A Pink Pixie Princess - Complete!

[Anisum]

But mostly I just need to work on NOT feeling like I need to buy things right when they come out. FOMO has a hold on me!

At least you know when to resell or return them because you bought too much. I know people who would keep them anyway.

 

[Ariel484]

At least you know when to resell or return them because you bought too much. I know people who would keep them anyway.

Yep, I have seen that - in the purse groups I am in as well as in the INKnBURN fan groups. People have "back-up" bags, bags they know they will never use but they keep anyway just to look at, multiples of INKnBURN pieces (again, as "back-ups" I guess), etc. No judgment from me - it's not for me to judge how others spend their money - but for me personally, I can't in good conscience hang on to stuff that I won't use.

 

[Anisum]

Yep, I have seen that - in the purse groups I am in as well as in the INKnBURN fan groups. People have "back-up" bags, bags they know they will never use but they keep anyway just to look at, multiples of INKnBURN pieces (again, as "back-ups" I guess), etc. No judgment from me - it's not for me to judge how others spend their money - but for me personally, I can't in good conscience hang on to stuff that I won't use.

From what I've seen INKnBURN has good quality stuff so I'm not sure why you would need a backup (unless it was a different size for people losing or gaining weight?) but I guess if you were afraid you wouldn't be able to get a certain design I could see the point? I don't have enough time to look at a purse I'm not using so that one I don't really get though. Still, to each their own.

 

[pixarmom]

I need to get myself pumped up for it!!

I think it's so pretty! I like the size too...and it has metal feet on the bottom which I LOVE with purses. I just feel like they put in a lot of nice details.

I love the mermaid capris too! I actually have a second pair set aside for me at INKnBURN Headquarters in a slightly different color scheme (orange/pink/purple) and I am picking them up during Tink weekend...one can never have too many pairs of mermaid capris. I thought the shadows was cool too...we're getting some sunny days here!!

I do too...this week will be a test but overall I am...relieved, I guess, to have made the change.

He was quite pleased with himself!

Yes, I am so happy to be in Corral B! Hope your ankle is doing well and good luck with your surgery!!

Purses and puppies are WAY more important.

YES! That's like 90% of the reason I sold all of my Dooneys and switched to Harveys - I eventually got afraid to even use my Dooneys because I felt like they were so delicate, or something? And yes with the details! I think they added a lot of nice touches to make the bags special.

Glad your MM is okay, but not surprised, like you said! Woohoo Harveys!!

Yep, we're gonna need a DIS-meet picture I think! A Tink-inspired outfit for your half sounds like a great idea!

Hmmmm...for hotels, the only ones I have stayed at Downtown are the Marriott at Key Center and the Wyndham by Playhouse Square - both were pretty nice.

Restaurants - we like Osteria de Valerio & Al (Italian), Barrio (Tacos!) and Hyde Park (steakhouse, a little pricey). Iron Chef Michael Symon has a couple of restaurants that are supposed to be pretty good, but we haven't tried them yet - Lola ("new American" cuisine) and Mabel's (BBQ - this place is pretty new so it may be tough to get into, I'm not sure if the newness has worn off yet). E 4th street downtown is a fun area, that's where Lola and Mabel's are located and there are also a few coffee places, bars, etc. It's a fun place to walk around when the weather is nice - cars aren't allowed to go down that street so it's very pedestrian-friendly. If you are looking for Cleveland souvenirs (assuming your son chooses the CLE for college!) I recommend checking out CLE Clothing Co, also on E 4th street. They have fun stuff there. AND I also recommend taking in a Tribe game if the Indians are in town!! And one last thing - not sure when your visit is but the Cavs are in the playoffs, so you may want to check your schedule against the playoff schedule - downtown is always pretty busy when the Cavs are in town, especially during the playoffs. Hope this helps!!

Thanks so much!! This is great information - looked these up and google mapped them - I think Barrio is up at the top of the list right now! First visit was last fall, then summer program in July and then audition in November. So all the recommendations will be helpful! I was just talking with another parent who is loving her college visits to Cleveland area too (different school for her kid, but we're both spending time downtown!)

