Functional Fit: Exercises for Skiing

{Jess and me - Big Sky 2012}

By LL

As Jess and I (and our husbands) prepare for our annual ski trip, I have begun to worry about how crippled I will be after my first day out in the powder of Big Sky. Normally, my husband and I would have spent a few days at a local "hill" to give our muscles a chance to be conditioned. Unfortunately, with us not living near good ski hills and having a mild winter where the one ski hill in the state hasn't been open more than a few days, I realized that I needed to resort to another form of conditioning. That is when I stumbled across these exercises to help tone the lower body for skiing.

Fitness Magazine's Winter Workout provides 10 exercises to tone abs and lower body. They are easy to do and quick to add to your current cardio routine.

We all know that even with the most extensive fitness routine (running 10+ miles/day; taking 60 min spin classes 4 times/week, etc.), getting out and doing something completely different can be a killer. At least these exercises help to specifically target the muscles that we use in winter sports. And these come with a certification...at least my husband's. He was an alpine ski racer up through college and says that they used many similar exercises in their dry practices.

Functional Fit: The Same Dress?

By Jessie

My husband often gives me a hard time that I'll take any excuse to buy a new outfit or dress, and usually it's true. However, every girl has her budget, right?  And that means I must repeat dresses.

Another option for new dresses is a LTB- long term borrow- with my sisters, or perhaps another fashion swap! In fact, LL may be wearing this same dress to her holiday party in December!

So, I attended my coworker's wedding last night at the Landmark Center in St. Paul, and the same dress I wore to Abby's wedding (read about it HERE) made its second appearance.

{Abby's wedding}

{Same dress!}

I paired the dress with a faux fur jacket from Francesca's Collection, which was necessary for a  November wedding!

The wedding was lovely-

 The bride looked beautiful!

We planned to get up early for our long(ish) run, so we didn't stay there too, too late. But the ceremony was nice, the food was great, the toasts were touching, and I was happy to be a part of the special day.

And the dress enjoyed another opportunity to sparkle!

Functional Fit: Imagination

By: LL

As you read here, I'm currently training for 1 (potentially 2) half marathons for September. So far, it bas been rough going due to the record high temperatures - even at dawn, which is when I prefer to run. And yesterday morning was the worst yet. Since my husband and I are in the midst of moving to our house today (thus the free time to blog while the movers do all the heavy lifting), I had to do my long run yesterday morning. No biggie! Except that when the alarm went off at 4:15, it was pouring rain. I had to run a 10k on a dreadmill.

I know some people enjoy the treadmill, but I find it painful for any distance over three miles. In order to get through the run, I had to use my imagination (cue the Willy Wonka song...). We all do it - whether running inside or out. We create different run scenarios or reflect back on memorable runs. For some it is crossing the finish line for the first time. Others might imagine themselves running along the beach. For difficult runs, you need to escape where you are and take your mind out of the equation, because it is your mind giving up, not necessarily your body.

For me, I imagined myself on one of my favorite routes that I used to run when I lived in East Lansing, Mich. It was a fall morning - 57 degrees fahrenheit. The sun had just risen and leaves scattered along the sides of the path and danced in the breeze. It was quiet - the city still slept. I could smell autumn. I was there even though, physically, I was pounding away on the treadmill, going nowhere, in a hot gym, with the rain hitting the windows and the lightening flashing.

As runners, we know that many times the challenge of running a long distance is not the physical at all; it is mental. I believe, and you may disagree with me, that beyond the half way point (i.e., 13.1 for a full marathon; 6.2 for a half), your body can do it, but your mind is what you have to train. And a little imagination - training your mind to get outside of your run - is what helps you accomplish your goals. I even ended up running seven...on a treadmill!

Functional Fit: Backwards Dress?

By: Cool J
Functional Fits can take many forms- a versatile outfit that crosses over from work to evening, a simple blazer that can complete several outfits in different seasons, or a tunic that can be worn as a top or a dress... (Read about all of our previous Functional Fit posts HERE!)


I recently discovered a new kind of functional fit when I happened to take a fall while running a few weeks ago. I scraped up my knee and my shoulder. The injury was really not too painful but it was not very pretty...

So as last Monday's "Share our Strength Hotlist" event approached, I had to figure out what I could wear on a hot summer evening, without putting my injury on full display.


I had planned to wear the Rachel Roy dress that I received at the Fashion Swap from my friend Laura. (Read all about the Fashion Swap here)


In this picture, the dress (on the left) is on the hanger "correctly"- i.e. forwards. You can see that the right shoulder would be exposed.

