friday's letters

Dear Crawl for Cancer: Let's do this. I have looked forward to you all year and you're finally here! I could cry. Shawn says he won't do this again this year. I think he should wear his stylish broken-foot boot just in case though. I'll see if I can talk him into it just for shits and giggles. And preventative measures. Bring on the pitchers, the pictures and the partying for a good cause.

Dear Anyone Who Needs Shelter To Survive: Buy my house. Please and thank you.

Dear Self: You're going on vacation in two weeks. Try not to skip the gym or eat like a garbage truck until then. Kapeesh? That cute swimsuit {I got it with these bottoms though. P.S. All swim is on sale at Old Navy right now!} you just bought would look much cuter on you if you could really get the hang of portion control. Trust me, you'll thank me later.


Dear Self: Let's keep it classy and at least try to remember moments like these this weekend during the crawl. Mmmmk, kiddo?

{photo source}

Dear North America: I cannot wait to watch the next episode of the series on Sunday! If you didn't see the episodes last week, you need to go watch them right now! I'm serious. This show is so cool!

Dear Cbusers {or anyone who will be in Columbus between Aug. 22 & Sept. 15}: Want to see Cirque du Soleil's Totem at a discounted rate {of course, you do}?! Save $10 on your ticket here!

Have a safe, happy Memorial Day weekend, doll faces!

a lesson in disappointment

I hate disappointing people. It does not sit well with my soul.

As you may or may not know, I coach high school cheerleading. Last week we had tryouts and it is hands down the WORST day to be a coach. Especially, if you hate disappointing people. I think we all understand the point of, and have probably been through, tryouts – make sure the best athletes make the team. With cheerleading, everyone “plays.” There is no pine to ride, so not everyone makes the squad. As a coach and being the one to determine who stays and who goes, this is difficult. And those who don’t make it are always disappointed, and feeling like I’m the source of their disappointment is not an easy pill for me to swallow.

Take for example one cheerleader who didn’t make the squad her senior year. My heart breaks for her. My tryout process is extremely fair and I know that. It is not biased toward cheerleaders who have been on the squad previously, and I don’t choose my teams based on who I like or don’t like. It’s based on talent and is completely objective. But it doesn’t make it easy to tell a girl who has cheered for three years, that she won’t be returning for her senior year. That does not sit well with my soul.

And while my heart is breaking for this cheerleader, I am reminded of a similar situation that I experienced in college that has since served as a life lesson to me. I cheered in college my sophomore year, and I was trying out for my junior season. Up to this point, I had always made the team. I worked hard and always gave 100%, and I attributed my success to my personal commitment to always do my very best. To my pursuit for perfection. But on the last day of cheer tryouts for my junior season, the list of cheerleaders was announced and my name was not on it.

I was crushed. I had done my very best and, for the first time that I can remember, it wasn’t good enough. What a blow to the old ego. But looking back, I am thankful for the life lesson that not making the college cheer team taught me. It humbled me. There have been, and will continue to be, times in my life when I will do my very best and I still won’t make the team or get the job. But that hasn’t stopped me from trying new things, submitting my resume or still doing my very best. It hasn’t stopped me from pushing myself to do more, to be better. This life lesson has allowed me to grow and has taught me to always be humble. Because sometimes I'm not always as good at something as I think I am.

When I think about the cheerleader who didn’t make my squad for her senior year, I hope that this serves as a humbling life lesson to her. She is a hard worker and a great kid. And I hope that this blip on the radar of her life doesn’t stop her from always doing her best. I hope that it allows her to grow and know that sometimes we can do our absolute best, but it does not a guarantee us a spot on the team.

I can say with certainty that I will never be OK with disappointing people. But I hope that each of us can appreciate the life lesson that comes with disappointment. And I hope that each of us does not let disappointment or rejection stop us from doing our very best in all that we do.

columbus deal: $10 off cirque du soleil tickets

One of the things I love about living in Columbus, Ohio, other than the Buckeyes, is that this city is a major tour stop for a variety of concerts, exhibits, performances, conventions, etc. There is always something going on here.

One such act that I'm sure has been to Columbus before, but I still have yet to see is Cirque du Soleil. Well, lucky for me, Cirque du Soleil is coming back to Columbus, and I am going to see the show on opening night! Insert happy dance.

Cirque du Soleil's Totem will run August 22 through September 15 under the Big Top at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio. Totem traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly.

To say I'm excited to see this amazing show is a complete understatement. And I hope you will join me because, lucky for you, you can get a discount on your ticket! You can receive $10 off price levels 1 and 2 on weeknight and Friday matinee performances. 

CLICK HERE TO GET $10 OFF YOUR TICKET

Offer is valid May 20 at 10 a.m. EST until September 15 or while supplies last. No promo code is required. The discount has already been applied where applicable.

happy list

1. The beach.
2. Making someone smile.
3. Getting lost in a good book.

{my Moxyn hiding in the curtains}

4. Puppies.
5. Lists and crossing things off of them.
6. A clean house {thanks, babe!} and car {thanks for that trait, Dad!}.

{shirt, skirt and shoes: Target}

7. When a great outfit comes together.
8. Watching crime shows, especially Criminal Minds.


9. Chipotle {duh}.
10. Dancing. Any time, any place. {check out this post for pics of me tearing up the dance floor. You're welcome.}

Linking up with Jenni.

friday's letters

{this photo has nothing to do with this post. But it's a cool photo. Check out Amy Clark Studios.}

Dear Blog: You're probably feeling neglected because I've been neglecting you this week. And last week. It's not you. It's me. No seriously. It's me. No, we're not breaking up. It's just a rough patch. Chill.

Dear Motivation: I need you. Like yesterday. Rest up, sweet cheeks, it's going to be a long year of work, internship, grad school and coaching beginning next week. Let's do this.

Dear Shawn: I hope there is never a day when the sound of a fart isn't funny. I'm still laughing about it. So lucky to have someone with which to not take life too seriously.

Dear Condo: Please sell quickly. Mama wants a new house.

Dear Erin and Chelsea: Your posts were honest and real and inspiring. Thank you for that.

Dear Barre Class: I love you with my whole body. I feel the burn every time and I don't hate it, even when my legs are shaking uncontrollably. You have my workout-loving heart.

Dear Friends: If you want to support my cheerleaders {or pretend you're on the squad}, we just launched a website with some super cute, customizable fan wear. Take a peek here!

heaven has a chipotle

Last Thursday was one of the greatest days of my life. 

It was the day I realized that Heaven has a Chipotle. And free margaritas.

Recently, Chipotle launched their new margarita made with Patrón silver tequila.

They invited me to come try them out. I couldn't say no.

Walking in, we were greeted with smiles and led to the swag table:

{no, we didn't get any Patrón}

Then they presented us with an endless supply of chips and guac:

And then they brought us each a handmade margaritaaaah:

 

When I took that first sip I saw the light: Chipotle + Margaritas = Heaven.
Every Chipotle margarita is handmade with Patrón silver tequila, triple sec, lemon and lime juices, and sweetened with organic agave nectar.
They are delicious and refreshing. And they made my husband a little saucy {lightweight!} ;)
These margaritas will be the perfect addition to my Chipotle orders this summer! Go try one NOW!

And to sweeten the euphoric state I was already in with that delicious margarita in my hand, Chipotle made a donation to my wardrobe:

{it's made with THE softest organic cotton I've ever put on my body!}

Best. T-shirt. EVER!
See I told you. Heaven has a Chipotle.
And I am sharing the love and giving away a Chipotle "I love burritos" t-shirt {size M}.
Enter below {but only if you love Chipotle as much as I do!}:

a Rafflecopter giveaway