Gretch Runs

Hi everyone!  Happy Wednesday! I've been talking a lot about my new love of the bullet journal (aka the bujo), so today I wanted to share reviews of the products that I use.  I'll also be writing a post about how I actually use the bullet journal next week, so stay tuned for that. The beauty of the bullet journal system is that it works with any paper and pen that you have on hand.  You could use a spiral notebook and some free pen you got from a hotel, or you could get a top-of-the-line fountain pen and gold-encrusted notebook made with unicorn hair.  Either way- it works! When I started to do research about how other people use their bujo, I saw a lot of the same products over and over with amazing reviews, so I decided to give them a try.  I'm really happy with my purchases and wanted to share some thoughts in case any of you want to get started on this journey as well.  Let's get to the reviews! Leuchtturm Medium Hardcover Journal If ...

Happy Tuesday everyone!  I'm excited to be joining the Tuesdays on the Run linkup today!  It's been a while since I joined in the fun, and I've been feeling a little uninspired lately.  It was perfect timing, because I love the topic for today- advice for new runners. I've been running for a long time (over two thirds of my life!), so running feels like second nature to me.  I don't really remember a time when I haven't been running, so I thought it would be fun to get together a list of tips for the new runner.  I hope you enjoy! Start Slow! Running seems easy, right?  Just pick up your feet and put one in front of the other.  Believe it or not, the first (or fifth) time you go out for a run it's not going to be easy.  The first few steps might be, but it takes a few runs before it starts to get easier.  Instead of trying to run 10 miles on your first run, start easy with a few minutes of running and a few minutes of walking, and s...

Happy Friday!  What a week this has been- one day I'm running in shorts and another day I'm ice skating down the road.  I think my bus driver said it best when he said "That dang ground hog doesn't know what he's talking about".  Let's hope that next week we have warmer weather! Linking up with  Mar ,  Cynthia  and  Court  as well as  Heather, Momfessionals, Happy Fit Mama  and  Julie What do you think about my new springy Top Five banner?  I thought I was due for a new icon, and I loved these flowers, and hope it will convince the weather to warm up.  I hope you like it, and now let's get into other favorites from the week.   Amy Schumer + Hamilton If you're a fan of Amy's comedy, or obsessed with Hamilton like 90% of the world right now, you have to watch this skit!  Even Dan loved it, and he's not really a fan of either.  Amy is so clever and I love her style of comedy.  Make sur...

Happy Thursday, and welcome to the third What's New With You linkup!  Thank you to everyone for joining Kristen and me again, and I can't wait to hear what's going on with everyone since last month.  There's a lot going on in my life, so here's what's new with me! We finally closed on our house! After months of searching and three bidding wars, we finally have our first home.  We closed on April 1, and I'm already in love.  The house is in our ideal neighborhood and on a small cul-de-sac (it was always a dream for both Dan and me to live on a cul-de-sac so this was really meant to be!).  Thank you so much to everyone who told me that everything would work out, and I would find the right house eventually.  You were all right! We started to move in small things last weekend, and will probably completely move in sometime at the beginning of May.  If you follow me on snapchat (gretchxo) you might have seen the tour that I gave yesterday! ...

I can't believe it's already time for another "currently" survey!  I love doing these each month to see how things change (or stay the same) from month to month.  As usual, I'm joining Anne and Jenna ! Making - lists on lists on lists.  Thank goodness I can keep them all organized with my bullet journal (which has been a life saver in the past few weeks).  I'm making packing lists, shopping lists, cleaning lists, to-do lists...it's exhausting! Wish Listing - just about everything!  I'm about halfway through my 6-month no-buy challenge, so I'm lusting after all of the spring clothes coming out.  I'm going to be sharing my spring wish list in a few weeks, but for now here are a few things I want to buy: - obsessed with this print.. (also in a skirt , dress , blouse , pants , shorts , and bathing suit .  Too far?) - love this adorable jumpsuit - found the perfect maxi dress for spring/summer - the colors in this palette look so go...

Happy Tuesday everyone! As many of you know by now, I like to race ...a lot.  Last year, I ran 15 races, and this year my goal is to run 20.  I like to use races as training runs, as practice for larger races, or as a goal race.  I love running races of all lengths- from a 5k to a full marathon and everything in between, and on every surface possible- tracks, trails, roads.  One type of race that I've never done, though, is a VIRTUAL race! To be honest, I never heard of virtual races until last year.  I figured for it to be called a "race", other people had to be involved and there had to be a set time and place.  Lately, though, virtual races are the next big thing and I can understand why! There are so many reasons why virtual races are a great idea, and why I decided to run my first one this month: - You can select your own course.  When you're running a race, you might not be running in your ideal location.  While I prefer hills and...

Happy Friday, Happy April, Happy Closing Day! It sure is going to be a packed day today (you can follow along on snapchat- my name is gretchxo), so my Friday post is going to be light-hearted and fun.  I'm going to share some of my favorite April Fools Pranks from the past few years, thoughts on my current TV shows, and some songs of the week.  I hope you have a great weekend, and remember to not believe everything you're told today! :) Linking up with  Mar ,  Cynthia  and  Court  as well as  Heather, Momfessionals, Happy Fit Mama  and  Julie Favorite April Fools Pranks This post just makes me really happy.  Lots of silly and easy prank ideas, and some gifs that made me laugh out loud. Reddit has some of my favorite April Fools pranks.  Every year I'm excited to see what they come up with, and find it funny how seriously people take their pranks.  Last year featured "the button" which was simultan...