Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!

My legs are shot! I think I am only going upstairs to go to bed tonight. Forget showering or changing, I think I will stay on the ground floor of my house all day.

But I went to Blast anyway. Yay me.

There were a few of us who went to tabata yesterday and because we like to be tortured, we came to class this morning. You could see us all grimacing during lunges, squats, fast feet and the long jump. I didn't even do the long jump - between my knee and sore quads and glutes, I didn't want to risk it. It was a fun class and a good workout.

The instructor yesterday said something that really struck me and it isn't something that we all don't know. She basically said here (at the gym) were are building up our muscles, but the harder job is in the kitchen. That is really where the work is and what makes a difference. If you ask me, it is easier to go workout. So, on that note, I am going to make a couple of smoothies to keep in the fridge now. I love the ones, especially pineapple, from yummylife.com.  This is the link:

http://www.theyummylife.com/Oatmeal_Smoothies

There are also lots of overnight oats recipes.

I wore my black, of course, Lululemon ruffle CRB, energy bra and wunder under crops (it is supposed to go above 30 today, although I will believe it when I see it). I swear, this black hyperstripe energy bra kills me! I keep holding it up to other energy bras and I think it runs small. Is it my fault for assuming that sizing would be constant before I cut the tags? I am not sure I can wear it and that pisses me off to no end!  A good waste of money on something that should be a no brainer. I don't have this issue with any other energy bras. Has anyone else come across this? So frustrated!

I actually blew my hair dry yesterday and wore it down! I used Living Proof NO frizz and I think it really made a difference. Usually my hair curls up right away. I have that whole Jennifer Aniston thing going, don't you think! And on that silly note, I will leave you to go make smoothies. What are you cooking today? 

Too tired to walk!

Tabata this morning was all legs. Needless to say, after cooking my quinoa cakes for the week (these are a lifesaver for me in the afternoon when hunger kicks in), I am enjoying a cup of coffee and sitting down. I may never get up. Ever.

The bad news is that next week is all upper body. 

So it is over a week later and I have been pretty good about using my Eve Lom cleansers that I got from QVC. I do like them a lot. The smell, especially for the morning cleanser, is a little off, and it might bother some, but I don't care. I would consider buying either the evening or morning cleanser, but since I have a whole bottle of Bobbi Brown cleansing oil to go through, I can't justify having both. I also like the mask a lot. I'm not sure how it compares to other clay masks, though. I also like the radiance cream, but I'm not sure what the ingredients are, for all I know it could be just like Olay or another drugstore brand. It goes on easily and is lightweight and feels great. This could also be tempting. So overall, very very pleased! And, I just saw that she is launching cosmetics! Here is a link to the products and a review. 

http://lisaeldridge.com/blog/26163/new-for-new-year-eve-lom-launches-colour-cosmetics/

My unofficial mascara test

Yesterday I put Guerlain on one eye and Armani Eyes to Kill mascara on the other eye and guess what? They totally rocked! I even watched that amazing standing ovation for Cory Remsburg during the President's State of the Union and they both held up. And boy of boy was I was crying! I really couldn't tell a difference between the two, so I am happy. Yup, still singing Happy!

Yesterday I had a rest day. All that business about not being able to sleep was definitely hormonal. Plus, I had very sore legs from Tuesday's training, so it seemed like a good idea to take it easy. When I was coming back from the foodstore, I had one of those, "Wow, I shouldn't be driving, I am really tired" moments and came home and shut my eyes for 20 minutes. The perfect catnap! I am so lucky to be able to do that. I felt so refreshed after. So much sleep drama! 

That means today is killer tabata. I am wearing my Lululemon ruffle CRB, energy bra and groove pants. Yeah, it is still extremely cold here, so it has been pants all week. I have really grown to love this ruffle CRB, it just fits a little looser and longer. It has been about a month now since I have bought something at Lululemon- probably a record for me. But I am keeping myself busy buying Giorgio armani makeup instead! Must go eat my banana (so I can throw it up during burpees?????) and get in the cold car. Have a great morning!

Sport sandals are in!

