Practically Dunn

I’ve been very MIA lately, I know. So I’ll just leave this right...

Tue, 07 May 2013 14:32:00 -0500

I’ve been very MIA lately, I know.

So I’ll just leave this right here so you can at least see that I am alive and well in Chicago, enjoying Spring.

Promise to give you all a life update sooner rather than later. A lot has been going on and iv struggled with what to share and what not to share.

So you tell me… What’s “practically” your favorite thing to read about?

Fashion, recipes, running, boys, work, Zoe, the zillion best friend weddings i’m in? All of the above have been totally life consuming. So ask and I’ll share.

Last week my Doc told me I needed more Vitamin D…...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:57:44 -0500

Last week my Doc told me I needed more Vitamin D… #justfollowingdirections (at Marco Island Beach)

The Shamrock Shuffle in Photos…. One year later and one year of...

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:10:24 -0500

The Shamrock Shuffle in Photos….

One year later and one year of improvements.
Since I’m training for distance, I normally pace myself to just finish a race, but with this being my second go around on an 8K I decided to test myself. I ran for a time and run i did…

I shaved 5 minutes off my time from last year. Woot! I was ecstatic and exhausted and so so proud of myself.

On Sunday I kicked off race season by running Chicago’s Shamrock...

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:04:49 -0500

On Sunday I kicked off race season by running Chicago’s Shamrock Shuffle. It’s one of Chicago’s biggest races with 40K participants running 8K. It is also the race that started it all for me.

My marathoner friend and now roommate Christin got me back into running last year and the Shamrock was my first organized city race. I’ve been hooked ever since.

I can’t believe it’s already been one year. Running has turned into my therapy and my hobby. It makes me happy, it relieves my daily stress and anxieties and it keeps my eating habits on track.

So much in my life has changed in just a year and running is a big contributor to that. Since I ran the Shamrock Shuffle in 2012, I have fallen in love with this sport and the organized races that bring many chicagoans together. Next up… Soldier Field 10 miler in May, Allstate Half Marathon in June and then.. (Dun, Dun, Dun…) the Chicago Marathon in October.

Let the racing season begin!

The Kate Spade, Pack A Picnic Champagne Box…..Completely...

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 11:19:00 -0500

The Kate Spade, Pack A Picnic Champagne Box…..

Completely appropriate and a justified expense for Chicago patio season.

Right?

That time I was on the Rachael Ray show with my best...

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 20:54:09 -0500

That time I was on the Rachael Ray show with my best friends….

Thanks for this, Amber!

Beautiful day, beautiful night. Why I love #chicago (at...

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:30:54 -0500

Beautiful day, beautiful night. Why I love #chicago (at Fullerton Beach)

An Easter in photos…

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 20:16:50 -0500

An Easter in photos…

Leave it to me to get a flat tire… And all before my morning...

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:12:50 -0500

Leave it to me to get a flat tire… And all before my morning coffee.

One would think to learn how to change a flat after the first time this happened downtown Chicago, missing an important job interview because of it. Not a pleasant way to start a Tuesday. 2 hours of wasted work time that I’ve been sitting waiting for road assistance, 3 blocks from the office.

On a brighter note, I’ve run into a client, made a few appointments and chatted a cute guy. So really it all evens out right?

Now bring on the mechanic and the caffeine please!

#Running #Chicago lakeside is the absolute best! (at Fullerton...

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:06:02 -0500

#Running #Chicago lakeside is the absolute best! (at Fullerton Beach)

Chicago marathon training started today for us! 8k, 10 miler,...

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 19:48:05 -0500

Chicago marathon training started today for us! 8k, 10 miler, 1/2 marathon and 26.2. Ready, set, go!!

Shoe party? Yes please! #chicago got #wellheeled tonight at...

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 21:53:52 -0500

Shoe party? Yes please! #chicago got #wellheeled tonight at #bloomingdales new #shoe floor launch with @modernluxury #csmagazine

The crock pot is a magical thing. There is nothing better than...

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:17:20 -0500

The crock pot is a magical thing. There is nothing better than coming home after a long day to a homemade meal, hot and ready. In honor of me being sick all of last week and all those other sickies out there that aren’t handling the change of season in tip top shape; I thought I’d share one of my homemade soup recipes.

I grew up in a household of lots of cooking and lots of homemade soups. As those of you who have seen my recipes before know… I kind of just wing it. I cook to taste. So I tried to mentally measure out the ingredients below as best as I could for you. The good part about soup is, it’s always trial and error. Add too much seasoning? … Just add more water and vice versa. Enjoy!

