Feb 4, 2015
It’s February which means I’m finally making progress in my work out goals for the new year. Am I a little behind schedule? Yes, slightly, but I usually don’t really get my workout mojo back until mid-January anyway. Last year I didn’t get it back until late March so technically I’m ahead this year. 🙂
It’s been a little easier getting back into the groove this time and I’m not sure why. It could be because I refuse to punish myself by doing things I don’t love (see this post for more on that). Or it could be because I got some new workout clothes and shoes that have made it a lot more enjoyable! Seriously, that helps my motivation far more than anything else I’ve tried. I use new workout gear as both a motivator and a reward for hard work. Here are three of my workout must haves that keep me going.
1. Bright and happy shoes!
I’ve been a big fan of brightly colored running shoes since they first came out. My sweet son got me this pair of Nike Roshe Run for my birthday. Roshes (as the teens call them) seem to be having a moment right now. I just like how they look and especially how they feel on my feet. They’re super lightweight yet give me lots of cushioning.
[Nike Roshe Run]
2. Printed pants and fun outfits
[Capri Pants and Sweatshirt – TJ Maxx]
[Yoga Pants, Tank and Long Cardigan – Fabletics]
My favorite places to shop for yoga pants, tanks and tops is Fabletics. Everything I’m wearing in the second outfit is Fabletics. Their stuff is extremely well-made (NO thin yoga pants, yay!) and durable. I’ve washed my yoga tanks a million times and they are still great. I also love the long tail on them that doesn’t ride up. My second favorite places for workout gear is TJ Maxx and Marshall’s. They both carry the RBX brand which fits me really well and comes in bright colors and fun patterns.
3. My Fitbit Flex
I didn’t think I needed an activity tracker…until I got one. Warning: Counting steps can become addictive! Since I work out four times a week, I really thought I was doing enough. The fact is, the rest of the week I spent firmly planted on my behind! My Fitbit Flex made this very clear to me. I like that it tracks my steps and activity because it encourages me to get off my duff and do something. Now instead of staying at my desk, I walk around the house when I’m on the phone. I also love the ease of using the calorie counting feature on the Fitbit app for my iPhone.
[Fitbit Flex]
If you already have a Fitbit Flex and need a new bracelet for your tracker, I highly recommend this 7 piece set. Now I can change my bracelet to match my workout outfits every day! (Note: These are the bracelets only, you will need to purchase the tracker separately.)
[Set of 7 Fitbit Flex Bracelets]
It’s Your Turn: What helps with your workout motivation? What are your work out must haves? Share them with me in the comments!
I FEEL PRETTY
It’s the day of the week at GYPO where we celebrate what makes us feel pretty. Whether it’s a new outfit, hairstyle, or makeup, the I Feel Pretty link up is about anything and everything that makes your life prettier. Even if you’re not a blogger, you can still play along. Just tell us what made you feel pretty this week in the comments!
There are just a few simple rules:1. Follow GYPO. (Bloglovin‘, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest)
2. Link up your pretty post.
3. Link back to my blog (using the button above or your own link).
4. Visit other pretties. That’s it, now go have some fun!
Feb 2, 2015
I’ve had a secret for the past month and it’s been KILLING me not to say anything.
My daughter and I are going to PARIS next month!
The stars aligned for this trip big time – I had some frequent flyer points about to expire and a sweet girl turning 16 who’s dream is to go to Paris (and not to drive or have a car!). What better reason to plan a spring break trip to the City of Lights? It is a life-long dream come true for me too.
So, back to the part about it being a secret. Well, I booked the trip at the beginning of January but had to keep it a secret from Aubrey (the birthday girl) until this past weekend when we celebrated her sixteenth birthday. My husband and I almost slipped and said something SO many times!
Aubrey and I have had many talks in the past, daydreaming about Paris and what it would be like. Last week, she was working on a school project where she had to make a timeline of her life for the next 10 years. One thing on that timeline was “take my mom to Paris after I get my first job”. I had to fight back the tears when I read it.
