Everything and nothing
Happy Wednesday! What are you up to today? Don’t forget to check in with today’s workout here (<— click to comment) and enter our Skyscapes giveaway!
Last night, we didn’t have anything on the plan, so that called for one thing: beach 🙂
We quickly learned that taking a toddler to “put our feet in” means swimming with our clothes on. Rookie move haha. One face plant in the sand, and we were committed at that point. It was a blast, and a fun way to play for a while before dinner.
We came back home, and the Pilot grilled a chicken that I’d started marinating the night before. After last week’s cooking party -I found out I can post the recipes, btw!- I was inspired to break out my Sur La Table cookbook.
In the past, many of the recipes seemed daunting to me because they involved multiple steps and processes. (I’m more of a quick and easy dinner girl, especially on a Tuesday night.) But, you tackle a longer recipe just like any other big task or project: one step at a time. I made the grilled 5-spice chicken marinade on Monday night, and it smelled INSANE. Even Liv was like, “What’s that smell?!” It was earthy, sweet and spicy! The chicken was able to marinate in the fridge for 24 hours, and when we got home from the beach last night, the Pilot it on the grill while I started an easy side.
It was one of those quick, on the the fly recipes that turned out surprisingly well.
I sautéed an onion, some chopped mushrooms and minced garlic in coconut oil. After about 5 minutes, I added 1/2 large bag of kale to wilt and seasoned everything with salt and pepper. After the kale was wilted, I splashed some Nama Shoyu on top, poured in 1/2 can of coconut milk and about 2 heaping tablespoons of almond butter. This was the creamy sauce for the cooked shirataki noodles I stirred in before serving.
With our chicken!
It turned out beautifully and the marinade really took it over the top. We agreed that it’s happening for dinner again next week 😉
So I was thinking about the cooking party, and the Stitch Fix LUNA trip as a whole -excited to write the day 2 recap with our trip to the Hizzy and fun photo shoot- and I was thinking about meeting others through the blog world. Many of the girls on the trip I had met before and consider good friends, but there were a few that I was really excited to meet: Sarah, Nicole, Bex and Danny-J. They were a blast to hang out with, and everything you’d expect from reading their blogs.
Recently, one of my good friends got the chance to meet a blogger and was SO excited to meet this person, as she’d been reading her blog for years and years. Turns out, this person isn’t very friendly out in the non-virtual world, and it was a bummer.
Have you met someone you’d always wanted to meet? Was it everything or nothing like you expected? Has anyone met Bill Murray? (Apparently, he’s ridiculously awesome.)
Have a wonderful day <3
xoxo
Gina
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LOVE your dress and purse in the third picture!! 🙂
thank you! 🙂
I used to have a pretty popular food/fitness blog and got the chance to meet a couple of the “healthy living” bloggers…I was really disappointed. They were not friendly at all even though I went above and beyond to reach out. Yours is one of the only ones I still follow because I feel like you’re very real and relatable. And you tell it like it is and don’t embellish what really happened. Bloggers think readers can’t discern the truth but most of the time, we can! Its easy to tell when someone is making their life too perfect. PS I miss your fashion posts!!!!!!!
i want to know what your blog was! (i probably read it haha)
thank you for reading and continuing to read. i’ve been fortunate to have met wonderful people in and out of the blog world.
thank you! maybe i’ll update that page this week 🙂 xoxo
I sorta kinda met Bill Murray! My mom and I were at a very nice restaurant in Litchfield, CT. I came out of the bathroom, the waiter moved so I could walk by, and BAM…Bill Murray all up in my face saying “Pardon Me”. ((Hold your breath because I’m not even done)) I sit down at our table and at the booth right next to us is Bill Murray, Wes Anderson, and GEORGE CLOONEY!! When our waitress asked us if we wanted dessert we just started laughing. Obviously! George was super scruffy and even though he can’t be more than 5 foot 9, he was insanely swoon worthy. 🙂 The only sort of odd thing BM did was wear thick, rainbow glasses, but other than that they were pretty low key and most people didn’t even notice they were there. WE DID. lol!