Sorry to see the purse go, but really makes sense. I sent one back a couple summers ago - it was a black and white backpack style that was great, but I had to really evaluate whether I would use it enough to justify the cost. Sometimes I second-guess the mickey mini messenger, but it's been useful when I don't want to use the minnie daypack.

 

[roxymama]

Yep, I have seen that - in the purse groups I am in as well as in the INKnBURN fan groups. People have "back-up" bags, bags they know they will never use but they keep anyway just to look at, multiples of INKnBURN pieces (again, as "back-ups" I guess), etc. No judgment from me - it's not for me to judge how others spend their money - but for me personally, I can't in good conscience hang on to stuff that I won't use.

Many of my makeup "collector" friends will buy backups of limited edition products, but then I never understood that because there are always new releases coming out so will you ever even use those backups?
I also don't get people who buy the super fancy makeup and don't use it...just like "collect" it???
I'm no saint when it comes to owning more than I can use up (I have so many eyeshadows!), but I always rip open the packages and start using new things asap. I dunno???

 

[Ariel484]

From what I've seen INKnBURN has good quality stuff so I'm not sure why you would need a backup (unless it was a different size for people losing or gaining weight?) but I guess if you were afraid you wouldn't be able to get a certain design I could see the point? I don't have enough time to look at a purse I'm not using so that one I don't really get though. Still, to each their own.

I agree! I had a back-up pair of mermaid capris and they sat for almost a year until I realized...I don't need a back-up pair! Duh.

I don't get the purse thing either...I know some people collect them and don't use ANY of them. That is really mind-boggling to me.

Thanks so much!! This is great information - looked these up and google mapped them - I think Barrio is up at the top of the list right now! First visit was last fall, then summer program in July and then audition in November. So all the recommendations will be helpful! I was just talking with another parent who is loving her college visits to Cleveland area too (different school for her kid, but we're both spending time downtown!)

Mr. Ariel484 is enthusiastic about your wanting to try Barrio! Glad you will be visiting Cleveland again!

Sorry to see the purse go, but really makes sense. I sent one back a couple summers ago - it was a black and white backpack style that was great, but I had to really evaluate whether I would use it enough to justify the cost. Sometimes I second-guess the mickey mini messenger, but it's been useful when I don't want to use the minnie daypack.

Yeah, I really love that shape of bag, especially since it has feet and the stabilizer in the bottom, and while I appreciate that the local artist did the print...the print just didn't speak to me as much as I wanted it to. Which Minnie daypack do you have, the Minnie Dots???

Many of my makeup "collector" friends will buy backups of limited edition products, but then I never understood that because there are always new releases coming out so will you ever even use those backups?
I also don't get people who buy the super fancy makeup and don't use it...just like "collect" it???
I'm no saint when it comes to owning more than I can use up (I have so many eyeshadows!), but I always rip open the packages and start using new things asap. I dunno???

Wow, I have never heard of that! And that's a great point about the new releases...I too have too many eyeshadows, I'm trying really hard to stop buying them! Right now looking for "the perfect mascara" and "the perfect eyebrow product"...not sure they exist!

 

[Ariel484]

Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend Training

Week 8 (4/24 - 4/30): 22 miles completed/24 miles planned
MO: yoga/lifting
TU: 3-mile run
WE: lifting
TH: 12-mile run
FR: 3-mile run planned, 1 mile completed
SA: 6-mile run
SU: rest

It's peak week!

This week marks 8 straight weeks of lifting for me! I'm pleased with myself for sticking it out, but I have to admit that I'm a little disappointed that it hasn't helped me feeling stronger during runs. I'm sure it would be more effective if I added a 3rd day each week...but when am I supposed to do that AND yoga AND run 4x per week AND have a rest day? Win some, lose some.

