Aug 31, 2011

Posted by Ange | 29060 CommentsFresh+Start2011-09-01+02%3A57%3A07Ange

Fresh Start

Every year before I started school I’d make goals for myself.

First, I’d buy new binders, loose leaf paper, pens, pencils and an agenda. Then I’d organize everything. I’d write all important dates and my class schedule in my agenda, breathing it all in. Filling in my agenda was always an awesome time. I loved it.

I think because school always started the day after Labour Day for me, September represents a new beginning. Sure I did the typical New Years Resolutions, but the September resolutions always represented something brand new. New classes, new teachers, new supplies, new clothes.

That feeling has always stuck with me. The feeling that come September, I should make some changes.

So, I am.

And I’m going a bit big.

The first is a challenge for myself. A challenge to break myself out of a bit of a clothing rut.

I’m finding my brain is more fried after starting my new job. I’m not complaining, I’m just not used to having to think all the time. As a result I’ve fallen into a bit of a clothing rut.

Challenge 1

Go the entire 30 days of September without wearing the same outfit twice.

The rules:

I can rewear pants and tops; however, the outfit must be different. For example, I cannot wear the same top with two pairs of black pants.
Weekend outfits also count. A mere change of a scarf or shoes does not constitute a new outfit.
Pyjamas do not count, I can wear the same pair of nasty pj’s for all 30 sleeps if I so choose. I won’t, but I can.
Evening lounge clothes won’t count. Work clothes and weekend clothes are where the issue lies, so I’ll allow myself to chill in comfy clothes in the evenings. However, if lounge clothes are worn on one weekend day, they cannot be reworn on another weekend day.
Running/yoga wear doesn’t count. I don’t have enough pants/tops to do this, plus, they’re only worn for an hour or two each day.

I do plan on taking a picture of each of my outfits every day. This will require me to actually plan my outfits the night before, but I think that’s an important part of getting ready in for work.

Challenge 2

Exercise 6 days a week.

I’m going to allow myself a leetle bit of leeway with this one because sometimes I’ll have to work late or I’ll be injured and won’t be able to work out.

August basically kicked my butt and I’ve ran only 4 or 5 days. Certainly not enough. I’m even considering pulling out of the half marathon I signed up for on September 11 so that I can focus on training for my main race in Victoria over Thanksgiving.

Here’s my tentative 6 day a week workout plan:

Monday: P90x
Tuesday: 10k run
Wednesday: P90x
Thursday: 10k run
Friday: P90x
Saturday: rest/yoga
Sunday: 20k run

I hope to keep up this routine even after I’m done my race (maybe after a week off), but I know I need to get back on the exercise bandwagon. We’ve had two days of rain here and I can already feel it affecting me, and exercise is always the answer. I’m finding I’m exhausted by the time I get home (see about re: thinking) so my goal is to work out in the mornings from 5:30 to 6:30.

There you have it, two big challenges for September.

Do you feel the need to set goals or resolutions come September?

Aug 30, 2011

Posted by Ange | 28956 CommentsDaily+Wears%3A+Mad+Men+Collection2011-08-30+20%3A07%3A44Ange

Daily Wears: Mad Men Collection

There’s something about this collection that just makes my heart pitter patter.

My success at Banana Republic is fairly hit and miss. I can have a day where I want to buy everything in the store, or a day where I can find nothing I like.

The Mad Men collection has saved me. I’m head over heels in love.

When I spent a week in Toronto I bought one dress and an awesome pair of shoes (not from BR).

I’m totally in love with this dress.

The cut, the detailing, the colour. Everything! LOVES it.

If I could be anyone on Mad Men, it would totally be Betty ~~Draper~~ Francis. Probably because I’m in love with January Jones (speaking of, does anyone know who her baby daddy is?).

Truthfully, I’m way more pumped about Beyonce’s baby announcement, but when it comes to celebs and babies, I’m totally in!

I’m now seriously considering renewing my Netflix membership (that I cancelled a month ago) so I can continue catching up on Mad Men. The Cowboy and I were too busy during the summer to watch much, so we cancelled……now that fall TV will be starting up soon, maybe I’ll wait and proclaim Summer 2012 the Summer of Mad Men.

Are you a Mad Men fan? What about the BR Mad Men collection? Love it as much as I do?

Aug 30, 2011

Posted by Ange | 288710 CommentsFeels+Like+Fall2011-08-30+15%3A01%3A06Ange

Feels Like Fall

It’s not officially fall, but Starbucks sure makes it feel that way!

Waking up to rain this morning also made it feel a bit more fall-ish.

Oh, typical Calgary. 30 degrees yesterday, followed by 14 and rainy today (and let’s not talk about the 10 degrees and rain forecasted for tomorrow), at least I got to wear my fancy Lululemon rain coat (pictures coming later today).

I was pumped when Starbucks announced that Calgary would be able to order the PSL (aka – pumpkin spice latte) early and even marked it in my day planner so I’d be sure to make an extra stop on the way in to the office.

I find the PSL is a love it or hate it drink.

I also find that with pumpkin pie.

The Cowboy hates both – all the more for me!

Are you a PSL lover? Or would you rather leave it behind?

Aug 26, 2011

Posted by Ange | 28690 Comments7+Days+of+Health+-+Revisited2011-08-26+14%3A08%3A11Ange

7 Days of Health – Revisited

I’m sure most of you have guessed that my 7 Days of Health goal didn’t go so well.

I did okay. I posted Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4, but the rest of it pretty much died.

Toronto was crazy busy, but totally awesome.

I weighed myself last weekend after I got home and I gained 2.5 pounds. Not great, but honestly, not bad. I spent my days drinking lattes (2 a day!), eating sweets, drinking wine and not working out. Not once. So all in all 2.5 pounds isn’t bad. I really only regained what I had lost and I find if that’s all I regain it’s very temporary.

Thursday night I hopped on a plane at 10pm to fly to BC for my grandma’s memorial. I’m spending the weekend in a tiny town (goats on the roof!) with my entire family and I imagine the weekend will be filled with wine, beer and yummy food.

Then next week?

Back on the wagon.

I’m definitely struggling with finding balance with my new job. I’ve barely had time to go for runs or to yoga and I haven’t made my lunch in a week, but I’m trying. Meal planning is scheduled for the plane ride home

(FYI – buying lunch for an auditor means walking very quickly to the closest coffee shop, buying a sandwich and returning to your desk to eat it while working)

Aug 25, 2011

Posted by Ange | 28740 CommentsLunch2011-08-25+20%3A15%3A15Ange

Lunch

Whoa! Lookie here! Two posts in one day?! I’m definitely trying to make up for my absence. I never quite realize how much I totally LOVE my blog until I take a break – now I’m itching to post pictures and tell y’all stories!

Since I’ve been so busy at work lately, I haven’t made myself lunches. Horrible, I know. But I do try my best to eat healthy when I do go out.

Lucky for me, there’s an awesome coffee shop just down the street from my client that I’ve been popping into during the week. It’s expense ($13.75 for sandwich, salad and matcha almond milk latte) but totally delish – and I try to convince myself that it’s healthy!