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

Episode 20: Family & Armo(u)r

Today I am thankful for my amazing family, who never fail to support and encourage me--especially (and most recently) over the last 36 weeks and 4 days...  For me, my family is my armor, and they keep me strong.  So it was only fitting that, when my brother, Ben, came to visit me in the hospital today (well, I think he was more interested in his brand new niece--but still), I was immediately impressed by his super fly kicks.  


It turns out that the sneakers in question are Under Armour footwear.  While I enjoy working out--particularly running and yoga--I actually don't own a single piece of Under Armour.  I'm more of a Lulu Lemon or Nike sort of girl.  But my brother's awesome sneakers may have me changing my tune.  Their sleek design and bold color accents are precisely the features I look for in a sneaker.


Since my amazing new daughter, Harper, has me a bit preoccupied at the moment (yay!), I only had the chance to spend a few minutes perusing Under Armour's website, but I was instantly drawn to the Women's Charge RC Running Shoe.  According to Under Armour, these shoes are game changers, given their two-piece body, designed so that your foot can flex like it does naturally, while compression protects your muscles so as to maximize their strength and slow fatigue.  All this plus moisture-wicking fabric and a weight of less than 10 ounces?  I'm certainly impressed.  Yet, for me, fashion is obviously a crucial component, and these sneakers are equally impressive in this regard; available as a limited edition is a dazzling pink and cool aqua contrasting a graphite colored body.  Girly and edgy: my favorite.


I have to tell you, my brother is definitely the source when it comes to fantastic footwear.  While he is absolutely obsessed with working out, he does it in style, so who am I to judge?  Especially after he has shared this fabulous footwear secret with me.  For that--and for him and the rest of my amazing family--I am thankful.

Women's Charge RC Running Shoe
in neo pulse/graphite, $119.99
by Under Armour

  

Episode 8: Comfy Cool

My sister Annie's closet has been an ongoing source of inspiration to me over the years.  From skinny jeans to pointy-toed shoes, I am thankful to my style savvy sister for giving me the courage to test drive countless looks that I never thought would work for me, including the very epitome of comfy cool: my Converse.  


Back when she was in high school, my sister debuted an irresistibly cute pair of bright pink Converse high tops.  Peeking out from beneath skinny jeans, her girly kicks brought an element of casual fun to her look.  While I totally coveted her style, I was convinced that such a look wouldn't work as well without her supermodel height and frame.  But she talked me into giving it a try, and I found my own take on comfy cool by pairing my Converse with flairs.  I have yet to add a pair of hot pink Converse to my collection, but I am currently pondering my next pair...  Indeed, all these years later, I still love love looove my Converse.  I guess it just goes to show that comfort is always in style.  Dear beloved sister, my feet are especially thankful.

I wore my trusty Converse all over Paris last spring!
Photo by Sarah M. Barton, March 2010