Outfits for a Day or Evening Date

Any day I get to dress up is a good day, so the days Matt and I decide to go on a date are some of my favorites. We are spending time together doing something fun and I get to find something cute to wear. I have two categories for dates. They fall into either daytime or evening.

Day Time Date

TopShop metallic top, $68, H&M denim skinny jeans, £20, ALDO above the knee boots, $56, Oasis tote hand bag, $70, Gold tone jewelry, $23, Yellow gold jewelry, $20, Michael Kors studded jewelry, $45, Forever21 zebra scarve, $17

For the daytime, I love dressing up sweaters when it is colder out. A slouchy comfy sweater can look dressed up by simply adding skinny jeans and boots. Since this is a date, a heel on the boot dresses this outfit up. The scarf is feminine but subtle. The jewelry in this outfit will definitely make a statement. I love the chain bracelet, multi-colored ring and the gem stud earrings. The girly accessories can make any boyish or slouchy sweater sexy in an understated way.

I would absolutely wear something like this to a movie (the comfy sweater is a great way to stay warm), lunch or just out to get coffee.

Evening Date

Dorothy Perkins long dress, £18, Dorothy Perkins nylon pantyhose, £6, Vince camuto boots, $93, Clutch bag, $35, Kate Spade long earrings, $68

I don’t wear dresses that often so anytime I get to bring one out makes the day a little more special in my eyes. I love the sheer long sleeves on this dress and the accents at the wrists. This is also a great dress because it’s fitted and will show off some leg. This outfit only needs subtle accessories with black ankle boots, seamed back pantyhose, a bad ass little clutch and great drop gem earrings. This would be great for a fancy dinner out or even to go out dancing.

Now I’m kind of in the mood to get dressed up. I think I will hold off this weekend, but get prepared I will be doing a post on holiday party outfits since it’s about that time of year. I would love to know that type of holiday parties you are going to and I can add those looks to my next post.

What type of holiday parties are you going to?

As of right now I will be going to a holiday masquerade (fancy) and possibly getting all done up for New Years.

Advertisements

Turkey Trot Success

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I got back to Boston last night after an amazing weekend.

Thursday

I woke up bright and early for a 6:45 a.m. turkey trot. I was up a little before 5 a.m. since the race was about 40 minutes away. The race was a 5k and I finished it in 22:13.22 with a 7:14 split time.

Headed toward the finish line!

I just checked the results online and I also found out I placed first within my age group. I had no idea, I guess I should have waited for the award ceremony after. One thing that I liked about this race is they gave out medals as you crossed the finish line.

The medal I received crossing the finish line

I was number 90 overall and from what I heard medals were given to the first 150 finishers. There were 718 participants in the race.

Matt came to watch the race, it’s nice to have someone there for you when you finish a race. After we went back to my parents house to rest and then we had Thanksgiving dinner in the early afternoon. It was delicious! The spread included smoked turkey, stuffing, candied yams, green beans, macaroni and cheese,, cranberry sauce, biscuits, and gravy. Dessert included a delicious pumpkin cheese cake. Matt and I then went to Southbury to celebrate with his family.

Friday

Friday was another early morning. I was up around 4:45 a.m. to do some black Friday shopping. I finished most of my Christmas shopping which was pretty exciting.

Friday night I was able to see some of my good friends from high school. Some of them I haven’t seen in years and it was Matt’s first time meeting some of them. I had a great time just catching up with everyone.

Saturday/Sunday

Matt played some football with some high school friends on Saturday morning. Saturday night we helped his family decorate their Christmas tree.

Sunday I went to church with the fam. I spent the rest of the day eating leftovers and watching TV with my mom and dad before I had to take the bus back to Boston.

The whole weekend was sort of a blur, but I was so glad to spend time with my friends and family. I also love seeing my dog Sammy.

Sammy was begging for food all weekend. We let him have some turkey on Thanksgiving.

Today I was back to my regular schedule. I went to the gym and got a nice 5 mile run in. I will be spending the rest of the week working on school stuff. Finals are right around the corner and I have some major projects due so I may not be posting quite as regularly the next couple of weeks.

