A Little Sip n Flow

Alright, one cool weekend and everyone is all “Where’s my comfy sweater and PSL latte?”

I’m over here soaking up the sun and the mornings where I can still take the dog out in barely there layers…. 🙂

I’m not yet ready for fall and am not one who invites it in so soon.

I’m the one praying for 70 degree October days and keeping my boots and sweaters at bay…. (for as long as I can!)

I will wear open toe booties until the first snow falls..

So…

Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy the rest of summer!

1) Yoga at the brewery! How could you beat a morning flow session and a cool environment to get your sweat sesh on?

2) Slow Saturday mornings and brunch at home..

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3) Sipping my iced coffee with Almond Breeze Almond Coconut milk… I’m a true “iced-coffeer”, you know the kind that prefers iced to hot coffee, so when Blue Diamond sent this to sample, I was all about my iced lattes! (I will drink iced even when it snows!) Call me crazy 🙂

Have you tried their Almond Breeze Almond Coconut milk?

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4) Summer BLT Salads, because, tomato season, hello!IMG_3535

5) Cherishing those lingering cabin days..

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So while some may be wishing for fall, you can find me in the city, sipping my iced almond coconut milk latte, begging summer to stay and participating in a little yoga flow 🙂

This post is sponsored by Almond Breeze Almondmilk

Gym, Sweat and Tears..

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Happy New Year to all!

Do you know what time it is?

The next couple of weeks are what I like to call… treacherous gym time! Where the treadmill lines last for miles… when you cannot find a parking spot.. when the yoga line starts 45 minutes before class…  your mats are overlapping and the woman next to you keeps elbowing your hip..

Treacherous gym time calls for a bit of sarcasm:

Like the time I returned to a certain yoga class and studio… After a two year hiatus..

 My apprehension was high..

The women around me decked out in Lulu…. my pants were TJ Maxx.. The man next to me as hipster as can be, and you’re sure the pork belly, side of mac and cheese you consumed the day before is obvious to him and he’s openly judging it…

He’s doing some sort of jumping push up.. his long hair loose and already sweaty, sticking to his beyond toned body… Seriously dude, what are you trying to do to me?

Up goes the intimidation factor…

What did I just get myself into?

In walks the instructor… not an ounce of fat.. instantly morphing into an army drill master..

Someone behind you whispers… prepare for animal style! You pray for survival and that no one just saw your eyes bulge out of your head.

The intention you set for class is one of begging for unknown upper body strength to magically appear.

It begins… a few down dogs.. a nice flow.. ok I can do this..

But all of a sudden. You are eating your own sweat, no sucking it down as you attempt to breathe (one breath one movement people!)..

If I have to do any more mountain climbers!

Lord, Why did I eat that bacon jam?!

Ten minutes in and you can no longer tell if its sweat or tears of thigh burn dousing your mat…

The instructor keeps yelling, ONE MORE SET… and each time it is a LIE!

Just stop giving me false hope!

What do you mean its time for heavy weights?? I can no longer lift my 3 pounders…

My chances of survival dropping…

THEN! Finally, at the point of utter numbness, dead man pose time. Pain and energy sear through the body, total muscle confusion. And yet, it is a positive conundrum….

So positive in fact, that one class turns into two, then three, then what just happened to my paycheck?

Can anyone relate? 🙂

To those who have committed or recommitted to fitness in 2014, cheers to you, may this be your best year yet!

Toilet Art? Fries and Cocktails

How was your weekend?(Yes I know its Tuesday) Full of food, drinks or maybe a few blurry moments? Perhaps you participated in the Twin Cities Marathon? If so, congrats! I walked by you with my yoga mat and felt somewhat like a motivated individual….

Welcome to another addition of Treat Yourself Tuesday, Becky’s great idea! What are some of the ways you found to treat yourself this week? Maybe the above were some of your indulgences?

My treat this week was a combo of art, food and drinks.  A trip to the Walker Art Center was called for. Its been years since my last visit, so I was due!

Now everyone’s taste in art differs. And I understand I have limited taste/zero knowledge in the art department…

Come on, my personal artwork is still leaning against my new apartment walls, awaiting an able bodied hammer buddy…

While I do love some modern art, I do not and will not understand the Toilet Art.

I’m pretty ignorant…. I am just a curious observer..

of the Toilet….

I did a lot of staring, pondering and chin holding… but it just did not speak to me…

But that is the beauty of art right? So many different kinds and a type to speak to everyone.

Go and check it out, then you will know what I mean…. posting a picture is just not appropriate… It may speak to you!

Post toilet adventure called for craft cocktails at Café Maude..

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And a treating myself/ignoring my art ignorance through French Fries at Republic

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How was your weekend? Head over to www.olivesnwine.com and check out the ways others have treated themselves this week!

Dear Suburbs Part 2

Dear Suburbs,

Can you believe it has almost been a month since we were cautiously reunited? Don’t worry, our time together is quickly coming to an end. Whatever weird event you were planning on throwing at me, do it soon.

While I am still waiting to discover the crazy I know is behind some corner, your peaceful respite found me over the weekend.

After nonstop moving, weddings and festivities, a weekend in your folds was necessary. Where I could roll out of bed and into Starbucks on Saturday morning, with my hair on top of my head and the dog on my lap, without fear of running into a soul I know.

Same with yoga, except for Friend D, who convinced me to take the level higher. I’m sure I’ll thank her later, when I can bend over, sit down normal and lift my hairdryer once again…. Where is a man when you need him to open this bottle of water? O yeah, I’m living with my parents….”DAD!!!!!”

Well suburbs, you even convinced me to try some DIY, and we all know I am the furthest thing from a DIYer…..

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Seriously, what can I spray paint next??! Is this what happens? One DIY and then addiction? Yes I pulled a bookcase out of storage and I’m tackling it as soon as it isn’t 100 degrees out.

Lets be honest, I did make it into the city this weekend, as one of us needs to make new friends:

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Hey Lulu!

And it wouldn’t be a successful weekend without some homemade pesto and roasted veggies:

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I’m sure my yoga torn body will thank me tomorrow…

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How was your weekend?