Of course, I know I just posted about my new booties, and it seems like spring will never get here, but shefinds.com has a post about 9 spring trends, and number one is a blessing for my sore feet. Yup, sport sandals are in. Shefinds is also saying that skinny jeans are out this year, and high waisted, wide legged jeans are in, which also makes me do a happy dance. And, it just gets better. Bermuda shorts are in again too. (Jcrew has awesome shorts, btw, many different lengths and colors.)  I was so out that I am in again. They also say black and white, but like black and white prison stripes, is going to be hot. I don't know about the beetlejuice look, but I like black and white.

Shefinds.com is one site that I check all the time! Do you have a favorite website or blog that you go to each day? Please share!

I haven't mentioned lately how much I love TJ Maxx

Score!

I got chia seeds, gloves for doing the dishes, quinoa and, drum roll please, Rag and Bone Newbury booties. Now it is no secret that I love my Harrow black ones and now I have these! I know, I know, enough with the shoes. But how could I say no? Especially since they were about half price. And it looks like this winter is never going to end so I should be able to wear them and wear them!

There were also a ton of Joes jeans, Ippolita earrings, which I am already sorry that I didn't get, and Alice and Olivia shoes. It is so sad that the store is 5 minutes from my house. Sarcasm! 

Lululemon Upload 1/28

Oh my. Where to begin? Was there a color palette for January or was it a hodgepodge of whatever was leftover? There certainly doesn't seem to be an overlying color this month and this week's upload, like last week's, seems very light. And boring. What is going on? I used to buy 2-3 things a week and that hasn't happened in quite some time, so while I am happy not to be bleeding (or sweating) money, I don't get it.

There were a few things I thought worth mentioning, though.

Right as rain jacket. I actually have this and love it. Although it is a spring/summer jacket for me. Right now with most of the country having extreme weather, I am a little surprised to see it uploaded.

Ebb and street tank. This never worked for me, but I know a lot of women loved it and love the feel of it, so this must be a good surprise for some. And it comes in stripes! Same goes for the In the Flow crops.  I had a pair and they were incredibly comfortable and spanx-like, but the waistband often rolled for me. I loved the length, since I am a shorty! But, they ended up on Ebay.

Scuba hoodie with Nice Asana on the back. I actually like this, but would never purchase it because I don't think I can get away with something like that on my back and the scubas are just too short for me (and I am 5 foot 1).

Mula Bundle Wrap. This one leaves me speechless. I don't get the notch on the bottom and it reminds me a little bit of a nursing shirt. I am not a fan of the side zippers either, but that is just me. This one seems like it is destined to be on WMTM really soon.

Energy Bra. My fear is that this bra gets discontinued and something new comes out to replace it, so I have been buying a few of these. I bought the parallel stripe bra a few weeks ago and it fits smaller. I can't figure out how, because I hold it up to other energy bras and it looks like the bandwidth is the same, but it is like wearing a corset and I have a hard time taking it off. The blue baroque is really gorgeous though. I'm not sure if anyone else has had this issue.

Every yogi Tee. This is still something I am interested, but it hasn't made it to my local store yet. Reading reports that it is long and a little sheer in the white. Definitely something I need to try on and am just waiting and hoping!

Shorts/skirts. I know there is a big part of North America not experiencing sub-zero temperatures but it seems odd to me that so many shorts and skirts are uploaded. I'm still waiting for groove crops, but I think I have to get over myself.

Anyway, that is it. Did I miss anything? 

"with intent"- a new mantra?

That was the motto of today's spin class.

I like it. My mind never drifts when I am in that class, because it is so darn hard and I am thinking 10 seconds, okay 10 more seconds, okay, I can do it for 10 more seconds, please don't say add a gear. I wish my mind WOULD drift a little, so maybe I could stop thinking that my heart is going to explode or yuck, I am leaving a puddle on the floor. So "with intent" maybe I pushed myself a little bit harder. And I came out of class looking like I was in the steam room.

Here are a couple of random thoughts: 

My son is having a snow day...in New Orleans. What is with this freaky weather? It is like the movie The Day After Tomorrow! 

Pharrell wore a Smokie the Bear hat to the Grammys last night. Or maybe it was Curious George's friend. Did you watch any of it?

Wasn't Taylor Swift's Gucci dress to die for! That girl has the best stylist! She always looks perfect.  I didn't love her eye makeup, but the dress...

How come most of the women looked like they were wearing no makeup. Only a few strong lips? Of course, they were wearing a lot of makeup to make it look like they were wearing no makeup! 

