Wonderful [Crazy] Christmas Time

Well, as it tends to go this time of year, things have been absolutely crazy!

Momma came into town for a week over Thanksgiving to help me with my first Loops & Belles show at Deluxe Winter Market. (More on that tomorrow!) But before she came to visit, I wanted to be sure that my house was decorated for Christmas!!

I watch "The Holiday" every year while I put up my trees. This year was especially fun because I had my new white tree to decorate as well. (Please ignore the fact that there is still no tree skirt on the white tree... this girl is struggling to find one that I love!)

Momma and I continued our tradition of running a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving - and this was our first one in OKC!

It's always so cool to see the firefighters in full gear during a race. It was amazing to see them during the OKC Memorial Half Marathon in April; it was also pretty fun to get to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving during the Turkey Trot!

Speaking of half marathons... I finished my third (and final) half marathon of 2014 this past weekend. And of course, I'm already starting to plan which half marathons I want to run in 2015.

I think I've decided to amend my 26 while 26 list (yet again) and remove the "run a full marathon" goal. While I think it's possible, I'm not sure I'm ready for that training commitment just yet!

But I digress, back to my last half of 2014...

I love a good expo - and this one definitely didn't disappoint. Once I grabbed my bib and runner bag, it was time to start browsing all the booths! In addition to finding a half marathon that I want to run during the Plano Balloon Festival in September, I picked up a 13.1 Christmas ornament, and signed the giant wall of runners.

The calm before the runner swarm. I seriously couldn't believe the size of the crowd of runners! I was in the third corral to start and it took us 10 minutes to get to the start line once the gun was fired.

I think this was the "smartest" that I've run any of my races this year. I listened to my body and walked when I needed to walk. Then, when it was time to start running again, it felt good! I didn't suffer from "lead legs" like my last half marathon in October! 

As far as time goes, I was a bit slower than the last half, but still faster than my first! Not too shabby... if I do say so myself. And you guys, I'm super in love with the finisher medal!! 

Now, the best part... no more running for the rest of the year! I am giving my feet, and quads, and brain a bit of a break. Looking forward to getting back into Barre3 in January - and checking that goal of 3 classes a week for 2 months off my 26 while 26 list!

Oh! I finished another 26 while 26 goal last week - but we'll talk about that on Thursday...

I'm SUPER excited to share all about my first Loops & Belles show with you guys tomorrow!! Brace yourself for a lot of pictures.

xoxo, E

New Product Alert!

It's Deluxe Winter Market week, and I'm crazy excited for my first show with Loops & Belles! In preparation for this week, I updated my website and Etsy shop with some new products -- including two Christmas cards!!

 

Make sure to follow along on Instagram to keep up with all the latest!
xoxo, E

Forty Under 40

Last week I had the distinct pleasure of being named one of okc.BIZ's "Forty Under 40." This was a pretty exciting honor, but admittedly surreal to be 26 years old and named among this group of wildly successful individuals.

Thank you to all the friends and family who sent text messages, Facebook posts, and cards of congratulations! It really meant the world to me.
xoxo, E

Starlight, Star Bright

Growing up, "change" was a word that I dreaded. I can't tell you how many times I would groan when my dance instructor would say, "Okay, we're going to change a part of your solo."

Change?! It meant more work, more brain power, more time, more practice.

I. Hated. Change.

To be honest, I still don't really love it, but I crave new adventures... and my first big event with my new job, The Starlight Ball, was definitely an adventure!

• 450 guests
• 5 sold auction items -- including a '55 Chevy Bel Air Convertible
• a boogy-filled dance floor
• a bustling casino tent
• and an evening with my friends who were amazing volunteers

... all for the benefit of Children's Hospital Foundation.

Go ahead and sign me up for this experience over and over and over again!

(This video was taken during one of the best parts of my night -- things were going so well, I was able to spend some time on the dance floor with some of my best friends)

My favorite part of being an event coordinator is seeing the space go from crazy chaotic with boxes everywhere, to the pristine implemented vision, to a space filled with event-goers, to the aftermath of a successful event, and finally to the original state as if we were never there.

There's a bizarre satisfaction in my work being so "temporary."

The day before an event is always filled with last minute details -- making scripts, cutting (450!) name cards, making signs for volunteers in the casino, etc.

Luckily, the snow and winter weather held off until Sunday, but the fountain still told us that it was a little cold outside...

 

Remember those sold auction items that I mentioned earlier? Well, the first was a 1955 Chevy Bel Air Convertible. Man oh man, she was a beauty! We also had a display of 100 bottles of wine - the winner took home all 100 bottles. No simple wine pull for this group!

I apologize for the cruddy picture quality from this point forward, but stage lights and iPhones do not mix. This first one is particularly grainy because I was in-motion when I snapped it. This is true customer service ladies and gents -- my AV guy got a microphone for the dinner chime because it couldn't be heard over the roaring crowd. 

"The Roof Raisers" were amazing and had this girl moving and grooving all night long. I absolutely loved seeing all the guests having a blast on the dance floor!

The casino was pretty packed as well!

I started my evening on the dance floor during the band's sound check, and I finished my evening on the dance floor with some of our staff, my best friends, and our amazing sound technicians. 

By the end of the event, there were quite a few selfie-videos on my phone of bad singing and stellar dance moves. I have watched them over and over again since Saturday night. Color me one very happy event coordinator. 

And now, it's time to get ready for the holidays!!

xoxo, E