California Dreamin'

Hello from California!

After a busy couple days of traveling and meetings, I'm finally spending some quality time with my mom.  Remember how I said the weather was going to be gross?  I lied.  Or really, the weather forecast lied.  It's beautiful and sunny today, and I feel energized and can't wait for some warmer temps in DC.

We took advantage of the nice weather and walked along the beach for three hours this morning.  It was great workout, and we even stopped along the way to watch a local surfing competition.  If I come back in another life, I want to be a surfer.  It looks hard but so fun!

This afternoon we had lunch at the Country Mart and then headed to check out the newly renovated Malibu Lumber Yard.   It used to be an actual lumber yard and hardware store, and now it's a posh shopping area with restaurants and a great outdoor area with ping-pong tables, lounge chairs and even 12-foot tall fish tanks.  It's very California, but I enjoyed it.

Pretty, huh?  Before we left, I of course had to stop at Crumbs and get a treat for later! :-)

I hope everyone is having a great weekend, and good luck to my friends running the GW Parkway Classic tomorrow morning!  You'll do great!

P.S. Krista has a Larabar giveaway on her blog.  Check it out!

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