According To Kelly

chasing the dream bling
& run like a princess giveaway

by @according2kelly on June 5, 2013

runDisney certainly knows the way to a girl’s heart, at the very least, they know the way to mine.

you see runDisney has realized that it really is all about the bling…

of course we also enjoy the miles, and the challenges, and the magic of running through disney parks.

but ultimately, what it really comes down to, what really gets us (or at least ME) motivated? yep! yep! it’s all about the BLING.

princess half marathon

starting tuesday, june 11th, 2013, i (& you too) will be able to register for the 2014 disney princess half marathon, the disney princess enchanted 10k, the new disney glass slipper challenge & the cinderella royal family 5K.

but that’s not all. a very limited number of runners (crossing my fingers & toes that i’ll be one of the lucky few) will have the opportunity to register EARLY for the 2014 tinker bell half marathon (tinkerbell registration doesn’t open until july 9th, 2014).

what does this mean? it means that by registering on tuesday, you will soon bringing home some serious hardware. runDisney always has the BEST medals.

i hope to be wearing FIVE medals by the end of the princess half marathon weekend:

* disney princess half marathon medal
* disney enchanted 10K medal
* disney glass slipper challenge medal
* cinderella royal family 5K medal
* coast to coast challenge medal

now you don’t have to run all the races (only a crazy person would do that).

you can definitely sign up for just one. in fact, any of the races (the 5K, 10K, or half marathon) would be the perfect first race – although, i’ll warn you now… runDisney races are rather addicting. trust me, i know from experience, after all the 2009 disneyland half marathon was my very first race ever.

but, the more races you run, the more bling you bring home.

the glass slipper challenge

if you’re a princess who’s looking to put her endurance to the test, the glass slipper challenge is definitely the way to go.

what exactly is the glass slipper challenge? it consists of running both the 10K (on saturday) & the half marathon (on sunday) – a total of 19.3 miles.

but the best part? in addition to a medal for each race, you will also earn the inaugural disney glass slipper challenge medal.

although, the medal that is calling my name, & practically has me drooling with anticipation, is the newly pink-ed coast to coast medal…

this coveted medal will be earned if (& only if) you run both the the 2014 tinkerbell half marathon AND the 2014 princess half marathon, 5 weeks later.

& YES! for those of you with enquiring minds… in 2014, if you complete the tinkerbell half marathon & the princess half marathon AND another eligible pair of disneyland resort & walt disney world resort races, you will be eligible to receive the original coast to coast race challenge medal in addition to the pink version of the coast to coast race challenge medal.

can i get a WAHOOOOOOOO?! two coast to coast medals in one calendar year? that’s a serious kind of awesome.

remember – online registration for all princess half marathon weekend events (& a limited number of tinkerbell half marathon entries) will open june 11th, 2013, although annual passholders and dvc members can register beginning june 6th, 2013.

if you are planning on registering for any (or all) events there are a few things you should know & consider:

* make sure to register early. it’s bound to sell out. every runDisney race seems to sell out faster & faster. the dumbo double dare sold out in just a few hours & the disneyland half was closed after only 26 hours. plus – there are 2,000 less spots available in this year’s races, in an effort to control the crowding!

* proof of time is now necessary for anyone who is likely to finish the 1/2 marathon in less than 3 hours & 15 minutes. this is super-duper important to provide before december 1st, 2013 because you will no longer be able to change corrals during the expo.

* more corrals which will also reducing the crowding, & allow runners of similar abilities to be placed together – thank goodness!

& for those of you who ran last year’s race, you’ll be pleased to know that the disney’s fit for a princess expo will be returning to the espn wide world of sports complex. phew!

who’s ready to trade in their glass slippers for running shoes & run like a princess?! i know i certainly am.

so, in celebration, how about a “run like princess” giveaway?

run like a princess giveaway

who wants a chance to win all of my favorite princess essentials?