Lululemon stock drops even more today? What is going on? 

February is Sunday. Now how did that happen and hallelujah! That much closer to spring. 

And here is my question: do you have any sort of mantra or saying that you repeat to yourself? Any catch phrase that keeps you going? I used to when I was running, but I think I need a new one. 

The only reason I went to the gym today

was because of these selfies. I looked back at some old posts and some old photos from the summer and I was much fitter then. I really think it was when I stopped running that this extra weight came on. And since running is not in my future, it is extra hard to get back to that weight. Selfies don't lie!

So this is what I didn't wear to the gym! I ended up taking off my grey soot CRB and putting on, you guessed it, a black CRB. These selfies are keeping me honest! It is the best motivation.

So I'm off to kick. This was me yesterday....I just could not get full. I think I could have eaten a whole pizza (which I would never do) and I still would have been hungry.

More Giorgio Armani love!

I also purchased from Nordstrom Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation and I am "happy" (yup, still singing that Pherrell song).

It is the perfect color for me! I don't know if I have ever had a foundation match so closely. It also goes on like, dare I say it, silk? I was really thinking that it was like butter. I also love it because it really doesn't look like I am wearing a lot of makeup, but it did cover a lot of my blotchy. I guess I am done with BB creams and tinted moisturizers- just not enough coverage. I give it an A+. Of course, everyone's skin and wishes are different, and what works for me might not work for someone else, but I think it is definitely worth it. I did not try it with a primer and that would be my next step, except I no longer have one. I'm not sure how it disappeared....This is day two of me wearing the Eyes to Kill mascara and I like it. It stayed on, which for me is huge. Do I have lush lashes like Megan Fox? Absolutely not. But I think it will do.

This morning's tabata was not awful. There was a sub and I think that was the difference. I also did not do jump squats or jumping lunges, so my heart rate never really got out of control, or in other words, I never felt like I was going to throw up. We did do those inverted pushups- the kind where you are in downward dog, but on your toes, and trying to get the crown of you head to the floor. That was definitely not fun and I feel it in my arms right now. I'm not sure what class I will take tomorrow. Usually I like to plan these things out, but my daughter will be up late tonight, and that means I will be too, so I might have to go and do my own things at the gym. I like it better when someone yells at me! 

I'm having one of those days where I am just STARVING. Usually that is hormonal, but I could eat a small child right now and I don't even think that would take the edge off. Does this happen to you? What do you do about it? How many hours until dinner? Oh my. 

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara

It turns out my Neiman Marcus didn't carry Giorgio Armani, but Nordstrom did. A very lovely girl (sorry I can't remember your name) helped me pick out a whole bunch of makeup, including foundation and lipstick, which I will review soon. I also bought Eyes to Kill Mascara. Do you know this mascara has a 100 reviews on Nordstrom website, with an average rating of 4.6. Yikes. It was calling my name....

My daughter can put any mascara on and it stays on and it looks fabulous. Is that because she is 16? I am not so fortunate, and I feel like I am perpetually looking for a good mascara (along with eyeliner. I know I have written a lot about my adventures). I feel like I have gone through every drugstore mascara and tons of mascaras at Sephora and Nordstrom. You name it, I have tried it. Lancome, Dior, Bobbi Brown, Chanel, YSL, cover girl, maybelline. So when I say that I would pay any amount of money to find a mascara that works, I am not kidding at all. 

Last year, I finally found one that I liked--  Guerlain Maxi Lash mascara (in the gold tube). It stayed on me well! It also has a 4.6 rating on Nordstrom. It was good enough that I went through a tube and bought a second, which I don't think I have ever done.  You know what, I think Eyes to Kill might be a little bit better. I'm not sure. I think I will do a test and put one on each eye tomorrow and see which one has better staying power. 

Here's a question for you: do you ever wear mascara to the gym? I am so tempted, because my lashes are light and stubby and mascara makes such a big difference, but no one does at my gym. Usually after I go work out, I go do a million errands in my sweaty clothes, so a little mascara would actually make me look presentable instead of scary. But, oh well. 

Do you have a favorite mascara? And please don't tell me that a $6 drugstore mascara works for you, I'll be so jealous. Do you have any tricks to make it stay all day or is that a silly idea.

Am I the only person who doesn't love kale?

I have tried and tried.

I know all the reasons to include it in my diet.

