"Standing on top of the world, for a little while"

"Standing on top of the world, for a little while"

Friday, March 28, 2014

Fit Friday Fashion: "Favorite" Spotlight #2

So, I'm not as much of a girly girl as I'd like to be, although I do try. I put together some outfits that result in serious side eye action from my friends, and I like cigars a lot.

Needless to say, I haven't been into following fashion blogs. That is, until I had the privilege of meeting this lovely lady, Nicole Allio, and learned of her fashion blog A Dash of Gold. One of our initial encounters was at an all girls Christmas party, with a grab gift activity where all of the gifts had to be under 5$. This gals gift stole the show, a tube of red lipstick. Similar to that lipstick, A Dash of Gold has become one of the most practical, yet brilliant staples in my life. 


http://www.adashofgold.com/
The posts here, brighten your day with a fun story about a day in the life of this  "DC Transplant" from  SF, and give simple tips on spffiy-ing up yourself, and your life.

For the ladies - this blog, will hit home with you one way or another. It's creative, genuine and you are sure to fall in love with Nicole.
For the gentlemen - this blog may not be that relatable, but is has great tips around the holidays ::cough:: gift ideas ::cough::. You will definitely gain more appreciation for the well dressed ladies in the world and additionally, you are also sure to fall in love with Nicole. (Sorry, she's taken.)

What I appreciate most about A Dash of Gold is that the ideas, tips and outfits are all DO-ABLE. Even for the average, not so girly girl and for anyone on a budget. Nicole has a life, a great one, a busy one, beyond her blog, and she shares how she lives it in style. The fact that living, is not living if you're not doing so fashionably radiates throughout this blog. 

For this weeks Fit Fashion Friday, I am elated to spotlight my girl friend's fantastic work with A Dash of Gold

If you've been following along with La Too Fit and enjoying it, join me in thanking Nicole for inspiring me to get it going! She put the "blog bug" in my ear & I couldn't be happier to have such a fantastic blogger role model, and soon to be running buddy!






Wednesday, March 26, 2014

#TOTS2014

If you think this is going to be a post about how I'm going to eat clean/healthy at my first Taste of the South (TOTS), you're wrong. I'm sorry I'm not sorry, not even a little.

Saturday night I will be going to my first Taste of the South gala here in D.C. I have a handsome date and a pretty dress, and I'm very excited. For those of you who don't know about TOTS (I did not until I moved here), I will share my impression.
I frequently hear how Southerners always find reasons to get dolled up and throw extravagant parties where guests indulge in delicious food and toast to their good fortune. 
That is precisely what I envision for TOTS. Started by a few Southerners who wanted to share a taste of their culture, this event has been a long-standing tradition in D.C... Since its debut in 1982, TOTS has become a "must go"  event. All proceeds go to a different spotlight Southern charity, and then to a selected charity from each of the featured states.
All of the 13 Southern states select a few of theirfamous signature dishes that signify their own unique "taste." I am too excited to try things like parmesan grits from Georgia and jambalaya from Louisiana, and to have my new favorite sweet, Goo Goo Clusters from Tennessee. I haven't been eyeing the menu or anything.Additionally, in Southern style, it is a black-tie occasion with open bar. This will certainly be an experience, and one for a great cause!If you haven't gathered this so far, I will come right out and say it now: Saturday night I will be "cheating!" I've accepted and embraced that fact from the moment we got tickets. Let me get a few things straight:

  • No, I'm not going to be shoveling food in my mouth as if I've never eaten before.
  • Yes, I am going to try out and enjoy a lot of (unclean) food I wouldn't on a regular basis.
  • And yes, if it comes up in conversation while I'm eating fried catfish, folks may find it ironic that I have a fitness/lifestyle blog.
My point is, if an interesting event or opportunity comes along that you're feeling inclined to do and the only thing  holding you back is your diet...then you have nothing holding you back. There are "cheats" we canschedule and should. What is life without a little indulgence? Indulgence is made even better when you've maintained a steady level of discipline with yourself. It's okay to loosen the reigns every now and then, knowing that you'll crack the whip back before it gets out of control. 
A huge part of maintaining a “Too Fit” life style is creating a balance between the days you walk by those cupcakes in the office kitchen, and the nights you eat pizza & mozzarella sticks for dinner. The balance isn't an even one. We know we need the first instance to happen more than the second, but the fact is we can't appreciate one (fully) without the other.
"Cheats" should be both spontaneous and scheduled. Don't say, "On Saturdays every week, I will cheat." A) You're going to likely binge, and B) You could not have an occasion to "cheat" on that specific day, and then it’s not worth it. The combination of both A) and B) bring me to the most important point: C) It's not sustainable.

Work in, and work around the cheats in your diet to best fit your lifestyle. T-minus 3 days until my #TOTS2014 cheat! Ya'll stay tuned for pics & food reviews!