Tag: Boston

Happy Weekend, Indeed

Happy Weekend, Indeed

Hi guys, and happy weekend! 

I’ve survived two weeks of my first “real world” job, and so far, so good!

I’m loving my coworkers and the work seems right up my alley. It’ll be a while before I’m up to speed, but I’m learning so much and enjoying the process and getting to know my colleagues! 

Anyway, I know I haven’t been on here as much as I wanted to this summer – between finding an apartment, moving in, starting work, and trying to relax and see friends and fam, the chance to blog has slipped away. Ugh!

I thought I would get on here today to say hello and share a few pictures from the past couple weeks. You can also find these pics on my Instagram (@LaurRuns). Follow along for daily photos!

My morning workout + fave post-workout snack!

Loving the new Panera peach blueberry power smoothie with almond milk!

Lunch outside with my mom at one of my favorite casual restaurants in my hometown (before I moved to Boston). Love spending time with her (and the good food doesn’t hurt ;)). This was a spinach wrap with turkey, spicy honey mustard, lettuce, tomato, walnuts, and dried cranberries, plus a side salad. Yum!

One of my work day outfits from last week. I’m fortunate that we have a casual dress code and can wear whatever we want! This means I can still wear all my old college class clothes (minus the workout clothes I usually wore…) or business casual – whatever I’m in the mood for. So nice!

The CEO of our company is amazing and had us all over for food and drinks at her gorgeous home on Tuesday evening. I enjoyed spending time with my coworkers, sipping rosé, and snacking on watermelon (x5), sliders, and mini wraps. Can’t wait for more of these nights in the future!

The scene of my peaceful, quiet Saturday morning – exactly what I needed after super early mornings and busy work days. Waking up naturally (at 8:45), sipping coffee, listening to podcasts, reading magazines, and then getting an awesome 5 miles in (while exploring my new neighborhood) was the perfect start to my weekend.

I hope you guys are enjoying your summer, and that I get to talk to you all again soon!

25 Things You Don’t Know About Me

I saw (and really enjoyed reading!) this questionnaire on Tina and Julie‘s blogs and I figured that it’s time I share a little bit more about myself on here!

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This questionnaire has 25 pretty random prompts, and I am almost positive you guys don’t know most of these things about me. But you will now!

25 Things You Didn’t Know About Me…Until Now!

1. I’m happiest when… I’m with my family and friends.

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2. …Especially if it… involves relaxing on a boat or the beach, enjoying amazing food, or experiencing new things!

3. I’ve always wanted to… go to a taping of Ellen. Still a dream 🙂

4. My family and I… love to joke around, go out to dinner, and support each other in all that we do!

5. I was a terrible… soccer player. I played (for one season) when I was 5 and all I remember is that at the last practice, I peed my pants in the middle of the field because I didn’t want to go to the porta-potty by myself. Also, one time I let the ball go right past me and straight into the goal because I was waving to my mom. Yep, I was MVP. I’m glad I tried it though because I learned (and my parents quickly saw for themselves) that any sport involving a ball is not my forte.

6. My first job (besides babysitting) was… as a hostess at a local Italian restaurant. I got paid a full 10 bucks an hour plus tips and got free dinner after my shift – not a bad gig for a 16 year old!

7. I could probably definitely eat… ice-cream everyday. In fact, I pretty much do.

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Sorry I got a little carried away there… You drooling yet?

8. I stole… ummm all I can think of is a few t-shirts from my brothers’ drawers when I was in my ‘sporty’ phase in 5th grade.

9. I was born on the same day as… my uncle. And (I just looked this up) Jessica Alba’s husband, Cash Warren (woohoo).

Funny story about birthdays though – two of my three brothers were born on April 22nd (4 years apart), which is also one of my cousin’s birthdays. And my other brother was born on April 27th, so there were many shared birthday parties for them!

Three boys, 2 years between each, all born in April, all with blue eyes…3 years later, in January, came me, a brown-eyed girl. Talk about the black sheep!

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It’s too bad we don’t look (or pose…) like that anymore.

10. My all-time favorite film is… oh gosh, I can never choose favorites… maybe Parent Trap? But to be honest, I like almost every romance, comedy, or chick flick that I see – I’m not a tough critic when it comes to movies.

11. I do a pretty mean… British accent. One summer my friend and I went on vacation together and spoke in accents whenever we were in public (only when we weren’t with my parents because there was no way they were going to attempt to play along…that would’ve been a dead giveaway). I’m sure we fooled no one, but it was our tween-age idea of fun!

12. I’m still mad… I quit taking piano and guitar lessons. I started piano lessons in 2nd grade and quit after about a year because my teacher made me sing along… In school I played violin in 4th grade, then flute from 5th – 8th (both of which I’m not too mad I stopped playing). In 6th grade I took guitar lessons outside of school, but I quit once dance started taking over my life in 7th grade (I danced from ages 3-14).

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I’m so mad I quit piano and guitar because I absolutely love music, and playing one (or both!) of those instruments is a hobby I wish I could have. I’ve tried to pick the guitar back up every now and then, but I end up getting frustrated when my little hands won’t stretch to get my fingers where they need to be. I just need more patience, really. Oh well…

13. I met my husband… HAHA funny one. I’m still in college, and probably pretty far from getting married (although I’d love to one day!!). I’ve been single since last July and am in no rush to meet my husband. That said, I’m definitely ready to have a boyfriend again, so I’m open to whatever is meant to happen.

