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Friday Favorites – August 3rd, 2018

Brooks Mesh Ghost Leggings

Happy Friday! I hope you all have had a wonderful week. After lots of travel the past two weeks, it has been so refreshing to be home this week. I’ve focused on spending time with Bo and Katie, getting lots of sleep and catching up on errands and work.  Other than a long run date with Melissa, we don’t have any plans this weekend. Since Katie loved our bike ride adventure so much, I think we may ride to Prospect Park Zoo. Do you have any fun plans this weekend? Also, in other news, it’s no surprise but I’m already down looking forward to fall weather. The August heat and humidity is not my favorite time of year in New York City. In fact, I took two showers today just to rinse of the sweat and stickiness.

Now, let’s dive into this week’s edition of Friday Favorites, including recipes, articles, posts and other things that caught my eye this week.

  • Okay guys, the hype is real. I am so impressed with the Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel.  I’ve only been using it nightly for a week so I can’t tell you whether it has help improved my melasma, but I can tell you that I wake up each morning with brighter, smoother skin without the sting and chemicals of other options. The name is a bit confusing as it does not peel your skin nor do you peel it off. Instead, it “peels” off dead skin by dissolving dead skin cells which helps resurface skin to reduce dryness, dullness and discoloration. Once it absorbs, I apply the their No. 1 Brightening Facial Oil and Countermatch Eye Rescue  cream. As I mentioned last week on Instagram, I know that chemicals may be required to truly improve my melasma, but my dermatologist recommended that I come in for a follow-up visit in late September, after summer, to assess next steps. If you want to see more of my favorite Beautycounter products, check out these this post.
  • Over the past month, I finished Educated, The Identicals and When Life Gives You Lululemons. This week I picked up Marriage Vacation, The Perfect Couple and The Wedding Date from the library. Once I make it through those books I’m going to switch back to one of the memoirs or historical novels on my reading list.  I’m hoping to do a full review of last month’s books in an upcoming book review post. Until then, what’s on your reading list?
  • During the summer months, we tend to get fruit flies in our house when we have floral bouquets or fresh fruit on the counter. I finally made some of this apple cider and soap concoction to put on the counter in hopes of killing the annoying little guys. Guess what!? It worked and after just 24-hours we had over 15 of them captured!
  • Bo and I have been doing a great job of cooking during the week, due in part to making sure we have a well-stocked pantry, freezer and fridge each week. I owe you guys a full post with more details, but a few of the items we have been consistently loving are Banza, Rao’s Homemade Sauce, perfect roasted green beans, homemade turkey burgers, and frozen shrimp from Costco.
  • I was so surprised to slide my feet into these adorable, block heels and realize that they are not only comfortable but also very cute! For $24.99 you can’t beat these tan block heels as a staple for weekends, business and weddings alike. I’ll be wearing these for both of the upcoming weddings I’m in this fall as well as pairing them with jeans and fun skirts or dresses in between. I recommend ordering the wide if your feet tend to be wide as they run pretty narrow but otherwise, they’re great!
  • Recently, I feel like Brooks gear has become so fun! While it’s always been a great, reliable brand especially for running gear, their colors and cuts have taken a step towards being more on trend and fun while still delivering the quality you’d expect. I ordered these mesh leggings after seeing them on a few of my fellow ambassadors when we were in Seattle and have quickly FALLEN IN LOVE with them. The mesh makes them the perfect weight for summer running, walking or Pilates classes as well as more fun that my usual black legging. Unlike a few of the mesh leggings on the market, the mesh on these leggings is flattering.
  • I realized last month that my wardrobe was missing two staples – a blazer and a pair of flattering work pants. I’ve worn the few business dresses or skirts that I have on repeat for customer and team meetings over the past couple of months and was craving a change. I ordered this flattering, updated blazer to add a bit of polish to my dresses and jeans. I knew I wanted to get a pair of pants that I could wear year-round so I opted for these slimming crops, which are perfect paired with nude heels and a bright top in summer or a sweater and flats in the cooler months. I hope that J.Crew continues to offer so may Tall styles on their site!

 

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and instead is a list of the things of my favorite things this week. As normal, it includes lots of beauty and fashion items which means there are a few affiliate links via ShopStyle. It takes time and money to maintain a blog so I thank you for the support and few cents that come from clicking through the links!

