a week of coats. gold satin.

another oldie but goodie i'm pulling out of the closet. i bought this gold satin trench coat for a christmas party years ago, but never wore it. poor thing's been collecting dust in the nethers of my closet ever since. dressing it down here for a day of running around.

how would you dress down this gold satin trench coat?

(Pacsun denim; Nike Free 5.0; JustFab bag;

necklace via POPSUGAR must-have box)

in case you missed it:

a week of coats . military

a week of coats . black velour

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a week of coats. black velour.

one of my first and favorite coats, this one is both basic (black) and dressy (velour). i love wearing it during the holidays when it's chilly, because the velour gives it a festive vibe. but when the holidays have passed and the weather is a little warmer, dressing it down by throwing it over a sweatshirt and denim cutoffs seems like a viable way to get more use of it year-round.

(suburban riot kale sweatshirt; xoxo coat; express denim; nike air pegasus)

in case you missed it:

a week of coats . military

shop the look:

but first coffee.

if you're a coffee drinker, then you'll understand this tee. seriously, let's not talk [or at least have any deep discussions] until i've had my coffee...mkay?

it's hard for me to say it's cold when i see everyone posting about below zero temps, but when the weather here drops below 60 degrees, it's fuh-ree-zing. these pictures were taken yesterday when it was slightly warmer, but still chilly enough to warrant the use of these super cute gloves. stay tuned for a warm and cozy giveaway tomorrow.

where do you live, and what's the temp?

(Brandy Melville tee; Express shorts; Gilly Hicks flannel;

Nike free 5.0; 9th & Elm gloves)

marathon chronicles 12. reflection.

and just like that...it's over.

one year of running and 555 miles later, this year of fitness was a journey that will have a positive and [hopefully] lasting effect on my life. it's led to a healthier lifestyle that i've worked hard for, and i don't want to give that up.

training for a marathon is a huge commitment. i made a lot of sacrifices and learned a lot about the sport and about myself along the way.

what i learned about running:

- it truly is an individual sport.

it's great to have a running partner or group to keep you accountable, but there is this competitiveness inside of us that won't be held back. we understand the time and commitment it takes to train for a big race and wouldn't hold anyone back either. my friend and i train together but wish each other a great run on race day and take off at our own paces.

- you have to make it a lifestyle

as with anything else you do, you should be passionate about it. if you make it part of your lifestyle (vs a single goal you are trying to meet), the likelihood of you enjoying it and continuing on with it will be greater.

- there are no excuses.

you don't need someone to run with. you don't need a gym membership. just get out and run. i have a treadmill at home, so i couldn't blame it on the weather either.

- you don't need excessive gear or gadgets

as a new runner, it's easy to get caught up in the latest and greatest especially if you think it'll help you get through a run...the best socks, compression gear, running belts, supplements, tracking devices, etc. in the end, all you need is a great pair of shoes. i used non-running socks [from walmart!], the same top + shorts + hat for every race, a running app on my phone vs an expensive garmin watch that i still want, and shoved all my gels into my sports bra vs a fancy belt.

- flat running isn't always easier.

running is hard on the body, period. but flat running uses the same muscles over and over, and after an extended period of time, your body will feel it. after 10+ miles of flat road running in the marathon, the big hills were a welcomed change for my legs.

what i learned about myself:

- i can do anything i put my mind to.

(seriously, 26.2 miles?)

- i can wake up early.

i'm a night owl. i usually get to bed after midnight and hate waking up in the morning. i hit the snooze button more than i'd like to admit. but with 2am race-day wake up calls, i had to train myself not only to get up early, but to sleep early as well. by the end, i was waking up before my 2am alarm!

- i will go out in public without makeup...

when absolutely necessary.

i'm vain. i admit it. i usually don't leave the house without at least the bare minimum face. but, who'd take me seriously running with false lashes and bright lips?!

- i actually like running.

i used to experience shin splints that made running painful. after finding the right shoes, talking to other runners, and improving my running technique, i no longer get those nasty shin splints. now that i reached my goal for 2014, i still feel like i want to run...which means i must enjoy running, right?

- running is addictive...

i feel like i can do better.

this year was about completion. it was my first year running, so i didn't set any time goals for myself...i just wanted to cross that finish line. with a few races under my belt, i have a starting point from which i can now improve.

(AE shirt; Express denim shorts; love & sunshine bag; SPUN scarf via POPSUGAR Must Have December Box; Nike Air Pegasus (similar))

now that the marathon is over, everyone asks the question...

