We leave for Buenos Aires in just four days. {Pinch me!} One of my dear friends, who we are traveling with, has issued a challenge. Carry on luggage only. My husband has wholeheartedly accepted the challenge for me after lugging my enormous suitcase around Italy for two weeks. I will admit that I packed too much on our trip to Europe. We were gone for fifteen days and I had no idea what to take with me. Now I have a better idea of what I like to wear in a large, international city. It also helps that it is spring time in South America, so I won’t need big bulky clothing. Don’t get me wrong, this is not going to be easy to do. I am beginning to formulate a plan. I think dresses will be my saving grace. However, what do I do about shoes? Or outerwear? Or beauty products? The beauty products alone are nightmare. Damn 3 oz. rule! {I strongly believe that rule is discriminatory toward women.}
So I have to ask:
Do you carry on or check your luggage? If you carry on, what are your tricks?!
Typically I tumble into a fitness rut in the fall. I launch the kids into a new school year and then begin to hibernate. Last year I found it near impossible to pull myself out of it come spring, so I knew I needed to do something different. I think age has a lot to do with and I have learned I can’t really take “time off”. There is no bouncing back anymore, so my commitment to fitness must be steady.
In an attempt to break my nasty fall habit, I joined a TRX Team in early September. The team ran for six consecutive weeks, meeting 3 days a week for an hour. Our final class was last Friday. Our fearless coach asked us to send her a testimonial regarding the team and our experience.
My testimonial:
I joined the TRX team in hopes that my historical fall slump could be avoided.
I have found that the commitment has been exceptional for me in many ways.
1. I had noticed that my focus on cardio exercise, namely running, had left me with little to no arm and core strength. I began to see definition return within the first two weeks of the class. I can only imagine how strong I will be by the end of six weeks.
2. I have structured my days around the Team workout and have found I am extremely productive. All areas of my life have benefited from a structure and schedule.
3. I don’t weigh myself, so I can’t measure my progress in pounds. I can measure it in energy. I feel great all day long, including the afternoon when typically I slump. I have been sleeping great and my clothes are fitting quite comfortably.
I am stronger, much stronger, six weeks later. Additionally, the team increased my productivity and my energy. For me the real work begins today. Without the structure of a team I will need to be self-motivated. My plan is to create my own weekly schedule, so that I have an allocated time and activity for each day. Wish me luck!
In the end, accountability to my coach and fellow teammates was great motivation. While we didn’t all have the same goals, the support and encouragement from the other women on the team was just what I needed to keep showing up. Do you have fitness goals? Whether big or small, I strongly suggest finding a team. Find an established team or form your own. Heck, form a team of two. Just you and your bestie training for a 5K or taking 30 yoga classes together. In the end you will be strong, happy, and connected.
What do you have planned for the weekend? I am looking forward to taking the kids to get pumpkins. Our beloved farm is open again and so we are making the trek for pumpkins, mini doughnuts and cider! I couldn’t be happier! Little Man wants to make cut-out sugar cookies, so I will dig up the fall cookie cutters and whip up the dough today. I love baking with the boys.
A collection of things that inspire and interest me this week:
1. This room screams cozy and comfortable. Those woven IKEA poufs are pretty awesome and totally affordable.
2. Stacks of baskets. Wouldn’t these be great for blankets? Or possibly a smaller one to hold TP in the bathroom?
3. If you have tape and spray paint, you can start and complete this pumpkin DIY in no time!
4. OMFG! I am still obsessed with having a neon light somewhere in my house.
5. A Dia de los Muertos inspired skull candy bowl is spot-on! {And only $12}
I wrote a guest blog post today for a fellow Seattle area blogger. Brenda, creator of From Me With Love, just had a baby and needed a little time off. I was happy to help her enjoy a little extra time with her baby.
I shared a recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookie Jars. Pop on over and read the entire post. {They are the absolute perfect dessert!}
It has been such a busy and exciting week. New things on the horizon for me and it is thrilling to be challenging myself in different ways. We are never to old to push ourselves. To move outside our comfort zones. That is when great things happen.
And in super important news…….
I am getting my haircut next week by a new stylist. It is kind of like going on a blind date, isn’t it? One is so full of hope and praying that “this is the one”! Wish me luck. You know how these things can go.
A collection of things that inspire and interest me this week:
Last week Benjamin Moore announced the Color of the Year for 2016. And it is white. More specifically, Simply White. It was surprising, since there are like a billion paint colors. But I have to say I love the choice. Crisp and clean. A blank canvas to build upon. However, in full disclosure, I am totally biased. I recently painted our family room white. After much research and five pint size samples, I chose White Dove for the walls and Simply White for the trim. I loved Simply White because it was a true white. The room makes me nothing but happy.
I took a risk when painting the interior doors glossy black. My hope was that I would love the contrast. I am so pleased with the results! Actually, I love them. The doors add interest to the white room. It was a delight to read the narrative on Benjamin Moore’s website about using white and black. It emphasizes striking contrasts and bold lines.
