Check It Out!

There are days when I get bit by the creative bug, so I decided to change some things on my blog. 

I really wanted a super clean layout, so I scrapped the backgrounds.  Although they were fun to change, like a scarf that you layer on with your outfit, it wasn't giving off the correct vibe that I was looking for.  Hence...white...a totally under-appreciated color.

And then of course, I needed a new header.  While Austin was great as a placeholder for a while, I wanted to create something that captured me, what the blog was about and the fun that I hope we're all having here.  It needed to be punchy, but not KO-style.  Going with the theme of clean and sleek, I decided to use black and white pictures with pops of color - those are always fun.  And of course, the title had to be in typewriter set.

It's amazing how a few tweaks and changes can make the blog feel different and brand new.  I hope you all like it.  If you have suggestions for other additions, I'd love to hear them!

Delicious Autumn!

For some reason, Norah Jones makes me think of the fall season.  Maybe it's the warm, gravely quality of her voice that makes me want to curl up in a blanket with a cup of hot tea and a good book.  Although not from this song, the lyrics from "Thinking About You" are perfect for this post.

"Yesterday I saw the sun shinin',
And the leaves were fallin' down softly,
My cold hands needed a warm, warm touch,
And I was thinkin' about you."

Now that October is upon us, it's officially fall, my favorite season.  But, because I live in southern California, fall is not the real fall I've grown to love.

Instead of the leaves turning a gorgeous golden color, all we get is a little bit of a chill in the morning air.

 

I miss this view. 

Instead, this is what I get to see:

Ok, that's not the temperature at my house by the beach, but that was the temperature inland this weekend.  97 degrees in October!  That's pure madness.

Fall means:

1. Apple cider
2. Candy corn
3. Running in long sleeves and tights if it gets cold enough
4. Throw blankets
5. Scarves
6. Comfy sweatshirts
7. Cute boots
8. It's almost Thanksgiving...
9. It's almost Christmas...
10. That means I get to go home. :)

Happy autumn!

Momma Needs a New Pair of Shoes

The other day, I realized my Vibrams are torn on the area between my big toe and the next toe.  I guess I can't expect shoes to last forever, but I thought they would at least get me through a year and a half.  Soooo...you know what that means, right?! Shoe shopping, baby!

Ok, I guess I'm not really "shopping." I know what I'm looking for and there's not a whole lot of deviation; I'm going to get another pair of Vibrams.  Now, since I bought my first pair, Vibram has released several different styles of the "shoe."  The changes can normally be seen on the sole of the shoe (more tread) and on the upper (some lace up and are more sturdy than others).  What I'm really excited for, though, is the change in color.

Example One: My old Vibrams

Yeah, I know, they're kind of ugly. But they did the trick and eased me into minimalist running.  I was initially worried about them being all black, but because I was still self-conscious about running around in gorilla shoes, the color didn't scream, "Look at me."

Example Two: My (hopefully) new Vibrams

These beauts scream, "Look at me!!!"  I think now that I'm fully committed to minimalist running, I'll be ok with the stares I might get from people on the street.  And I have no doubt that people will look...these things are pretty flashy.  But it's not like other shoes aren't as bright:

I was told by my boss, who ordered these, that the color is "mango."  And still as ugly as ever.

Bright colors are hip & cool these days, whether it's in design or in fashion.  I find that I'm really comfortable in greys and blacks.  Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of adding a pop of color here and there.  That's why I think adding those rockin' pink & orange Vibrams will be perfect.

Side note: As I was doing some "research" on the Vibrams, I learned that they now are making them for kids.  And the first thing that came to my mind...how in the world are you going to get a five-year-old's toes in each little toe spot? Only a crazy parent would want to wrestle a kindergartener into a pair of feet gloves.