Creating Fits: Collaborative Creation

By: LL
While in Bozeman, MT, Cool J and I stumbled upon a quaint bead store downtown on Main Street called Old Bozeman Beads. They have a great selection and excellent customer service. And, let me say that it was great fun to spend a little time in the store with Cool J as we worked together to pull beads for a necklace design that she wanted. Much to the dismay of our husbands, we did laps around the store while balancing our trays and coffee. It was a great change to have a little collaboration on a necklace, as I normally have to depend on my own taste with choosing supplies. Here is a look at the process to DIYing my most recent necklace.

Cool J had this necklace in mind:

{Anthropologie Seraphim Necklace}

So, after long deliberation, we slected these beads:

After returning home, I began work on the necklace, which has a total of six strands: 3 of each pattern. There are eight different styles of colored beads and two different styles of gold beads (one for the necklace and one for the rings). Whereas I was using this necklace as inspiration, I try to change the design just a little bit with each of the ones that I make. So, I spent quite some time playing around with the patterns.

Once I was happy with the combination, I strung the beads using 0.5 mm wire. It is important to make sure that each of the strands in the same pattern are as close to the same length as possible (I know that this can be challenging with beads that are a variety of shapes). Then, I used gold-plated crimp beads to pinch of the ends of each strand and looped the ends through a small, gold-plated link. I connected the smaller links (two on each side) to a larger gold-plated chain. Make sure to loop the strands through one another before looping them through the small link (to create the center of the necklace).

Finally, I struggled with the rings holding the strands together midway through the necklace. I could not find the right beads (and maybe if I stumble upon them, I will change the necklace design), so I used the large, gold-plated links to group the strands and connect them to one another on each side (a total of 3 on each side).

Here is the finished product:

I might make some slight adjustments prior to shipping this out to Cool J, but there is something fun about working together on a necklace design. It also helps me when my creativity is lagging. Thanks, Cool J!

Fitting Debates: Running vs. Walking

By: Cool J
I don't think I'm alone when I say that I had always heard that no matter the pace, a person burned the same amount of calories during 1 mile - walking or running. I had always heard that even if you're walking, you burn approxmiately 100 calories a mile, it just takes a lot longer to finish that mile than if you're running.

Even though this is what I had been told, I questioned it's validity. I mean, it's so much harder to RUN than to WALK a mile, right? You MUST be burning more calories!

Well, Runner's World recently published an article about this topic that justified my doubt.

According to this research, running actually burns MORE calories than walking. In fact, it is one of the most efficient means to burn calories.

Find the article here.

"When you perform a continuous exercise, you burn five calories for every liter of oxygen you consume. And running in general consumes a lot more oxygen than walking."

In "Energy Expenditure of Walking and Running," published last December in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, a group of Syracuse University researchers measured the actual calorie burn of 12 men and 12 women while running and walking 1,600 meters (roughly a mile) on a treadmill. Result: The men burned an average of 124 calories while running, and just 88 while walking; the women burned 105 and 74. (The men burned more than the women because they weighed more.)

When you walk, you keep your legs mostly straight, and your center of gravity rides along fairly smoothly on top of your legs. In running, we actually jump from one foot to the other. Each jump raises our center of gravity when we take off, and lowers it when we land, since we bend the knee to absorb the shock. This continual rise and fall of our weight requires a tremendous amount of Newtonian force (fighting gravity) on both takeoff and landing.

Now that you understand why running burns 50 percent more calories per mile than walking, Thanks to the Syracuse researchers, we now know the relative NCB of running a mile in 9:30 versus walking the same mile in 19:00. Their male subjects burned 105 calories running, 52 walking; the women, 91 and 43. That is, running burns twice as many net calories per mile as walking. And since you can run two miles in the time it takes to walk one mile, running burns four times as many net calories per hour as walking.

The bottom line: Running is a phenomenal calorie-burning exercise. In public-health terms--that is, in the fight against obesity--it's even more important that running is a low-cost, easy-to-do, year-round activity. Walking doesn't burn as many calories, but it remains a terrific exercise. As David Swain says, "The new research doesn't mean that walking burns any fewer calories than it used to. It just means that walkers might have to walk a little more, or eat a little less, to hit their weight goal."

The article also included this handy calculator to help you determine just how many calories you burn. Check it out!

What's the Burn? A Calorie Calculator
You can use the formulas below to determine your calorie-burn while running and walking. The "Net Calorie Burn" measures calories burned, minus basal metabolism. Scientists consider this the best way to evaluate the actual calorie-burn of any exercise. The walking formulas apply to speeds of 3 to 4 mph. At 5 mph and faster, walking burns more calories than running.
	Your Total Calorie Burn/Mile	Your Net Calorie Burn/Mile
Running	.75 x your weight (in lbs.)	.63 x your weight
Walking	.53 x your weight	.30 x your weight

Fit the Bill: Spring/Summer Transition 2012

 

By: LL

Interested in getting a little extra cash during your spring transition? No, not the surprise cash that you might find tucked in the pockets of your spring coats or purses (but that is great, isn't it? Better than the stick of gum you might also find...I wouldn't chew that!). I am refering to the cash that you can make by selling some of your gently used clothes.