I am kind of hoping that if you are teaching fitness classes in San Diego I can take one with you when I’m on vacation there next month. 🙂 It’s so weird because it’s somewhat wanting to meet a celebrity, but this blog/reader thing makes it feel like we’re friends (in a non creepy way! i feel like that’s necessary to say, lol!). I am 100% certain you are just as sweet and funny as you are on the blog. You’re also human and are completely allowed to feel crappy every now and then even if that’s not presented in blog posts.
I’M DYING WITH THE AWESOMENESS OF YOUR COMMENT RIGHT NOW!!!
and yes, you can totally take my class! let me know when you’ll be here. i’ll be regularly teaching barre starting next week, and probably still subbing zumba and body pump so those classes change each week.
Aww yay! I will definitely reach out. 🙂 If you’re teaching barre or body pump there’s a chance my husband, Scott will come with me. If it’s Zumba I’m guessing he’ll be on the beach. 😉
So curious as to who that blogger is now! I’ve gotten to meet two bloggers in person that I’ve read for awhile, but one was just a book signing, so I can’t really say how she compared and the other was pretty much as expected. It’s so fun to get to know people through their blogs!
i didn’t want to post the name for obvious reasons, but it made me sad because it’s in my personal reading rotation, too
and yes, it’s fun to read and get to know people through their blogs
What is the marinade?? Looks delish!
Having worked on various tv/movie sets, I have gotten to meet some pretty cool people. Most are very nice and down to earth, but there are the bad apples that ruin it of course.
If we could ever mesh our schedules, Tripp said he would actually love to meet Livi haha. She’s kind of a blog celebrity and he was on The Office, so they’re even right?! 😉
I want to try that recipe now!
I haven’t met a blogger in real life, but I was recently with my family on vacation in San Diego and I wondered what I would say if I bumped into you. I think that after I stopped blabbering I would tell you I think you are pretty awesome and I am so thankful to read your work/thoughts every day. 🙂
thank you so much for reading!! <3 let me know if you're in SD again anytime soon
One day I will remember to marinate the day before, I always have great intentions though haha! I worked for a hotel for years through college and even after so I’ve been fortunate (sometimes) to meet quite a few athletes (my personal favs) and celebrities who required various things for their stays. The best was when Snoop Dog came to town for a show and only required to be able to use the kitchen after hours to make chicken wings in the middle of the night. 21 year old me, Snoop and his manager just frying up some chicken in the massive kitchen. He was far more polite than I ever expected him to be!
SNOOP DOGG! that’s amazing!
I met Tom Cruise years ago and he wasn’t all that. I was lucky to get a photograph and an autograph from him. His assistant then told me he felt that Tom had made a valuable contribution to me and to respect his privacy! Say what? I wasn’t stalking him, I was waiting for my Dad to finish work and drive me home! If it wasn’t for fans (people like me at the time) these people would be irrelevant!
Cannot wait to read your recap day 2! I love SD and am so happy you get to enjoy the beautiful weather and beaches 🙂
Funny you mentioned that about meeting bloggers. I just went to Blend two weeks ago and interestingly discovered not everyone is outgoing and friendly. I like to think I am. I’m pretty secure with who I am though and I think that’s why some people are socially awkward at times. I realized not all bloggers are like me.
I don’t think you have to be outgoing to be friendly. I’m introverted and super awkward in large groups, but it’s different when someone comes up to you to say hi.
yeah and it’s great to be different, but i think even if you’re shy, it’s possible to be kind, especially when someone makes the effort to say hi!
Hmmmm good question! While I love reading many blogs I don’t think I would care to meet many of the writers. I would have to have a couple things in common with them to really spark interest. That and I have emailed a blogger a couple times and never got a response which was pretty lame. Why say “email me” and never actually respond to readers… Anyway! I think it would be fun to meet you and Liv. Having similar backgrounds, taste and a daughter the same age I think it would be fun. I live in Phoenix now but when I visit back home in SD it would be awesome to take one of your classes. Have a nice day
let me know when you’re here and i’ll hook you up with a barre class 🙂
It’s really sad when you meet someone you have been interacting/communicating with for a long time and it’s kinda womp.womp.womp.
