coming clean :: day one hundred sixty

Workout: morning @ pilates + afternoon @ trail run (2.88 miles)

My fav Pilates exercise of the day was the advanced corkscrew!

I was supposed to have gone jogging BEFORE Pilates, but it was raining (and, okay, I couldn't get out of bed). I had run parts of the trail during a fun run, but didn't know it extended as far as it did. Turned around at 15:00, but will run the entire way next time. Short river crossing = wet shoes. Saw my first two wild chipmunks!


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

hair: Seanik Solid Shampoo by Lush and Vegan Original Citrus Blast Intense Hair Conditioner by Gudonya Soap and Spa

body: Vegan Citrus Glaze Sugar Scrub by Body Language Soaps

This was included with my latest order. I'll admit, I almost didn't give it a chance. Body scrubs leave my skin feeling wonderful, but it can also leave a film of oily residue in my tub. I've used some that have left my tub so slippery that I had to sit on the edge and swing my legs over to get out because I was so afraid of falling over and hitting my head! It turns out that this was the perfect day to try it out. My tub was due for a cleaning anyway, and if it did leave any residue, I could just scrub it away.

Well, all I have to say is... BL Soaps has done it again! The sugar scrub was exactly the way it was described in their listing: "I combined two of my favorite scents in this fabulous blend, Sweet Orange and Wild Honey! The result, a decadently rich blend that is sweet and tantalizing! ... After one use, you'll be addicted to how soft your skin feels, and sugar scrubs will become a regular necessity in your beauty routine. We've made our sugar scrubs with special emulsifiers to cut down on the oiliness not only on your skin, but also in your tub. Leaves a lotion like feel when rinsed with water."

It left my skin feeling wonderful and eau de chlorine-less. I didn't even have to moisturize afterwards! And, yes, I did clean my tub afterwards. But only because I had to. I'll definitely be back for more!


Naughty Points:

1 large sweet tea (because I was thirsty after after my trail run)
1 "just pick three!" Vietnamese dessert
3 The Fetching Hound 'blue balls' bitty bites

Needless to say, I was completely satiated by day's end :: wink ::

coming clean :: day one hundred fifty two

Workout: lunch @ outdoor walk (1.62 miles)

REST DAY! Took advantage of the sunny weather -- FINALLY! -- and went for a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood. Our first stop was froyo, then cupcakes (for tomorrow's swim meet) and lastlybutnotleastly, lunch!

I'll have to say that my not-so-quite-an-hour in the sun was a million times better than being on the dreadmill. And... there are quite a few froyo joints in the vicinity! :: mwahahahaha ::


Coming Clean:

face: Tea Tree and Charcoal Natural Complexion by Country Heart Gifts

hair: Seanik Solid Shampoo by Lush

body: Pear by Bella Bubbles


Naughty Points: 1 Mr. Yogato froyo

coming clean :: day one hundred fifty one

Workouts: lunch @ gym (0.5 mile jog + stretch + 1.13 miles ellip) and evening @ pool (3,850 SCY)

Had a different, harder workout planned, but lost all motivation to do it when I got to the pool. Did 5 x 200s in preparation for the 1000 on Saturday, but it didn't work out the way it was intended. It was supposed to be descend 1-3 + hold 4-5 but turned into a descend 1-5. Oops. Winged the rest of the workout and ended up doing an extra 100 for the 10 x 100s because I was in lala-land.


Coming Clean:

face: Tea Tree Honey with Lemon Peel by Inseine Creations

hair: Vegan Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by Gudonya Soap and Spa

body: Red Velvet Cake by Spotted Cow Soaps

These soaps and hair products were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 110, Day 16 and Day 56, respectively.


Naughty Points: ZERO!!

After yesterday's free-for-all, I had no choice but to avoid them! It also helps when get your fill of red velvet cake by doing something as simple as bathing! :: wink ::

coming clean :: day one hundred forty nine

Workouts: lunch @ gym (0.5 mile jog + stretch + 5.4 mile bike) and evening @ pool (4,050 SCY)

Coming Clean:

face: Pink Kaolin Clay by Country Heart Gifts

hair: Seanik Solid Shampoo by Lush

body: Java Jolt by Inseine Creations

These soaps and hair products were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 1, Day 146 and Day 9, respectively.


Naughty Points: 8 truffles :: oops ::

coming clean :: day one hundred forty eight

Workout: lunch @ gym (2 mile jog + stretch + 4 x (30 crunches + 50 skips))


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

hair: Seanik Solid Shampoo by Lush

body: Spiked Peaches by Sweet and Tranquil

I've been enjoying Sweet and Tranquil's whipped soaps so much that it's taken me a while to pull myself away from them and try one of their bar soaps. I'm happy to report that this was another success. A lovely summery scent with lots of bubbles!

