Winter Workout Style

Working out has become a big part of my life. I go to the gym for cardio and some weights between 3-5 times per week plus I practice yoga 2 times per week. Meditation is also something that I make sure I get to do everyday. It is easy to make excuses as to why there is no time or why your life is too busy, but the simple truth is, we can make anything work if we want it bad enough. 

I went from doing yoga and cardio in my living room for the past few years to finally getting to a gym with daycare. I have to say, not waking up before my kids get up to get a workout in has been wonderful, but on some days I still have to do it that way. I make myself a priority and my family is better off for it. OK, I'll stop preaching now! ;) 

I decided last year I would invest in some workout gear, as I found I felt better working out when I had cute workout clothes on. I should buy stock in Fabletics as I get a good amount of my clothes from their site, but I love Victoria's Secret, Old Navy, Gap, and Target too! 

I don't wear all black for working out often, but these pants and this zip-up are two of my favorites to mix and match. It was only a matter of time before they were paired together. Of course I had to tie the aqua from my shoes in with a pop of green in my sports bra. This was a fun pairing to wear! 

Top // Pants: Gap (similar) // Shoes: Nike // Sunglasses: Ray Ban via Ditto (use code "sistersmarie" to get your 1st month of designer glasses FREE!)  Does anyone else need a workout clothing drawer like I do? I mean...can't stop, won't stop! 
Here are some more items I'm dying to shop:

How do you get your workouts in your already busy days?  Where do you shop for your favorite workout clothes? 

3 Ways to Express Gratitude

Ever since my first (favorable) yoga experience this past summer, I have been practicing on a regular basis. My girlfriend Amy is a certified teacher so one summer night, she came over and taught our core group of ladies a few basic moves in the backyard...we loved it so much that we've been doing "yoga at home" every Monday which is not only a great way for us to ask questions and try different poses on our own time, but it's also given us so much more time together. It may sound cliche, but everything they say about yoga is true...Not only do I feel more calm while practicing, but it has also taught me how to feel more consistently grateful...not every day is great, but there is something great in every day and I am so lucky to have these ladies in my life who share a similar passion.

I started thinking about gratitude and how the idea of it is intentional. Amy told us she wanted to create a "gratitude jar" at home which would serve as a place for her and her husband to share something they're thankful for whenever the moment arises. With the holidays upon us, I wanted to share the idea of choosing happiness and reminding ourselves to be thankful for everything so here are a few ways you can incorporate these practices...

Express Gratitude with a Penny

Every time you see a penny, take a moment and acknowledge something or someone you are grateful for and place the penny in the jar. Although the penny is the lowest form of currency, it is representative of the simple things we have to be grateful for in our daily lives, even a penny. When the jar is filled, you can empty its contents and donate the money to a charity that's important to you.

Gratitude through Poses

Never skip Savasana. Nothing gives me time to reflect like a nice, long "let it go" pose after an intense yoga session. All the gratitude practices in the world can’t match the experience that comes when tired muscles finally melt into the floor (especially if it's combined with a lavender/peppermint cool towel...I swear, this is the BEST part of Yoga By Degrees) ;)

Journaling Gratitude

If you write one thing you're thankful for every day and look back even just two months later, you might not look at your life the same way. When you're at the grocery store and the person in front of you lets you go first because you have a short order, you might think how respectful that was but will you remember it days or weeks later? Mate note of the little things...they make the most difference.

How do you express gratitude? 
Fellow yogi's...what is your favorite pose?

Wearing:

Top & Pants: Old Navy
Yoga Mat: Shopbop
Water bottle: S'well

The Perfect Way to Start Your Day!

Every time we go up north to our lake house, we find more and more amazing things to do as we relax and recharge for the coming week. Our favorites (that have become our go-tos) include trips to The Coffee Mill,  hanging out on the pier, boat rides, meals at Pier 290, family walks, trips to the beach, shopping at E Street Denim, golf cart rides, laying in the hammocks, antiquing, game nights (yes, board games!), and many more!

