5 Things: To Make the Gym More Enjoyable

For many years I joined countless gyms went twice, stopped going for about 6 months then finally quit. In 2014 I made a promise to myself to finally get in a habit to go to the gym. During the first half of the year I spent some time reflecting and figured out what my issues were that kept me from going to the gym regularly. My main issues were distance (if the gym is not right infront of my nose, I will not go), and then just getting myself in the habit.

I solved the distance issue by joining a gym in my office building, I have no excuse (well minimal excuses), because I have to pass it everyday going to and from work, so it is always on my mind. Plus I can also go on my lunch hour, which gives me flexibility when it comes to my schedule.

As far as getting myself in the habit, it helped to have regularly scheduled gym events to show up to. When I signed up for the gym, they were offering a deal with one of their personal trainers, I took the plunge and splurged, I do not regret it for a moment. Having a trainer was something I had to show up to, I saw him twice a week, but then he also requested that I went to the gym one other day of the week as well. He was able to check whether or not I had been going with their sign in system. Other then having him help motivate me to show up, he also gave me many of the basic tools to help make my workouts better, including how to properly execute exercises.

Since joining my gym last May, I have been going consistently about 3 days a week, my trainer sessions ran out long ago, but I have myself in the habit of going. Even though I am in the habit of going regularly, sometimes I am not so motivated to show up. I have found some ways that help motivate me to go to the gym, here are my 5 things that help make going to the gym more enjoyable for me.

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1. Entertainment - This is key, whether it is watching TV on the treadmill or rocking out to tunes on your iPod, entertainment helps tune out the people around you and makes the workouts go by quicker. When I do cardio on the elliptical I bring my iPad and stream whatever I am currently obsessing over on Netflix or Amazon Prime. The rest of the time I either listen to the music on my iPhone or listen to a variety of playlists on Spotify, Pandora or iTunes Radio. Upbeat music helps power through workouts.

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2. Workout Plan - If I don't walk into the gym with a plan, I end up wandering around like a lost puppy, going on the elliptical for 15 mins and then leaving. Having a plan before entering the gym prevents you from wandering around aimlessly. Some days I do classes that are available at my gym, such as yoga or spin, other days I do planned workouts. Pinterest is a great resource for workout ideas, I have a bunch of them pinned to help for inspiration. There are also some great workout plans created by personal trainers up for sale, lately I have been trying the Kayla Itsines Beach Body Guide and I am loving it.

3. Gear - This is going to sound strange but having good gear for the gym will not only make your time spent more functional but it can also be more enjoyable. A proper water bottle is key for me, I prefer one with a straw, so I can drink my water without spilling all over myself while on a spin bike or even mid yoga move. My favorite water bottle (which I own about 3 of in various sizes) is the Contigo Autospout, the soft straw is my favorite part, plus it fully seals to not spill in your bag.

Another thing that helps going to the gym be more comfortable is proper gym clothes. Growing up I wore old cheerleading shorts and old ratty t-shirts, since then gym clothes have grown into an empire all its own. I prefer my gym shirts to be made of Dry Fit or moisture wicking fabric, there is nothing worse then the feeling of a sweaty shirt touching you, for my sanity I get shirts that keep me feeling dry no matter how hot I get.

Good headphones are also key, especially if you want to watch Netflix or even use the TVs attached to the treadmill. Lately I have been wanting a pair of wireless headphones to avoid getting tangled in wires mid workout. I have been using the cheap $10 headphones from Target because I lose my headphones all the time, but I will definitely invest in a wireless pair soon.

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4. A Friend - Having a gym buddy helps a ton, I love working out with friends, we push each other and cheer for each other. During some of the hardest workouts I have done having a friend has really helped me push through the worst and finish up. I don't always have the chance to have a buddy go to the gym with me, but when the option comes up I always take advantage.

