Zooma is one of my favorite local races and this year they’re celebrating 10 years of the Annapolis Zooma race.  They also recently updated their website and announced the rest of the 2017 and early 2018 race schedule. I’m lucky enough to be an ambassador for the third year, but I am so excited to be a part of this organization and this running community. Also, Zooma was one of the first races I signed up for when we first moved back to this area so it has a special place in my heart. 

Here are five reasons to sign up for the Zooma Annapolis race this year: 

1. The scenic course

You get some stunning views of the bay and historic Downtown Annapolis – seriously, running in DTA is one of my favorite places – not to mention the first half of the course is relatively “flat”-ish (disregard the Naval Academy bridge…). The course has some gorgeous views of the Severn River as you cross the Naval Academy bridge and of course the state house and the Bay. 

2.  The community

Imagine running with 5,000 of your closest friends. This race has always been one of the friendliest and most supportive in terms of the people running alongside. Though I’m much more of a solo runner, I always see fantastic runner friends on the course. 

3. The After party

Wine for days my friends. The Afterparty is historically sponsored by Barefoot wines. They usually have fun music, massages available, and decent food for a post-race party. Who doesn’t want to hang out in the Navy Marine Corps stadium listening to good music sipping on fun wine?

4. The swag

The swag is ALWAYS solid for this race. Feetures socks (my favorite!!!), in the past they’ve also included yoga mats, cute shirts and recently added medals to everyone’s race (NOT just the Half Marathon).

5. A distance for everyone

Don’t want to run a half marathon? No big deal. They have a 10k and a 5k – which all have the same benefits. The 10k is my favorite distance (full disclosure, most half marathons in Annapolis have the same course and I LOATHE going up the hill after the Naval Academy bridge so I stick to the 10k in this race)

Can’t make it to the Annapolis race? Join us virtually or at one of the other awesome races Zooma is putting on in Florida, Cape Cod and Texas.

Registration is open for all of the races and regardless of whether you do Florida, Cape Cod, Texas or Annapolis, you can use code HEIDI2017 to get 10% off your race registration. Prices go up May 22 for Zooma Annapolis so if you haven’t signed up there’s still time! 

 

**FTC Disclosure: As a Zooma race ambassador, I do receive a free entry to the Zooma races, however, all opinions here are my own. 

Two months ago I was ready to quit Stitch Fix. After an array of terrible fixes, I was tired of being bummed out and disappointed. So, I emailed them, they responded, credited me my $20 fix fee, and gave me a new stylist. I figured, I’d give it ONE more shot.

This stylist…was better. Everything I’ve read is to be as specific as possible with your stylist and if you like a stylist to hang onto them for all your might. I haven’t found a stylist I love yet, BUT if I had this one again, I wouldn’t be upset.

Drew Filigree Collar Necklace, $28

At first look, this is a pretty statement piece, but when you feel it, it just felt a little cheap, and for $28 I was kind of m’eh on it. I couldn’t really get it untangled, so i knew from the start, that it wasn’t a good piece for me.

Verdict: Returned

Liverpool Anita Skinny Pant, $78

I got these pants in red last year and I lurrrrrrve them. So I was really excited when I asked if they had them back (they did) and they were in my box. Navy is a solid color and since these are so versatile for office or weekend, these were definitely a keeper.

Verdict: Keep

Koda Split Neck Blouse

Super cute. But didn’t quite fit right. I don’t think the petite tops really fit me well – they tend to be too tight in the hips. I was kind of bummed the fit was a touch on the small side but while the top was cute, the polka dots were a bit big for my liking. Color me picky.

Verdict: Return 

Claussen Ruffle Hem Top

Not quite seasonally appropriate – super cute and flowy, had I gotten this in like…July I probably would have kept it but alas, not so right for November.

Verdict: Return

Salma French Terry Blazer

Man, this blazer was ALMOST a win. It was a bit out of my budget AND the sleeves were too long and when I tried to exchange the size, other sizes were sold out. Had it fit just a touch better, I would have possibly convinced myself to keep it. Maybe. Probably not. That being said, the fact that you can now exchange sizes with your fix is a totally awesome upgrade.

Verdict: Returned

Overall, this fix was definitely a step in the right direction. A bit closer AND they listened to my request for my favorite pants. I still switched it to quarterly. I needed a little bit of a break – i think my bank account needed a little bit of a break too.

Have you tried Stitch Fix? If not, it’s worth a try at least once – not that you can ever get just one. Seriously. If you do sign up, I’d love for you to use my link!

For those of you who sometimes wonder if Influencer Marketing really works, I will say that yes. Yes it does. How do I know? Take a peak in my closet my friends.

I mean think about, think about what you read and the purchases you make. 90% of my clothing in my closet, I most likely saw on a blog and was like oooooh that’s cute.  Most of the times, it works. Others, it doesn’t and gets returned.

Thus the inspiration for this beautiful top from Old Navy that’s some Fall Floral win. I saw it on a couple of blogs, and ordered it online on a whim. At first, I was kind of undecided but when I got it and put it into action, I’m so glad I kept it.

{Ponte Pants (similar) | Tank (exact) | Sweater (similar) | Shoes (similar)}

To be honest, I’ve never been one for florals – I’m much more of a stripes kind of gal, but these florals are kind of amazing and won me over. So for me, florals are one of those things that I always think I’ll like…but kind of just never really work out quite right. Thankfully this fall i feel like the floral trend is a little more on point and not too…grandmothers drapery-esque as I sometimes feel florals can trend.

Also, these ponte pants are among my favorite pants ever. They feel like leggings, and kind of look like leggings but also have back pockets, belt loops and a button and zipper like normal pants – so they pass for work pants for me in an office that frowns upon leggings. Ponte pants are the next best thing. #sorrynotsorry.

 

So huzzah for that!

Have you tried florals on this fall yet?

I heard on the radio on the drive home from work the other day that we’ve had a stupid number of days where it was at least 90 degrees – 49 days to be exact. So over half of the past 60 days have been too hot to handle if you will. So I’ve been leaning on dresses a bit more – even though at least half of those 49 days, I’ve had my heater on at my desk at some point or another. Office temperature wars – it’s a real thing.

{dress (similar)  | shoes (similar)  | belt | Necklace – similar}

Fun fact, I also bought this dress in two other colors – red and blue (sold out). To me, these dresses are perfect for a business casual environment – they can be dressed up with a cardigan or blazer, or dressed down with flats and a fun belt. The red did shrink a touch on me which I was none too pleased with so I sized up when i bought the blue and the stripe.

I’m really a go-with-what-I-know-works kind of gal – so when I see something that i like that looks good on me or that I feel confident in, I’m going to go with it.

What’s your go-to summer outfit?