Here I go AGAIN - RUNNING

As a lot of you may know, I have a thing for running...I love it and well, it works for me. I started running as a chubby little kid in high school and kept on going. I remember going to cheer a college girlfriend on during the Baltimore marathon and thought, oh gosh I never want to do that. Well over the last six years I have finished four major marathons and I have to say, I'm pretty proud of that! I guess my mind changed. Looking back on some old posts here and here got me smiling and feeling inspired after this long holiday weekend. They got me thinking that recently something has been missing, running. It wasn't until a Florida running buddy of mine sent me this link below, that I found myself tearing up and overly excited and inspired to do it again. So here I go .... I'm signing up for a half marathon in February in Fort Lauderdale, who wants to join me here?

{Me on Mile 23, marathon #3, nearing Central Park, NYC Marathon}

I know some of you think I'm crazy, but honestly, it is such a good feeling to finish a long run. I've complained to so many of you since I moved to Florida about not being fully happy, gaining weight, blah blah blah. I've tried so many different workouts and it is time I get myself back into the happy place I know works for me, a nice long run. Watch the video below, it made me inspire. Tomorrow starts day #1 of 13 weeks of training...wish me luck!

xoxo~Becca

Holiday Gift Guide: The Workout Girl

Happy Holidays! It is that time of year when we all start making lists and looking for Holiday gift ideas. The holiday shopping season has begun! I have put together a few gift idea lists and will share them with you over the next two weeks. First up are some ideas for your sister, your girlfriend, your bestie, the woman in your life that loves a little exercise, some yoga, a nice run. I hope you like what I found!

A few years ago two of my best friends and I attended one of Kimberly Wilson's Urban Retreats in DC. It was such a nice way to spend a day out with girlfriends and doing yoga. How about a gift certificate to an activity together? Here is the link to Kimberly's amazing events at Tranquil Space if you are a DC girl..or want to travel.

Looking for some running ideas for the cold weather runner? How about a new pair of gloves that you can check your iPod with while running or this awesome old school Adidas jacket

I am obsessed with these cute Nike gym shoes, bright and cheery! One of the best things I ever purchased, the Lululemon wristlet! I have a few of these and I slip my key into them on a run, some cash, an idea, it is the perfect stocking stuffer. This gym bag is so bright and so easy to pack on the go and it is under $20!

How about a fun yoga mat with instructions printed on the mat! These tank tops from Target are adorable at your favorite class and under a sweater after class, it looks a little dressy, I love it.

My favorite all time yoga pants, the Lululemon Groove Pant I live in at home, I run in, I shop in, I do yoga in...they are amazing! I've been dying to try this yoga dvd by Mandy Ingber, it would be a great gift for the girl who likes to work out at home or even travels a lot.

Happy Holiday Shopping! xoxo~Becca

A Sparkly Sunday

I arrived home, back in Fort Lauderdale yesterday after a few days away visiting my parents in Virginia. It was a nice Fall filled Thanksgiving including a new sparkly app from my sister {sparkly image below courtesy of Charity's iPhone}. I thought I would post about a few sparkly things to make my Sunday feel a little bit fancy.

Thanksgiving Day, outside of my parents house, the horses came up to visit for some apples. Charity downloaded Picfx and added a little sparkly to my pic! I love finding a fun new photo app!

Sparkly Gia by kate spade would be a lovely addition as a wallet or a clutch for some upcoming holiday parties! It is tiny, glittery, cute and under $100!

I am all about these little sequin drink stirrers I found on the Sweetest Occasion site. These would be perfect for a holiday party or a New Year's soiree. Simple and cute.

Oh Happy Day does it again, yes, this glitter disco ball DIY might make an appearance in my back yard! Jordan always has such great clever ideas. It looks like pretty easy project and it would like fabulous over the pool..or a few?

I saw this image of glittered fruit floating around on the web. I have an upcoming table top winter wedding inspiration for Floridian Weddings coming up and I think a few of those might need to be added to the table.

This sparkly dress from Modcloth caught my eye months ago, in LOVE! I loved it so much I used it for a shoot we did recently for Floridian Weddings. Wishing I had a holiday party to attend and dress up oh so sparkly and fun!

