I was having a conversation yesterday with my friend Tyler (who happens to have called Louisville home for a bit, but is now running his own bow-tie biz in the Big Apple, Dap-Kitsch, check it out!) about how I read a LOT of blogs on the daily. Whether it be because I’m scoping out the competition, looking for inspiration, or my favorite: just for fun. All of which are great for their own reasons, but the few blogs that I read for fun are my favorites. One of those “just for fun” blogs happens to be The Fresh Exchange. They are not only an adorable couple (hello, #couplegoals), BUT they are even more importantly an (adorable) creative couple living + working together, which happens to be on my 10 year plan. Besides the aforementioned bits they happen to have some of the most inspiring content that I’ve came across online. If you only click on one link this Thursday Things you’ll want to click on theirs – trust me.
If you’re looking for a good starting point for their content, then look no further than this week’s Monday Words: Dare Greatly. Because of quotes like this:
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. (Theodore Roosevelt: Man in the Arena)
Also, from that post I learned that there’s a documentary on Netflix about four ultra-runners taking on the challenge that is the 4 Desert Grand Slam – which makes me running my 26.2 Marathon at the end of the month seem like nothing. Mark this as my declaration that I WILL one day complete an ultra-marathon, and the Desert Grand Slam sounds like a winner – for more reasons than one.
While we’re on the topic of running. I’ve been asked several times this week why I run, and the answer is pretty simple: because I can. I love a challenge, and I love pushing myself to the point of no return. Mostly, I love proving to myself (and everyone else) that I can do anything and everything that I put my mind to. If you’ve never ran a long distance race before – I recommend doing it at least once, you’ll learn a lot about yourself during training and the feeling you’ll have when you cross that finish line is beyond compare.
In other running related news: I’m teaming up with Fleet Feet Sports for some fitness related posts over the next few months. Stay tuned!
The Fresh Exchange also have me ready to make the most of my last week state side with their 5 Ways For A Perfect Spring Weekend.
I’ll be spending Saturday morning in some SERIOUSLY great company for a mini Southern Blog Society meet-up with a few of the other Kentucky Bloggers. If you haven’t joined SBS yet, get on it! I’m hoping to start having monthly get togethers for the state, and the more the merrier.
I’ll be sipping on Bloody Mary’s at brunch cause Silver Dollar has the best ones ever, but I may pop open a bottle or two of champagne after brunch thanks to Zio & Sons recipe for the perfect mimosa over on west elm’s blog.
Since we all know I’ve always got food on the brain let me introduce you to one of my new favorite food blogs, Gimme Some Oven. So far her recipes for Skinny Margaritas and Homemade Naan are on my to-cook list once I get home.
Bitten Word’s Skillet Turkey Meatballs with Lemony Rice are also on my to-cook list once I return from the beach.
One of Wandeleur’s latest has given me plenty to think about while I’m recharging on the beach, like 5, 10, and 15 year plans. I mean.. where do I see this blog in 15 years? I honestly have no idea.
Adding these Spring Cleaning Tips For Your Blog from My Style Vita to-do list for once I’m home from vacation. Seriously y’all – this should’ve been titled Spring Cleaning Essentials For Your Blog.
If you’re needing some more men in your life, here’s 27 fellas you should follow on Instagram thanks to BuzzFeed.
Well, keeping it shorter and sweet(ish) today as I’ve got a long, long list of to-dos before I start packing for Mexico, which includes heading to the Apple Store for hopefully a new iPhone cause this one’s camera is on my last nerve.
While it’s not exactly in Mexico, but close enough, some friends from Louisville began the Ko’Ox Boon campaign to help empower children and adults from underserved Maya communities by providing the tools for making public art & cultivating economic markets for the fair trade of handmade artisan goods. Take a minute to check out their IndieGoGo page and consider pledging some money to help further their cause – the perks include good karma + some hand made gifts for those that donate.
BUT before I go – East Dane is having a 25% off sale, and I stocked up on some serious steals for my trip. You should do the same.
Image c/o The Fresh Exchange