If You Don't Focus On Your @$$, No One Else Will

I found that quote in Women's Health Magazine (by associate editor, Cristina Goyanes) and it just cracked me up so I had to share it with everyone! So....my first strength training/lifting session is today and I have been waiting all week for it to be Thursday. I've been so inspired by all you amazing ladies out there who are lifting and proving that girls can be strong, powerful and BEAUTIFUL at the same time--I'm going to be a major copy-cat and lift too (isn't imitation the sincerest form of flattery?)

Strength training has always been something I refused to partake in. I thought weights and lifting = intense World's Strongest Woman muscles (aka here) and that's just not my look. I prefer having a toned body and I know lifting will give that to me--thanks for opening my eyes, ladies!

With all that said, I have always had trouble with my clothing identity. Are you lost yet? What I mean is, in high school when I was an athlete, I dressed like one, re: baggy shorts, hoodies and the like. Then I went through this sorority, girly-girly phase where I only wore sundresses and skirts (not to the gym of course, but you catch my drift). Why can't I just wear work-out clothes (ie: sweats) and feel just as beautiful as when I wear a great pair of jeans and wedges to go out? Well, I can, it's just about thinking that I can and having the confidence to do so. Let me introduce y'all to yesterdays shopping trip:

Left: 2 pairs of Champion for Target shorts, Champion for Target dry-fit t-shirt via Target // Right: True Religion flare-leg jeans, BCBG knit t-shirt sweater, Testament buttoned blouse via Marshalls

So the point of this post: lifting does not equal manliness, girliness doesn't mean you can't wear shorts, sportiness doesn't mean you can not wear dresses, and if you want to look good, focus on your ass at the gym. Oh, and listen to this because it's amazing:

CODE RED: Cassie's Gonna Cook!

Thank you to every one of you who responded to my post yesterday! I received genuine, heart-felt responses and I love you guys more than ever...you know what else I love? New friends. Blogging has seriously brought so many new and great people into my life who inspire, motivate and educate me daily (image how much I'll change in a year if all this is happening on a daily basis?!?!). I can't wait to inform everyone about my decision...once I make it that is. I may be one of the most indecisive people you will ever encounter. I hate it and I blame my Mother (sorry Mom :)
On a less sappy note, I got some cool new stuff! First up, my new red leather Lucky cross-body bag. This little baby was on sale at Marshalls and I had to swipe it up. Don't you ever just buy a pick-me-up present when you're feeling down or confused? Oops, is that just me? Should I throw in the "sorry I'm not sorry thing?" Nah? Oh well, too late! The other goody on display is my new Nook Color that my Aunt bought me for my college graduation! (Thanks Aunt Lisa!). I can go on the web, check my email, play Angry Birds, read Women's Health Magazine (which I already downloaded) and books too! O-B-S-E-S-S-E-D!

 

After a sweaty gym session (hooh-rah!) and a bunch of calls and work, I'm off to make some lunch, do some more work and then duh, duh, duh, dunnnnnnn...making Feeding Brain and Body's Egguffins! Check out this recipe, I dare you not to copy-cat and make them for dinner too! I'm not really a domestic so I hope I don't blow up the house tonight. I can't even begin to describe to you the lack of culinary talent in my household-- we didn't even have a muffin pan or measuring devices (except for old reliable aka my measuring cup!) I booked it to Whole Foods and stocked up! Wish me luck!

via

What's in my Bag?

I always loved these posts--maybe I am just the nosiest girl ever but I always wonder what everyone carries. Good thing I was inspired to do this today, because I have been on the go since I woke up (minus a little nap) and have lived in my gym clothes...gross? Please forgive me!

The Details:

Bag: 5th Avenue Leather Bag (just purchased at the Tanger Outlets during my trip to Ocean City, MD). I love how big it is, I can tote around my computer and all other "necessities"

ipod: Nano; I recently got into country, so if you have any face-paced(ish) songs please comment them :) 

Lypsyl: best chap-stick ever!

Gum: Trident (orange flavor), I am a huge gum addict.