"would you do it again?"

maybe. running the marathon really wasn't that bad; it's the four month commitment during the busy holiday season that's holding me back at this point. i will definitely continue to do smaller races and even half marathons.

did i reach my goal of runner status?

i think so. i'm not the fastest, i don't have the best form, and i won't be winning medals any time soon, but i've come to enjoy the sport, i love the way i feel after each run, and look forward to the next time i can run...and by those measures, i can say i've reached runner status.

what did you accomplish this year?

do you have any goals for next year?

food truck mania.

food trucks have been gaining popularity ever since food network's show [the great food truck race] debuted. in fact, season 4's winner was a team from hawaii. food trucks even have their own event here, eat the street, that pops up in different cities throughout the month. i've been wanting to check it out but was always turned off by the parking and crowds. last week, on a whim, we finally went...the minis wanted to go, it was summer, and we were hungry. details and pics below.

i grabbed this super cheap tee so that i could change out of my work clothes before heading to eat the street. and what did i do? dribble bright yellow [nacho] cheese all down the front, haha.

do you like to eat at food trucks?

are they popular where you live?

the wow wow lemonade lines. this is the one thing the minis wanted, so...

20 minute wait for $10 lemonade in a mason jar.

$6 refills (save that jar for next time!)

*click to enlarge*

the crowd. must get there early. the lines were ridiculously long by the time we got there, so i didn't get to try everything i wanted to.

wow wow lemonade strawberry/classic lemonade | pop pop donuts, $5/doz. w/salted caramel & spicy nutella sauces | hawaiian twisted tater, $10 tater tray w/ kahlua pork, chill, cheese, green onions & ranch dressing.

 this is what we came away with plus a couple bentos, ribs, poke bowl, and macarons not shown. the twisted tater is spiral cut potatoes with toppings. it's essentially like a baked potato, but nacho style. it was pretty good; i'd eat it again. can't say the same for the pop pop donuts. 

(tee via local store (similar); DIY denim; gucci bag (similar);

nike air pegasus; bracelets, anuhea designs)

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marathon chronicles 03. juicing update.

it's been almost two months since i started juicing, so i thought this would be a good time to check in and see if the benefits outweigh the cost and time spent.

my main intent was to supplement mini-she's teen diet. although she has a well balanced dinner, she rarely eats (a good) breakfast, and who knows what she has for lunch at school. for myself, i wanted an overall healthy diet to go along with my training and increased physical activity.

i, personally, have no problem eating my fruits and veggies. in fact, i prefer to eat them. a huge bowl of salad is always on the dinner table, and fruits are always on hand at home. but truth is, with my typical weekday, generally eating only three meals a day, it can be difficult to get those 3-5 servings of veggies and 2-4 servings of fruit in. maybe not the veggies, but definitely the fruits.

that's where juicing works for me.

what i bought in february:

2x carrots 10lb, $7.49

3x gala apples, $8.79/$8.49/$9.99

3x organic power greens (baby kale, chard, spinach), $4.99

cucumbers, $4.49

strawberries $7.79

3x oranges, $9.79

lemons, $5.99

celery, $3.79

pears, $6.29

ginger $2.00

cost:

month total: $124.45

daily: $4.44

per person: $2.22

time:

juicing (prepping/juicing/cleaning) in the mornings added 20-30 minutes to my daily routine, depending on whether i prepped the night before. 

tip: juice more veggies than fruits. juicing can be high in sugar, so use veggies as your base, then add a little fruit to sweeten. as a beginner, we added lots of fruits to mask the taste of the veggies. i slowly decreased the amount of fruit and actually began to appreciate the "taste" of the veggies.

tip: buy organic whenever possible, otherwise scrub/wash well.

tip: regular kale can taste bitter and smells horrible in my opinion. this green mix is a lot easier to drink...

great for beginners!

tip: drink your juice with a straw.

goes down easier without the smell.

tip: continue to eat your fruits and veggies for fiber.

in fact, have a piece of fruit with your morning juice!

favorite 'green' juice:

4-5 handfuls green mix

2 celery stalks

2-inch cucumber

1 apple (or pear or orange)

1/2 lemon

favorite 'orange' juice:

4-5 carrots

1 apple

1/2 orange (or 3-4 strawberries)

1/4 lemon

small piece ginger

*makes about 15 oz

i use the breville juice fountain plus.

below are some of the popular juicers:

top centrifugal juicers:

top masticating juicers:

(better if you juice more leafy greens)

my thoughts?

