workout tunes

via

Let's keep it real...I don't enjoy running. Well, I don't enjoy starting to run again after a long hiatus which is almost all the time. I need motivation to get out there, and the only thing that gets me, and keeps me, going are tunes. If I don't have music to work out with, I don't work out. 

For instance, last week, I woke up early and made it to the gym for 5am. I got on the treadmill, turned on my ipod, and it immediately turned off on me with some sass saying, "Please, girl. You didn't charge me last night so no music for you today". No music, okay...I got off the treadmill and drove back home, got back into bed, and snoozed for another hour. I showed you, ipod.

Not only is keeping your ipod/mp3 player charged important, but so are the songs you choose to work out to. I've been a long standing fan of alternative rock and hip hop/rap while running, but I am always looking for an update. Enter Women's Health for some good inspiration and 10 separate playlist ideas for a good run. Some of these are already on my playlist, but I'm definitely going to add some new ones in there like B.O.B by Outkast and Runnin' Down a Dream by Tom Petty - genius, really! 

What about you? What is your go-to song for keeping up momentum?

just a little giggle goes a long way

My little sister in my sorority, Kelley, giggles...a lot...and it is the cutest, most endearing thing ever! I always get so happy to talk to her because as soon as she answers the phone she goes, "Hey girl! Haha!" It automatically puts me in a good mood and eager to talk. I decided to adopt her giggles into my every day life, and man, has it changed things.

Not only do I feel more happy myself, but people are so much nicer when you place a little laugh before, after, and in between your sentences. I found that, at work, I wouldn't know an answer right off, but I would immediately make a joke of it, laugh, and then tell the person I'd get right back to them. Not only did it work, but they were so appreciative of a follow up call and were noticeably more happy themselves.

I tested this even further this past weekend when I went out with my friends. The cabbie (who in Charlotte are usually pretty rude and act as if they have no idea what is going on) was in a wonderful mood by the time he dropped me off at my destination and even showed me pics of his cute kids - so sweet! AND the doorman outside of the club I went to was nice and opened the door for me (he left the line that was behind me and walked me about 7 feet to the door to let me in) - such a nice personal touch, don't you think? I like to think this was all due to my constant smile and little giggle.

Is there anything extra you do to ensure you, and the others around you, are having a fun time?

lifetime window shopper

via Ikea

You know those people...the ones that fantasize about setting their place up with all the latest/coolest room decor, but never actually take the plunge to buy the dang stuff in order to make that fantasy come true. Well if you didn't know a person like that before, now you do. I'm HER. I'm THAT girl. It's shameful, honestly. I mentally file away a room color and curtain combination vowing that I will get started on it tomorrow, but then it never happens. I'm still thinking about this one wallpaper I want to get when I "have a real house". Sick, I know. 

What makes this problem worse is technology. Not only can I look up all these beautiful ideas/pictures online (Pinterest, I hate you), but my IP address is then saved by the company where I'm creepin'. So as if my fantasies aren't enough, I then get "Reminder" and "Miss You" emails like the ones below from these companies.

 

Why, yes, West Elm...I would like to save 15% on my next purchase. And how did you know I was looking at that exact duvet cover just yesterday?? Oh, you are sneaky sneaky! I need serious help!

motha

Oh, Mom! I do love you so! You amaze me every single day with how kind, compassionate, patient, and loving you are. It couldn't have been easy raising 5 girls especially with me in the mix (seriously, I was a hot mess), but you did it with style and grace and set the perfect example for all of us. I appreciate you every single day, but today especially!

Happy Motha's Day!

an introduction

I can't believe I'm finally doing it...

I've been wanting to start a blog for so long, and even made it a new year's resolution to do so, but life kept getting in the way. However, I made it a point this weekend to bury myself into this site and just do it.

The hardest thing to figure out wasn't the HTML coding, but what to call my little blog baby and deciding on a focus. My husband, Thanh (pronounced like Tom but with an "N"), actually came up with the title as a play between our last name (pronounced like "dawn") and how blogging would be an extra hobby of mine on the side. He wants to make sure that I give him the proper credit for the genius title so here you go, honey :)

As for a focus, I still don't know. I want to write about my husband and I and our little experiences in order to keep our family and friends up to speed in this crazy world. I also want to use this opportunity as an outlet for all my ideas and the many inspirations I have come across along the way. So, I guess I'll do just that.