Frozen

Made in USA: Jeans: old James Jeans (similar) // Striped Tee: American Apparel // Shoes: c/o New Balance // Hat: Brixton (similar) 

Imported: Hoodie: gifted Columbia (similar) // Gloves: old Target 

Guess who went to the frozen tundra of New York for Christmas and forgot a proper winter coat? That's right - this chick!  I also forgot my favorite wigwam socks and the hubs wouldn't even let me steal his pair. Double fail. The temperatures didn't break over 30 degrees for the entire trip. 

Thankfully, my mother-in-law gave me a very thick hoodie for Christmas which layered perfectly over my endless supply of long sleeve tees and knit hats (seriously, I brought 4 hats, but zero pairs of wool socks).  Let's just say it's a good thing I'm a fan of multiple layers and anti-heavy coats. 

I had a great time making snow angels, practicing my sliding skills, and even throwing a few snowballs at my dad. All in all, a very good time indeed. Jax, Jewels, and the hubs ditched me because it was too cold outside! It's cool because I got to hang out with this guy: 

And what better way to spend a few minutes alone with my dad than freezing in the snow.  

Oh, spending a few minutes on a frozen retreat admiring Mother Nature's handiwork wasn't bad either. 

See you on the flip side 2013! Ending the year with snow is always ideal for me. Who's coming with me for the next snowball fight? 

Recharging the Batteries

Made in USA: Jeans: James Jeans (similar) // Cardigan: Venley by Youth Monument // Nails: Essie 'Twin Sweater Set' // Duck Boots: L.L. Bean // Camo Field Jacket ("borrowed" from my dad): military supply store 

I don't run from laugh lines, rather instead I run towards them. Last weekend I added a few more to my cheeks and I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. I got to spend two nights at my parent's home, catch up on snuggle sessions with my their poodle, a day with my sister in NYC, and most importantly I was able to spend precious moments with my grandmother and nephew.  My nephew and I even talked my grandmother into judging a jumping contest, but then we got busted by our respective moms! 

I even skipped a long run because spending a few more hours with my family was better for my soul than running a few more miles. That's saying something! 

Those moments of laughter and those walks through the woods were the perfect recharge for my tired self. Marathon training has been incredibly tough this time around. I've felt like an empty shell of my usual chipper self for a few moments and a quick visit to my childhood backyard was more refreshing than any spa treatment. I could just sit down by the lake all day with a good book, a warm blanket, and be blissfully happy. 

What do you do to recharge your internal batteries? I usually go for a run because I can't escape to my parent's house every weekend, but this time around I was more than happy to kick off my running shoes and slip on a pair of boots. 

Dreaming at the NYC Marathon

My dream marathon has always been the New York City Marathon. I know that sounds odd because most marathoners dream of Boston, but what can I say, I'm a biased NY sports fan :) I think my dream was also influenced by my current marathon times, which to be blunt, are FAR from Boston qualifying. But New York, well that one has always been the dream. So much that I used to watch it on TV like a complete running nerd even before I started to identify myself as a runner. 

Sadly, the dream didn't happen this year. However, instead of shying away from my dream race I went with a pretty amazing backup plan to tackle NYC with my sister and scream my freaking head off like a crazy person for my best friend. NY was on her bucket list of marathons and she was checking that baby off the list on Sunday. 

My amazing backup plan was even more incredible thanks to the good folks over at New Balance. As part of their New York City Marathon VIP experience they gifted me an amazing "essentials" package. Even when I told them I wasn't running the race, but was cheering instead they were cool with it. I know I said in my running essentials post that I envisioned I would be a New Balance shoe wearer for life and that belief has been further cemented.  All New Balance items shown in this post (sick 890v4 NYC edition shoes, backpack, and shirt were gifts from New Balance). 

The crowds along 1st Avenue were out of control (in a good way!). The entire journey from the Queensboro Bridge to the the Willis Avenue Bridge was one massive block party.  It was serendipitous that my sister and I were able to catch a glimpse of my best friend as she raced by. My sister and I jogged over to our designated viewing station from the subway station and within 60 seconds saw my best friend. If she was on the opposite side of the road I don't think we would have been able to see her in the mass of runners. 

After racing to get to 1st Avenue my sister and I walked over to Central Park, grabbed a quick hot dog (judge me, I don't care), and then we cheered for passing runners near the 40k mark.  We also noted that gingers seem to have a strong affinity to neon sneakers :) 

Spectator Tip: wear knit gloves even if your hands aren't cold! My hands are chapped from clapping so much without gloves.  I'm not kidding you, but I had three pairs of tech knit gloves in my bag (one courtesy of New Balance) and a pair of thicker running gloves, but like an idiot I took them off because I was so warm from jumping around like a crazy person. 

