Weekly Recap: Just trying to stay warm...

By Jess in Minneapolis

I haven't had much to post about lately, as I feel as though we are just trying to survive here in Minneapolis. The cold weather has been worse than ever, and I think a lot of people are hibernating to an extent. I'm really hoping the meteorologists are right and that a "heat wave" is on its way this weekend (30+ degrees!) 

What happened in fitness last week?
I still managed to get in some exercise despite the crazy cold weather. Here's a recap of how the week turned out in fitness:

Monday: Run on treadmill, 7 miles
Tuesday: Hour long barre class at Haute Barre, run on treadmill, 6 miles
Wednesday: New Year's Day run- brrrr! About 8ish miles
Thursday: Swam laps in the AM, then Aerial Circus Fitness class in the PM
Friday: Complete rest.
Saturday: 12 miles outside...tough going in the snow
Sunday: Boxing at TITLE boxing

I only ran four days (about 32 miles), had one complete rest day, one swim, one barre class, and one boxing class.

What's happening in fitness fashion?
Athleta just came out with some really fun new prints! I'm loving their new Chatarunga tights, aren't you?

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They are $69, and oh, so adorable!

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What's happening in Fashion?
Tom's suede lace-up wedges have been around for a little while, but I only just recently purchased a pair. Let me tell you, they are SO comfortable. I mean, they aren't a slipper, but they are the closest thing to it in a wedge! They are by far the most comfortable wedges I have ever worn. Favorite Fit for sure! I have paired them with skinny jeans, skirts, and dresses, and I'm really loving them. At only $89, they really aren't too expensive either.

Well, that's all for now. I hope you are surviving this arctic spell that has hit the nation.

How are you staying active in the cold? Please share!

Weekly Recap: Fitness, Fashion, and Fitness Fashion July 29- August 4

By Jess in Minneapolis

What’s going on in Fitness, Fashion, and Fitness Fashion this week with me (Jess in Minneapolis)?

FITNESS!

This week fitness was all about the Calhoun Beach Running Club! It’s been a long time since I went to the club every day that the club meets, but somehow that is what happened this week. I’m not complaining, as next week, I won’t be able to make it to the club at all, with lots of evening plans that equate to morning running.

Monday: 7 easy miles at the CBRC (Calhoun/Harriet)

Tuesday: 9.5 miles with 6 hill repeats (THIS hill workout)

Wednesday: Kettebells at Balance Fitness (read about that class HERE. Kicked my butt, as usual)

Thursday: 7 miles at the CBRC with six 30-second strides at the end.

30 seconds is such a great amount of time, it flies by! We had a minute rest between each one too. Lovely workout. Calhoun/Harriet again.

Friday:  David K’s Hot Power Fusion at Corepower Yoga in St. Louis Park

Saturday: 17 miles with the CBRC. It was a small crowd because most everyone was racing the Urban Wildland ½ marathon as part of the fall marathon training schedule. Dustin and I are doing the Madison Mini-Marathon in a few weeks instead. I’m not sure why they call it a “mini”- it’s just a regular ol’ half marathon. Since we’re running that race in a few weeks, we decided not to do Urban this year.

Sunday: Ran 4 easy miles with Ms. Matilda

It was a “balanced” week, so to speak! 44 miles of running, 1 strength class and 1 yoga class. No complete rest days though….

FASHION!

This week in fashion, I found a dress for my cousin Joe’s upcoming wedding in Madison, Wisconsin. 

This Kate Spade number was a little bit of a splurge for me. I bought it at Melly at the Galleria. I love the preppy nautical color blocking (navy/orange is one my favorite combinations!) Carly from A La Mode Wardrobe Consulting suggested that I pair it with beige/taupe heels and statement earrings. No necklace with the neckline on this dress. I found a great pair of earrings at Francesca’s Collection at Southdale that fit the bill (find them HERE for just $18) that will complete the look. (FYI, Carly is awesome, and she’ll do one-off consultations for particular events via email if you’d like for a small price!)

FITNESS FASHION 

This week in fitness fashion, we celebrated my good friend Theresa’s birthday with beers and burgers at the Lyndale Taphouse in Uptown, and Susie and I bought her a pair of the Lululemon Groovy Shorts in black! I think every runner should have a pair of these flattering running shorts. They have a good-sized zippered back pocket for all your GU’s and keys and the wider waistband is comfortable and flattering for all sorts of body types. They are the right fit in fitness fashion! My sister Cresta also just ordered her first pair, and she is loving them so far. Try them out, I bet you'll love them too!

So there's my recap on fitness, fashion, and fitness fashion this week! I hope you all had an awesome weekend.

*Anyone race the Urban Wildland? How did it go? 

Friday's Favorite Fit: TOMS!

By Cool J in Minneapolis

Happy Friday, friends!

Today's installment of Friday's Favorite Fit is an item that is the right fit for casual Friday at the office....TOMS!

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Toms. Don't you love them? I bet most of you have at least one pair, right? Personally, I believe I have five pairs. But I love them! They are so comfy. Seriously. And I just like the way they look! You can wear them with anything. You can even wear them with your wedding dress.

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Check out the bridal collection here.

 Even though Toms are generally comfy, they don't have a ton of support. My tip? If I plan to wear them for a long day at a festival or whatnot, I put superfeet inside to give my feet a little more support.

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And there are so many fun colors. I have red, orange, chambray (denim), stripes, black canvas....

The D-man has a few pairs too, of course...some of which are very colorful!

And even better? For every pair you buy, a pair of shoes is donated to a child in need. Read more about  the good deeds at Toms here. Fits for a Cause! The Toms' founder/CEO, Blake Mycoskie seems like a real stand-up kind of guy, who really does a lot of good for the world. Go Blake!

Do you have a pair of Toms? What color? Which are your favorites?