Dare You To...

Pictures.  I've always been a picture person.  Come to think of it, it's a wonder I didn't invent Instagram, myself!  I was the friend who used to always bring along a disposable camera (remember those?), and then a digital camera (my Canon is my favorite), and now still often insists on bringing a real camera even though our phones take fantastic photos.

I'm the one who shouts "Smile!!" to capture a fun moment.  I snap candids, too.  I photograph, share, scrapbook, and reminisce.   I believe photos are an important tool to hold on to and re-live happy memories.


So why am I daring you to put the camera down?  

Truthfully, I could just as easily tell you to TAKE PICTURES, and maybe someday I will. But for now, this is a dare I have personally been working on this past year.

Last summer, one of my best friends got married.  It was the most beautiful ceremony, followed by the most fun reception.  As a bridesmaid, I was occupied throughout the day and, of course, …

{Last week's Neon Dash Giveaway winner is... Leigh!  Congratulations!} 
On my birthday bucket list is the dare to PAINT, and that's just what I did last night!


You see, I always loved art when I was younger, and I would draw and paint right through my senior year in high school.  Then... nothin'.  Somehow life took over, and my sketchbook ended up in a cabinet in my bedroom in my parents' house.  Nowadays, whenever I do find myself doing something artsy or involving paint of some kind (like a paint-your-own pottery type place), I get such a creativity high that I'm sad when it ends and yearn for more!

Art is an enjoyable form of PLAY for me,  and play is good for us!
So that's how "paint" ended up on my list, and a no-hassle way to dip my toe back in was by taking a class.

My friend Becky and I went to Painting Lounge in Brooklyn (there's also a Manhattan lounge--which is BYOB), where we were set up with easels, canvases, paint, brushes, and a mo…

FIRST UP!  The winner of a 30-day gym pass to New York Sports Club is Evann!! Congratulations, Evann; enjoy your BODYPUMP makeover!

Now - recap time!  Just a weekend in pictures, today:

Recently, I spent a marvelous weekend with two of my best friends, not only reuniting and having the best time ever giggling about nothing and having serious heart-to-hearts, but also celebrating D's passing of her boards AND her upcoming wedding!  The bridal shower was a ball and I am so so happy that SHE is so happy.

Here are a few scenes from the weekend in Columbus, Ohio. Although a good amount of the time was spent in PJs at D's house (good catch-up sessions, adorable kitten, and excellent home cooking!), we also ventured out into Columbus.  We brunched at Tasi Cafe and dined at Level, shopped around the boutiques in Short North, and scoured the shelves at my new favorite place in the country: The Book Loft.  The weekend concluded with the bridal shower: The sweetest tea party I've ever…

Quick note!Don't forget there's a book review and giveaway going on! Click here to comment and enter.

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Earlier this month, for my birthday, I made a bucket-list of sorts, various tasks I desired to complete throughout the year.  Basically, I had been somewhat saddened looking upon my previous year and how I spent it focused solely on work, and didn't go out of my way to make time for play, and play is important!  Looking ahead, I've decided that this year of my life will be different.  I will schedule in unscheduled time.  I will do things just for fun.  I will work to be better at my job while also ensuring that my sanity remains intact.  I want to stay young, to reduce stress, to enjoy life, and to remember that it's okay necessary to make room for balance between work and play.

At first, I shared my list with just a couple of friends on my birthday, but I planned on mostly keeping it to myself.  Just a week or two later, Alec posted her 27 before 28 list t…

Whatever you celebrate or don't celebrate, many people have a holiday from work, a chance to spend time with family and friends.  Take advantage of it.  ENJOY it.  Don't worry TOO too much about getting to the gym or saying no to your favorite food.  I'm not saying to abandon your health goals, but don't let it get in the way of your happiness this time of year.

Dare you to...

     Relax. 
   Unwind. 
   Celebrate.
Enjoy. 


That's all!

Just wanted to drop in and wish you a happy holiday week and a joyful New Year!

Guest Post! Today, we're hearing from Stephanie, who just moved from her original running blog to a NEW Run for Fun, that launches this week with Stephanie sharing part of her story that has not yet been revealed.  Please read her post below and check out her blog for more on how she found her life worth living. 

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Hi all, Meredith was nice enough to let me blog for you today.  I just converted my website from Blogger to WordPress - Run for Fun. While I have been blogging for a long time, I have not been completely truthful.  My path in blogging has been an amazing one, I have made lifelong friends, enjoyed sharing my running experiences with everyone and hearing about yours, and most of all I have loved  being a support to others whether it be to those pregnant, suffering from infertility, postpartum anxiety or training for a marathon.  I want to continue that; thus with the start of this new blog, I want to add more,  I want to come clean and in turn hope to help more people. …

I had such a fun meetup yesterday last week (Can you tell I'm behind on life??) that I have to tell you about.

Rebekah Borucki of BexLife and Danny J. of The Sweaty Betties came to NYC to host a gathering of fit-minded folks for a "Happy Hour" in Madison Square Park.


It was easy to spot the group when I arrived, partially because I could easily see Bex and Danny, but also because many came in workout-ready clothes, since we were going to do a 4-minute mini workout.

In the beginning, people were just talking, meeting, reuniting, mingling, etc. It was nice reconnecting with friends and finally meeting some faces I've known online (HEY MARI!).


So good to spend time with Amber again! :D We got to "meet & greet" with two of our favorites:



Then Bex and Danny J brought us together into a circle, where they introduced themselves, told how they met, and then we went around the group introducing ourselves, sharing fun facts and applauding one another.






 Rebekah…