I've been debating about whether or not I would write this post essentially since I found out I was pregnant. I knew this day was coming, and I knew it would be one I might struggle with a bit. And now it's here. 

Today, I saw a number on the scale that I've never seen on the scale before. 

And that makes me feel so many things. It means our baby is growing bigger every day, and that makes me incredibly happy. It means I haven't deprived myself of treats during my pregnancy (what, you didn't have a McFlurry while driving home from work late last night?!). And it also means that there was a time when I weighed this much when I WASN'T 27 weeks pregnant. 

Roughly five years ago, I went through what I commonly like to think of as the dark days of yuck. After a particularly horrendous breakup, I was just so, so sad. And I fed that sadness with a lot of crud. A lot of crud covered in peanut butter. That crud caused me to gain ten pounds in one month... and then caused me to double that number over the next few months. I had very disordered eating at the time, and I really struggled to get a handle on it. Perhaps this wouldn't have been so depressing if I hadn't been teaching Jazzercise five days a week. But I was, and I was burning mad calories, which meant I was eating mad calories too. 

It took me a solid six or so months to come out of the dark days of yuck, but eventually the crud dissipated and the sunniness returned and things felt good and normal again. The weight came off and I felt like me. My old wardrobe fit too, which was an added bonus! 

So when I found out I was pregnant, I asked myself how I was going to feel when I surpassed the highest weight I'd ever been. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about it. 

And today when I saw it, it wasn't so bad. It wasn't bad at all, actually. Because I know this means that Baby P is healthy and thriving and hopefully happy with the treats I'm providing. And at least this time around, I've gained weight for a really incredible reason. :) That doesn't mean there aren't days when it's tough to see my body changing or days where I wonder if I'll be able to get this weight off after our baby is here, but it's a pretty awesome feeling to be happy with weight gain. 

I was able to go to breakfast this morning with my best friend Teresa and our husbands. This morning's breakfast was even more special because it's probably the last time I'll see them without children! Their twins are due on Christmas Day, but could potentially arrive any time now, which is extra exciting! We took a quick picture to document the moment, and it might be my favorite pregnancy picture so far! 

Teresa (left) pregnant with twins at 34 weeks, Me (right) pregnant with a singleton at 27 weeks!

Thanksgiving to New Year's Day: Looking for a challenge!

Let's just be honest, this week has been a butt kicker. It's the end of first trimester at school, so I'm scrambling to get all of my grades done and papers and projects returned to my students. Additionally, I'm trying to complete all of the other things I need to do in the next few months like curriculum maps and maternity leave sub plans. And I'm attempting to do it all with a smile on my face. 

But really, it's freakin' overwhelming. I've been in a negative funk the past two days, and I know it's partially due to stress. But, my friend Erica informed me yesterday that Mercury is in retrograde, so apparently everything is opposite. I'm going with that since it gives me something to blame the negativity on (P.S. Don't tell me if that's not true.). 

So, I guess you could say I'm looking for a pick-me-up. And that got me thinking to around this time last year when I decided to take on the Runner's World Thanksgiving to New Year's Day challenge. 

The premise was simple enough: Every day from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, I had to run at least one mile. It didn't matter if I ran inside or outside, morning or night, I just had to do it. And I figured if I had ten minutes a day to blog, search Pinterest, and buy Christmas presents online, I definitely had ten minutes to lace up my shoes and go for a run. I really loved the challenge because it kept me accountable through the holidays, and it jump started my running throughout the winter. 

Fast forward to this year, and I'm not running much at all. If I get in one 5K a week right now, it's been a pretty good week. I'm teaching four Jazzercise classes a week, and any "off" days I want to exercise, I usually end up walking, using the elliptical, or strength training. But at almost 27 weeks pregnant, I've started to slow down a wee bit, so taking on a running challenge makes me nervous. 

Still, I would really like to do some sort of fitness/health challenge during the holidays. I've played around with a few ideas, and here's what I've come up with so far: 

-A rotating arms, abs, legs workout schedule

-An increasing number of squats challenge

-A wall sit challenge that increases in time daily

-Ten to fifteen minutes of physical activity daily

-Five servings of veggies daily

-Nine total servings of fruits and veggies daily

I can't quite decide yet what I really want to focus on during the holidays yet... other than buying presents. And Christmas cookies. 

Are you planning to do any sort of challenges in the near future? I'd love to hear what you're focusing on! 

Stitch Fix #8: Jewel tones and a help request!

When I got home on Friday, there was a beautiful box just waiting for me on my porch! It's Stitch Fix Day! 

