Friend Friday: Remixing

October 2010 - Present

Katy came up with these questions.

The one-time use phenomenon. I've been reading a number of posts lately about only wearing something once and how many bloggers are accused of this. Seems a good topic for us. 

October 2011, February 2012

1. Are you a one-time wearer? 
Not even close. I even post in the exact same outfit more than once.

2. Do you feel the need to purchase something new for an evening out or a special event?
No. I hate to do that. Sometimes I feel guilty about not doing it because it was the same dress before but it still all works out. I will buy new dresses because I feel like it and I don't do it when there is a special event coming up.

3. Re-mixing is something a lot of bloggers are proud of being able to accomplish - are you a re-mixing pro or do you shy away from posting items frequently? Why?
Sometimes I might post items from one outfit the very next day. I don't tend to wear things so close so the posts aren't so close but it's not like I'm holding back.  But I don't think I'm a pro. I still tend to catch myself wearing the same shirt with the same skirt even though clearly both would go with other things. If I have worn the same jeans and a tee shirt multiple times I don't take the time to make my pretty arrows with with I got things anymore though. I have previously posted about why I remix. I try not to wear the same thing within a few weeks if it is more obscure like a pink skirt or a plaid skirt. If it is black pants or a black skirt on the other hand, I'll wear those whenever.  I have a large closet and hate focusing on one thing so each day I try to branch out more. I even leave my clean clothes in the laundry room longer just to go a bit longer without seeing them and thus wearing them. I went through some old pictures with this post as motivation and you can see how I remixed a few things. The pictures are scattered through this post.  You will notice that even some identical outfits repeat.

March 2010 - Present

4. Do you have a clothing budget or are you an impulse buyer?
I do not have a clothing budget and I am not an impulse buyer.  I need an option about being encouraged by my husband to buy new clothes. I analyze in the store. I won't buy anything unless I love it. Some days I go to the mall with the intent to buy some new things and I'm not even specific in what I'm looking for and I leave empty handed.

February 2007 - Present (not all photos)

5. Do you find yourself bored when reading a blog in which clothing items are often remixed and appear frequently?
I wish everyone would show how they remix the same article of clothing close together so I wouldn't be bored with it.  Before buying a new trendy item, I'd like to see how versatile it'll be.  The more a blogger repeats, the more I appreciate them. I keep wanting to do posts on how I remixed a certain outfit, but that keeps staying on my to-do list and I never seem to get to it. I have done it a few times though.

Friend Friday: Technology

As Katy followed along all the NYFW posts and tweets it got her  thinking... "so much of what we bloggers do is all about the tools that we use. Technology certainly makes what we do easier, even if it is sometimes a major pain."

1. What are the tools you use to blog?
I use blogger to write my posts. I insert pictures from Picasa web album.  I create my collages in Picasa. I crop my photos in Picasa. Lately I have been labeling my daily photos with where I got each piece using Snagit Editor. I use Snagit when I take screen shots dealing with my runs. I print the tables from Excel to Snagit and crop it down and save it from there. If I have good pictures and want to do something fancy with them then I use Photoshop.

To photograph myself each day I use a Canon Rebel T1i. I use my Canon PowerShot Elph 300HS for all other photos unless I have to use my iPhone to take a photo or two.   I've used a variety of remotes. My current one is Alzo.  Last year I had a Satechi and liked it better, but it bit the dust and it is more expensive now so I am testing a new one.  I also have a cheap one but it doesn't focus. It is better to travel with because it is cheaper so I have less of a fear of breaking it.

I use my desktop to edit my photos.  I never have to hook up my camera to the computer because both cameras have Eye-fi cards and just automatically upload.  I use my desktop or laptop and sometimes my iPad to type the responses.

2. What technology item is on your wish-list?
Last winter I wanted some photography lighting equipment.  When I have to take my daily pictures in before daylight, I hate the harsh shadows.
I also want a better remote but I do not know which one to get so that's the only reason I didn't get it yet.

