Tails n' Trails 5K

This weekend on Saturday morning was the annual Tails n Trails 5K run supporting the Denton Humane Society.  This is now the 3rd year Husband & I have participated.  I think this was the first time that we had really good weather.  It was chilly last year in the morning but this year was the best.  I was a little nervous about running because I've been so sick & have only done 2 long distance runs outside since the beginning of this month.  And it's always hard for me to get my breathing flowing when it's so cold out.  So I planned on taking a slower pace than I normally would.

We arrived around 7:30am to pick up our packets & then got back in the car to warm up a bit more before the run.  The 10K started at 8am & ours started at 8:15am.  Not only is this placed filled with dogs but most of them are in costumes which makes them even more cute to look at.

A little after our start time we were off.  It was really cold.  So cold my hands & feet became numb while waiting for the horn to go off.  It's always a cluster starting a race because everyone is so jammed up & there were runners with dogs mixed in.  But once we found our pace, it was smooth sailing.  The course got changed up this year & I liked it so much better.  There were more hills but they didn't last nearly as long as they used to.  Husband & I usually start together & then end up going at our own speeds once we find our rhythm.

I ended up having probably one of the best 3 mile runs I've ever had.  I started out strong & was able to keep a steady pace the whole time.  The hills actually helped since they were short so I kind of just let myself comfortably sprint downhill.  The last 1/2 mile I was running next to a really nice girl & she totally kept me motivated.  Every time I would fall back behind her, she encouraged me to keep her pace & before I knew it we were flying through the finish line together.  I always pick up my pace to a sprint at the end of a race when I have an idea how close I am to the finish line.  But she really pushed me hard & I was so grateful for that.

The run was fantastic & I don't know what my time was yet but even if it wasn't as fast as I normally run, it felt wonderful & I was proud of myself.

Afterwards, we chugged water & ate granola bars & fruit while taking in all the adorableness of dogs everywhere.  I'm the weirdo who will walk up to every dog & hug them & kiss all up in their faces.   Of course I carefully introduce myself & always ask if I can pet a dog.  I'm not that person who doesn't care.  But dogs can totally sense if you like them & it's pretty obvious that I more than like them.

There were tons of vendors also.

I love this run & already am looking forward to next year!   

Product Review: Clarisonic Mia

I haven't done a product review in a while so how about one!

A little over a month ago I was stoked because in one day I got my Birchbox, my Clarisonic & a new yoga DVD & blogged about it.  I kept the Clarisonic a secret.  I wanted to use it for at least a month before giving my opinion.  Well I've been using it for 5 weeks now & I can honestly say this product has changed my skin in the best way possible.

To start, I've made it clear how sensitive my skin is & it freaks out at change.  Like any change.  I can itch my cheek & have a huge red welt leftover.  Yeah, it's really fun to be me.  I did tons of research about the Mia & read oodles & oodles of reviews.  I only found 2 negative reviews & only 1 complaining that it caused bad breakouts.  So I decided to splurge & order it online.  I actually got a great deal & ordered from a website called lovelyskin where I get lots of my expensive beauty products.  This site always has some sort of sale going on, free shipping & you get a bunch of samples with every order.  Retail price for the Mia is around $125 & I snagged mine for $96.  Go me.  I also made sure to get in contact with the retail website to ensure a 100% money back guarantee if I didn't like the product.  No problem, you have 90 days for a full refund, no questions asked.  I also ordered a different brush than what it came with.  It comes standard with a sensitive brush & I also ordered the delicate.  Better safe than sorry.

Mia

Delicate Brush Head

Sensitive Brush Head

Ok, lots of reviews I read raved how once the Mia was used their skin was so soft & clear & they couldn't believe what a difference it made...blah blah blah.  I can only think these people must have never had a facial, never used any expensive skin care product & never ever exfoliated.  My first initial reaction after the first use was "wow this really made my skin feel clean" but I can't say I noticed an overnight change or miracle.  In fact, the first 2 weeks of using (I only use it at night) my face did break out.  Not massive volcanoes that usually erupt but it broke out randomly.  However the spots cleared up quickly & stayed small.  I expected this kind of reaction.  Different reviews described a "purging phase" for the first few weeks.  Ever use a Sonicare toothbrush?  Well it vibrates like a million times per second to give that feeling.  Maybe not that fast but really fast that you can't tell it's moving.  Same thing with the Mia.  So my description is that it vibrates all the crap that is deep deep down in your pores & pushes it to the surface of the face.  Now most of that dirt & crap gets rinsed away when you rinse with water but obvi not all of it.  And that might cause some breakouts aka...the purge.