We were both crying though when she opened her gift – this box shaped like a suitcase that held her itinerary and a bright pink journal that says “Paris is Always a Good Idea” (Bonus: Aubrey is also an Audrey Hepburn lover).
You’d better believe I’m already working on my packing list. We have just over a month before the trip! You can also bet your bippy that I’ll be trend-spotting in one of the most fashionable places in the world for the upcoming GYPO Spring Style Challenge.
In the meantime, here are some perfectly Parisian inspired wardrobe essentials that will definitely be in my suitcase.
[Striped Top/Straight Jeans/Gold Hoops/Trench Coat/White Blouse/Black Skinny Jeans/Gray Sweater/Blush Ballet Flats/Black Heeled Boots/Gray Travel Tote]
It’s Your Turn: Have you been to Paris? Do you have any travel or packing tips? If so, please share them with me in the comments!
WINTER CHALLENGE – ON SALE
The Winter 2014 GYPO Style Challenge is now on sale for just $14.99. Make the most of your winter wardrobe with 21 days of mix and match outfits. Get your shopping list and outfits immediately by signing up HERE.
Jan 30, 2015
I hadn’t planned to share any more sneak peek content from the Rediscover Me Challenge but this is just too important not to share. Don’t worry, I’ll be back to my regularly scheduled fashion and beauty talk next week but I truly believe that pretty starts on the inside, and that’s what this challenge is all about.
Women who’ve already signed up for the challenge have started to tell us their stories in our closed Facebook group. One common theme is many of them are in need of more “me time” and better self-care.
Today’s excerpt from day three of the Rediscover Me 28 Day Challenge focuses on just that.
As women, we are wired to put others first, which leaves us depleted and in need of recharging our own batteries. It’s just like the oxygen mask announcement on the plane – secure your own mask first, then help others. If we don’t have our own mask secured with life-giving oxygen, then we are useless to others. Unfortunately many of us are walking around with empty tanks, in need of refilling.
Today’s goal setting exercise will be geared toward recharging ourselves.
Not only is self-care a crucial component of this but we all know that the way we look absolutely is a direct correlation to the way we feel. If there’s anything I’ve learned both in my personal experience and through hosting GYPO Style Challenges, it’s that a woman’s confidence climbs when she feels good about how she looks. Myself included.
So, let’s talk about some self-care/appearance goals. When I mention this, what pops up for you immediately? What do you intuitively feel like you need most of all? Trust your intuition, your gut KNOWS what your mind and body need most of all.
If you’re drawing a blank don’t worry I’ve included a list of some self-care/appearance goals below to get you started.
SELF CARE/APPEARANCE GOAL IDEAS
- Stop saying yes to more than you can do.
- Read just for the fun of it.
- Take a 20 minute nap daily.
- Get a makeover.
- Get in the practice of asking for what I need from others.
- Change hairstyle or color.
- Try out some new bath or body products.
- Whiten teeth.
- Get a massage.
- Get a manicure and/or pedicure.
- Have eyebrows professionally waxed and shaped.
- Take yoga.
- Wear sunscreen daily.
- Tighten and tone up with exercise.
- Lose or gain ____ lbs.
- Keep a gratitude journal.
- Make simplification an overall theme for the year.
- Remove unflattering clothes from wardrobe.
- Set aside more “me” time each day or week.
- Take a bubble bath.
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day.
- Define what balance means to you.
- Plan and schedule a vacation.
- Go outside for an hour each day.
- Get cosmetic procedures done (Botox, fillers or surgery).
- Get a photofacial.
- Find skin care products that work for me.
- Find flattering makeup.
SELF-CARE-APPEARANCE GOALS WORKSHEET – PDF
It’s Your Turn: Print off the self-care/appearance goals worksheet above. Define three-five goals that matter most to you. Using the goals formula that I provided on day one of this challenge write out your goal, your why, your how and your “as if” for each of your self-care goals.