Running Tip: wear your name on your shirt. You will feel like a rock star because everyone will cheer for you by name!  

Spectator Tip: know exactly what your running friend is wearing in order to assist in finding them on race day.  My eyes started to get sore trying to find my bestie among the sea of runners. Knowing exactly what shirt she was wearing was the only way I was able to target that specific color and find her. 30 seconds before I saw her in Central Park I had a case of mistaken identity with another runner. Whoops!  We had a great spot and got to see my bestie come around a sweeping turn in Central Park and watched her charge one last hill. She saw us, made eye contact, and even waved! 

Rocking the pink skirt, sparkly headband, neon, and I love her for it. Okay, maybe not the pink skirt part :) 

Post race. She was pretty cold and tired at that point, but she did amazing. I'm so proud of her! I can't wait to cheer for her at her next marathon. Yes, one day post-race and she was already eyeing up the next one. Love her! 

Even though my dream didn't happen this year I know I'm one step closer. I know cheering at a marathon isn't for everyone, but I came home on Sunday night and told the hubs, "Look, I feel a little guilty saying this, but I had an absolutely amazing weekend. I know you weren't there and I missed you, but I had such a great weekend." Which is pretty awesome considering I got a flat tire on I-95 on the way home!

Thanks again to New Balance for the race day essentials gift package. I wore those 890s all over New York this weekend, but they were promptly stored in their box when I got back home. Those shoes deserve to run NYC and I'm going to save them to run NYC. Instead of collecting dust in a closet they're going to be silently taunting me to chase my dream. That dream will turn into a reality. That's a fact!

How about you? What is your dream race? Or just a dream sporting event you always wanted to either attend or compete in?

New York State of Mind

Made in the USA: Trousers: Theory (love these in navy) // Blazer: Alex Lane via Bluefly // Necklace: Kris Nations c/o Modestics // Nail Polish: Essie 'Chinchilly' 

Imported: Top: J. Crew // Watch: Movado ("borrowed" from the hubs)  // Shades: Ray Ban // Shoes: Goodwill 

Thanks to Modestics for deciding that my love for my home state was bigger than anyone else's and for gifting me with this amazing Kris Nations necklace. It's not only made out of recycled metal, but it's made in the USA (California to be exact). 

I'm a massive fan of the current state jewelry trend that is sweeping the nation. I love that I can still claim my "home" as New York even though I forfeited my NY driving license in 2005. Also a big fan that every NY necklace I've seen just shows NY state. Those pesky islands have been left off the proverbial map :)

I kid, I kid. NYC I love you! 

Maryland driver's license notwithstanding I believe there are a few traits that will keep me eternally a New Yorker:

• My proclivities for all-black ensembles. 
• The ferocity in which I defend my beloved New York Giants and Yankees. Also the hatred I have for the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. #sorrynotsorry
• The velocity in which I can win almost any argument. Once I get going you might not get a word in edge wise because I can out fast-talk a speeding informercial announcer. 
• My full-blown crush on Jon Stewart. I have only one celebrity crush and it is for that man. The hubs is cool with it. 
• My GSD attitude; I refuse to be outworked. 

The main reason for all this NY talk is my family is coming in to visit this weekend. Back to being in the ginger majority and not getting any crap for how I pronounce my vowels. I was actually asked last weekend at the grocery store if I was foreign because of my "accent." 

How about you? Do you still live in your "home" state? If you moved away which state do you consider home? 

National Running Day

Hi, my name is Heidi and I'm a slacker runner.  

I took my normal winter break from running and then was even slower to get back into it this spring.  Sure, I was busy doing Insanity with the hubs and that left little energy for running outside.  I know loads of people love Insanity's Sean T., but I'm afraid to say I'm not one of them.  I don't find any enjoyment from working out inside.  I loathe the gym. I detest anything that reminds me of the gym.  I work inside for 8+ hours a day and I use running as just another reason to get outside and enjoy God's green earth from time to time. 

However, I have the most important reason in the world to dive back into the running world.  Well, two reasons actually because I'm sure my own health and well-being is an important reason to take into consideration. 

My reason for connecting with running is my nephew.  He's been bitten by the running bug over the past year.  He joined his middle school track team and just a few weeks after his 13th birthday he went sub-20 for the first time in a 5k. 

So this past weekend my brother and I went up to NY to hang out with the family and I got to run a 5k with the kid. 

He had exceptionally high expectations for himself on race day and he was in a slightly sour mood (hey, he is 13 after all) when he didn't meet those expectations.  He finished in just over 20 minutes, but the way he made it sound it was as if he ran his slowest 5k time of all time when actually he ran his second fastest 5k time of all time.  You know, in all those short 13 years he's been running around :) 

As anyone who raced over the weekend in the Northeast can attest to, it was freaking HOT and HUMID this weekend.  Race conditions were not favorable, but one thing I love about my nephew is no excuses.  I'm going to have to repeat that mantra time and time again this summer.  I might have said earlier this year that I wouldn't be running a marathon this year, but a crazy thing happened and I'm signed up for one and actually contemplating a second this fall.  

