Monthly Archives: February 2012

The inner geek.

Even though I have shared my disdain for Valentine’s Day I still managed to have a pretty good 14th February. MM and I met up for lunch with an old friend who was in Atlanta for business. We hadn’t seen him for probably 5 years so it was lovely to catch up over some good food at one of my favorite places to dine, Canoe. I could have sat there all afternoon but of course had to go and collect my sugar fueled daughter from school ready for ballet. I was quite relieved that she was going to dance off some of the Valentine’s Day sugar buzz. It was freezing here so wore my AllSaints Char cashmere jumper to keep me snug, along with my Hudson Collin jeans and Tory Burch flannel Revas.

I’m feeling a bit nerdy again today as I’ve been doing some Facebook development for our business page. Years ago I did some coding as an IT consultant and I still love to get my hands dirty occasionally. I’ve discovered a fantastic application called ShortStack that allows you to develop custom forms and tabs on a Facebook page. I’ve even managed to put a tab on Poppy’s Style Facebook page where you can see new blog posts and the RSS feed! I LOVE it and I feel like I’ve had a very productive day customizing some tabs, so let’s hope both pages get an uptick in fans thanks to my inner geek.

My daughter is having a play date this afternoon with a ballet buddy and I love her Mom so I’m looking forward to having a natter. Her Mom is a runner too so I’m hoping I can convince her to run a couple of half marathons over the next year or so. Unfortunately I have been a bit lazy over the past few days and have been lacking motivation due to the weather here. I’m so ready for spring to return so I can get back outside once again, pounding the pavements.

The sun is shining today so I chose a bit of color with my Boden aqua wrap jumper. I was pretty uninspired this morning so went for the easy button again with my jeans and flannel Revas, all topped off with JCrew‘s boyfriend blazer from a couple of years ago.

My nail polish at the moment is Chanel’s Madness but I think I’m going for a change tonight with something a little lighter – decisions, decisions….

No love lost between me and February 14th

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All I can think about right now are the 40 or so Valentine candies that I have to prepare for the kids to take to school tomorrow. I have bought the ones that have the little cards with them so all I have to do is write each child’s name on them, but still it is a chore hanging over my head. I have to say I hate Valentine’s Day. Here in the U.S. it seems that it is much more than a day for lovers, it is a day to send everyone and anyone a piece of candy, a card, or some other gift of appreciation. MM and I have never celebrated Valentine’s Day, we see it as a horribly commercial day and another ploy by companies to get you to part with your money. I can’t bear the idea of sitting in a restaurant trying to be romantic on a Tuesday night with every other couple in Atlanta. Firstly, if you ask me, love should be celebrated everyday and shouldn’t require one day a year to be devoted to it. It just perpetuates the stereotype of men running around trying to please their wives/girlfriends, and fearing that if they don’t spend a fortune on red roses they will be in ‘the dog house’ for the rest of the year. Secondly, February 14th is a day that is dedicated to Saint Valentine by the Catholic Church – not a day for us all to go out and buy heart shaped candy. Call me miserable by all means – but see how you feel when you are told that you must send in a gift for every child in your children’s class.

Maybe I am scarred as Valentine’s Day just brings back memories of the pressure I endured as teenager, desperately hoping I’d receive a Valentine’s card. I used to hate getting the bus home on Valentine’s Day as there would always be a few smug girls ‘struggling’ and giggling, carrying one of the huge oversize cards, bought by some lovesick boyfriend off Bury Market. I never got one. I remember one year actually having a ‘boyfriend’ on Valentine’s Day. He bought me a card and then wrote an inflated price on the back of it to suggest the more he spent the more he cared…I know you might be reading this, and won’t name names, but don’t think I didn’t figure out your cunning plan! Anyway, my point is that there is so much pressure in the years to come regarding Valentine’s Day, why introduce it for kindergartners? They have plenty time to be concerned with it – please let’s leave it to the amateur lovers out there that feel they need to prove something to someone…

Okay now that is off my chest let’s talk about the Grammys last night. My absolute favorite performance was Bruno Mars – what a great show – I was grinning from ear to ear watching him move. Sir Paul McCartney was pretty dreadful in my opinion – come on Paul you don’t even need to do this anymore surely? Overall I think they handled Whitney’s death pretty well – I thought L.L. Cool J. hit the tone perfectly at the start of the evening as he honored her and proceeded to remind everyone they were there to celebrate. Congratulations to Adele on taking home all six Grammys that she was nominated for. I haven’t seen her sing yet though as I could barely keep my eyes open after Sir Paul’s snooze inducing performance. One last rant though, why oh why is Chris Brown still getting t.v. air time?