P.S. If you enjoyed the sample content from this challenge, then you’ll love 28 days of focusing on what matters most to you. Sign up for the Rediscover Me Challenge HERE!
Jan 26, 2015
Registration for the Rediscover Me 28 Day Challenge opened last Friday and today I’m sharing the last of four sneak peek videos from the challenge. If you’ve already signed up, I can’t wait to share this life changing month with you!
In my first sneak peek video, I talked about an effective way to set goals. In the second video, I shared a way to remove tolerations from your life and last week I introduced you to upgrades. You can check out those videos at the following links:
Week One – Goal Setting
Week Two – Tolerations
Week Three – Upgrades
Today, I’m sharing one of the videos from the healthy living and wellness portion of the challenge. It’s all about taking baby steps that lead to sustainable lifestyle changes. Healthy living should be a lifestyle, not something you try out once a year as part of a resolution – just to get overwhelmed by it and quit. By making small, sustainable changes, you can create lasting change.
I’m talking about exercise in today’s video and sharing a way to feel pulled toward working out instead of pushing yourself through it.
I mention a 28 Day Challenge Facebook group in the video. This group will be open for challenge participants starting.
It’s Your Turn: Tell me about some activities that you love in the comments. What do you look forward to that pulls you to work out?
Don’t miss out on the Rediscover Me 28 Day Challenge! There will be NO late registration for this challenge.
Jan 21, 2015
Have you ever done a shopping ban? If you have, then you already know that it’s often easier said than done! In case you missed this post, I announced that I’m under a self-imposed shopping ban this month. My goal is to make the most of my winter wardrobe without adding to it.
Many of you decided to take the plunge with me, especially those of you that participated in the Winter GYPO Style Challenge. What we’ve collectively discovered through doing style challenges is that less really is more and you can create lots of outfit options from what you already have.
This past week, I asked the winter challengers to share some of their best tips for sticking to their zero shopping commitments this month. Whether it’s for financial reasons, or just to prove to yourself that “less is more”, there are lots of ways to make a shopping ban easier to follow. Today I’m sharing some of their best tips with you.
Ten Ways to Make a Shopping Ban Work
1. Get Pin-spired
Recreate outfits from Pinterest using ONLY what you already have in your closet. Of course, this could also tempt you to buy new pieces but keep the commitment to use what you have.
2. Use an Outfit App
After you’ve created those outfits from Pinterest, snap a selfie and then log them into an app like Stylebook which allows you to virtually organize your wardrobe and track your outfits.
3. Clean Your Closet
Cleaning out and organizing your closet is a really effective way to see what you have and what you need. If you have legitimate needs, you can them keep them on a list to shop for at a later date or when the price is right.
4. Get Some Accountability
Create a no shopping support group with your friends, hold each other accountable and encourage each other to keep on keeping on!
5. Unsubscribe from Sale Alerts
This is all about removing temptation. Clean out your inbox and unsubscribe from all of those sale alerts you get on a daily basis. Don’t worry, Loft will continue having a flash sale every few days, with or without you!
6. Stay Away from the Mall!
This one is a no-brainer but if you’re trying not to shop, then stay away from stores. Some you may not be able to avoid. I do my grocery shopping at Target, so that is my achilles heel. I just stay on the grocery side of the store and use the registers farthest from women’s clothing in order to avoid temptation.
7. Contentment is Key
Be grateful for what you already have. No piece of clothing can bring true happiness. Practicing gratitude will.
8. Keep your “Why” in Mind
Why did you start your shopping ban to begin with? My why is that I want to save money this year to help my son pay for college. Your why could be that you’d rather spend money on travel. If you keep your why at the forefront every day, it makes it much easier to stick to the plan.
9. Leave Cash/Credit Cards Behind
If you know that you’re going to be tempted, leave all payment methods at home.
10. Find Something Else to Occupy Your Time
If shopping is your hobby, then consider picking up a new one. Now would be a great time to try something you’ve always been interested in.
It’s Your Turn: What helps you get through a shopping ban? Share your tips in the comments.
