Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Music, Books, Miles and Looks of October

October went by crazy fast but I packed in a lot of really fun activities and got to see a lot of friends!  I *think* November will be a slower paced month but I have a feeling it will fly by, too! 

Music:




Shake It Off by Taylor Swift - Sorry, I'm not sorry that I like Taylor Swift.  The beat and lyrics are just too catchy!




Rather Be by Clean Bandit - This is another song that has such a catchy beat!

Books:

This was another fairly strong reading month for me as I read 4 books this month.  In October, I also reached my goal of reading 52 books in 2014 - way ahead of schedule!  My favorite book I read this month was Cancel the Wedding, but Attachments was a close 2nd.


The Hundred Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais - 3 stars
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell - 4 stars
The Lost Tribe of Coney Island by Claire Prentice - 3 stars
Cancel the Wedding by Carolyn T. Dingman - 4 stars

Miles:

My mileage and number of workouts really declined this month but I think it's what my body needed.  I ran 55 miles, worked out 23 times and biked 24 miles.  That's less workouts than I usually fit in, but I also had a really busy month and decided to cut myself some slack.  I am sure my running mileage will continue to decline as the weather cools off but that is just the reality of living in the Midwest (and being a cold weather wimp).  I struggle with feeling motivated when the weather gets colder, so to offset that I am going to do Bobbi's holiday shred, which is a program that is similar to the summer shred I did this summer. It kicks off on November 16th and goes through December 27th.  If you are looking for some motivation and new workouts, I highly recommend this program.  It's $40 but I feel you get more than your money's worth.  I 100% attribute the fact that I am still strength training every week to participating in the summer shred in June.  Amber is doing it too so I am looking forward to all the back and forth messages about how we fit the workouts in and what we thought of them.  By the way, I am in no way compensated to promote Bobbi's program - I just genuinely think it's awesome!

Looks:

The weather definitely turned this month so I was able to pull out my tights and some fall looks.

Look #1 features the skirt I got from my last Stitch Fix.  I think it looks better without tights but it's way too cold for bare legs in this part of the country!


Look #2 features a new pair of pants that I got with a 50% off coupon at Banana plus a pair of boots that I got on sale at Macy's.  I'm so glad it's boot season!


  

14 comments:

Emilie said...

I'm secretly obsessed with Shake It Off too! Pete won't let me listen to it in the car anymore though, he's sick of me playing it all the time. I've heard good things about Cancel the Wedding and Attachments - both are on my to-read list. Ugh, my miles for October are under 40! I know it's OK to rest following a marathon but I wish I were closer to 50 for the month. Now it's dark after work so I have to really motivate myself to get up earlier to run before work and it's so tough to get out of bed when it's cold! I really think I might sign up for the shred, too - I have to read more about it this week. I always love the outfits you post from Banana Republic and you get so many deals! I need to start shopping there. Do you do mostly online or in-store shopping?

Gracie said...

Love look#2 - I need some green pants I think.

Jeanie said...

It has been a busy time! Love both the looks -- you know how to wear them!

Marlys said...

I love both outfits! I haven't purchased any new clothing for fall & winter and my old wardrobe is looking sad!

missris said...

I really like "Shake It Off!" It's such a fun, catchy song and the music video is hilarious. I'm also super wimpy about cold weather running (probably way more than you are!) and so I run way less often in the winter, and do most of my runs on the dreadmill. It's time I start incorporating more strength training and toning into my workout routine!

Nora said...

Love the boots! I am in "need" of some new ones (meaning my current ones have scuffs and holes in the leather...and I've had them for about five years?) so I'll have to check Macy's out for sales one day soon.

I can't help put turn up Shake it Off when I hear it on the radio. Haven't watched the video yet though!

Alli said...

Last week my allergies were so bad. I was sitting on the couch sniffling and sneezing so Chris made me tea and then said, "I know what will make you feel better!" and turned on a Taylor Swift mix for me. He even remembered my 3 favorites and started with those; Shake it Off, Mean and 22. I love me some Tay Tay.

Amber said...

LOVE that skirt and the green pants on you! Both look so great. I am so looking forward to doing the holiday shred "together" again. It's great motivation and from what I remember last year it includes lots of short but intense workouts in the holiday shred which will be great!

Leigh said...

I've done one of the shreds before and loved it! She creates a great program

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

I really like the "Rather Be" song, and am sad to say that "Shake it Off" is really growing on me. I always find it stuck in my head. I didn't want to like it because I find Taylor Swift incredibly annoying.

Abby said...

Ah you looks so cute in your tights and boots. I tried wearing a scarf and someone at work told me I look ridiculous and was reminded it's still 80 out! (However it is 50-60's when I go to and leave work.) oh, Arizona....

That shred program sounds great!!! In love doing new challenges!!

I loved that Shake it off song right, and then it got in my head one day...and now I don't like it so much. ;) lol

Becky said...

I like how you said you didn't work out very much, yet you still ran 55 miles. Wow!

Love those looks!

Stephany said...

Haha... you are the furthest thing I think of from a cold weather wimp. Me? Whimpering when it was 45 degrees this weekend? I am a wimp. ;) Anyone who willing endures a Minnesota winter is a cold weather beast to me! Heh.

I think I'm going to sign up for the Shred! $40 is an investment, but I need some workout motivation and, I figure, I easily spend $40 in Starbucks in 6 weeks. So why not spend $40 for something that will be good for me?! I'm excited!

Erin said...

Shake it Off is a favorite in our household these days. When we have a video chat I'll try and get Welles to sing it for you :)

I love your style----always!

It's fun that you and Amber are doing the shred workout together. I have an accountability partner for my new challenge and I'm looking forward to going through it with her!