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

The Pink Coat

My  favorite days are when its cold so I can wear my pink coat. Well, I shouldn't lie.. cold days aren't my favorite but this coat is.  Casual day today at work so am wearing my skinny jeans and a plain black tunic underneath.. nothing special.  AND below are a few photos of things I saw along my walk to work this morning (borrowing from SHYBIKER'S "Things I saw today" series :). I have to take my camera in for a cleaning so you got a few snaps for extra viewing pleasure today.  Have a super weekend!!

Sights on the walk to  work:

Back to Life Here

 

 

 Happy Tuesday. Here I am. Back to Life Here. I must admit. I did not want to come home. I like warm climate. I like bright colors. I like Thai food!!  I am refreshed, relaxed and peaceful. I promise I will keep it that way :)  So for today, 6am Bikrams Yoga and scurry home to get ready for work... this is what I pulled out of the closet. Its overcast and rainy and I have to walk to a bunch of meetings downtown so this was the best option.

Conundrum: Hair is shaggy. Long enough to wear up in some creative way. Should I cut it or grow it?

 I am behind on finding out what y'all (don't you say that in America???) are wearin these days.. brace yourselves for the arrival of MOI on your blog!! :)

See you tomorrow lovelies!! I missed you!!
xo J

Thailand Travel- packing LIGHT

Hello!!! I have missed you all!  Well, I just got home from my 6 week trip to celebrate my 10year anniversary! We went to Thailand and since there was a stopover in Beijing along the way we spent some time in China at the beginning of our trip.  We both traveled with a 35 litre backpack, which you can see here if you click on the link... its small, yes, indeed. SO as you can imagine, I had to pack very efficiently. This was a fun challenge.  We mainly wanted to be able to move around easily and not  be smacking people on the bus with big overloaded backpacks and such!!!

  We wore old ugly clothes to Beijing since it was -20 and colder for the week we were there. Then once we left Beijing we ditched the ugly winter clothes and got into our clothes for 34 degree weather!!  Woo hooo bring on the heat!  We spent 5 days in Beijing and the remainder of the 5.5 weeks in Thailand both in the north and south.
 Basically all I packed was: 2 pairs of shorts, 3 tank tops, 1 skirt, 1 dress, 1 longsleeve, 1 tshirt, 1 pair of pants and a bikini.  It made coming up with outfits really easy.  And if I ever get up in the morning now that I am home and say " I have nothing to wear"- you have full freedom to pinch me and tell me to smarten up!!!  I can not believe I have the gall to say things like that with the amount of clothing I have in my closet!!  A big bar of soap for handwashing clothing and a natural air dryer (the sun) is all you need!! :)  Less clothing really does make life much much easier!!!

 I also wore no makeup and the only jewelry I had were a paid of silver hoops and my favorite turquoise earrings.

 I often wore a scarf since I  could use it to wear around my shoulders in case I needed to cover up if we came across a temple to visit (which there were many).  It also doubled as a face cloth when I was all sweaty :)  GROSS, I know, but hey- I never said I was a lady :P  And of course theres graceful me dripping pad thai sauce and tom yum curry all over it all the time!!

Thailand was exceptional. We like remote secluded places and we found many great places to explore from remote local villages to small islands with no electricity or internet.  We spent the first part of our trip on an island in the mid south, then traveled north and did a trek for 3 days over xmas. I must say, it was one of the most memorable xmas holidays I have ever had.  The people were so joyous and friendly and so generous and happy.  We also explored along the Myanmar and Laos border areas which was really interesting, as well as toured a coffee and tea plantation.  Then after taking a night train (now that was an adventure!!) we headed to some small southern islands where we basically lived in luxury in thatched huts on the beach with white sandy beaches and the sound of waves all around us. CAN YOU SAY HEAVEN???    We ate tons of amazing thai food and lots and lots of fruit (food there is awesome!! and we even did a cooking course!).

 I am now home feeling fully rested and rejuvenated and even a few pounds thinner!!   Let me tell you--- plans for next years trip are in full force all ready :)

I look forward to catching up with all of you and really hope you all had a super xmas and new year holiday season.  I also wish you all the absolute best for this upcoming year-- yes- a most fabulously stylish year at that, right ladies???

Back soon, MWAH, xoxo J