I have tried to make kale chips and they just got all dried out. Every time. One second it was raw looking and then it was burnt. This stuff is too expensive to throw out.

Now I am drinking a smoothie that I found in Self magazine. It includes plain greek yogurt, mango, strawberry, oats and kale. I just had to add a whole packet of truvia because it was awful (although if you have been reading this blog long enough you probably realize that I like things sweet). It was really bitter. I am used to putting spinach in my smoothies and I don't even taste that. This is like making myself take awful medicine.

Help. I have a whole bag of baby kale and don't know what to do with it! What are your favorite recipes? I guess I am going to have to spend some time on Pinterest! Please share!

Before I forget about today's workout, I did the new Group Power release this morning and overall, I think I liked it. I didn't care for the track with all the side lunges. I miss the crouch! I also didn't love the tricep track. I think for so many women, myself included, it is too easy to use your shoulders during tricep pushups, so I didn't feel like they got isolated. Otherwise, it was good and my muscles were fatigued! I'm so glad I went!

Stay worm and eat kale!

Today I must listen to my mind.

I don't know what happened to me yesterday. I think it was a combination of hormones, the cold, working out too much, and fighting off a bug. I am so glad I stayed home and took it easy. I watched wayyyyyy too much HGTV. By the way, when I was little and had sick days, I used to watch Gilligan's Island, Fantasy Island and Bewitched. Those were the days!

But that was yesterday! It would be too easy to use those reasons again today, so today I must listen to my mind, which is saying: Go lift heavy weights and be happy about it, dammit! Plus, we need more food in the house! So what if it is 0 out again. You have a great Burberry coat and Ugg boots! And the best thing my mind is saying is that I will feel so much better after. All true.

So, I am off to the gym. I am wearing Lululemon Groove pants, and my brisk bloom scoop neck tank.  I know, these look like every other photo- the black patterns just don't stand out. My point exactly!

What the hell is going on with Lululemon stock? It is rated underperform now? I am not too interested in these pastel colors, but if more darker patterns were to suddenly appear, I would be all over them. Someday maybe, I can wear those lighter colors, but not today. Where is the inventory? What happened to dark zinfandel? I would be all over that.

Have a great morning!

Listen to your body! Not your mind!

Well, sometimes.

I woke up this morning and just had no oomph. No get up and go. No energy whatsoever. I had the best plans: head to tabata, clean some of my basement (I didn't really think this last part was going to happen, but a person can dream), make dinner. Guess what? I didn't do any of those things. And I don't feel at all guilty.

My body was just sore and tired and it was definitely telling me to take a rest day.  In fact, it was telling me to take a pajama day. I am very fortunate that I can do this, I know. My daughter is old enough but trust me, there were many days and nights when she was younger that I drove around in my pajamas (or without a bra). That way I can give it my all tomorrow. Sometimes you just have to take a rest day!

I made another awesome dinner last night from damneddelicious.com! It was baked sweet and sour chicken and it totally tasted like takeout. I served it with some Trader Joe's frozen fried rice and it was damned delicious! I ate the rest for lunch today. I also served it with some roasted brussel sprouts. Here is the link: http://damndelicious.net/2014/01/18/baked-sweet-sour-chicken/#comment-65637

This photo is from the latest Nordstrom book to come in the mail- all about exercise clothes (Lululemon you better step it up!)- but note the socks and the shoes! Right? What did I tell you? 

Is this card so true?? I think about the categories that I go to the most: health and fitness, food and drink, home decor. Then I might browse diy and women's clothing. What about you? While I was teaching, I looked at education day and night and think it has the best curriculum ideas out there. I would even recommend it for parents of young children because there are so many ideas for rainy days!

And lastly, someone tell me how to get off Candy Crush 149. I was stuck on 147 for over two weeks and this one just might make me throw in the towel.

Lululemon Upload 1/21- More ugly shoes!

A little late in coming, but here are my thoughts on the latest upload from Lululemon. I am going to skip over all the lab stuff for the time being. 

If I were thinner, then I would be all over the zing pink CRB. It looks like a gorgeous color. 

I hope the wee stripe white heathered medium grey looks better in person. Is it supposed to be silver? It looks like it went through the wash with dark colors, by mistake. I think I must see this in a store.