3. Through the barrage of posts, tweets, pics, poses, messages, etc... how do you avoid becoming a slave to the constant infiltration of information?
The more I read, the more I want to read and see.  The more I look at anything, the more I realize how much is out there and how little I know.  But then I think about it and think about what is really important in life and that I don't need to be up on all the information.

Last January I answered similar questions about this.

What tools do you use to blog?

Friend Friday - No makeup

This week for Friend Friday we are supposed to post a picture of ourselves without makeup and maybe post a little about our makeup routine. I actually post pictures of myself quite often on here without makeup but now you will have a linkup to check out other makeup-less bloggers.

Here is a recent picture of me from November 4 before I put on makeup. I'm actually pretty good without makeup except lipstick. My lip color is too uneven and I usually have a spot that is darker because I tore off the skin.

Here is a picture of me with makeup on from today. Granted I took these pictures in different locations, with different cameras, and at different times of day but it gives you a little comparison.  Also today I used 555 for my lipstick color but 550 is my favorite and the one I use most days.

Most days I put on some form of foundation (both a liquid and a powder), color stay lip stick, blush, and eye shadow. Every workday I put on at least lipstick and eye shadow. I previously posted about what makeup is in my bag. I used to use eyeliner under my eye but now I just use eye shadow brushed there.  Maybe once a year I use mascara.

Friend Friday: Trends

This week Katy wanted us to talk about Fall trends. Name your five favorite fall trends and how you plan to wear them this season.  I've done this with Spring and Summer trends so far.  If you know me you know I don't even know what trends there are so I have to do some research before completing this post.

1. Bright pants - Because I have red pants that are my favorite and I like when things I have fit the current trend
2. Color Blocking - This was a trend before but who am I to say it can't be a trend for multiple seasons.  I already do this so I'm set. 
3. Structured Silhouettes - I like the structure and like when it's in style. I find it more flattering on me. 
4. Graphic Stripes - I already like stripes so why not get some more. Plus stripes is just a slight upgrade for me from a solid. 
5. Plaid - OK it was some kind of plaid but after so many links that's the best one and it was on an earlier one. I have one plaid shirt. Maybe I'll get more. 

There are some trends I won't be doing 

1. Leather Skirts - just isn't work appropriate and I have no life outside of work.
2. Chic Ponchos - Just can't see myself buying them
3. High slits - Again not work appropriate
4. Mid-calf skirts - They are so not flattering on me. 

What trends are you into this fall? 

Friend Friday: Favorite Clothing

This week is one of the off weeks so Katy isn't hosting the standard Friend Friday questions. This week Ashley is hosting and the topic is our favorite piece of clothing.

This is kind of hard for me.  It depends on a few things. I have different favorites depending on the season. Also I put on a few lbs so my favorite pants no longer fit. If I can wear them, I'm not sure if I should still consider them a favorite.  So I'm going to break the rules and list a few things.

I love this purple top. I like it in the spring, summer, and fall. I don't layer with it that much in the winter so it is not a favorite then. I like the fit on this so if I eat a big lunch, I don't look as gutty. It is also a pretty good color on me (or so I think).

My favorite pants (that don't fit anymore) are my red pants from Victoria's Secret. I get compliments when I wear these (wore these). I like them. People tell me they make my legs look skinny but I reply to them that my legs make my legs look skinny.  I wanted red pants for years. I could never find them at a store. Man did I love these when I got them. I can't wear them as often as I'd like because red pants are pretty noticeable at work.

What is your favorite piece of clothing and why? 

Friday Friday: Location Influences

This week Katy wrote about Locational Influences...

I was in New York this past weekend and it dawned on me that I dressed differently when I lived there as opposed to when I lived in St. Louis. And then as I watched all the people rushing by and I could identify the Europeans from the Americans and the true New Yorkers from the tourists, it got me thinking, where we live has a lot to do with how we dress, or at least it can. So these questions are along those lines.