Sweet and Tranquil describes this soap as "[t]he scent of fresh peaches on a summer’s day, fresh and Sweet. The Fragrance is spiked with Ginger which adds a hint of Spice to this luscious Soap. I have added a touch of Gold Mica to add a bit of shimmer to this soap."


Naughty Points: 1 Boylan diet black cherry soda + 8 sugar cookie dough squares = 9

As for the cookie dough squares, I'm cleaning out my freezer, thankyouverymuch!

coming clean :: day one hundred forty seven

Workout: evening @ pool (3,600 SCM)

They're combating swine flu by over-chlorinating the pool. It felt like my tongue and lips were melting off! :: blech ::


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

hair: Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by Gudonya Soap and Spa

body: Crisp Ginger Pear by My Birch

These soaps and hair products were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 57, Day 15 and Day 50, respectively.


Naughty Points: 1 Larry's Ice Cream red velvet cupcake

I'm such a sucker for cupcakes. As I was walking back to my car (in the rain with my hands full), I still managed to see the "WE HAVE HOMEMADE CUPCAKES!" sign. Okay, it didn't actually say that, but that's what my brain heard. :: wink :: It was totally worth the challenge of carrying them back to my car!

Two pictured, but I only had one. :: pinky promise :: I should probably also pinky promise to stop eating these as often as I have been. They're definitely at the top of my doctor's 'no-no list'!

coming clean :: day one hundred forty six

Workouts: morning @ pilates + late-afternoon @ outdoor jog

Teaser series was killer! We had it-looks-like-it's-about-to-rain weather all day, so I ran every errand in the book to avoid having to run. As soon as I headed out the door, it started misting --> rain --> RAIN! Of course! Bad tummyache @ 3.5 miles. Not sure if it was the OJ I had right before, the nuun I had during or my fuel belt being a little too tight. Where is that thing supposed to hang, anyway?


Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by A Breath of French Air

hair: Seanik Solid Shampoo by Lush

I'm diggin' the shampoo bar I received as a gift, so when I was out-and-about, I bought myself another one!

body: Rhubarb Al Fresco by Rachel Rene Bath & Body


Naughty Points: Where to begin?!! I treated myself to a cà phê sũa đá before running errands, had a strawberry cupcake in G-town whilst running errands, then rewarded myself with truffles after my run. Only two from this entire box!

How do y'all eat a box of chocos? If I don't have to share, I finish off my least favorite first.

coming clean :: day one hundred forty five

I'm back! I haven't decided whether to stay with the current format, or to try something else. Thoughts?

Workouts: lunch @ gym (2 mile jog + stretch + 4 x (30 crunches + 50 skips)) + evening @ pool (3,500 SCY)

No A/C! So I took it easy and decided to cut the jog short. I have no problems sweating my butt off outdoors, but indoors, well... that just seems wrong!

Just another pace workout. :: yawn :: Whose idea was it to sign up for a distance meet?!!


Coming Clean:

face: Tea Tree and Charcoal Natural Complexion by Country Heart Gifts

hair: Ultimate Shine Solid Shampoo by Lush

If this wasn't a gift, I might've never tried a shampoo bar. I'm glad I did!

body: Gateau de Citron by Savor


Naughty Points: 2 Big Island Candies brownies

Another gift! :: wink :: To your left, we have the golden mac nut blondie. Also included in the assortment were dark choco mac nut brownies and dark choco coconut brownies. I'd never had a coconut brownie before!

With the return of my 'Coming Clean' posts, I've decided not to buy any more 'naughty points' that can't be consumed at time of purchase. I hope this plan doesn't backfire on me!

coming clean :: day one hundred twenty two

Workouts: lunch @ gym (2 mile jog + stretch) and evening @ pool (3,900 SCY)

Easing back into the running thang. I've been stretching it out, but my left hamstring is still really tight. :: sniff ::

Total space cadet swim session. I forgot to bring my watch, and it took all the energy in the world to remember my splits just from the first set! Looking forward to a shorter sprint workout tomorrow.


Coming Clean:

face: Tea Tree Honey with Lemon Peel by Inseine Creations

body: Vegan Cinnamon Swirl by Boh Bon Soap Company

These soaps were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 110 and Day 54, respectively.


Naughty Points: 1 gooey bar from a dessert tray at work + 1 The Dairy Godmother scoop of blackberry merlot sorbet

I was doing such a good job of resisting these things, sitting all pretty in the pantry. This is the last one! :: pinky promise ::

coming clean :: day one hundred twenty one

Workout: lunch @ gym (0.5 mile jog + long stretch + 1.15 miles elliptical)

Still in recovery mode from Sunday! Left hamstring is a bit tight (from before the race), but otherwise, am pain-free!


