OMG, shoes!

I am in trouble. I learned today that two new shoe stores opened at Easton Town Center (conveniently located 5 minutes from my house): Shoe Woo and Clarks. I am dying to check out Shoe Woo. Look at this goodness:
1. Nine West, Tautou $99
2. Enzo Angelini, McGavin $99
3. Enzo Angelini, Unessa $120
4. Rachel Roy, Oma $109
5. Joan and David, Ronella $260
6. Nine West, Val $199

And after I'm finished abusing my feet in the name of cute shoes, I'll head over to Clarks for some practical, well-padded kicks.

And the listenin's easy

set the fire to the third bar by snow patrol (with martha wainwright)

she's going the distance

I'm running a half marathon on Saturday. 13.1 miles on SATURDAY! In 3.5 days! I've trained poorly. I'm nervous/anxious/ready to get it over with. I'll need all the luck I can get!

fabric frenzy

Lately I have become obsessed with looking at fabrics on Etsy. With ideas of redecorating what seems like every room in our 1,300-square-foot condo, I am looking for fantastic fabrics to help spruce up the place.

Here are a few that have made it into my favorites folder:

New couch pillows?

I pretty much like anything with birds, hence our master bedroom bedding set.

I have also been on the hunt for new throw pillows for our camel-colored couch to help brighten up the living room (I'm thinking a house tour is in order). Etsy did not disappoint in this category either.

Here are some plush pillows that are filling up my favorites folder:

I really want to incorporate more red into our home. I think that's what drew me to these.

But the more I look at these, the more I change my mind. I need more color! One day, there will be new pillows on our couch. Markmywords!

How do you decorate on a budget?

natural beauty

Happy Earth Day, friends. Since this tree-hugging "holiday" falls in the spring, I wanted to share one of my favorite things about this time of year (besides the weather getting warmer): flowers. The saying goes 'April showers bring May flowers,' but I've already seen the beautiful bursts of color popping up in landscapes around town.

photo here.

My favorite: lilac. There is a very large, tree-sized bush of them in front of the library where I take my Tuesday night class, and it's perfect. I could stand in its presence just sniffing the air for hours. It's amazing how much your favorite scent and simple, natural beauty can make your day.

my brain has a mind of its own

Oh, to be a kid again...

I've been so distracted and lacking motivation lately. My apologies, dear blog readers. Forgive me. All I can seem to think about is redecorating our house and planning a vacation. Both are equally exhilarating at this point.

My plans for redecorating our house include (Mr. Ritter may or may not know about all of these ideas):

• new flooring in the kitchen and entry way
• painting the guest bedroom (Mr. Ritter is dreading this one. It will be the third time, so I can't really blame him.)
  
• new bedding in the guest bedroom (equally as many changes as the wall color)
  
• a photo and mirror collage on the wall above our bed (not like that. Get your minds right.)
• brightening the decor in the living room
• new furniture in the living room (something different, something brighter than the camel color our furniture is now)
• a new table cloth and chair pads for the useless kitchen table. I'd love to get rid of it and replace it with a functional island that has storage and an eating area. Ahhhhh, dreams.

You might think we're crazy for putting so much work into a condo, but it's our home. And it will be for at least the next 2 years. Plus, I look at it this way: All the condos in our neighborhood look the same. These upgrades will help ours stand out and hopefully earn us a return on investment in the future.

I'm exploring vacation options for Mr. Ritter and I's one-year wedding anniversary on August 8. I thought we could save money by driving, so I'm thinking something along the east coast, even Florida. I'm wanting to go somewhere I've never been (vacationing is a relatively new thing for Mr. Ritter, so he's up for anything). So Virginia Beach and Myrtle Beach are out.

Here are some options I've considered (mind you, I don't know much, if anything, about these places):

• Pensacola Beach, Florida
• Outer Banks, NC
• Hilton Head, SC
• Savannah, GA (the lovely H2 and her beau visited there over spring break with rave reviews)

I am open to suggestions. I would like to go to a beach, within driving distance, on a budget. Ready...go!

Where is your favorite vacation spot?

friday night

I am so excited to have a Friday night off from work at the bar. This will be two free nights in a row - a complete rarity in my life - and I have/will take full advantage of them.

A recap of last night: Mr. Ritter and I met up with A.Fry and her husband and her sister-in-law L.Fry and her bf for drinks on the patio at Signatures. The weather was all kinds of beautiful and the conversation and relaxation with some great people was much needed. However, just when things seemed to be going well, some weirdo at the bar (which A.Fry has dubbed Charles Bluetooth, Secret Service) has to impede.

This guy (dressed in a t-shirt wihtout sleeves that had been ripped down the center and tied together. We later learned he rolled into the bar with said t-shirt on backwards) audibly talked to himself the whole night, ate a bug out of his tequila shot like it was a worm, wandered around the patio from table to table carrying his bucket of beer, and proceeded to banter with A.Fry's husband. It went something like this:

Charles: Unaudible as he's walking toward our group.
J.Fry: Excuse me?
Charles: I'm secret service didn't you f*ing know that.
J.Fry: No, I didn't know that.
Charles: This is a bluetooth (pointing to his ear, neither of which had a bluetooth attached to it). I'm f*ing secret service.
J.Fry: OK, well we're just trying to talk to each other.
Charles: There is no each other here.
J.Fry: Yes, we are sitting here talking. We are each other (motioning to our collective group).
Charles: Unaudible and walks away to start up a conversation with the fence.