I discovered that the dress actually was exactly the same, however, if I wore it "backwards". 

 I just had to remove the tags in the front, and this functional fit would safely hide my injured shoulder at the event! 

FUNCTIONAL FIT TO THE RESCUE!

And no one knew...until I posted it on my blog of course...

Functional Fit: Jean Jacket & Skinny Jeans

By: LL
As I try to remix my closet and plan a few new spring purchases (like a bright pair of jeans) that would compliment what I already own, I decided to bring in my staple denim jacket and combine it with a fun pair of skinny jeans, and a few other pieces similar to what I already own (with a few upgrades of course. i.e., the Tory Burch flats).

The right side shows an outfit perfect for Thursday night cocktails with friends. The left side shows a more casual look, perfect for running errands around town on a Saturday afternoon. And there are many other ways to style these jeans and the denim jacket - both of which in this scenario are quite the bargain, with a combined price tage of $60 from H&M.

The Basics:

1. Denim Jacket - H&M, $29.95

2. Green Jeans - H&M $24.95

Friendly Cocktails:

3. Yellow Chiffon Top - Forever 21, $19.95

4. Green Necklace - Anthropologie, $49

5. Black Skinny Belt - J. Crew, $35

6. Black Clutch - Hobo International, $68

7. Leopard Booties - Nine West, $79.99

Running Errands:

8. Striped T-Shirt with Shoulder Detail - Dorthey Perkins, $28

9. Red Stachel - Modcloth, $134.99

10. Two-Tone Braided Bracelet - Renaldo, $95

11. Two-Tone Feather Cuff - Fire & Ice, $360

12. Ballet Flats - Tory Burch, $225

As we all prepare ourselves for spring and begin throwing a fit over a variety of new styles, a good way to save money and make smart purchasing decisions is to find pieces that are functional in your existing wardrobe. A good rule of thumb is to create at least 4 looks with a piece before you purchase it. If you cannot see yourself wearing an item with more than 2 things in your closet, then that piece probably is completely unpractical in terms of wearability or not your true style. Plan your spring purchases to compliment your wardrobe, not complicate it.

Functional Fit: Multiple Use Tops

By: Cool J
Just a quick post about a recent functional fit- On Thanksgiving, I posted about my turkey day outfit (here), where I wore this grey tunic as a top, paired with a skirt and an LL Original necklace.

Last night, my husband and I headed to a movie (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and then dinner with a friend. I wore this tunic again, but this time in a totally different way.

An additional functional fit of this outfit was the addition of my Athleta determination tights- yes, I am wearing yoga pants as part of a regular outfit.  But they are so comfortable! And seriously, can you tell? I don't think so... So there's a double dose of functional fit on this frigid Sunday afternoon!

Boots: Len Druskin outlet (LL has the exact same pair- we love them!)
Pants: Athleta determination tights
Tunic: Len Druskin outlet
Necklace: Len Druskin outlet

Functional Fits: "Pajama Time" on Christmas Morning

By: LL
My family had a holiday tradition when my sister and I were kids that on Christmas Eve, we got to open one present, and that present would be a new pair of pajamas (normally the footed kind). As we got older, we slowly stopped that tradition. But, when my husband and I first moved in together a few years back, I brought back that tradition with a vengeance. I mean, how fun to get cozy on the couch on Christmas Eve, watching A Christmas Story, in a festive, new pair of pajamas - one of my favorite, most comfortable fits! Luckily, my husband has been a good sport about this, even though his dresser drawer is brimming with pajama sets from Christmases past.

But after an evening in fancy holiday dresses and binding tights, "pajama time" is made even better with a cute, new pair of pjs (and hot chocolate with Bailey's Mint...I'm just saying), and think of how cute you will look Christmas morning for all those gift opening photos!

Here is what I am envisioning for my Christmas Eve/Morning gift opening attire (coupled with a hot cup of coffee and, perhaps, a mimosa!?!):

1. BCBG Twisted Drape Top

2. J. Crew Wool/Cotton Snood

3. Rachel Roy Fair Isle Leggings

4. Hue Striped Knee-Highs

5. Felted Slippers (Esty.com)

It might seem rather foolish to think about your holiday pajamas, but consider all the photos that will be taken. Do you want to have the unkempt look that you had Christmas morning in 2nd grade? Or, do you want to look cute, comfortable, yet effortless when you look back at photos from Christmas 2011?

I know that I am very excited to see what pajamas my husband picked out this year!

