Yoga Newbie

 

am i the only one who finds yoga intimidating? 

 

my friend b has really inspired me to finally give this yoga thing a try (also every time i get a massage they remind me how tight i am and that i need to incorporate some yoga into my routine).  living social also inspired me with this incredible deal for a month unlimited for only $30 at yogaworks (actually only $20 using the promo code FREEDOM at checkout)! 

 

and so, i have my month unlimited, my inspiration and my fingers and toes crossed that this yoga thing works for me.  i am nervous as a beginner and also nervous that i will look like a fool in front of everyone, but i am going to give it my all. 

 

any tips for this novice? 

Happy {5K} Weekend!

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it's finally here!  my first 5k ever and while i am totally nervous, i am also totally excited!

 

after running the revlon run/walk for women tomorrow morning, it's back home for a quick shower and change and then off to main street santa monica for some birthday pub crawl action!

 

a sunday night dinner at gjelina will be exactly what the doctor ordered! 

 

hope you all have a fabulous weekend!  happy mother's day too!

 

xoxo

Word Up Wednesday

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Song Of The Week: Can't Hold Us

new favorite running song.  period.  "can't hold us" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis totally jacks me up and i'm pretty sure it makes these short little stubs run just a little bit faster.  so good!

not sure if i mentioned it to y'all but i signed up for the revlon run/walk for women los angeles 5k and have committed to running the entire thing.  now i realize that 5k may not be a lot to some of you, but for me, this will be the longst continuous run i have done...ever. 

if you live in los angeles, it's not too late to register and join in on the fun, or if you live outside of la and want to donate (and help me reach my goal of $1000) please click here (even $5 helps!). 

happy monday friends!

Word Up Wednesday

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seriously don't let them.

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oh so true.

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love.

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i hope so!  i did cw on saturday with my gf christy, yesterday with samela and today vipr with lori & avery.  good mood here i come!

 

happy hump day! 

Buy It ~ Vine Street Market

 

it's been some time since i have found anything on groupon that i actually am tempted to purchase but lately i have been on the hunt for a new gym bag (mine should have been retired a year ago) and this vine street market fashion tote in "i love hearts" completely reeled me in. 

 

normally $60 this bag is currently $19.99 including shipping!  it holds up to 60 lbs of weight and is eco-friendly!  yay!

 

if you are on the hunt for a new tote or gym bag, might i suggest the one above. 

 

cute, cute, cute! 

Q1 Gym Jams - "Run It" Playlist

 

i am not by any means at all a "runner".  but lately i have been inspired to work on my running game and possibly sign up for a 5k this year.  i am currently leaning towards the Revlon Run/Walk for Women in may...

 

in any case, i cannot possibly keep my feet running on that treadmill unless i have some highly motivating beats.  my "run it" playlist is 41 minutes long and allows a 3 miles run and some cool down time. 

 

if you need a little kick in the butt, i think this playlist might just do it for you!

 

enjoy!

 

 

Song Of The Week: I Love It

i love it.  no really i love the song "i love it". 

i first heard it on perhaps the best episode of girls ever and immediately downloaded it the next day for our trip to vegas.  and wouldn't you just know that this very song played at the club we went out at and i was as happy as a clam. 

besides going out and dancing, this song is another excellent gym jam.  i just run on the treadmill and completely lose track of time for the 3 minutes it is on. 

i love it.

Song of the Week ~ Scream & Shout

i want to scream & shout today because i leave for vegas until friday and then celebrate my b*day weekend! woot woot!

for reals though, this song is my new fave to listen to on repeat while i run on the treadmill.  perfectly upbeat and fun.  plus i have to admit i love the "britney bitch" part.  classic.

add this song to your getting ready mix or workout mix immediately!

Song of the Week ~ Blue Jeans (Gesaffelstein Remix)



i'll admit i was a little late jumping on the lana del rey train.  i watched the snl and thought, this girl is really pretty but boring.  her snl performance received terrible reviews which made her all the more intriguing to me.  so i listened to her born to die album and was shocked by how much i really enjoyed her music. 

i quickly added her to my florence + the machine pandora station and wouldn't you just know that this amazing "blue jeans (gesaffelstein remix)" came on and i was hooked. 

this remix is great for the gym and totally perfect for a saturday night getting-ready jam session with your besties.  i am officially a lana del rey fan for life.

