WIN!

Congrats to Emily from The Culinary Couple for winning the $50 Macy's gift card!  Just shoot me your address via Direct Message on Twitter and I'll mail it out ASAP :-)

Emily (along with Mrs. Foot from The Proudfeet) suggested that I download Katy Perry's "Califonia Gurls" for my new workout playlist.  Well I did, and I love this song!  But it totally gets stuck in my head all day :)

Thanks to everyone that entered!  I really appreciate your input, and I loved all of your suggestions.  In case you're interested, here's my new workout playlist in full:

It's quite a mixed bag -- I have such random taste in music!  Enjoy :)

xoxo,
Olivia

Going Hollywood

There's a new love in my life, and it came to me in the form of tape.  That's right, tape.  I was having a bit of wardrobe malfunction at work last week, wearing this shirt I recently purchased from Banana Republic:

Doesn't it look great on the model?  While I do love the blouse, it's dangerously low cut on me.  For some silly reason, I decided to wear the blouse last Friday when I had a special event for work, but spent most of the day fidgeting with it. 

I was joking around with one of my co-workers to please keep an eye out for any inappropriate flashing on my end, and she suggested I try using fashion tape to keep the neckline from slipping.  I was not enthusiastic about the idea (tape, really?), but since she had some in her purse, I gave it a shot.

The tape is called Hollywood Fashion Tape.  And holy moly, this stuff is amazeballs!  The double-sided strips are really thin (and clear) and stick to skin/clothing without leaving any residue.  Plus, they come in a little tin that doesn't take up much room in a bag.  I just put two small pieces inside the neckline of the shirt where I wanted it to sit, and wa-la, the shirt didn't budge for the rest of the evening.  Love it!  I definitely suggest checking out the product if you have any clothing that tends to slip and you're looking for a quick fix.  They have some other cool stuff on the site too.  Olivia and fashion tape, sitting in a tree... :)

If you haven't already, don't forget to enter the giftcard giveaway!  Only three people have submitted their songs so far, so you're changes are goooood.  Last day to enter is next Monday, July 26th.

xoxo,
Olivia

You + Favorite Song = $50 Macy's Giftcard

Here's the deal.  Now that I'm getting back into a regular workout routine, I need help creating a new playlist... one that will keep me motivated when I just want to keel over and give up.  You know the feeling!

(Source)

I love all the music on my iPod, but it's been awhile since I downloaded new songs.  Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled when "Ice Ice Baby" comes up on the shuffle, but it's time for an upgrade.  Word to your mother.

So, I need your help!  I'm offering a $50 Macy's Giftcard giveaway (I've never done this before, so I'm learning by example from some of my fellow bloggers) if you share your all-time favorite workout song. 

It can be anything you want, as long as it's available for download on iTunes (I miss you, Limewire).  My current favorite is Nelly Furtado's "Say it Right."  Somewhat of an oldie, but a goodie. 

You can enter the giveaway by telling me your favorite song via commenting on this post or send me a Tweet (@ozoellner).  And, a bonus submission will be given if you tweet and/or blog about the giveaway and let me know that you did so!

I'll announce the winner on Monday, July 26th :)

xoxo,
Olivia

Golden Girls

I was browsing my Twitter feed yesterday during lunch, and an update from Self Magazine immediately caught my eye:

At first I just thought "well, duh" but then I got to thinking about how scientific one can be when relating friendship to overall health.  I read the article online, and thought it was really interesting.

Self claims that, among other things:

• Close friendships help women live longer (socializing positively impacts health)
• Our friends are often the best support for helping us get out of health ruts (I can attest to that!)
• Women with close friends are happier
• Women with close friends are more likely to survive breast cancer

That last one really hit me... 

