Jacket, London Jean. Dress, Jones New York. Belt, thrifted. Shoes, Nine West. Bag, Charming Charlie. Sunglasses, Walgreen’s. Jewelry, vintage.
Photos by Beefy Muchacho with the Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 35 mm 1:1.8G lens.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Delayed
I had planned to wear this outfit last Friday, but ended up working from home. I’m not upset about the delay. It made Monday morning much simpler.
Jacket, London Jean. Dress, Jones New York. Belt, thrifted. Shoes, Nine West. Bag, Charming Charlie. Sunglasses, Walgreen’s. Jewelry, vintage.
Photos by Beefy Muchacho with the Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 35 mm 1:1.8G lens.
Jacket, London Jean. Dress, Jones New York. Belt, thrifted. Shoes, Nine West. Bag, Charming Charlie. Sunglasses, Walgreen’s. Jewelry, vintage.
Photos by Beefy Muchacho with the Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 35 mm 1:1.8G lens.
April Purchases
Between running expenses (entry fees, clothes, shoes, energy gel), an upcoming vacation, and all the eating out that seems to accompany a busy rehearsal schedule, I didn’t have $100 to spend on frivolities like my wardrobe. I only bought a single pair of shoes. But they are super cute.
Payless
1. Lela Rose for Payless Charson Side Bow Pump in Mustard, $33.74
April total: $33.74
Total spending for the year: $414.66
Payless
1. Lela Rose for Payless Charson Side Bow Pump in Mustard, $33.74
April total: $33.74
Total spending for the year: $414.66
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Green Carpet
Beefy and I spotted this lush, green dell from the Mt Airy treehouse on Saturday and vowed to return on Sunday for photos against the verdant carpet.
Sweater, R&K Knits (vintage and thrifted). Dress, Jovovich Hawk for Target. Tights, We Love Colors. Boots, Vince Camuto. Scarf, thrifted. Bag, Mondani. Jacket (below), American Eagle.
Photos by Beefy Muchacho
You can see the treehouse itself in these (old) shots:
Sweater, R&K Knits (vintage and thrifted). Dress, Jovovich Hawk for Target. Tights, We Love Colors. Boots, Vince Camuto. Scarf, thrifted. Bag, Mondani. Jacket (below), American Eagle.
Photos by Beefy Muchacho
You can see the treehouse itself in these (old) shots:
Sporty Sunday: RLRF Cross and Strength Training
The Run Less, Run Faster program is not just about running. Cross training and strength training are essential components of the regimen. Cross training allows the runner to work the heart and lungs, while giving the running muscles a break. Strength training builds both the muscles directly used in running and those used to support the rest of the body during activity. Incorporating these elements into my routine kept me injury- and boredom-free.
The RLRF runs are hard. They are so taxing, that the body requires a day or two off from running between the sessions. But aerobic fitness suffers from that time off. To develop fitness, yet give the legs the rest required, RLRF recommends two cross-training sessions a week in an activity that raises the heart rate, but is not weight-bearing. The program recommends, cycling, swimming, rowing, and deep water rowing.
I chose to swim with my Master’s swim team. I swam three times a week (the RLRF program does include an optional 3rd day of cross-training). My practices were 60-90 minutes long: warm up, drills, speed work, tempo swims, and cool down. I feel tired, but relaxed and loose after a swim session. I’ve always thought of swimming as a massage from the inside out. The action of the body pulling itself through the water seems to work out kinks and soreness. A hot tub soak before hitting the shower doesn’t hurt, either! Swimming is my favorite low-impact, high-aerobic exercise.
After last year’s marathon, I realized I needed to add strength training to my regimen. My inner and outer thighs and back took a beating in the race…and I didn’t even think of those muscles as “running” muscles! Although I didn’t injure my hamstring last year, I have pulled it in the past. I have strong hamstrings, but relatively weaker quadriceps, and the imbalance leads to injuries. Finally, strengthening training increases joint stability, reducing the chance of injury – particularly in the hips and knees. (I’ve had knee injuries in the past.)
I began a Nautilus circuit at my gym last June and continued it through this year’s marathon training. Twice a week, I warmed up for 30 minutes on the stationary bike or rower (or a combination of the two) and then completed the circuit once, lifting to failure on each machine in a single set. On Wednesdays, I warmed up with a yoga video and then completed the body-weight strength exercises found in RLRF. I didn’t get “big” nor did I move the pin very far down the weight stack. (Since June, I haven’t managed to budge the weight on the damn quadriceps machine beyond 65 lbs.) However, I’ve stayed injury- and pain-free.
RLRF doesn’t prescribe a tapering schedule for cross and strength training, so I trolled the internet until I found some sensible advice.
3 weeks prior to race: Reduce cross training by 20 – 30%. (I reduced the time I spent in the pool by 20%) Continue strength training.
2 weeks prior to race: Reduce cross training by another 20% . No strength training.
3 weeks prior to race: No cross training. No strength training.
The marathon will be the final evaluation of the efficacy of the cross and strength training. I’m already a believer, though. A week before the race, I’ve found the following to be true:
- I’m not bored
- My upper body and core is stronger
- My piriformis syndrome has not recurred. (Last year, by the end April, I could hardly tolerate sitting because my tight piriformis muscle (deep in the gluteals) was irritating my sciatic nerve.)
