Workplace Appropriate?

Well Hello!!  I am away at yet again another conference for work. This is the last one for awhile.  I can tell you I am tired of living out of hotels and not always getting my workouts in due to crappy hotel gyms or weather that is too cold outside!!

Okay, today's musing.  Yesterday at the conference I saw several ladies wearing what I would think is inappropriate work attire.  Tight black leggings, tight fitted leopard see- through blouse (waist- length) and big knee high stiletto boots.  Don't get me wrong- this outfit was pretty hot, but more for a night club or outing with the girls.  The other outfit was similar except the boots were knee high patent stiletto and the top was fire engine red with very low cleavage.

These ladies are in the healthcare field. Maybe I am just a prude but I was wondering how seriously people take them if they dress like that at work?  Now I know this is a whole area of debate that touches on a wide range of issues so  I am curious what you think about wearing these kind of clothes in a professional workplace setting.

Sending Love to my Fashionista Bloggers

Happy Saturday!!  I have been so busy at work I basically grab an outfit and get out the door to work. I haven't made time to take outfit photos, and to be honest, haven't felt like I've been wearing anything blog worthy.  That said, during this time, because of all the outfits I have put together and assessed through looking at my photos and hearing your comments, I can easily grab an outfit that I know will look good. That is a total change from the past.

I don't know about you, but I am a perfectionist. I have always had very high standards for myself and often beat myself up for not being good enough.  Over the years I have gotten immense freedom from this habit and am alot more forgiving of myself and take an attitude of doing my best given what I have to work with.  Why I say this is because I notice that it's easy to forget progress that is made along the way, or remembering where you came from, what changes have occurred.  I look  back at how much I have blossomed in terms of what I wear and how I express myself through clothes and makeup and its easy to forget that I hardly had any style before.  And now people comment all the time about my great outfits and how I look.  That is awesome.  That is exciting. And the thing I love about it the most is that I can inspire others to see that they too can have more freedom to explore how they want to express themselves-- to wear clothes that they love and feel good in.  I have cleaned out closets of friends, I have created a network of friends who I often send outfit ideas to that would suit them, I have taken people shopping, I have given people clothes and I have even helped with color combinations for interior decorating.  This is the great thing about blogging and all that I have learned.  I GET TO SHARE IT, PAY IT FORWARD!!  That rocks.

Anyway, the ladies above a from a window in Montreal and they caught my eye and I just wanted to send a little note to each of you who have helped me on my fashion/self expression journey because I have learned something from each of your little pieces of the big internet world. So thank you. Thank you for being so generous with your photos, ideas and sharing of your selves and your lives.  Each of you have made a big difference for me and how I can make a difference for others!!!

Have a Super Awesome Saturday!!! xoxo Jodi

Green Sweater Green Skirt

And Yes, the Jolly Green Giant today!  While my sweater may look black in the photo, it is actually a dark mossy green color, and scarf is purple.  I am having a challenge putting together outfits these days-am feeling very uncreative in this area.  I do like the monotone look with some simple pop of color or texture so may play with that.  I also need to visit around all my gal pal blogs for ideas-- something I have not been doing for a long time!!

I swam about 4 km this morning and then tonight have a potluck party to go to.  I hope they know the GREEN GIANT will be joining them, along with my very healthy salad item!!

I hope you are all having a super Wednesday.  Hard to believe it's mid week already.  My favorite thought for today:

                  " When you operate with integrity it is a natural state to be in".

Brown Tunic Brown Boots

Happy Valentines Day!! I hope you are all feeling loved up out there in the world and that you are sharing the love too!!!   I was alone in the office today, no scheduled meetings so I went for comfort.  The ol dependable brown tunic and my most favorite boots.  Pretty simple.

My man isn't home yet and I am curious if I will be getting flowers? Certainly not chocolate as we are heavily into our Ironman training.  I gave him a card this morning as soon as I woke up. Me. I have to wait in suspense... tick tock. tick tock.  LOL

Off to our bike workout tonight and then who knows... it IS valentines day after all!!!

MWAH!! xox J

Pink Tights Black Tunic

Yes, I look like Peter Pan with pink tights today!!  I'm wearing a tight black sweater dress underneath and I threw this lightweight sweater on as outer wear.. well, then I needed a belt and scarf and it morphed into this outfit.  As you can also see, I am going from short to medium length hair and now need ideas for how to wear it up since long hair drags my face down.  I LOVE the beehive look so am exploring ideas like that - I also have a date with a friend who is amazing with hairstyles and we will do a trade: I take some updated photos of her and she gives me some new hairstyle ideas!! I can't wait!! Now I just need someone t o give me some eye makeup tips!!

Back into our training full swing. After a hard 4 hour bike ride on Saturday and 2 hour run on Sunday my legs were too dead for swimming this morning.!!!

What about you-- what kind of exercise are you getting these days???

Grey Tunic and Pondering How to Stay Awake

Hello!! yes, I snuck up to my room to take my outfit photos.. I was falling asleep at my conference.  First I started by writing out some lists of things I need to do when I get back to the office.  Then I brainstormed ideas for our strategic planning session thats happening next week.  Then I was looking around and writing down outfit ideas I was noticing around the room of 500 people.  Then I felt my eyes closing and not opening right away (hopefully I didn't do one of those snorts when you accidentally fall asleep)!!  Soooo I came up to my room to take a nap instead (20 min power nap).  


Oh yeah, and  I found this funny article from Fast Company on how to stay awake in meetings and conferences but wasn't sure if it might offend anyone.. hah hah.  I did make me laugh.