So, I'd like to take a minute to say how appreciative I am of having such a wonderful, supportive, and caring group of golden girls around me.  I don't think I say it enough, but I love you all dearly and thank you for everything!  Whether it's giving me advice with my financial um, bumps... getting up at the crack of dawn for hiking, spinning, a walk, etc. or just being there when the going gets tough, THANK YOU.  I hope that I'm at least half as good a friend in return (because that would still make me super awesome).

xoxo,
Olivia

Tracking. Dislike.

It's official, over the past couple of months, I've completely fallen off the wagon.  Like hardcore, tumbled off, face first.  RIP, motivation.

As some of you know, I recently moved into the city, and I'm staying with my parents for awhile until I figure out my situation.  This means I'm living rent free for now, woot!  I'm still focused on building up my savings, but I decided to splurge invest in some personal training classes to get me back on the fitness track.  No big deal, right?  Um, worst (best) decision ever. 

First off, I have to track everything I eat.  WTF, this is not Weight Watchers.  What did I get myself into?  I see the point of it being an all around life improvement process, but I'm iffy about having to put the pen to paper when it comes to my diet.  Anywho, I'm doing it, and it's been interesting.  I've always heard that five small meals a day is best, but I feel like I sit around eating non-stop...

Here's my lovely tracking sheet, complete with columns for fat, calories, carbs, etc.  Talk about facing the facts!  Eep.

As a result, I've been eating lots of these:

Cosi Signature Salad with chicken, and half-portion of the reduced fat dressing.  Cosi is one of those places that people think is super healthy, but if you aren't careful, you can totally end up having a 900+ calorie meal... so definitely check out their nutrition facts online (also posted at each location) before you decide!

And I'm refraining from eating too much of this:

Sad, I love bread.  Luuurve.  Instead of eating the whole thing, I'll just take 3-4 bites then get rid of the rest (cuts the calories down by 60-70% but I still get to have some).  Kinda a waste, but better that it goes to waste than to my waist :)

I have ten sessions of PT to burn through (I'm on the 3x week schedule), so I'm going to give this food tracking/training combo a try for awhile and see how it goes.  It's definitely a pain in the ass, but I'm hoping that it will help me get into a good routine...

On a somewhat related note, please let me know if you have any advice for foods to eat pre-workout!  PT sessions are from 6:00 - 7:00 a.m., so I'm confused about how to fuel.  I don't want to eat right beforehand because then I may get sick from having food in my stomach (and no way in hell am I waking up at 5:00 a.m. to make a real breakfast), but I tried going the no food route and literally had to stop mid-workout because I was going to hurl.  No bueno.  I've heard bananas and peanut butter are good, but it just seems heavy.  Suggestions, please?

Hope everyone is well, and sorry I haven't been posting as much lately!  It's my busiest time of the year at work, so I'm still trying to get myself into a workable schedule.  More to come!

xoxo,
Olivia

In Her Shoes

Everyone has a weakness in life, and (one of) mine is shoes. Shoes, glorious shoes. I pretty much love 'em all… flats, stilettos, boots, flip flops, you name it. I have some serious shoe love. Especially when they're lined up all pretty in your closet:

Yes, I color coordinate.  I'm slightly OCD, just comes with the territory :)  FYI -- those metallic flashes are the backs of my running shoes.  It's good know that they really do reflect light.

Well, with my recent frugality vows, one of the habits I'm working to kick is shoes.  Of course, now I keep seeing a zillion cute pairs that I want.  It's a classic case of "distance makes the heart grown fonder."  Here are some of my favorites.  Blog window shopping will have to satisfy me for now!

Kate Spade Jester Flats:

Cole Haan Air Miranda Pumps (Cole Haan is now owned by Nike, so they're working on blending comfort with style):

Coconuts Naples sandals. 

How can you beat that $30 price tag?!  If you haven't already checked out Piperlime, do it.  Free shipping, and free returns.  Plus, they're having their huge "Lime Tag Sale" right now, lots of 40% off items.  Dangerous :)

Happy shoe'ing.

xoxo,

Olivia