About Shanna

It is hard to write this post about myself. It is like a diary-job interview-autobiography all in one.  Fun.

My name is Shanna, and I live in the Philadelphia suburbs (on the Pennsylvania side).  I have two children (a son and a daughter). I was a Latin major in college and did a dual minor in Politics & Philosophy.  I am a runner and a triathlete.  I have my sights set on a sub 4-hour marathon as well as a half-Ironman in 2013 and maybe, if I truly lose my mind, a full Ironman in 2014.  I love writing, nesting, organizing, scoring a bargain, and buying and wearing absolutely stunning shoes.  My PRs for my races (personal records) are:

• 5K: 25:39 (UMLY New Years Eve 5K, Dec. 2012)
• 5 mile: 40:50 (Frostbite Five Miler, Feb. 2013)
• 1/2 marathon:  1:51:34 (Rock n' Roll USA Half Marathon, Mar. 2013)
• marathon:  4:00:00 (Philadelphia Marathon, Nov. 2012)

I am a local girl - I was born and raised in South Jersey. And when I say “South Jersey” I mean it: Bridgeton in Cumberland County.  Most people think that Trenton is South Jersey. This is not true.  My high school was literally in the middle of a corn field.  As with everything, a lot has changed in Bridgeton, but a lot has stayed the same, including two of my favorite places like Weber’s Candy and Terrigno’s Bakery.  Please take note that my favorite places sell candies and cakes.

I went to college at Catholic University in Washington, DC.  I chose a college in DC because I thought I wanted to go into politics.  After spending two semesters working as an intern in Congress, I changed my mind.  While in college, I spent a semester studying abroad in Rome, and this experience profoundly changed my life.  It was that time in Rome that I became obsessed with all things style and beauty.  It is almost impossible to live in Rome and not have this happen.  I showed up looking like a typical American college coed in Birkinstocks and overalls (well, it was typical in 1996), and I left Rome wearing amazing Italian footwear and designers.  It took years to pay off my shopping bills from my time in Rome, but I blame that in part on my terrible math skills: converting lire to dollars was very difficult.  One day, when I have saved my pennies, I will return to Rome to live for an extended period of time.  It is a magical city, and I would go back every year if I could. Parlo italiano un’ po.

Things I like:  strong black coffee; Target, ice cream; the days my magazines arrive in my mailbox (and since I love magazines and have subscriptions to about 10, this seems to happen a lot); lilies of the valley; Bon Jovi (come on ... I am from South Jersey); opera and especially my dear friend soprano Ava Pine; the words “serendipity” and “notwithstanding;” the smell of office supplies (especially tape, magic markers, pencils and the iconic Trapper Keeper); using parentheses (which is probably pretty obvious); watching old Sex and the City episodes (any will do ... but seasons 3,4 and 6 are my faves); receiving any kind of mail, either “real” or e-mail -- Jamie once said that receiving email in your inbox is like receiving a little present, and I think that is just about right!

Things I dislike:  white chocolate (I once asked for, and then received, an entire Easter basket of white chocolate: awful); the incorrect overuse of the apostrophe; really hot weather; mascots who try to hug you; the phrase "just sayin'"; the song “Brick House;” sorbet; green tea (I know I should like it, but I can’t); when you think you’re grabbing a chocolate chip cookie, but it is actually oatmeal raisin; and last but certainly not least: clowns.

See you swoon,





{photo by Eric Mencher Photography}