Song of the Week: Hands on the Wheel

  i have to admit i have been a little late to the game in sharing this awesome song with you. refinery 29 shared an awesome mix back in march (download the entire list - so great) and i was excited to hear a familiar voice on the mix from lissie.  then the song mixed into a great number that i have been listening to non-stop since march.

"hands on the wheel" is my go to song for the gym, in the car, getting ready, you name it i am listening to it.  seeing as i was already a fan of the "pursuit of happiness" by kid cudi and the cover by lissie (not to mention the awesome remix by steve aoki) this song was destined for greatness with me. 

love it.  put your "hands on the wheel" folks, we have a whole entire week before the weekend again.


Instalife Lately

forever young/cw with mrs. r/aperol spritzes/gongolo at hostario del picollo/forever young friends/insane sunset

estes park wedding/night clubbing it/hanging out on the porch

all in colorado

girlies at brick + mortar/rosenthal wine tasting/colorado rockies/sunday funday in hermosa/row 14 in denver

i am really working to try and share more pictures and life events. what's been happening lately in my life!  follow me on instagram (@lyndsylee)

xoxo

Bikini Bonanza

yesterday i sported a bikini at the pool.  while my body still isn't quite where i would like for it to be, it's getting closer and while i love my little mix and match bikini i threw together, i noticed some darling bikinis around the pool which had me thinking i may need to upgrade to something a little more fun.

my absolute fave is this modern amusement stripe push up sweetheart bikini.  love the red, love he navy, love the stripes and the pop of yellow.  also love the models body...

i know sequins by the pool is a little glitzy and rhooc, but these victoria secret bikinis have me rethinking my view on sequins by the pool.  specifically the abbie sequin stripe triangle bikini and the sequined waterfall triangle bikini that belongs on a yacht in the french riveria.  yes please!

a good bandeau never hurt anybody and definitely provides the most friendly tan lines.  you can't go wrong with a simple gorgeous aqua belle bandeau bikini that literally looks good on anyone with a tan!  or root for team usa in all your stars and stripes in the americana bandeau bikini that is far more chic and a lot less budweiser girl than other red, white and bikinis i have seen.

what's your favorite swimwear?  do you have suit that you absolutely adore? 

Desperately Seeking Sully ~ Work It Out

the nice people from brand about town and gap sent me an amazing box full of fitness goodness this past january and let me just say, i am loving every piece!  my favorite pieces that i wear all the time are the gfast capris, leggings, pima cotton tank and full-zip jacket. 

the capris are perfect for circuit works!  they go with everything, suck me in, prevent camel toe, and wash nicely.  the pima cotton tank is seriously AMAZING.  it doesn't cling to my body and is the perfect texture.  perhaps my fave and most used item that i received however is the full-zip jacket (in pretty blue) that i honestly wear every time i work out.  stylish, slimming and complete with thumb-holes (my favorite part), the jacket is a must-have in every single color (currently eyeing the peach, neon green and white - no joke!). 

the gapfit collection is quality products with much more affordable price points then say lululemon.  the items fulfill all my fitness needs and leave me feeling proud of the workout i just accomplished.  i highly recommend all of their products (i have numerous other tanks by them as well as other pants) and think even if you are a devoted fan of lululemon, you will be happy with the gapfit product. 

i can always be found browsing the sale racks at bloomingdales and one day happened upon a pair of the nike filament capri for around $20.  i figured the pants would do and didn't think much more of them.  turns out they are of excellent quality and allow me a lot of ease and function while working out.  i love them so much that i am constantly searching for additional pairs in different colors!  the brighter the better.  which is why these nike relay capris may just end up shipping to my home tomorrow i love the turquoise color so much. 

when i wear these pants i feel motivated and take on an attitude like the nike motto - just do it. 

don't you just love it when you find workout clothes that are totally affordable and actually work?

the answer is um yeah, duh! 

i have made it a point to check out old navy's active line at least twice a month as they are always marking items down at unbelievably low prices.  my all time favorite sports bras are from old navy!  the adjustable strap sports bra is available in a variety of colors and holds my little boobs in place rather well. 

i also picked up a pair of the active compression capris in all black and i just love them.  they keep me sucked in and feeling slim and wash really well, did i mention i got them for less than $20?  love a great deal! 

the item i have been eyeing for the past few weeks and waiting to go on sale is the active bubble tank that feels nice, doesn't cling to my waist and is stylish and cute.  i have been waiting for a while now for it to go on sale and think i may just have to purchase it already for full price i like it so much.