Pre-Race.  Why am I sweating already? Oh that's right it was HOT out!

One of the absolute coolest things about this race is that the pre-race pep talk and post-race awards ceremony is conducted by running legend Frank Shorter.  If you don't know who Frank is then I highly suggest you read up on him.  I'll give you a hint - he won the 1972 Marathon Olympic Gold Medal.  He's kind of a big deal in the running world.  He also used to attend the very same school where this beautiful track is located.  

I might buy the ridiculously expensive race photos because the kid came in second in his age group and I came in third in mine.  We both were able to get our pictures taken with a running legend and that it definitely worth the price of a photo. 

Probably the last race photo where I'm taller than the kid! 

I see more 5ks in my future because I'm already scoping out more races that I can do with the kid.  Spending 9+ hours in a car for a weekend is well worth it in my mind. I just hope the kid doesn't need new running shoes every time we get together because that is going to be an expensive bonding experience!

It's serendipitous that today is National Running Day and my commitment to running is solidly back on track.  I was able to get out for a few miles this morning before sunrise and I'll finalize my summer training program this weekend.

I'm running for me, but I'm also running for the kid. It makes me deliriously happy to have a healthy hobby in common with a family member and I'm going to cherish all of our racing memories.

Fresh Air

Do you ever have a day where you just need fresh air?

I'm talking about the Spaceballs kind of fresh air. You just need a deep breath to calm down in order to have a chance to get back to center. You inhale so deeply that it feels physically impossible to let all that air back out of your lungs. 

I had one of those moments over the weekend.  Thankfully, I was surrounded by fresh, spring, mountain air for a few hours. 

I hope the scenery conveys why I'm a self-proclaimed "tree hugger."  It was impossible to grow up in Eden conditions and not develop a strong fondness for protecting nature.  Except for spiders - those suckers are on their own. 

The other perks of going "home" for the weekend besides visiting with both grandmas, German crepes, NY pizza, quality time with the nephew, rummaging through family treasures, and lots of red headed snarkiness is playing with my sister's pets.  And by "playing" I mean annoying to the point of provoking attack.  Apparently they're like me and they hate having their photos taken. 

I'm not kidding, but I was balancing a stick on top of my lens hood in order to get the Dane to look straight at me.  The stick did not survive. 

Well with eyes like those they better get over themselves and get used to it.  Maybe I need to get a bigger zoom lens so I don't have to be right up in their faces to snap a photo.  Especially with the cat! I'm highly allergic to cats! 

I hope you and yours had a good weekend and found a few moments of fresh air.

IFB and NYFW Recap

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  Well here it goes. 

A massive, heartfelt thank you to all of the amazing vendors at IFBCon.  At what other conference can you pose with Tyson Beckford, get your makeup done by bare Minerals, eye up serious jewelry at Alex and Ani (made in the USA and out of recycled materials - double win!), get professional hair assistance by Fekkai, and hit up the Mail Chimp station to DIY t-shirts and hats?  Plus, throw in an open-bar after party at the W Hotel, because yes, that happened. 

Why yes, those are 140mm (aka 6inch!) Christian Louboutin shoes on the left.  I think the only shoes that I saw that were cooler were massive Chanel heels that included crystal rocks on the stems. Insane doesn't even begin to describe the serious shoe envy I had while up in NY. 

Again, just soaking up every word my girl crush, Lydia Hudgens, had to say. 

Took outfit photos of three insanely fashionable women (Meaghan, Natalie, and Lacey).  

The center of the fashion world. 

Just a few of the eye-dropping pieces I saw in Lincoln Center.  Seriously, these were mild compared to what I saw because the truly beautiful pieces floated by and before I could pick up my jaw and my camera they were gone. 

My first NYFW show.  The pieces at Candela were magical. Now if only I had a place to wear either that gorgeous sequined dress or that lace black number. 

Was able to find a bit of home inspiration at Lincoln Center and at the Hudson Hotel. 

Some take home swag. Seriously, there's more makeup and a few other things floating around my suitcase.  I'll be giving away a few things next week (hint - one item is a pink iPhone case).  You'll have to pry that $50 giftcard to Rent The Runway from my cold fashion fingers because I can't wait to use it. 

Anyone else attend IFBCon? What were your thoughts?  I loved, loved, loved the panels and I'm going to take Niche.Niche.Niche.Niche.com.gov to heart. 