Recently, Kaitlyn found out that there is beach yoga daily at Pier 290. As soon as she told me, I knew this would be added to the list of must-dos! We had planned to go on Sunday and headed out the door at 6:30 am. Yes, we woke up early on a Sunday, but it was oh so worth it!

The set-up was perfect. When we first arrived, the sand was freshly raked and the sun had begun to rise. Our view was looking out at the lake the entire time. This was hands down my favorite yoga class to date! It was challenging yet relaxing and we were both instantly more at peace and ready to start our day by the end of the hour. 

At the end of the class, I asked the instructor to show me a pose I could work on and improve on as well as get a good photo out of the deal. I mean, hey, at least I'm being honest! She showed me how to get into bird of paradise. Below is us getting into position. Here is as far as I got on my first try! Definitely something to work on and show you my progress!

Now lets talk yoga clothing. As Kaitlyn has said before, "Like any activity, we're more confident and motivated if we feel good about ourselves and the same thing applies to exercising." This got me thinking, before now I've only owned two pairs of yoga pants, but they are generally for relaxing days and not for working out per say. 

If I was working out, I'd grab one of those and pair it with a basic ribbed tank (or shorts and a tank), but Kaitlyn is so right. I felt better dressed for the part! And now I can't stop buying workout clothes. I guess that just means I have lots of workout time in my future! But I digress.. On this day I wore an outfit made for doing yoga in. 







This top/pant combo is so great. The shirt stayed in place the entire time no matter what poses I got myself into. So that's why that make yoga tops! ;) I also am not a fan of capri pants in normal life (I'm short, so crop pants are not a good look on me), but I love these! And can we just talk about these shoes? Obviously not for yoga, but I am obsessed with them!




Lisa: Top | Pants: Target (similar)  | Shoes: Nike via KicksUSA 

Sunglasses: Ditto (use code SADB to get 1st month of designer sunglasses FREE!)

Kaitlyn: Tank: Target | Pants: Victoria's Secret | Sunnies: Old Navy

What are some of your favorite work out clothing brands? Have you ever done yoga on the beach?

Let's chat below in the comments section.

Because Kaitlyn Enjoys Spontaneity

Lisa and I met up to do a site check on a place we're considering for our next #swap party and we ended up finding a really cool spot to take photos. While the surrounding area didn't seem seem like much at first, it ended up being a hidden gem. 

I've found that spontaneity often has the best outcomes -- as organized as I am, sometimes it seems like excessive planning can result in too much structure. We didn't prepare anything for this evening, as it was a weeknight after a long day of work and it ended up being a great outing. Go with the flow, I say...Perhaps my new yoga class has instilled me with the value of namaste already :)

Chambray: Target // T: Forever 21 (old) // Leggings: Express (similar) // Boots: Just Fab // Bag: BISTM-Lisa's Closet  (Persunmall) (similar)

Hat: Mom's Closet (similar) // Initial Bracelet&Necklace: Old Navy 

Gold Bracelets: Forever 21 // Sunnies: Nordstrom (similar)

Are you more of a planner or go with the flow type personality?

Beyond the Fashion Lens

Lisa and I spend hours documenting our style, favorite fashions and our time together pursuing these passions. In addition to time we dedicate to these hobbies and managing BISTM and BTGTF, we both lead crazy-hectic lives leaving no time to breathe (normal, right?) Every second is filled, whether it's tasting umpteen cupcake places for the upcoming wedding (Kaitlyn) or attending Mom & Tot gymnastics classes (Lisa.) 

Here's what happens when we're not behind the fashion lens:

K

(Clockwise)

A visit to the Shedd, The finalized wedding invite, Blackhawks Win!, Jim Gaffigan at the Chicago Theatre, A beautiful al-fresco dining experience, Moustache Fun, St. Patricks with my best friends, First Party at the new house, Taste testing wedding dessert options.

L

(Clockwise)

Dress up dance parties with the family, yoga in my living room (with kid toys all around me), swing set love with my son, working outside on a nice day, grilling (I do all the cooking in my home), date night with the hubby, my daughter at gymnastics, bus stop shadows with my son, my hubby and both kids running to the park.

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