Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Start a Trend? Watch us!

Well this past weekend was incredibly busy. I attended a Charity Event, spotted two Bravo-lebrities, ran a 10k (and PR'd!), and possibly started a trend. Despite minimal sleep Friday night after my Spring for a Cure benefit, I was wide awake at 9am and ready to enjoy the beautiful weather that was finally bestowed on us...for one day.

After my brief moment of mopey-ness, Liz decided it was time for breakfast and erranding (it's my new favorite verb), so we agreed to meet at 10:30 and start the day off right...with pancakes. While enjoying our massive whole wheat stack at Gracie Mews Diner, I got a BlackBerry message from our friend Kristen saying it was gorgeous out and she wanted to walk around. Since "walk around" is a buzz word in my book, I immediately wrote back in agreement and had her meet us uptown.

What started as a trip to Road Runners to pick up by bib and dtag for Sunday's Scotland 10k then became a 7 mile walk around the city.


Shirt and bib! I was in the last corral

We strolled down 3rd and across to 5th on our path to the Chelsea Trader Joes, stopping in a few stores along the way. Our last pre cheap groceries stop was J. Crew, where I was a kid in a neon candy store. (Jenna Lyons, I think I love you.) While browsing, we noticed a jewelry display showing some cute belted bracelets in bright colors. Upon further investigation, we realized these uplifting accessories were only $12 each. Quite the bargain for a J. Crew shopper.


Images courtesy of Jcrew.com

While Liz and I were taking our sweet time in the fitting rooms (note: newly reopened and renovated flagship means terribly long dressing room lines), Kristen managed to find a sale bin with the neon yellow bracelet marked down to $5. There were exactly two left and she lovingly took them for me and Liz. To our even bigger surprise, we learned upon checkout that the others (bright coral and yellow/gray striped) were two for $20. We also learned that they were not bracelets, but in fact watch bands to a Timex that the store also sold.

"Do you own the watch for these?" The cashier asked Liz.
"Watch?" Liz questioned, confused.
"These are watch bands." The cashier stated.

Despite learning that we were buying watch bands rather than bracelets, this did not deter us. They looked awesome, with or with out a face. And with neon being a summer staple, why not add some stackable wrist-wear into the mix? What are you waiting for? Head to J. Crew, now.


Check out my Essie Punchy Pink neon mani. Liz's layering is on the right. I want her purple Wet & Wild nail polish.

I don't know about you, but I think it's about time for an awesome, accidental trend.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

A Running Start

I have many "rules" when it comes to shopping. "Never pay retail, unless you're shopping at H&M, Forever 21, or a similar type of store." "A sale isn't good until the item is marked 60% off or more," but I also have another type of rule: A cute outfit is always exciting, even if it is for working out. Yes, I just said working out...running to be exact. I bet your mouths just dropped to the floor because you know that I hate working out. To be fair, it is the gym that I hate, and as a child I was never one for athleticism. I may have played a little soccer, had a brief stint horseback riding, and took tennis lessons, but all this fell by the wayside in high school. I dropped out of the tennis team before the season started, and in fact, I didn't even run the mile in phys ed. For anyone to think that I would ever take up running, there would have to be pigs flying or winter in hell.

But the girl who moved to New York without a job, the girl who overcame her silly fears (being scared of answering the phone, for one), has now taken on another challenge: running. It all started when my dear friend Antonia ran the New York City Marathon in November 2010. It wasn't her first marathon, and certainly not her last, but seeing her trek up 1st avenue at mile 16, I had an epiphany: I wanted to run. I don't know what it was, but the challenge excited me.

I ran my first mile on November 30, 2009, and in the first three months I increased to 8 miles. The first few times I ran, I wore old running shoes (the cheapest I could find at DSW), Hard Tail yoga pants and a cotton t-shirt, hardly the appropriate outfit I soon learned. To be a true runner, one does have to dress the part, and I was excited for my new running gear. After my first week of running, I went out to purchase the essentials: CWX pants, a Nike long sleeve Dri Fit, a Saucony running jacket, and new running shoes. I learned that I over-pronate, so I needed some stability shoes. I settled on the Pro Grid Guide and I love them.