What an interesting Thursday night.

So here is the run down for my Friday night:

I hope to be heading to K.Ruff and I's favorite wine shop in Creekside, The Wine Guy Wine Shop, for a little happy hour wine flight. We love sweet white wines!

Then it's off to celebrate the birth and christen the new home of the lovely, Karjo. She already said I can orchestrate chugging contests, which may or may not (probably the latter) be the best way for me to consume copious amounts of adult beverages.

Finally, Mr. Ritter and I will grace the house of this crazy couple.

Happy Friday, lovies!

i choose happiness

Today, Mr. Ritter emailed me.

Him: I really don't think I want to come back here... (here meaning the school he teaches at).
Me: Why, what happened?
Him: Nothing in particular...this place just makes me miserable anymore, I don't even feel like the same person, I need to try something new.
Me: Well, then do it, babe! I want you to be happy and I will support whatever you want to do! We will make everything work :)

I really feel bad for him. I know that his job is not his ideal job, and the more experience he gets, the more expensive he becomes when he's looking for a new teaching position.

Trust me, I'm thankful he has a teaching job given that so many teachers do not. I understand how blessed we are that we are both employed in this economy. I'm not seeking pity. I'm just telling it like it is in our lives - mine and Mr. Ritter's.

But this whole thing got me thinking: We spend the majority of our lives at work, we should enjoy what we do, correct? I don't think that is too much to ask. I feel for those people who are miserable in their jobs or careers, yet they feel they can't make a change. You always have a choice. It may not be easy or obvious, but everyone has a choice. I choose happiness.

Ask yourself: What sense does it make to be unhappy with the one thing you spend most of your time doing? I know you all answered "none." So if you're not happy in your current job, do your best to change your circumstances. Choose happiness.

I like to think of myself as an optimal realist. I look for and hope for the best, but understand that making a career change comes with sacrifices and uncertainties. But how will you know if it was all worth it if you don't at least try? I started going back to school this winter to explore a possible career change. It came with some sacrifices, and it took me awhile to get the courage to go back. But now I'm loving my classes, and I can really see this as a check in my win column.

Mr. Ritter applied for three new teaching jobs in the past couple of weeks. I'm happy that there are that many he can apply for (teaching positions are hard to come by in Columbus), and hopefully more will open up soon. I just keep thinking about how great it would be for him if he could make a positive change to a different school. Mr. Ritter is not a man that likes change, but this would be welcomed, self-selected change. I need my happy hubby back!

Cross your fingers for him!

weekend/weekbegin rewind

Yesterday, Mr. Ritter and I went to the Cleveland Indians opening day game at Progressive Field. They lost, 4-2 to the Texas Rangers. Bummer. But the weather was fabulous and we had pretty decent seats! I bought Mr. Ritter these tickets for Christmas because he was achin' to go to an opening day game. Merry Christmas, my love.

Saturday was a night I had been looking forward too for at least a month. It was ladies' night out! We were looking to take it back to the good ol' college days and just let loose. It is always a good time when us girls get together, and getting into a bar for free and drinking dollar drinks for a good portion of the night never gets old.

frockin' friday

I'm just going to come out and say it: I have a shopping problem. My biggest addiction is shopping for dresses online. My favorite retailers to stalk for summertime dresses are Lulus, Forever 21, ModCloth and now ShopMamie.com. And since I've deemed today Frockin' Friday, here are a few fabulous frocks I found that make me wish my bank account had more dollar signs in it.

1. Back to the Beach Dress, shopmamie.com $34
2. Marry Me Mod Yellow Tank Dress, shopmamie.com $68
3. Lily Dress, shopmamie.com $89
4. Larkspur Dress in Fuschia, Lulus.com $37
5. Down by the Bay Dress, ModCloth.com $68
6. The Brightside Dress, ModCloth.com $60
7. Singsong Dress in Turquoise, Lulus.com $37

bedroom style

It's days like today - rainy, cloudy, 20 degrees cooler than the sunny, 80-degree weather we've been enjoying for the past couple of days - that make me want to stay in bed and read/nap all day long. Here are a few stylish bedrooms I could hole up in for a day:





These bedrooms are also inspiring me as I try to decide what to do with Mr. Ritter and I's spare bedroom. I'm really loving all the fun fabrics, and I'm hoping I can find the perfect patterns to mix and match in both of our bedrooms and maybe the living room. I have a feeling my one-bedroom makeover is going to turn into a home-decor overhaul.

observation: the college classroom; i hope i didn't act like them

It's ironic that Carrie went on this rant yesterday. I've been holding in a rant of my own. I don't remember if I told you, but I'm taking college courses again (for free! ahhh, the perks of being an employee at a college) toward my bachelor's in psychology. Sitting in class with freshman students has given me some perspective on these kids (I'll call them young adults when they start acting like it) and some their complete lack of respect; whether for the professor or the coursework or just people in general.