I think around week 3 is when I had my "OMG" moment.  Let me explain.  I had really clogged pores to the point I could touch my face & feel all the tiny little clogged pores.  It felt like mini bumps all over my face & if you got close enough (which I am always inspecting my face in the mirror) you could see how clogged my pores were.  And I'm confident that's why I would breakout so bad, I just couldn't get my pores clean enough.  Back to my moment, I'm in the shower (that's the easiest way to use the Mia or you might get face wash everywhere) and I just used it.  I'm rinsing my face...& I suddenly realize my face feels smooth.  Not like freshly exfoliated smooth, like "um my pores aren't clogged anymore" smooth.  Hyperventilating I got out & got as close to the mirror as I could.  And yes, my pores were clear.  My skin was smooth.  I was in shock.  I've tried so many things to get this result.  Microdermabrasion, IPL, daily exfoliating, chemical peels, laser resurfacing (don't even get me started on that fiasco), etc. You name it, I've probably tried it.  Needless to say, I was beyond excited.

Another perk of using the Mia, because it provides such an intense deep clean, my other products are really working.  My toner, moisturizer and even eye cream.  It's amazing & I don't look in the mirror & hate my face anymore.  My face is still really red after getting out of the shower & pretty blotchy but I just put on my moisturizer, walk away for about 30 minutes & come back & literally it's calmed down.  I'm still in shock sometimes when I stare in the mirror & have no makeup on at all.  Oh yeah, I also notice that my powder goes on nicely & doesn't look gungy as the day goes on.  I still have some discoloration from really bad breakouts but those marks are slowly fading.  Overall I'm so impressed with this wonderful gem.  I really thought it was too good to be true & couldn't have been more wrong.   

The Clarisonic Mia was TOTALLY worth the money I paid & even worth the full price.  My skin is so much better and really doesn't break out that much anymore.  I still get some flare ups around my chin & jawline but that is all hormonal & I can deal with it.  It's a perfect daily cleansing machine & literally like getting a facial every night.  L.O.V.E.

Vegas Part 2

Since we stayed out kind of late on Friday, our Saturday morning workout was skipped.  We decided to sleep in a bit & then go to breakfast.  We got dressed & walked over to the expo.  I got my fix on all the samples from the day before so only grabbed a few things from the exhibits this time.  We met up with some friends & got into a booth to relax a bit.  After about 2 hours we were all drained & went back to the hotel.

Husband & I were hungry but wanted to get out of the hotel so we took the monorail back to the strip to walk around and grab lunch.  It was such a gorgeous day.  A little warmer than the past 2 days but sunny & breezy.  We ended up having lunch at a great Mexican place & then made our way through all the hotels.  I got hung up at the Flamingo once I realized they had a mini zoo inside!  I think I over did it with the pictures but I was in love with all the animals.

Flamingos IN the Flamingo...who would have thought!

While we were at the Flamingo we got a call from our friends that they scored some tickets to a party that night.  We had planned on just staying out at the strip & walking around for a low key night but plans change.  To kill some time, we went to the Venetian.  I love this hotel.  Super ritzy & the shopping ambiance inside is mesmerizing.  I did find my way into Michael Kors but didn't buy anything (I have a MK outlet store I'd rather go to).  I'm too cheap to buy full price!

It's Ted! 

Inside of Venetian, ceiling is so gorgeous

Just a cool art gallery

Around 4 we went back to the hotel to get showered & of course grab some drinks at the lounge.  The guys were going to Hard Rock for dinner so we met up with them afterwards & tried our luck at the slot machines in the hotel.  We lost $35 in like 5 minutes.  We got annoyed.  We didn't gamble anymore.  But on a high note, we loved this hotel.  It's not on the strip which kind of sucks but other than that it was very entertaining.  Sadly I didn't take any pictures except for this one to represent Crue for Husband.

Motley Crue was performing at Hard Rock

The party we had tickets to was across the street at the Rumor Boutique Hotel.  Well the party was a total bust and we didn't stay long.  We thought it had an open bar & were sadly mistaken when we arrived.  So we walked (yep more walking) back out to the strip.  And no, it wasn't a quick walk & keep in mind I'm wearing wedges.  I hadn't planned on any more exercising but I didn't complain.  I did almost trip about 3 times.  Husband & I opted to get back on the monorail & make it an early night while the guys went out for more gambling.  We said our goodbyes & left.  Next morning we packed, had our breakfast & went to the airport. I was glad I skipped out on more samples on Saturday because my suitcase was too heavy! I had a feeling that was going to happen. But we just did some shuffling around between our suitcases & problem solved! We were very excited to be on our way back to the baby!

Vegas was so fun & I would totally go back next year.  I'd probably cut it a day short & fly out on Friday, only go to the expo on Saturday & then head home on Sunday.   As much fun as Vegas is, it's also $$$ but loved every minute of it!