Every yogi tee is back! I missed out on this when it was released before. I hope that the arms aren't too tight (a frequent Lululemon complaint of mine). I don't know if it is a size down shirt. I guess that means a store trip....

I like the idea of the patience pants. I have a thing for zippers at the ankles, but being short, it often doesn't work for me. I checked the inseam and it might be okay, but I will wait to try it on in a store. I also don't know about the fabric panels. Check out the shoes! What did I tell you! 

Why is this no limits tank so long? 

I'm the first person to say no to tight, form fitted jackets but what is the yin to my yang all about? I'm not sure who can look good in this. Definitely not me. 

If this silver-y color and mint and lavender are the new palette, then I think my wallet is safe. What about you? Did I miss anything exciting? 

A fun afternoon cooking!

It's going to snow again and I think my cycle class for tomorrow will be canceled. I'm so bummed! I was actually looking forward to it. Plus, the temperature is in single digits again. I'm so ready for winter to be done! Please don't remind me that it is only January, too.

Of course, when the meteorologists predict snow, what does everyone do? Yup, they go to the grocery store. Why does everyone do that? I'm sure the roads will be clear by tomorrow afternoon anyway. This is New England. I had to pick up some things because I never got around to fixing my lunches for the week and if I have learned anything about myself, it is that lunch is my worst meal of the day and if I don't have something handy, bad things happen. I was a kitchen dynamo.

 Here is an awful picture of roasted broccoli, red onions and chicken sausage. My daughter and I have been picking at it all afternoon and I hope there will be enough left for lunch tomorrow! I was going to throw in some brussel sprouts, but am saving those for another recipe. Trust me, it tastes a lot better than it looks.

I came across a great blog called Damn Delicious and found so many yummy recipes to try. Plus, they all looked pretty easy to make. This is a one pot baked ziti and my daughter just gave me a big high five and said it was fantastic. I have made a lot of pasta dishes in my time and this was a keeper.  The only two things I changed was that I used pecorino romano (so much better than plain parmesan) and I only used 1/4 c heavy cream. This is the link: http://damndelicious.net

 And then, because I am worn out, my Nespresso drink. Every afternoon. Some days, it is even after lunch and not afternoon. Why am I worn out? Oh, jump squats, burpees, lots of back exercises and a horrible exercise on one of those gliders. You get into plank, and put a glider (you could use a paper plate on a floor) under one leg and bring both legs in. I could do 5 at a time. Must go watch Blacklist. And check the snow day calculator. Have a great afternoon.

Jeans, jeans and more jeans

And gilt.com has AG jeans
Piperlime has 25% off.
Doesn't get much better than this!

Do you need new jeans?

If so, then check it out --

Ruelala.com has 7 for all mankind
Hautelook.com has Joe's jeans

I'm really tempted to get a pair of grey Joe's jeans and a pair of boyfriend jeans....and the prices can't be beat. Jeans are so ridiculously expensive. But then, so were my Wacoal bras. I finally got dressed  (haha after being surprisingly snowed in and staying in pajamas on Saturday) and I love my new bra. I think it might be worth every penny to have a comfortable and flattering bra. All 60,000 of them. And that makes me "Happy..." Oh my, I can't stop singing that silly Pherrell Williams song. Don't even think about it because then you, too, will be singing it all day long. Maybe paying close to one hundred bucks for a pair of Lululemon pants isn't so ridiculous in the scheme of things.  I think I have lost all basis in reality.

I had a fun spin class, although I was next to some die hard people who were grunting and pouring water over their heads. It seemed a little extreme to me, but I got a good calorie burn and you guessed it..."I'm happy." I wore my Lululemon No limits tank with a chevron pattern and full on Luon wunder under crops.

Although looking at the side view, I am ready to stop singing about being happy. I'm signed up to do another spin class on Wednesday, so I'm not tempted to do step or anything with an impact so my knee can heal a little.  

I got my sweatshirt! I don't know what was going on with Madewell and why my order was backordered and then canceled, but I had a "d'oh" moment and actually called my store to see if they had any in stock. They had tons of the Bien Fait sweatshirt and Bien Sur sweater. I would have loved to buy both, but they were too similar. I got the sweatshirt since it is more practical for me, but the sweater was lovely.  Here it is again because I love it so much. 

