Giveaway - RACE BIB SCRAPBOOK

Go on over to Lauren's Blog, Team Giles, and check out her current giveaway - a custom Race Bib Scrapbook by Yours Truely :)

Upcoming CSN Stores Review

Oh another rainy day. No running for me today, but at least it was a fun day to do a little online shopping! I was browsing around CSN Stores since I will be doing an upcoming review on one of their products. I was checking out everything from a new bar stool for the hubby, to fun toys for the little guy, or even some cool new kitchen stuff for me! Honestly, I could spend all day searching their site since they have SO MUCH GREAT STUFF - over 200 online stores to choose from!! I am having a tough time deciding what to review since they have so many items. Stay tuned to see what I review.......

New England in the Fall

I love living in New England, especially in the fall. I can't say it's my favorite season; I love the beach in the summer, I love skiing in the winter, and I love all the new flowers and sunshine in the spring. But there are things that I just love about fall - cool, crisp air makes for awesome running; the gorgeous changing color of the leaves on the trees; but most importantly, all of the yummy fall food!

Today is offically the first day of fall, but in the past 2 weeks I have already begun some fall cooking and baking. So far I have made applesause (twice!), pumkin muffins, apple bars, butternut squash manicottis, and apple crisp. YUM!!! Who doesn't like all this stuff??? But today I remember and AMAZING recipe that we had countless times last fall - butternut squash mac and cheese. Ohhhh I cannot wait for dinner tonight!

Have a great one!
Laura Elaine

PS - Don't forget about the giveaway that Prairie Wind Notions is hosting....you could win a $10 credit toward my Etsy shop! Go check it out HERE. :)

Giveaway! $10 credit toward running scrapbooks at my Etsy shop

I was recently contacted by a fellow blogger, runner, and Etsy-er - Misti from Prairie Wind Designs (HERE). She asked if she could interview me for her blog. Of course I said yes! You can read her full interview HERE. Through Misti's blog, we are offering a $10 credit toward any item at my Etsy shop! All you have to do is go over to her site and check it out for entry requirements. And tell her that I sent you :)

Laura Elaine

PS - Also, go check out her Etsy site, HERE. She has all kinds of awesome items including re-useable grocery and snack bags; Trick-or-Treat bags; and library book bags for the kids - all with cute and creative designs! Oh yeah, and how could I forget - these ADORABLE little shoes for baby girls (too bad I have a little boy!)

The Ultimate Raffle to Benefit LLS/Team in Trainig - Hosted by Run Courtney Run

Courtney from Run Courtney Run is an amazing person doing an amazing thing. Not only is she training for the Nike Women's Half Marathon, but she is also running for Team in Training. Team in Training raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

One of the great fundraising ideas that she had was to do a BIG raffle on her blog. She has ALL KINDS of great running related prizes and all you have to do for a chance at winning one is donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. HERE is the link to her post about the raffle, and HERE is the link to her fundraising page.

Please head over and check it out, say hello and DONATE!!!!! For as little as $1 you can earn an entry to the raffle. Now go give her some love :)

Have a great one!
Laura Elaine

Philly Distance Run

My newest item on Etsy: Philly Distance Run 12 x 12" premade scrapbook pages. Check out the full listing HERE if you ran the race and want a great way to document your accomplishment!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Laura Elaine

Back in the Groove and Premade Wedding Scrapbook

I've been a little off lately. Off with running. Off with scrapbooking. Off with blogging. I've had some busy weeks and some unfortunate personal/family stuff going on.

But today I got my game face back on! Due to a scheduling mix-up at work, I had no patients scheduled for today, but had childcare lined up. Typically, I would have cancelled out the childcare and just gone about my day with Stephen. But today was different. I dropped Stephen off early and headed over to the Y (it was rainy and gross out) for a quick 2 miles on the treadmill, some foam-rolling and some core work. I have to say, it was sooooooo nice knowing that there was NOTHING that was going to rush or interrupt my workout (ie: poopy diaper, rushing to get to work). Running: back ON!