Okay, so here's one on being conscious of the kinds of food you eat and how they can help you keep focused.  Okay,okay, I am heading back down to my seat and will focus for the rest of the session!! Ciao, J


Eating for Vitality (and staying awake) at Conferences
taken from MetroActive

It’s conference time – time off from work, no household chores, great food and it’s free. Expect to feel exhilarated by all the new information you will take in, yet, wonder why by the end of the trip you feel like you’ve been run over by a steam roller. You may have trouble keeping awake during the long days inside, with no windows in conference rooms and many speakers to listen to. Don’t be surprised if at the end of the conference you end up with a bad case of jet lag. You may feel bloated and irregular. So what can you do to get the most out of conferences and still feel half human?

Being aware of your meals and snacks might help to ease the upset in schedule and to your system. You can be sure that meals will include rich desserts and often there will be plenty of muffins or chocolate chip cookies for snacks. So you think, “a little won’t hurt”. And it’s true a little won’t hurt – if you can stop at ‘a little’. Too much sugar may result is a dip in energy, and mental fog.

A large dose of dense carbohydrates (sugar, bread, desserts, cakes), with its brand of empty calories, can temporarily raise your blood sugar (as can caffeine), so that you feel a high, lots of energy – but not for long. An hour or two later, your blood sugar may plunge and you begin feeling lethargic, not able to concentrate. You begin thinking, “if only I could have a little nap!”

Remember that food alters your mood, and good wholesome foods such as fruit and vegetables nourishes the mind and body along with aiding regularity. Most conferences now include yogurt or fruit for snacks. It would be a good idea to reach for these high energy snacks. If there’s a grocery store near the conference centre, the following is a list of healthful snacks that will feed your brain and body and keep you alert! Some items such as power bars, you can bring with you.

Perfect snacks for high energy include:

×    fresh fruit – apples, peaches, plums, grapes etc. along with nuts or seeds

×    dried fruit; dates, figs, cranberries

×    power bars that contain protein

×    vegetables (baby carrots or cherry tomatoes) and nuts

×    nuts (raw almonds and walnuts) sunflower or pumpkin seeds

×    yogurt and fruit

×    cheese and fruit (or whole grain crackers)

These high powered snacks provide you with the needed protein and complex carbohydrates that your mind and body loves. In small amounts, they won’t make you fat, yet provides your body with needed nutrients. If your concentration is getting low, you just might be thirsty. Carry bottled water around with you and drink often. Water helps prevent dehydration, jet lag and boosts energy.  Some form of exercise – even walking around the block before the conference starts or at breaks will give your muscles an oxygen boost. You’ll feel revived, especially if the sun is shining outside.

Regarding desserts, on a scale of one to ten, have a taste and if it’s a ten, don’t feel too guilty and enjoy, or take a few bites. Otherwise, if the dessert isn’t great, the sugar content may not be worth it.  If it’s a dessert that contains fruit, remember that fruit supplies the body with vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.

Enjoy the conference; enjoy the meals. However, a few small changes may just help in your overall mood and concentration level so you can be fully aware, energetic and vital.

Have Tripod will Travel

Hi from my hotel room.  I have this new little tripod.. one of those Gorilla pods- I bought it while traveling in China for like $3.00 (sooo cheap). AND I'm not yet convinced its that great for my outfit photos... First, it is JUST barely strong enough to hold my camera and lens, and then, I find it difficult to set it up portrait style so my camera is sideways for full length shots.  Any suggestions?  I have tried hanging from something, or attaching it to ie. lamp post but haven't had alot of luck!  I noticed it also depends on the lens I am using too (the fixed lens doesnt work as well- too close).  (yes  and some blurred photos.. urgh!)

As for the outfit --I had a presentation to deliver so wanted to look alittle 'business-like".  Yes and a bun like Little House on the Prairies :)

Am off to explore more Winterlude here in Ottawa- there are some amazing ice sculptures all around the city.  Here's a few examples (I took these last night.. so impressive!!)  Happy Tuesday xoxo J

Memories of Bad Outfits

Good morning everyone. As I sit here at the airport waiting for my flight back east I thought I would share about some thoughts I had this morning.   And excuse the bad photo but it's me unplugged and I had to leave the house at 4:45am to catch the airport bus so don't you dare say anything :P

As I was  on my first flight and quite groggy, I don't know why but I had one of those experiences you hear about when people say they almost died and their whole life flashed before their eyes.... Well for some reason, as my flight lifted off the ground my whole fashion (or lack of fashion) history flashed before my eyes.

The orange straight cut vest that looked like a personal floatation device.  The tie dye pants that I wore to a loggers protest (even though I wasn't protesting).  The beige dress pants I made that were wide legged and about 2 inches too short (above my ankles and I wore them with heels anyway).  The black quilted jacket I just had to have even though it was completely shapeless and made me look like a 60yr old wearing some cheap Sears jacket.  The backwards ball cap and long green sports sweater I wore that one awful day at college.

Anyway. My point is,while I think I am OH SO COOL now with all my animal print scarves and knee high boots I was wondering what items I will look aback on and be embarrassed about? Like those things I REALLY should not be wearing. Just like in my past.  OR, is it that I have completely transformed my wardrobe ways?

What about you?  Any experiences like this?  OH< my flight is boarding... gotta go!! MWAH xox J

Blog Article: Eating is now a Spectator Sport

In the absence of my daily outfit photos (apologies:), heres an interesting blog that chronicles different aspects of health and fitness, if anything you will get a laugh :)

Eating is Now a Spectators Sport: How do you Play? (by Charlotte)

A waitress friend of mine recently snapped a pic of an overweight patron’s meal. Why? So she could text it to several of her friends. Sure her customer’s meal was appalling – One of every appetizer? Yes, please – but even more so was the realization that now, more than ever, eating is a spectator sport. People feel they not only have a right to see what other people are eating but also to pass judgment on it. Even though we don’t... Read More on The Great Fitness Experiment