Another FASHION Friday Favorite

Ladies!  My fingers (and toes) are crossed in the hopes that FALL is just around the corner!  Who doesn’t LOVE fall?  I could go on and on about what, specifically, I love about fall but instead here is a little peek at some of my specific fall faves:

Scuba hoodies, PSL’s (Yes, I know what’s in them – I have 1 every year…sue me), pumpkin spice candles, Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale, pumpkin-patching with my kiddies, fall clothes, football & (healthy) comfort foods.  Let’s stop here, however, & focus on one of fall’s most essential wardrobe items – – THE SKINNY JEAN.  I clearly remember the day I sat at my desk at work instant messaging with a good friend of mine who was living in Los Angeles….I was swearing up and down that I’d NEVER wear skinny jeans.  I was convinced they were not for my muscular legs and pretty much just thought they’d look hideous.  Fast forward to NOW & I am eating my words as I LOVE LOVE LOVE my favorite pair of skinnies!!!  You’ll be shocked to know that:

1.  They did not cost $200 (I’d NEVER spend that much on jeans….ever.)

2.  They aren’t some trendy brand.

I think that people ASSUME you must spend a ton and shop ONLY at stores like Nordstrom or Saks for good skinnies (or jeans in general).  The winner here?  Good old Gap 1969 Always Skinny jeans.  Yep, the Gap.  These fit like a glove & come with just the right amount of stretch, but not too much that within an hour of wearing them you are constantly tugging and pulling them up (you ladies know what I mean).  They are FABULOUS.   Perfect for booties, flats, riding boots, Uggs & even my beloved Hunters.  I promise they’ll be your favorite too – – rush out and try some & then start stocking up for FALL!  (Bonus:  These are ON SALE for Labor Day – regularly $69, marked down to $41 – – !!!)

Do YOU have a fave pair of skinnies?  If so, please share!  

What are some of your other fall favorites?  

Friday Favorite(s): Fitness Blogs

Last week Jamie shared her favorite foodie blogs; today I am here to share my favorite fitness blogs.  I have been a longtime blog reader and there are two favorites that I have been reading daily for a couple of years: Peanut Butter Fingers, Healthy Tipping Point, and Carrots’N’Cake.

Julie at PBfingers is a full-time blogger, personal trainer and group fitness instructor.  Although she now holds these titles, she worked full-time and blogged on the side.  Her passion for health and fitness led her to get her certifications down the road.  Julie posts workout ideas, quick-easy meals, and about her daily life.  I love that she is very light-hearted and also shares her life.  

(Picture via Julie at Peanut Butter Fingers)

When I started reading blogs, I focused mostly on bloggers who run and Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point is a runner.  In addition to running and working out, she shares a lot of recipes as well. She and I became first-time mommies just three months a part so I have enjoyed “following” her on her journey.

(Picture via Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point)

Tina at Carrots’N’ Cake is also a runner and new Mom.  Tina’s fitness passion led her to get her personal training certification as well as her Level 1 Crossfit certification.  Although I am not a “cross fitter”, I do enjoy the occasional crossfit workout and Tina posts crossfit workouts she does at home.

 

(Photo via Tina at Carrots’N’Cake)

The main thing I love and draws me back to these three bloggers is that they are human: they have days where they enjoy treats and skip workouts. They strive to eat well, workout and raise healthy families, but they also live.

Here are some of my other favorites that I check-in with often on my Bloglovin’ feed:

Blonde Ponytail

Run, Eat, Repeat

Running with Diapers

Head on over and check out this awesome blogs!
What are some of your favorite fitness blogs?

Friday Favorite(s): Foodie Blogs

I know that cooking may not be for EVERYONE, but often I get asked things like “How did you come up with that recipe?” and “How did you decide to make that?”, soooooo I’ll share a secret – – I get my inspiration from some favorite and my “go to” foodie blogs!  I can’t take credit for EVERY recipe I make, although I will give the disclaimer that while I DO follow these blogs, I also pretty much NEVER follow the recipes, but rather come up with my own twist on what they’ve used ingredient-wise.  For instance, I try to avoid gluten & dairy as much as possible when I cook, so that means we do ALOT of bun-less burgers and the cheese is always optional in my recreated recipes.  That all said…..are you ready for my list of foodie inspiration?  For starters….here are my 4 favorites:  Skinnytaste, Iowa Girl Eats, Lauren’s Latest and How Sweet It Is

Some others I check in with are:

A Pinch of Yum

Annie’s Eats

Smitten Kitchen

Since I’m always looking for new favorites  – – I’m curious, what foodie blogs do YOU love?

First Friday Favorite: Fitness Fashion

Considering I spend about 85% of my time in workout clothes, I HAVE found some favorite items that are staples in my closet for the gym (and let’s face it…..everyday, too!)  For my very FIRST “Friday Favorite”,  I’m highlighting one of my favorite pairs of crops – – the Old Navy Compression Capri!  Priced UNDER $30, these are a STEAL considering it’s hard to buy quality workout crops UNDER $50 anymore, right?  Also, who doesn’t have some sort of discount code or coupon for Old Navy?  It seems like they have sales every day!

While I prefer shades of black for workouts (colors tend to show sweat & who likes that look?), I’m LOVING the cute prints they’ve added to this line.  In fact, I swear that I’m half responsible for the stripey black pair becoming almost a uniform at our local YMCA as I featured this pair on my Facebook a while back!  Now, EVERYONE has them!  I love it!

These pants are survivors, too – I’m sure I’ve had my first couple of pairs for a few years now & they still fit great!  I’ve even branched out to the long compression style for the winter months & while I never really wore them for working out (still too hot), I certainly sported them with my Hunters + Uggs for comfy, casual-wear.

Head to Old Navy or over to http://www.oldnavy.com & check these pants out today!