i think i may just be the only person who works out in my circuit works class that doesn't wear lululemon head to toe.  in fact the only lululemon item i own is a headband (that i love! read my review here).  it's not because i don't wan to...it's just that i can't really justify spending so much on workout clothes.

however, i think i am going to have to breakdown and buy either these awesome purple fast and free crops or these darling polka dot inspire crop ii.  my roommate swears by their pants, as does my girl christy.  i just hate spending so much!  however when i see how cute peoples butts look in them, i am not sure why i am delaying...

another brand that i have heard only good things about is zella from nordstrom. 

i am extremely picky with my tanks i work out in, but am crushing hard on this peekaboo tank.  love the stripes and the pink contrast at the bust.  keeping up with my love of pink and all things bright, my gapfit full zip jacket needs a companion so it can catch a break.  which makes me think this no 1 sport jacket needs to make its way home with me very soon. 

what's your workout style? what brands or items can you not live without?  do you think the more you spend the better quality? 

*the gapfit items were generously gifted to me, but the opinions above are completely my own - they really offer great, affordable workout gear at a fraction of the price - be sure to check out gapfit at your neighborhood gap* 

Desperately Seeking Sully ~ Sensational Stripes

this past weekend in whistler i tried on the lululemon stride jacket above and fell instantly in love.  not much of an impulsive shopper, i thought it best to wait and pickup in the states.  dumb move.  it is no longer available and if i want to make it mine i have to buy it on ebay.  tear.

also, i am loving this topshop giant pansy stripe bodycon dress which was in 3 magazines i read over the weekend.  don't worry...sold out as well.  mother trucker. 

those two sold out striped goodies got me in an all things stripe mood and has me thinking i shouldn't delay in purchasing the stripes below.

diagonal stripe 4 / skipper beach duffle / stripe bandeau bikini top / striped cotton dress

Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself - February

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so i had a bad february, it's in the past and time to move along.  my resolutions took a bit of a dip in accomplishments, but i thought it best to document it regardless and aim to get back on track and kick ass this march (and the rest of the year for that matter)!

goal #1 ~ workout 75% of each month

results:  worked out 15 of 29 days = 52%

goal #2 ~ stick to a pure, healthy, clean diet

results:  i slipped a bit this month.  birthday and surgery mostly to blame.  i would say i followed the paleo diet about 60% of the month.

goal #3 ~ save, save, save!

results:  well, i did try to save and didn't splurge on any new items, but the unexpected cost of two new tires (at $200 a piece) did not help with my savings plan.

goal #4 ~ travel

results:  no travel this month.

goal #5 ~ take more pictures

results:  did a pretty good job last month capturing pictures, below are a few of my faves from the month (follow me on instagram @lyndsylee)

new b*day bracelet from girlies at work

b*day blooms that made me smile

b*day wishlist item completed courtesy of b

absolutely incredible bruch (twice!) this month at mb post with carebear, live.to.the.point.of.tears, sweet nothings, and this is not your life.

got to see mrs r - twice this month!  what a treat!

sweet b

the morning after my b*day collection

finally got to try ink. - awesome experience

my new pumped up kicks from mom, dad & sister that i designed!

pinz in studio city - bowled the best game of my life!

incredible sunset from my work parking lot - gosh i love california!

waldo just knows how to melt my heart

greatest invention ever

embracing coffee and pastels one early monday morning

goal #6 ~ read a book a month

results:  got through 37% of a place of yes - now much finish that book in march as well as another.  must remember to stop watching televsion so much and start reading. 

my results for february are nothing to be too proud of, but they are reminders for what i need to fix in order to suceed this march and the rest of the year. 

how are your goals going? 

Forever Frugal Friday

as part of my resolutions for 2012, i needed to invest in some new workout gear.  i realized quickly in class that even though we are getting sweaty, fashion is still very important at CW. 

that said, i have been trying to pick up workout gear here and there, and while i would love to purchase just about everything at lululemon, alas my bank account does not allow it.  what my bank account does allow are these Mélange Athletic Capris. 

i know what you are thinking...workout pants from forever?  they will be thin and sheer and terrible.  not so my friends!  i was originally sold on these pants based on the cute butt ruching and thought they would be great for lounging and running errands, but not working out.  well due to laundry night and all of my normal go to pants being in the wash, these little guys got a testing last night and passed with flying colors!

they were flattering, not sheer and most importantly left me camel toe free!  i have not washed them yet so i can't speak for their shape after, but for under $20, if they last me six months i will be happy.   

Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

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the first of february is here and it is time to compare my results to my goals i set for 2012.

here goes nothing...

goal #1 ~ workout 75% of each month

results: worked out 21 of 31 days = 68%

goal #2 ~ stick to a pure, healthy, clean diet

results:  pretty proud of my dedication to paleo.  b and i following it together makes it much easier to stick with.  besides the occasional weekend cheat, i can confidently say, goal achieved.

goal #3 ~ save, save, save!

results:  i would give myself a c for the month of january.  i did cut back on spending a bit, but did not place any money in savings. 

goal #4 ~ travel

results:  hit up palm springs with b for a little getaway and explored a new hiking trail that i highly suggest to any of you LA locals.

goal #5 ~ take more pictures

results:  instagram (@lyndsylee) made taking pictures a lot more fun, and while i took some (see below) i can definitely afford to take more!

cheers to mrs. reynolds being in town

L2

Waldo

collage of palm springs trip

typical morning bfast for me

new year nails

cutest babe ever

one of the perks of my 5:30 am workout

goal #6 ~ read a book a month

results:  finished the art of racing in the rain by garth stein. 

this book is set in seattle (loved all the references to various parts of town) and told from the perspective of the dog.  i really liked this book, but must warn, i cried my eyes out at the end.  if you have a dog, you will love it, but may find it difficult at times to continue reading (not giving anything away).  it took some turns i didn't expect and had some moments that were very heavy, but also moments of hilarity and happiness.

on to reading my first book using the kindle app on my ipad, a place of yes.

overall i am pretty happy with my results achieved and have established a game plan for february to be more successful!  hopefully march 1st will have better results!

how are your resolutions coming?! 

Resolution Time!

I just realized that we are almost halfway through January and I still haven't shared my resolutions! I am pretty pleased with my selections this year and think that they are all attainable if I put my mind to it, go for it...

1 ~ workout 75% of each month 

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75% percent may not sound like a lot, but if you do the math that means I need to exercise a minimum of 23 days in a 30 month calendar.  While it will be a challenge, I am ready to make the commitment and plan to share my percentage rate with all of you to help hold me accountable.  I have committed to a year long membership to Circuit Works in Venice and I have to say that those trainers kick my ass every session and I love it! 

2 ~ stick to a pure, healthy, clean diet

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Over Thanksgiving I was introduced to the Paleo Diet by B's mom and was intrigued (and a little scared, let's be honest) at the idea of it.  No cheese?!  No sugar?!  No bread?!  Sounded a bit terrible to me.  But when I really looked at what I was eating, I quickly realized that it was not so much of a diet, as it was establishing a healthy eating plan.  And while I am not following the diet 100%, I am following about 80% and feel great!

3 ~ save, save, save! 

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I will be the first to admit it.  I live from paycheck to paycheck and I hate it!  I am TERRIBLE at saving and REALLY want to improve on this.  I have a 401K that I invest in and don't touch so I have some savings, but as far as outside of my 401K...nothing.  My purse strings need to be tightened again after the holidays so that I can save up for a fabulous vacation or treat on a rainy day...

4 ~ travel

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I don't care whether it is via an airplane, a boat or a car but this girl needs to get out an explore.  New places, old places, whatever!  Resolution #3 and #4 are directly connected to one another and I am hoping that I get out and explore all that is out there.  2011 was a great year for traveling and I hope to continue on with new sights and cities in 2012.

5 ~ take more pictures

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I used to be so good about capturing and sharing pictures, and then I just sort of stopped pulling out my camera or uploading my photos that I did take.  Pictures are so important to me in remembering all the fun nights out with friends, time spent with loved ones and memories that just don't always click with your "mental picture" (ala Alec Baldwin from Friends - click!).  I vow to take, share and print more photos in 2012.

6 ~ read a book a month

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I read a lot of books last year and loved the feeling of heading to sbux at my lunch break and losing an hour to my book.  This year I am really striving to read one book per month.  No particular book is included in this resolution (but would love any recommendations) but would like to read a few classics, some non-fiction, and chick lit books to name a few. 

And that my friends are my goals and resolutions for 2012!  I think they are all very achievable goals and may require some discipline on my part but I am excited to get started and reflect back in a year on what all was met.  So far, I have stuck pretty close to #1, #2 and #6. Still working on them all!

What were your resolutions?  How are they going so far?  Do you have people you shared them with that will help hold you accountable?  I am leaning on friends, coworkers, B and y'all of course to keep me to mine! 

Cheers to success in twenty twelve!