Fit the Bill: LC at Kohl's

By: LL
Over the past few years, I have heard about how Lauren Conrad (of the Laguna Beach/Hills notoriety) was designing an affordable line for Kohl's Department Stores. I don't venture into Kohl's that often, not anything against the store, rather that they are stand alone and not easily accessible (I like to shop where I can hit multiple stores and only deal with the car once). Anyway, I came across a few LC items on Pinterest, a social media site where users can "pin" things that they like from different websites, and share them with friends in specific categorized "boards." The items that I saw were cute and girly with a sophisticated edge. I was intrigued and headed over to the Kohl's website to have a look at her newest line.  I was happy to discover that the majority of her line looks just as fun and whimsical as what I saw on Pinterest. And, the items definitely fit the bill - especially with all the sales and "Kohl's Cash" specials that the store runs on a regular basis.

Here are some of my favorite pieces from her newest line:

1. Tulip Headband ($20.00)

2. Chiffon-Edged Sweater Dress  ($58.00)

3. Dot Jacquard Shorts ($50.00)

4. Crystal Bird Bracelet ($16.00)

5. Pep-Toe Platform Wedges ($69.99)

These are some of the great items that will add a feminine flair to any wardrobe - and at all less than $75, they definitely fit the bill. Just try to get to them fast as Kohl's has a tendency to sell out quickly!

Throwing a Fit: The Color of H&M

By: LL
One annoyance to living where I do - there is no H&M within 250 miles. And for those of you who have never lived in such a location, that means no H&M because the online store is not available in the US. So, I have to quitely lust after the great pieces for great prices that I can see online, and on other fashion blogs.

Take for example the other day, Kendi from Kendi Everyday shared a photo via Instagram of her wearing a brightly colored pair of matchstick jeans - purchased from H&M. I have been throwing a fit for a pair of bright J Brand jeans (green, blue, and red), so I was very excited to learn about this bargain pair from H&M. Which led me to peruse the H&M website and throw a fit over the multiple bright solids available to those of you lucky ones with a store nearby. These colors will be perfect over the next few months as we head into spring, paired with a neutral solid or printed pattern. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Blazer in Papaya ($49.95)
2. Fitted Sheath Dress in Green ($34.95)
3. 5-Pocket Slim Fit Stretch Pants in Pink ($24.95)
4. Chambray Pencil Skirt ($29.95)

These are great deals, and they can be worn now and carried into the spring. To those of you who can - take advantage of these options, which I can only throw a fit over.

Fitting Debate: Short vs. Long Hair

By Jessie

Short or long? That is my current hair debate. I chopped my hair in 2007, right before I got engaged. Of course, I then wanted it long again right away to be able to wear a traditional updo for the wedding, so I have been growing it since then. As I prepared for my upcoming hair appointment, I was strongly considering whether to go short again.

In theory, short hair sounds like it should be less maintenance. But in my experience, long hair is easier. Bic bands ,  headbands, and ponytails are easy options when you're short on time. With short hair, you always have to style it. You can't just throw it back and go. It's a part of your whole look, and it's difficult to vary that look with a short style.

My short hair in 2007....

My long hair...

LL has varied her look as well. She had a very chic short 'do in 2008 at my wedding, 

but she also rocks her long locks quite well.

I decided to ease into the option of short hair this time around.

Here are the "before and after pics"

Granted, it was only 3-4 inches, but I'm easing into it, remember?

I plan to schedule another appointment for late spring. 

Until then, I will continue to browse celebrity pictures and try to determine if short or long is the answer. I feel that there must be the perfect, "wake-up-and-go" haircut out there. Is it a bob? A pixie cut?

Til then, I'll keep stocking up on BIC bands to prepare for the inevitable bad hair day.

How about a seasonal Gingerbread BIC band?

FYI, in the "before and after" pics, the sweater is from Anthropologie. 

The necklace is an LL Original- Contact her if you're interested in something similar!

Fitting Remarks: The Need to Cross-Train

By: LL
Cross-training...do you do it when you are training for a race? For many, cross-training is the easily neglected piece of their training routine. Instead, you might opt for another run or give your muscles the day off to recover from a considerably hard run the day before. Unfortunately, neither of those two options will give you nearly the significant boost that you will get from at least one day of cross-training.

Fresh New Fit: Snowshoeing!

By Jessie

My husband and I decided to spend this NYE up at the cabin. I was looking forward to a cozy weekend of reading, napping, cooking, eating, cribbage, scrabble, and some wine. But alas, I still needed to "fit fitness" in somehow.

Fortunately, there are many different ways to do so up north while enjoying the outdoors.

My fresh new fit this new year was snowshoeing. "Santa" brought me a pair under the tree, and I was anxious to try them out. Unfortunately, there hasn't been any snow in our city yet, but we were lucky with abundant snow up North at our cabin, and my husband also got snowshoes for Christmas, giving me a partner in my new fit.

It's amazing how much snowshoes have improved- here's a pair that decorate the walls at the cabin. I am guessing these date back to the 1920's.