I stopped by 2 of my 3 favorite scrapbooking supply stores on my way home, got some new supplies, and sat down when I got back home for a 3 hour session. I was able to finish up this Wedding Scrapbook Album (HERE). Again, it was awesome to be able to just do what I needed/wanted to do without the threat of someone waking up from his nap. Although, there were a few times when I "thought" I heard something, but then had to remind myself that he wasn't there! Scrapbooking: back ON!

And here I am tonight. Just finished listing the Wedding Scrapbook on Etsy and now I'm letting you know all about it! Blogging: back ON!

Hopefully I can ride this new, postive wave for a few more weeks until I get back into my groove.

Have a great weekend!

Laura Elaine

Acadia, we love you!

We just got back from a extra-long weekend in Acadia National Park. It's about a 6 hour trip from our house, but it is sooooo worth it. We stayed in a little cabin (same one we stayed in last year) and Stephen again had lots of fun playing with all of his toys....I mean, climbing in the cabinets (he called it his bathroom....)

If you haven't been to Acadia, you are missing out on one of the most beautiful places to visit. There is sooo much to do - we've been 3 times and never hiked, biked, or climbed the same trail more than once. Here is a view on our way up to the top of Flying Mountain, the hike we did on our first day:

There are TONS of wild blueberries all along the hiking trails - here is Steve and Stephen picking some yummy ones!

Mmmmmmmmmmm

Rainbow over the sound

Taking a break from biking and checking out the beaver dams.

Lily pads in the pond

Carriage roads are awesome for biking!

Taking a bite of my nose!

Hiking around Jordan Pond

Cheese!

Running around on Sand Beach

Views from the top of Cadillac Mountain - check out the HUGE cruise ship!

Stephen taking in the scenery

Last day...one more hike.

Bye Acadia!

Newest Running Scrapbook Pages on Etsy

The latest in my premade running pages on Etsy is called "Runner Girl." You can check out the full listing, along with other photos, HERE. They are a blue and purple color sceme, with room for 4 photos and/or journaling, plus room for your race bib. Super cute!

Enjoy your Labor Day!
Laura Elaine

CSN Stores $45 Winner!

My first giveaway! I was lucky enough to be contacted by CSN Stores to host a giveaway on my blog. You can read the full post HERE. I had seen various other bloggers hosting giveaways of for CSN Stores, and I had entered as many as I could find! They have a HUGE range of items on their site, varying from housewares, to kids items, to furniture! You can check out CSN Stores HERE.

Soooo.....on to the real reason you are reading this....you want to know the winner! There were 36 entries in the contest. I used random.org to generate a true random number, and it chose #15:

Glenda!

Congrats! I will send your email address along to CSN Stores and they will be in contact with you to give you your $45 gift certificate code. Enjoy!

Laura Elaine

Cherry on Top Award

I know a lot of you have been seeing this floating around bloggy-land, and now I'm it - Sandy at Sassy Runner Girl did the tagging! What this entails is the following:

1) Answer this question: If you had the chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be.

2) The second thing you have to do is pick 6 people and give them this award. You have to inform the person that they have gotten the award

3) The third and final thing you have to do is thank the person that gave you this award


Answers:
1) So all week as I have been reading other people's answers to this, I have been thinking of my own response. Are there some things that I wish I might have done differently? Sure. Are there some things that I wish the outcomes were a little different? Yes again. But is there really anything that I can say I would change for good? I would have to say no. I have been blessed with so many amazing things in my life: a loving, caring, passionate husband; a gorgeous little 2-year-old boy; awesome family and friends; and a career that I love. I guess I really wouldn't change a thing!

2) Here are my 6 tags:

Judy at 12 Fit Feet
Amanda at Alone in Walt Disney World (stop by and wish her luck at the WDL 1/2 Marathon this weekend!)
Molly at I'm a Sleeper Baker
Bethany & Ryan at Our Love on the Run
Bobbie at 2010 Journey in Running
Madison at Peace Love Run

3) Thank you to Sandy for tagging me for this award! I love reading about your running adventures! Check our her latest race - a CHOCOLATE half marathon - HERE :)

Happy Birthday to My Baby Boy!

Two years ago I was blessed with the most precious gift - a beautiful, healthy, baby boy! A single day does not go by that I am not thankful for his laughter, love, and heartwarming smile.

Happy 2nd Birthday Stephen!