 

I am certain that all of us have a few older items in our closets with which it won't kill us to part. You know the ones that I am talking about - the metallic leggings that you only wore once for NYE, or that sweater that you bought even though it really is a size too small (but it was on sale!!).

 

Take some time over the next few weekends, before you put your winter clothes in storage, to assess whether you REALLY will wear that item next year. If not, then consider selling it, donating it, or even tossing it.

 

When folding up your clothes this season's end, follow the steps below:

1. Designate four piles: KEEP, SELL, DONATE, TOSS. All your clothes/accessories will be categorized into one of these piles.
2. Begin by taking inventory of what you have. Are you hoarding two identical cream sweaters? Make sure that you are not storing duplicates. Be honest with yourself and only keep the one that you like best (or is in the best condition) and you truly will wear again.
3. "If you didn't wear it last season..." Again, be honest. Calculate how long it has been since you wore an item. This season? Keep. Last season? Probably donate/sell/toss (unless of course it is one of those specific occasion pieces - like a holiday cocktail dress - that maintains its style qualities year after year).
4. After you have finished sorting, revisit the sell pile and determine which items you could sell to a consignment shop (i.e., Plato's Closet, which only takes items that are less than a season old and in excellent condition), auction online (i.e., eBay, which is best for selling name-brand or designer labels), or sell at your neighborhood rummage sale (which really doesn't give the item as much exposure). If you aren't sure what will sell or not, it is worth a try to sell it through at least one venue. And, after it doesn't sell, then donate it.
5. When taking your clothes to donate, make sure to get a slip from the agency (i.e., Goodwill) that documents your donations so that you can claim it on your tax return for next year. You can deduct the estimated value of the items.

But let's take this slimming down process one step further and also look through the spring/summer items that you are pulling back out of storage.

1. Follow ste one from above.
2. Try on everything. I'm not suggesting that things won't fit, but more along the lines that they might not fit how you would like them to. Personal preferences on lengths and cuts can change very quickly, and it has been months since you last saw these garments. Heck, they could be too big on you (here's hoping).
3. "If you didn't wear it last season..." Again, be honest. You know what you wore last season and what you will wear this season. Don't continue to hold onto things that you will not wear. They could go to good use in another person's closet. 
4. Follow step 4 above.
5. Follow step 5 above.

It might be hard to part with some of your clothes. I get the same way, with the thoughts of "but if the right occasion comes up," or "if my other similar item gets ruined..." This past weekend, my husband made me go through this process with my shoes (I do not even want to mention how many pairs of spring/summer shoes I have been hiding in a crate under our guest bed), and I donated or threw out a lot of shoes that I truly will not wear again. So, I know that the process of trimming and organizing can be difficult (but necessary if you live in a small space). However, keep in mind that selling your items is an activity that will fit the bill, giving you the extra cash to purchase a few of the items that you so desperately want for spring/summer 2012. And, if you donate your items, you are potentially helping out someone in need. Plus, as the saying goes: One man's trash...

 

Fresh New Fit: Neon

By: LL
Spring time is all about incorporating color back into your wardrobe - maybe starting with a pop of color in a silk scarf, then stepping out in an emerald dress. As naturally bright colors return with flowers and wildlife, it is only natural for us also to return to color.

For SS2012, there are definitely a lot of new, exciting colors to embrace - starting with mint, coral, and yellow. But once we pass the Easter holiday, it might be time to shift from the pastels to the neons! Afraid of looking all 1980s or like one large neon light? Don't go overboard. Instead, integrate small pieces of neon into your wardrobe. Pair a neon pink skirt with a navy blouse. Wear neon green jeans with a white t-shirt. Or, even simpler - add in neon shoes or handbags. Here are some great neon pieces at a reasonable price:

1. Old Navy $24.94

2. TopShop $55

3. Delias $34.50

4. Ann Taylor $59.88

5. Echo (Nordstroms) $38

6. GB (Dillards) $44

7. Trouve $88

8. Haskel (Marcy's) $32

And, of course you can always embrace neon in your fitness fashion! Not only are neons practical (you are more easily seen in dusk/dark conditions), but you will also nail one of SS2012's hottest looks, such as these pieces do:

1. Uzzi $18.95

2. Nike $34.50

3. Asics $25

4. Mountain Hardwear $17.97

Failed Fits on the Road

By: The Right Fits
While on vacation, it's possible that you may encounter some failed fits in both fashion and fitness. In fact, LL and Cool J even participated in some of these failed fits while vacationing in Big Sky, Montana.  While we aren't proud of ourselves, we thought we'd be honest with you all, and expose our mistakes right here.


Failed Fits in Fitness:
Exhibit 1: The caramel pecan roll
Exhibit 2: The chocolate covered rice krispie treat.