5. Reward Yourself - You just worked out! That is awesome! I always try to treat myself when I have gone to the gym, it helps me to keep going back, I even have different rewards for milestones. I don't treat myself with food because then that defeats the purpose of going to the gym. Lately my treat has been a pamper session. There is a lotion I am obsessed with from Lush called Sympathy for the Skin, it smells like delicious vanilla cream and is such  a treat to use. Lush lotions are not cheap but I have made a promise to myself to only use the lotion during showers I have after going to the gym, this gives me something special to look forward to after a hard workout.

Lately I have been trying to be more cautious on treating myself with shopping, in effort to save money and pay down debts. But I definitely feel that milestones should be rewarded. If I can be consistent in working out for a month I may treat myself to a new work out shirt or pants. If I complete my 12 week workout plan, I would love to treat myself to the wireless headphones I have been eyeing.

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These are some of my tips I do to help motivate me and make going to the gym more enjoyable for myself, what are the things that you like to do to help motivate you to stay healthy?

New Year's Resolutions

There is something refreshing about a new year. New possibilities, new wonders and a reflection back on the previous year. I try to always make realistic new years resolutions, sometimes I stick with them sometimes they don't work out (don't fret, there is always time to start fresh).

Here are some of my new year's resolutions for 2015.

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables - Last year I made a promise that I would be more active, I have succeeded (still not amazing at it, but I do go to the gym 2-3 times a week). This year it is about making my diet better. To me diet is a four letter word of evil, but I am about making choices, healthier choices and less giving in to indulgences.
2. Blog more - Clearly. I have been slacking on the blogging forefront, its been about 10 months (eek!). There have been a lot of changes in my life that distracted me from my blog (new job, writer's blog, and being just downright too busy). But this new year I want to provide more content (probably not 5 days a week, for a while, one step at a time). I am hoping to give you guys more recipes, reviews, and lifestyle information, as well as some fun videos will be in the works.
3. Clean less - This seems counter productive, I know, but I am much more of a big clean person. My apartment becomes a complete disaster and then I do a full weekend cleaning over haul when I cannot stand it anymore. To have a resolution to clean less, doesn't actually mean become a slob and live like a hoarder, I just want to be better about not letting my house get to the point of having to hermit up and clean for 4 days. I have set myself a rule of if the tasks takes 60 seconds or less, then I need to handle it immediately, as well as try to instill a quick 15 minute clean before bed.
4. Start a vitamin regimen - Years ago, I was awesome about taking vitamins, during that time period I felt like the frequency of being sick was lessened as well as my time spent sick was less as well. In the last two years I have failed at taking any sort of vitamin, this year I want to start at least with a daily vitamin, then go from there.
5. Simplify - This year is about simplifying, I want less stuff to have and to deal with. This will make getting ready quicker, cleaning quicker, and less clutter in general (ps. I HATE clutter, yet I seem to have it everywhere). I just have to get the bf on board (like serious about this on board).
6. Learn more - I have always loved to learn, especially about things I am interested in. This is the year to take some time to learn more about photography and food and anything else I am interested in. As an avid cook, I still love going to cooking classes at a variety of local schools, there is always a new tip or trick to learn, that I can hopefully pass on to you.
7. Take more photos - Last year I bought myself a beautiful camera, I used it for a little while, but with the insanity of life it got tucked into a closet and forgotten. This year I am going to pull it out and use it more. I am going to Chicago in a week or so and I definitely plan on taking my camera and documenting this trip. By the end of the year I am hoping to do a photo book documenting our year.

These new year's resolutions seem manageable to me, I have already started to work on some of them (this blog post included). Over the next few months I will be working on my resolutions, if I tried to do all of them at once I would get overwhelmed and fail, but a slow start will help me complete the process.

I hope you had a wonderful New Year!

What resolutions did you make this year?

27 Things - Halfway Update

Today is my half birthday! Ok so I generally don't remember my half birthday, nor do I do anything to celebrate it. This year on my birthday I made a list of 27 things that I wanted to accomplish in my 27th Year, I figured my half birthday was the time to do a little catch up on how the list is going.

