TRENDY ACTIVITIES

Today we venture a little off into left field, for a post.  Although we aren't talking hip & cool & clothing or makeup things...this post is definitely #TRENDY in it's own ways.

Running has become trendy.  It's the 5K the 10K the 1/2 marathon.

There's one thing I hate...

And that's TRENDY PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES.

To me (and I am hella jaded when it comes to this topic) running and its trendiness has hit a climax.  WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT?

But I shouldn't be so upset, and really, I'm not.  Aside from other forms that trends come packaged in...physical activity is good. DUH.

Let me give you a lay of the land, if you are not familiar with my upbringing--
My father started running road races about the time my oldest brother was born..i think...idk that was a looong time ago.  It's been a family staple since..and although it's a total lie based on the number of months prior to my birth.. but I tell people I ran the Lincoln Marathon with my mother in 1990. I attended road races in the most-middle-of-nowhere towns you could imagine in the deep underworlds of Kansas.  It was fun tagging along as a kid...I would get a ribbon or frisbee or a shirt 10 sizes too big just for running a fun run.

Running seems to be a way of life for some.  And for my oldest brother this is probably somehow an understatement.  He "runs professionally."  Marathons, halves, what-have-you.  My sister-in-laws run.  My mom still runs. My dad still runs. My other brother slays w/a tennis raquet. But then...there's ALEX.  The rebel, the forever-problem-child of the generation....or the kid who just couldn't focus on one, singular activity.

My mom likes to run because it gives her happy endorphens or something. RUNNERS R CRAZY TBH.
My dad runs because he's always done it.  If he's not working at the office or on the farm he's running.
My brother runs like twice a day or some shit.  And if he's not, he's slingin' running shoes at Manhattan Running Company.

Running is something different to everyone.  And for me...running didn't do anything for me but cause me injury and a lot of whining about how much it sucked.  But I did it off and on because I was decent at it, between those injuries and seasons of tennis and softball, of course.

UNTIL NOW*~*~~

I decided, as a trendy bitch....running must be my next battle. One I've fought with before, but now feel ready to face with the music.  So, to be 100% honest I've been running on the regular, for about a month now...a far cry from the numerous times I've gone out for a run once a month thinking it was going to become a daily occurence. Now, I've tried to focus on the idea of what running is to me, how it fits into my daily life, and I think that is why I am still sticking with it.  Although I hate to admit- stress and anxieties riddle me.  Running has helped me get me out of funks, and it is a nice way to stretch out my bones after a day of sitting in a cube.  It's nice to feel focused.

So, if you wanna be a trendy bitch, I say go ahead.  This is one trend that won't hurt your wallet (okay that is a totally lie...cute sports bras and shorts are still a guilty pleasure) and is a positive thing for your body and mind.  Don't ask me to be on your warrior team or mud thing or color thing though...I'll run in the opposite direction screaming insanities.

A few tips and things (although I'm no profesh):

1. Get RUNNING shoes from a RUNNING SPECIFIC STORE.  My brother will kill me if I don't make enough of a point of this.  Lucky for the trendy bitches of today..running shoes come in "HOT" colors now. So feel anew.

2.  Don't start out like a crazy woman.  I learn this about every time I "start running again".  Take it slow even though you don't want to.  And vary up your days with other things like dance or yoga or tennis, etc.

3.  Find out why you really want to run and make sure it's a convincing enough reason for you.  This was always my problem, I think.  A main goal for many is to lose weight and get in shape.  I didn't need to lose weight, in fact, I needed to gain it.  So my goal was to get in shape and to use it as an aid to my stressful days.  It's going well so far!  (**make sure your diet/calorie intake is in tune w/what you are doing...or you'll DIE).

**AND shout outs 2 my bro-bro always for the kicks hook-up.  Feeling pritty in my Newton running shoes when I run...and guilty when I'm not running **

<3

#BATHROOM SELFIE

A few months ago I spent the day with my mother and grandmother shopping and antiquing.  The location: Middle-of-Nowhere Kansas (to name a few towns...possibly unincorporated ones-- Belleville, Scandia, Cuba.  These places were landmines for treasures of years past. And me?  A kid in a candy store.  But one of the most interesting spots we "hit up" was a place called the Feathered Nest. A skeptic, per usual, I questioned my mom's constant RAVING about it.  But for once in my life, she was right and I was wrong (lol luv u mom).  We spent damn near 2 hours there and I could have stayed longer.  The ladies who owned it were lovely and boy did they have a knack for interior design.  Upon my mom's raving, she said, "Alex, you have to check out the bathroom!!1!"  and in the span of our 2+ hour stay, I did.  I walked in, greeted by a large painting of a german shepherd (my weakness<3) and then the sink caught my attention. I know, a sink? catching attention?  It was a circular basin sink and inside the bowl they had placed large polished stones.