If you haven't heard about my Stitch Fix obsession yet, let me tell you a little about it! Basically, Stitch Fix is a subscription service. You fill it out a detailed style profile about  your sizes, style preferences, and budget. After that, they'll send you five clothing or accessory pieces for you to try on in the comfort of your own home. This is awesome, because you can pair it with your own clothing and accessories to see what might work well in your closet! Your Fix also arrives with detailed styling cards to give you ideas of what to wear! Each Fix costs $20, but that fee is credited toward anything you decide to keep. When you've decided what you don't want, you drop it in the prepaid mailing envelope, stick it in any mailbox, and send it back to the company. You only get charged for what you keep, and you can get Fixes as often or as infrequently as you'd like. Shipping is free both ways. 

AND, if someone signs up through your referral link, you get a $25 credit to use toward your next purchase! Not a bad deal, huh?

I love using this service because it gets me outside my comfort zone and allows me to try things I normally wouldn't! You can check out my other Stitch Fix reviews here: 
Stitch Fix #1
Stitch Fix #2
Stitch Fix #3
Stitch Fix #4
Stitch Fix #5
Stitch Fix #6
Stitch Fix #7

And that brings us to today's Fix! I really like a lot of the pieces I got, but I'm struggling with my ever expanding body to know what looks good. Can you weigh in? 

1.LA Made Sherman Scoop Neck Side-Ruched Maternity Knit Top, $48

I really like the color of this top, and I thought I was really going to love the length, but when I put it on, it just sort of... sits there. I think it's a large small, and it makes me look boxy, so I don't think I love it. Plus, I keep hearing that line from Macklemore's Thrift Shop -- "That's $50 for a t-shirt!" So, I think this is definitely going back.

2. Look by M Sammie Plaid Infinity Scarf, $34

My favorite Fall accessory IS a good scarf, and I don't have anything like this one! While I think the orange might turn some people off, as a Slicer through and through, I like it a lot! While it's more than I might normally spend on a scarf, I also really like that I can get a lot of wear out of it through the cold months ahead! 

3. Tart Maternity Hadlie Maternity Wrap Dress, $68 

If I knew for sure we were having a boy, this might be a great baby shower dress! I really like the look of it, and I think it's really flattering on. But, I worry that it will be seasonally inappropriate. :/ If it were summer time, I think this would be an automatic yes from me, but going in to snow season, I just don't know that it works! What do you think?

4. TCEC Donelle V-Neck Button Up Cardigan, $58

Bestill my heart! I absolutely LOVE this color of green, and I'd seen it in another blogger's Fix, so I was hoping I might get it too. I love how long the cardi is, and I love that I can wear it unbuttoned right now and later button it back up after baby is here! I paired it with my favorite scarf from Flourish, and think the outfit turned out pretty cute together! 

5. Renee C Karah Embellished Button-Up Cardigan, $58

See, here's the one problem with Stitch Fix. Sometimes they get to know you SO well, they send you something you already have! 

Oh, hi. This photo refuses to turn right side up!

On the right is the cardigan Stitch Fix sent me. And on the left is a very similar top I bought last holiday season from The Limited. The only major differences are that the Stitch Fix cardi has a little more bling and The Limited sweater isn't a cardigan. But, I definitely love the style! 

So, I'm stuck here, people. What do you love? What do you not love so much? What would you keep if you were me? 

Finally ready to try Stitch Fix for yourself? I would love if you would use my referral link, especially now that I know I can keep getting Fixes throughout my pregnancy! 

Stuff I'm Loving Saturday #6

Saturday! One of my favorite days of the week! We have one more week left in our first trimester at school. I cannot believe the school year is almost 1/3 of the way over! More than that, though, I can't believe this is my last full trimester of teaching this year. With second trimester ending February 27, and Baby P slated to make an appearance sometime mid-month, I don't think I'll make it all the way until the end of the trimester. It's mind blowing to think about that... that our baby will be here before I submit final grades again! 

I've been thinking about all of the things I'm loving this week, and came up with a pretty awesome list! What sorts of things are you loving this week? 

Team Taught Group Fitness Classes:
Last week, I had the opportunity to teach not one but TWO Jazzercise team taught classes! In South Bend, we had an awesome "sport set" put together, and six instructors participated. It was so much fun to see our 25ish students having a blast. The energy in the room was contagious! Then on Halloween, instructor Heather and I taught a Latin set in LaPorte. She dressed as Pitbull (including a bald head and some pretty rockin' facial hair), and I attempted to be J. Lo (if only I could have moved my belly around to my behind!). We had a blast, and it was a great way to kick off a fun day! 

