My Latest Snag: Doen Sale Goodies.
Doen is running a snow day sale that runs through tomorrow! I picked up this fun top to pair with jeans and this dress for mini. There were so many items that turned my head, though. I also love this metallic-thread pullover, this gorgeous dress (under $150), this dress for a little one, and this fall floral (perfect for a family portrait).
This Week’s Most Popular: Winter Finds.
1. HIGH-WAISTED CLASSIC MEDIUM WASH STRAIGHT LEG JEANS…HIGH QUALITY DENIM IS A TIMELESS MUST-HAVE IN ANY WARDROBE
2. SLOUCHY HIGH-NECK ASYMMETRICAL WRAP-STYLE BELTED BLACK PUFFER JACKET
3. ULTRA-COMFORTABLE TWO PIECE LOUNGEWEAR SET WITH ELASTIC WAIST RELAXED FIT BOTTOMS AND A LONG SLEEVE CREWNECK TOP IN HEATHERED OATMEAL
4. VIBRANT FUCHSIA MOCK NECK RIB-KNIT SWEATER WITH UNIQUE CABLE KNIT DETAILING — A GREAT PLAYFUL AND BOLD STATEMENT PIECE TO TRANSFORM ANY OUTFIT
5. SMALL GOLD NECKLACE COIN MEDALLION WITH A POWERFUL RISING SUN MOTIF
6. MOCK NECK WHITE KNIT SWEATER WITH ADORABLE LITTLE RED HEART STRIPE DETAIL ALL OVER
7. GORGEOUS BLACK VELVET PUFF SLEEVE MINI DRESS WITH CONTRASTING LACE AND BOW ADORNED BIB FOR A CHIC AND STYLISH LOOK WITH A CLASSIC PARISIAN VIBE
8. KNIT TURTLENECK SWEATER FOR LITTLE ONES WITH RIBBED HEMS IN A WARM BEIGE TONE
9. BLACK LIGHTWEIGHT ZIP-UP CROPPED PUFFER VEST
10. LIGHTWEIGHT FLEECE LONG SLEEVE PULLOVER SWEATSHIRT WITH BUTTON PLACKET IN A CHIC DUSTY ROSE…SUCH AN EASY PIECE TO THROW ON FOR RUNNING ERRANDS
11. ULTRA-HYDRATING MOISTURIZING BODY CREAM SCENTED WITH PANSIES AND CHAMOMILE FOR DRY SKIN
12. HIGH WAISTED TROUSERS IN A CROPPED, WIDE LEG CUT WITH CRISP PRESSED SEAMS — I LOVE THIS EFFORTLESS AND VERSATILE CLOSET STAPLE
13. HANDWOVEN 100% JUTE NATURAL TONED AREA RUG WITH A SCALLOPED EDGE AND CONTRASTING BLEACHED BORDER
14. CREAMY IVORY COZY BUTTON-UP SHERPA JACKET WITH CONTRASTING RED TRIM AND LARGE PATCH POCKETS
15. SEMI-OPAQUE LIGHT PINK OVERSIZED CAT EYE SUNGLASSES WITH COPPER-TONED LENSES
16. CLARIFYING SHAMPOO THAT LEAVES MY HAIR OH-SO SHINY AND SOFT FROM OLAPLEX
Weekend Musings: On Training.
I have never run a race in my life, but I signed up to run in a Veterans 10K with my Dad (himself a veteran of the Vietnam War, and a lifelong runner) and three sisters. I’m excited about running it with my family, but intimidated. I’ve never run 10K in one go. (I maxed out somewhere between 5-6 miles per run when in peak form in my late 20s/early 30s.) Beyond that, I’ve never been drawn to the hullabaloo around races — I hate crowds and find myself motivated just fine on my own, without the structure of a competition. And so I peppered a girlfriend of mine who has run multiple half-marathons with questions about training for a race earlier this week. I asked how she motivates herself to go on the longer runs, which daunt me — I am routinely bored and anxious to curtail my run by around mile 3. (I currently run 3.5-4 miles per session.) She commented that new, peppy playlists help, and that she also likes to call her mother or sister while on the distance runs. I was startled by this — how could she talk while running? She replied that, while training, you don’t want to be running so hard you’re out of breath. You’re building endurance; you should be able to hold a conversation while training. This throwaway comment blew my mind. I realized that I don’t know how to train. I am always running full-out, unless I am unable to. I’m not sprinting, exactly, but I am always running at the outer limit of my comfort zone, just faster than I’d like to but not so fast that when I stop, I’m gasping for air. The thought that I might run, deliberately, at a slower (easier) pace has literally never entered my mind. This is in part because running is, for me, more of a tonic than a treat: something healthful I must do to feel good, but that I don’t particularly savor while undertaking. In fact, I was listening to Taylor Swift’s “Midnights” album on my run this morning, and the lyric from “Labyrinth” in which she says: “It only hurts this much right now” / Was what I was thinkin’ / the whole time / Breathe in, breathe through, / breathe deep, breathe out” had particular resonance. I am basically always “thinking / the whole time” how much running hurts — but also aware that it only “hurts right now.” I live for the post-run lift. Running is worth the transitory discomfort because I feel so much better afterward. The world is brighter, my mind is clearer, my body feels loose and my muscles pleasantly firm. And so I tend to run as fast as I can to just get through it. Why would I linger in the discomfort? Why would I protract the process?
I can tell that training for this 10K is going to require a new mentality.
This insight made me wonder whether I am “always sprinting” in other parts of my life that I don’t necessarily need to? Are there other places that I have similarly never thought about “slowing down”? I certainly feel this way about my writing practice. I am rigorous to the point of fanatical about getting my writing in every day. Do I need to be, I wonder?
What about you? Are there areas of your life where you are always “going all out” without needing to?
Shopping Break.
+Very into the crop flare silhouette these days.
+Meant to include this $11 heart nightgown for little girls in my Valentine’s Day roundup. Too precious! Mini had this when she was a little younger — she loves nightgowns.
+The kind of dress I live in all summer long.
+Speaking of Mille, this fabulous everyday winter dress is on sale for around $100.
+You all loved the Massimo Dutti sweater I shared a week or two ago — but I also found this similar Zara style for $50.
+A great staple on sale for $25. And don’t miss this pleated skirt, an extra 60% off the sale price.
+I’d been eyeing this Derek Lam dress for so long and just snagged it on super sale here.
+This fleece vest is in my cart for my son.
+Still obsessed with this cleansing oil — want to try the rose scent next.
+Weezie just launched the most beautiful terry robe in spectacular color combos. On my wishlist!
+Mini has been obsessed with scrunchies lately — found this cute set for $10.
+Into this ballet pink top.
+This cropped hoodie is $35 and looks a lot like a much more expensive one from Alo.
+Just discovered this reasonably-priced brand of children’s cleansers/shampoos/etc in fun scents. Their bath bombs would be such a fun surprise for your little ones — my kids LOVE these kinds of things.
+A $15 kitchen rug in good colors – love the blue.
+Still wondering if I can find an occasion to which to wear this beauty.
+Chicest cardigan.
+Cute jeans for a little love.