Hope your Sunday was sparkly!!!! xoxo~Becca

Thanksgiving Day What to Wear

I am on my way to Virginia to visit my parents for Thanksgiving. It is early and I'm sleepy, however, my bags are packed full of Fall clothes and I can't wait to wrap in my sweaters. Thanksgiving Day attire is always something that yes, you want to look nice,however, do you want to be wearing a tight dress and heels all day, NO! I put together what I think the perfect little Thanksgiving Day outfit could be.

Turkey Day Attire by rldamato featuring flat shoes

Merona® Women's Belted Cable Sweater Dress - Ass... : Target, $35
SPANX cotton stretch pants, $62
Tory Burch flat shoes, $195
Iittala essence red wine glass, $20
All Necklaces - Necklaces - Shop by Category, $198

Spanx leggings to suck it all in after lots of Turkey, a nice loose sweater dress, some cute flats to walk around the kitchen all day, some pretty bling and of course a glass of vino to finish off the look. xoxo~Becca

Pumpkin Pie Shakes

I have a thing with Pumpkin sweets during the Fall! The second I see the Pumpkin Spice latte appear on the board at Starbucks I get super excited and have to order one! Even though I live in South Florida, where we really have no feel the nice chilly Autumn weather, I still love the tastes of Fall and try to create my own. A few treats of Pumpkin Cookies, Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Pancakes, you name the pumpkin recipe, I probably love it...makes me feel like my Palm Trees are changing colors outside my house.

So last week Beau and went to the Hollywood Food Truck Round Up last Monday and I after a sip of a Pumpkin Pie Milkshake from the Sugar Rush Sweet Truck I was in Pumpkin Love and knew I had to find a way to create this...DELISH! Today after a long intense workout I was craving sweetness and remembered that yummy shake. I came up with a way it could be a little more healthy, headed to Publix and voila...here is my finished item. It is amazing if I do say so myself!

Ingredients:

3/4 cup Low Fat Vanilla Frozen Yogurt

1/2 cup Skim Milk

1/2 cup Pumpkin Puree

Sprinkle of Cinnamon

1 tablespoon of Graham Cracker Pie Crust

Blend the first 4 ingredients together. If you like your shake a little more thick, add more frozen yogurt, more thin, add more milk. Pour into a pretty glass, sprinkle with some crust and add a cute straw. Sip, enjoy, yum!

I think next time I might add a little Cupcake Vodka Frosting Flavor, ooooo. That sounds like a nice ending to Thanksgiving Day!

xoxo~ Becca

3..2..1....SMILE!

Thinking about a few things that make me smile today!

1. This adorable Wedding Cake table shoot that was featured on Grey Likes Weddings. I'm in love with everything about this photo: pastel cakes, white balloons, gold streamers, love love love.

2. My new Sparkly shoes! I did a little Christmas shopping for Beau's little niece this weekend and just happen to find a little something for myself. Yes, the Gap Kids shoes fit me! Steal!

3. Bella and Edward are getting married and we get to finally see it this weekend!!!! WOO HOO:) Isn't Edward and his scary white vampire face so sweet;)

xoxo~Becca

Wedding Wednesday: Maggie Austin Cake

Today I wanted to share a beautiful artist from DC, I know my Floridian ladies, she is not located here in FL, however I think you will find her cakes inspiring and beautiful! I have seen Maggie Austin's gorgeous cake images floating around on the Internet, on Pinterest, on blogs, I was even so happy to see them in Martha Stewart Weddings. Until I read Maggie's story in last week's Washington Post article I didn't know her background at all. A past ballerina with an injury who taught herself most of what she does with her gorgeous works of arts, her cakes.

Below is a photo of Maggie at her new studio in Old Town Alexandria. How beautiful!

Maggie's white ruffled cake is couture and beautiful. The Mandarin Hotel in Washington loved her work so much that now she is the preferred wedding cake boutique for their couples.

Here are a few images of the lovely pieces that she has created.

The images are all shot by Maggie herself.