My sister told me this generation of kids/teens/young adults has been dubbed the Me Generation. Seems appropriate after some of my in-class observations.

I sat beside these two chicks in one of my classes and the one is very vocal (you know, that girl who talks louder than necessary to attract attention? I hate that girl) and the comments she makes, even to her friends, are snarky and bitchy (at least by tone). I always think: "How does she even have friends if that's how she talks to them?" Whatever. I'm not her friend.

Anyway, on the first day of this class, the professor told us that if our cell phone rings at all in the middle of class, you fail. He will give us one "get out of jail free" card, but after that, a big fat F. Would you agree this in not too tough a rule to follow? So, this same loud-talking girl says in the crowded-elevator ride after class how ridiculous the professor's cell phone policy is. I just wanted to say to her, "No. You know what's ridiculous is the fact that you can't respect the professor (and more importantly, your parents who are paying for your over-priced education) enough to turn off your damned cell phone for an hour and 20 minutes. What's also ridiculous is the fact that you can't stay off your phone for an hour and 20 minutes. It's 9:30 in the morning, who the hell do you need to talk to? You're not that important and all your friends are in class too, SO DEAL." Insomanywords.

Another thing I've noticed is the way these kids talk to each other. I think part of the reason they lack proper social skills is because they spend so much of their social life on their phone, on Facebook, and playing video games. Whatever happened to taking a walk with a friend or playing kickball outside?

Another girl after class today got in the elevator and said how boring our class was, but that the professor was kind of funny and awkward (but I don't think she didn't mean awkward in a good way after she referenced an example he gave from class which I found extremely amusing - does that mean I'm old?). To be honest, I like the class. Again, does that make me old?

Seriously, I am appalled by the abundance of disrespect of some of these kids. It just makes me want to smack them. Hard. In the face. But I try to ignore their petty arrogance, and hope that one day, reality kicks their ass. I also hope that I never acted like them in college.


P.S. Don't forget, Running in Stilettos is moving to http://runninginstilettosblog.blogspot.com tomorrow, April 8!

running in stilettos is moving!

Has nothing to do with this post. It's just a pretty spring photo I found online.

Heads up, everyone. Running in Stilettos is moving to a new URL address. The new URL will be http://runninginstilettosblog.blogspot.com beginning on Thursday, April 8 (Mr. Ritter and I's 8-month wedding anniversary!). So update your blog lists and Internet favorites on Thursday! Don't worry, I'll remind you again tomorrow :)

holiday shopping spree

I took full advantage of my day off on Good Friday. A.Fry and I met at 10 a.m. at Old Navy at Polaris to begin our "holiday" shopping spree. Here is a glimpse at my purchases:

Classic Converse Chuck Taylors in gray, $40.

My 270th cardi from Old Navy, $13
Had my eye on these babies since they came out, $30
This scent reminds me of Cozumel. I also bought an Evening Air tumbler for Mr. Ritter, $15

Our shopping spree took us to Old Navy, Barnes & Noble, Forever 21, Chipotle, Yankee Candle store, Victoria's Secret, Sephora, Journeys, Charlotte Russe, TJ Maxx, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

A.Fry taking in the delightful summer scents at the Yankee Candle store.

Shopping with a gal pal is the perfect way to spend a day off. We'll only have to consult on a couple of outfits before heading to work. Great minds think a like.

white news

I've got big news. My sister is engaged! I am so excited and couldn't be happier for the two of them. They are looking at a date for Spring 2011, which I'm sure will be perfect. Congratulations, Heather and Matt!

The happy couple and the beautiful ring.

Heather already asked me to be her matron of honor. She was the maid of honor, along with my other sister Casey, in my wedding, Aug. 8, 2009. I can't wait to help her plan her big day, go dress shopping and have another wonderful brother-in-law.

Because weddings are so amazing and lovely and white, I decided to put together a little collage of white (and cream) duds. I'm beginning to dabble in the land of white clothing, besides the staple white camis and tanks. I've always feared white clothing because of its potential to blatantly show stains, but I'm making a conscious effort to incorporate this color (or lack of color?) into my expanding wardrobe. I even purchased my first pair of white pants yesterday (see below)!

1. Twill Trench Coat in Cream, Forever 21 $39.80
2. Pom-Pom Fringe Scarf in Natural, Old Navy $10 (sale)
3. Kendal Canvas Knot Wedge, Payless $19.99 (sale)
4. Linen-Blend Cami Dress in Bright White, Old Navy $20 (sale)
5. Lightweight Boyfriend Cardigan, Old Navy $12.99 (sale)
6. Lace Yoke Sleeveless Top, Forever 21 $18.24 (sale)
7. Floral-Applique Tank in Bright White, Old Navy $9.99 (sale)
8. Crepe Drop-Waist Top in Marshmallow, Old Navy $12.99 (sale)
9. Cotton Twill Wide-Leg Trousers in Bright White, Old Navy $12.99 (sale) <--being delivered to yours truly in the next 6 days!