Green Mountain Coffee K-Cup Ambassador Program

Earlier this year, I was invited to be part of the Green Mountain Coffee K-Cup Ambassador program. As part of the program, I received an awesome Keurig Special Edition Brewing System.

This machine makes mornings seamless. I just pop in a K-cup, press the brew button, and within a minute I have a mug of coffee. There are great features on the Special Edition System:

• Programmable
• Choice of 3 cup sizes (6 oz., 8 oz. and 10 oz.)
• Removable 60 oz. water reservoir
• It’s quiet!
• Energy Savings Mode – Auto On/Off

Each month, I receive a monthly mailer of K-Cups and goodies. This has been so much fun.

August – Green Mountain Naturals

• Lemonade K-cups
• Hot Apple Cider K-cups
• Lunchbox with thermos

September -

• Wild Mountain Blueberry K-Cups
• Blueberry Sour Cream Scone Mix
• Lemon Curd

October -  National Fair Trade Month

• Colombian Fair Trade Select
• Fair Trade Sumatran Reserve
• Pumpkin Spice
• Michael Franti’s CD
• Grace Potter & The Nocturnals CD
• Notebook
• Tote

November – Café Escapes

• Café Escapes®K-Cup® packs, including Café Caramel, Café Vanilla, Mocha, Milk Hot Chocolate, Milk Dark Chocolate and Chai Latte

I also wanted to provide you with this month’s promotional code for 15% off all Café Escapes^®products: ESCAPE8168.  The code will be valid through 12/4/2012 @ 11:59 pm EST on GreenMountainCoffee.com.

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The Friday Five 11.23.12

1. What I’m Watching: We all know I have terrible taste in television. The only time I watch something worth mentioning is if a boy sits me down to watch a show. Last week I saw the pilot episode of Homeland.

Let’s just say that Claire Danes’ character is a wreck and makes me feel like a normal human being. I’ll probably only watch this show again if said boy puts it on in my presence. 

2. What I’m Eating: Tis the season for gluttony. Who wore leggings to Thanksgiving dinner? This girl. Last weekend, my grandmother introduced me to Talenti Sea Salt Caramel gelato.

This stuff is ridiculously sweet to the point where you’ll be satisfied with just one serving. The chocolate caramel candies inside are deeeeelicious. I’d just pick those out if I bought a pint. 

3. Recipes I’m Bookmarking: Peppermint Sugar Cookies. So festive! 

4. What I’m Listening to: WHY WHY WHY did I not go see Passion Pit when they came to Charleston? Seriously regretting that. Their song “Where I Come From” is on the Breaking Dawn 2 soundtrack and I’ve probably played it 400 times in the past week.

Regardless of whether or not you are a Twihard, all of the soundtracks are full of great music. I promise!

5. GIFs I’m Loving: Cheers to you, Boding!

WHEN I WANT MY ROOMMATE TO DO SOMETHING WITH ME

WHEN MY ROMMATE GETS HOME AND I’M EXCITED BECAUSE I HAVE SO MUCH TO TELL HIM

WHEN MY ROOMMATE AND I ARE THE BEST DRUNK CHEFS

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Next week I’m hosting a jewelry giveaway with the etsy shop Peppermint Lollipops. In the meantime, Jenny has offered a discount code for my readers to enjoy! From now until Sunday Nov. 25th, use coupon code BLACKFRIDAY30 to receive 30% off all items in her shop. Here’s a little preview:

Have a great weekend!

Please don’t get trampled by Black Friday shoppers!

What I’m Loving Wednesday

1. I introduced Danielle to Mi Xao on Monday. We split the London Broil pho…

…and the Lemongrass Chicken Stir Fry. We enjoyed both, but the London Broil was the clear winner. I squirted about half a cup of Sriracha in it (no joke) and I left with clear sinuses and a warm tummy.

2. Are you one of those people who very regularly gets their hair cut? I am. After 6-8 weeks I start to freak out a little because my hair is so thick and heavy. As we’re nearing winter, I want to embrace my naturally dark golden blonde hair. Don’t worry, the bob isn’t going anywhere, just getting a little longer.

Cut:

Color:

3. I love these wine bags from World Market.

                            

4. I want to make this button craft I saw on Pinterest.

5. The last time I went to Starbucks, a Christmas miracle happened. They correctly spelled my name.

Christina is not hard to spell, but trust me, people mess it up. Or they just write Christie or Kristina. I’ll just tell them Xtina from now on. Imagine the spellings they’ll come up with for that…

6. Town Centre does a wonderful job of decorating for the holidays, and damn they started early this year. I love this blanket of lights!

7. So many of you have signed up for the Ornament Swap I’m hosting!! There’s still time to sign up! If you’re interested, please send me an email by tonight. Thanks!

Who’s ready for Thanksgiving?! What are you guys making?

1/2 Marathon Training Check In: Sneakers, Books and More

As of yesterday, the Charleston 1/2 Marathon that Amanda and I are running is just two months away. With each run we complete, we get even more excited! To pump me up for my runs, I bought a new pair of sneakers. It was long overdue. I said goodbye to my trusty Asics and hello to a pair of Brooks Ravenna 3.

I’m obsessed with the color and they’re so comfortable. Anyone notice that Brooks almost feel bouncy? There’s some spring in my step!