Well, there you go! I couldn’t have said it better myself. I am by no means a designer, so this is kind of awesome. More importantly, it reaffirmed the importance to follow your gut and do what will make you happy in your home. No matter a trend or a “of-the-moment” look, it has to be right for you!
How do you feel about white walls? Do you love it or do you need more color in your life?
A few rooms in white:
{images via Benjamin Moore}
As you can see, our family room is a work in progress. It is a very large, BLANK canvas. Still working on it. I promise that I will post more about the room. Including a post about our vintage sliding door into our laundry room. It was my harebrained idea that actually worked!
And just like that it is the end of the week. Hell ya for Friday! We just finalized all of our travel plans for our trip to Argentina. And yes, I am counting down the days. Have you been to Buenos Aires? I’d love any recommendations if you’ve got them.
I am still reeling from The Martian and having fantastic conversations with my boys about the film! {Yesterday Little Man and I discussed how Watney pooped in space.} If you haven’t already, you really must go this weekend.
A collection of things that inspire and interest me this week:
1. Instagram worthy! The colorful buildings of the La Boca neighborhood in Buenos Aires. {Stay tuned.}
2. Black, white, gray, gold, and wood. The perfect palette for a home.
Guys, it’s October. This week was awesome and not for any reason in particular! I’m hoping this weekend is just as fun and productive. I want to change the chalkboard wall, catch up on reading the latest magazines on my coffee table, and bake a delicious fall dessert!
A few things that inspire and interest me this week:
1. That pool! The weather is still gorgeous here, but that pool at The Parker!
This is Part 2 in a series of posts about my trip to Italy in 2014. {Read Part 1/Roma here}
Calabria: Days 6 and 7
Leaving Rome, we headed south, 5 hours by train, to the region of Calabria. Both of my grandfathers immigrated to the United States from Calabria. Unbelievably, their towns happen to be only 30 km apart. Prior to leaving on our trip I was able to connect with family and plan time in each town. My cousin Elena, spoke English and was an immense help! While in Rome my rusty Italian served us well. In southern Italy it was a totally different story. Very few residents spoke English and all of them spoke in a regional dialect, so it was almost impossible for me to communicate. Aaron can tell an extremely funny story about my conversation with a cab driver in Cosenza. I mistakenly asked for a 50 km cab ride instead of a ride to the train station. Funny now, extremely stressful in the moment.
Click through to read more about our time in Southern Italy:
We have distinct seasons here in the Pacific Northwest. With a shift in weather, comes a shift in wardrobe. I see this time as a perfect cue to clear out my closet.
I have had several of you ask me for help with your closets. The hard part is knowing where to start. In our busy lives, a formula is always welcome. While I have not written a best seller, I am pretty good at clearing out my closet.
If you remember, I created a storage system when I gave my closet some love. Clothes and shoes that I am not currently wearing find a home in storage containers for a few months. Clothes move in and out of my closet based on the season. You may not have this system in your home, but the process will be the same. Every article of clothing must be closely considered. Does the item stay or go? This is where it gets really difficult.
Here are the things I consider:
Fit
Simply, it must fit. For me I can’t keep something that doesn’t fit anymore. This is sometimes painful and sad. {Please note, I’m not talking about it being a bit snug because that can change by the week or day.} If you aren’t sure, try it on and look at yourself in the mirror. Does it flatter your shape? Do you feel good in it? Does it button or zip easily? If the answer is no to any of those questions, it is time to let it go. If you have recently lost weight and the piece is too large, please don’t wear it anymore. Either have a tailor alter it for you or pass it along. You deserve clothes that fit you well.
Condition
Carefully inspect each piece. Is it in good shape? Is it missing buttons or is the hem coming loose? Some problems are easy to fix and will give life back to your clothes. However, sometimes it is just time to say good bye. Even if you absolutely love a blouse, you can’t wear it if it has a large stain. Sweaters don’t look great once they have lost their shape. Shoes get old. I recently just gave away two of my most favorite pair of pumps. They were past their prime and starting to look a tad tacky. Was I sad? Yes. Did they need to go? Yes.
Style
Yes, it is true. Everything eventually comes back into style. However, it usually takes twenty years or so. Are you really going to hold onto that pair of jeans until they are back in fashion? I hope your answer is no. There are true classics and they can be great from year to year. However, it may be time to update your black pants or blazer. If you tend to buy trend pieces, you need to be extra critical. {I find that these pieces only stay in my closet for a couple of years.}
Do I wear it?
This should be your final question, always. Do I wear it? Honestly. If you don’t wear it, what is the point of keeping it? Buyers remorse might be involved here, but you just have to get over that.
If you have done your job well, there is a pile of clothes that need a new home. I make two piles: charity and consignment store. If you believe that someone else would pay money for a few items {usually name brand}, consider taking them to a consignment shop. You earn a little cash and this often times makes the process easier. Off brands or older items can quickly and easily be given to a thrift store or charity. Put them in your car right away so you don’t second guess yourself.
If you have questions, please leave a comment or shoot me an email denise@whereisjune.com. I will help in any way I can! You can do this!