1. Visit 3 NYC museums. <--I visited no NYC museums, but I did go to the Art Institute in Chicago
2. Get into a workout routine. <-- I get there, then I fail, then I try again...kind of like a routine right?
3. Visit a city I have never been to. 
4. Have a picnic.
5. Read 27 books. <-- finished 11 books so far
6. Take a bus tour of NYC. 
7. Visit the Statue of Liberty. 
8. Take more photos. 
9. Go skiing. 
10. Run a 5K race. 
11. Go to the ballet. 
12. Use my passport. 

13. Eat more fruits and vegetables. <-- So far so good, drinking a smoothie almost every morning as well as eating more salads

14. Go on a hike. 
15. Go to a blogging conference. 
16. See an outdoor movie. 
17. See a Shakespeare play performed. 
18. Purge and organize my closet. <-- it's a work in progress
19. Go to a state fair. 
20. Go apple picking and makes something delicious out of it. <-- Success! I went apple picking and I made delicious Apple Crisp!
21. Go on a road trip
22. Have a dinner party. 
23. Complete Project 365. <-- Didn't even start..oops
24. Decorate my apartment. <-- another work in progress.
25. Set and stick to a budget. <-- still figuring it out.
26. Buy a DSLR camera. <-- treated myself to the Canon Rebel EOS T5i
27. Go to Smorgasburg.

Lust List : Get In Shape

The new year always brings promises of getting fit. Since the new year I have been on a quest to get off my butt and start moving, so far so good. I am still working on getting into a workout routine that works for me, but so far I have managed to get my butt off the couch more often then not.

With a new workout routine it is always nice to get some new things to put a pep in your step. There is something about getting new workout gear that gets me motivated to use it. 

Recently I have delved into the world of workout clothes, like actual workout clothes built for people who work out. I figured at 27 it was no longer appropriate to wear my old cheer leading shorts (you know the ones I'm talking about) and band tee's while going to the gym (or anywhere outside my apartment for that matter).

Since diving head first into the world of workout gear, I have become obsessed with the dry fit work out clothes that are available. They are comfortable to wear and they leave you feeling dry not sweaty and gross and sticky even when you are sweaty and gross and sticky (I gave them a full test out during hot yoga). More dry fit work out gear is a definite must, since I only have a couple sports bra's, 2 pairs of pants and 1 top.

Other than clothes there are some accessories that I have been lusting after to complete the circle of workout life. A squishy workout mat has been on my lust list for a while now. Living in a 4th floor apartment, I try to be nice to my neighbors and go to the gym to work out, but there are times that I would like to workout at home. A nice squishy mat will not only help reduce noise, but also gives me a comfy place to do sit ups and other exercises on my wood floors.

A great water bottle is a must when getting into shape. I found a great one at Target over the holidays and I want to get my hands on another (mostly because we have one and the bf and I are constantly stealing it back from one and another). The one I found has a nice squishy straw which doesn't injure you when you are feeling daring to take a drink while running on a tread mill. The straw also tucks away and is fully covered so no icky germs get on it if you accidentally drop it (you know when you are being daring), as well as an easy access button that pops the straw up (for when your daring abilities succeed!). Also it is BPA free, dishwasher safe and has a wide enough opening to put in ice cubes (whip cream, sprinkles and cherry on top of my already in love sundae).

Enough about my love affair with a simple water bottle, and onto more pressing matters. When you are on a health kick it is important to eat healthy, for a quick breakfast I have either been having yogurt with fruit and granola or a delicious smoothie. Making a smoothie has not been easy ( I have been having to use my stick blender, which works but is not idea). A few months ago there was a nasty accident that occurred while making a smoothie in my old blender (see instagram evidence). Since then I have been eyeing a cute little compact Cuisinart one that comes with little individual cups for all your smoothie making needs. (Smoothie recipes coming soon!)