At work, I have been doing business with a company for 18 months and just last week finally met the founder that I have been bantering back and forth with for all of this time. I was so nervous!!! I think things went well (we spent all afternoon in meetings, etc) but my personality is such that after he left I dissected everything I said/did and while I thought he was great, I secretly hope he didn’t think I was a giant let down!
With the blogger you mentioned above (and others in similar situations) I sometimes wonder if while the person “online” is dynamic/witty/etc–they might have minor social anxiety that would read as shy/distant/awkward/standoffish. Believe me, there are definitely people that are total biotches too(!) but I have an IRL friend who’s a great blogger/social media guru but when you meet her it can be a little painful until you get to know her.
that’s so awesome you met the founder and seemed to have had a good experience!
i totally think normal personalities can differ from the real world, but that it’s still possible to be kind even if someone is a little awkward. (i’m an introvert and totally awkward, so i know how that goes haha)
What I have found is that there’s a lot of bloggers who are more introverted and quieter people in person than they are outside of their blogs. I think sometimes this makes it hard when the expectation is that you’re going to meet this super outgoing person but we’re not all actually that way.
That mushroom dish looks amazing!
I’ve met a lot of bloggers in person and it turns out their personality is very similar to online in most cases. What a bummer though when that person isn’t very friendly! So sad. Bloggers are generally awesome people in my opinion!
That stinks! I haven’t met any online personalities, but I have met a few celebrities and am always surprised by how short they are!
Your eats look amazing! It’s always sad when you meet someone you’re a fan of and find out they aren’t what you expected in real life, so I’m sorry for your friend!
I’ve met a lot of bloggers in person, and they’ve all been really nice! If anything, I’m the socially awkward one that has to push myself out of my comfort zone a little bit :). I agree with you, though, a person doesn’t need to be extroverted in order to be friendly. All personality types can be nice! While I was at Blend, I did hear a few people say they were disappointed that certain bloggers weren’t more outgoing. As a reserved person, this made me sad to hear. Not all of us have to be super outgoing, some of us just take longer to warm up to new people!
I wish I lived near a beach! That kale noodle and chicken dish looks so flavorful!
Glad you had such a great time in San Francisco! I would love to meet Monica from Run Eat Repeat. She seems hilarious and fun to hangout with!
I work in the entertainment PR industry and have encountered or worked with quite a few “famous” people. Some people are super nice, but people are, well, you-know-whats. It is disappointing when one of your favorites ends up being one of the you-know-whats.
I would DIE if I met Bill Murray. He really does seem like a very cool and interesting guy, and I feel like I would break out laughing just looking at him. “Caddyshack” has always been one of my favorite movies. And Murray’s Carl Spackler has always been one of my favorite characters. 🙂
I’ve been lucky to meet some fabulous bloggers that have become real-world friends. I haven’t had any bad experiences yet. I’m nervous though, I’m going to my first blogging conference (FitBloggin’!) in a week and haven’t met anyone that’s going to be there. I’m hoping people will be friendly!
I’ve had situations at work where I see people speak out our events and they seem so inspiring and motivating and then when we meet 1:1 they are closed off and not interested in helping others. But I also find that its best to “try and try again.” Some people have bad days and need a few more times to meet with you to really warm up. And then other times…. Well lets just say I don’t have a lot of meetings with the other ones if I don’t have to. 🙂
It was so good to finally meet you! I can’t believe we hadn’t crossed paths until now. Hope to see you soon on another fun trip although this one is going to be hard to beat.
That dinner looks amazing!
I do live in the same town as a very popular blogger, whose blog I love! I’ve seen her out a couple times, but been too shy to say hi! Given your response to that situation I think I will be more likely to say hi if I get the opportunity again. Hopefully she’s nicer and more outgoing than the person your friend met! The funny thing is, I recognized her mom before I even saw her! Do you family members get recognized and approached in public ever??
tom is recognized fairly often. once he was in the car chilling with bella, and a reader-friend came up to say hi. they were still chatting when i came out from trader joes! it was awesome
Yum I am already getting excited to figure out what I’ll be cooking for dinner!
I’ve been reading your blog for a while (and love it) I’m beginning my first attempt at starting my own! I can imagine meeting bloggers you follow in real life, is sorrrrt of like meeting a celebrity, right? 🙂 Also, that dinner looks incredible!