Ooooo, I absolutely love this pretty cake with layers of black and white call delicately ruffled up. Isn't it gorgeous! I may not even be able to take a slice it is so pretty!

Read Maggie's whole story in the Washington Post here. I found this past Joffrey Ballet dancers story really inspiring to follow your heart and turn a passion into a business. It helps that her passion is in creating amazingly beautiful wedding cakes! Check out Maggie's other wedding art on her site here, yes I said art:)

xoxo~Becca

{photos by Maggie Austin & Washington Post}

3 Ways to Wear my New PINK Pants

Since the Fall J.Crew catalog arrived in my mailbox months ago I was obsessed and in love with the Bright Dahlia Cafe Capri Pants in Wool. Yes, I live in Florida so why do I need WOOL pants and they were $118, more then I wanted to spend on my little pink pants. I was so excited to have these Pink Euphoria Old Navy pants enter my life not long after. $33 dollars later and these cute pink pants were mine!

I am not one girl to shy away from wearing a bright color! To the office, to brunch, date night, out with girlfriends, no no no..bring on the pink. Here are a few looks I think are adorable for my little pink pants, including a nice little hair do and a little bit of lipstick:)

Striped tank top, $35

Old Navy cuffed capri pants, $18
Ted Baker bow shoes, £23
M Z Wallace canvas handbag, $175
Kate spade sunglasses, $128
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Spf 20, $42
Bobbi Brown Treatment Lip Shine - Spf 15, $23

*A Messy ponytail to complete my weekend look!

Find my styles on Polyvore at rldamato!

xoxo~Becca

Sweet Thanksgiving Day Place Cards

Ever since I was little, my sisters and I were always in charge of setting the Thanksgiving table. I think that at a very early age I begin asking my mom about what we could use to decorate the table. My older sister would make place cards and as the years went by she would use her design skills to make personalized family tshirts and oven mitts. Yes, us D'Amato's love decorating for the holidays.

This year I am heading to Virginia to spend Thanksgiving at my parents house. I am not sure what my mom has planned for the table, but if I was hosting Thanksgiving this year, I think I might add a simple sweet place card to every one's setting. Caramel dipped lady apples.

I used the easiest recipe on these lovely little apples, you can find it here. However, because these little lady apples are so sweet and small, you can half the recipe to make 8-10 apples. Add a little gold sparkly tape as a decorative flag and place one by each guests place card.

I added granola to a few apples for a little bit of yummy crunch. My favorite place cards I use are from Kate Spades stationary line. How cute is this saying "Playing footsies is encouraged."I would place this one at my Beau's place setting for sure.

Simple and sweet. A nice treat placed beside your sweet guests. Enjoy! xoxo~Rebecca

A quick FALL trip

This weekend I took a quick trip to DC to meet Billy, one of my best friends since elementary school, Besse's new little baby boy. I flew up early Saturday and came back late Sunday evening, yep, a quick trip. I wish I could have a weekend like this more often! The weather was beautiful with the Fall leaves changing and it was a reminder to me of just how much I love this time of year up North! Palm trees do not change into these beautiful colors.

I wanted to share a few photos from the weekend that just made me smile! Me, playing Auntie Becca strolling Billy through the cute streets of Delray, VA near Besse's house. Little baby Billy sleeping, how cute are his little froggie pj's, Billy's little shoe socks, adorable! And then me again, holding Billy with a big smile on my face. This little guy is precious and I'm always so excited to see the Rose family! It makes me feel like I never left.

Cerys and I took a little afternoon stroll through Old Town Alexandria and hit up a few adorable stores in the afternoon. I made her snap this picture of me so I could remember the beautiful day! Yes, I was rockin my boots for the two chilly days! I don't get many days in Florida to wear them.

I've been dying to make a trip to the adorable new paper store Fifteen Eleven and I got stop by Saturday and I'm so glad I got to! Fort Lauderdale is for sure missing a cute paper shop and every time I head up to DC I make sure to add a few stops to my favorite shops, this just got added to the list. Ladies, if you live in Washington head on over to Old Town for (on a Saturday when they are selling Whoopie Pies!) and take a few minutes in the shop.