How was your Thanksgiving?

No Diet on Thanksgiving!

I’ve read a lot lately about ways to cook healthy Thanksgiving alternatives, eating smaller portions or cutting back calories and working out harder before you sit down for your turkey day dinner. I will say this right now, I don’t believe in dieting on Thanksgiving!

[Source]

I live an active and healthy lifestyle year round. Thanksgiving is one of the times of the year that I do like to indulge. I’ll eat a little more than usual, drink wine and have some extra dessert and I think this is absolutely OK. A lot of people that are worrying about calories on Thanksgiving, probably shouldn’t be.

I have a belief that life is all about balance and you shouldn’t deprive yourself. That’s why during a regular week if I want something sweet I will buy some chocolate or whatever else I’m in the mood for. If you deprive your body of something, you will only want it that much more. I also don’t think over-indulgence is a good thing either. I don’t buy large portions of sweets or snacks because I know there is a very good possibility that I will eat a sleeve of Oreos or way more Twinkies than I intended.

I definitely won’t be concerned about the amount of calories I take in tomorrow. I realize everyone is different, but no one should feel bad for taking a day off and just enjoying yourself. If you decide not to exercise, enjoy sleeping in. If you want another piece of pumpkin pie or another serving of stuffing, go for it!

I’m running a small road race tomorrow for fun, but after I’m going to enjoy the time with my family and all the good food.

What are your thoughts on Thanksgiving dieting?

A Twilight Weekend

I’m officially counting down the days until Thanksgiving. This weekend was pretty low-key (my fav). Matt and I rented Bad Teacher to watch on Friday night. For dinner we had some doctored up macaroni and cheese with green peas and spicy chicken sausage. I’m not big on dessert, but my favorite cold treat is Ciao Bella Mango Sorbet. I like that there are very few ingredients and the company uses real fruit in their sorbets. I think Matt and I have tried most of their sorbets and gelatos, but the mango is by far my favorite. It’s naturally fat free and has 120 calories per half cup serving.

Mango is by far the best Ciao Bella flavor

Saturday we decided to walk around Boston a bit before we went to go see Breaking Dawn Part I. I’m not a huge Twilight fan, but I have seen all the movies. The movie wasn’t bad, but I still think the first one might be my favorite. It was entertaining and more graphic than I thought it would be. Matt doesn’t like blood so there were a few scenes he thought were pretty gross. I was also a little surprised to see a little nudity during one of the honeymoon scenes, did anyone else catch the side shot of Kristen Stewart’s breast? I totally wasn’t expecting that. I’ve been avoiding reading the series, but I may try to suck it up and just get through it before the last movie comes out next year.

The honeymoon took up a good portion of Breaking Dawn, but it was really cute

[Source]

Yesterday, Matt drove back to Connecticut early so I went for a longish 5 mile run. It was right around two in the afternoon and it was absolutely gorgeous out. I ran through a few areas where the leaves had just fallen and I could smell that dry leaves as I crunched through them. I took a slower pace than usual, but my legs felt so tight. It was my first time running outdoors since the time change so it’s been a couple of weeks. Although I run 5 miles on the treadmill pretty regularly I felt like I was dragging. The run made me realize how much I miss my outdoor runs too.

Today I started out the morning with a BodyRock.tv routine called the Booty Shaping workout, which I felt more in my abs and arms than my butt. After work I was back on the treadmill. I did some intervals for 3.4 miles. This is my last run before the Turkey Trot. Tomorrow I’ll do a morning workout and Wednesday will be a day off.

Does anyone else notice a difference between running outdoors versus on a treadmill?

Jackets Galore

One week until Thanksgiving and I couldn’t be more excited to see my family and enjoy a little break from work and school. That means there is also just one week until my 5k Turkey Trot. My last race was a 10k and it was pretty rough. I’m going into this race just for fun. Of course I want to do well, but I’m not going to worry about getting a personal best this time. Instead I just want to end the race knowing I did my best and feeling good afterward.