Coming Clean:

face: Tea Tree and Charcoal Natural Complexion by Country Heart Gifts

body: Vegan Green Apple Candy by Long Winter Farm

I've had this soap for a while, maybe even from before the 'Coming Clean' installments began? Which might explain why it's never been reviewed, or that it's no longer available for purchase. Isn't it a beautiful bar of soap? As always, Long Winter Farm leaves me laughing -- "This soap smells just like green apple Jolly Ranchers to me! I doesn't taste like them though, I tried..."


Naughty Points: from The Dairy Godmother... 2 marshmallows + 1 scoop of lilikoi sorbet = 3

You didn't believe I was gonna walk out of there yesterday without a doggie bag, did you?!!

coming clean :: day one hundred nineteen

Workouts: morning @ outdoor road race (10 miles) + afternoon @ pool (3,000 SCY)

Beautiful day! Cherry blossoms galore, but that's about the only positive thing I can say about this race. The course was totally over-crowded! I started in the wrong corral and spent the entire time weaving in and out of people. Hains Point (sans 'The Awakening' :: sniff ::) was a 3 mile-long canopy of cherry blossoms. Wow! Just wish it wasn't such a long and boring park to run around. Lots of tourists / spectators near the finish line. I heard my name! Was that you, Michael?

After the race and post-race brunch, I was feeling good enough to go to my weekly group workout but decided to back off... just in case. Swam 6 x 500s without intervals. I felt like such a rebel!


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

hair: Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by
Gudonya Soap and Spa

body: Vegan Jasmine Green Tea by Simple Traditions

These soaps and hair products were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 57, Day 15 and Day 62, respectively.


Naughty Points: 2

pre-race: 0.5 Baked & Wired strawberry cupcake

post-race: 0.5 Baked & Wired strawberry cupcake + 1 cherry blossom cupcake

Please note that the pre-race naughtiness was purely unintentional. I was so tired from a loooong evening of carbo-loading that I forgot to buy bananas. And then I accidentally left the house without my Clif Bar. Thank goodness I had left my cupcakes in the car! No, seriously, I would've been a mess if I had run ten miles without any food in my stomach! :: excuses, excuses, excuses ::

I'm including a pic of the banana pudding we ordered for dessert. I was so full from brunch, though, that I didn't partake. I know, I couldn't believe it, either.

coming clean :: day one hundred seventeen

Workout: lunch @ gym (0.5 mile jog + stretch + elliptical)

I think I pulled something whilst swimming last night. Back of left leg (but not hammy) is really tight. It doesn't seem to affect my running, but just to be safe, I jumped on the elliptical instead of the treadmill.


Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by A Breath of French Air

body: Nutty Love by Jovia Handmade Soap

It was a dark and stormy night... and this was the perfect bar for my Netflix nite-in! "Deliciously warm and wintery. The scent of this bar is hard to describe. Spices, citrus, nuts, honey, berries and butter... sounds like some sort of fantastic dessert doesn't it?" Like I said, perfect bar for my Netflix nite-in!


Naughty Points: 3 treats from a dessert tray at work :: oops ::

project wonderful :: happy easter

Origami Spirit

I just wanted to take a brief moment to give a hippity-hoppity "Hello" and "Happy Easter" to my long-term blog sponsors. I am taking a wee break from Project Wonderful, but hope to be back soon. Thank you for your continued support!

Mannie Mandible
Mold Market
Southern Soapers
Unless... illustration & design

coming clean :: day one hundred sixteen

Workouts: lunch @ gym (0.5 mile jog + stretch + 1.5 miles elliptical) and evening @ pool (3,000 SCY)

My friend shared an IM set with me, insisting that it wasn't that bad. Um, okay, WUTEVER! I ended up having to cut my workout short because I was dead tired.

Coming Clean:

face: Vegan Complexion Zen by Bunny Butt Apothecary

body: Crisp Apple Whipped Parfait Foaming Soap by Sweet and Tranquil

These soaps were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 14 and Day 72, respectively.

Naughty Points: ZERO!

if i win the lottery :: marshmallow peeps

fizzybubbles

I think this is how my love of marshmallows began.
I used to devour these things by the 12 pack!

Every Easter,
the Washington Post -- among other newspapers -- holds a
Marshmallow Peeps Diorama Contest!

