Saturday, October 31, 2009

Weekly Workouts

Fitness is a part of my life that I haven't shared here outside of running the NYC 1/2 Marathon in August. It's my way of staying healthy, keeping my sanity. And, I have to do something to justify eating total crap on the weekends (and other moments that will not be mentioned). For those of you who haven't hit 30 yet, trust me on this one, your 30's are a WHOLE new ball game.

Let's rewind and I'll take you through my fitness journey. I'm glad I can laugh about this now, b/c it wasn't so funny at the time.

Early 1990's - High School...I could eat whatever I wanted and not gain a pound. I ran CC and played softball.
Mid to Late 1990's - College...I have two words for you, JIM BEAM. Oh wait, I have two more, POKEY STIX (all of you UVA and ACC folks are familiar with Gumby's). Working out was sporadic at best, and throw in a bout with Mono + steroids, and my weight went up, and up, like 15-20 pounds. I looked bloated and disgusting. I lost it all in my 4th year due to stress.
2000 to 2005 - Corporate gym membership! Total discipline.
2005 - Full time job, graduate school. No time for anything, I'm crabby, I cancel my gym membership. 10 lbs follow.
2006 - Wedding planning was in full swing. I was disgusted by pictures from a long weekend in the Dominican Republic (that's another post, let's just we won't be going back). Swift action taken by reinstating my Equinox membership and signing up for Personal Training.

And, here I am almost 4 years later in maintenance mode. I think wisdom comes with your 30's and you just get comfortable with your body.

I've noticed much discussion in blogland lately about how hard it is to weave exercise in to your daily routine, keep it interesting and/or see results. So, I thought I'd start sharing my weekly workout schedule. This is what works for me and may work for others. I'm not a licensed trainer and far from an expert, but I can share how I keep up with working out and make it more fun. Feel free to ask questions or make suggestions! I'll even post links to sites where you can see descriptions of some moves...you might even have a flashback to GYM class with mountain climbers and burpees.

10/26-11/1

Monday - 3 mile run; 1 mile on the stairmaster
Tuesday - Core Strength Training
Wednesday - Day Off
Thursday - Core Strength Training
Friday - 4 mile run
Saturday - Day Off
Sunday - 5 mile run

Here's a sample core strength training circuit. Each move in each circuit is 10-12 reps depending on your fitness level. Repeat each circuit 3 times and ending the workout with abs.

1. One-leg Squats with a bicep curl and press; Reverse Lunge with a Pulldown (using a lat pulldown machine or something similar); Tricep extension w/ a bench press (your back is on the bench); 2-minute sprint on the treadmill (you know, the kind where you feel like you might be sick)

2. Kettlebell swing (20-30 of these instead of the 12-15); Rows w/ a kettlebell in each hand; Walking lunges holding a kettlebell in each hand.

3. Two different ab exercises such a bicycles or vertical leg crunch.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Emily Post Soapbox

Is the Thank You note dead? Call me crazy, but I send one if someone gives me a gift, does something nice, buys me lunch or dinner, or you know travels half-way around the world for your wedding...just saying. I'll get off my soapbox now. Thanks!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Halloween Howl

Caption: "I'll get you back for this. I'll be eating all of your shoes tomorrow while you're at work, including your beloved Jimmy "Chews."

Vella didn't win the costumer contest, but we had blast at the Halloween Howl in Carl Schurz Park. Always happy to support a great cause, especially raising $ for Vella's dog park.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Old Navy Review

Low-Rise Skinny Pants: SCARY. I couldn't return them fast enough. Run, do not try these one in an ON store near you. These were designed with the recently-fired 5'10", 120-lb Ralph Lauren model in mind. Do not buy these if you want to preserve any self-esteem.

Diva Skinny Jeans: Score. I think anyone of any shape or size could wear these. Price is right for what you get. Order up a size though and don't believe the short/regular inseam lengths in the size chart. I found the regular length to be shorter than 32". I'm 5'4" on a good day.

Shawl Cardi: Just went back for another one and they're practically sold out. Quality is fine and it doesn't seem like the sweater will pill. I might actually look stylish (gasp!) in this with jeans.

