phys ed

My name is Laura, and I am a Lululemon addict. Really. Why are workout clothes the best thing ever? From the amount of Lulu in my closet, you would think I could actually get into crow pose. I can't.  

But this month, I am dedicating myself to improving my physical fitness. Since my son was born in the fall, I have made a pretty poor showing of getting back in shape. You can only use the "But I have a new baby!" excuse for so long.  Now that he's getting closer to 1 (and I'm getting closer to bathing suit season--shudder), the time to hesitate is through.  

To give myself a much needed kick start, I signed up for a 5K at the end of the month with two of my friends.  The weather in Boston is beyond beautiful right now, and so it seemed like the perfect time to get outside and run.  Except that I wanted to die after my first run.  I tracked my route using my new favorite online tool: 1.77 miles.  For real?  I felt like I had been running for daaaays.  The good news is that my runs have been getting progressively better ever since.  This past weekend, I tracked my route: 3.38 miles.  Don't laugh, for me that is pretty major.  More importantly, I felt great when I was done.  How's that for phys ed.

It doesn't hurt that I have some pretty fabulous running shoes, which were a gift from my amazingly athletic mother-in-law (legit, she could run circles around me).  Dressing the part is maybe my favorite part.  Oh, and good health.  Obviously.  In fact, my sneakers are so cool that my sister copied me and got a pair.  And now the world (okay fine, maybe just my 37 followers) knows the truth.

The bad news: I can see how people become obsessed with sneakers.

Leopard print Nikes and fallen spring blossoms

what i love about mondays

What I love about Mondays?  Okay, not much.   But one of my personal goals at the moment is to feel more grateful, complain less, and generally be a more positive me.  So with that sentiment in mind, here are a five things that are making me happy on my least favorite day of the week:

1.  Boston Strong.  My limited edition Boston Strong bracelet arrived in the mail from Rue La La!  As a born and bred Boston girl, pride in my home town runs deep my blood.  Last year, after the tragic bombing at the Boston Marathon, Boston Strong took on new meaning for me--and the rest of this amazing city.  I was beyond excited when Rue La La (a Boston business, if you didn't know!) announced their partnership with Alex and Ani for this limited edition bracelet.  100% of the net proceeds from sales of this bracelet support the One Fund Boston.  Tough.  Proud.  Strong.  Love love love.

2.  Eat cookies for breakfast.  So what if another personal goal is to lose 5 pounds and tone my abs for beach season?  This chocolate oatmeal raisin cookie recipe from my girl Martha was too tempting to resist.  Harper and I baked yesterday afternoon, and we added a twist on the recipe by mixing butterscotch, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate chips into the batter instead of plain old semisweet.  I mean, you gotta live a little, am I right?  Which is why I also feel that it is okay to eat a cookie for breakfast.  Or four.

3.  Remember where you come from.  With Mother's Day approaching, my mother and the many women who inspire me have been on my mind.  My grandmother, who will turn 93 later this month, is one of the most amazing women I have ever known.  The things she has seen and done during her lifetime are enough to take your breath away.  Her example helps me realize that I have a long way to go, and I hope I can make the journey with the same grace, poise, and tenacity that she has.  She recently shared this photograph with me (she is the little girl in the center holding that precious little dog), and I fell in love with the snapshot of her life--and America--at a different time.

4.  I dream of Louis.  Earlier this year, when I had just returned to work after having my sweet baby boy, I was having a difficult time juggling the demands of work and home--and also trying to avoid feeling like a hot mess.  One of my coworkers challenged me to do something just for me--to settle on a goal I could work towards over time.  For some, this could be something heroic like trying to change the world.  But as a firm believer in and subscriber of retail therapy, this meant starting a bag fund.  So now I stuff wads of cash under my mattress and dream of Louis Vuitton.  Just kidding!!!  But I am saving my money instead of falling prey to little purchases here and there, in hopes that I will be able to buy myself a fabulous new handbag by the end of the year.  It is an exercising in saving, willpower, and--best of all--fashion.  I'm visualizing a classy future like this:

Of course, my reality will probably look more like this:

But a fabulous bag makes everything look good, right?  That's what I'm banking on.  

Have a great week, friends!

watch me!

Cartel in Rose Gold
by Rockwell Watches

Never say that guys can't teach you anything about fashion.  I'm relatively new to the world of watches, but I have come to appreciate the watch as a valuable accessory, thanks to a few of my more fashion forward male colleagues.  You see, men have far fewer options when it comes to accessorizing in the corporate environment.  After all, one suit looks like the next--but ties, socks, and especially watches really set a guy apart. In fact, one of my best guy friends has a dozen statement watches, and by example has taught me that the right timepiece can totally complete a look.  

As a woman, of course, I don't lack for options when it comes to accessories, but a watch is something different.  As a piece of jewelry that serves fashion and function, it has become a valuable part of my arm candy and overall look too.  Oh, and it tells time--added bonus.

My new favorite: the Cartel by Rockwell Watches in rose gold.  Seriously, I'm obsessed.  If you're not familiar with Rockwell, you should be.  I personally love large face watches for their statement power, and Rockwell takes it to the next level.  You should see some of the huge watches they have for the guys in your life!  But I digress...  The Cartel is one of their medium styles, which is more than enough on a woman's arm.  It is available in a number of styles, but I especially love the rose gold for its versatility.  As a self-proclaimed fashionista, turned working mama, versatility is mandatory.  If I am going to invest in an outfit or an accessory, my rule of thumb is that it needs to work in a range of settings; this watch does just that.  Watch me:

1.  Dressed down mama: Marathon Monday was the most gorgeous day of the year so far here in Boston, and so I simply had to get the littles out of the house to enjoy the sun and fresh air.  We decided on a picnic at the sculpture park with some friends, and our artsy field trip called for a boho chic outfit, of course. Clothes: orange denim, a chambray shirt, a hair scarf, and flip flops (hallelujah for nice weather!).  Arm candy: the Cartel, lotus seed mala beads, and a DIY Burberry fabric wrap bracelet.  I love mixing materials and textures, and so the combination of metal, wood, and fabric creates a softer, funky look that I love for casual days.

2.  Corporette: I work in finance, and since our clients are typically more conservative, so is our office dress code.  But I love a challenge.  A pop of color or a bold pattern (preferably both!) make my army of pencil skirts, Tippy sweaters, and Reva flats far more interesting--as do my carefully selected accessories.  Clothes: patterned pencil skirt, black sweater, and black patent leather flats.  Arm candy: the Cartel.  Some opt to remove a link or two from their watch band to make it fit just right, but I like mine worn loose so that it's more like a bracelet than an ordinary watch.  Can we call it a watchlet??  Is that a thing???  Whatever the case, this watch is cool enough to be worn all by itself.

Photograph by Peter Frailey

3.  Girl on the go: Like many working moms out there, I wear a lot of hats.  Okay, so maybe not hats so much, but definitely shoes!  Many days, I go from work to home, and then sometimes out again; I love that my new watch can go with me!  Last weekend, after a family Easter egg hunt on Saturday morning, I waved goodbye to my husband and kids and dashed out the door for some much needed girl time: mani/pedis, a late lunch, and a little shopping with one of my favorite fashionista friends.  Clothes: distressed denim, white tee, and grey Toms.  Arm candy: the Cartel and a mix of silver and gold Alex and Ani bangles.  The rose gold watch works perfectly if you like mixing metals (I do)--and as it turns out, looks amazing with white Shellac polish too. 

One watch, three ways--and counting...  Watch me!