Taste of OKC

Allow me to show you one of the most beautiful event venues ever -- The First National Center, in downtown Oklahoma City, was the home of this year's Taste of OKC event. 

This event is a fundraiser for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and was one of my favorite events in 2013. So naturally, when Rachel asked if we'd like to attend the event, I shot her a (very quick) text back saying, "YES!!" 

We had a great girls night out! The funniest part of the evening was when a volunteer saw us struggling to all fit in the frame of a group selfie, and he offered to take our picture. Note: that didn't stop us from attempting a couple more group selfies.

I only took these two photos of food that night. Clearly, I was too busy chowing down. There were 25 participating restaurants - and I even got a couple new "tastes" for my 25 while 25 list!

I stole these pictures from Downtown OKC's Instagram feed. Y'all. I was stuffed at the end of the event. It was pretty awesome to fall into my big fluffy hotel bed on Saturday night after the event. Even though it hasn't been fun being without hot water since Wednesday, it's been awesome having sleepovers with Kimmy and 2 stay-cation nights at a hotel!

The best part of the night was definitely meeting - and snuggling - this little nugget. Sweet Hershey was one of the live auction items and I got to hold her for a bit during the event. My heart absolutely melted when she fell asleep in the crook of my arm. I wanted her SO badly, but I settled for the chance to hold her and relish in her sweetness.

I have to admit, I was super motivated to do my 4-mile run on Sunday after eating all that food. Whew. I'm glad this event is only once a year. Thank you Rachel for extending the invitation - the DOKC girls had a great time at the event! It was beautifully done.

Excited to do an update to my 25 while 25 list tomorrow. Only 66 days to complete my list - eek!!

xoxo, E

Digital Creative Workshop Round-Up

I could not have possibly imagined all that I'd walk away with from the CooperHouse Digital Creative Workshop this weekend.

The two-day workshop took place at Dunlap Codding in Film Row. We had a great group of creatives in one room and it was so much fun to make some new friends, as well as spend time with old ones!

(photo courtesy of steph)

We started the day Friday by going through the book that Erin put together for the workshop. I was super excited to take a class from someone whose work I admire so much. You guys, in addition to being super talented, she's also a phenomenal teacher. If I had to go back to school for any reason, I'd only want Erin to be my professor. She is funny, engaging, knowledgeable and you could tell she was excited to be there!

We started learning Illustrator on the first day. Check out my beautiful boxes and cloud on the left - I got super creative on the right (sarcasm) and made said cloud into a balloon, a la Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

 

Before lunch, Steph led us through a painting exercise. I did my absolute best not to be super critical of my painting skills. Jenny & Ashley mentioned how much they love the scrap paper towels when their kids paint at home - I noticed that mine wasn't half bad either! 

  

Once we were familiar with the basic features of Illustrator, we moved on to recreating a poster that Erin made with one of her oh-so-wise design sayings. 

Erin said that one of the best ways to learn how to use the tools is Illustrator is to find some images and practice tracing them. Well, ladies and gents, meet my Mickey Mouse. Some of his edges are a little jagged still, but I'm working on it!

At the start of Day 2, we discussed social media and marketing for small businesses. Rachael gave us some pointers on styling great photos and the best way to optimize iPhone photography. She also gave us a list of suggested apps to download to enhance our photos.

Once Rachael was done teaching, Erin gave us an assignment to take a photo that reflected our experience at the workshop, using the skills we just learned. Here is the photo I took...

Emily took this Behind the Scenes pic of my photo in the making! Love it!

Speaking of Miss Em - I totally took this creeper pic of her and Wiser during the workshop. They are seriously the most adorable couple - I love to watch them interact with each other. The way she looks at Chris is just so sweet. Emily is also one heck of a mom! It's so special to watch how she parents Sammy... Oh, and she's also adorably pregnant right now with baby #2. 

We tackled Photoshop in the afternoon and learned so much! My favorite lesson though was when Stephanie quickly scratched out her signature and started manipulating it. Talk about making this monogram-obsessed girl's heart pitter patter a little faster! 

I was surprised how good my signature turned out - seeing as how I used the trackpad on my laptop! 

I couldn't help but snap this picture of our little group just working away!

The Digital Creative Workshop was an absolute blast and I learned so much. I'm really looking forward to diving into the book that Erin wrote for the workshop and practicing my new skills!!

It sure was a special experience to be in a room of creatives, bloggers, artists, musicians and designers. Thank you Erin for creating such an amazing workshop!

xoxo, E

Getting Schooled

For the next two days, I will be learning all about design, photoshop and illustrator from the wonderful CooperHouse team. I have been so excited for this workshop ever since they announced it back at the end of 2013.

I've got my bag packed, and I can't wait to share what I learn!
xoxo, E

Snow, Snow, Go Away

Currently dealing with frozen hot water pipes. The joys of a (darling) old house... and two days of 17 degree temps.

In case you missed it earlier in the week:

Lessons Learned While Running

Darling, Let's Be Adventurers

My Unofficial Book Review

xoxo, E

Lessons Learned While Running

So, in true Eliz fashion, training for this half-marathon has been pretty entertaining. I've put together a little list of lessons learned while running...