Girls On The Run:
This morning, I had the chance to volunteer with Girls On The Run of Northwest Indiana. It was a chilly, rain-spitty morning, but the girls running were SO excited, and their buddies were being great sports. My favorite moment of the day is when I saw a little girl who had previously registered with her running buddy dad come back from the hair painting table. She had gone with a hot pink ponytail, and shaved-head dad opted for a green and pink skull. You have to love that kind of support! I love the message of being happy and self-confident that GOTR supports, and think it's such a great activity for girls to be involved in!

Anything Storage Related: 
We've been going on a cleaning/reorganizing/purging session in our house as of late, and I'm loving literally anything storage related. Totes, bins, sacks, boxes, they're all making an appearance in our home right now! 

Scentsy Fuzzy Blanket scent:
I went to a Scentsy party earlier this week at my best friend Shannon's house, and fell in LOVE with a scent called... Fuzzy Blanket! I don't even know how to describe it other than to say it's exactly what you want a warm, fuzzy blanket to smell like. If you get your hands on some Scentsy soon, you have to give it a try! I can't wait to get the bar I ordered! 

Amazing Kids Being Recognized: 
I posted this video earlier this week, but it warrants being posted again! One of my amazing newspaper staffers, Michael Varda, was honored as the WSBT Burger King Outstanding Athlete of the Week. His story brings tears to my eyes every time I see it. He's such an awesome kid, and deserves all the good things coming his way! 

And the winner is...!

Today is the day! It's time to announce the winner of the Courtney Bock Designs $20 giveaway! Thank you so much to Courtney Schultz of Courtney Bock Designs for providing the award for our winner! 

A little explanation of the process. At noon today, the commenting closed. At that time, I made a list of all those who had commented on the blog post, which totaled 18 entries. I then added on the list of blog followers, which brought the total to 49 entries. I placed each blog follower on the list as s/he currently appeared in my browser. Here's the list!

After writing up the list, I went to Random.org, a random number generator website. There, I entered the parameters and it gave me a random number. And the winner is....

Deb Malich!

Congratulations, Deb! I'll be in touch today to tell you how to claim your prize! 

But, have no fear, non-winners, because Courtney Bock Designs wants you to have a reward too! From now through Sunday, blog followers can save 10 percent on your order! Use the code PRINCESSRUN10 during checkout, and save on your holiday (or personal!) gifts!

Keep your eyes on the blog next week for another fabulous prize drawing! I just love giving away gifts this time of year! 

Whatcha' cookin' these days?

Greetings from a blustery cold evening in Indiana! The weather sure has taken a turn, and it seems fall is transitioning to winter faster than any of us would like. That being said, it appears it's happening whether we like it or not! 

I've been a cooking and baking machine as of late, which is ironic, because I've really never been much of a chef before. But I've found that I'm actually really enjoying trying new meals, and today, I bring some to you! 

Pumpkin Pancakes: 
On Sunday, I still had a little bit of pumpkin leftover from the pumpkin cookies I made the weekend before. So, I found a great recipe on Pinterest that I knew I had to try! These pancakes were super easy to make, and I'd say they went pretty well for my first ever pumpkin pancakes from scratch! Naturally, I had to add in chocolate chips, because why wouldn't I?! They were super delicious and made plenty for two of us (plus leftovers!)!

Chicken Fingers:
I loooooove chicken fingers, but I hate that whenever I get them, they're super greasy and deep fried. But this awesome chicken fingers recipe is baked AND easy to put together. They baked up crispy and delicious in only 25 minutes from start to finish! Perfect weeknight meal! 

Manicotti: 
I really can't take credit for this one, as Dan is the manicotti maker in our household. This recipe is so tasty, it's like it came from a restaurant! Served with salad and a side of garlic bread and your meal is made! We can't get enough of it (and luckily, there are leftovers in the freezer right now!)!

So, whatcha' cookin' these days? Do you have any must try recipes for us to try out?

AND, you have until noon tomorrow to enter the Courtney Bock Designs $20 giveaway! Don't wait to check it out! 

Holiday gift guides for every person in your life: Check out Courtney Bock Designs!

My last blog post was a bit heavy, so, it's time to lighten things up! Tis' the season to start thinking about holiday shopping! As crazy as that sounds, Christmas is inching ever closer, and now is the time to start thinking about what to get those special people in your life. Luckily, Courtney Bock Designs has your back on this one! 

If you haven't checked out CBD yet, NOW is the time to do it! CBD offers amazing personalized products that make anyone feel special. Her products are unique, and great pride and care go in to making each product perfect! 

And, to give you an added incentive, you can win a $20 gift certificate giveaway to get that shopping started now! Details are at the bottom of this post! 