So. being a creep. I took pix in the bathroom.

And then as soon as I got back that weekend I went and bought some rocks.

So here's my sink `*1!!1~~!_@``~**

Not nearly as fancy of a basin sink as they had had, but mine is a simple pedestal type..so I don't think it looks too outta whack.

There are a few things, if you want to do this with your own sink to remember though:

1. You are going to have to (and I mean HAVE TO) clean your sink at leeeast once a week.  You don't want scummy rocks.  I'm a clean freak, especially since I started living solo, so it's nothing unordinary to me.

2.  MAKE SURE your rocks don't have jagged edges or are too rough that they'll damage your sink.  I rent a place and I'm not down to buy a new sink come the end of my lease.

3.  This may be something for you that's more practical in a guest room/bath type of situation.  They will be like "hey that's cool" and you will feel successful @ life and also won't have to clean it nearly as often

And lastly, a tip on cleaning sinks: use a tiny spray of pledge and a soft, dry rag to shine the stainless steel/faucet.  You'll be amazed by the reflection you see of yourself :P

XOXO

ICED MOCHA (& BEING A BITCH)

Have you noticed (how have you not noticed?) the surplus of 90s trends flooding the internet, shops, and the sidewalks of your basic-ass town?  Something has to be done.  I'm all for the 90s,  i'm a child of the year of 1991, and I can relate.  But there's this thing about fashion...it is supposed to (at least, in my eyes...and i believe those of the "higher ups") be forever changing. 

 Fashion reverts back to decades past  ALL THE TIME... and I'm not trying to be oblivious to this fact when we talk about the 90s resurgence.  However,  maybe this is the first time I've come in contact with a reoccuring trend in the span on my 23 years.  This must be how my mom felt when i started wearing flare-leg jeans in 1999.  It's confusing.  But, for any trend to continue for more than the brief span many microtrends now-a-days incur, they need to be trends of the past...reconsidered in their current time and place.  Honestly, if I see you wearing jelly shoes that look EXACTLY like the ones I had when i was 6, I'm gonna throw a shade fit...and to be honest (i've been there) you're going to regret your decisions almost immediately...so stop wasting your hard earned daddy's money.  (wow, I'm a bitch today!)

But there are some small, less obvious things I think we should embrace--

My vote is on brown lipstick.  You know exactly what I'm talking about when i say this because of Rachel from Friends, Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman...pretty much every movie or show then.  It's brown or a brownish-red, every time.

In the early 2000s I think things got more metallic (I can't say for sure because I was like 10, I only liked blue eyeshadow or something).  But  I came upon a perfectly brown and metallic mix a while back-- Iced Mocha by Revlon.  I don't think they've changed the color since the 90s to be honest...but in this case... IT IS OKAY*!*!

So I hope you take this post with a grain of salt.  I'm mostly afraid of how easily the mass-markets suck us into buying these "trendy" things because they know it works (and I'll admit again, I've been caught red-handed more than a share of times), and especially with people of my generation right now.  But I get it,  I just wanna be a Pretty Woman, too.  So sit down and drink an iced mocha before you decide on whether you want that "urban renewal" piece.

X0X0

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS:

There are some things that just never sound appetizing.  For me that is oatmeal.  Is it the bothersome consistency, the blandness of taste and color?  I'm not sure.  But damn if I don't eat oatmeal every morning...because it is good for you and cheap cheap and can be dressed up so it doesn't even taste like itself anymore.

Today's post is mostly about that bland bland color....

but you know i love neutrals, so this is a happy post!

Taupe shorts with sequins?  It's kinda like when you put equal parts brown sugar in your oatmeal...it's real real good like

I'm so happy to have snagged these tap shorts at Zara's sale going on while i was in NYC.  I shouldn't have gotten them..but then again I shouldn't get a lot of things I get..

I decided that a simple black # on top would be fitting.  I am also really into pairing browns and blacks lately to stick it to the man and whatever

These shorts are fun! They twirl a lot like a skirt but hallelujah they r not a skirt!

I also considered what my face should be like.  This is obviously a more dressed up, going out look. But with velvet and sequins already working wonders for you...keeping your face calm and collected is probably the best look.  Clean eyeliner, brown shadow, and some color with red lips and you're outta the house on time!

It's important too to consider how to wear these kinds of "dressy" pieces in a more casual look.  Lately I've been wandering around the apartment in nothing but this oatmeal colored sweater I stole from an older brother while back home.  It's nice a slumpy and balances the tailored shorts well!