It’s another frigid day here and knowing I’m going to be sitting in a heated office most of the day makes it more difficult to decide what to wear. Rather than basing my choices on the temperatures, I opted to try and provide some cheer for everyone with a bit of color. I love the Boden colourblock tunics, they are so comfortable and easy to wear and today I have paired the violet one with Boden black leggings and my favorite Frye Jane Tall boots – all topped off with my black Patagonia Downtown Loft jacket which is so warm and yet doesn’t necessarily look like I should be out climbing a rock face. A good thing really as I won’t be going near any today.

Music that inspires…

Civic duty.

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I was so hoping that I would get chance to post yesterday but I was on Jury Duty and didn’t get home till late. I can’t believe that I got summoned for duty after only 18months as a U.S. citizen – maybe they have a list of us newbies that they know will be keen and eager to take on their civic duty? I was really happy to do it, and actually I was quite looking forward to it, but little did I know what a convoluted, chaotic day it would turn into. Firstly getting to the Court House in Downtown Atlanta for 8am is no mean feat – what with getting ready, kicking the kids out of the door, driving to Turner Field, connecting with a shuttle bus, security screening etc. etc. I was lucky to be on time. Then once you are there you have no idea whether you will be called or not, so I armed myself with 2 books which could be read in a day if needed – boy did I wish my new iPad was here! As much as I love ‘proper’ books they’re damn heavy! Then as I was getting stuck into Enigma by Robert Harris (brilliant book…) the alarms went off and we were evacuated for an hour or so. I was happy to be out of a potentially dangerous situation but bloody cold standing in Woodruff park for over an hour. It turns out there had been a suspected domestic in a parking lot nearby where shots were fired and after a shooting in the Court House a few years ago I guess they are more vigilant than ever. Eventually we were back in the court house and I was called immediately for duty. They call 14 jurors and then the prosecutors and defense select six to stay on the panel – I was one of the six. So our case didn’t start till almost 2pm. It was a minor offense – but obviously we still carried out due diligence and we ended up deliberating for almost 3hrs. I hadn’t realized that a majority wasn’t sufficient so we had to keep going till we were all unanimous – I wish I’d learned some skills in the debating society!

So all in all a long day, but thankfully it was spent in the comfort and style of my Boden Joyful Jersey dress in black, and the warmth of my Boden quilted jacket. Smart, comfortable yet understated – perfect for jury duty!

Today I was happy not to have to venture far – the only thing on my list of ‘to dos’ was to get some new swimming goggles (we have a black hole in our house where all children’s swimming goggles disappear) and some soft towels for swimming lessons as the YMCA’s are ‘too scratchy’. My children don’t know they are born and I now sound like my Mom.

My lovely Husband took me out for lunch to our favorite Mexican where I devoured enchiladas and a margarita (I’m so crazy) – it’s my guilty pleasure on the occasional Friday lunchtime, and a welcome break before pandemonium that takes over again at 3pm with swim team training for my daughter. I vaguely remember days when all I thought about on a Friday was getting ready to hit the town – how shallow of me;)

It’s damn cold here today and will be even colder this weekend so I am enjoying my Boden tunics – today it’s the funky knitted tunic from SS 2011 with my Boden leggings and Boden black wedge boots (currently in the clearance).

My pop of color is thanks to Opi‘s Nicki Minaj collection and the color is a fab turquoise called Fly – very fun and I suspect it will look even better with a bit of a sun tan in the summer! Roll on sunshine!

Sexy and I know it.