1. What part of the world do you blog from?
A suburb of Pittsburgh, PA
To some that is the midwest. To some it is the north east.  What do you think?

2. If you had to describe the overall mode of dress for where you live what would you say?
Blah. I can't even think how to describe it.

3. Do you fit in with the status quo around you or do you break the mold?
Never quite fit in. I wear new trendy stuff but also wear things 10 years old.

4. If you have lived or traveled to another part of the country/world did your clothing choices evolve?
Never lived anywhere else. Barely traveled.  I feel like I'm dressed like crap when I go on vacation.  No matter where I travel to, I feel like people dress better in general there.

5. If you had to describe your style by naming a specific city, what would you be?
I have no idea.  What do you think? 

Where do you blog from? (FBFF)

The normal Friend Friday questions are happening every other week now and on the opposite week someone else hosts something else...  how vague of me huh.  

Well this week they wanted to know where we blog from.  Instead of digging up old photos that happened to be taken of me I just took a picture last night. You can check where everyone else blogs from too. 

This is my chair. that i sit in. The notebook in front of the keyboard is my blog notebook. (Note this desk was cleaned off just the day before by throwing most of the junk that was on the desk into a box that is on the floor.)

This is the computer. When I blog, chrome and picasa are always on the left monitor while windows of different folders of photos are on the left monitor.

Then sometimes I sit on that chair and a half and use a laptop to blog. I never edit photos on the laptop though.

This is what usually happens when blogging and then I'm forced (yes forced) to blog with one hand or crop photos with one hand because Poly has my other one.

Sometimes I have to reach over Poly to blog

Or reach under her

Poly also sits on me on my chair downstairs

Where do you blog?

(See below for some other random pictures to prove that it is a common occurrence to sit at my computer with Poly on me.)

Friend Friday: Labels

Katy created questions this week about labels.
1. As a someone who writes/blogs about fashion, have you placed yourself into some sort of blogging category?
I don't think. I always think about this. I write about fashion. I also write about my day. I also write about running and my exercise.  I often think how I don't fit into a specific category and that if people are looking for a blog for one specific category they will be scared off because of the other things I write about that they don't want to hear.

2. What keeps you from or encourages you to label yourself as a certain kind of blogger?
I don't want to stop writing about certain things so that keeps me from having a specific label. (I guess.)

3. When picking blogs to read and follow are you drawn to ones that indicate a certain group or way of  thinking/being? Well I find it easier to find and follow fashion blogs. I wish I had more running blogs to follow. I also sometimes randomly find a blog that writes about a lot of different stuff and I follow them.  My google reader has about 20x the amount that I can actually read but I don't want to get rid of anyone because I always hope I will have time at some point or other.  I don't even know if specifically what I follow are fashion blogs. I mean they post about clothes as one aspect of what they do.

4. Do you think there are benefits in labeling yourself or others?
I think the benefits are more readers. But I could be totally wrong.  But then sometimes I feel like  I'd rather have 10 good readers than 1000 readers that really just skim pictures and don't communicate.

5. Agree or Disagree - We're all just people; we don't need all the labels.
Agree. We don't need labels. Also I don't even know how to label people half the time.   My blog is named Scrap and Run and that practically labels my blog... but it does so incorrectly.

Friend Friday: Personal Uniform

Vahni from Grit and Glamour has a post several weeks ago in which she outlined her personal uniform or outfit formula as she dubbed it.


1. What’s your go-to outfit formula?
A dress. Or a dress and a cardigan. You can throw that on and be ready in less than a minute.  Also they are comfortable like workout clothes so they are my latest go-to outfit.  Previously it was jeans and a simple shirt for the weekend or dress pants and a sweater for work.  Now I'm not a fan of my jeans. They are too tight. I don't want to buy new jeans because I hope the hope that once I get out of my workout rut that they will all fit again. I'm told I should just buy some fat jeans. I probably should. They'll probably be my skinny jeans in a few years anyway.

