21 resolutions.

21st birthday dinner at Rocco's Tacos!

In the words of Ferris Bueller, "life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."  I'd say Ferris was pretty right... per usual.  Because just yesterday, I turned 21 after only a few blinks of the eyes.

All around the house I see pictures covering the walls of us 3 kids in the days I don't remember: pictures of me running around in a diaper & a little blue hat, days when dressing up in a hula skirt with a coconut bra was completely acceptable, the pictures of vacations that are somewhere in my heart, the day Daniel held me wearing his "I'm the big brother" shirt & Scott next to him in the "I'm the middle child" shirt when I first came home from the hospital, pictures of me torturing our cat in a stroller (if you catch my drift), ones of the 3 of us cheesing for a photographer, & countless other forgotten, but not lost memories of my wonderful childhood.

I must say it was a pretty great childhood.  I was pretty lucky to end up where I did; in a loving home with 2 great parents & 2 older brothers, who sort of liked having me around... I guess.  I was the baby... clearly most loved, most adorable, & definitely most favorite &, the truth is, it is still true today!  2013 was pretty great for me, but I am willing to accept this 2014 business...

So, as I sit on the cusp of 2014, with an astounding amount of new-found wisdom with another, more mature year on my belt, I think it is only appropriate to make 21 resolutions in honor of my short 21 years.

2014 RESOLUTIONS:
1. Run a half marathon.
2. Learn to make a new favorite meal.
3. Make straight A's!
4. Figure out my life? (possible?!?)
5. Volunteer more around Gainesville.
6. Become the first female president. (casual)
7. Get out & meet new people!
8. Speak Italian for an entire day.
9. Run at least 3 times a week        
10. Lose 8 pounds.
11. Successfully control my portion sizes at meal times.
12. Find the cure for cancer. (winner)
13. Talk to my relatives more often.
14. Clean out my closet. (I am a hoarder... the truth comes out & the first step is admitting to my problem.  I am Rachele & I am obsessed with clothes)
15. Learn to like tomatoes. (Why must they be in everything?!?)
16. Plan a spring break adventure with friends.
17. Make my bed every day. (EVERY day)
18. Read at least 10 books for pleasure.
19. Continue writing in my blog.
20. Embrace the future.
21. LIVE IN THE MOMENT!

Ciao & have a safe & fun night!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome 2014!

winter wonderland.

The view from our condo

Nothing says December like our classic family (minus Daniel, unfortunately) vacation to Snowmass in our little getaway on the mountainside.  Nestled in aspen trees & white, unadulterated snow, our mountain condo screams Christmastime.  I know what you're saying... Rachele, you're Jewish & in the words of my mom as a child, "I'm not a 'Chrisco' girl."  But in my defense, I am really Jew-"ISH."  Emphasis on the "ish" (in case if you were wondering).  Not only does Christmas run in blood on my dad's side, but it might just be my favorite holiday.  How can you resist?  It's just so happy!

And you know what makes it even happier?  1 word: Snowmass.  & I am predicting a rather white Christmas this year!   Yipee!

I have spent the last 15+ years of my life warming up to this cool place, which is now one of my homes.  Whether it's skiing down "Naked Lady" or "Sneaky's," or throwing snowballs at my dad, or sitting by the fire, snuggled up with a blanket & a new Dan Brown book, or drinking sachet after sachet of lemonade because it tastes so darn good here, or eating the fudge in Pitkin County Dry Goods, or taking selfies by the Maroon Bells, or building the annual snowman, or feeling the Christmas spirit in Aspen, or feeding that sneaky fox that roams the streets of Top of the Village, or walking into our favotite stores because it makes you feel so good, or listening to Amy Grant, or eating those amazing meals, or making cookies in the high-altitude kinda way, or dealing with every "worst part" of getting ready to endure a long day on the slopes (which in all reality are better than any best days anywhere else), Snowmass is 100% perfect every time.