Creating Fits: Displaying your Fits

By: LL
Let me put this out there first: my dad loves woodworking. Pretty much anything wood-related that someone in my family discovers and covets, my dad will make it - and he will probably go even farther to give it some extra detail or flair. This includes, but is not limited to, cedar chests (which are ideal for storing wool sweaters), book shelves (tall, narrow, short, wide), jewelry boxes, shoe organizers, you name it.

I think that he especially enjoys a challenge - something that he has never made before and for which he doesn't have the exact measurements, so he can "wing it," as much as engineers ever really "wing it."

So, imagine his delight when Cool J asked him to create a way for her and her husband to tastefully display their growing marathon medal collection. Yes, she gave him some ideas of ones that she had seen during her research of the idea, but he more or less took the design on himself and created a piece that is functional and also displays the medals in an organized, artistic fashion. (This is the one he later made for me).

He also has been kind enough to make all of his daughters, and many of our friends, dresser-top, rotating necklace holders - which have only gotten fancier and more functional over the years. These are perfect for keeping your favorite necklaces on display and avoid tangling them in a drawer or dish. 

And, most recently, my dad solved the common problem of "whose bridesmaid dress is whose" at my wedding this past summer, when he made beautiful wooden hangers for me and each of my bridesmaids. This was a major hit with the girls who can now use them to hang a favorite outfit on the back of a door, etc. 

| (c)Tiffany Brubaker Photography |

I think that we all, in one way or another, enjoy showing off our favorite fits, and keeping them organized. Plus, there is something extra special when they were custom-made by someone you know. 

Functional Fit: Seasons change

By: Cool J
Yesterday marked three years of marriage for the D-man and me. We celebrated with a nice dinner at La Belle Vie . This is the same restaurant we went to the night we got engaged (as an FYI, the proposal happened at our house, then we went to dinner). It is a special place, and it deserves a special outfit! Actually,  La Belle Vie is one of the few restaurants in our city that requires a sportcoat  for men in the dining room.  Unfortunately, my husband has yet to allow me do a "Featured Fit" on him, so I can only comment on my outfit (I am trying to convince him to do a "Fit for Men"...but I can barely convince him to take pictures of me for the blog!)

Till then....

I bought this dress from Anthro last March. It was part of their spring collection but I was hoping I could make this dress a "functional fit" with accessories!

By pairing it with navy tights, boots, and some burnt orange flair,  this spring dress transitioned into a fall fit!

Do you like my new clutch? I purchased it after LL's post about Waterpath Designs ! Thanks LL!

Dress: Anthropologie
Purse: Waterpath Designs
Necklace: Forever 21
Boots: Len Druskin
Tights: Target
La Belle Vie

Functional Fit: From a Dress to a Shirt

By: LL
As evidenced by this post, I am loving chambray this season. It goes well with so many different outfits and works well worn alone or layered under a sweater or blazer. It can be dressed up or dressed down. Chambray is very versitile, thus a staple in any fall wardrobe.

Even though I have not yet decided upon a well tailored chambray shirt, in the meantime, I decided to get more use out of my button-down chambray shirt dress that I got from Old Navy a few seasons back. To make it work as a shirt, I paired it will a longer wool skirt under which I could hide the actual length (you would guess it to be a shirt, right?). You might be surprised how many of your tunics or shorter dresses might work well as blouses this fall! And it is a clever way to get a second wind out of some things you otherwise might not get to wear again!

Shirt Dress Worn as a Shirt: Old Navy (Fall 2010) (similar)

Wool Skirt: Thrifted (similar)

Belt: Target (similar)

Shoes: Nine West

Watch: Movado

Amber Drop Earrings: (purchased while living in France) (similar)

Functional Fit: Shorts with Boots

By: LL
This past weekend, my parents were in town visiting from the Midwest. This was the second time that they visited us - the first was in last summer's August heat, when they melted. Since it was October, and we had been enjoying cooler fall temperatures, my husband and I gambled and planned some outdoor activities. But, it ended up being close to the temperatures from last August - 87 and a blaring sun! But we all survived an afternoon of hayrides, corn mazes, and a pumpkin patch.

Due to the heat, I opted to wear shorts and a t-shirt, but wore my cowboy boots to give my legs a little protection from the hay, corn stalks, and dirt. As I stated in a previous post, I am still working with the boots style that is big here, but this combination turned out to be a very functional fit for the day - and gave the outfit a little fall flare.

Shirt: Threads for Thought V-neck in Barbie 

Shorts: New York & Co. trouser shorts (spring 2011)

Belt: J. Crew Skinny Belt (in smoldering brick)

Boots: Jama Old West

Sunglasses: Persol (as seen here)