Inspired by Martha’s post I went for a run this morning for the first time in months. Injuries and my new love for spin has kept me off the sidewalks, but a looming weekend of partying spurred me on today – plus the weather is perfect here – blue skies and crisp air. It felt great – just a casual 4 miles – but it reminded me why I love running so much. I earned my scrambled eggs that’s for sure and Mumford & Sons gave me an added spring in my step for the last half mile.
I wasn’t sure what to wear today – I changed my mind a couple of times. Our friends from Sweden arrive tomorrow for the weekend, and I have Hugh’s pre-K graduation and Poppy’s birthday celebrations – so lots of activities and outfits to plan! In the end, after yesterday’s post, I got the legs out again. This time with the Zara skort that has been featured on 80% of the blogs I read – admittedly worn by girls half my age. I have the white too and the fabric is lovely and stretchy and comfortable. You only know they are shorts from behind – and they are short shorts so make sure that razor goes all the way up the back of the leg!;)
After another summer of sizzling in the sun (with SPF of course), this morning I headed to my dermatologist for my annual check up. There I am sitting ‘nekid’ with a sheet around me when in comes my lovely doctor who immediately asks me ‘do you have a blog? I’m sure it’s you on this style blog I’ve been reading!’. Aaargh – now if I was dressed I’d have no problem saying ‘yes of course it is!’, but at that moment all I could focus on was the huge amount of fluff my socks had left on my sweaty toes – I was not by any means feeling like the writer of a so called ‘style’ blog. I giggled nervously and tried to be witty by saying ‘of course it’s me – you must have been googling for ultra stylish women over 40′ – ‘don’t be silly’ she replied – well that’s me told. So hello all in the dermatologist office – thank you for reading and don’t take too much notice of these ‘hangovers’ I refer to occasionally:)
It’s flippin’ cold and windy here though I am not complaining after seeing the state of the North East this morning. I feel dreadful for all those suffering with flooding and no power. On a more superficial note I’ve also been thinking about all those runners who are in limbo after months of training – I’m suspecting that the NYC marathon will not take place this weekend as not only can people not get there, but the streets of NYC are apparently filled with cars that ‘floated’ away from their parking spots!
Saturday was so much fun – the weather here was amazing and as it is a Holiday weekend there were no appointments like swimming lessons to rush to. I had a lovely relaxing morning with a good workout followed by an afternoon with the kids playing in the sun. We then headed off North to Roswell where I have rarely been – but it was beautiful. We were off to some stables for a photo shoot for the children. As I’ve mentioned we really don’t like the stiff school portraits with fake backgrounds, and Karen at Muddy Faces takes some amazing shots so I’d rather giver her my money. The location was idyllic – sunset at the stables with horses everywhere – it was hard to believe we were only 45 mins from Atlanta. I could have sat there all evening.
Today we headed to the river to get some fresh air again. I should have been running in a half marathon, but with a sore foot and zero mental focus for training I just couldn’t. I wasn’t too bothered at missing it until I heard my running buddy ran it in 2hrs!! You go girl…and now you’ve given me the motivation to get going again!
I am still scaring myself everytime I look in the mirror and see my red hair but it’s growing on me – I do like it – I just think I need to be careful it doesn’t look trashy.
I’m wearing my Boden Must Have Jumper in radish from SS 2012 in radish, Hudson jeans, a grey Target tank and my Clark’s desert boots.
Some weekends just turn out to be so much superior to others. Not that the others end up as bad weekends but for some reason this weekend has just been…well…perfect. Odd thing to say given that on Friday night I was up at 3am with a 4 year old refusing to sleep and 2 dogs with weak bladders. Fortunately Friday had been a great day so it made the to-ing and fro-ing on Friday night more bearable.