What is some of your favorite workout gear or accessories?

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My Favorite Cookbooks

My holidays were spent in the kitchen. There was always something baking in the oven or bubbling on the top of the stove. Now that the baking a cooking frenzy of the holidays is over I thought I would share with you the cookbooks I turn to the most when I want to make something delicious. 

1. The Fannie Farmer Cookbook - This has been my go to cookbook for years. It is the book my mom used when I was a child and the book that taught me some great basic recipes. If you are ever looking for something basic or classic this is my go to book. There is everything from appetizers and entrees to sides and desserts. Some of my favorite go to recipes in here are parker house rolls, chocolate chip cookies, pancakes and oatmeal raisin cookies.

2. Martha Stewart's Cookies - I am a serious cookie fanatic. They are one of my favorite things to bake as well as one of my favorite desserts to eat. Martha is the queen of cookies and baking (in my mind), whenever I want to whip up a batch of unique cookies this is the first book I look to. Some of my favorites that I make over and over again are the buttered rum meltaways, chocolate black pepper cookies and lemon tassies.

3. The Joy of Cooking - Every chef or wannabe chef or even kitchen newbie should own this book. It covers all the basics with great tips and tricks. It is my go to book to look up things I don't always make on a regular basis, like a classic omelette (it's not a simple as it seems), hard boiled / soft boiled eggs, as well as the best ways to preserve things. The Joy of Cooking is just a great reference book to have around. 

4. The Pioneer Woman Cooks - Oh my oh my how I love the lovely Ree Drummond. I have been a frequent reader of her blog for many years. She has some great down home comfort food recipes. Her cookbook is set up a lot like her blog, with photos of every step of the process, which is great for someone who is just starting to cook. She will also add a little commentary to each recipe, which is absolutely hilarious. Whenever I want to make something comforting I always turn to her. Some of my favorite recipes are for her chili (it get's my bf's seal of approval), artichoke dip and guacamole.

5. Bouchon Bakery - If Martha Stewart is the Queen of baking then I name Thomas Keller the King. If you have ever had the pleasure of trying any of Thomas Keller's lovely desserts or food at Bouchon, then you know that it is quite the heavenly experience. This book brings a bit of Bouchon home to you. Not only is this book beautiful to look at, but it is also packed with brilliant pictures and fantastic tips. He stresses the importance of weighing your ingredients over measuring and then walks you step by step through his fantastic desserts and baked goods. I love the TKO's and Macaron's.

6. The Art of Preserving - Many of my close friend's know my obsession with canning. It isn't something I have shared on my blog yet, but I do it quiet often. Whenever I get the itch to can something, or I just went a little crazy at the local farm, I always pick up this book. It goes through the proper canning methods, along with having great jam and pickle recipes. There are even recipes that use the canning recipes in a meal. It is a great well rounded book if you are ever interested in delving into that area. Plus who doesn't like homemade jam as a gift? The recipes I have recently used from this book are the Apple Butter, the Meyer Lemon Ginger Marmalade and the Classic Dill Pickles. 

I hope this inspired you to look more at your cookbooks that you have, or even gave you inspiration on another book to add to your collection. As a cookbook hoarder and collector, I am always looking for new books to pick up and try. What are your go to cookbooks in your collection?

Happy New Year!

There is nothing better than a new year. With a fresh start and the right mindset I feel like I can conquer the world. 

After a brief hiatus, I am back and better then ever. The holidays were absolutely insane. Everyday there was something to do. Now with the chaos over I feel like I have more time to devote to you guys and my lovely little blog.

To start the year off right I figure I would let you know what some of my New Year's resolutions are.