Tuesday's run was TOUGH. I didn't get a ton of sleep the night before and seriously contemplated sleeping in and skipping the run altogether. Eventually I got my butt out of bed and drove into work...still thinking I'd skip the run - maybe bike or elliptical instead, or nothing at all? Skipping my 10-miler a couple of weeks ago was one thing (I still fully believe that was the right call for my creaky back), but a weekday 3-miler? I had no good reason to miss this one, so eventually I found myself stepping on the treadmill, sucking it up getting it done. I stared at the clock the entire time, and it sucked and seemed like it lasted forever...I told myself if I kept going I could get 2 petit vanilla scones from Starbucks. That helped. And of course once I was done I was all, "that was fine and I'm glad I did it!" What a rollercoaster! And the scones were delicious, thanks for asking (with my usual Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew!).

My scheduled got pretty messed up this week, and we had thunderstorms forecasted pretty much all weekend, so I decided to get my long run done on Thursday.
Groovy!

It was tricky because I had something that I had to check on back at the house periodically, and the sky was looking as little dicey...didn't want to get caught in t-storms (which of course never happened, despite what the forecast/radar said...whew!). So I did this run as a series of shorter out-and-backs so that I could stop back at my house and, in case of lightning, never be too far away from home. This was risky, as it gave me multiple chances to cut the run short (like - get back to the house and think, "hey, I like it here! I'll just stay here and not run anymore!"). But I think I'd sufficiently pumped myself up to get this last long run in - I was determined to do it - so I never seriously thought about stopping early.

I wanted to get to at least 10 miles for this run...if I felt good I'd keep going to 11, maybe 12 miles. First out-and-back was 5 miles total, and I added a scoop of berry Tailwind to my bottle when I stopped back home because I could already feel that I was sweating salt - not good! I think the Tailwind helped a lot. Second out-and-back was 4-miles total (refilled my bottle again with just water this time)...at this point I decided I could at least get to 11 miles, so next up was a short 2-mile out-and-back. Still felt okay after that so why not tack on one more mile to make it 12 miles?! Booyah!

I did 2:00/1:00 intervals for this run (switching to 1:00/1:00 intervals for a few miles) and made a concerted effort to do the running portions slooooowly, resulting in the slowest run I have done in awhile (I made a mostly successful effort not to look at my pace but accidentally saw it at the end). While my back was sore, it was nowhere near as bad as it has been on past runs...so I guess this is just what I need to do to feel okay to run long distances for the foreseeable future. It's sort of a relief to have figured this out, but it's discouraging at the same time...I wish I were faster. I know I shouldn't care, but I can't help it. At least it's still under Disney’s 16:00/mile pace!

As for doing a long run as multiple shorter out-and-backs...it's not something I would do for every run (probably not good mental practice for a race, if that makes sense), but overall I did like it. Nice to change things up, and I think it made the entire run seem shorter overall (as opposed to doing one big 12-mile loop) - I have found that breaking a race up into small milestones is helpful to me, mentally, so this was sort of the same idea, I guess. And with it being very warm and sunny out for most of the run (mid-70s), it was REALLY nice to come back home and refill my water bottle.

Friday's run, clearly, did not go as planned! I slept horribly on Thursday night (as usual after a long run...***) and while I felt mostly okay when I woke up, I was a little sore. I did a whopping 1 mile on the treadmill before deciding to cut it short. Just didn't have the motivation in me that day! Oh well.

Which brings me to yesterday's run...in light, steady rain with temperatures in the mid-40s. Very different from Thursday's conditions!

I stuck with 2/1 intervals again...the rain was pretty stead until the last 0.5 miles or so. Here's hoping it doesn't rain in California!

So that's it! Not a perfect Tink simulation (did the runs out of order compared to how Tink weekend really will be, cut 1 run short), but overall, I am happy with how it went! Especially getting to 12 miles for my long run - big confidence booster.

Lastly, I mentioned in a comment that I sold the blue Beauty and the Beast bag...well, the other one I ordered came and I DO NOT plan on selling this one. I have actually used it already and am planning on bringing it with me to Disneyland (in less than 2 weeks!!!).