I bought these adorable Russell+Hazel cards. The acrylic holder will make a perfect addition to my desk.

The bow stamp will be adorable added to my holiday envelope cards. And these little chevron paper bags, well they were a given.

Thinking of framing this fun postcard! I need to remind myself of these things a few times!

I also made a stop in the always amazing Paper Source, I'm kind of obsessed! I guess it is kind of good that I do not live near this little gem of a paper store anymore because I end up buying one too many adorable things. I needed silhouette rubber stamps, didn't I? The little round stickers I always stock up on. I love sending out a card with the simple little stickers on the back.

It is only Tuesday and I am already looking forward to my weekend here in Florida. I need to start my holiday card search;) Hhhmm, maybe another quick trip to Washington, Beau? Can we?

Have a happy week! xoxo~Becca

a perfect day

Recently it has been go go go around my house. With all of our travelling we did in September, birthdays, celebrations, we returned to Florida with Beau moving his job to a new location, and me, packing my schedule even more then usual. With a full time job, co editor of a fabulous new blog, this blog, volunteering, networking, its busy. I don't mean to sound complaining, because I am not, however, we are busy, which sometimes means our nights of laying on the couch watching tv and relaxing are slim. Unfortunately recently Beau and my schedule's are not on the same track and it is starting to make me sad. I work Monday through Friday and Beau has off two days during the week and works on the weekends. So, that being said, this morning while my two boys {Oliver and Beau} were heading out the door on a run I wished, can I stay home today?

It got me thinking, a perfect day off...what would I do? There a hundred things I can think of, but I shortened down my list and thought of a few that made its way to the top...

A long breakfast at home with multiple cups of coffee. Reading magazines, watching the Today Show and catching up online. {this picture is from one of those types of mornings last Thanksgiving}

We would take our little Oliver for a long walk by the beach. Recently, having a dog forces us to take long walks and I have to say, I love it. It is one of those times of the days to catch up, get fresh air and exercise and just relax. {this picture of Oliver I snapped a few weeks ago, I LOVE}.

We would be lazy at home for awhile, hanging out in the backyard, relaxing, and then head out for a fancy lunch with a few glasses of wine. {like the photo below at the amazing Soho Beach House} Long lunches are the best!

Maybe an afternoon movie, a little browsing at stores ...dreaming of furniture pieces we can add to our house. Another late afternoon cup of coffee, a stop at the store to buy some ingredients for dinner and then a homemade dinner at home. Maybe a little Scrabble in the backyard afterwards? I know, a little homebody in the event loving me, I think its more and more. The time I have at home with Beau and my puppy are those nights that I love!

Hopefully I can have this perfect day soon. What would yours be?

xoxo~Becca

Charity featured on Design Sponge

My older sister Charity was featured on the amazing blog, Design Sponge, yesterday. I have been dying to share a few pics with you because I was SO excited when I found out the news! You would have thought I was being featured with the amount of excitement I had for her.

Charity is pretty crazy creative. She is an amazingly talented graphic designer who owns her own boutique design firm, Chartreuse , outside of Cleveland Ohio. Yes, I get it, I'm her baby sister, however, other people agree, she is pretty fabulous! She spent the last year fixing up her house and it is looking kind of ridiculously amazing. I know she was ecstatic to be featured on the wonderful Design Sponge blog....check out a few sneak peaks here....

My nephew pug, "Sir Franklin" being welcomed inside the house. I LOVE this picture!

Chair turned her guest bedroom into a closet. This use to be where my other fabulous sister Katie and I would sleep when we visited. Now do we sleep in the closet? Like the old woman in the shoe? That could be fun! Sigh, I wonder if Beau would let me do this! It is tempting!

The bathroom is a beautiful white on white and I am especially in LOVE with the pink glitter banner!

How amazing are the yellow chairs! Knowing my sister she found them on the corner of the street in the trash and now the look like the could be in an Anthropologie catalog.

My sister's sneak peek has inspired me to re do our house. I have lived here for well over a year now...what am I waiting for! Check out the entire article here, it is pretty fabulous! Way to go Chair!

xoxo~ little sister Rebecca