L-A: Hey! Remember me? No? That’s okay. It’s been awhile. It’s not that I stopped loving you and the blog, but uprooting my life became this thing where I just couldn’t deal with anything – including writing that wasn’t work related. So this was pretty much my reaction to everything from a meeting request to getting groceries to trying to figure out when the new season of Pretty Little Liars starts.
Hopefully I’ve got my shit together now, because I’m flying solo for a little bit. Why? Well because of my first favourite/highlight of the week:
1. We have a new intern at FPQT!
That’s right! Ally gave birth to a healthy, pink baby this week and the little girl already knows how to give a mean side eye. She’s super adorable and I can’t wait to meet her! To celebrate her arrival into the world, I’m kicking the favourites off with a seriously crappy pop video. One that would make even Ally roll her eyes.
You’re the best Ally! And in 11 years, your life will be full of the next generation’s Justin Bieber. I’ll be there to pour you wine during that phase.
We’ll be fair about our nepotism though and make sure she starts out as an intern in the mail room.
2. This awesome event is coming up: Heart & Stroke’s Red Hot
I went last year and it was a super swell time. The only reason I’m not going this year is because I won’t be in town. But if you can make it, it’s a great event for a great cause. Just raise a minimum of $300 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and you’re in the door for stuff like this:
Macarons. On a stick. Yessss.
3. New specs
I’m totally rocking big RayBan wayfarers these days. I’ll share a picture when I take one that doesn’t involve my bangs pulled back in a head band. No one needs to see that much of my forehead.
4. LL Bean Regrets
I tried on the most adorable LL Bean Signature dress on Friday and was feeling all, “ennnnnh….maybe I shouldn’t spend $100 on a dress right now. It does need to be taken in a bit in the boobs. I’ll just order it online.”
Seriously. So perfect for summer.
Well my friends, that was a mistake. While not quite the same level of middle class tragedy as the Marc Jacobs Bag Incident of 2010, it was still sadness that I didn’t buy it when I had the chance. Why? Because it’s effing sold out online. Is LL Bean that popular? Now what am I supposed to wear when I visit Palm Springs this month??? What? Clothes I already own?
5. Not a favourite, because slut shaming of any kind is just the living worst.
Apparently one of our Pretend BFFs (and real life BFF of Pretend Boyfriend Leo) is having her third child. But apparently her baby bump isn’t being celebrated as celebrity baby bumps often are. Nope. This is what she gets:
How is this headline even remotely okay?
The audacity! Children by more than one father? Outrageous!
But seriously. While I fully judge her husband’s decision to legally change his name to Ned Rocknroll (and I say this as a person who legally changed their last name to something completely fictional), I’m not about to judge her because her previous marriages didn’t work out. But apparently more than one British paper is ready to do so. But can we not throw any blame at the ex-husbands? Maybe just a little since one can assume they had some say in their marriages. You know, instead of judging ladies for not making all the perfect decisions all the time.
Anyway, that just annoyed me today and I had to get it out of my system. If y’all want to have kids with more than one dude, then that’s your bizness and none of mine. However, Rocknroll really is a ridiculous last name. I hope the kid gets to go by Winslet.
5. Back to favourites: I’ve got vinyl!
That’s right! That adorable record player is mine! And now I need to start buying vinyl. So far I’ve got Beach Boys Pet Sounds, Jay-Z The Blueprint 3 and a few from my Nana (soundtracks to Breakfast at Tiffany’s and The King and I). Any suggestions for what to buy next?
6. One final video of the week
Ally loves a good country video, the sappier the better. So here’s Taylor Swift with some country music British folk-rock fellow. Sadly, no old pickup trucks or old radios or old run down country houses in this video. Hell, no plaid either. So not up to Ally’s standards, but this is all I can do find in terms of country music.
Ally:There are no favourites today. Just a lot of sad. Today is the day that my co-blogger and dear friend embarks on a trip to Ontario where she will now reside and hold down her half (ok, if we’re being honest, mostly all) of the blog.
This has brought on feelings.
Our friendship started over ten years ago, where L-A grew to love the charmed way I ate pasta (all over my face) and dated boys who were completely inappropriate.
Back then we chronicled our over-dramatic feelings on Live Journal, before finding a way to chronicle our over-dramatic feelings on WordPress.com. Nowadays, it’s not like we see each other all the time since living and working in the suburbs doesn’t make “drinks after work” all that obtainable doable. But L-A was here and our bi-monthly lunches/bitch sessions were something I always looked forward to.
It was incredible to see our little blog project get some much traction over the past few years. What started with some interest on social media led to us being asked to take part in media interviews where we provided our opinions on fashionable topics. We got a lot better at this, but I still mostly “Kanye” L-A anytime there is a camera around.
Who will I shove out of the way now?