It's dog-approved, so that's always a good thing.

Just 1 more full week of training to go! Enjoy your Sunday!

 

[Sailormoon2]

Fantastic job on the 12 miles!!! I like your loops back and forth from the house, I am likely to implement that once our real summer weather and humidity hits-clever plan.

 

[ZellyB]

Great job on your 12-miler! It's always good to get that last long one behind you. Love your rainy day pose in Mermaid. Perfection.

And that purse. With a bonus of puppy on the side.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Congrats on peak week! Now comes the fun part, the Victory Lap!

 

[SarahDisney]

Great job getting through the 12-miler! It's definitely a little frustrating when you're not at the pace you want, but at the end of the day, what matters is getting through the race, and you'll definitely be able to do that! Once you cut down the distance, you may be able to start working on speed a little, and if you can get the faster speed in the shorter runs with no pain, hopefully it'll transfer once you start ramping back up to the longer distances.

That rose purse is adorable!!

(By the way - I almost motivated myself to finish today's not-so-great run with Starbucks ... aka I was going to run a mile out of my way to go to Starbucks ... and then I chickened out. I'm a terrible Starbucks addict.)

 

[Anisum]

Congrats on finishing your 12 miler! It may have been slower than you wanted but you did it which is great!

What happens to the purses that fail to get Archie's approval? Do they automatically get sold.

 

[cavepig]

Woohoo so close to Tink! I do most of my runs as out and back segments and yeah it can be tough mentally so congrats on the 12 that way! Coming off of Dark Side I'm so excited for you Tinkerbell runners and to follow along!

 

[Ariel484]

Fantastic job on the 12 miles!!! I like your loops back and forth from the house, I am likely to implement that once our real summer weather and humidity hits-clever plan.

Thanks! The shorter segments were nice for sure.

Great job on your 12-miler! It's always good to get that last long one behind you. Love your rainy day pose in Mermaid. Perfection.

YES! So happy to get that run done!! What a relief. Now I just need to enclose myself in a protective bubble for the next 1.5 weeks.

And that purse. With a bonus of puppy on the side.

Purse + puppy is a winning combination.

Congrats on peak week! Now comes the fun part, the Victory Lap!

Thanks!! Yep, you are 100% right. Can't wait!

Great job getting through the 12-miler! It's definitely a little frustrating when you're not at the pace you want, but at the end of the day, what matters is getting through the race, and you'll definitely be able to do that! Once you cut down the distance, you may be able to start working on speed a little, and if you can get the faster speed in the shorter runs with no pain, hopefully it'll transfer once you start ramping back up to the longer distances.

And let me tell you, I am SO looking forward to cutting down the distance! It's just time.

That rose purse is adorable!!

I think so too, they did such a great job with it!

(By the way - I almost motivated myself to finish today's not-so-great run with Starbucks ... aka I was going to run a mile out of my way to go to Starbucks ... and then I chickened out. I'm a terrible Starbucks addict.)

I am an A+ Starbucks addict, which is not always a good thing!

Congrats on finishing your 12 miler! It may have been slower than you wanted but you did it which is great!

Thanks!

What happens to the purses that fail to get Archie's approval? Do they automatically get sold.

I cannot answer this question as, so far, he has approved ALL of my purses! What a good boy!

Woohoo so close to Tink! I do most of my runs as out and back segments and yeah it can be tough mentally so congrats on the 12 that way! Coming off of Dark Side I'm so excited for you Tinkerbell runners and to follow along!

I think I do maybe 50/50 out & back vs. loops...but normally for longer runs like this one it's a big loop. I liked the change a lot!

Sounded like Dark Side went really well this year, I'm so encouraged that they made lots of positive changes!

 

[run.minnie.miles]

OK... that purse and Archie in the same pictures... It's too much! Love it

GREAT JOB on your 12 miler- you are so ready for Tink (running wise) and now it's the fun part of packing and outfit picking

I love all things Starbucks (#basic ugh) and especially love the petite scones- perfect treat!