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I’m feeling pretty virtuous today after a trip to the gym at 7.15am. After a couple of days off it was good to get the legs moving again on the treadmill. Though I mostly dread the treadmill I do sometimes enjoy cranking the speed up and doing a bit of interval training to see how fast I can go, and how often, before I feel like dieing. I often wonder how and why some people jog in the gym while trying to read a book or a magazine. For me the gym is all about pushing as hard as I can and sweating as much as I can – what’s the point otherwise? After Super Bowl Sunday and seeing LMFAO with Madonna I had downloaded a couple of their singles. Their tongue in cheek humor appeals to me and I loved running to “Sexy and I Know It” this morning – perfect gym music. The video comes with a warning though – there are lots of Speedo ‘action’ shots:)

Both children were very excited this morning as they headed off to school in their new New Balance sneakers. MM is appalled that I am converting them into New Balance fans but I assured him it was purely coincidence and they did actually select their own on Zappos.com. My son did, however, look a little like he should be heading off to the computer science lab rather than daycare with his Dee Dee Ramone hair cut, New Balance 993s and Mini Boden baggies hiked up above the waist – he may have inherited my nerd genes…

I’m once again trying to wear as much knitwear as possible before the weather warms up for good here. Another brand which I am obsessed with is AllSaints. It’s purely coincidence that their flagship store in in Spitalfields where our flat is, but still provides another reason for my loyalty. I love their knitwear – most pieces drape beautifully, have biased cuts, raw edges and external seams. Very urban. We don’t have a standalone store yet in Atlanta but there is a great concession in Bloomingdale’s (ask for Charlie or Alex), and I also buy a lot off their website. Today I am wearing their Cerulean long black cardigan, a basic black tee from Express, Hudson signature bootcut jeans in Elm wash, and my black Bloomsbury boots from Boden. A look that is completely at the other end of the spectrum from yesterday’s, and one that probably reflects more of my true style. I feel comfortable and sexy – what else can a girl ask for on a Wednesday? Must remember LMFAO is ironic.

By design.

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My general dislike for Tuesdays was exacerbated this morning by a 7.30am dentist appointment for my daughter. It’s bedlam trying to get myself ready and get everyone out of the house in time…but we made it and all teeth checked out well – phew – no embarrassing explanations required for lack of parental supervision while brushing. Well needless to say the mad dash this morning for the dentist meant no preening and photo taking in front of the mirror today, but I will tell you I spent a day feeling quite preppy in my slate Boden straightleg wool capris (an absolute bargain at $38 in the sale), Boden mercury crinkle shirt, Boden grey wrap jumper, and Tory Burch grey flannel Revas, topped off with my Boden black quilted jacket (also available full price in the new SS range here) as there was a little nip in the air this morning. Tuesdays have always been my least favorite day of the week – probably stemming from my sixth form days when they started with triple physics with Mrs. Wells. She used to dictate so fast I developed callouses on my middle finger – odd to think of in these technology driven days when I can barely hold a pen never mind write with one – I am so used to typing.

After the chaos of car pool, ballet lessons, daycare run and drive home I was excited to be greeted by some belated Christmas presents. MM and I have always loved Alessi products. We were fortunate to be gifted some for our Wedding presents and the somewhat stylish, if not functional, Philippe Starck juicer still has pride of place in our kitchen, next to the spaghetti holder.

Well my FIL has very kindly bought me a lovely tea strainer for my loose leaf Fortnum & Mason’s tea which I can now enjoy prior to a enjoying a stiff margarita mixed in my new cocktail shaker – very exciting. Now I just need some great cocktail recipes to experiment with.

The new tea strainer.

Found in almost every bar in the world…according to Alessi.

I still love Madge

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I still can’t believe the Giants won – the team I am rooting for hardly ever wins. It’s not that I’m a huge Giants fan (Falcons obviously) but I do like to see Tom Brady lose – forgive me all you Patriot fans. I managed to stay awake long enough to see Madonna in all her glory. I thought she was amazing and her entry was spectacular – though I do have to remind myself that Madge came first and therefore she can’t be accused of copying Lady Gaga. Her performance was fabulous with some fun guests and I loved the ‘mash-up’ with LMFAO. ‘Vogue’ reminds me so much of my university days when I would listen to ‘The Immaculate Collection’ on vinyl over and over again, and I always forget what a brilliant song ‘Like a Prayer’ is. In fact I’m off to iTunes once this is published to download it. Oh and I would die for those boots, and of course to look as hot as she did in them at 53.