I started out the morning with an intense BodyRock.tv workout called “The Trainer Who Loved Me” it took me just under 30 minutes and I was feeling the burn throughout. I also liked this workout because you don’t need any equipment, it’s all just body weight training.

I went to this presentation at my school after work so I ended up going to the gym later than usual. Since I got in such an intense workout this morning I decided to just do a speed trial for the 5k on the treadmill. I got through the 3.13 miles in 25:04. I may try to get in one more longer distance workout and some light intervals before my race on Thursday.

 Jackets Galore

Fall finally feels like it is actually here and that means it’s time to pullout those fall and winter jackets, if you haven’t done so already. I have a pretty large selection of jackets that range from formal to sporty. My collection includes leather, wool and waterproof and vary in sizes. Jackets can make a statement while being out in the colder temps, especially since no one can see your cute outfit underneath all those layers. Also, a versatile jacket can last for years so it’s worth investing in good quality pieces.

Calvin Klein long coat, $148, Victoria s Secret double breasted pea coat, $128, Oasis leather jacket, $150, TNA jacket

The Cape

Capes are on trend this season. They create an interesting silhouette and will definitely make a statement. A cape would look great with skinny or slim pants or a dress. Check out my Gossip Girl Inspired Fashion Post to see a great example of a cape being worn.

Pea Coats

Pea coats are a classic wardrobe staple. It’s a great idea to have one in a neutral color like black or camel and you can use this item for years. If you want to make a statement go for a bright color or interesting pattern.

This is an old picture from college, but this is one of my favorite pea coats

Bomber

Bomber jackets are great for a casual day. They look great with jeans and definitely add a coolness factor to any outfit.

Faux Fur

The jacket I listed here looks nice and warm and would also be great for a casual day. Faux fur is also being used in an bunch of different types of jackets including pea coats. Fur is a big trend this season, so why not be good to the environment and be in style with the faux version. Not to mention faux fur is a whole lot cheaper.

What’s your favorite type of fall or winter jacket?

I’m partial to pea coats, I have four different types in my closet right now.

Add Some Sparkle to Your Wardrobe

I signed up for what will probably be my last road race until the spring. I’m doing a 5k Turkey Trot super bright and early on Thanksgiving day! I generally feel pretty ready. I’ve been getting in a lot of distance work in and today included a slow and steady 5 miler on the treadmill. I like to get in some long distances before a race, but I think over the next two weeks I want to try to focus on some speed workouts since I haven’t done a 5k in a while and could use a little speed training.

On to a very cute trend alert, has anyone else seen all the sequins and glitter this season? I can’t get enough of this sparkle trend. It’s perfect for the holidays and a night out.

What I like about this trend is you can go as bold or delicate with it as you want. A simple way to add some sparkle is with your nail polish. I’ve been searching for a great new shimmery nail polish color and they are all over the place. Brands from OPI, Revlon to Sally Hansen all have their own version of glitter polishes.

Another way to add sparkle on a small scale is with accessories. Jewelry, a clutch or heels are an easy way to add some shimmer to your evening or daytime look.

Sequin dress, $50, Short sleeve t shirt, $90, Sequin top, $40, DKNY sequin mini skirt, �64, Black Poppy sequin shorts, $30, Steve Madden platform pumps, $130, TOP CHOICE clutch handbag, $20, Marc by Marc Jacobs silver heart earrings, $48, SEPHORA by OPI Glitter and Sparkle Four Piece Full Size Nail Colour…, $28

Although I like the small ways to add sparkle, my favorite sequined pieces are bold. On my wish list right now is a sequin dress. I think it would be perfect for a holiday party and is an easy way to make a statement. The dress from Alloy above is form fitted and has a great low u-back design that adds some subtle sexiness.

A glitter skirt or shorts would look great with heels and a simple draped tee or sweater. The sequined tops can go with jeans or slacks. These looks can be very versatile.

These looks have me very excited for the holidays. There’s no better way to make an entrance than with some shimmer.

