Thursday, March 31, 2011

Adventure race season begins!

From beautiful shoes to a muddy mess! I am excited to say I have registered for my first adventure race in 2011, the Warrior Dash! Not only does this race look like a huge challenge, muddy mess and overall good time but we also have a great crowd joining us. This is the first race I am doing with my husband which is very exciting! Along with my husband, Mary (my Muddy Buddy), Megan, Nate, Crystal, and others will all be on the start line together.

Here is what we are in store for on August 27...

http://warriordash.com/

I hope my short legs make it over the flames :)

Wouldn't be an adventure race without MUD!

This could be interesting...

Lexi would LOVE to participate, but I am worried she would get distracted by a squirrel!

I can't wait, this looks like so much fun!!

This is going to be so much fun to take on this challenge with my husband and great friends. It is a great test of endurance and the feeling of accomplishment makes it worth every, at times painful, moment!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

It is meant to be...

NICOLA PLATFORM HEELS from J Crew. Not only do we already have something in common, I think they are adorable and would go with everything! Hmmm...still not sure I can spend that much on shoes, but a girl can dream!!
 
 
Nicola platform heels
 
J Crew has some beautiful shoes. Here are my favorites...no worries Dave, I am simply window shopping or should I say browser shopping?!
 
Cavo high-heel sandals
Love the ankle detail!
 
Sardinia wedge espadrilles
I love wedges and so excited to see how popular they are this season! I can already see myself wearing these and cruising on our yacht...brings me to our first problem, we don't have a yacht! We should work on that ;)
However, I did buy these lovely Jessica Simpson Wedges. They are very comfortable and I feel like they are perfect for the spring and summer!
GEMY
 
Lula tweed ballet flats
 
These would be great to throw in my purse for those moments when my feet have had enough of the heels!
 
I am happy to say I made it through this post and browsing without making a purchase...hopefully I can stay strong...HOPEFULLY! We are working toward some BIG purchases and need to save our pennies. But thank you J Crew for giving me some fabulous shoes to drool over :)

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Spring is HERE!!!





What does spring mean for the Mitchells - T & T - Trips and Team Sports :)

Let's talk trips...last year I spent most of my life on the road, unfortunately it was mainly work related...so this is the year for FUN trips...trips with friends, trips to visit family and adventures with my husband. Our first round of trips started by celebrating upcoming weddings! 

For me it was off to sunny Miami to celebrate the beautiful bride Kristin. The days were spent in the sun embracing the tropical scenery and warm weather and the evenings were experiencing the Miami night life. It was the perfect get-away with great friends, both old and new...The Wanna-Be Southern Belle and LRT Be Pretty say it best! The following weekend involved a hummer limo and night at Suite for one of my great friends Mary Ann. We danced and laughed the night away! Even Lexi enjoyed the party by getting to hang out with her buddy, Savannah's pup, Cooper.  

MIAMI!!!




The following weekend after I returned from Miami, Dave was off to Myrtle Beach for a guys weekend full of golf. It sounded like they had a great time!

My Trips Tip - Make a Budget (broken out by flight, hotel, food & drinks, activities)...With a long list of trips on our calendar and (like everyone) limited funds, I pulled together a budget with estimated costs and actuals for each piece of each trip. Through my years in event planning, budgets are always a must and great way to track your spending. I am happy to say I was only over my estimated costs for Miami by $4.49!!! I was so excited!!

Other upcoming trips...another bachelorette party, weddings, a road trip to Iowa for a family reunion, annual trip to Maine and of course a week long VACATION in Jamaica...more traveling posts to come.


In between our fun filled weekends we spend most of our time on the field. Both Dave and I grew up playing sports. His passion is basketball and baseball and mine was and still is tennis and field hockey. Sports are one of our favorite things to do together...here is what a typical week looks like for us...

Monday - Kickball...I have developed a love for kickball and our team, the Ball Busters. The team is a perfect balance between competitive and fun. Best way to "kick" off the week.


Tuesday - Softball and Running - While I hit the streets running with Lindsey, Dave is out with his men's softball team, Brixx (yes, they are sponsored by the delicious Charlotte pizza spot). 

Celebrating Lindsey new adventures as a business owner before our weekly run!!

Wednesday - Softball - The Hoffs, our co-ed softball team, takes to the field Wednesday nights. Softball is not my sport, but I play for Dave and try my hardest to help the team.

Ok, so that isn't the Hoffs (instead a field day with GMR), but this is where you can find me...covering home plate :)

Thursday & Friday - are typically off days for team sports, but if it is a nice night we will hit up the driving range or may start playing more tennis!

During the weekends when we have free time, Dave is definitely on the golf course at least once and I will join from time to time. My main goal during the spring and summer is to be outside, enjoy the weather, work up a sweat, and take full advantage of those valuable days off!

Lexi loves this time of year too...she is our team mascot and always joins us in the dugout!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Wild Things




Just the other day I was talking to my dad about a potential BIG family vacation, to visit my cousin-in-law's (is that the correct term, my cousin's husband) camp...now this is not a summer camp, or a camp on the lake...think EXOTIC! This "camp" is in Zambia, Africa and your neighbors are elephants, lions, rhinoceros, giraffes, the list goes on. This magical place is called the Royal Zambezi Lodge, and from the pictures it looks breath taking!! My mom just returned from South Africa visiting Zulu (my grandfather) and Uncle Nick. Her trip reminded me of this potential opportunity to explore this world without skyscrapers, busy streets, but rather endless views of the wild, the soft sounds that bring both fear and excitement, this is a world that can never truly be described only experienced!

Even though the pictures will never do this beautiful place justice, here are some images from the Royal Zambezi Lodge!


THE LODGE = Rustic elegance!
Mess from river
Jetty at sunset
Luggage
 
Terrace by night
 
Sitting Room
 
Bathtub
 
Classic Suite Double
 
Lodge at Night
 
It wouldn't be Africa without the Animals...
 
 
 
 
 
 
And to finish off the day...
Jacuzzi
 
Massage
 
If you have an African Safari on your bucket list this is the place to go and check it off! You will be treated like royality and the busy world of work and overwhelming schedules will disappear!
 
I know that my dreams tonight will be filled with wild adventures in safari luxury!!
 
All pictures curtosity of the Royal Zambezi Lodge.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Royal Inspiration




As a little girl I always remember my mom following the style trends of Princess Diana, England's rose! Princess Di was truly a beautiful person and inspiration to many and unfortunately was taken far too soon. It is funny how I have followed my mom's footsteps and now I find inspiration in Kate Middleton, the soon to be Princess. I have always loved clothes and my fashionista mom has always kept me on the right track. After styling my closet with Lindsey Regan Thorne Be Pretty, I learned to put together outfits and the compliments have been rolling in. Now I am addicted to scoping out fashion trends, simple styles and new ways to wear my current clothes. With a little Be Pretty education, I LOVE fashion, my current clothes (because of all the new ways to wear them) and I love that I am becoming more and more like my mom each day!

Ok so back to the royal family, Kate Middleton is a modern girl with a great eye for fashion. Outside of her royal style, her everyday outfits look like something I could see myself in. Simple looks that make big statements!

Here are some of my favorite outfits!!

For Everyday - Link

Party Time!

The perfect coat! Link

Sexy dress! Link

Keep it casual! Link

Top it off with a hat! Link
All business! Link

Perfect purse! Link

Spring Fever! Link

And here are a few in case I get the call from the Queen for a visit...it could happen :)


kate-middleton-style

Thank you to all of my fashion inspirations, my mom, Lindsey and Kate!