- I’m having fun!
Sporty Sunday is a recurring feature in which I share my fitness routine and offer and solicit advice. While this content might seem a little out of place in an outfit diary, a healthy, strong body is the foundation of my wardrobe. I hope to inspire my readers to be fit as well as stylish!
The RLRF runs are hard. They are so taxing, that the body requires a day or two off from running between the sessions. But aerobic fitness suffers from that time off. To develop fitness, yet give the legs the rest required, RLRF recommends two cross-training sessions a week in an activity that raises the heart rate, but is not weight-bearing. The program recommends, cycling, swimming, rowing, and deep water rowing.
I chose to swim with my Master’s swim team. I swam three times a week (the RLRF program does include an optional 3rd day of cross-training). My practices were 60-90 minutes long: warm up, drills, speed work, tempo swims, and cool down. I feel tired, but relaxed and loose after a swim session. I’ve always thought of swimming as a massage from the inside out. The action of the body pulling itself through the water seems to work out kinks and soreness. A hot tub soak before hitting the shower doesn’t hurt, either! Swimming is my favorite low-impact, high-aerobic exercise.
After last year’s marathon, I realized I needed to add strength training to my regimen. My inner and outer thighs and back took a beating in the race…and I didn’t even think of those muscles as “running” muscles! Although I didn’t injure my hamstring last year, I have pulled it in the past. I have strong hamstrings, but relatively weaker quadriceps, and the imbalance leads to injuries. Finally, strengthening training increases joint stability, reducing the chance of injury – particularly in the hips and knees. (I’ve had knee injuries in the past.)
I began a Nautilus circuit at my gym last June and continued it through this year’s marathon training. Twice a week, I warmed up for 30 minutes on the stationary bike or rower (or a combination of the two) and then completed the circuit once, lifting to failure on each machine in a single set. On Wednesdays, I warmed up with a yoga video and then completed the body-weight strength exercises found in RLRF. I didn’t get “big” nor did I move the pin very far down the weight stack. (Since June, I haven’t managed to budge the weight on the damn quadriceps machine beyond 65 lbs.) However, I’ve stayed injury- and pain-free.
RLRF doesn’t prescribe a tapering schedule for cross and strength training, so I trolled the internet until I found some sensible advice.
3 weeks prior to race: Reduce cross training by 20 – 30%. (I reduced the time I spent in the pool by 20%) Continue strength training.
2 weeks prior to race: Reduce cross training by another 20% . No strength training.
3 weeks prior to race: No cross training. No strength training.
The marathon will be the final evaluation of the efficacy of the cross and strength training. I’m already a believer, though. A week before the race, I’ve found the following to be true:
- I’m not bored
- My upper body and core is stronger
- My piriformis syndrome has not recurred. (Last year, by the end April, I could hardly tolerate sitting because my tight piriformis muscle (deep in the gluteals) was irritating my sciatic nerve.)
- I’m having fun!
Sporty Sunday is a recurring feature in which I share my fitness routine and offer and solicit advice. While this content might seem a little out of place in an outfit diary, a healthy, strong body is the foundation of my wardrobe. I hope to inspire my readers to be fit as well as stylish!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
The Truth is in the Woods
In place of the usual head shots or show stills, The Crucible lobby display features film noir portraits of the characters. The black and white images, created by Julie Hidalgo, perfectly set the mood for an intense, dramatic show.
As an introduction to her creepy creations, I present today’s outfit in black and white. (Clicking on any of my photos will open a larger, color version.)
Vest, Urban Vibe. Dress, Jovovich Hawk for Target. Leggings, Xhilaration. Boots, Dan Post. Jacket, H&M (thrifted).
Photos by Beefy Muchacho with the Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 35 mm 1:1.8G lens.
Thomas Putnam and Francis Nurse
Sarah Good and Tituba
Rebecca Nurse and Goody Putnam
Elizabeth and John Proctor
Reverends Parris and Hale
Mercy, Betty, and Susanna
Hathorne and Danforth
Giles Cory
Cheever and Willard
Abigail and Mary Warren
Character portraits by Julie Hidalgo
As an introduction to her creepy creations, I present today’s outfit in black and white. (Clicking on any of my photos will open a larger, color version.)
Vest, Urban Vibe. Dress, Jovovich Hawk for Target. Leggings, Xhilaration. Boots, Dan Post. Jacket, H&M (thrifted).
Photos by Beefy Muchacho with the Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 35 mm 1:1.8G lens.
Thomas Putnam and Francis Nurse
Sarah Good and Tituba
Rebecca Nurse and Goody Putnam
Elizabeth and John Proctor
Reverends Parris and Hale
Mercy, Betty, and Susanna
Hathorne and Danforth
Giles Cory
Cheever and Willard
Abigail and Mary Warren
Character portraits by Julie Hidalgo
Friday, April 27, 2012
One Loud Purse
I’m not a black-or-brown-purse-that-goes-with-everything person. As sensible as that would be, I prefer bright, patterned, or detailed bags. Usually, this means I must change purses daily to coordinate with my outfit. Every once in a while, though, I find that one loud handbag works with five outfits in a row:
Like my turquoise purse, this striped number seems to go with everything.
Like my turquoise purse, this striped number seems to go with everything.