The line in J.Crew was probably 15 people deep. I don't think they were giving away clothes, so I walked in and walked out. There is a camouflage tee that I like, but didn't want to wait in that line. I'm afraid to get in the shower right now because I might not be able to come out...If you never hear from me again, that is why.

Well my mind was all raring to go...

...but my body had other ideas.  My knee still hurts and my wrists are a little sore from so much plank exercises, so I did modify a bit.  I am a mess!

The new release of Group Kick was a lot of fun, except for the bear crawls. They weren't hard to do, but whenever I go up and down at a high intensity (burpees, too)  I want to throw up. I didn't love the conditioning track, but I think I got a good workout. It is always fun to kick things up- get it- haha??

Before the class, I did some bicep and shoulder exercises so my arms are sufficiently fatigued. One of the tabatas I did a while ago, was 20 seconds on, 10 seconds off of just bicep curls, for 8 times. I tried to do this since it really burns out the arms. As if that wasn't enough, it started snowing again while I was inside the gym and I came home and shoveled the driveway. The plow guy came last night and then it snowed on top of it. Although I really just pushed the snow around. It was wet and heavy. But absolutely gorgeous. I couldn't stop taking pictures.

I wore my Lululemon groove crops, energy bra and black CRB. Basically all black again because I can't stand to look in the mirror. I am motivated but yet very disgusted. I know a little weight came off since I came back from vacation, but it really just seems to be stuck around my midsection. I know this is common in women as we age, but really? Today I am going to make more quinoa cakes, because they really fill me up and they are something I can get my teeth into, if you know what I mean. While I love smoothies, sometimes I need to chew. 

 I was going to head to Neiman Marcus today since I read that Giorgio Armani has some fabulous foundations. My skin is looking so blotchy lately...although it is really super soft from this Eve Lom cleansers/moisturizers that I got. I am extremely impressed with the cleansers!  I also wanted to get to Madewell. My order of the Bien Fait sweatshirt was canceled and I am so, so sad. But I might just not. I don't want to watch the Patriots game because I get too nervous, but I also don't want to miss it.  My daughter can't put up with me. Such a dilemma. So pathetic. Have a great afternoon and please send evil thoughts to Peyton Manning. 

SPACE.NK best of Eve Lom on QVC

I really don't know if I was half asleep watching QVC (don't laugh because they have some amazing deals on skincare and beauty products) or what, but I ordered this 5 piece set last week.

Who is Eve Lom, you ask? She was brought up by a "witch doctor" (her words) grandmother in the former Czechoslovakia, and as a child Eve Lom was often sent out to collect herbs and plants to be used in healing her grandmother's ailing patients. She moved to Hollywood where she rekindled her interest in natural therapies. She became a facialist soon building up a good reputation and starry client list. A move to London saw the opening of her first salon in 1983 from where she started selling her eponymous line in 1985. The first outlet came in 1994, in Dickins & Jones, and the brand grew and grew. A few years back Lom sold the company to SpaceNK but still maintains a certain degree of control. 

How did I never hear about her? Cult classic and I don't know about it? 

The kit includes 

• 1-fl oz Eve Lom Cleanser
• 1.6-fl oz Eve Lom Morning Time Cleanser
• 0.49-fl oz Eve Lom Rescue Mask
• 0.49-fl oz Eve Lom TLC Radiance Cream
• 0.23-fl oz Eve Lom Kiss Mix
• Eve Lom cloth

Here are my thoughts: 

It has been years since I have used a clay mask (that is the rescue mask) and I am shocked at how fabulous my face felt. I don't know if all clay masks would have this effect on my skin, but this one was really super. I can't wait to use it again.

I think the Radiance Cream was a lovely moisturizer, but I'm not sure if it was anything special. 

As someone with especially dry lips, I was eager tot try the Kiss Mix. I liked this a lot, and I'm glad it came in my kit, because I don't think I would spend $22. I need to keep trying it and I'll let you know. Usually I have Chapstick or Burts Bees in every pocket and throughout the house, so I consider myself a lip balm expert.

The true winner of this set is the Cleanser and the Morning Time Cleanser. There is a bit of a smell, but that doesn't bother me. I usually use Bobbi Brown Soothing cleansing oil and this is a similar idea, but it is more solid and is called a balm cleanser. You rub it in in a circle and use her cloth (or a washcloth, I guess) to remove it. THIS WAS GREAT! I know a lot of reviews complain about the fact that it has mineral oil in it, but that doesn't bother me.