Failed Fits in Fashion: 

Exhibit 1: Post hot tub towel-skirt, paired with a pair of furry boots and a loose white tee.
Exhibit 2: Tank with snowboarding pants and helmet (it was warm the first day!)

 

While everyone has a failed fit every once in awhile, it's important to admit your mistakes and not dwell on the past. Move forward. 

If you had too way too much to eat last night, drink a lot of water today, go to a yoga class to detox, or go for a run to get back to your fitness regime right away. Head to the grocery store and stock up on healthy snacks.

Do not wallow in your mistakes!

But also be fair to yourself- it's okay to splurge occasionally. You're worth it!

Fits on the Road: Fitness in Tampa

By: LL
As I posted here, I have been at a work conference in Tampa for the last few days, which means incorporating my fitness routine into my busy work schedule, while away from home and all of my regular fitness goodies. But, like a true road warrior, I was able to make it work - 3 days of fitness on only one fitness outfit! (Yeah, it is probably pretty smelly now).

This conference was held at the Tampa Convention Center, which is located right downtown on the bay - just across from St. Petersburg and Sarasota. Beautiful area, but lots of traffic. I stayed at the Embassy Suites next to the convention center. This hotel had a nice enough fitness center, which I used the second morning that I was there. The center only had two treadmills, two elliptical machines, one chair-style stationary bike, and some free weights and medicine balls. Whereas each of the machines had a TV, there was not a hook up for your headphones, so everyone was competing with each other for volume, and everything was crammed into a tiny space. Glad that I got to the free weights and mats before everyone else so that I could stake claim on an area.

{Very cramped space}

{Minimal free weights, but the window outside helped with the space issues}

The first day that I was in town, it was a beautiful morning and I didn't have to be at the conference until an hour later than the other days. So, I spoke to my concierge and inquired about a good route to run outside. I wish that I would have brought my camera! The route was approximately 4.5 miles and was out around the bay, into the Channelside Neighborhood, passed the Tampa Aquarium and into Ybor City (the historic Cuban town). It was a great run, and since I was out before 7:00 am, it was still cool.

The last morning that I was in Tampa, it was raining in the morning, and I didn't want to brave the tiny gym again, so I popped my Corepower Yoga Sculpt DVD into my computer, pushed aside my "sitting room" furniture and set up shop with what I could find (bathroom towel and hotel bottles of water for weights). I am glad that I threw this DVD into my bag at the last minute. I recommend that to anyone traveling, pack a good standby fitness DVD, which is perfect in case the hotel doesn't have a good gym facility or, like me, the weather is not conducive to running outside.

{Hey, sometimes you have to make do with what you have}

Fitness on the road in Tampa - I'd give it a 6 out of 10. The run is what saved this area! And, of course, there were a couple of hours of relaxation poolside, where I tried to give these pasty legs some color!

On a side note: if you have a few hours before flying out, check out International Plaza (exit 40A off of I-275 S) - lots of great shopping!! I definitely made a stop at H&M and Loft before catching my flight. 

Fits on the Road: Work Conference in Tampa

By: LL
After spending a few days in the snowy cold of Big Sky, I headed right off to Tampa, FL for some warmth and sunshine for a work conference. Talk about the shock on my body! What temperature is it? What time zone am I in? If I thought packing for a winter ski trip was hard, I found it even harder to pack for this particular work conference - why? Because there were so many dinners with industry sponsors, presentations, and a few moments to dress casually and relax in the sun. I had to break down and check a piece of luggage in order to get my attire to Tampa without too many wrinkles.

So what did I pack for all of these events?

I went with the fail-safe of a few standby dresses that can be casual or dressier, one summer suit with a few different tops to rotate through, and then one pair of shorts and a pair of dark skinny denim. For shoes, I went with black pumps (can't go wrong there), a pair of croc pumps, simple flats, and embellished sandals. And, of course, a few solid accessories.

{From left: Nine West Dress, The Limited Suit, Dorothy Perkins Dress, Merona Dress}

{From left: Dorothy Perkins Dress, LL Original Necklace, Merona Dress, LL Original Necklace}

{From left: Apt. 9 Pumps, Gianni Bini Flats, BCBG Pumps, Steve Madden Sandals}

Referring to Fodors, Travel Smith, and Real Simple for some advice on what to pack for a 4-7 day business trip to warmer destinations, there was a consensus: 3-4 bottoms, 6-8 tops, a light jacket and/or a universally matched cardigan, 2-3 pairs of shoes (err on flatter heels), and lots of small accessories (necklaces, scarves, etc.). They all recommend that you investigate the area prior to leaving and plan for the unexpected business engagement. It is also helpful to look at your itinerary when packing and plan each day's outfit accordingly, paying close attention to when you will need to move from day to night in the same outfit.

Also, don't forget your workout attire for some fitness on the road! For this trip, which has outdoor and indoor fitness opportunities, I packed one outfit that is functional in both areas and dries quickly. More on that later...