 

[Ariel484]

OK... that purse and Archie in the same pictures... It's too much! Love it

Two of my favorite things in one picture!!

GREAT JOB on your 12 miler- you are so ready for Tink (running wise) and now it's the fun part of packing and outfit picking

Thank you!!

Yes to picking out outfits! Always fun!! I need to start packing!

I love all things Starbucks (#basic ugh) and especially love the petite scones- perfect treat!

Hey, same. What Starbucks drinks do you like? I really like the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew and the Flat Whites, but I think I need to mix it up a bit...it gets old drinking the same thing every day!

 

[run.minnie.miles]

What Starbucks drinks do you like?

My all time favorite is a skinny cinnamon dolce latte, extra hot. I order it multiple times per week. I LOVE it.

I have found that the cinnamon dolce is SO much better hot than cold though? For iced, I do a standard skinny vanilla latte, caramel macchiato, peach-green tea lemonade or mango black tea lemonade. The tea-lemonades are a little high in calories/sugar without the benefited nutrition of milk, so those I don't order as often... A latte can be an afternoon "snack" for me, whereas the teas don't give me that. I oddly usually only drink Starbucks in the afternoon (I go on my lunch break and drink it in the afternoon at work), as milk in the morning can do funky things to my tummy. I use a (Starbucks.. see? I have a problem!) veranda blonde roast k-cup in the morning and drink my morning coffee black.

Someone ordered a cold brew with toasted coconut syrup and coconut milk in front of me the other day, which I thought sounded good, so I'm interested in trying that. If I try it, I'll report back!

And I just wrote a novel about Starbucks... oops!

 

[SarahDisney]

I have found that the cinnamon dolce is SO much better hot than cold though?

I'm the opposite - I prefer the cinnamon dolce cold over hot - it's my go-to iced latte, but I rarely get it hot.

 

[Ariel484]

My all time favorite is a skinny cinnamon dolce latte, extra hot. I order it multiple times per week. I LOVE it.

I have found that the cinnamon dolce is SO much better hot than cold though? For iced, I do a standard skinny vanilla latte, caramel macchiato, peach-green tea lemonade or mango black tea lemonade. The tea-lemonades are a little high in calories/sugar without the benefited nutrition of milk, so those I don't order as often... A latte can be an afternoon "snack" for me, whereas the teas don't give me that. I oddly usually only drink Starbucks in the afternoon (I go on my lunch break and drink it in the afternoon at work), as milk in the morning can do funky things to my tummy. I use a (Starbucks.. see? I have a problem!) veranda blonde roast k-cup in the morning and drink my morning coffee black.

Someone ordered a cold brew with toasted coconut syrup and coconut milk in front of me the other day, which I thought sounded good, so I'm interested in trying that. If I try it, I'll report back!

And I just wrote a novel about Starbucks... oops!

I need to get back to the skinny drinks. I sort of phased in the skinny syrup a few years ago (since I think it tastes crazy different from the regular syrups) - skinny vanilla latte used to be my go-to. I TOTALLY agree that the cinnamon dolce is better hot than cold (sorry @SarahDisney!!) - I got the new cinnamon macchiatto they were advertising last month as an iced drink and didn't like it at all!

I wish I could drink my coffee black. I've gotten away from putting sugar in my drinks (unless I do a flavored drink) but not sure i could go without milk/cream/half & half.

I'm the opposite - I prefer the cinnamon dolce cold over hot - it's my go-to iced latte, but I rarely get it hot.

My go-to- iced latte is gold ol' vanilla. OR - iced Caramel macchiato (if I have a free drink reward). OMG.

 

[run.minnie.miles]

The skinny syrups don't bother me (I also love diet coke... I'm probably going to die from fake sugar), but I actually prefer the skim milk in my hot lattes, the full fat of whole milk is too much for me. I don't mind the full fat milk in iced drinks though and find iced coffee is usually better with it. I'm quite the complicated coffee connoisseur!