Throwing a Fit: My Love Affair with Spades

Guest post by LL in KC

Since Jess is away in NOLA, she asked me to cover Fits for the weekend. It has bee a long time since I wrote for the bog, so I was excited to take her up on the offer. For those of you who are new to the blog, when Jess and I started Fits a few years ago, she was the fitness powerhouse, where I focused more on the fashion handle. So my guest posts will be about fashion...you've been warned.

In the time since I last wrote on the blog, I have begun a very torrid love affair with spades...Kate Spade that is. How can you not love the bright, fun, youthful patterns and colors that are signature of Kate Spade. Yes, I may be a late bloomer, I know. But in my defense, graduate students working for non-profits will NEVER be able to afford KS - they need to find corporate jobs to do that :-)

Recently, I wandered into the Kate Spade store on the Country Club Plaza here in KCMO and found myself in the middle of a sale. Here are a few things that caught my eye that you can also get on the Kate Spade website (along with a few suggested looks to go with them).

Navy & White Stripe Franny Coat with Back Bow (for under $300).

The navy and white stripes, matched with the 3/4 sleeves and back bow make this coat girly, yet professional; trendy yet classic. These are the pairings I had in mind:

This yellow River Island mini:

Or, these JCrew green slim pants:

To dress up or down the skirt or the pants, I really like the following footwear:

The Steve Madden Sincere are currently 33% off at Nordstrom. 

Or the Aldo Edulia in coral, currently 25%. 

I also have been throwing a fit for polka dot capris this spring. So I was super-pumped to find these Broom Street Capris in navy and white for less than $100.

White polka dots on a blue pant screams spring/summer nautical. I can see these paired with the following:

This coral JCrew Factory tank:

or this one:

And this outfit would not be complete with one of these amazing necklaces (all for prices that fit the bill):

Option #1:

Option #2:

Option #3:

I am a strong believer in invest pieces. However, I think you need to think through how an invest would fit into your current wardrobe. If you cannot come up with at least 5 different looks from your current wardrobe, you should not be purchasing that piece. Kate Spade is definitely an investment and can be challenging to justify the bright, statement pieces at the higher cost. But do not let me discourage you...I haven't ever encountered a Kate Spade piece I did not immediately love. I just force myself to be selective, and keep my husband close as sounding board.

I also believe that a more expensive investment piece always feels better when paired with more affordable accents, like I've provided above.

Fits Do Race (Pre)views: Upcoming Thanksgiving Races in the Minneapolis Area.

By Cool J in Minneapolis

The past five years, my family has organized their own 5k. You can check those out HERE and HERE. We "organized" this 5k just for the family. It was an opportunity for us to share a fun run with the whole family, and it was a healthy event where everyone could join. We tried to make it authentic with shirts, medals, a post-race party like no other, and more. 

However, this year, we are actually going to be participating in a sanctioned 5k in Milwaukee, the Drumstick Dash. My sister Cresta thought this would be a fun change- a REAL 5k this year! And it's for a good cause, as it benefits "Feeding America" a hunger-relief charity. The 5k finishes in Miller Park, which will be a lot of fun! Unfortunately, no dogs allowed though, so Matilda has to sit this year out, but most everyone else in my immediate family will be there.

last year's turkey trot- Matilda won first place in the dog division!

Though I will be in Milwaukee, you should check out one of the following options for Thanksgiving Day runs in the Minneapolis area!

There's the ever-popular Lifetime Fitness Turkey Day 5k at 8 am downtown Minneapolis. I have run this one multiple times in the past, but it definitely is a little chaotic and crowded. It probably isn't my favorite. It's also a little pricey, with registration nearly $50 (for a 5k??)

One of my favorites when I have been in town for Thanksgiving (though it has been awhile) was the Drumstick Dash 10k around Lake Harriet. It's true that two laps around Lake Harriet is a little repetitive, especially since I run this lake quite a bit on my own. However, I like the longer distance of a 10k, and its so close to home, its hard to pass up. Registration is only $35, and that's for twice the distance of the Lifetime option! Its organized by Marathon Sports and it is USATF certified. Its definitely a little more low-key than the Lifetime 5k, yet more of a runner's race. This run is chip-timed as well.

There is a fun-sounding Gobble Gait 8k in Hastings, MN. I have never run this race, but it looks great! Check it out HERE. There is a Beast 2 Feast 5k around Lake Calhoun on Thanksgiving morning too, so take your pick Uptowners- Harriet or Calhoun! Website HERE. 

If you live near Woodbury, there is a Turkey Trek 5k there as well, (website HERE) Or, you can head to the "Giving Thanks 5k" in St. Paul.

Weather too cold for you to run outside? Then check out the Walk to End Hunger 5k, which is held indoors at the Mall of America! (Check it out HERE)

Seriously, there is something for everyone in the Twin Cities area. I'm sad that I will miss out, but I'm sure I'll have fun running the Milwaukee Drumstick Dash with my family!  

...and to make things a little more fun, I purchased this fun holiday hat on Etsy for the occasion!

 It was $30 on Etsy, made by hand by Nicole at Simply Hookin It. She even sent me a personal thank you card for ordering from her.

I'm not sure how comfortable the hat will be for running, but at least it's only 3.1 miles.

Check out Nicole's other handmade goods HERE.

With so many options in the area, you have no excuse not to get up early and break a sweat on Thanksgiving day!

Let me know which race you choose!