Happy Monday!
Oh that’s right, I said it: Happy.
If you’re a regular reader, you know by now that the past few weeks have been a little rough on the Ali front. I haven’t gotten into much detail on the blog since it’s all a bit personal — eventually I’ll fill you in, because I like you so much — but let’s just say I’ve done my fair share of screaming, crying, whining, fighting and getting away from my usual happy-go-lucky self.
But today I resolve to return to Happy Ali. No more tears. No more complaints. Just doing whatever I need to do to focus on my own smiling.
Despite not getting a ton of sleep last night due to a neighbor’s over-active smoke alarm (which led to me staying in bed way past my alarm), there’s plenty to be psyched about today. Here goes!
I woke up and enjoyed a misty morning run. Sunshine is wonderful and snow is exciting, but running when it’s just barely drizzling outside is one of my favorite things to do. There were lots of puddles left over from yesterday’s intense rain, and my feet were soaked. I didn’t mind though.

The sky was grey, which I was also OK with. Sometimes it’s nice not to be blinded while taking a photo of the sunrise (I kid, I always love a good sunrise, you know that).








It may not be St. Patrick’s Day yet (nor am I even a little bit Irish), but I’m feeling festive today.
Check out these new socks my mom sent me:




Obviously wearing new socks is a happy feeling. Wearing new green socks (my favorite color) is even better.
Another fun thing: Britney’s new single, “Till The World Ends.” It’s amazing and I can’t stop listening to it. Download immediately, people. Download immediately.
Oh you want to know what I’m wearing today?
I’m wearing seersucker!
I only wear seersucker in the springtime and summertime, and although it’s not technically spring yet, I’m egging it on with my outfit today.
I started with the usual:




Then BAM! Kicked it up a notch with a blazer:




Let’s get up close and personal with the seersucker, shall we?




Lastly, I came into work to find this lovely card on my desk from my very best friend, Becky:




With all those things in my favor, how can today not be great? I’m planning to take an actual lunch break (that’s right, no eating at my desk today!) and will hopefully make it to the gym this evening to do some strength training.
Until then, have a great day everyone!
TELL ME: What one thing is making you happy on this otherwise dreary Monday? Bonus points if you share more than one thing. Share five things. Go crazy.
0 Responses
Ohh…I LOVE the jacket. The last 2ish weeks have been rough body wise-I’ve felt unusually sore almost every time i’ve worked out, and have been completely worn out.
Some happiness on my dreary Monday:
1. FREE yoga classes on Monday nights. It makes it much, much better!
2. I wore on of my favorite navy blue shirts with a silver belt. Makes me smile:)
3. 3 mile walk with a friend full of laughter and jokes
4. Blueberry & pomegranate tea.
5. Super productive paperwork afternoon at work!
You look great! Hope things are okay and not too hard to smile through!
I am such a brat about dreary weather, I am glad you are trying to make me look on the bright side:
1.) Someone was blasting oldies music in the office next to mine
2.) I got really into this random long instrumental song, Brooklyn by the Youngblood Brass Brothers at the gym
3.) Bethenny is on tonight
4.) I finally managed to get up a post I have been thinking about forever
5.) Had 16 handles today!
In the face of challenges, you still manage to see the good. That’s a fabulous quality! Today’s happiness came from a post-work nap with my puggle. She’s a really good snuggler and I needed a nap in the worst way. It was perfect! Hope you had a great day!
Hey Ali!
I’m new to your blog that I stumbled upon through a friend of a friend of a friend haha…
Any who, I absolutely love it! It amazes me (and what I aspire to) that you’re able to wake up at 5:30am every morning to run. I have a question for you – when you wake up so early, do you eat breakfast before you run?
When I run early during the week, I don’t eat before I run. But on the weekends, when I do longer runs, I eat a granola bar, which fills me up just enough to get through the miles.
Love the jacket 🙂 I have some super sweet blue seersucker pants, which I sometimes break out on “casual Fridays” in the summer!
It’s dreary in Chicago today also – boo! But what makes me happy on days like this is:
1) seeing tomorrow’s forecast: high of 51 and sunny. YES.
2) haircut and highlights – which I am getting tomorrow!
Glad to see you’re starting to feel better again! I’ve been following your blog for a while now and missed the chipper AM posts! It’s super cloudy here in Wisco too & until the past hour I was letting it affect my mood.
1. I finished my journalism essay 24 hours early!
2. Although cloudy, it’s nice running weather & I’m just about to head out.
3. I snacked on a piece of chocolate with PB!
that card is so cute! have fun at chisel today. i am sore from my workout yesterday so i’m taking a rest day.
I’m glad you’re feeling better. Sometimes slightly dreary weather is perfect for running, and a good run can make such a difference!
Haha that card is so random and awesome! And I love the green striped socks!
I’m so glad you’re feeling better! I’m excited for a nice, easy run today and to go to TX to see my family this weekend! I haven’t been there in almost a year!
*Sorry if you got this twice…someone didn’t log out of their account on my work computer so I posted as someone else!*
I’m glad you’re feeling better! I loved this post! I’m excited to go for a nice, easy run tonight! I’m also super excited that I’m going to TX on Friday to see my dad! I haven’t been there in almost a year!
I love your post today – filled with happiness and smiles. I’m glad you’re feeling better! Making me happy today? That I get to meet Fred DeVito tonight at Core Fusion. This is huge! I’m equal parts excited and scared! LOL.
I am SO excited for this!!!! Don’t be scared!
I am glad you are feeling on the upswing! It’s tough sometimes to balance the “I’m a peppy awesome blogger” with real life issues. I’ve definitely retreated from the internet for weeks at a time before when dealing with my own stuff.
To add to all of the happiness:
-this morning I thought I was out of tea (earth-shattering on a monday) but found ONE bag of my favorite black tea in my desk
-my mom is coming to visit this weekend! and we’re planning out all of our yummy eats and runs while she’s here
-i have 10 cupcakes hiding in my fridge for consumption throughout the week
-i am not dying of soreness after yesterday’s half marathon
-glee is new this week
and now I’m happier. have a great monday, lady!
Love the card from Becky! And the socks. And the attitude. Thanks for brightening my Monday morning, Ali. I’m ready for the day.
So glad you are feeling happy!
I’m pretty happy on this ick day too. Let’s see…
1. I woke up early to write an article for a real website and I am happy with how it came out
2. I ate a yummy breakfast and had my favorite Starbucks latte
3. I’m going to Refine later
4. I’m in the middle of a book I don’t want to stop reading
5. No one at work knows this but my camisole is actually a workout top and my tights are actually workout pants