Great post! I have not met anyone “famous”. I would like to meet a few bloggers I follow one of these days though. Love the dress in pic. Have a great week and looking forward to your fashion post.
thank you!
Man, what a bummer that the blogger your friend met was so disappointing. Isn’t it crazy how people can manage their identities so well on social media/blogging/etc., but then not so much in real life? The flip side is true, too, though. Like you, I’m introverted and awkward (and/or inappropriate hahaha), and I get pretty bad social anxiety sometimes, but somehow I’m able to make it work. I always go out of my way to be friendly, even though I often don’t FEEL like it at first (usually end being glad that I did!), and I get along great with just about everyone I meet! But when I sit down to blog, it can be SO hard to let that come across without feeling like I’m trying too hard or being too serious.
Speaking of awkward…the ONE time that someone recognized me from my blog, I got so excited to know that I had a reader who wasn’t my mom that I started squealing. It was embarrassing but so exciting haha. 🙂
The food looks delish, but the beach looks better! Thankfully I got my beach fix last week – woot! FINALLY 🙂
Funny that you should write about this! I JUST published a post about my recent geek out when meeting (vlogger) Truly Jess. You make a cameo on my post too, considering you were my first famous blogger encounter! 😉
http://www.jacgabs.com/theyre-famous-im-famous/
Got to meet Johnny depp on the pirates set a few years ago. Nicest celebrity ever! He was so humble and very “zen”. Gorgeous in person too – I was swooning!!
i’m so jeal right now
I’ve been a long-time reader of your blog (and I love it!) – I’m actually (slowly but surely) starting my first venture into blogging! I think meeting a blogger you follow in real life must be sorrrt of like meeting a celebrity, right? 🙂 …Also, that dinner looks delicious!
I’ve been reading your blog for 5 years now and when I found out you were moving to San Diego I wondered if we would run into each other when I saw the neighborhood you had moved to. When we met Monday at Kiddo Yoga I probably acted like a total geek because I was kinda shocked to see you! I must say though you seem like an awesome mamma and are as pleasant in person as you are on your blog
thank you, betsy <3 i loved finally getting to meet you after exchanging emails a few times 🙂 it was nice to have a friend in kiddie yoga! hope you guys enjoy the rest of your week
xo
I met Meb K and Ryan Hall and they were both super super nice! It was great and I love them more now than ever 🙂
Bill Murray is ridiculously awesome! My fiance and i met him here in Canada, his bodyguard bumped into my fiance and Bill apologized and made conversation with us afterwards. Such a nice experience!
no way! that is amazing!
Sounds like such a lovely dinner. I love recipes on the fly they often turn out better and it’s a whole lot more fun to improvise than be didactic. If I’m ever unsure what to make I always just start boiling water:) and things happen. Yes agreed, kindness doesn’t cost anything and can mean everything to the recipient! On a side note I just tried my first barre class and it’s my new favorite workout ever.
i love the idea to just start boiling water! my starting point is usually to just sautee an onion with some garlic and things happen from there 🙂
so so happy you liked barre, too!
xoxo
I am want to take your barre and pump classes, lady!
* I want (hate typos!)
YES! dm your info and i can let you know when i’m teaching next week!
Doing it now. 🙂
I once saw Chandler Bing (errrr…… Matthew Perry 😉 ) in an airport. He was hiding out in some executive waiting area, but when he came out, he smiled and waved and was super cute w/ his girlfriend (not sure if they’re still dating). My mom actually met Hulk Hogan in an elevator and sat next to Jerry Springer on a plane. She said Jerry was super friendly!
