Backed Up Pipes are No Fun

Don't worry, I'm not about to write about clogged drains and toilets. I'm going to talk about something that my friends and I tend to be a wee bit obsessed with:  Dropping the kids off at the pool, #2, etc.  Get my drift?  If not, you're not smart enough to be reading this blog which is always chockfull of thought-provoking anecdotes.  

My everyday bar:

(can be purchased here for a great price)

This will get the pipes going...in one tasty bar, it has 12 grams of fiber, which is almost HALF of what you need in one day. It's completely natural with no corn syrup (the evil of food) and enough sugar to taste good and fuel a workout.   I've been known to eat three in one day! (Note to self: Two weeks traveling in Asia will eff your digestive system up!) I wasn't alone, however, as one of my friends had such issues that it became a topic of interest of the professor with whom we were traveling.  Every chance he got he was inquiring about her "progress".  Can you say awkward?  

These bars also come in other great flavors that sound pretty yummy:

Peanut Butter

Chocolate Brownie (kind of funny considering the subject of this post!)

Banana Walnut

As a reward for reading this post, go here for some "sheets and geegles".  

I mean it, rain. Go away.

Yet another rainy day in Boston.  With no surprise, my umbrella (ella ella eh eh eh) broke and I've got a million and twenty things to attend to today, all of which require going out in the rain.

Every girl's rainy day wardrobe should contain three essential items:

1.  A classic belted trench

2.  Knee high wellies

3.  A makes-me-smile-even-though-it's-raining-cats-and-dogs umbrella

After all, your clothes have to make you look cute even when your hair looks like wet dog and your smeared mascara makes you look like a panda.

Although I'm not the biggest fan of Burberry RTW fashion, I do love their modern, girly spin on the trench coat.  I'm a sucker for pleats, what can I say?

...and the fun doesn't stop there.  Look at the pleats in the back!

Next stop, rain boots.  Knee high wellingtons are the most flattering, and these Hunter rain boots will never go out of style.  Therefore, they are worth the $115 investment.

Lastly, you need an umbrella.  I've bought $50 ones that I lose in a cab within two days of purchase, $5 ones that I've bought at a NYC deli that have lasted 5 years, and $15 ones that are cute, but can't stand up to the wind.  That said, my choice below is chosen purely on aesthetics.  Don't blame me if it turns inside out the minute you walk outside.

(and it's masculine enough that the boy in your life won't be ashamed to carry it when he's surely forgotten/lost his own).

Empire State of Mind

Yesterday marked the two month countdown until we pack our car with my belongings and drive south and west to New York City for one last time.  When I left for Boston back in the Fall of 2008, I was happy, relieved, and excited to leave The Big Apple for the smaller city of Boston.  

I've started to compile a list of things I want to do once I move back.  I guess the silver lining to the distinct possibility of being jobless on my return to the Upper East Side is that I can cross stuff off this list relatively quickly.  

1.  I can't count how many times I've ran in Central Park, but regardless of what's going on in life, the loop around the reservoir provides a sense of calm in a city of craziness.  I can't wait to resume my daily runs in the greatest park in the world.  

 

2.  Catch several games at Yankee Stadium.  As a daughter, sister, and wife of passionate maniacal Yankee fans, going to Yankee games has been a staple to my summer for many years.  

3.  Catch up with old friends at the Olive Garden.  Don't be judgey:  I've already explained my penchant for chain restaurants.  If you're judging me, you're not alone because I have other friends that like going to real NYC restaurants.  My favorite place in the city isn't really known for its food (quite frankly, it sucks), but I love it for the memories and scenery.  

4.  Until I land a job and can afford to buy myself an iPad (this name still reminds me of brands such as Kotex or Always) or an Amazon Kindle, I want to go to the New York Public Library to get books.  We live in a Manhattan rental apartment, where space is at a premium.  I don't want to buy more books that just end up collecting dust on an overstuffed bookcase.  Plus, my heroine Carrie Bradshaw *almost* got married here. 

I never thought I'd miss you, NYC.  Don't let me down when I move back!

Don't Be Still My Heart

It's a balmy 60 degrees in Brighton, MA, which is practically desert weather here in New England.   This is the first day in a long time when I've been able to run outside.  I get excited because that means I get to use one of my two favorite gadgets of all time: My Timex Heart Rate Monitor and Garmin Forerunner 305.  