Chicken and Tortellini Soup
-32 oz of Swanson Low Sodium Chicken Broth
-32 oz Water
-4 teaspoons of Wylers Instant Bouillon - Chicken
-2 Frozen Chicken Breasts (about 8oz)
-8 oz (bag of) tortellini (I used ricotta and spinach)
-8 oz Whole Wheat Cous Cous (or any noodle)
-Chopped Celery
-Chopped Carrots
-Sage - to Taste
-Basil - to Taste
-Garlic Powder - to Taste
-Onion Powder - to Taste
-Pepper - to Taste
-Parsley - to Taste
-Crushed Red Pepper - Optional

Put everything but the tortellini and noodles in the crockpot on high for 5-6 hours. I took out and shredded the chicken after about 3 hours and then put back in to finish cooking. After about 5 hours, I added the cous cous and tortellini. Put the crockpot on low, then let sit for 45 minutes. I taste tested throughout, adding more seasoning or water as needed. Easypeasy and delish!

Misery Loves Company and I love this. Way to show some team...

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:41:00 -0500

Misery Loves Company

and I love this. Way to show some team spirit, Rockford.

People always hate on their hometown and I will admit, that I have done so in the past. But since I’ve moved away, I’ve learned to love it more and more for the little things.

Rockford isn’t a wealthy city and we don’t try to be. We are a large midwestern city that got hit hard by a low economy. Yes the roads suck. There’s crime, unemployment and frankly, some really trashy people. ( O and the shopping. The shopping is catastrophic) But guess what. You have that just about everywhere (except for the awful shopping). I know this campaign didn’t focus on the real issues like those just listed, but I thought the city did a great job of showing what we can offer and why our residents have decided to live there.

Rockford has some great real estate. Smart hospitals, delicious local restaurants, beautiful parks and gardens, indoor and outdoor venues that have hosted some pretty well known artists. Awesome minor league sports teams (hey there Blackhawks affiliate) educational museums, an air show that trumps Chicago’s (thanks dad) and we can take credit for the creation of the sock monkey and the start of Cheap Trick. (those are uber important, I know) We also have pride. A lot of it. You can talk bad about your own hometown, but man if you haven’t lived it (or there), we won’t let you contribute to the knocking.

So cheers to Rockford and all of your hometowns that don’t get much love either. After all, I may be a city girl now, but my roots are what keep me grounded and have gotten me to where I am today.

#prayers for Zoe please! She’s undergoing hip surgery...

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:01:00 -0500

#prayers for Zoe please! She’s undergoing hip surgery today. It’s a bit high risk due to her ongoing autoimmune disease. Poor pup, can’t catch a break.

This weekend was spent with Tre. I’ve been waiting on the...

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:11:00 -0500

This weekend was spent with Tre.

I’ve been waiting on the edge of my seat for her book to come out. (and then to find the time to actually read it - success!) I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my weekend any other way, than immersed in her story. I found her blog a few years ago and was immediately taken by her, her experiences and how she so seamlessly pulls in each and every one of her readers uniquely.

She’s the type of woman that carries an unbelievable amount of strength, love and perspective. The kind of person that you would want to sit down over a ~~glass~~ bottle of wine with and to dance the streets of the city with; A quick witted gal, that could really teach you a thing or two.

Congratulations Tre! Cheers to you and your story. Your book turned out amazingly, and you should be so, so proud. And of course, thank you for sharing it with us!!

If you haven’t already (where have you been?) Meet, Tre.

A Valentine’s evening in pictures.

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 22:34:17 -0600

A Valentine’s evening in pictures.

Valentine's Day question....

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:26:00 -0600

I’ve been seeing a number of Facebook and Instagram posts that go along the lines of...

Happy Valentine’s day!I’ll be spending tonight at...

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:07:55 -0600

Happy Valentine’s day!

I’ll be spending tonight at the gym with my marathonbuddy/bestfriend/roommate.
Then, we will be making a weight watcher friendly, heart shaped pizza for dinner and will probably end up curled up on the couch, discussing our “hopes and dreams” for our future relationships…sans wine.

We are both training for an abundance of races this year. I’m back on weight watchers to knock off that 20 pounds I didn’t shed after my first 20 in 2012. And I gave up wine (while she gave up all alcohol) for lent.

O yea, and we are both very..very single.
and guess what… I wouldn’t have it any other way this year.

"So do you like “practically” not blog anymore?"

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:22:53 -0600

“So do you like “practically” not blog anymore?” - Quote from this...