So on the most popular day in the U.S. to play hooky I was up bright and early, ready for another Monday – sort of. My legs are flipping killing me after my long run yesterday so I was in need of my comfy clothes again. But refusing to wear sweats out of the house I selected my Hudson jeans, Boden Canterbury tunic, Boden long line cardigan from SS 2011, and my Tory Burch musk Eddies. The tunic is another that I bought early in the AW 2011 season and then returned, only to buy again at a bargain price in the sale. Along with the multi acorn colorway (shown here) I also bought the coal stencil rose, and both, along with the other colors, are still available in the sale for $34 – you’d be crazy not to take a peak. They had many mixed reviews, and yes I did have to size up due to the snug fitting empire waist, and it is a little more cleavage than I would show in a corporate environment, but I love them and no one in the office mentioned me flaunting my ‘assets’ – and trust me they would.

A new playlist. (poppysstyle.wordpress.com)

Football and pulled pork.

Nerdy Geek

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It is with some hesitation that I write this post. Firstly and mainly because I am no authority on running having only dabbled in the activity since my early 20s, and only more recently considered it as my main activity when it comes to staying fit and keeping the additional pounds at bay. Having said that when I feel I have news and information to share that may benefit others I think it only right to do so.

Just over a year ago I completed my first half marathon, but sadly after all my training, I was much slower than anticipated due to searing pain in my left knee. It turns out I was suffering from a common runner’s condition where the IT band up the outer side of the thigh is under severe stress and tightens, developing knots of scar tissue over time. Anyway long story short it stopped me running for some time and taught me a valuable lesson about the need to stretch and use a foam roller for deep massages. This injury could have arisen from wearing incorrect running shoes, overpronation, or running on the same side of the camber for too long, amongst other things. I had had my running style analyzed on a couple of occasions resulting, unfortunately, in conflicting diagnoses – one suggested I over-pronate and the other suggested I was relatively neutral.

Since my running had picked up a gear or two I had been wearing Asics Kayanos – a well supported shoe with good stability designed for moderate overpronators. I’d never had any problems till my IT band, so somewhat dismissed the idea it might be my shoes. But once I started running again I began to get a really sore instep. After a visit to a podiatrist she suggested that the built up instep of the Kayano, designed to help support, was actually bruising my instep as, in her opinion, I was definitely more neutral with collapsing arches. Geez – now I’d had a physio tell me I had no butt and my glutes don’t fire, not to mention what they said about my posture, and now I have a podiatrist telling me my arches are collapsing – it’s a wonder I can walk at all never mind run.

So in an attempt to continue running I decided to try a new shoe. I did some research online and decided not to ask a running store this time as I thought they may be bias towards certain brands. The clear winner in all the online reviews was the New Balance 890. Now I’m a brand girl and as far as I was concerned New Balance are worn by nerdy geeks with jeans. I would never have selected New Balance, ever. On closer review, however, I found myself warming to the idea – then when I saw the awesome, garish rainbow colorway I was smitten.

I’ve been running in them now for about 3 months and I have had no pain whatsoever, touch wood. I did once try and revert to my Kayanos just to test the theory out, and yes it may have been psychosomatic but I had to pull up with my knee once again. The 890s are incredibly lightweight and yet feel supportive and provide great cushioning, and New Balance have just released the 890 v2 which is apparently even lighter. All I can say is that I’m hooked and can’t wait to try them. At least I’ve come to terms at last with being a nerdy geek, though I have sworn to MM I’ll never wear them with jeans.

Here’s a great write up I found on runcute.com while researching the new 890 v2 – I LOVE the yellow and purple colorway.

See you out there pounding those pavements!

Poppy's Style

My blog about fashion, family, friends and fun.

Monthly Archives: February 2012

The inner geek.

No love lost between me and February 14th

Music that inspires…

Civic duty.

Sexy and I know it.

By design.

I still love Madge

Football and pulled pork.

Nerdy Geek

Music that inspires…

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