I have to start with a confession – I cheated on my hairdresser. After years of going to the same salon I have been introduced to a new salon by a friend. Both Poppy and Hugh have had very successful cuts there recently and I really like the ambiance. It’s a lot less pretentious than some of the big salons here and the senior stylist is also the owner so it feels a little more intimate and relaxed. Given the success of the two trips with the children I decided to dip my toe and try a color and cut there myself. I’ve given up trying to color my own hair and am now resigned to spending crazy money keeping the greys at bay. I daren’t risk hair dye in the new bathroom! Anyway I have to say it was a good trip – I did feel a ridiculous amount of guilt being in a different chair, but the owner of A la Mode, Chad, was great and happens to be a runner and cyclist so we had lots to talk about after the Lance story had broken that morning. Just wish the salon wasn’t called A la Mode – sorry just seems a tad cheesy to me. I’m moving towards this style that Ginnifer Goodwin rocks – it reminds me of the 90′s – I just need to get mine a bit longer on top then we’ll get the trimmers out!
The afternoon was spent at the pool again – we’re trying to hang out there as much as we can before Labor weekend and the weather is just perfect here right now – the calm before the storm I think as Isaac is on his way. MM and I had the perfect evening – great music and great, simple food – a fine Chianti, rotisserie chicken, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and crusty bread – we sat outside in the summer evening watching the kids play – it was brilliant.
Yesterday was a bit mad with parties, swimming lessons and pools so an early night was in order but that, quite frankly, meant my run this morning was AMAZING. With the perfect weather and the perfect running pal I didn’t even notice the miles. It’s like an hour of therapy each week but free – I have the best routes to run on and the best conversation around…I feel on top of the world right now. As a treat we’re off to the OK Cafe for pancakes then back to the pool – nothing too taxing today!
Here was my outfit briefly yesterday before the bikini – my Zara t-shirt which I adore – pinks and greys and animal print and just $20! Worn with my Hudson jeans and Sam Edelman Louie‘s in rose taupe – I saw from a press release that they are increasing the number of colors these come in including ivory and gold – they are gorgeous and so comfortable. While we’re talking about shoes if you are in the US check out 6pm.com – they are owned by Zappos.com but have GREAT prices! They have my Carson button Fryes at half price and they aren’t seconds!
Poppy is at first grade camp this week – I can’t believe that school starts back in 2 weeks! The summer has flown by but it will be nice to get back to a regular routine again and she is so ready to be back at school – she’s really excited to see her friends and teachers again this week. The only draw back of this camp is that it is only from 9am-12pm so barely time for me to get to the office. Instead I’ve been working from home which is lovely as it also means I can get a short run in around Chastain Park after dropping her off. It is fair to say it is NOT running weather here – humid and in the 90s does not feel good at 8am, or at anytime really – but I’ve been twice this week so can feel quite satisfied that I’m actually doing it.
Yesterday afternoon we went to the pool but it really was too hot to be enjoyable so today I think we’ll find an air conditioned activity – unfortunately I don’t think she will agree to shopping which is a shame as I am dying to head to H&M to buy myself these two pairs of jeans. Both are a blush color but one is snakeskin and the other leopard print – I love them and unfortunately there is no online store for H&M here in the US:(
Today I am definitely channeling the 80s in my pink and grey. The t-shirt is H&M and has a bright pink exposed zip at the back – it’s a great length t-shirt and was only $13. I am wearing it with my J.Crew linen scarf from a couple of years ago – wrapped as demonstrated by Avril at School Gate Style – love it! The boyfriend jeans are Gap and the silver diamante encrusted sandals are Steve Madden from a couple of years ago. Still taking photos in the basement with a very dusty mirror – the tiling starts this week!
As you all know I love running – I haven’t been running regularly for long – only since I had the children – but it is now my means of keeping sane and trim – I love it. It being the 4th July yesterday we went to watch the Peachtree Road Race – the largest 10k event in the World with 60,000 entrants from elite runners to casual joggers to walkers. I have never wanted to enter mainly because of the size of the field and it isn’t run in a loop, so getting anywhere close to home after the race is a nightmare – plus because of the number of runners taking part you can be standing in starting corrals for 2 hours before you even cross the start line. However, I love watching it, and this year we made it to the course in time to watch the elite runners go up the hill past Piedmont Hospital. Now on television you really do not get a great sense of anyone’s speed – except their speed relative to others – but watching the leading men run up that hill made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end – my God they were fast! Not surprisingly the Kenyans and Ethiopians dominated again with the Kenyans taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the men’s race – won with an amazing time of 27mins 37 secs – it doesn’t seem that long ago that running 1mile in under 5mins was a feat! It makes my 10/11 min miles look like a casual walk.
