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As 2016 comes to a close, I thought I would open this highlights reel with the first outfit I posted in January! Nice way to bookend 2016, right? I know it's so trite to say, but time really does fly, it's almost scary. No, scratch that. It IS scary! I'm really not sure how 2017 is upon us, but before it gets here, I definitely wanted to recap my year into one consolidated post! I shared my favorite outfits earlier in the week here, but that doesn't really tell you much about ME and my actual year. That's what this post is all about. Real life highlights!
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It's no secret that 2016 has been big for me in terms of getting back on the fitness train. I decided at the start of the year that I was tired of feeling uncomfortable in my own skin and I wanted to become a better me! Thanks to introducing more exercise into my life and watching what I eat a little more closely, I am finishing the year feeling one thousand times more confident than I was this time last year.
One of my blogger opportunities that helped contribute to my fitness progress was my community ambassador role with Yoga Six. I had done yoga before, but going to their studios definitely reignited my interest and enjoyment for the workout! Looking back at that post, I wish my schedule allowed me to practice yoga more. Perhaps I need to make that a goal for 2017 because I do miss it.
Speaking of yoga, I hosted my very first solo blogger event this year. Not going to lie, it took A LOT of work and planning and I was so stressed that it was going to suck and no one was going to show up. Alas, I survived, I was more than happy with the turnout, and I'm proud of myself for being able to pull it off!
Jenna and I also got to partner with the local Kendra Scott store to host a GALentine's shopping event! It's always fun working with Kendra Scott, and this event was no exception!
OK, so obviously a HUGE part of my life right now is Pilates and my certification program. Sometimes I still have to pinch myself because I can't believe I'm actually doing this! On top of my full time job, on top of blogging. And not only that, I'M DOING THIS! What?! I would have never imagined this for myself when I first signed up for classes at the studio back in 2014, but I'm very excited and definitely proud that I've taken such a big leap.
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In August, I signed myself up for a 6K and I was so happy that I not only finished it, but I wasn't last! I'm not a long distance runner, I never have been despite my efforts to run a couple of half marathons in the past. It was a fun run though and I would totally do it again!
This is the husband's cousin, Beth, in both of these photos. She's become my compadre for these short runs, and subsequently, she's also acting as my client in a lot of my practice teaching for Pilates. Definitely thankful for her in so many more ways than just that. You want to know how awesome blogging is? Well, fellow blogger, Gina, bought me this book that basically channels your inner badass and is ridiculously motivating more than I can ever explain! It's what helped convince me that I could totally do this Pilates certification thing. Well, Beth happened to see my book while she stopped by the house one day and ended up buying the audio version. After listening to the book, she decided that she would finally live her goal and run a FULL marathon! She's officially signed up for the Chicago marathon for next fall. That gives me goose bumps thinking of it! And it all comes back to Gina being awesome.
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We were bad about planning our vacations this year. We were so good at the start of the year, but by the end of the year, we lost momentum and never planned a fall trip. That said, I can't complain about the trips that we did take. We went to Jupiter, FL again to see the Cardinals play during spring training and....
.... that also meant I got to meet up with these pretty faces again!! So thankful for blogging friends and being able to see them in real life!
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We got to use our timeshare for the first time this year, which was pretty amazing, I'm not going to lie. I felt funny telling people we were going to Orlando since Orlando is such a big theme park city and we don't have any kids. But it was one of the most relaxing vacations we ever had and I'm looking forward to many more timeshare trips!!
I almost forgot I went to Vegas this year! Gosh! It was SO MUCH FUN! It was for a bachelorette party, and I think back to this trip often (despite the fact that I almost forgot to mention it in my highlights post!!) We had such a good time. I was in the mood for Vegas, and that trip more than satiated that thirst!
I can't talk about the bachelorette party and not reminisce about the wedding! How gorgeous were the dresses! I loved this dress, and my bouquet, and my hair. And the Cupid Shuffle... The bride and groom had people over last weekend and it was nice to have a wedding party reunion!
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I had this photo as my profile pic on Facebook and my coworker said that his wife asked if that was my husband. Ha! Yep! No, not really. Just my favorite Cardinal who is no longer a Cardinal! He was traded to San Diego last year but the Cubs picked him up for the 2017 season, which is great because I get to see him play pretty often! I've met him one other time before, but this was different. Because we were basically wearing the same outfit.
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Once Jon Jay was traded, everyone kept asking me who my "new" favorite was and I always answered with "Matt Adams" without hesitation. He's amazing at bat, and I've always told the husband that if he played baseball, he would basically be like Matt Adams. That's how I justify the baseball crush. Ha! It was so awesome to meet him - this was the first time. And he signed his photo saying I was the best fan ever. I may have told him to write that, but hey, he did it!
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For my third blog anniversary, I decided to gift myself with a blog facelift. That was done back in February and I've been pretty happy with it! Not a huge difference, but just more clean and simplified than it was before!
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On the home front, my bathroom got a facelift, too! To say I've been loving all of the extra storage would be a gross understatement!
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My Saturn Vue needed an upgrade. She's been paid off for awhile now and the husband has been wanting a truck. The long term plan is that we will sell the Vue because lord knows we do not need so many cars between the two of us! We have a couple of leads, which is great! We've had the truck for a couple of weeks now and I gotta admit that I love it.
And last but definitely not least is our epic Thanksgiving! We hosted this year, which meant that my family flew in from out of town, stayed at our house, and then the husband's family came over as well for late lunch. Holy whoa it was a bit stressful, but once it was here, it was fun and my heart was so full to have everyone together. On top of that, one thing I didn't mention in that recap post is that my brother's wife is pregnant!!! They told us Thanksgiving morning at breakfast and everyone is beyond excited!!! That definitely means that 2017 is already giving us things to look forward to!
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I am sure I am missing a ton more details, but man, it's been a great year! I definitely cannot complain and I can't say enough how much I am thankful for all of you. Whether I have interacted with you or not, I see your page views and I am flattered that you are here. Thanks for sticking by me in 2016 and hope I'll have even bigger and better things to share with you in 2017. Have a safe and happy new year!!!!!
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LOL, it's not like I *wrote* the book on how to be a badass! LOL. I think I'm getting too much credit here! And it was actually a gift to me from Erin! But I love that you paid it forward to Matt's cousin and that it's having the same effect! I just re-listened to the audio version to work on getting myself motivated for 2017. You accomplished SO MUCH in 2016!! AMAZING! Your fitness progress is really so incredible and I'm so proud of you and so happy that you found your "thing" in Pilates!
ReplyDeleteGina || On the Daily Express