14. I always knew I wanted… to be a mom. But seeing as I don’t want that to happen without first being able to answer number 13, I’ll go with to study abroad. And that’s why I’m going to (in 22 days) (EEEEK!).

15. I’m not afraid to… try anything (within reason) once! That’s the attitude I’m trying to have as I go into my study abroad adventure this Fall!

16. I make the best… eggs. Haha trust me, I make more than just the microwave variety and I also am slowly learning how to cook and bake many things, but as a college kid, I have a lot to learn. I absolutely love being in the kitchen, experimenting with different ingredients, and trying new recipes as well as learning my family’s classics. Cooking and baking are definitely passions of mine, I just need much more practice (and time)!

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17. I have almost no… hand-eye coordination when it comes to sports. I cannot catch/kick/throw a ball to save my life. Refer to number 5….

18. I always cry when… I watch the movie A Walk to Remember. Oh and Marley and Me. Aka almost any movie with a sad/deep/emotional ending.

19. I’m a… Connecticutian (Connecticutter? Yeah, I don’t know…), but I’m also a Bostonian because I go to BC. I love being both!!

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20. I’ve spent 20 years (I guess technically 18 since I’m in college, but I’m home in the summers) in the same house. My family moved into our current home about two years before I was born, and my parents aren’t planning on moving any time soon. I am more than okay with that because I love my home sweet home.

21. I wish my folks… the best (oh gosh, that sounds like I’m leaving them, which I am not. Well I guess I am for the semester, but you get my point). I love them so much and my brothers and I owe everything to them, so I pray every day that they stay healthy and happy 🙂

22. At 5, I was deeply in love with… a boy in my kindergarten class. I thought we were going to get married. I also was in love with dance and figure skating.

23. I believe if everyone… learned to love one another and treat others with respect, the world would be a better place.

(source)

24. I can’t stand… when people hover over me. Whether I’m studying, writing, eating, packing, whatever it may be, I hate when people stand over me/ watch me/ look over my shoulder if we’re not actually having a conversation as this happens. I also can’t stand…super slow walkers on campus between classes. I appreciate the fact that maybe they’re just soaking it all in or enjoying nice weather, but if I have a class to be getting to, pick up the pace or get out of my way! (Woah, did I just say that?)

25. Whenever… Keeping Up with the Kardashians is on, I’ll watch it. Yep, I said it.

Week in Photos

Loooong time no see!

I know I’ve been M.I.A. for over a week, so I have no idea where to even begin. The past week has been filled with summer fun – the 4th spent at the beach, lots of time in the sun, some awesome workouts, ahhhmazing eats, and tons of quality time with family and friends. Ain’t nothin’ better.

I would love to recap all my fun days but I’m getting ice cream with some friends in 20 minutes, and I would need a good two hours to write everything I want to talk about! That being said, I’ve had the itch to blog every single day, so I just had to get back on here again while I had the time.

So, without further ado, here is a bit of my past week in iPhotos (in no particular order)!

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I finally wore the gray t-shirt dress! I actually wore it another day with the purple and blue J.Crew statement necklace, too! Perfect to throw on for an afternoon shopping trip or out to dinner!

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My mom and I did some serious damage at J.Crew…

Purchased: Tan striped open cardigan, neon coral shorts
Purchased: Tan striped open cardigan, neon coral shorts.
Purchased: Purple shorts.
Purchased: Purple shorts.
Purchased: Black & white peplum top.
Purchased: Black & white peplum top.
Purchased: Coral and (bright) yellow studs - picture does not do them justice.
Purchased: Coral and (bright) yellow studs – picture does not do them justice.

Also purchased on this shopping excursion:

  • J.Crew:

-hot pink tank top

-white tank top

  • GAP

-coral nail polish

-white terry cloth sweatshirt (to throw on at night after a day at the beach or pool)

  • Banana Republic

-delicate silver necklace

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My parents and I spent an evening in Harvard Square after dropping one of my brothers off at Logan Airport. He’s backpacking through Europe with some friends for a month… with just what he has on his back. I couldn’t even pack that light for an overnight trip…

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We ate outside at Grendel’s Den in Harvard Square, which I had actually read about on Tina’s blog, Carrots N Cake. I had never really had tofu, so I chose the Salvadoran Vegetables & Tofu with quinoa. I definitely would’ve liked it more with chicken instead of tofu (I decided tofu’s not really my thing), but the veggies and quinoa were awesome and I devoured the whole thing!

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I sort of mastered a not so perfect sock bun.

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That deliciousness would be a Blue Bunny Birthday Party Premium Ice Cream Sandwich. Speaks for itself.

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The boy and I spent the 4th of July at the beach. After a week of nasty, stormy weather, no one could have asked for a more perfect Independence Day.

God Bless this beautiful country.
God Bless America.

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The fam and I celebrated one of my other brothers getting a new job with a fancy-shmancy dinner.

Butternut squash bisque and a chopped salad. Delish.
Butternut squash bisque and a chopped salad. Delish.

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Unfortunately, that’s about all the pictures I took this week :/. I wish I had all the time in the world to blog about all the workouts I did, the yummy food I ate, and the fun memories I made because, trust me, this week was filled with all that good stuff.

*Hopefully I’ll be back to my daily posting routine this coming week. In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed the pics and I hope you enjoy your weekend even more!