Thrilled, waiting for the runners.
Flying up the hill.
Getting into the swing of things.
Now here’s where I am going to court some controversy. Firstly can someone tell my why Newton think it will help their marketing to set up a tent with beer kegs and pass out beer to runners at 8am? Maybe I am taking the ‘fun’ out of ‘fun run’ but I was really curious about why they did this – am I just becoming a fuddy duddy? I can’t think of anything I would want less at mile 3 of a run in that heat – and it’s not really what I associate with $180 running shoes.
The Newton Beer Kegs.
Secondly, I began running to help lose some weight so I do indeed know what it is like to be overweight, but if yesterday’s race participants were a sample of the US population we are in a terrifying state of affairs. I know we are facing an obesity epidemic but I would guess that almost 90% of the ‘runners’ I saw were overweight and many were walking the race. Now I applaud them if they were taking part as part of their getting fit goals but I kinda think for many it’s the only exercise they will do this year. I felt like holding a banner up saying ‘do this 3 days a week and get healthy!’. It saddened me further that many of the spectators were sitting on lounge chairs with a box of 24 donuts. Okay off my soapbox for now, and these are my own opinions that you’re welcome to disagree with.
After my hot as Hades run this morning I popped into Lululemon to treat myself to a new Swiftly short sleeve t-shirt in blush quartz which I love – and it coordinates well with many of my pace setter skorts. I normally buy the Swiftly tanks but I love the cap sleeves on the t-shirt – it looks a bit more polished – if you consider that important when sweating your t*ts of running. Plus I got to investigate our brand new store on Howell Mill Rd – I LOVE it and they have the friendliest staff!
We’ve arrived!! After a tiring but thankfully uneventful flight we landed in Manchester at 8.35 yesterday and were met by my Mum and Dad. Poppy and Hugh were exceptionally excited and we had one of those ‘T Mobile’ Welcome Back moments that made me all misty eyed. They both slept most of the way which was a blessing as having bought 3 movies for their iPads I realized on the plane that none of them had downloaded onto Hugh’s – what an idiot I am! In my midst of syncing iPods, iPads, iPhones, and shuffles I had somehow completely omitted the most important thing – movies on Hugh’s iPad. He is the only one that will obsessively watch “Hercules” over and over and over again…Thankfully for me his sister was gracious enough to switch iPads which allowed her to play games on his while he watched “Hercules” before passing out:)
Sensibly I took some ham sandwiches for them on the plane as I knew they’d turn their nose up at Delta food.
Once home we had lots of fun catching up with my sister and her boys, Tom the youngest just 8 weeks old and is grinning from ear to ear already. My brother and his 9 month old, Alice, then came for dinner later. It was so much fun seeing all the cousins play together with Poppy of course herding them around and playing ‘mom’. I then watched the incredibly boring England game with Dad – good result but geez rubbish to watch.
After restful night’s sleep I headed off for a long run this morning. It was a beautiful sunny morning and it felt great to shake some of the jet lag off and run up some massive hills, taking in the views of sheep, moors, mill chimneys and towns down below. Little changes around here which is why I love it.
Mum and I decided to have a ‘potter’ around Bury just to M&S and Tesco but of course that can take 2 hours and the children were not impressed – their jet lag well and truly still present. I did manage to take a few snaps while we were out of some items that I didn’t have time to try or consider but I thought were definitely worth a second look at some point.
Mum with Poppy and Hugh at a Bury landmark.
I pointed out this t-shirt online a few weeks ago and still love it in real life – once I have stopped converting pounds into dollars I may take the plunge. Right now it seems exorbitant for a t-shirt!
I LOVE this swimsuit and had been admiring it in Mum’s M&S magazine last night – this could be going home with me.
I am loving all things butterfly and bird print currently so this shirt caught my eye, though it’s cotton and could require ironing, not something I like to spend my time doing.
These spotty ballet flats are so cute, but certainly no time to try them…I will be doing when we head to the Trafford Center this week – they are adorable!