Anyone else really loving the sparkle?

Optimizing Gym Workouts

Since it’s dark out by the time I get out of work I am no longer running outside and instead have been heading to the gym for my workouts. I’m not sure about you, but I think the gym can be really boring and I do everything I can to get in and out of there, but also keep it interesting. Here are some tips on ways to optimize your workout.

I will miss my evening fall runs

[Source Pinterest]

1. Come with a plan

I always know what I plan to do at the gym before I get there. There’s always some sort of cardio where I set either a distance or time goal for the day. Some days I also decide to do a little weight training.

For my weight training I like to bring in workouts from either a magazine or online. Women’s Health Magazine always has great weight training or body weight workouts both in the magazine and online. Some other mags I will sometimes pick up are Shape, Self and even Cosmo sometimes has a good workout routine that your can tear out to bring to the gym with you.

Another web site that has pretty good workouts is Tone It Up! They will sometimes post some great printable workout routines. I’m a fan of the Beach Ball Workout.

Coming to the gym with a plan it will be that much easier to get in and get out without milling around trying to decide what you want to do that day.

2. Get in a high intensity workout

Another way to optimize your workout is to get in some high intensity interval training (HIIT). Cardio is great for your lungs but by adding interval training with short bursts of intensity (HIIT) you can burn more calories and fat quicker.

FitSugar has a link to a a couple of treadmill workouts that focus on interval training. These treadmill workouts are four different printable PDF’s for beginners, intermediate intervals, hills and sprint intervals. This interval treadmill workout can burn 500 calories in 41 minutes.

3. Mix it up

I love running, but sometimes running on a treadmill can be boring. I’ve learned to mix it up not only with distances and times, but also by adding intervals to my workouts. I will also try out different machines. I’m a fan of the Stairmaster for the glutes and the elliptical for days that I just don’t feel like running. Mixing it up goes beyond just cardio. It’s also a good idea to mix up the type of weight training you do.

Your body can begin to plateau if you are continually doing the same workouts. To continue to see results it’s a good idea to change the types of workouts you do.

I used to have a routine when I went to the gym. I ran between 4 and 5 miles and then I did a quick circuit on the equipment. My body did begin to plateau and I wasn’t seeing or feeling results. Now since I have begun to do some interval exercises in the morning and vary my intensity on my runs I’m feeling more challenged.

The gym may not always be fun but by planning your workouts, adding some intervals and mixing up your training you can get the most out of your time there and get in a great workout.

How do you mix up your workouts? What websites do you go to for great new workouts?

Snowed In!

The snow storm this weekend ended up derailing a few plans. I was in Connecticut and by 2 pm Saturday the roads were already slick and coated with a layer of snow.

Snow at 2 pm outside of Matt's house

Originally we were supposed to go to a Halloween party Saturday night. I had bought makeup and some clothes for a vampire costume. However the snow had different plans for us that day. We spent the day inside relaxing.

Snowed in Comfy Clothes by the5kfashionista featuring a scoop neck tee

Old Navy knit cardigan, $50, Splendid hoody, $87, Scoop neck tee, $13, Nike top, $25, Old Navy activewear pants, $20, Quiksilver, $25, Jane Eyre, $20, Ivory shoes, $30, Minnetonka shoes, $39, Moma sparkle jewelry, $14

I took this opportunity to relax in some super comfy clothes. This weekend included yoga pants, sweat pants and big sweaters. Although I love dressing up, casual stay at home clothes might be my favorite. I love getting under big fleece blankets with some tea and a good book, especially in the winter. I also love wearing my fuzzy slippers all over the house.

Since we were snowed in I was able to catch up on last weeks episode of Gossip Girl and we watched Halloween with Matt’s family. Around 8 o’clock we decided there was no way we would be able to drive to the party so we had some pizza and got ready to watch The Last Exorcism of Emily Rose. About 5 minutes into the movie the power went out.