Long Island Wine Tour

On Saturday, we met up with friends for a wine tour. Bet you didn't know there were so many wineries on the East End of LI?! If you're ever in the area, the North Fork is beautiful. The best part of Saturday? The bus company sent the wrong bus...disco lights and stripper pole included for no extra charge.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Vella here...

saying, "Stay in bed! It's cold and rainy out there." Have a great weekend!

Show us Your Life - What do you Make?


These are two of my latest creations, amazonite with purple chalcedony and pink peruvian opals. Visit my Etsy shop! I'm working on some custom orders right now and I'll post pictures of those designs soon. My listings are only a sample of what I have available. Feel free to email me with questions or to talk about colors and pricing.

Monday, October 12, 2009

More Buy it Now!

Just two of the items, you can find everything else from JCrew, AT, VV and BR PRICED TO SELL at:

Happy Columbus Day!

I'm taking today off since we aren't officially closed. The husband is in the office, but hoping to come home at a more "reasonable" hour than he's become accustomed to in recent weeks. So what's on tap for me?

1. Getting my weekly cleaning out of the way
2. A long run in Central Park once it warms up
3. Finish the four necklaces I started this weekend and order supplies for some customer orders
4. List more items on eBay...I'm still organizing and cleaning out, and found more clothes that I know I will never wear again

Pictures later today. Happy Monday!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

15% Off at Old Navy

Code through 10/15 is ONBDAY15. And, use your ebates account for 8% cash back. Can't argue with that. The price was right for things I'm not sure will work on me. I'm not sold on the "skinny" phenomenon, but I'll give it a try. I always manage my expectations with ON since the quality is hit or miss too, so I'll report back when everything arrives in the mail in like two years (slowest shipping EVER).

Skinny jeans to wear w/ boots, low rise skinny pants to wear with flats (my answer to JCrew's Minnie, for which I refuse to pay $$$$), and a shawl cardi.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Buy it Now!

eBay listings are up...and more to come as soon as I take some pictures!

http://shop.ebay.com/mollyuva/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340

Four More Bite the Dust

Bye-bye Gourmet, Cookie, Modern Bride and and Elegant Bride. Who's next?!?

Happy Monday

Starr Boggs was delicious on Saturday night. We had a great anniversary dinner. Thank you for the kind words! The weather in WH was gorgeous yesterday and we spent the day outside by the pool. The pool and hot tub will be winterized later this week. Sniff, sniff. I have a feeling that the mid 70's and blue skies will be leaving us soon though...Fall is in the air in NYC today.

I cleaned out all of my clothes this weekend and it feels great to get things organized. I'm totally a type-A person and our closets/drawers are never really out of control, but it was great to go through everything piece by piece. I'll be listing things on eBay. Pictures and details to follow. I'll be offering free shipping on everything, even multiple purchases.

Did I mention that I hate JCrew cashmere? When I was pulling out my sweaters from their storage bins, I remembered how easily it pills and just looks like crap after a few wearings. And don't get me going about how it looks like junk if you hand wash it once a season vs. dry cleaning. I've tried all of the tricks. Seriously, save your money. Buy merino wool. End of discussion.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

We're off to pick up a new vacuum for the apt and a coffee table for Matt's "man room" here at the house. I've convinced Matt that we can make a stop at Five Guys for lunch.

I ordered the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser. The price was right and the reviews online seemed to be consistent. I'll do a review of the vacuum once I use it a few times. We have a Dyson, but use it at the house and I couldn't justify another one for our 800 square foot apartment at that price. This is the coffee table we ordered for our downstairs. We chose navy blue fabric w/ embroidered anchors. I hope we like it because you can't take these things back! I think it will be subtle.

But, now we need something like this tie that room together.

We're finally celebrating our anniversary tonight! If the weather is nice, we'll make the drive to Sag Harbor and try to catch sunset at The Beacon (no reservations!). I have a back up reservation at Starr Boggs here in town if this rain continues. We can't catch a break on the weekends with our weather.

Enjoy your weekend!