2. How did you come about this formula?
Oh I answered this above... the putting on a few lbs part and also realizing last year that dresses were pretty and added flavor.  I also discovered it last July 5 when I was going to a picnic but still in PJs 2 minutes before I had to leave. I couldn't believe how fast I got ready.

3. Do you have different formulas for different occasions in your life?
Not really anymore. Before it was jeans for anything that wasn't work.  I have clothes I wear to work. Then on the weekends I wear those same clothes or I wear jeans with those same shirts. If I go out on an evening (which is rare), I just wear my standard. Others have fancier non-work appropriate clothes but I don't have that.

4. Has it morphed over the years?
Yes. A dress was never even part of my wardrobe at all. Back in the day (middle school and high school) I hate dresses because my gut was noticeable even though I was skinny everywhere else. Now I'm realizing that there are many styles and I can hide my gut. Plus I'm not as skinny as I was back then.  Up until a few years ago, I wore athletic shoes with my jeans on the weekends. I do not anymore and I feel it makes the same outfit just so much better. Shoes really do make or break and outfit.

5. Which other blogger’s outfit formula would you like to swipe?
I have no idea. We are all similar if I like them. There is no one person that is far enough off from me that I can think of. There are plenty with a similar formula to me and I love that. It makes me seem not crazy and not out of style.

Friend Friday: Fashion Realizations

According to Katy:

This was partly fueled by a suggestion from Suz of MissVinylAhoy and partly by my own realization that I like some odd things since I started blogging – things I never would have looked twice at before.

1. Since you began blogging do you notice a change in the types of things you gravitate towards while shopping?
I don't do nearly enough shopping. I have also been taking my daily picture for 6 years so I have had a long evolution.  I am a lot more willing to try on new things, but that started right before I started knowing about fashion blogging.  I think I just learn about what is out there better since I don't read magazines and don't go shopping enough to see everything that is out there at a given time.  I do look for more patterns but I'm not sure if it is blogging or just looking at my own calendar site that caused me to want more of that.

2. Do you find, as a fashion blogger, that you dress differently from your family and friends? Do they comment on that?
Depending on who it is then yes and yes.  I often get comments about being dressed up or dressing really nice.  I often get comments about being trendy or having the current style yet what I'm wearing that day I have had for 5 years

3. What’s the weirdest fashion that you secretly like, even if you aren’t bold enough to wear it?
I don't know if this is a fashion but I wish I could wear some nice suspenders.

4. Looking at current trends – what would you like to try but need to build up the courage to do?
Well based on my previous posts I don't even know what the current trends really are.  But even after doing my research if I liked it, I wanted to try it and tried it or didn't try it because I didn't own it.  I didn't not try a trend because of the courage.

5. Toot someone’s horn – what fashion blogger out there inspires you with her bold fashion choices?
I don't know if it is inspiration by bold fashion choices or inspiration by fashion I like. I have noticed the ones that inspire me the most change. I get the most inspiration from Liz, Angeline, and Ashley currently.

Friend Friday: Recipes

This week Katy wanted us to share our favorite seasonal recipes... the ones we love to make and love to eat this time of year.  Well I almost didn't write one since nothing is in the love to make category. So I changed it to what can I make without my recipe book that I like to make.  So just for some perspective when I make frozen corn, I get out my recipe card so I know when to add the sugar, water, butter, or whatever.

So that left one thing. Also that one thing I love to eat so I guess it works.  I never made it to take anywhere because people live too far away.

Roasted Potatoes
Oven: 450 degrees.

Wash red potatoes or peel regular potatoes (or wash either kind or peel either kind but how I said is how I do it)
Dry potatoes.
Cut into cubes... maximum 1 inch.

Drizzle Oil in pan and move it all around.

Put potatoes in pan 1 layer thick. If thicker use 2 pans (I often use 2 pans. I love potatoes.)

Add a touch more oil.
Add salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and whatever other spices you find. Sometimes when I make 2 pans I make one a little hotter for my husband and pretty much everyone else.