• Eat healthier (more fruits and vegetables!).
• Get into a good workout routine, and stick with it! (2 days a week I think is a good start).
• Maintain and grow my blog (maybe even start a YouTube channel).
• Create a budget and stick to it (I need to be more conscious of my spending habits).
• Travel more.
• Organize my home (I am much calmer when I know where everything is and there is less clutter).
• Less is more (less clothes, less clutter).
• Make things pretty (my apartment and my life).
• Complete my many half done projects.
• Spend more time with friends and family.
• Bring lunch to work more often (goal: 3 days a week)

What are some of your resolutions for the new year?

Holiday Gift Guide : Stocking Stuffers

Long time no see. I have been in a rut ever since I returned from my vacation a few weeks ago. Call it "return from vacation blues". I struggled with getting a lot of things done that needed to happen (like unpacking, I finally finished that this weekend). Anyways excuses are excuses and I am sorry that I neglected you during my rut. I hope that my absence made your heart grow fonder.

Lets get on with the holiday show....STOCKING STUFFERRRSSS!! (sorry I am obsessed with stocking stuffers).

I can't help myself but always buy a bunch of stocking stuffers when buying my friends and family holiday gifts. They are cute little add on's that can beef up a gift or just be a thoughtful inclusion. I came up with a list of my favorite little add on's for the holidays this year, ranging from beauty to clothes and accessories.

Little beauty products are always a great stocking stuffer, they are a great way to give your friend's small sizes of products that you love (so they can fall in love with them too). I have already bought some of the NYX Butter Gloss trios, I am obsessed and my collection keeps growing.

A sampler pack of perfume or some luxe hand cream is always a nice stocking stuffer. I try to get things that I wouldn't normally buy for myself but are a luxe treat for someone (just because I wouldn't buy it for myself doesn't mean I wouldn't want to receive it as a gift). Lovely bath treats from high end brands such as L'occitane or Laura Mercier are great, everyone needs a little pamper session.

If beauty product's aren't for you (or your gift receiver) don't fret, there are plenty of great options out there. I love getting people things like cute little notebooks, coin purses or even a nice bracelet. Another item that is a little bigger then your traditional stocking stuffer is a nice pair of slippers. I have been eyeing the Minnetonka slippers with the fur inside, I would love to cozy up next to the fire in these with a nice cup of hot chocolate.

Whether you go for beauty products or other accessories, there is always a great little stocking stuffer that your gift receivers are going to love. There are cute little add on's available for every price point and they always put a smile on someone's face. 

1. Alex and Ani 'Initial' Bangle - $28
2. Marc Jacobs Roller Ball Trio - $39
3. Kate Spade Notebooks - $12
4. Bite Beauty Best Bite Set - $25
5. Laura Mercier Hand Cream Sampler - $28
6. Fresh Sugar Kisses Mini Lip Trio - $28
7. Minnetonka 'Cally' Slipper - $36.95
8. Bare Minerals 'Pink Persuasion' Lip and Cheek Set - $19
9. NYX 'Enchanted Kiss' Butter Gloss Trio - $10
10. Rebecca Minkoff 'Cory' Leather Pouch - $50

Packing List: Outfits

This is my final installment of my packing list series, I am so sad to see it go. If you want to relive the memories of the previous posts, or just want to know what essentials I like to keep in my carry on (here), what makeup I travel with (here) or an easy 14 piece travel wardrobe that you can get a million outfits out of (here).  

Speaking of those outfits you can make out all the clothes you can fit in a carry on, check out the 8 days of options below. 

Travelling can be a pain. On travel days there is typically a lot of sitting and waiting, to make that time less annoying or uncomfortable I like to wear something that is stretchy and comfortable but put together. I have never really been a sweat pants in public wearing person, so wearing those on an airplane is out of the question (I once read an article that said if you look put together and nice while flying, you are more likely to get upgraded). While flying I typically go for nice leggings like these thick Zara ones (here) that are almost pants or stretching jegging jeans.