I've been training with a heart rate monitor for several years now.  If you calculate your maximum heart rate as well as your target heart rate zone here, it will give you a clear idea of how many beats per minute (BPM) you should have when you're working out.  A cardio workout will not be as effective if you're not training within your target heart rate zone.  All too often, I see people engrossed in their music, reading stacks of People or US Weekly magazines while thoughtlessly exercising on the elliptical machine.  Ideally, for a cardio workout, you want to be between 65%-85% of your maximum heart rate.  

A heart rate monitor like this one, will help you gauge how hard you're working making your time at the gym a lot more effective.  This particular one, found out here on Amazon, will monitor your BPM as well as the percentage of your maximum heart rate.  At the end of your workout, you can see how many calories you burned (and calculate how much you can afford to cheat on your diet for the balance of the day).

The Garmin Forerunner 305 is probably one of the coolest things I've bought in the past 5 years (next to the iPhone of course).  Equipped with GPS technology, it can tell you how far you've run and how fast you're running.  It's a great tool to use when training because it logs all of your past runs and you can see if you're getting faster along the way.  I always get jokes like, "Does that thing cook pizza as well?" or "Are you watching TV on that thing?", but it's pretty amazing.  It also comes with a chest sensor strap with a built in heart rate monitor.  I bought mine here for significantly less than the retail price.  

Job well done, L.L. Bean!

This dreary, rainy day has me dreaming of how I can update my Spring and Summer wardrobe.  L.L. Bean has always been known for their no-nonsense clothing, accessories, and outdoorsy gear.  I was so pleased to find out that they launched a new line called L.L. Bean Signature. I'll admit that I was skeptical as many line and brand extensions in fashion disappoint me, but on a night when I couldn't sleep, I perused the online catalog.  Don't get me wrong, I like L.L. Bean, but not necessarily for their fashion, but more for the timeless Boat and Tote bags and durable duffles.  

Not sure if it was the jet lag that blurred my judgment, but I came upon two dresses that were fashionable and smart with modern details.  I won't be able to determine if the cut is better suited for someone who wears "mom jeans" (as their original clothing line was very boxy and not body-conscious in the very least), but the dresses look great on the model.  

A staple for every wardrobe should be a shirt dress like this one.  Pair it with flat gladiator sandals or leggings and cute flats and you'll be dressed to impress. And for $79, it's a steal as you'll have it in your wardrobe for much longer than a celebrity marriage (I'm still heartbroken for Sandy Bullock).  With a purchase of over $50, you receive a $10 gift card! 

This next number is just as timeless, but a little more dressy. With a boatneck neckline (which will appease my mom's demure taste) and an adorable waist tie, I think this might be a contender to wear to a bridal shower or summer party. What's great about this dress is that you can be all WASPY and wear it with flats and a single strand of pearls OR sass it up with these Christian Louboutin heels and a chunky necklace.  

Hiatus Schmiatus

Anything to not actually be proactive about finding a job, I spent a few days away in the southwest region of the United States. Specifically, I was on a jaunt in New Mexico and Arizona. It was an incredible experience of sorts, but adding to the list of foods that I love but should not eat is frybread. Being the classy gal that I am, I love bread and anything that's fried = Match made in heaven. (I blame my midwestern roots and a mom forever devoted to exercise for my lack of good taste in the culinary arts).

Unfortunately, my camera broke (RIP Kodak Easyshare), so here is a photo of my new love.

The fun did not stop there. Put beans, lettuce, cheese, and green chile sauce on top and you have a party in your mouth (TWSS). The party stops about 2 hours later right before bed, FYI. Just sayin'.

(photo via: www.blogchef.net)

Long Time, No Nothing

Yes, that's right. I'm 2 months shy of receiving my MBA and I used a double negative. I can do a mean Five Forces and SWOT analysis, but don't ask me to write or talk good. (just kidding!)The last time I wrote on my little blog was well over a year ago.

Really desperate to procrastinate, I've researched a few places I'd like to visit in the near future. Surely, all of these places will be free and totally conducive to my yearly personal income of $-60,000.

We've always talked about going to the Galapagos Islands. This place looks totally awesome and perfect to celebrate graduation (and my joblessness). The hubby's motto is "Go big or go home" (that's what she said?), so I'd like to stay in the Royal Suite. (photo found here)

We went on the most amazing honeymoon here and here, but my first choice was to go to Mauritius. And to go along with my rapper/Jay-Z/Beyonce-type budget, I'd like to stay here.