As with the earlier "If I Win the Lottery" installments on
fruitcake, bacon & eggs, under the sea,
whether they be chicks or rabbits,
none of these Marshmallow Peeps are the real thing!


magicbeanbuyer



babypop



ThePaperElement



chiwaluv



BarnStarBazaar



mountainmadness75



JackandJillCreations

coming clean :: day one hundred fifteen

Workouts: lunch @ gym (0.5 mile jog + stretch + 5.4 miles bike) and evening @ outdoor jog (3.46 miles)

My last "long" run before the race. Taper seems to be workingDespite the rain, I was on f-i-r-e!


Coming Clean:

face: Pink Kaolin Clay by Country Heart Gifts

body: WildFire by KB Shimmer

These soaps were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 1 and Day 92, respectively.


Naughty Points: 1 chop't Boylan black cherry soda + 1 chop't blondie + 4 cookie dough squares = 6 :: eek ::

I eat at chop't so often that they decided I deserved not only a free fountain drink, but also a dessert! I was gonna turn down the beverage until I saw that they had black cherry soda. (Unfortunately, they were out of diet black cherry.) I can't remember the last time I had black cherry soda. I know I won't be having any more for a long time, so I savored every last drop!

The cookie dough squares had been on my mind and sitting in my freezer for ages. I didn't want them to go bad! :: wink ::

coming clean :: day one hundred fourteen

Workouts: lunch @ gym (0.5 mile jog + stretch + 1.13 miles elliptical) and evening @ pool (4,300 SCY)

I didn't realize this was a 4000+ yards workout until I got home and recalculated everything. Oops!


Coming Clean:

face: Tea Tree and Charcoal Natural Complexion by Country Heart Gifts

body: Vegan Wino by Long Winter Farm

You can add this bar to the ever-growing list of Long Winter Farm's beautifully sudsy soaps! Her descriptions are hilarious, too!

"I used Shiraz to activate the lye in this one (I'm not a drinker, so it didn't phase me!), then scented it with berry wine fragrance oil and colored it with mica. I dusted the top with mica too, so it's all shimmery. Great gift for tasters and vineyard hoppers, not so great for your pastor or auntie in AA."


Naughty Points: 2 scoops of Ciao Bella blackberry Cabernet sorbet

Q: What better way to end the evening after bathing in red wine?
A: More red wine!

coming clean :: day one hundred thirteen

Workout: lunch @ gym (0.5 miles jog + l-o-n-g-s-t-r-e-t-c-h + 110 crunches)

Let the tapering officially begin! I'm not changing my swimming schedule, though. I hope Hal Higdon is okay with that!


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

body: Sea Glass by Lily Pond Soaps

These soaps were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 57 and Day 44, respectively.


Naughty Points: 6 Baby Cakes sugar-free orange vanilla marshmallows

I'm a-d-d-i-c-t-e-d to these things! That was the last of 'em... for now :: wink ::

coming clean :: day one hundred twelve

Workouts: afternoon @ tennis and evening @ pool (3,550 SCM)

Rain stopped just in time for courts to dry. A bit windy, but otherwise a beautiful spring day for Aussie doubles!


Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by A Breath of French Air

hair: Vegan Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by Gudonya Soap and Spa

body: Vegan Revitalizing Rosemary and Lavender by Anderson Soap Company

These soaps and hair products were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 7, Day 16 and Day 41, respectively.


Naughty Points: 1 scoop of The Dairy Godmother grapefruit sorbet

To further feed my need of Vitamin C! :: wink ::

coming clean :: day one hundred eleven

Workout: morning @ outdoor jog (7.2 miles jog + 0.7 mile walk)

Last long run before the race next week! It was a cold and dreary day, but the light mist was kinda nice. I knew a waterproofed iPod would come in handy :: wink :: I thought I'd be a glob of lactic acid from last night's "race against the clock" swim session, but felt fine for the most part. Was hoping for 8 miles, but right Achilles started tightening up around mile 6 so cut the run short and stretched instead.


Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by aBreathofFrenchAir

body: Goat's Milk Gardener's Soap with Cranberry and Strawberry Seeds by KBShimmer

These soaps were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 7 and Day 13, respectively.


Naughty Points: 0.5 Baby Cakes BooHoo Baby (Lemon) Cupcake + an unmentionable amount of Baby Cakes sugar-free orange vanilla marshmallows

As I mentioned yesterday, I've been on this mysterious citrus kick lately. The half-gallon of OJ I bought yesterday is already half-gone! And when you're craving citrus, there's no way you can resist a cupcake description like this!

"Do you love lemon? How about a lemon cupcake with real lemon juice added for the extra pucker we all love, then smother it with addictive and wicked yummy lemon buttercream frosting? If you say yes, then grab a spoon and pucker up baby."