My sister was laughing at the following photo – apparently I’m not supposed to take photos in stores as they suspect it may be competitive intelligence but I couldn’t resist this one for MM – the baked bean lover in the house. Heinz have a packaging that is completely new to me and I LOVE the idea as I am always looking for tupperwares for half opened tins of beans. I’m sure all you UK residents are completely up to date with the fridge packaging innovation but I’m blown away! MM thinks it’s sacrilege for beans to come from anything but a tin and was more intrigued by the vegetarian sausage and beans behind Poppy!
Just don’t get me started on how much more advanced British supermarkets are with their packaging and product innovation – the scale of the country compared to the US must allow for more experimentation and variety. Thankfully pickled onion Monster Munch are still readily available here!
Most of the morning was spent with the children telling me that they didn’t want to walk anymore – they are so used to jumping in an SUV and being driven store to store (on the rare occasion I shop with them), the pedestrian life is quite a shock for them. Fortunately I was wearing my AllSaints boots (Bonny cuban which I can’t see on the UK or US site right now) which are so comfortable and I love the buckle and fringe detail, they are one of my favorite purchases so far this year.
Finally, a trip back home wouldn’t be the same without picking up a “Hello” magazine…I will enjoy reading this later this evening while the children play with their Euro 2012 football and Olympic Games silly bands – EVERYTHING is red, white and blue here:)
I decided to change the title of this series to ‘music that motivates’ rather than ‘inspires’…the reason being this next tune that got me racing up the hills yesterday. It’s Kelly Rowland and “Down for Whatever” – definitely not an inspirational song but brilliant motivation when running! I actually heard it first when I was back in the UK at Christmas when she was having huge success judging on the UK version of the X Factor. I’m really looking forward to seeing what other mindless, thumping, dance tunes are in store for me in the UK charts later this month! Enjoy!
So another half marathon successfully completed. Still a tad slower than I had hoped for but the course yet again had far more hills than the profile had led me to believe. It was also one of those courses where you ran backwards and forwards along the same 3 points so you could always see the faster folk running past you the other way – just a little demoralizing! I much prefer a nice long loop where you have no idea how many are in front of you or behind you! It was won by a 26 year old girl (it was an all female race – I prefer mixed) in 1hr 31mins – amazing. The last 2 miles seem to go on FOREVER but thankfully my reception committee was there to cheer me across the line. The weather was amazing and we got to relax afterward with music and wine by the side of Lake Lanier. I shuffled around the house for the rest of the day – my knees got really tight – but I’m feeling pretty good today after a good stretch and using my foam roller. I have to wait till Wednesday to see if I get an NYC marathon number before planning another half. My goal now is to get leaner, toned, stronger, faster and more competitive – my next 13.1 will be under 2hrs!
Yeah Spring Break is here! Everyone in this family needs it. 7am school bus rides take their toll on all of us after a while. My daughter has been asking for regular updates on ‘how many more sleeps’ there are until we go to the beach. It’s fun to see how excited she is. I’m not quite so excited yet as I have to pack for a family of 4 camping for 2 nights, and of course you need as much stuff for 2 nights as you do for 5 ranging from pillows to dixie cups, and from spf 30 to toilet roll. I know we will forget something – the test will be is it something we can do without? I’ll just make certain that my cocktail shaker makes it:)
Prior to everyone disappearing on Spring Break my running buddy and I went for a 10 miler yesterday. I found it really tough – I don’t know what is wrong with me. I had no significant aches or pains but just felt like I had low energy, my body and soul just wanted to give up. Maybe a couple of days of rest at the beach will help? I hope so as I’ve got another half fast approaching in April.
As I went to meet the school bus yesterday I was shocked to discover our only immediate neighbor has put her house on the market. Spring is definitely the time everyone tests the market as most families want to move before the start of the next school year in August. We don’t talk a lot, but she is a great neighbor, mainly because we do both just get on with our lives with little interference so I will miss her. However it would be fantastic if we get another younger family moving in. We’re in a good school district so fingers crossed. I also really hope she gets what she has listed it for – it’ll certainly do wonders for our house value and prove to me that the Buckhead Bubble is recession proof.
So I’m going to take a few days off being online – I’ll be back next week with stories from Tybee.