Planner, notebook, pens: I am OCD about making lists and jotting down every little thing (PS: I'm a sucker for school supplies)

Book: I just finished The Island by Elin Hilderbrand and need to return it to the library. Call me Carrie Bradshaw but I love the smell of library books. This one is a great beach read if you are looking for a new book.

Keys: along with a host of key-chains ranging from a Tiffany & Co. one I got when I turned 16 (from my aunt) a Coach "C" from a friend, to a gym pass swipe-card.

Wallet: Juicy Couture pouch. I just like how small it is; I'm all about the "grab and go".

Sunglasses: O by Oscar de la Renta (purchased from Marshall's for $10)

Blackberry: I must stay connected at all times! It's a sickness. 

So there you have it!

What's in your bag? 

Like any of the same stuff as me?

5 Things...

It's early, I'm awake and ready to take on the day! While I used to dread having such an early internal-alarm-clock now I kind of like it...I feel like I get so much accomplished while others are still sleeping. I have a ton to do today and this is just a little post paying tribute to 5 things I am loving today!

1.  Rachel Bilson for Madison Magazine. She is the cover girl for the March 2011 issue and I love her laid-back California cool style. (Check out a behind the scenes video of the shoot here)
2. Cute Valentine's Day card from my friend Christina...I'm in RI and she's in PA and we still make time to write to each other...I love handwritten notes! (Hey Pen-pal you have a card coming your way!)
3. My pretty notebooks that I use to organize absolutely everything in my life: internship notes, regular day notes, monthly calender, daily calender, food log (a bit obsessive but I'm a Virgo, I think it's part of my zodiac sign to be a tad OCD!)
4. My nalgene water bottle! I am so excited to break a sweat after I eat my nice big breakfast, which leads me to...number
5. Kashi Honey Sunshine Cereal...my favorite cereal ever! And with that said I am off to enjoy my power breakfast: 3/4 c. Kashi cereal, small pre-packaged cup of strawberry yogurt, chopped apple, 1/4 c. blueberries, 1/4 c. pumpkin (heated in microwave), dash of cinnamon...all mixed together into a lovely parfait (served in my favorite paisley bowl *from Target* haha)

Have a great Saturday!

PS: I love making these little collages...I want to take some Digital Art/Design classes...anyone have any recommendations where to start?

The Longest Sleep Ever

Good Morning! I can say this very enthusiastically now, since last night I slept for over 12 hours! I took a nap at 5pm yesterday evening (I was so exhausted...overtired I think) and I woke up at 11:45pm only to fall back into a deep sleep and wake up at 7am this morning! I missed dinner, but don't worry, I had a delicious apple, yogurt and Kashi cereal parfait this morning and feel great. All I need to do now is get through my 3 classes, hit the gym (for a great workout) and then go to GNC to stock up on Vitamins because this girl's energy has been slacking. I am thinking about a woman's multivitamin, any suggestions?

For today, I am keeping it low key. I showered this morning, put on my makeup, scrunched my hair (LOW KEY RIGHT?) and told myself that today I was going to keep it very comfortable (almost PJ-esque). I decided to wear my favorite BASS jeans in a medium wash, I told you I wear them all the time! I paired my vintage Rolling Stones t-shirt which is made up of the softest cotton blend ever. I got it at Target, which doesn't make it real "vintage" but I use that term loosely because it is faded and looks vintage, so I will claim that it is, deal with it! I topped the shirt with my favorite long black waffle cardigan from the GAP. I got this at the outlets and wear it almost every other day. It looks awesome with everything, I think it is just a medium-long length which is very flattering with most pant/skirt/shorts/dress lengths. Lastly, I wore my Minnetonka Moccasins that I posted about yesterday (I really am getting so much use out of them).

Sorry for the shortness of today's post, I am getting back into the swing of things! I am going to get myself back to my fighting spirit and energy today. I think I am a pretty strong girl I can roll with the punches. Have a great Monday everyone!

PS: What do you do to gain more energy when your body is dragging?