Stir. Stirring with my hands spreads all the spices better but is messier.
Put in oven.
Stir every 10-15 minutes for a total cooking time of 45-60 minutes.

Sometimes I add more spices when I'm stirring it. It just depends on my mood and what it looks like.

Then eat.

I am pretty sure you should eat other stuff too but that is not required.

With all the times I take pictures of my food, I can't believe I can't find a picture of the potatoes.

Friend Friday: Summer Trends

This week Katy wants us to write our five favorite Summer trends. Now I thought I was up on the trends after my research for the spring trends but I guess summer doesn't have the same trends as spring... or maybe it does. I have to do some more research.

I looked at a few sites here, here, and here and am surprised at what they say is a trend.

Well I found a site that said Color Blocking is in for the Summer too. I knew some trends would be the same. Some websites even list Spring and Summer trends together together.

1. Color Blocking
2. Graphic Prints
3. Sundresses
4. Bold Necklaces
5. Tangerine

One style I can't get behind is the romper.

Too bad a style isn't to wear my 10 year old clothes that are in my closet.  I did see a few different outfits that reminded me of my park ranger outfit so perhaps I'm in style with my old clothes. 

Friend Friday: Vacation

Now that summer is in full swing here… and vacations are coming up, let’s talk about what you’re packing to take on vacation. Check out what Katy and everyone else said too.

1. When it comes to packing for vacation what’s your mantra?
I pack so infrequently. Actually all my packing the past 15 years have been for work except once.  But when packing I will sick with things that go with either black shoes or brown shoes. Shoes take up far too much room when packing. I may take 2 black pairs but then I have options.

2. What are your must packs?
Laptop, good camera, purse camera, spare camera batteries and battery chargers, gameboy, KenKen book, phone charger... oh that's probably not what you had in mind.  Perhaps clothes appropriate for the weather is the must pack. Lately I have to pack a ton of accessories.

3. What are you happy to leave behind?
Nothing. I don't even know why I travel. Oh wait. I don't.   I am sitting here staring trying to figure out what I'm happy to leave behind. I am coming up with nothing.

4. Any packing secrets that help you get everything into one suitcase?
Fewer shoes. Get everything out that you need to pack before starting to load the suitcase.

5. Beach reading… what are you taking with you to read in the sand?
Well this assumes I travel to somewhere I can read. I barely read. I'm staying at hotels and busy doing touristy things on my vacations (OK vacation...) and I read blogs in the evening.  I won't even stay at a hotel if I can't get internet. The last time we visited the in-laws we stayed at a different hotel because the internet wasn't good at the one we used to stay at.

I've flown a few times and I have never checked a bag. I fit everything into my carry-on.  When driving, I pack more but still never feel like I pack enough. I don't have enough options. I do remix while traveling but sometimes you don't want to wear things again like the last time I traveled, I picked up trash at a park for community service and didn't want to wear those jeans again.  Or if I'm walking outside in the humidity, I feel like my clothes get too gross.  I do often forget to pack a hoodie to sleep in. If I travel with my husband, he keeps the hotel rooms far too cold and I have trouble sleeping if I don't have a hoodie.

Friend Friday: Hair care

This week Katy asked some questions about hair care. I wonder how this will go since I always think I should do more and I don't do anything.

1. How often do you get your hair cut?
Between every few months and once a year.

2. Do you go to the same stylist each time, try someone new, go to the cheap hair cutting chains or live it up in a salon?
I have probably gone to a professional 6 or 8 times in my life.  I have my mom or husband cut the bottom and then I add the layers.  Before that my mom cut it and I didn't have layers.

3. Do you color your hair? How often? What’s your natural color?
I do not color my hair and therefore my natural color is brown.   I did highlight my hair 3 times in my life. I did like it the first time.  I hated it when it grew out. But then once it grows out you get more highlighting but then after a few inches you just have too much light hair.

4. The one thing you always do to keep your hair looking great is:
Nothing. It isn't ever great and I don't do anything to it.  I am always told it is great when I go to the hairstylist (you know those 6 times) and they say it is because I don't damage it with a curling iron, hair dryer, or dyes.