I've come up with Holiday Gift Guides for everyone in your life. Check them out, and then head over to Courtney Bock Designs to see what other awesome items she has to offer! 

For your Secret Santa at work:



I absolutely LOVE this adorable Tidings of Joy ornament, and I think it's the perfect item to gift a coworker or Secret Santa at work. At only $15, it won't break the bank. Perfect to put on the tree or decorate an office desk space! 

For your Best Friend or Girlfriend: 



I'm in love with this scarf, and I'm contemplating getting one for myself! The Cashmere feel Winter Scarf is perfect for anyone facing a brutal winter. I love the monogramming on it, and I think this is a great luxury mixed with great value! 

For the Planner in your Life:


This is my favorite item I've purchased for myself this year. I am in LOVE with my Kate Spade Agenda, and literally can't go a day without it! The stripes are so elegant, and I got my monogramming in gold (love a little Gatsby feel!). This is a perfect gift for the person who wants to keep it all together and look chic will doing it! 

For the Organizer: 



This one is definitely on my holiday wish list this year! I love storage containers, and I especially love cute ones that can sit out in the open. This Large Home Storage Tote can be personalized to say anything you want! I'm just trying to decide if "All The Things" would be socially acceptable. Yes? No? 

For the Accessory Queen: 



I am 100% in love with this Long Spade Necklace! It's a perfect, subtle accessory to dress up or down an outfit, and it comes in a variety of colors. Paired with a Christmas sweater or New Year's Eve outfit, this would be perfect! 

For your Favorite Fashionista: 



It's a simple, stylish, and perfect addition to any fashionista's closet. This Monogram Deep V-Neck T-shirt can be dressed up (like with the previous necklace!) or dressed down for a casual, pulled-together look. At only $29, this is a personalized steal! 

For the Lady Athlete in your life: 



Are you in need of a gift for a yogi or two? Or perhaps you have a Jazzercise fanatic on your hands? Who wouldn't want this awesome monogrammed mat to take to the gym with them? This way, there's no fear of mixing your mat up with someone else's! 

For the Hostess with the Mostest: 



Anyone else in charge of a major holiday (Thanksgiving!) for the first time ever this year? This Ruffles and Rumcake Monogrammed Apron will have you looking like a pro! Protect that holiday outfit and show a little personality in the process! 

For the World Traveler: 



I have a special place in my heart for anything Greek, so this Greek Key Infinity Scarf is a no brainer to me! When we were in Greece on our honeymoon, a shop owner told us the key stands for love, friendship, travel, and hospitality. Such a perfect symbol for those who want to see the world! 

For the Literary Lady: 



A favorite place to read needs this pillow. Mine is on the couch in our sitting room, and I adore seeing it when I have time to sit down and pick up my latest read. AND, if you want to add a cup of coffee, check out this super cute Kate Spade Like a Book Thermal Mug! The perfect duo for the reader in your life! 

For the Man in your Life: 






If you're anything like me, I have such a hard time buying for my husband... and father, brother, male friends, etc. Men can be tough! But this year, I think I'm in good shape. Two of my favorite items in the CBD Men's Collection include the Monogrammed Flask and the Golf Towels. Perfect for the guys! 

For the Little Saver: 



This is maybe my favorite Piggy Bank of all time! And it's polka dot to boot! I love this so much for a little one's bedroom, and the monogramming makes it even more special. It makes me want to save a little more. :) 

For the Brand New Baby: 



I'd be (hardcore) lying if I said I haven't been looking at (read: STALKING) the CBD baby section. There's an amazing collection of bedding, clothing, and baby essentials. So far, I've held off on buying anything. But once Baby P is here and we know a sex and a name, some monogrammed items are a necessity! This Monogrammed Pacifier 2-pack is a total must. I mean, I really wouldn't want someone else swiping our pacifiers, right? :) 

So, it's clear that I love Courtney Bock Designs a whole ton. And now, I want you to love it just as much too! 

Entering the giveaway is simple! 

To earn an entry, visit the Courtney Bock Designs website. Then, come back here, and post your favorite item in the comments section of the blog (not on Facebook!). 

To earn an ADDITIONAL entry, like Courtney Bock Designs on Facebook! Then, leave an additional comment on here telling me you're a Facebook follower. :) 

To earn another ADDITIONAL entry, follow my blog by signing up in the right hand column! All current followers will get an additional entry (lucky ducks! You didn't even have to do anything!), and new followers can gain an additional one too! 

That gives you THREE chances to enter to win this awesome prize!

The winner will be randomly selected on Friday, November, 7, and you can kick off your weekend with some shopping! Best of luck!