Practically Dunn

Hi, I'm Meg I'm a Chicago twenty-something, trying to find my place in this crazy world. Welcome to the junk drawer of my life; a messy collaboration of all things me. I cook, I bake, I play and I plan. I'm a caffeine addict, wine drinking, shopaholic, wannabe runner. I like to steal my parent's dog and pretend she is my own and I have an unhealthy obsession with to do: lists. I'm making a career for myself within the magazine world. I'm a hopeless romantic, but successfully single and I hope to one day figure my life out to the point of thinking I have it all. Until then, I'm content with being Practically Dunn. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-23968564-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); ksdsopakslfsafmfslksfmal

[6twenty1]

In his father of the bride speech, [redacted] shared heartwarming stories and his favorite pieces of marriage advice over his 35(?) years of marriage.

Sometimes it is more important to say “I appreciate you” than “I love you.” Say both, often.

Discover your partner’s passions…and...

[practicallydunn]

It's That Time..

I kicked off my running season this week by jumping head first into a Half Marathon training group... 4 weeks late.  Better late than never, I say. 

In preparation for my two half marathons this May, I'm looking for a little extra motivation and story-sharing.  Does anyone have any favorite tumblr runners I should be following?

[caryrandolph-blog]

There is one kind of bumper sticker I see almost daily here in my small Midwestern town: a small oval printed with “26.2” or “13.1.” In case you’re lucky enough not to know what these numbers represent, let me explain: They indicate that the driver or someone in the car has run a marathon (26.2 miles) or a half-marathon (13.1 miles). There is only one reason running aficionados display the stickers. They want the rest of us to know about their long-distance feats. So let me be the first to offer my hearty congratulations. I’d even offer to give them a pat on the back—once they’re done doing it themselves. What’s with this infatuation with running and the near-mandatory ritual of preening about it? - Chad Stafko for the Wall Street Journal

Guilty as charged, Stafko.

[practicallydunn]

I just got unreasonably angry after reading this article.

Instead of ripping a part a sport and a person who dedicates them self to a form of health, fitness and way of life… one who is not necessarily bragging, but is excited and proud of their running accomplishments… because well, long distance running is hard. How about he focuses and points fingers to those who never get off the couch. The unhealthy and over weight Americans. I’m not saying you have to run, in order to avoid being the latter, but why hate on those Americans that are trying to live a healthy lifestyle and are proud of it?

And what about all those merchandise wearing people that eat, sleep and breath sports that they don’t even participate in? I am in no way above those people, as I am also one of them… But why point fingers at athletes who wear and train for their sport proudly, when there are many, many more people out there who religiously live for sports that they don’t even play?

When Stafko goes out and gives 26.2 or even 13.1 a good try, I’ll then take his opinion a bit lighter. And on that note, I’m going to go out for a run in my small Midwestern town (in obvious hopes that people see me and think I’m awesome)

[practicallydunn]

Alright #Boston. I'm in Quincy for work and want to go to the city tonight. What should I be doing, seeing, eating?

[practicallydunn]

[practicallydunn]

My favorite running buddies! Time to run the half marathon!! (at Allstate 13.1 Half Marathon)

[practicallydunn]

It's #race day! 10 miles.. Ready, set, go!! #soldierfield10 (at Fleet Feet Soldier Field 10 Mile Race)

[practicallydunn]

One last #run before my 10 miler #race this weekend and we have some windy waves out here! #whathappenedtosummer (at North Ave Pier)

[practicallydunn]

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.

[practicallydunn]

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

[practicallydunn]

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.

[practicallydunn]

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!

[practicallydunn]

The Kate Spade, Pack A Picnic Champagne Box..... Completely appropriate and a justified expense for Chicago patio season. Right?

[practicallydunn]

That time I was on the Rachael Ray show with my best friends.... Thanks for this, Amber!

[practicallydunn]

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

[practicallydunn]

An Easter in photos...

[practicallydunn]

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!