5. What hair trend do you love and wish you could rock?
I have no idea. what hair trends are.  I do wish my hair was curly with loose curls not the tight spiral curls. But then when it grows out just slightly and the super straight natural hair looks even worse with the curls of a perm.  I felt like I could do so much more with my hair when it was permed, but that I was also forced to shower in the morning.  I liked a perm because I could curl my hair with whatever curling iron size and it would hold unless it was humid. If it was humid, it frizzed up and sucked.  Oh the pros and cons.   Check this summary page that just shows icons to see randomly how my hair has looked at various points in my life.

I used to curl my hair more but now that I workout right after work I figure it isn't worth the 3 minutes it takes to curl the ends under so I don't do anything. I only curl it on special occasions now.

May 2005 = day of my last perm
November 2005 = curled with a curling iron (permed hair)

February 2006
April 2006
August 2006

You've all seen recent pictures of me but scroll through my calendar site to see how my hair has evolved.

How about you? Tell me a little about your hair care.

Friend Friday: Blog Pet Peeves

This was inspired by a post by Beautifully Invisible from a couple weeks ago entitled ‘The 10 things that drive me crazy about your blog.’ But before you read it, here are the 5 things that drive you crazy about blogs I visit. Also check out Katy's list too.

1. Blogs that play music automatically.  Most blogs don't do this anymore. I actually rarely come across a blog that does but it is still a pet peeve of mine.
2. Blogs that have an extremely busy background.  They make it too hard to read and I don't want to come back.
3. Blogs that are far too narrow that there is clearly wasted space even on the smallest of monitors.  I even have a netbook and would find blogs that were too narrow for that little screen.
4. Bloggers who never seem to answer a readers question on the blog.  I know some people reply via email but some questions are pretty common and I'll notice I have the same question a commenter already on there but then I can't find the answer. I get annoyed and leave.
5. Blogs where I can't click on the picture and get a larger version of the picture.  Sometimes I like to see details and I want the option of clicking to see those details. 

What about you? What are you blog pet peeves?

Friend Friday: Outside Influences

A couple weeks ago we talked about our inspiration when it comes to blogging and so many people said that other fashion bloggers are a huge inspiration. But there are many other factors that influence us. Visit Modly Chic to see what everyone else thought to.

1. What magazines do you subscribe to?
None. I don't get fashion magazines or do it yourself magazines, or Mechanical Engineering Magazines. My husband may get Consumer Reports so maybe that counts as me getting it since we would both benefit.

2. Do you watch any fashion TV shows?
2 years ago I watched a lot of What Not to Wear when I was recuperating from my knee surgery. I can’t think of any other “fashion TV shows” but I watch a lot of TV and fashion is in every show.

3. Beyond blogs, what websites do you frequent for fashion inspiration?
None

4. Advertisements play a huge role in forming public opinion about a product or brand… what ads do you like and why?
I can't think of any off the top of my head.  I like so many things w/o realizing it. Just the other day I ate some Frosted Flakes because of an article that had Frosted Flakes pictured. Product placement in TV shows is always good at getting me to want something too.

5. Do you own any fashion books?
I think I bought 1 in college. I never read it though. I just got up to find the book and flipped through it. It looks pretty nice. It’s called “the Lucky shopping manual”

Ooo it has interesting things in it!

(blogger being down put a damper on me posting this when I wrote it this morning)

Friend Friday: Shoes

This week Katy's questions are about Shoes.

1.What is your go-to pair of shoes?
My go-to pair of shoes are my Nickels shoes I got 2 years ago for $5.  I love that I can slip them on with socks so then they always get worn on the weekends with jeans. I wear them with dress pants all winter (except this winter when I forced myself not to put them in my 30 for 30).  They are really starting to get worn out  so I bought a new pair of similar shoes but are winged tipped but I still fall back on sliding these shoes on.