To get the most out of my pieces I try to bring more polished pieces that can easily go casual or dressy. A sleek dark wash pair of jeans work great going from day to night. A quilted leather jacket makes a great layer over a casual t-shirt or a nice dress

There are endless possibilities of outfits, everything can easily be mixed with one another. Basics and neutrals with pops of color is a safe way to be able to mix up the pieces you bring. It really helped me to visually see everything as I was preparing my packing. I put pieces on hangers, I was able to see pieces next to each other and mix and match to see how everything looks together. 

This packing list is a great starting off point for travelling. You can add and change things as you need. The goal for me was to be able to get the maximum amount of outfits out of a minimal amount of pieces. Packing light is the goal, but you don't want to be stuck with not enough clothes. 

What are your favorite outfits out of the packing list I put together? 

Happy Halloweenie!

Happy Halloween! I hope your day is full of costumes, candy, tricks and treats! Today is the day to stuff your face full of candy (don't worry the calories don't count on holidays). 

Tomorrow we will be back to our regular programming with a quick High 5 for Friday and on Monday I will be wrapping up the month with some monthly favorites! 

Have a ghoulish Halloween!  

Packing List: Clothes

Continuing my series on travel (check out the previous posts here and here), today we come to packing....ugh (at least that is the thought that goes through my head when I hear that word).  

Packing for a trip is my Achilles heel, okay not that dramatic, but I hate packing. I wait until last minute, I have no plan and then I over pack or under pack. This time I have made a list of clothes that I want to bring, it is enough to create at least 8 outfits, plus the possibility of a few more. Now to be fair this isn't the exact pieces I am planning on bringing, but it is a general outline of similar things I want to bring with me.

Sticking to a palette is key when travelling, if you do, then you have endless possibilities with outfit combinations. Basics are also great, you can wear a plain white t-shirt with jeans and flats or wear it with a skirt and a statement necklace for a night out.  

Versatile pieces are important when packing for a vacation, a dress that works both dressed up and dressed down or a patterned blouse that looks great with a skirt or with jeans. 

Layers is another important part of packing, you may have a vague idea on the weather at your destination, but as we all know weather reports lie. Bringing items that can be layered to stay warmer or stand alone when it is hot is a great plan. 

When it comes to shoes, I try to stick with flats when I travel. With all the walking and sightseeing bringing anything else is pretty much impractical. I always like to bring a cute comfy pair of ballet flats which are great for going out for a nice dinner or just wandering around your vacation spot. It is also great to bring a cute pair of flat riding boots, you can wear them with dresses, jeans, skirts and leggings. Plus if there ends up being a rainy day, they work well when you don't have rain boots. 

Lastly bringing some statement jewelry and a scarf helps take and outfit from drab to fab. A statement necklace, a sparkly bracelet and a scarf can work well at dressing up a simple t-shirt and jeans or compliment a dress on a nice night out.  

All these pieces work well with each other, the blouse and t-shirt work well with any of the bottoms. The sweaters and jacket also work well with all the pieces. Sticking with a color palette and layering pieces helps maximize what you bring with you. I leaned towards neutrals with some pops of jewel tones, but you can change it up with whatever suits you. 

The bonus is, all these pieces should fit into a small suitcase, which could easily be used as a carry on. Now going on a week long trip does not mean you have to break your back carrying your luggage. Considering that I am a fan of public transportation, this helps immensely when dragging luggage up and down stairs and all over a city, nobody likes that.

Next week I will show you 8 outfits you can make with these 14 pieces. That is just the tip of the iceberg, with the endless combinations you can come up with.

1. Sweater - $24.95
2. Dress  - $165
3. Scarf  - $19.95
4. Blouse  - $34.95
5. Quilted "Leather" Jacket -$59.95
6. Chunky Cardigan - $29.99
7. Statement Necklace  -$42
8. Leggings  _$35.90
9. Riding Boots  - $139.95
10. Tunic T-shirt - $50
11. Jeans - $39.95
12. Skirt - $110
13. Ballet Flats  - $39.95
14. Sparkly Bracelet  - $42