CHANDLER BING!! amazing!!
and i could totally see jerry springer being super nice and friendly
i miss you already btw 🙂 xoxo
Speaking of meeting celebrities, I agree with a few commenters above who have said that meeting you would feel like meeting a celebrity! I live in CT, but was in San Diego two weeks ago on vacation. My husband and I ran the Rock’n’Roll half, and since I knew you were running it, too, I kept thinking how sweet it would be if I ran into you (haha, not literally) some time before / during / after the race! When you instagrammed a pic of the Brooks “Run happy” sign from the race expo on Friday, I had *just* been there an hour earlier… I was so bummed I didn’t get to meet you! I’ve been reading your blog for 4-5 years. You have such a warm & friendly style, and I adore all of your circuit & interval workouts – I constantly check Fitnessista for new training inspiration. Thanks in advance for what I’m sure will be another great SSU, and maybe I can meet you in SD another time in the future:)
ahhh thank you so much for reading! wish i could have met you, too 🙂 hopefully next time you’re in SD. let me know and maybe we can grab an acai bowl
xoxo
I SO want to meet Bill Murray! I’ve heard stories about encounters with him & he seems like the coolest person. This is kinda nerdy but I would love to meet any of the Monty Python guys, they seem like they would be interesting to meet & they are legends!
I haven’t met any blog/social media people but I have met Adam Sandler, Jimmy Buffett & some rock musicans/bands. Oh and Hulk Hogan & his family (They lived near me so I saw them frequently….kinda hard to miss). I met Adam Sandler and saw a ton of celebrities hanging out at the casino during the Super Bowl. I believe a met a couple other people, but I kinda partied too hard that night, so sadly, it’s kind of a blur. I met Jimmy Buffett when I was a kid (my dad is a musician so he sometimes opened for other acts), he was really friendly & kind to me. Oh, I also met White Snake as a kid because of my dad’s band, haha! They were oblivious to me, they wanted to meet the ladies…but hey, it WAS the 80s. As far as bands go, the kindest & friendliest was definately Rise Against. They are just awesome, sweet guys!
I worked for Starbucks for years and have served Dee Snyder (singer for Twisted Sister) and Andy McDowell (not sure if those are correct spellings?) coffee! I live in Asheville, NC and Jude Law has been here a couple of days….would love to bump into him 🙂
I’ve e meet a couple of different bands from my teenage days of working show. No one too crazy famous unless you’re were into the punk scene in the late 902/early 00s. The one thing that always got me, was how short everyone is! Granted I’m a giant, but some of these guys were tiny! I guess being up on a stage helps with the illusion!
At first I thought, ooh, that sautéed kale looks yummy! Then I saw the words ‘coconut milk.’ And ‘almond butter.’ Which sounded way too awesome already, and then I saw the noodles! That looks sooo good!
We met Bill Murray in an airport on Xmas Eve and he gave us his phone #…we drunk dialed him on NYE a week later. He answered.
I’ve met a few celebrities and most have been prettty friendly but I think it’s always hard for them to live up to the expectations we create. I would LOVE to meet Bill Murray. He seems like such a down to earth guy and one of my favorite actors.
That is super sad 🙁 Your poor friend! I love that quote at the end of your post! 🙂
I have Bill Murray’s Costco card. I was in line at Costco to get a replacement card in Charleston, SC (where Bill Murray lives) and he was in line in front of me (in jean overalls and a trucker hat), and I guess the ladies at the counter got flustered and put his name and membership number on my card with my picture. Too funny. All my friends got a kick out of it for the longest time.
That pic of you girls is adorable!!
Just a few weeks ago, Laura (sprtin2thetable.com) came to visit me in Switzerland – she announced her visit one week before 🙂 We shared my tiny one and a half room appartment and it couldn’t have been better. After 4 days we were like sisters and now I miss her tonnes!!
My husband and I met Steven Tyler (of Aerosmith) once at Native Foods in Palm Desert. He was rehabbing at Betty Ford! At first he was kind of hesitant, didn’t want to shake my husband’s hand, but after a few minutes he sat down at our table and spent about 10 minutes chatting. It was pretty cool.
You and I met once, at IDEA last year. I’m another Inspired Advisor 🙂
i remember you, of course! will you be there again next year? 🙂
that is so cool you met steven tyler
I’ll be there for Blogfest, then the last two days of IDEA. You’re speaking aren’t you? Hope to see you there!
yes, i’m speaking at blogfest! glad i’ll get to see you again!
My friend has met Bill Murray! He’s a part owner of the St. Paul, MN baseball team and was at one of the games. I guess he was hilarious and really nice. They took a picture with him, and he grabbed my friend’s butt. He asked permission first though. 😉
that is amazing!