Monday Musings: Work It Out

Well we're three weeks into the New Year, and this is the time when most people are hitting the gym hard. For me though, I've hit a rut. I've been working with a personal trainer for over a year now and have seen great results! But over the holidays I took a break and its been a struggle for me to get started again. My trainer knows I do better with goals, challenges, and changing routines and that I hate the treadmill. My eventual personal goal is to run a half marathon before I turn 25 (which is in 13months BTW ah!) but the running has become monotonous. So what does my trainer do? Challenge me to at least 30 minutes, almost jogging, on the treadmill as many times a week as I can. Well now I've been on the treadmill for 4 out of the past 5 days! I still hate it, but I can't wait to see the little changes my body will begin making. Changing your workout routine will help you see more an different results! I suggest changing it up a little each week, but then changing each month in a big way. It has helped to keep me motivated and challenged.

This is the workout I did this morning. Its about 30 minutes long. I had to adjust some of the speeds, because I'm not there yet on the treadmill, but it still kicked my butt!

Featured: Two Apps to Never Shop Without

PINTEREST

Lets be honest, we all have a dream closet board. But do you often forget things you've pinned when you go shopping? Pinterest is available for iPhones & iPads so you can take it with you when you shop your favorite stores. Also, don't forget to look in your closet to see if you already have pieces to make your Pinterest outfits. Check out Sheaffer's Blog for examples on looking in your closet after looking at Pinterest. She inspired me to really look at the clothes in my closet & I realized some of my pinned outfits were already there! 

Speaking of your closet, how would you like to take your closet shopping with you?!?! With the StyleBook App you can! 

I'm obsessed with this app! No seriously, I am. Its addicting to add your own clothes and create outfits. Put your clothes into outfits that look like they came from Pinterest or Polyvore. It allows you keep track of each item in your wardrobe, add inspirational looks, and track which outfits you wore every day! You can even search your favorite brands, and shop through the app! 

When I go shopping, I look at my Pinterest board for inspiration and then look at my StyleBook closet to see what pieces I'm missing. I've been able to create many Pinterest outfits using these apps & inspiration from the blog mentioned above.

Happy Shopping :-) 

Styled: Workable

Bag & Sunglasses: Jessica Simpson

Shoes: Chinese Laundry

Purse Scarf: Tiffany & Co. 

Arm Candy: LOFT, Dillard's, and I can't remember where the wooden ones are from :-(

Jean Jacket: American Eagle

Dress: as You Wish 

I love fall maxis! Don't get me wrong, I know I can be high maintenance, but dresses make getting dressed so much easier! Askmy mother, I've ALWAYS loved a good dress - even told her once all I wanted to wear was dresses! I know it's just the middle of August, not even quite college football season, but I'm ready for some crisp fall air. 

Working inside can mean its freezing even if the outside temp reaches to 90* - which it can reach even high in the south. This dress has a navy jersey tank top and silky skirt with a split in the back. This was such a great buy. It came with a skinny braided belt, but I rarely wear it - especially when paired with a jacket. Speaking of jackets, a good jean jacket is crucial to any wardrobe!! I got mine last fall at AE and its the perfect shade for me. I've had some in other shades and with different collars, but this beats them all. Throw it over a sundress with flats and it takes the dress from the garden to the streets. 

Styled: New Year's Eve

The Great Gatsby seemed to be the main theme for New Year's Eve parties, and the one I attended was no exception. Although I wasn't a huge fan of the book nor had I seen the movie, I'll take any excuse to drive 2 hours to Atlanta to hang out with friends from college. It was also a friend's birthday so that made the celebrating even more fun!

At first I had no clue what I wanted to wear and thought I would have to buy something. Before you go out and buy something, always - always - always, look in your closet first! You may not have something exactly perfect, but if you're trying to save money its a good place to start. I didn't have anything with a drop-waist because that's not typically flattering on me, but I had my perfect LBD (little black dress) that I could accessorize to make it look the part. I used my 3 strand pearl necklace and retied it in the typical 20's fashion. As for my headband - I almost didn't wear one - I found one my old college roommate gave me as a present. Thanks Babbs! It was a really cold night in Atlanta which gave me the chance to wear my fur coat!!! My mom bought it for me for Christmas a few years ago, but I haven't worn it much since then. Just added some black heels and voila! Great Gatsby!



Dress: Forever21
Jacket: Ann Taylor LOFT

2014 - The Year of the Blog

With the New Year having arrived faster than I would have liked, I think its time to start on my resolutions. There are only two, which will {hopefully} allow me to achieve some other personal goals!

1. Wake up early
2. Go to sleep early.

Seems simple enough, right? ha! A year and a half after graduation I sometimes still feel like my clock is on college schedule. Working in retail means I go to work a little bit later than when in my office job, and I get off later as well. And this has thrown my sleeping habits out the window!

One of the other personal goals I have is making this Blog a priority. I have plenty of time off in the mornings to accomplish this goal - if I can just get out of bed! I already have several new ideas for the blog so bare with me as I rearrange old posts or even re-edit some to make them fit into the new blog.

If you've made Resolutions, I hope you're sticking to them!
Happy New Year!