although i don't see any physical differences after a month of juicing, i feel better knowing that i'm getting my daily servings of fruits and vegetables. i have my juice in the morning on an empty stomach and do feel "clean" and energized...it certainly makes me think twice about what i put in my body the rest of the day. i believe the cost per drink is reasonable considering you'd pay $5-$7 at a juice bar. eventually, i'd like to incorporate other veggies, but i stuck to what was conveniently available (in bulk) at my local costco. 

overall, i would not survive on a liquid diet. i love food too much. however, daily juicing as a complement to my meals (as opposed to a replacement) works for me. i can't afford the extra 30 minutes in the morning, so i'll have to make an effort to do more prep work the night before. i will continue to juice at this point and will make another assessment in a few more months.

if you juice, what's your favorite recipe?

if you don't juice, would you consider it?

east vs west [coast] style. varsity.

it's here...the east vs west coast style collaboration is back! the girls and i are excited to share our takes on some of our favorite spring trends. as always, it'll be fun to see how lifestyle and location influence style across the states. we're kicking off this six-week spring 2014 edition with varsity!

the varsity jacket was seen on runways of designers like DKNY, prabal gurung, and louis vuitton. if the traditional "letterman" varsity jacket isn't your thing, you'll also find varsity jackets that are softer in shape and in feminine fabrics like silk. or ditch the jacket altogether and think stripes or numbers for a sporty look.

visit the girls to see more of their outfits.

east

Jackie / Living After Midnite / New York

Meaghan / District Sparkle / D.C.

Tracy / TheRightShoes / New York

west

Ashley / Pursuit of Shoes / California

Ashley / Golden Divine / California

Becks / oomph. / Hawaii

loving this super cute leather tank top from Lulu's. tank tops are an absolute must here, and i like this dressier option. since there's still a chill in the air, i layered my varsity jacket over it and threw on my nikes for the ultimate sporty look.

(gold & crystal pave bar necklace c/o Capwell & Co. (buy))

(leather top c/o Lulu's (buy); pacsun denim; la hearts jacket, nike air pegasus 30)

for the girls:

for the guys:

marathon chronicles 02. third time's a charm.

who knew it would be so hard to find running shoes?

i remember it being as simple as picking out a pair of nike cross-trainers that looked decent, trying them on, and purchasing. the end. and those shoes were worn until a toe or heel literally touched ground.

now that my shoes need to serve a specific purpose, long distance running, there's a lot more to consider. proper fit, support, and cushioning, while look and cost become secondary.

after reading a lot of running blogs and related fitness websites, i came to the conclusion that i needed a shoe with enough cushioning for a 26 mile run, obviously, and it probably wasn't going to be a nike. after all, many runners were sporting asics and brooks.

after several unsuccessful trips to big-box sporting-goods stores, i decided it was time to visit a specialty running store. it was running shoe heaven! walls of shoes and different brands to choose from. 

after having my feet, walk, and current shoes analyzed (by several salespeople at this point), i was clearly a neutral/normal pronator. 

images: random google search

still, i wasn't convinced that minimalist nike shoes would be enough support and cushion for longer distances. so i asked for more cushion and support, and here were the shoes that came home (and went back). but first, here's my current shoe:

nike air pegasus 28

size: 6

love these shoes! they are so comfortable and fit like a glove. had them for two years, ran two 8-mile races and a few 5k races with no issues.

#1) Mizuno Wave Rider 17, $114

size: 6.5

issue: i wanted to love this shoe, but it was a little too firm for my liking, hot spot (rubbing) across the top of my toes

#2) Asics GT2000, $109

size: 6.5

issue: great cushioning and snug fit, too much arch support for my neutral foot

#3) New Balance 890v4, $100

size: 7.5

third time's a charm! slightly roomy in the toe box, but fine with thicker socks. closest fit to the nike. i completed a couple runs in these shoes and have no issues yet. 

#3a) Nike Air Pegasus 30, $100

size: 7, narrow

these would have been #3, but the normal-width size 7 was too roomy in the toe box...so i went with the new balance 890v4. i later found these shoes online in narrow-width, so i purchased them. the narrow width fits perfectly. i completed two runs in these shoes with no issues.

what i learned?

• buy your first pair from a running shoe store. they will analyze your feet and help you find the right shoe. bring your current shoes and socks with you.
• try on as many pairs as you can.
• don't be swayed by reviews; everyone's feet are different.
• when you find a brand/style that works for you, stick with it. "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." i was stubborn thinking that i needed more support when the nikes were just fine for me.
• don't assume your feet/shoes are the same size as before. shoe sizing is not always consistent; i went from a nike size 6 to a new balance size 7.5. even within a brand, i am now a size 7 in the nike air pegasus.

in case you like any of the above:

what is your current running shoe?

are you loyal to a particular brand?