Since we signed up for the marathon a week and a half ago, we are using a 12-week program but skipping over the first couple of weeks. We could really just skip over the first month or so, but we’re being careful not to hurt ourselves. For an example, here’s what my fitness plan looks like this week:

• Monday: 5 mile run
• Tuesday: strength training / stretch @ gym
• Wednesday: 4 mile run
• Thursday: off for Thanksgiving
• Friday: 3 mile run
• Saturday: bridge walk, strength train, or a class (whatever I feel like)
• Sunday: 6 mile run

We’ve reserved Sunday for long runs as we have more time in the daylight. Is anyone interested in seeing the whole training program I made for us? In case you haven’t noticed, Amanda and I both use (and love) the Nike+ app to track our runs.

And because I’ll read almost anything I can get my hands on, I’ve checked out a bunch of books from the library.

So far, The Runner’s Rule Book has been my favorite. It’s pretty funny!

I’m currently signed up to do the Pajama 5K on December 8th.

I’m also debating on doing a 4-mile Glow Run later that night. I figure if I can do a 10 mile run no prob, then surely I can do 7.1 miles split up, right? I just don’t think I can resist a run wearing glow sticks! I love them.

Anyone else training for a half or full marathon?

What’s your #1 piece of advice for longer runs?

The Weekend Update

Hi friends! Here are some highlights from the past few days.

We celebrated my cousin Gabrielle’s twelfth birthday. This sweet girl is 12 going on 22; she’s almost as tall as me and probably smarter and more mature. And quite the beauty!

She’s into the mustache trend, so one of my presents to her was this pair of gloves.

Thursday night, Amanda and I went to the early showing of Breaking Dawn Part 2. I mentioned this on Friday, but let me say it again: the movie is so good! It is definitely my favorite of the saga. I want to know what you all think!

This past weekend I went to my grandparents’ house in North Carolina. It’s always so nice to visit them. Our weekend was full of shopping, wine and eats. Their house is in a really pretty neighborhood on a mountain and driving up always freaks me out. The curves and bends, yikes!

When I got there, I found some presents on my bed: a chocolate advent calendar, a Chick-fil-A cow from a race my grandfather had run, socks my grandma made, and a recipe they thought I’d like. Bonus: a crossword puzzle book, not shown.

Onto the eats! On Saturday, we went to 131 Main while we were out shopping at Biltmore Park Town Square. Sarah insisted I go there for the beet burger that she always gets. Right up my alley!

Look at how red it is. You’d almost think it was meat, right? Ha. It was really, really good and I’ve got to remake this at home. Sarah, let’s do this!

Saturday night, we made Ina Garten’s recipe for Roasted Shrimp with Feta. Changes we made: we nixed the Pernod and used artichokes instead of fennel.

We wanted to make spanakopita (inspired by you, Sierra!) but the phyllo dough we bought had dried out. We improvised by placing the spinach mixture in a baking dish and making a crustless pie. This was originally another Ina Garten recipe too.

On Sunday morning, we made a frittata with red pepper, spinach, onion, and basil. This would be great to make for a week long of breakfasts. Just grab a slice, reheat, and go! I don’t have the recipe right now, but if you’re interested, shoot me an email and I’ll find it.

My 4-hour drive back was a bit slower than my ride up. On the way there, as soon as I hit North Carolina, I got pulled for speeding. Boo!! The way back I watched my heavy foot, listened to the Breaking Dawn 2 soundtrack, and fueled with coffee and candy.

What was the best thing you ate all weekend?

What are your road trip essentials?

First and Foremost

Thanks to my sweet friend Laura for this survey! PS: Go check out her blog – she’s an amazing graphic designer and incredible girl!

1. First thing you do when you wake up in the morning.
I hate admitting this, but I check my phone. I check text messages, read emails, and if I have enough time, scroll through my instagram and facebook feeds. The first thing I do once I’m out of bed is brush my teeth. I’m obsessed with brushing my teeth.

2. First thing you reach for when you open the fridge.
Lately? Eggs.

3. First things you do when you go to the gym.
Say “Heeeeeeeey boys” to the front desk attendants, laugh when they say “Heeeeeey Orso” and then go downstairs for my workout.

4. First thing you do you when you get home from work?
After I throw my purse on the counter and kick off my shoes, I read the mail. I’m always excited if I’ve gotten a new magazine.

5. First car.
A 1995 Honda Civic. I named it “fluffy sheep.” Does that make any sense? No. But it was a manual and I liked it.

6. First car accident / traffic violation.
I got pulled for speeding but got out of it. That was the only time I cried and got out of it. Now I’m like ugh, here we go, let me just hand you my wallet.

7. First thing you wanted to be when you grew up.
I kid you not, I wanted to be a brain surgeon.

8. First choice beverage.
Water.

Then wine.

9. First choice breakfast.
Is this a serious question? I said eggs earlier, but if nutrition didn’t matter, I’d eat COOKIES.

10. First choice dessert.
I just answered that.

11. First song that comes to mind…
Right now I’m obsessed with Rihanna’s “Diamonds.”

12. First major purchase?
Hmm, does my tuition count? My student loans never end.

13. First job:
Besides babysitting, I worked at Sonic as a carhop with Nikki and Megan. For 16 year olds, we made so much $ in tips.

14. First time you flew on a plane.
When I was 3 we moved to Hawaii for a few months. The first plane ride I remember was to Disney World when I was 6.

Answer one of these questions in the comment section below! I’d love to hear your responses!