rack or wax/parchment paper to cool completely.

For the Raspberry Curd Filling:

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the raspberries, egg yolks, sugar and salt, and cook, mashing the berries. Stir frequently at first and then constantly at the end, until thickened, about 10 minutes.
3. Cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

For the Vanilla Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. Beat cream cheese, butter, lemon and vanilla extracts together until smooth and fluffy.
2. Add powdered sugar in 2 additions. Beat until creamy. Add more sugar or extract as needed for easy spreading.

happy mother's day

I want to wish my mom a very Happy Mother's Day! She is the most amazing mother that anyone could ask for...completely self-less, caring, inspiring, hard-working, funny as hell, supportive, understanding, and all around amazing. I consider her not only a mother but my best friend! Mom- I'm sorry I'm not home today to celebrate and honor you but I truly hope you have a fabulous, relaxing day...just what you deserve!

Tuscany

Florence, Italy

Cowles Mountain, San Diego

Cal Game

All the girls in Costa Rica





I LOVE YOU MOM!