2. What goes into your shoe buying decisions?
Color, comfort, height of heel, price tag (in that order)
I guess seeing it in person goes into it since I never order shoes online. I guess I could for some brands that I already own a few pairs of at home and the size fits consistently.

3. The majority of the shoes in your closet are what color?
Oh this was is so hard. I only keep 1 heel in each color that I wear and 1 flat if I can find a flat. I have some older shoes I haven't gotten rid of yet and I have a few of my little bootie things so I'd say black but I actually need to buy black pumps so this question isn't that telling of that.

4. When it comes to design shoes what are your favorite brands and why?
I like Connie because they always fit consistently and they sell them in stores near me.  I like Mudd boots because the calf fits my calf.

5. If price wasn’t an issue, you’d own which shoe?
I have no idea. If you see above price is the 4th thing I look at.  But if expensive shoes were in stores near me that'd be another story. I feel like I have to try shoes on because I have so many foot issues and I do not want to get uncomfortable shoes.

In addition to the questions, here is what my closet looks like.  I have shoes on all three walls in my closet.  

The left column shows my shoes in October. On the right were my shoes this morning. If a pair of shoes are not in the closet (aka they are on my floor somewhere) the box is on the floor of my closet so a few pairs are missing.  You can tell I got more shoes recently.   The newest shoes always go in the boxes on the furthest to the left. Also the stack is what shoes I bought on a particular day or on 2 dates close to each other.  The older shoes don't have specific stacks like that since I get rid of shoes and only keep certain ones.  

Now tell me about your shoes. How do you organize them? What color do you have the most of? What are your go-to shoes and why?

Friday Friday: Fitness and Fashion

This week Katy asked some questions about Fitness and that is one of my favorite topics so I couldn't miss out.
I already answered questions about fitness one other time.

1. Do you keep some kind of fitness routine? Why?
I do. Because I love exercising. I always mention what exercise I did in my blog posts but there have been plenty of times that I dedicated an entire post to a workout or workout goals. I keep a routine because I like data and I like to keep track of things and why not be consistent with something so important as your health.

2. Has working out, maybe training for a marathon or something of that nature, helped with your own perception of body image?
I don't think training or working out has trained my perception of my body image. I never really thought about it though. I have ups and downs but mostly ups but I was the same way before I started working out. Back when my knee was bad, I didn't exercise at all and didn't think anything different about my body image.  I think I analyze enough in my life that I haven't had time to dwell on my body image.

3. When you are hitting the gym or just going out for a long walk what do you wear? Is it about functionality or fashion?
I totally wear things for function. If you ever saw me you'd know I don't go for fashion. Sometimes by luck the stripe on my carpi pants will match the tank top. I have all solids besides 1 or 2 tanks and then the stripes on carpi pants so nothing is too bad.
When I am hitting the gym or doing anything outdoors I wear a tank top. At the gym I am in capri pants 90% of the time. If I am just running, I may wear shorts or a skirt thing.  If it is cold, I may wear pants.  If I'm running outside in the winter I wear my pants from Target and may layers on top. Usually the outer layer is a jacket. Now I think the jacket is trendy or something but I only bought it because the sleeve length was longer than the cheap jackets at target.  Usually I start with a tank top, then go with a long sleeve shirt, and then the jacket. Then I wear this neck warmer thing and a headband. If it is really cold I add a  hat on top of that.  I wear gloves that can cover or uncover the pointer and thumb so you can use your smart phone while running.
I wear champion socks (from Costsco)

4. Do you feel there is a cultural perception of what you ‘should’ be doing for your own physical fitness?
I feel like their is a perception. People thing girls should do cardio and guys should do weights or something like that. When I lift at the gym outside of Body Pump class there has only ever been 1 other female lifting at the same time. There are 20+ guys lifting each time I left.