"Snowshoeing has been around for thousands of years. And, obviously, the art of snowshoeing has become more sophisticated over time – now it’s considered a winter sport. From the early wood-frame to the aluminum-frame models, snowshoeing has garnered quite a following throughout the world. Modern day snowshoeing is made up of casual snowshoers who hike trails for pleasure, the snowshoeing enthusiasts who trek through the backcountry, and the competitors who race."


The snowshoes of today are much easier to get on and off, and quite easy to use.

What's so great about snowshoeing?
The sport is easy to learn, virtually inexpensive (compared to other winter sports), poses little risk of injury and is a great way to exert energy during the cold winter months. Known to help maintain or improve cardiovascular fitness, the sport helps burn more than 600 calories per hour. Snowshoers can burn more than 45 percent more calories than walking or running at the same speed.

Finalizing Fits: NYE Attire (Recap)

By: LL
A few weeks back, I blogged about my "vision" for what I would wear for NYE, working around my J.Crew Jacquard Gold Mini, which only makes appearances around the holidays. Whereas I did not fully execute the vision that I discussed here, I did get close and was satisfied with the final fit. However, it would have been vastly improve with the Louboutins, but they did not fit the bill this holiday season.

Skirt: J.Crew (circa 2009)

Top: The Limited

Tights: Target

Pumps: Aldo

Purse: Macy's

Ring: Gifted (Christmas 2011)

Earrings: New York & Company

Fresh New Fit: Kettlebells!

By Jessie

Last night, I decided to try something new for a "fresh fit". I met some friends at "Balance Fitness" in uptown for an hour-long Kettlebell class. Here is the gym's website: http://seek-balance.com/

So, what is a kettle bell, you ask? Well, this is what it looks like:

According to WedMD, "The cannonball-shaped cast iron orbs called kettlebells were originally developed by Russian strongmen in the early 1700s to quickly build strength, endurance, balance, and flexibility. Once relegated to a dusty corner of the weight room, researchers now say kettlebells are experiencing a resurgence in popularity; kettlebell-themed fitness classes are now being offered in gyms across the country."

What's so great about a kettlebell workout? 

According to a few articles that I read, the average participant burned about 20 calories per minute during the kettlebell workout, which equates to 400 calories during a typical 20-minute kettlebell workout. Researchers say that's equivalent to running a six-minute mile or cross-country skiing uphill at a fast pace!

What makes a kettlebell workout different from other weights workouts?

For starters, you work with only one bell at a time. Hoisting the heavy metal bells not only helps strengthen your arms and pecs, but also works your core, heart and lungs.

"The reason the kettlebell is so great is that there’s offset center of gravity," explains Laura Alton, a certified trainer, physical therapist, and Russian kettlebells certified instructor at the Cooper Fitness Center in Dallas.  "That means your body has to work harder to maintain balance. In so doing, you work many different muscle groups - and get your heart rate up at the same time."

So back to my experience- My friend Susie had been attending this weekly class for about a month, and she had great things to say. I was excited to check it out.

(This is Susie- look at those muscles!)

The studio was a cozy place, with a small kitchen, a cycle studio, and other various equipment for other types of training.

The instructor Sarah (who was extrememly nice and very FIT) explained the basic "swing" to us, and broke down the correct posture for the "swing." For the three of us "newbies" who had never 'kettle-belled' before, she set us up with lighter kettlebells (I think mine was 10 kg, and the "experienced" girls had about 18 kg)

The basic swing was up and down with the UP using all your core body like a standing plank position. 
After the instructor broke down the basic swing, we started in on the circuit for the class. We used the kettlebells for the swings, and then used dumbbells or our bodies for the other parts of the circuit.

• 30 kettlebell swings, 50 squats, 30 kettlebell swings, 25 squats
• 30 kettlebell swings, 50 pushups, 30 kettlebell swings, 25 pushups (eeks!)
• 30 kettlebell swings, 50 sit ups, 30 kettlebell swings, 25 situps (I'm talking old school situps- not crunches! All the way up, all the way down!)
• 30 kettlebell swings, 30 bicep curls, 30 kettlebell swings, 15 bicep curls
• 30 kettlebell swings, 30 shoulder presses, 30 kettlebell wings, 15 shoulder presses

I was quite sweaty after the class, and I could feel it right away! Today, my back, booty, core, and legs are all sore. It's a great feeling! Overall, I thought the class was a nice change of pace, and I was definitely strengthening muscles that had been neglected in my other types of fitness. 


More experienced kettle-bellers progress onto "snatches", which are the one-armed throws- I'm pretty sure I'm not ready for that yet....

 

And I'll leave you with these "pros" of a kettlebell workout:

• Provide a quick workout - 30 minutes or less - that targets all your major muscle groups.
• Increase core stability. Serious exercisers understand the importance of increasing the stability of one’s core, especially the abdominal and back muscles. But it’s hard to work the entire core, including the obliques, abdominals, and adductors, in one workout. Kettlebells can do this.
• Let you combine cardio and strength training. The kettlebell workout involves a circuit that gets your heart pumping while it strengthens muscles.
• Simplify your workout. Instead of having to use several machines or several weights to work all your muscle groups, you do it with one kettlebell.
• Save money. Once you are properly trained, you can workout at home on weights that you can buy for less than $100. One type of 10-pound kettlebell, for instance, costs about $70.

Kettlebells- a "Fresh, New Fit!"