* kt tape: one roll of pink kt tape pro
* nuun: one tube of watermelon nuun
* runDisney vinylmation
* sparkle athletic: winner’s choice of pink or gunmetal sparkle visor tiara
* sparkle athletic: run like a girl race legs
* sparkle athletic: run like a girl hair ties

ready to enter? i’m giving you 6 different ways to enter.

luckily,rafflecopter makes it easy-peasy to enter.

but don’t dawdle, this giveaway closes on friday, june 14th at 12am EST.

confused about how to enter a giveaway using rafflecopter? here’s a video on their site explaining how to use rafflecopter to enter giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

nitty-gritty details:
1. no purchase necessary.
2. giveaway ends 6/14/13 at 12am EST.
3. only US residents can enter.
4. winner will be chosen via random.org.
5. winner will be contacted via email. winner has 48 hours to respond with mailing address or another winner will be chosen.
6. void where prohibited by law.
7. this promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. i hereby release Facebook of any liability.
8. all giveaway items have been provided by me, according to kelly. the companies: kt tape, nuun, runDisney,and sparkle athletic are not associated with this giveaway, & have no idea that i’ve included them in my “prize pack.” i just really, really love these products & think every running princess needs these essentials.

if you have any additional questions – feel free to email me at accordingtokelly@gmail.com

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cookies in a jar
{smart cookie teacher appreciation}

by @according2kelly on June 3, 2013

who can resist an entire jar filled with bite-sized morsels of ooey gooey deliciousness?

absolutely, positively no one – that’s who!

it’s the perfect way to say happy birthday, thanks, i love you, or…

when you pair it with my quick & easy “thanks to you i’m one smart cookie” printable, you’re sure to have teachers eating out of your hand.

* print your red “thanks to you i’m one smart cookie” printable HERE.
* print your orange “thanks to you i’m one smart cookie” printable HERE.
* print your yellow “thanks to you i’m one smart cookie” printable HERE.
* print your green “thanks to you i’m one smart cookie” printable HERE.
* print your blue “thanks to you i’m one smart cookie” printable HERE.
* print your purple “thanks to you i’m one smart cookie” printable HERE.
* print your black “thanks to you i’m one smart cookie” printable HERE.

print labels on paper (& tape or glue down), or use avery sticker paper. then, cut out with a sharp pair of scissors, or a 2 inch circle punch.

& although you didn’t ask, my personal go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe involves 5, yes FIVE, different types of chocolate chips. trust me, the cookies are ahhhhh-mazing. but take my word for it, make them & taste for yourself.

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almost famous.

by @according2kelly on May 31, 2013

feeling extremely lucky & completely honored that oc family choose to feature carrie, elise & i as 3 of orange county’s most inspiring moms.

women who “while raising their kids… are making a difference in their communities, at their companies and in the lives of other women.”

if you haven’t already picked up your copy & are absolutely dying to read the article, here you go. just click on the picture to enlarge, & read away, to your heart’s content.

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treadmill confessions

by @according2kelly on May 30, 2013

confession: running on a treadmill (or the dreadmill as i so lovingly refer to it), scares me to death!

i always have to “assume the position” with both hands holding on for dear life, because i’m KNOW if i don’t, i WILL trip & fall.

yes, i am THAT clumsy.

i can’t be the only one who fears falling off the treadmill, am i?

somebody please – tell me i’m not alone!

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make it happen.

by @according2kelly on May 29, 2013

make something, make anything, just make IT happen – TODAY!

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pineapple upside down cake

by @according2kelly on May 28, 2013

pineapple upside down cake – it’s the ultimate bbq dessert.

practically as american as apple pie, just with a slightly more tropical twist. (i think a virgin piña colada is calling my name.)

it’s quick, it’s easy, plus the ooey-gooey caramel sauce will have everyone asking for a second (& even third) slice.

and have i mentioned that there isn’t any frosting? i’m the type of girl that usually requires frosting – but this pineapple upside down cake is perfect all by itself, not to mention it’s one less thing you have to make.

pineapple upside down cake

ingredients:
1 box yellow cake mix (i prefer the kind with pudding)
1 can of pineapple slices or crushed pineapple (the slices definitely look prettier & work well in a 9×13 pan or a round cake pan, although i prefer crushed pineapple because then you get a bit of pineapple in every single bite)
1 stick of butter
1 cup of brown sugar

directions:
melt butter in a saucepan. add brown sugar and simmer over moderate heat, stirring for approximately four minutes, then remove from heat.

pour brown sugar into pan (i like to use a bundt cake pan because i think it’s pretty, but any cake pan will do). if you are using pineapple slices, arrange pineapple on top of brown sugar mixture, overlapping pieces slightly. if you are using crushed pineapple, simply spread a think layer on top of the brown sugar mixture. either way, make sure to save the pineapple juice – it’s practically liquid gold.

prepare cake mix as directed on package, substituting pineapple juice for some (if not ALL) of the water called for. slowly pour cake mix over pineapple.

bake at 350 for 45 minutes, or until toothpick insterted in cake comes out clean.
* for a moister cake, cover (with a glass cake dome, or plastic wrap) before it has cooled completely.