CWX Stabilyx Tights image from Zappos.com


My first race shirt and bib! Fred Lebow 5 Miler


My second pair of Pro Grid Guides. Pretty in teal!

I ran in the freezing cold, I ran 4 races ranging from a 4 miler in Brooklyn's Prospect Park, to a 10k in Central Park. I would look forward to the alone time and I loved it when the temperatures were frigid (I overheat easily, so the colder, the better). I had been bitten by the running bug...and I was bitten hard. But when the temperatures warmed up, and I had a bad run at the April Scotland 10k, I took a way too long hiatus and gave up running for 6 long months. I was back in it in November, training for my very first half marathon, wondering why I had allowed myself to take such an extended break. I loved running. I had missed it.


Antonia and I at the Al Gordon Snowflake. My best time because she paced me!

So there I was, training for one of the hardest New York half marathons, the Manhattan Half, two loops of Central Park, in one of the coldest winters in years. The day of the half it was FOURTEEN degrees, not including wind chill. But I was decked out in my compression tights, long sleeve tee, jacket, hat, and free gloves I got from running with Nike a few nights a week the prior spring. If I didn't have the proper gear, not only would I have been freezing, but I may have injured myself more so than I did. Yes, despite all my proper gear and training, I came away with a pretty severe calf strain that sidelined me for a month. But now I'm back, training for my second half, the Brooklyn Half, on May 21st.


My shirt and bib for my very first half marathon!


Pic from the finish line. This was the best one taken, and it still sucks.

So what do I expect to be wearing in May? It will be my first time to brave the summer heat, and I plan to be prepared! I have my newly purchased CWX compression shorts, a variety of Nike tank tops (okay, I have two, but hope to buy a few more), and of course my trusty running shoes. And WATER, plenty of water. (I actually really hate water, so this one is going to be tough for me.) When it comes down to it, I may feel like I'm going to die, but that is okay as long as I look cute doing it!

This morning I had my 6 mile training run which I did by running the Scotland 10k. I had to erase the memory of last year's time and I came away with a new PR. 10:05/mile! Just makes me look even more forward to May 21st. Check out my time progress below (if you can read it, I couldn't figure out how to make it not so tiny, any ideas?)



Now if I can just figure out how to avoid looking like a red faced sweaty mess...

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Hipster for a Day

Being a trendsetter is not solely about fashion; it is about being the kind of person who is always willing to try new things, and will be the first to spread the word about the latest and greatest. A trendsetter likes to stand out rather than fit in, and that extends to reaches far beyond just what he or she wears.

In the spirit of frugality, I took a break from my desire to acquire more stuff, and focused the weekend on doing things rather than buying things. I spent a lovely Friday evening in, doing laundry and making dinner rather than consuming takeout. I was looking forward to not only catching up on some rest, but allowing myself to wake up early to get in a morning run. After a slightly tough 5 miles in the park, I got ready to enjoy some of the day, and the first bit of sun the city had seen all week.

Liz was in the market for some new running shoes, and as some spring races are coming up, including the Brooklyn Half Marathon (my second half!), I figured I might as well try and pick up some compression shorts, so I joined her at The Running Company. I tried on the CWX Ventilator Short and the Pro Fit Short because I'm obsessed with their compression tights, and ended up buying the shorter version. Yes, they are short. Yes, I hate my thighs. But one day, it's gonna get hot, and I would much rather have my thighs stable in compression shorts than run in my looser ones. Fun Rebs Fact: I'm kind of self conscious about my legs. Hey, I'm only human. (I know, sometimes it is hard to remember that, since I write such an awesome blog and all. Oh yeah, I'm pretty modest too...)


