A healthier me: Thrice as nice

Week 7 of my running program is in the books, fitness friends. And I'm happy to report I hit the three-mile mark. It's still hard to believe only three months ago I could barely run three consecutive minutes. It hasn't been easy (there are still days I have to force myself to make a gym appearance), but when I'm finished running, it's always worth it.

I'm a little less than two weeks away from reaching my goal of competing in my first mud run, and I couldn't be happier with the progress I've made.

Come along with me on my journey to a healthier me.

Happy Day Before Missoni For Target Day

If anyone needs me, I'll be camped out in front of my local Target tomorrow morning. I was underwhelmed by the Calypso St. Barth collab, but these Missoni goodies are more than making up for that disaster. I'll take one of each, please.

[images]

Happy Labor Day!

[via]

Five for Friday: Fall into white jeans

Clearly whoever made up the lame rule about wearing white after Labor Day lived under a fashion rock. With the holiday right around the corner, take those summer staple white jeans into the fall with blazers, bomber jackets, dark accessories and scarfs. Adding heavier layers will help stretch your wardrobe between seasons, making your wallet happy and keeping your closet clutter-free.

Even though the summer temps last through November in the AZ, a girl can still dream of chilly, yet sunny days, right?!

[via]

[via]

[via]

[via]

[via]

Get more Friday fun here.

In rotation: Those Darlins + The Weeknd + The Ettes + Little Dragon + Mister Heavenly + Blood Orange

Sassy rock-country hybrids Those Darlins (who are incredible live), the latest mixtape of R&B up-and-comer The Weeknd, new-to-me rockers The Ettes, the most recent release from Swedish electronic band Little Dragon, Mister Heavenly's doom-wop and Blood Orange's 80s-tinged synth grooves are rolling around in my iPod these days. I hope you enjoy their respective sounds as much as I do, music lovers.

Those Darlins: Screws Get Loose

"Screws Get Loose"

The Weeknd: Thursday

"The Zone"

The Ettes: Wicked Will

"The Pendulum"

Little Dragon: Ritual Union

"Ritual Union"

Mister Heavenly: Out Of Love

"Pineapple Girl"

Blood Orange: Terrible Records 7″

"Bad Girls"

Listen to the other tunes bumping out of my speakers here.

50 states: Big Sky Country for two

This adventure to Montana has been over a decade in the making, and today I'll be able to check one of my top travel destinations off the list. But it's much more than a check mark. I'm not only going to Big Sky Country for myself, but the journey is for my Dad, too. We made plans to someday visit the area together, but didn't get the chance before he passed away.

So when I see Missoula, Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park during the next week, it'll be that much more special. 

What to pack: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 | Picture via

50 states: On island time (Part II)

Our San Juan Islands adventure was so fun, it had to be broken up into two parts (check out the first half here). The latter portion of the trip was spent at Stuart Island, Orcas Island and a night at the marina in Anacortes. 

We enjoyed a spectacular hike to an old schoolhouse and a lighthouse, incredible sunsets, an unexpected but very cool tour of a tugboat, a yummy feast the fiance's mom made for his 30th Birthday, checking out a wedding venue (come back for more on that) and delicious meals at two of our go-to restaurants (Calico Cupboard and Rockfish Grill) in Anacortes.

I already can't wait for next year's boat trip!

Come along with me on my past adventures here and check out more of my photography here.

Scenes from the weekend

Because it's always fun ...

Looking up at a pre-monsoon sky;

Spending quality time with your sorority lil sis when she comes to town;

Reaching yet another mileage milestone;

Eating dinner at your favorite Thai restaurant;

Taking in an exciting baseball game;

Seeing the feline use the fiance's clothes as a bed;

And making the best of a heatwave poolside.

Check out more of my photography here.