Some thoughts and discussions from me.
A Good Balance
Good morning! 
Wow. 5:20 came WAY too early today. Luckily, I woke up this morning feeling pretty rested and rejuvenated from the weekend. From Friday afternoon until Sunday night, I strived for a good balance of low key-ness and fun.
Friday afternoon after Shane finished work, we headed into town to shop for office furniture. Shane recently got a new job for which he’ll be working from home, and decided to invest in a good chair and desk. While there, we swung by the AT&T store because I was due for an upgrade. After much debate on whether I should go Apple or Andriod, I now have a new iPhone 5!
Cool story: when we walked in, we found out that if I traded in my old phone, I got a $200 credit to spend on a new phone. So, I basically got my new phone for like 50 bucks. Score!
Then we came home and walked over to a local Mexican/tapas restaurant with my friend, Katie, for drinks, chips and guac, tamales, and dessert.
(pork tamales aplenty)
(coconut cake)
(red velvet cake…in a mini mason jar!! which makes it all the better)
I left feeling SO full. You know that feeling where you seriously could not eat one more morsel of food? Yeah, that. I know a lot of people hate being that full, but I kinda really like it a lot. Not every day, of course, but when it happens, I just revel in it!
The next morning, I taught boot camp, and then quickly gathered some things, and met Lauren and Greg (Lauren’s Husband) to go hiking at Chautauqua Park!
Greg played park ranger (hike leader?) and took Lauren and I on a hike to the 1st and 2nd Flat Iron, and I now have a new favorite hike at Chautauqua. Seriously, this hike was awesome!! And Lauren and Greg make great hiking company. Remember when I talked about hiking to the Royal Arch? And how the views were simply amazing but the hike really kicked my butt? Well, this one, while still a good workout, is much easier on the bod than the Royal Arch, but the views are just as spectacular.
*sigh* I wish the iPhone could capture what my eyes did. There needs to be an eye camera, where you blink, and the picture that your eyes see is captured on film…or digital-ness. Someone get on that.
After the hike, I headed home, grabbed some water, stayed in my sweaty hiking clothes, and went shopping at the outlets with Katie. I was actually super excited about the Under Armour, but just made purchases at the J. Crew outlet.
I bought this tunic there, which I also wore to church on Sunday morning 
Yesterday was actually one of the most gorgeous days yet in Colorado (hard to believe) that I’ve experienced. Shane and I took advantage of it by taking Niko for a walk, then I went to the pool with a friend to relax and study:
And then later we had some friends over on the deck for a couple margaritas before dinner.
Our friend, David, had just gotten back from South Africa, and we had lots to catch up on and talk about Good times! After a couple hours of hanging out, we parted ways to head in for the night.
Shane and I made hamburgers for dinner, and then caught up on Arrested Development while I did a little more studying for an exam I have coming up.
And now I’m off to teach a HIIT class and train some clients. I hope you all have a great day
What did you do this weekend?
What’s your favorite dessert to order when out to eat?
such stunning hike views.
Ive actually hiked there—just not in years.
Miz recently posted…I never felt stoppable.
THE EYE CAMERA!! We’re on the same page, Paige <ha! Especially with kids, I miss so many candid moments!
Lindsay @ Lindsay’s List recently posted…ask me anything
what a fun weekend!! i love your nail polish in that iphone pic!! i need to see if i’m due for an upgrade… i’ve had my current iphone4s since it came out!!
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted…Sisters in Columbus
Lots like a great weekend, all your hikes remind me how bad I need to get out to the mountains to hike!
I love most desserts, but anything with chocolate usually draws me in or my favorite around Christmas is sticky toffee pudding desserts.