Anyway, it is sold at Sephora, Nordstrom, Beautybar.com and of course, QVC.

Yesterday, our little coating to an inch turned into 6 wet, heavy inches of snow, so I spent the day watching HGTV and being lazy. Which means today I am ready to go Kick and kick up a sweat. I need to go wash my face....

Get your own TRX!

Amazon has TRX on sale for $129, marked down from $199! It's really fun!

Ugly shoes are in! My sore feet say thanks!

Check out this article I found about ugly shoes on Huff Post Style.  I recently wrote that black Birkenstocks were all the rage and that Isabel Marant has a very expensive athletic sandal coming out (lust). I wore my Rag and Bone Harrow booties to the mall last night and while I looked amazing, my feet were crying. I needed my Dansko clogs. They can't be beat. Except by Asics Gel Noosa sneakers, of course. While I love Uggs, and have many pairs (I do live in New England and it is snowing now after all ), they make my feet sweat and are too flat for my flat feet. I have to draw the line at crocs, though, since I have too many preschool children at work wearing them. Those Steve Madden sandals in the article look a lot like my favorite Prada sandals. Hmmmm. Heely's? No. But I did have Doc Martens a long, long time ago and love a lace up military-style boot.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/14/ugly-shoes-we-love_n_4597320.html

I did go into Lululemon last night and I am worried! There was nothing in the store! A few items caught my eye. The Race with Grace looked fantastic, but I don't need another pullover and I wasn't thrilled with the pattern on the back. The Post Practice Cardi looked okay. I think you could find something like that at Old Navy for a fraction of the price. I love the Chai Time Pullover, but it is such a boatneck, that my bra would show. This is something that I could wear out, and I wouldn't wear this at the gym and sweat all over it. That's it. Where was the zing pink? Where were all the wunder under pants or groove pants. Where was all the inventory? My wallet is happy, but what is going on?

I ended up returning the bras that I bought at Nordstrom and spent hours trying on new ones. I walked out with Wacoal. I have never worn this brand before and there were at least 25 different styles to try on. Let me just way, that there is a bra for everyone! I was at Lord and Taylor and it was perfect- there was no one else there and they have an enormous selection. Much bigger than Macy's and Nordstrom (although there was no one working there to help me, like at Nordstrom, so I had to keep getting dressed to get different styles and sizes, and that was a drag). There were a few that ended up fitting nicely. I also liked On Gossamer. I wanted to love Spanx, but the bra-llelujah didn't have adjustable straps and so it didn't fit right. The bad news is that I went up a band size to be comfortable. So, ladies, have you checked out your bras lately? I hate to say that I can't remember the last time I bought bras, so the ones that I were wearing were frayed and digging in. My grandmother always said to wear your best, clean underwear in case you get in an accident. Of course, when I think about that, I hope the EMTs are cutting away what they need to and not ogling the lace on my bra.

No gym today. My legs are sore from Power yesterday and I slept terribly. I could use the break, so I can go Kick tomorrow. It has been a while and I am looking forward to it.

Go Patriots!!

Yoga, step mill and a nap?

This is the whiny, tired post: 

I really have to get to the mall to pick up a gift, but I really don't want to because then I know I will go into Lululemon or Sephora or Nordstrom and buy something, and I don't want to do that! My credit card bill is small this month, and I want to keep it that way for two more weeks. Plus, then I will stop at Cheesecake Factory and all this healthy eating will go out the door as fast as you can say Adam's Peanut Butter Ripple cheesecake. So I am trying to exercise some willpower. And yes, I already did exercise. 

I managed to get to yoga today, the first time in about a month, and it was so great to be there. I wore my Lululemon beautiful baroque CRB, energy bra and wunder under crops. My knee is still hurting and tomorrow I plan to go to tabata, so I took it a little easy. After yoga, I got on the step mill for 15 excruciating minutes. That was all I could handle today. 

I am having so much fun with these rotten Ecards about Candy crush. I used to play Scrabble and Quiz up on my phone- exercise my brain- but now all I do is try to get 5 in a row. I might have sunken to a new low.

 Hope you are having a fun day. I am going to get in the shower. That is my goal for the next hour. I told you this was a whiny, pathetic post! Tomorrow will be better!