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My Favorite Summer Running Outfit

If you follow me on Instagram Stories, then you may already know that I’ve been wearing a few items on almost EVERY run. In fact, I love these pieces so much that I ordered a second pair of each item.  These items have me feeling confident and comfortable during my runs and have worked well on every style of run – tempo, long, sprints, or conversational. They’ve allowed me to log miles in the rain, sticky heat and perfect days in between without any chafing or feeling like the material is hanging off my body. I remember, back in the day, when I ran in Nike Tempo shorts, that I would worry that the moisture would weigh them down so much that they would fall down. Or, that unfortunate under arm or inner thigh chafing that I thought was “common” during humid and hot running.

Nope. 

This gear has me jumping out of bed and excited to run even when it’s 4:55 AM. Today this gear helped me log 3 miles and then head to the Pilates studio for a challenging 60-minute tower class. While I may not have smelled very good by the end of the 90-minute workout, I was comfortable.

  • Visor – Since having Katie, I rarely go out for a run or outdoor workout without a hat or visor as my melasma seems to flare after even just short exposure to the sun. This bright, lightweight Brooks Run Happy visor is a fun way to block the sun, keep my hair out of my face and spread the Run Happy vibes.  It’s easily adjustable thanks to a velcro back closure and the sweat-wicking material ensures that I’m not wasting energy or time wiping sweat out of my face during my workout.
  • Sports Bra – The Brooks Uprise Crossback sports bra has quickly become my favorite sports bra. It is a medium impact bra that keeps me supported during even the toughest of workouts without being complicated. Since I’m a B cup I don’t need much but this one delivers beyond my expectations thanks to the breathable cups, shape and support from molded cups, and comfort due to the soft material. I also love that the pads aren’t constantly coming out in the wash since this bra has molded cups versus removable pads. It is currently on sale for $26 on Brooks and Nordstrom Rack.
  • Tank – The Brooks Ritual Tank is loose, breathable and bright. The flattering tank includes a mesh back that allows for air flow while the broad arm openings minimize chafing. I love that it’s available in multiple bright color combinations, including the blue and teal that I’m wearing in these photos. It’s on sale on Zappos and Brooks so be sure to snag it before it sells out! It runs a bit large, as I am wearing the medium and typically wear a large in most Brooks tops.
  • Shorts – Okay, I still can’t believe that the Brooks Greenlight 7″ Short Tight is my new favorite running short. I thought after years of running marathons in super-tight CW-X compression shorts, I’d given up on this style of short but Charlie and Zoe convinced me to give them a try. I figured they’d be unflattering due to the fitted nature but instead, they are the opposite. The wide waistband, smooth design and supportive material holds everything in while still being breathable. There are two pockets that easily fit keys, cash or credit cards as well. You can find these at Zappos and Brooks. While they aren’t on sale, they are well worth the $46.

All pictures are Anna Rachel Photography 

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2018 Brooks Run Happy Ambassador Weekend in Seattle

Wow, this was an amazing weekend in Seattle and exceeded all of my expectations!

Kristen, Jen, Sara, Noelle, Brian, Jesica, Janae, Lora, Monica, Tina, Gina, Alex, Carlee, Tiffany, Jen, Natalie, Anne, Meghann & Emily

As you all know, this is my third year working with Brooks, and this year’s trip was the best yet. From the moment our crew reunited at Brooks Headquarters on Friday until we parted ways this afternoon for our flights back home, it was an energizing and inspiring weekend with so many like-minded men and women.  While none of us are professional athletes and we all run for different reasons, the things that brings us together is our love of Brooks and running.  Hearing each person’s story throughout the weekend and getting to know them better deepened my passion for running and the way this sport brings so many people together.

We started the fun together on Friday afternoon at the Brooks Headquarters. I even greeted the group with a local treat – Top Pot Donuts!

After a quick lunch, we were able to tour the testing lab and see some of the Fall ’18 gear. While we were in the lab we were able to learn more about the process of bringing a shoe from idea to prototype to shelf. There is so much science and testing that takes place over the two year process, including wear testing, anatomical testing and design.