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mug shot.

by @according2kelly on May 22, 2013

while i’m pretty sure that rubbing his head will bring you good luck. i’ve learned that even a 6 year old can’t be trusted with scissors – it may result in a haircut.

luckily, it was the perfect time for a summer buzz, & a mug shot.

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creating magical team sports memories
at the espn wide world of sports complex

by @according2kelly on May 21, 2013

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one of the best “disney secrets” (in my humble opinion) is the espn wide world of sports complex.

if you’re anything like me – you’ve probably noticed the complex, maybe even visited it (perhaps while picking up your bib for a runDisney event), but never thought much about it.

it wasn’t until i literally ran through & around the complex during the walt disney world marathon, that my interest became piqued.

espn-wide-world-of-sports

imagine my surprise when i realized that the sports complex is 255 acres of a magical wonderland… the perfect fusion of state-of-the-art espn innovation and the entertainment & magic we’ve come to expect from all things disney.

espn wide world of sports complex

the complex has made sports dreams come true for athletes and fans of all ages. it’s the home of altanta braves spring training & national championships like the pop warner super bowl, as well as hosting several open tournaments like disney’s sun & surf baseball bash and disney cup international youth soccer tournament. this amazing sports complex plays host to more than 350 amateur & professional sport events, 2 million athletes, coaches and fans each year.

disney-sports-complex

what i LOVE is that the complex is designed to give young athletes the ultimate sports experience. & i mean all youth athletes – no matter the level of experience, the skill level, or even the sport, there really & truly is something for everyone.

kids can participate in events, camps, and spring training at the sports complex in a entire range of sports – baseball, basketball, cheer, dance, soccer, football, volleyball, softball, cheerleading, track & field, golf, lacrosse, field hockey & more.

having kids in sports, & having played the role of team mom a time or two, i have to say i’m definitely sold & ready to sign up for the espn wide world of sports experience.

let’s be honest, not every kid (including mine) have the opportunity to participate in tournaments & have the experience of traveling with a team. that is something that is generally reserved for a select group of athletes.

but that doesn’t mean i don’t want my kids to have those same opportunities & experiences – because i do!

so you can imagine my surprise when i realized that the espn wide world of sports complex was the answer. they want to provide that “i’m going to walt disney world” mvp moment to kids everywhere.

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& unlike other tournaments & camps, they really have thought of absolutely everything (in the typical disney fashion)…

pre-planning trip advice, fundraising opportunities (including team incentives, early registration discounts & even financial assistance), & specially priced walt disney world packages to fit all budgets.

once you arrive, the espn wilde world of sports complex can literally assist in coordinating & planning all aspects of your team’s trip.

& yes, i said trip. whether it’s figuring out how & where to feed your entire team, of picking an activity during the down time… the espn wide world of sports welcome center is at your service. it’s like your personal concierge, helping you get the best experience on & off the fields. which is exactly what this is – an experience. unlike other tournaments or training camps – this is more like a dream come true for both athletes, parents & even team moms alike.

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all-inclusive packages (including discounted hotel stays and park tickets), equipment drop off (meaning YOU don’t have to lug gear across the complex to your field), boxed lunches or pizza delivery can be pre-ordered & delivered directly to the playing field, tournaments are scheduled so that teams are generally off the field by 4pm (so there is plenty of time to play), off-field activities are available to keep little spectators busy during games to take advantage of during games (hula hoops, bean bag toss & more), professional photographers, & what young athlete (or parent) doesn’t dream of being featured on the jumbo tron? at the espn wide world of sports complex all these things are a reality.

while traveling & participating in tournaments can be intimidating, the espn wide world of sports complex & disney have teamed up to make this a truly magical experience for the entire family AND the entire team.

be sure to check out the espn wide world of sports complex event calendar for more information on attending an upcoming professional event, or registering YOUR team for one of their many amateur events.

or for direct & personal attention about attending tournaments or events with your child or team, visit the espn wide world of sports contact page.

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