On the upside, L-A has promised that we will go see a Yelawolf concert when he comes to Toronto. We’ll do other educational things as well.
So as L-A makes her way out of Nova Scotia (seriously,that is happening right now). I’d like to make her cry some more by sharing the saddest of sad movie scenes that is entirely not relevant to this situation. I love you, L-A.
Editors Note: I’m always cautious when writing about fitness or diet on this blog. I have learned a great deal from friends who have battled eating disorders and body issues in the past (and are still managing these disorders), and I know that commenting on fitness/diet trends can sometimes act as a trigger for them. So, with that said, I’d warn anyone reading further that this is an examination of fitness trends where I do talk about my hopes for my post-pregnancy body. If that might upset you, please feel free to read our archives instead where there is a great deal of content on other fun things to keep you amused while you enjoy your morning coffee. To the others who are hoping to learn more about at-home fitness videos, stick with me. I’ll need your advice.
Ally: As I wind down on this pregnancy, and have finished up work, I have more time to reflect on the copious amounts of ice cream I have eaten over the past nine months. I have zero regrets about this, I enjoyed every spoonful (as did my baby), but I know this satisfaction will have a lasting effect once I give birth in June (or like, earlier. It’s totally ok if it is earlier!).
As my pregnancy comes to an end, I’m thinking about how I’d like to get my body back into fighting form so that I can be strong, healthy and let’s be serious, fit into my pants again. There’s no real rush, as I hope to breastfeed and this means that losing weight is not going to be a top priority. With that said, exercise and a healthy diet has always helped me feel better when I’m going through periods with lack of sleep and need some extra energy to get me through the day.
So why fitness videos? Because I’m a realist. I know that if I sign up for a gym, I will never go. That’s my life. Clearly I so dedicated to exercise that I’m willing to leave my house or neighbourhood to achieve results. Real talk. This means I’m looking at the following choices for my home fitness regime. I feel so sorry for my newborn who will have to watch me attempt this shit.
Jillian Michaels: Body Revolution
I love the capri style jogging pants, says the co-writer of a fashion blog!
The woman is terrifying, ok? This is a good thing. It’s like someone constantly judging you through your television screen. And I think I need this motivation. In my research, I also found this lovely lady who expressed my sentiments exactly in an exchange with Michaels:
“I am not giving up my red wine”
Preach.
I specifically think this kickboxing workout could keep me focused and interested for a half hour period:
When I talked about writing this post a couple of weeks ago, one of my dear friends Isabel sent me a note expressing the following:
I have two words for you: Jillian Michaels. I know she kind of seems like a crazy betch, and maybe she is, but I have to say that her workouts are great You are done in 30 minutes, feel accomplished, and are on to the next.
I need endorsements like this on my LinkedIn page….”So about Ally, I know she seems like a crazy betch, and maybe she is…”
Tracy Anderson: Metamorphosis
Straight up I would not want to be friends with this woman. Anderson was quoted last year as saying the following:
“A lot of women use pregnancy as an excuse to let their bodies go,” Anderson said. “I’ve seen so many women who come to me right after (having children) with disaster bodies that have gone through hell, or they come to me years later and say, ‘Oh, my body is like this because I had three kids.’”
Not great PR, Trace. She quickly came forward to say that this “wasn’t what she meant” (???!!!), but the damage was sort of done. Or was it? Cause I’m totally contemplating buying one of her workout videos.
Call me vain, my husband does, but the reason I’m interested in Tracy Anderson’s workouts is because I want legs like this:
I also wish to own that shorts suit.
I can see you right now. You’re snorting your coffee through your nose. It’s not attractive, nor is it kind. A girl can dream, ok?
Nicole Richie is also a member of the Tracy Anderson cult team, and I like the way she’s toned up as well.
So, the thing is, the video above showcases basically what I do on the daily around my home office to the exact same music (this is 100 per cent truth telling…I made a dance routine up to this J-Lo song. Pour me a box of wine and I’ll break it out someday).
Her workouts seem fun, and the type that can keep you distracted from the fact that you are actually working out.
Insanity
This looks like a commitment. Something that a mother of two might not be able to accomplish. It also looks really scary and could potentially cut into my daily Law & Order maternity leave viewing.
Insanity is also the workout that I’ve been hearing the most about, and the one that seems to have the greatest success (to those who commit to it). The trainer is also not awful to look at it.
The infomercial is extremely enjoyable:
I’m trying to imagine L-A hanging out with me if I was wearing the “Insanity – I earned it!” t-shirt. I think she would not.
Feedback?
So here’s where I need your help, do any of you workout at home? I’m looking for a video that can compliment my daily walks (sometimes I go twice a day). Muscle tone is my goal, not necessarily dropping lots of weight.
Any thoughts?