5. Dream big… what would be your ultimate fitness goal?
I don't know. I change my mind.  I have a few goals but no ultimate fitness goals.
Short term goal: get knee better
Prior to my knee injury I had a goal of running a marathon but it wasn't even so much of a goal as just something I was doing. I never considered it a goal. Perhaps that is why I slacked at a lot of my training.
I did have a goal to get 24:30 in a 5k. That is a goal of mine. I do not know if it is an ultimate goal or not. My best race was almost 26 minutes last year so I have a ways to go. I did run in 22 or 23 minutes back in high school.
I have continuation goals of working out 6 days a week with cardio, strength, and yoga mixed in.
Last year my goal was to get a medal from a race. I ended up with 5. 1 was a finisher medal from the half marathon and the others were from placing in my age group (3) a 1 was winning a team race.  I also got a trophy.  My goal for this year is to place overall for females. I need to get or beat 24:30 for this at even the smallest of races locally so I need to work on it.

I want to be able to do 50 normal pushups in a minute. I never time myself so I don't know what I can do. I did 33 over a year ago in a minute. I do 70 or so girl pushups in a minute. I just need to move faster to get more.

Or can my ultimate goal actually be a goal for my husband because I have made a training plan for him and I ensure his form is good and keep him lifting?

Friend Friday: Inspiration

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday has been around for a year. (Actually a year ago last week but I got busy and didn't do my Friend Friday post.) I haven't participated that long but when I did start, I went back and answered 10 or so older ones so it's like I've been around awhile.  We are answering the same questions that were asked last year. Also check out everyone's answers this year.

Not related to the post but cute.

1. Which celebrity (celebrities) do you look to for fashion inspiration?
Is it sad that I don't look to any for inspiration. I can't even think of a single one that I have tried to copy ever.  Celebrities always seem to be wearing something that is far too expensive so I avoid considering them as inspiration. It's not that I look at them and think how I couldn't be inspired, it is that I look at them and don't even notice the clothes.

2. When it comes to your own personal style, what inspires you?
What looks good on me and what I see on other bloggers is my inspiration.  I cannot tell you how other bloggers have inspired me. I really wish I knew about fashion/style blogging prior to June 2010.

3. How do you hope to inspire your readers?
I hope to inspire them by showing that I'm an everyday person and have a life and my life doesn't revolve around fashion yet I can still throw together some decent outfits. I also hope to inspire in more ways than fashion. Actually that's pretty minor. I like to describe and show all that I do and how I organize events and help others. I like people to see that and then have it encourage them even if just a little bit to do something nice for someone.  I hope that my interactions with readers are inspiring.

4. Outside the realm of fashion who/what inspires you?
The last thing that I note and told others about something that inspired me was when a heavier guy ran the 30k. It was very touching and inspiring. It makes me think that I can do it too.  Anyone doing anything that is out of my comfort zone inspires me a little bit. A lot of things inspire me that are related to health, but before right now I never realized the theme. I have been sitting here pondering everything and it is mostly things related to someone's health.

5. And since Idol is ending… Which songs inspire you?
None. I don't ever listen to music on my own. I don't listen to music when I run. I do say that I should listen to music when I run but then I don't even know what songs to listen to. I told my husband he should make me a running play list. He may have actually done that but I wouldn't know because I haven't tried to play music from my iphone.

Friend Friday: Spring Trends

This week Katy wanted us to name our top 5 spring trends.
I thought this was rather funny because I don't know any spring trends that we look forward to seeing this season.  After I thought about it, I thought I read on some blogs that flares are back. I also read bright colors are back.  So instead of naming my top 5, I'm trying to come up with 5 total.

OK I just did a little research and saw about 20-30 spring trends in clothing and accessories and I don't believe half of it.  Then I did a lot more research and still didn't believe it. Some of what I believed, I didn't like. These trends will never hit the suburbs I live in.

Out of what I learned and what I knew here are my top favorite

1. Stripes
2. Bold Color
3. Black Belts
4. Color Blocking
5. High Wasted Flare (or hopefully just flare)

Now that was tough.

What is your favorite spring trend?  Is there a trend that you are not looking forward to seeing?