One of my favorite parts of wintertime... especially here in Aspen, is getting to wear those adorable winter clothes!  It doesn't get much better than beautiful boots, crazy, warm socks, llama sweaters, & fun pants!  I don't know about you (no... I am not going to say "but I'm feeling 22"), but I love the feeling of loving what you're wearing.  When you feel confident in your outfit, you can feel confident in your day!

Florida doesn't provide that appropriate weather for winter attire.  I mean I think we all saw that ugly, ugly, ugly picture that was floating around on Facebook... & if you didn't, I have provided it here for you so you can gasp in it's ugliness.      

 
Yep... it's exactly what it looks like.  While the rest of the country is enjoying a change of season, Florida is melting, people are going to the beach, & winter clothes are out of the question!  The comment, "We hate you FL" I think is actually jealousy in the eyes of those subject to cold, but in my view (the right one), we hate Florida because there is absolutely no chance of cold in that radar.  Therefore, Colorado it is!

Anyway, what made this trip more interesting is when you randomly run into friends on the slope.  I mean 743645634 miles away in a tiny, slightly deserted resort, I run into a Kappa sister!  I love serendipity... what a "happy surprise!"

Anyway... there are still several days left of our wonderful vacation here & it's time to go out & enjoy last night's snowfall!  Powder... here I come!  Every snowboarder's dream! :)  

Ciao-
 

my kinda cardio.

Thelma & Louise

Some people say shopping is easy, but I'll tell you up front, shopping is tough stuff.  I mean, we have all heard about those brutal Black Friday stories... some are practically on a whole new level of horror, but those shoppers we speak of are professionals. My mom & I are just 2 rather experienced, but not quite professional (yet) shoppers on a mission.  Partners in crime if you will.

But shopping isn't just a mindless game... it's war; it's exercise.  I'll have you know, just on our short outing to the Palm Beach Gardens Mall, my mom & I took 7,952 steps, burned 1,780 calories, & walked just over 3 miles. Ladies & gentlemen, the truth is out... shopping ain't easy.  Actually, shopping might just be the ticket to a healthy lifestyle.  Not only are you buying things to look good & feel good, but you look good doing it.  & it is easy to track it all with your handy (well, actually, wristy) Fitbit!  Shout out to AC (Aunt Cindy) for always picking out the perfect holiday presents!

Anyway, you got the legs when walking from shop to shop, you got the arms when carrying the merchandise like barbells, & you got the core from the crunches you do while taking your shoes on & off in the dressing rooms.  & sometimes (like on a Black Friday kind of important shopping day), you have to throw a few punches, kick a little, & huff & puff past the slow pokes to make moves in the nice shops.  Shopping is total body, kickboxing, & an ab workout all in one.  So don't feel guilty when you make that side trip to "Chick Fil A..." you deserve it!

I'm not kidding around either... you should have seen the sweat I broke while trying on sweaters today.  It took a lot out of me I'll have you know!  Especially when trying on winter sweaters... & in this Florida heat.  I mean the people up north have it easy because at least when they try on sweaters the weather is "fitting."

Not only do you get all this accidental exercise, but you are working the mind too.  All those numbers & sales & difficult style decisions... I mean those decisions aren't going to make themselves.  With all these sales we are really saving SO much money... it's a steal.   

So I guess what I'm trying to tell you is that shopping is not only important for your closet & your physical, outward appearance, but it is also crucial for your physique & mind.  Retail therapy is real people, but what you didn't know was that it's therapeutic to the body as well.

Who needs treadmills when you've got the runway down the Nordstrom's dressing room?  Or who needs weights when your lifting J-Crew, Anthropologie, & Gap all in one hand?  No one... this is a 2 in 1.  Shopping & exercise all in 1 package.  So ladies (I know I'm speaking to the heart here!)... GO SHOPPING because "shopping is our cardio."

& last, but not least... What does the Fox say?     

This is a T-Shirt... I think the Fox would say: "I'm honored to serve this country's malls & provide healthy living."

Shop-ping-ping-ping-ping-ping-ping!
Shop-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-ping!
Shop-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-cha-ping!
... I had to.

Clearly a steal.

You heard it here first, but definitely not last! Ciao-