Lindsey recently posted…Lots of Good Food
I love the hiking trails at Chataqua! When we went for Blend 2012, the views were just INCREDIBLE and while the hike kicked my butt more than I expected, it really was amazing!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted…Wordless Music Monday
iPhone 5 — wahoo – we love ours!
looks like a great weekend -sun,friends and margaritas – yes please!
xoxo
Purelytwins recently posted…pictures and highlights from the weekend
Sounds like a great weekend! I agree that pictures never really capture the beauty of the views of a hike. Part of it is the rewarding feeling of knowing how far you came to be rewarded with those views!
Kacy recently posted…Eatin’ & Drinkin’ – Best F*cking Brunch Ever
I sometimes like being full like that too- especially if I’m able to take a nap afterwards! Nothing beats a lovely food coma after a delicious meal :).
Carly @ Snack Therapy recently posted…Photo-Worthy?
what a great weekend and i totally love that tunic! i want to trade in my iphone for the 5! I wonder if I can do that?! I need to find out because the 5 is so much nicer haha. Anyways I totally agree sometimes feeling REALLY full is REALLY fun hahaha
julie recently posted…ain’t no long island princess – or am i?
Looks like a rockin’ weekend with such relaxing tossed in! Love it! I’m a sucker for carrot cake whenever we go out to eat, I adore cream cheese icing! Happy Monday 🙂
Katie @ KatieEnPursuit recently posted…M is for Monday…
My sister just made the switch from iPhone to Android but I don’t know if I could ever do the same! That’s awesome that you got such a good deal!
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake recently posted…Sunday Snapshots – 6/2
The scenery during that hike looks so beautiful!! Sounds like a great weekend–hiking, shopping, lounging, and margaritas (my favorite!). 🙂
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance recently posted…Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks
Um this: “Wow. 5:20 came WAY too early today. ” <==== pretty sure that's every day. I managed to re-set my alarm today (yeah, I don't hit snooze, I re-set my alarm for a later time) and sleep in an extra hour and a half. Skipped my AM walk, my breakfast / blog-reading / shower routine, and quick threw some clothes on and a smoothie together and went out the door.
So jealous of hiking. That looks like a ton of fun. Colorado … ah, some day.
calee recently posted…PS I was featured today …
Definitely jealous of th iPhone! When I got a new plan in December I just went for the cheapest Android available, which I’m now kicking myself for a little bit…wish I would have shelled out extra money on a higher quality phone!
Favourite dessert to order out: any sort of cookie or brownie sundae is amazing….but generally if it has chocolate, I’m sold 😀
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…MIMM: Mexi-Pug and Pork Balls.
Um wow, looks like a gorgeous weekend such beautiful weather.
And that’s kind of exciting about the new iphone. Love when little things happen like that.
New phones are always exciting too. Looks like the perfect weekend. Friends, drinks, and desserts equals a pretty good combo! Have a great week Paige!
Lisa recently posted…Happy Days
It sounds like a perfect weekend with good food, friends, outdoor hiking, fun and relaxing! I was so excited when I got an iphone, it takes much better photos than my old camera and I only need to take one thing on my runs. no more need for a phone and ipod.
Nicole @ FruitnFitness recently posted…shopping and dog parks
Beautiful pictures! This weekend I broke my toe, so I didn’t do much of anything except ice and rest! 🙁
I love Baklava when I’m out to dinner. It’s my all time favorite!
Steph recently posted…Giving back at Ronald McDonald House Tampa
What a fabulous weekend you had! A good balance for sure… I love my iPhone, maybe too much 😉 and YES to the eye camera! Seriously, when I’m walking around San Fran or Maui or even in Park City, I want to capture everything and it’s so difficult to convey everything you want. But those photos of your hike are pretty incredible nonetheless 🙂
I can’t wait until it stops raining here… I need some SUN!!
Christa @ Edible Balance recently posted…Forbidden Rice Pudding for Breakfast! {Recipe}
Sounds like such a fun weekend! Nothing better than enjoying some great food with friends and family!
Meghan @ After the Ivy League recently posted…We Were Tough Enough!
Ha! I’m always wishing for an eye camera too. 🙂
Marilyn recently posted…Bye, May. Hello, June.