Samantha K Schmidt

As a kid there is nothing like the pure joy of bringing a black and white page to life with a little Crayola magic. Coloring provides hours of internet-free entertainment and stress relief for children around the world. Even as an adult I've been known to pick up a box of crayons and get lost in the limitless possibilities. Finally, publishers have caught onto the relaxing qualities of this seemingly monotonous activity and have created what I like to call adult coloring books. The lined pages provide enough guidance for the amateur and enough depth for the professional. Here are some basic supplies to help you master the art of coloring as an adult. Books:  Johanna Basford has created an incredible series of detailed drawings in her books that make all of your aesthetic nerves tingle. Utensils: These double tipped pencils will give you enough variety to bring your creations to life. 

Today I signed up for the Princess Half Marathon! This will actually be my second half marathon, but last year I ran this baby for the first time and man was that an achievement. A half marathon is a huge commitment, so before you register here are some things to consider: What's your pace? You should be running at least a 15 minute mile in order to finish. I seriously suggest having a 5k under your belt before committing to a half marathon. It will give you some race experience and give you an estimate of your finish time. Do you have the time? Training for a race is a serious time commitment. My training program is 19 weeks long, but if this is your first half you may want to train a bit longer. That means 3 times a week for 6 or more months. Find a running buddy to keep you motivated and plan runs even when you're on vacation. Do you have the money? Maybe you aren't running a Disney race (which is pricey but totally worth it), but the cost of any race can still b...