1. Wardrobe Malfunctions Are Real

I wish I could say there was only one example of this lesson, but there are 3. 

- Just because a totally adorable workout top works well for Barre3 doesn't mean it's good for running. Translation: built in bras are not sufficient for running. #Ouch

- Yoga pants should be tested with a quick jog around the house before wearing them to the gym to run. Otherwise, you'll spend 2 miles pulling up your pants. Don't worry, that one pair has been officially labeled "do not run in me."

- When a workout top has snaps in the straps for the sports bra it came with, you should probably snap in the bra. Otherwise, you'll spend 2 miles pulling on the left side to keep the arm hole from moving to the front - causing another wardrobe malfunction.

2. It's All a Mind Game

I cover up the screen of the treadmill with a gym towel while running. If I can't see how far I've run, I can't think "that's it?!"

I had a pretty difficult time, mentally, with last night's 3-mile run. The speed on the treadmill felt a little faster than usual, but I didn't want to slow down and mess with the timing of my playlist & distance. I kept telling myself, "Just make it through one more song and you can move the towel to check to see how far you've gone. Just make it through one more song..." I didn't look until I had made it through 8 songs. Go me!!

3. People in the Gym Are Generally Very Nice

While running one day last week, my mind-game-towel fell and I had to leap over it to keep from tripping as it flew down the belt and landed on the floor behind me. When the guy next to me finished his workout, he grabbed the towel and handed it to me. He understood just how important it was to my survival of the run. At least that's what I'm telling myself!

4. Good Music is Key

I understand that "good" is relative, but my playlist is pretty awesome if I do say so myself. Sometimes I lip sync while I run. It really helps me keep going... even if I look like a crazy person.

5. Blisters Aren't the Only Enemy

During last night's run, I got a burn on my arm from the friction against my [super cute] top. Momma has always said I swing my arms too much -- turns out, she's right. This burn hurts WAY more than it should. What a dumb "injury."

6. People Watching is the Absolute Best

Enough said.

7. Run by a Cute Guy

It's even better if he's running as well. This was also true of last night's gym visit. The guy next to me was running at a speed of 8.0 miles an hour. This definitely brought out my competitive side. Anything he could do, I could do... slower. 

I have no doubt that some more lessons will be added to the list over the next 11 weeks.

This winter weather is killing me - I know that my attention span is going to require me to hit the pavement very soon. There are only so many captions you can read on the TV screens while running without getting bored. 

Happy Hump Day! I've got a few updates to the 25 while 25 list to share with you tomorrow. 

xoxo, E

Darling, Let's Be Adventurers

Having a dad whose main gig is an airline pilot was a pretty sweet deal growing up. Okay, a pretty freakin' amazing deal.

While most kids looked forward to a summer vacation at Myrtle Beach, I looked forward to our quick weekend trips to NYC throughout the year to see the latest Broadway show. Please, please (please!) understand that I don't say that in a snobby way. In fact, maybe I should delete that sentence to be sure I'm not misunderstood...

Things that are a given about a pilot's kid:

1. I've never had to battle a fear of flying. I flew while still in the womb. (Mom was a flight attendant. I felt that if I didn't clarify, it'd seem like dad was the one who was preggers.)

2. I've had a passport since I was 3.

3. I'm an expert packer - lies - I always over-pack. However, I'm great at packing for security. All of the items that I have to remove are at the top of my bag.

4. I always, always, always compliment the pilot on a smooth landing and thank the whole flight crew for getting us to our destination. They kept me alive and got me somewhere quickly, they deserve it!

5. I never turn off my devices because I know it doesn't really make a difference. (Even though, on my last flight they told us we could keep them on if they were in Airplane Mode. I do that.)

6. I understand how a plane flies. It's because of the Bernoulli Principle.
It's super complicated and rooted in physics, but my dad (the best pilot ever) made it simple! He was talking to my class in elementary school and told us that the Bernoulli family was flying through the air and they encountered an airplane in the sky. The dad and the son went over the wing while mom and daughter went under the wing, then they met on the other side. That, ladies and gents, is the Bernoulli Principle.

I have been incredibly fortunate that my dad's job allowed me to go to NYC multiple times a year to enjoy live theater in one of the best cities in the world. It definitely fostered my love (read: obsession) with musical theater and my comfort with navigating the City.

In fact, Momma jokes that I have no problem finding my way around NYC, but I always get lost in our mall, SouthPark. Amen woman. That's the truth! (Even though I worked there for a couple of summers and definitely have plenty of experience shopping there.)

One of the hardest parts of growing up has been "aging out" my flying privileges. Getting to fly for free was definitely my favorite perk of being a member of an airline family.

My dad would probably say his favorite perk is a paycheck -- I'd say mom has a foot in both camps.

Well, unfortunately for us airline kiddos, once I turned 25, that particular perk expired for me. Although, it pretty much became worthless once I moved to Oklahoma for college. Since I traveled home during peak times of the year - and US Airways doesn't fly direct to OKC - we always purchased my ticket.