Catch me in sequins next time at the supermarket >.<

<3

THE TRAVELER & HER BAG OF TRIX

WHEEERE HAVE I BEEN?

ASK ME!

?

mhmm....I've been on a lil vacation in...

NEW YORK CITYYY

So today's post is about traveling.  In this case, about me traveling and how I pack for a weeks' worth of adventure time!  Hopefully it can help you next time you realize you haven't packed and your flight leaves at 7am and it's already midnight the night before. *good luck*~~~

Packing is a nightmare. Over and under-- we always mess up one way or the other!  For me it's the dreaded "sans-toothbrush" or "alex forgot a jacket again"  but hey, live a little! and embrace your failures...(and if you forget a jacket it just means you *have* to buy a new one!)

I'm a basic ass girl (not to be confused with a basic bitch).  I like to dress in simple things, in simple colors so my bad side can shine through.  This works well for the traveler.  Tops in simple cuts and styles in blacks and greys can mix and match until you've worn them each 10 times and you realize you smell more than a bit funky as you board your plane home.

Not only are basic tops ideal...basic bottoms will make your life one of ease!  Opt for two shades of denim.  I always pack a pair of cotton/spandex/comfy shorts to sleep in...and I also wear them under dresses because I am a 10 year old.

You must remember, you are on vacation.  And you are away to have fun!  So pack a couple of fun and loud pieces.  I like to pack a floral day dress.  Fun leggings are great to pair with simple tops too, and won't take up much extra space in your bag

If you are going to attend brunch or a museum or idk, you wanna feel a little fancy try packing a skirt.  Maxis work well and look dressier.  I packed my skirt that I blogged about a while back and it worked great worn with a black spaghetti strap tank

The thing is...wherever you are traveling...you're going to want pizza.  You're always going to want pizza even if you aren't traveling tbh. A nice T-shirt that shows you are "hip" and aware of pop culture is great for a pizza outing.

One of the most important things to remember is what you'll be lugging around all day as you pretend to not be a tourist even though you are obviously a tourist.  Pack a monster purse so you can use it as your personal item on the plane.  Pack your little purse (to take out to dinners/thaaa club) inside your big purse while traveling!

Don't fuck this step up.  Your footwear game is very important.  To be honest,  New York ate my feet alive...but it wouldn't have mattered the shoe. If it's hot, if you're walking around lost forever...you're going to get a blister or more like 10.  I hate "tourist shoes" though so please suffer with me a little and leave your hiking sandals with your friends' new puppy that's in its chewing stage >.<

Accessories are things you mustn't forget either.  Cameras are good, and mini 110 film cameras are better.  A book for plane and train rides is ideal when your phone has died 30 minutes in to the trip.  And sunnies...never forget the sunnies!

And finally, a confession:

I packed five shades of lipstick

XOXO

MIX & MATCH : STRIPES

You know the name of the game-- mix & match.

but my favorite take?  the same matching pattern with some mixing....

To me, a striped shirt can go nautical very quickly (not that that's a

 bad thing sometimes!)  but when you want to feel a little less in the 

safe, mixing up the scale of a stripe can do wonders

* you'll want to make sure there's quite a bit of difference is size of

the stripes if you are only doing two pieces of clothing...you'll just 

look messy, if so >.<

xo

Alex

SUMMER ESSENTIALS: SWIMSUIT EDITION

AHHH...THE FIRST DAYS OF SUMMER...

it means every girl can buy a new swimsuit and not feel bad about it...right?

I feel like it's just a thing....like...you get a new suit ever year (even if you only went to the pool like twice the previous summer and didn't even get wet) you NEED A NEW ONE. Lucky for me I found my Malibu Barbie dream recently (and it doesn't hurt that it makes my chest look like it actually exists in a 3-dimensional realm, hah!)  I don't think I'll want a new one next year...but don't you dare quote me on that...

Sooo this weeks' post is about summer essentials!  Obviously #1--A SPANKIN' NEW SUIT!  It's funny how trendy swimsuits can even get-- you will see a lot of crazy straps (that must take 30 minutes to put on..if you can even figure them out).  High waisted things are probably still making an appearance but like jeans...it's going back to a more basic, if not, low-rise.  Plain and simple, find one that works best for your body type...I look like a twig in nearly anything, so I was surprised when I put this on! yay!

 

Staple #2:  Sandals (weapon of choice? metallic birks ) ^^^ 

#3 & #4?

A wide brim (with a little flop to it) hat

& 

a basic pair of jean shorts-- I like the idea of ones with an actual hem because they look a bit more put together than cut-offs

To be honest, you really don't need anything else except lots AND lots of spf 100 for your very pale midsection...don't forget to get your ears, too!

Alex luvs u <3

find my hat here ----> Yellow108