CWX Shorts courtesy of Zappos.com

After a productive trip to the running store, we stopped in Bloomingdale's to check out the shoe department (fail), and then I made an appointment at the Bumble and Bumble Styling Bar for a dry style next Friday before Spring for a Cure, the big charity event I've been helping to plan for the past few months. I already have my dress, and my idea for makeup and nails, so I look forward to writing all about it next weekend after the event. After a few more errands, it was time to relax a bit before heading downtown to a fun evening on the Lower East Side.

I was meeting a bunch of friends from work (past and present) at Verlaine, this cute little cocktail and tapas bar on Rivington. The draw is that they have happy hour until 10 pm SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. This includes $5 Bloody Marys, Lychee Martinis, Sangria, along with some other drink specials. I was sold at Bloody Mary. (Though I also tried the white sangria which came with a maraschino cherry so yeah that was pretty awesome too.) Next was dinner at Macondo, which ended up turning into dinner at Rayuela, its sister restaurant, due to a little reservation mix up. Can't complain though, because with an attentive manager, free round of cocktails, accidental free second round of shrimp and lobster guacamole, plus our entrees, we ended up out only $30 including tax and tip. And it was delicious. I highly recommend both the bar and the restaurant, though note Rayuela is a bit pricey if you aren't as lucky as we were to get a little help from some apologetic staff members.

Sunday was all about the Brooklyn Flea. Liz and I met at 11 am, hoped for working subway lines, and headed to Williamsburg to play hipster for a day. I felt the part already as my dry shampoo had practically run out, so my hair couldn't get as grease free as I intended. I also had some fun rocking the winged eyeliner and orange lipstick. On the way there, we passed by Artists and Fleas, another market, and gave that a walk through. There was awesome jewelry, including one vendor that tempted me with a skull adorned two finger ring, but at $45 I decided to exercise restraint. Liz claims in her day recap that I should have bought it. Either way, it was a great little indoor market, and will definitely go back. (In case you don't remember, I have an affinity for flea markets.)


A nice little shot of the market

We then walked over to the Brooklyn Flea, right on the waterfront. It was a bit windy and chilly so we didn't want to stand outside to try some of the amazing food that was there, but we did take a few laps around to check out the various booths. It was definitely a place to go for vintage. Tons of amazing bags and jackets. A mental note to go again when I have a little more money to spend. It'll be around all summer, so you know I'll be making a second (or third...) trip. Plus, Williamsburg has so many cute restaurants, I know I will be spending some summer days there.


Throngs of shoppers



Skyline view of Manhattan

Speaking of food, we have come to the best part of the day. For $7, Liz and I had the most delicious lunch. We had forgone our usual activity of bloody mary brunch pre-outing (I had a bloody the night prior at the bar, so I wasn't craving one) so that we could spend money on lunch in Brooklyn. Liz had Yelped (is that a verb now?) some food options and we settled on a sandwich shop and a coffee shop for a cookie. Despite getting lost on the way to the deli, it was well worth the mile or so out of our way we seemed to have traveled. For $6 ($3 each, we split the massive sandwich) we had the best turkey mozzarella we have ever had. More proof you can't judge a deli by its window display, and sometimes you have to get lost to get a great find.


The window of Graham Avenue Meats and Deli


THE Sandwich

Of course we still had room for a cookie, and after braving the line at Blue Bottle Bakery (you know you are not in Manhattan when people wait on massive lines in complete calm), we split a Saffron Snickerdoodle and a Double Chocolate Salted Cookie. Holy heaven. As my last meal before eating healthier to ensure I fit in my event dress, I think I did good. (Poor grammar intended). Oh, and to reach that $7 lunch price, we of course also each got Diet Cokes because, well, would you expect anything else?


Cookie pic stolen from Liz's blog because my Blackberry ate mine

So now I'm home, satisfied, and ready to start the slow and painful descent into the work week. But it'll be a short one because I'm off on Friday to beautify myself pre-event. I also need to repaint my nails because it has been three days so it is about time, but I'll leave you with a picture of my current manicure. How cool? It matches my ring.


My fave YSL Arty Oval ring