Have you tried the rip trainer yet?

It is the worst! We used them yesterday with my small group training and I was so, so sweaty and tired after just a half hour. If you don't know what it is, let me just start by saying it was created by two-time US National Taekwondo champion Pete Holman, and is part of the TRX family, which was created by a Navy Seal. That alone should make you nervous. It was a super workout, and I really feel it today in my core, back and arms. 

"The Rip Trainer employs an innovative resistance cord system to create a variable, unbalanced load that enables you to develop core strength, explosive power, flexibility and endurance. The Rip Trainer is easily portable and can be used by virtually anyone anywhere by attaching it to any secure anchor point."

It is great to change up your routine and that is why I am willing to spend money once a week to work with a trainer and with a small group. It is never boring and this is not something I would ever do on my own! Anyway, you can see it  right here: 

http://www.trxtraining.com/rip-training

Don't you think you should run out and buy one? 

Yesterday I made a turkey quinoa muffin recipe that was from Muscle and Fitness Hers and it went right into the trash. I was so disappointed! My poor daughter came home and thought it was chocolate cupcakes with sprinkles (yes, she is almost 17). Does anyone have a similar recipe that they can recommend? 

Credit Card Fraud- Another PSA

As someone who does a lot of online shopping, I have always been concerned about someone stealing my credit card or personal information. Turns out, a lot of the hacking happens in the store as well! Neiman Marcus is the latest retailer to be hit and this got me thinking/worrying, so yesterday I signed up for Target's free credit card monitoring website. This is the link:

https://creditmonitoring.target.com

It took me just a few minutes to set up and it has been years since I did this. I definitely recommend doing this. I have enough stuff that keeps me up at night, this is not something I want to be thinking about at 3 am.

By the way, did you organize your health records??? What are you waiting for? One less worry!

Latest Lululemon Upload 1/14

I don't think I am going to order anything off this upload. I did so much J.crew and Lululemon shopping last year that I am all set with sweaters and tops and everything.....(By the way, my Madewell sweatshirt is still backordered and I'm waiting!) The other reason I am not going to order anything is that while I think the colors are gorgeous, I feel too self-conscious wearing them until I lose some of this weight. I am only interested in black and dark colors for me (I never saw that dark zinfandel and I hear rumors about a camo print!). But, here are my thoughts:

First, get rid of that teal, especially the hyper mini stripe. Didn't we see that last year or something?

I hope you are a fan of swiftlys, because a ton of them got uploaded last night/this morning. I know a lot of people complain that the tops snag and the fabric is very fragile, but I have only had one top that snagged, and that was my fault. I love the swiftlys and am sorely tempted, but I think that they sometimes they accentuate flab (sorry, can't think of a better word). My favorites are the vee neck (!!!) and the tanks.  The blue baroque is just gorgeous though and the striped heathered pink zing light looks different enough from my pinks. My daughter wears all of mine and she looks fantastic.

I also love the CRB in the apex striped pink zing light and the scoop neck, but I'm going to have to pass.

The post practice cardigan is getting great reviews. I'm curious how it looks on short women! I love my passage sweater and sized down two sizes. This looks to be the same fit. I wish I knew how tall the model was, that would be so helpful (Lululemon- so many other retailers provide this information, you should definitely include it). 

I saw the black and white striped no limits tank on a woman at my gym and the tank looked amazing!  She was probably a size 12 and it was so good looking on her!

So yesterday the Lululemon stock tanked based on earnings reports. All I can say is they better get it together. I hope with a new CEO who has actual retail experience that they can get a handle on sizing (completely random in some cases), inventory, how to run a website (why does it crash on uploads?), and PR (it only seems to be negative anymore). I'm not even talking about sheer pants! I think customer service is better. They will never be like Nordstrom or Burberry (best one yet), but they are trying at least, I think. They also need to have a sign or print out in big letter on the receipt or verbally say it each time that there is a two week return policy. Too many people still don't know this and complain and complain about it. I know I have said it before, but I am surprised at how many mistakes are made. If it weren't for the fact that so many women are obsessed with the clothing (myself included) and the headbands for teenagers, I don't know how they would do.

Anyway, today I am off to my small group training and then I will probably be playing nurse again. I must clean my house. I will post pictures later. When I get to my cleaning! Hahaha.