We lit some candles and it ended up being an early night. On Sunday the power was still out and we found out a lot of Connecticut ended up losing power. Sunday we tried to find somewhere to eat lunch and almost everything was closed because there wasn’t power. We eventually got lunch at a mall food court. On the way to the bus station we also needed to get gas for Matt’s car, which was a small nightmare. All the gas stations were out of gas or the pumps didn’t have electricity. We eventually found a place that was open and waited almost 30 minutes in line to get gas. I had never seen anything like it before.

When I got to Boston last night there was pretty much no snow on the ground and my roommates told me all we got was rain.

Since there was no snow on the ground today it felt like a nice Fall day. It was perfect weather for a post work run. I just got in from running 5.6 miles in 44 min 30 sec and it felt great. I still want to sign up for at least one race before Christmas. I actually think I might enjoy running in colder temps better than running in the summer.

Did you dress up for Halloween this weekend? Or if your plans were changed due to weather what did you end up doing?

6 Last Minute Halloween Ideas

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love the whole idea of taking on a new identity for a night. It’s fun dressing up and doing some over the top makeup. I’m going to be a vampire this year. I’m surprised this is my first year doing a vampire. I’ve definitely been intrigued by the vampire myth for years. Years back I read Bram Stocker’s Dracula, I loved Interview with a Vampire and now I’m a huge True Blood fan. I think this costume was long overdue.

Before I decided on my costume this year I went through and searched online for some easy costume ideas. I couldn’t find a bunch of costumes on one site, so I figured I’d do my own list of last minute costume ideas that I found from around the web for those of you who are on the fence on deciding what you want to be.

1. Rosie the Riveter

I love how simple this is. A Chambray shirt, bandana and lipstick – We Can Do It!

2. Cat Burglar

This is a step up just from adding animal ears and a tail.This can be done with the cute leotard or just wearing something all black.

3. Kesha

Super easy. How hard is it to look like a hot mess? Just throw together some mismatching clothes, maybe something a little rock and roll, look like you just rolled out of bed and you are Kesha.

4. Taco Bell Hot Sauce

I thought this was really cute. All you need is a tube dress and some felt.

5. Sushi

Another cute and easy costume. A white dress, pillow with a light colored or satin pillow case and a piece of green cloth to wrap it all together.

6. Streaker

I did something very similar a few years ago wearing a trench coat, black biker shorts and tank top and put a white piece of paper over it that said censored. I really like the idea of using nude colored clothing or tights underneath and the black boxes.

Sources: Fab Sugar, Lauren Conrad, Cosmopolitan, Flickr, Koream, Coolest Home Made Costumes

Have you seen any great quick Halloween costume ideas? What are you doing for Halloween this year?

What to Wear to a Football Game

I’m headed to a college football game this weekend with my dad to see my alma mater! I’m very excited and I’m hoping for a win since it’s the homecoming game. Football season is the epitome of fall and I can’t wait to cheer my team on from the bleachers with a hot cocoa or cider in hand.

In preparation for the game I started thinking about what to wear. I will be wearing my school colors, but I started thinking of other ways to look chic when you are on the sidelines.

Are You Ready for Some Football? by the5kfashionista featuring drop earrings

J Crew long sleeve shirt, $80, Miss Selfridge blue shirt, 29, James Jeans bootcut jeans, $56, Sperry boat shoes, $47, Red handbag, $60, House of Harlow 1960 drop earrings, $44, Watch, $40, TopShop knit scarve, $32, MNG by Mango aviator sunglasses, $32

I made this set as a great alternative to the typical school sweater and jeans combo. I like the idea of layering in your school colors (I’d be rockin’ blue and white) with a sweater and plaid collared shirt. The scarf will help to add some warmth and the sunglasses will be necessary during a day game. I own a pair of Sperry Top Siders and they are very comfy and great for walking around in. I think the accessories make this outfit. The drop earrings, bright colored handbag and the wrap around watch all add a little color and sophistication.

What do you think? Could you see yourself wearing something like this to a sporting event?

What’s your favorite piece?

I could definitely see myself wearing something similar. My favorite piece is the watch.