As for NYFW, I swore afterwards that I was a "one and done" person when it came to attending fashion week. However, it wouldn't be entirely fair to only go once and make a permanent decision.  The weather was ridiculously cold, or seasonably appropriate in New York, so I might just go up again in September and see how I survive.  I mean, it's not like I wore sleeveless shirts or anything. Oh wait, I did :) 

NYFW Black Ops

Top: Three Dots via RueLaLa (Similar) Made in the USA baby!  // Pants: Forever 21 (Similar) // Shoes: Sam Edelman via BlueFly (Similar ) // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff via Gilt (Similar ) // Coat: DKNY (Similar) // Shades: Ray Band via Nordstrom Rack (Similar) // Diamonds & Bow Ring: Hello Fab // Jewelry: InPink, iSanctuary, vintage bow rhinestone bracelet

If you would have asked me up until a few weeks ago if I ever saw myself going to New York Fashion Week the answer would have been a resolute "NO!"

Then, a friend asked if I would be interested in going.  The timing couldn't be better.  I casually mentioned it to the hubs and without a moments hesitation he told me to pretty much pack my bag and get the heck out of dodge.  I think it is safe to say that I might have been a tad bit overprotective of the hubs as he recovers from surgery and he was looking to have me out of the house for a few days.  

What the hell does one wear to fashion week?  I love clothes just as much as the next fashionista, but I'm more of a shoe person and my favorite shoes don't necessarily work for fashion week.  By that I mean they're more of "cab heels" and not "walk around NYC for hours on end heels."  Those NY sidewalks can be dangerous in stilettos! Badass wedge booties it is! 

I promised the hubs that I would wear more less black this year, but that just wasn't in the cards when it came to packing for NY.  I may or may not have been a tad over excited when I was able to borrow those amazing faux leather pants from Meaghan.  Not only did I fit in them, but I kind of think I looked good in them.  Win/win in my book. 

I didn't share that same thought when I was sitting next to a whiskey-drinking, Santa Clause look-a-like on the train ride home.  My initial reaction was, "Craaaap, I'm sitting next to Santa Clause and I'm wearing leather pants. Well I guess I'm on the naughty list next year." 

Honestly, I'm going to track down a version of similar faux leather pants and make this my go-to uniform.  I found that other people generally left me alone when they saw the spiked purse, high-heeled combat boots, leather pants, aviators, and scowl.  I was probably the only fashion blogger at Lincoln Center that replied with a "NO!" when photographers asked if they could take my picture.  After the first two photographers asked, I was over it and it wasn't until later that I was in the lobby of the Hudson hotel and my guard was down that I let someone else take my picture. 

It's cool. I happened to meet my girl crush the insanely talented and badass Lydia Hudgens at IFBCon. We share a mutual love of all black outfits, Canon equipment, and absolutely abhor having our picture taken.  I'd shave off a side of my head if I thought I could pull it off, but imitation on that level is not a form of flattery, it's certifiable stalkerish. 

Please be in store for the biggest photo-logged post tomorrow as a recap to all things IFBCon and NYFW.  I'm thinking massive amounts of collages are the only way I may or may not be able to get across a glimpse of the pictures I took in New York.  

Anyone else attend IFBCon?  Anyone else still up in New York?  At first I was sad to leave so early, but Thursday night my comrades and I looked like sheer geniuses (no seriously, the back of my shirt was sheer) because we had purchased our tickets to get out of New York before Nemo hit.  Penn Station was an absolute mess on Thursday night.  

Anyone that is still up in New York, please be safe!  Also, post a ton of pictures on Instagram because I'm already planning my next trip back to New York.  There's so much more to do!

IFBCon: Day 1

First day at a blogger conference, a fashion conference nonetheless, and I was a fish out of water.  Actually, it wasn't that bad. I may or may not have been hanging out with a few fashionable women who were routinely asked by various members of the press for photos.  Then, I would make eye contact with the photographer and they would ask, "do you mind stepping out of the photo."

Yes, I get it. I'm a fashion nobody.  Whatever. No sweat off my back.  

Shirt: Unknown (via Marshalls) // Jeans (Made in the USA): James Jeans similar (via Bluefly) // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (via Gilt) // Shoes: Sam Edelman (via Bluefly) 

Lulu Frost CEO, Lisa Salzer, speaks to the adoring crowd.

Instagram snapshots dotting the wall from Mint Chimp. 

The Man Repeller cracks a joke, obviously, during a panel session on blogging longevity. 

Meaghan and I. 

Yes, I walked straight up to women and asked if I could take a picture of their amazing jewels. Love the necklace above? The amazing Jessie, from Style and Pepper, made it! Can we say "Made in the USA" fast enough?!?!

IFB and Birchbox swag.  Look for a giveaway coming up!