The gear sneak peek was so impressive. The team has been hard at work and it is clear that Brooks is making a conscious effort to focus not only on quality but also aesthetics. Our entire group is in love with the Fall gear especially the colors and soft textures incorporated into so many of the pieces. Most of the gear is for sale on their site today and I already have a few items in my cart including the dash hoodie, fly by 1/2 zip and array long sleeve.

We headed to the hotel to check-in and freshen up after our time at Headquarters. I’ve never stayed in an EVEN HOTEL property but was so impressed with their Seattle location. There was flavored water greeting us as we walked in as well as lots of bright light, greenery and a very friendly staff. The hotel allows you to remain active while traveling through local running maps, a huge gym and in-room fitness equipment and water bottles. The shower and toiletry products were also wonderful and I loved that they featured EO products in the shower. Each of us were assigned roommates for the weekend and I was delighted to spend my nights with Meghann. We’ve been friends for years though the distance and new role of parent doesn’t allow us to see each other very often.

We met downstairs for an impromptu happy hour together before heading out for dinner at Westward.

This waterfront restaurant provided gorgeous views for an evening of catching up with old friends and getting to know new friends. I’m so thankful that Brooks made it possible to enjoy some Pacific Northwest delicacies like oysters, salmon and Pinot Noir while we were in town.  It was so fun teaching a few of the ladies how to enjoy oysters for the very first time in between laughter and conversation. The open space was perfect for mingling and chatting with different groups versus being limited by table seating.  The oysters, octopus and pot de crème were the food highlights while I enjoyed two glasses of the delicious Oregon Pinot Noir. I wish I’d taken a picture of the label!

After a good night’s sleep, we headed out for a 5 mile run and strength workout with a few of the Brooks Beasts pro runners.

I was thrilled that this week’s long run would be 5 miles through shady trails with some of my favorite runners. We talked the entire time while enjoying views of the lake and talking with faster runners helped me push my pace and maintain an average pace of 9:12 including a few traffic stops while crossing streets.  The miles flew by and were exactly the push and inspiration I needed at this point of half marathon training. I wish that even one of these ambassadors lived close to me so we could meet for run together. A few of us discussed trying to virtually motivate each other throughout the year via Instagram and our Facebook group.

After our run we headed into the Magnusson Athletic Center for a strength workout led by the Brooks Beasts. They took us through a number of different exercises using TRX, free weights and machines. If they send us the workout, I’ll be sure to share it with you all in an upcoming post.

After working up quite the appetite, we headed to Cactus for brunch.  If you ever come to Seattle, you seriously need to head to Cactus for brunch just so you can enjoy their churro waffles. Guys. Seriously. These waffles may have been the most delicious sweet treat I’ve eaten. We couldn’t get enough of them and even convinced the restaurant to make a fresh batch for us after our hungry running crew ate EVERY SINGLE one from the buffet. Thank you Janae for the epic picture of this waffle!

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We walked off brunch and those delicious waffles during an afternoon walk exploring a number of different areas of Seattle including the Space Needle park and waterfront.  Since I’ve visited Seattle numerous times for both pleasure and work, I ended up leading our group as we meandered. It was nice to have a few hours to relax and catch up with some of my original blog friends while enjoying the cool weather.

By 5pm we found ourselves on a beautiful boat enjoying dinner, bubbly and a tour of Lake Union.  We were able to sneak glimpses of Bill Gates’ home, the Sleepless in Seattle house boat, University of Washington and views of the city.  The captain even let me drive the boat for a few minutes!


We woke up this morning for some strength training and movement to wake up our bodies before heading over to the gorgeous University of Washington campus for lots of cheering.

The final item on our weekend itinerary was the most inspiring – cheering and supporting athletes as they headed towards the opening ceremonies for the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games.

Thousands of athletes from all 50 states are in Seattle this week competing in 18 different sports ranging from power lifting to gymnastics. We cheered and gave high fives to the athletes as each state passed by our Brooks cheer squad. I love that Brooks employees joined us for the occasion as we held signs together. These athletes have overcome so many challenges as they’ve trained for these games.

I can’t believe I’m already on a flight back to New York City after such a wonderful weekend but I’m ready to give Bo and Katie huge hugs! I’m also ready and inspired to continue my half marathon training as I work towards my 1:59:59 goal in October!

Thank you to Brooks for sponsoring me throughout the year and for paying for this trip! You all are incredible and I fall more in love with the brand every year.

 

 

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