Anyway, since it was never an issue to catch a flight to a fun place, pretty much on a whim, traveling has always been a huge part of my life. It is particularly hard for me now that it isn't. I miss the exhilaration of take off and knowing that a fun and exciting new adventure is waiting for me on the other side!

It was always pretty cool to go on my dad's trips with him. I remember how I'd beam with pride when he'd announce over the loud speaker, "This is your Captain Ed Newton and we'd like to welcome you aboard." It was also fun when he'd give me and my mom a shout out. Our first trips to London and Paris were before he switched over to international routes, but we went to Germany on a trip with him during the Wiesbaden Christmas Market. It was spectacular!

I've been thinking about travel a lot lately. I've got the itch. But seriously, how awesome would it be to be a travel writer - or better yet, a luxury hotel reviewer!! Okay, come down off of that fantasy cloud, Newton.

It didn't hurt either that my dad sent me a text yesterday morning to see if I'd be able to take 2 weeks vacation in the summer of 2015. "Momma wants to do another girls trip." (For your reference, Italy 2010 was our last extended girls trip)

Oh father, you will really have to twist my arm on this one.

My top 5 favorite trips:
1. Italy
2. NYC - can't pick a favorite time, they are all my favorite.
3. Boston
4. Swaziland, Africa
5. Vancouver/Alaska

My top 5 6 international places I simply must visit soon:
1. Australia
2. Greece
3. Spain
4. Ireland
5. Cinque Terre, Italy
6. Switzerland

And just for fun, a few domestic spots on my wish list:
1. San Francisco
2. Chicago
3. Seattle
4. Back to Boston!!

I think I might get to check off #1 off my international list next summer! Have any of you been to Australia before? Or know anyone who has? I'm looking for all kinds of input about where to go and what to do!

Dreaming of far off places, the Australian outback, the white sandy beaches of Greece, and this darling swim suit I ordered last week.

xoxo, E

My Unofficial Book Review

On Sunday I will be 4 years cancer free. Join me in an obnoxiously joyful happy dance, won't you?

I read "The Fault in Our Stars," cover to cover, in 36 hours. When a friend gave me the book to read, she said, "It's about kids with cancer, so be prepared, but it's awesome." I have the biggest passion for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Children's Miracle Network, so I knew it'd tug at my heart. However, I didn't anticipate just how much I'd identify with the story.

I don't know if I've ever really told anyone this before, but sometimes I have a hard time believing that I had cancer. I would definitely say that I still have an invincibility complex about me. I mean, I know that bad things can/will happen to me, but I have a hard time imagining the cancer taking over my body and taking my life.

I promise, this isn't going to be a dark and morbid post. Stick with me.

With both of my melanoma diagnoses, we found it early and got it all with a cut and stitches. Never did we ever discuss chemo or aggressive treatment plans. It wasn't necessary. I've always felt confident that the cancer would be localized and I'd go back to life as usual.

When I find a spot that looks a little funny, I get nervous. But with how often I go to the dermatologist, I never worry that anything might have spread beyond the cut & stitch plan. About a year ago, my doctor (who is responsible for 4 of my "as amazing as they can be" melanoma scars) warned me that I need to be conscious of headaches and their frequency, "because as you know, melanoma metastasizes to the brain." God love her, but that phrase will forever be burned in my brain.

As someone who suffers from headaches, whenever I have them more frequently than normal, I worry. I try to banish the worry, but sometimes I have a bit of a breakdown.

Hazel (the main character in TFIOS) had a very similar inner monologue about a brain tumor in the book. I couldn't help but giggle and get teary as I read it. Even though her cancer is incredibly aggressive, and she doesn't live anything that resembles a "normal" life, I connected to her in that moment.

I've talked about "the ugly cry" before - and once I got to page 103, I ugly cried a good handful of times through the remainder of the book. There were also moments where I felt my heart swell.

The book is labeled teen non-fiction, but the way these kids talk - definitely wise beyond their years - prompted me to type out a few of the lines in a note in my phone so I could remember them.

This is one of my favorite paragraphs from the book - because, well, I suppose I'm a hopeless romantic.

Two of the characters fall in love and the book chronicles their struggle to love each other, the best way they know how, for the short time they have together. Sometimes, I think it's so hard to put into words what it feels like to be in love and what it feels like to be in pain.

Here's another one of my favorite paragraphs - WARNING - it's a bit of a spoiler:

I really loved the way Hazel described falling in love with Gus, "I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, then all at once." She also said she was "drowning in a weirdly painful joy."

Lord, isn't that the truth. Love is the most painfully wonderful feeling. The book ends with my favorite quote of all - and it's in the movie trailer, so I don't feel like I'm ruining anything by sharing - "I love her. I am so lucky to love her. You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world, but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices."

If I haven't totally scared you off from reading this book, I highly recommend it. I can't wait for the movie to come out in March. I'm definitely working on getting Momma out here for a visit and movie date!

Swimming in the beauty and the pain of this life we are so fortunate to live...

xoxo, E