How We Wore It // Fall Tones

Before we get this post started, can we just all take a minute and appreciate how amazing fall is? The colors, crunchy leaves, oversized sweaters paired with leggings, crisp weather that makes you want to snuggle up inside with a good book, fuzzy socks, apple & cinnamon scented candles, and excuses to bake all the cookies make it the greatest time of the year! I vote we do without winter and summer and just alternate between spring and fall. ;) 

Today I'm joining Brooke and a group of lovely ladies in the How We Wore It series. The general idea of the series is to use the inspiration photo sent to you to come up with an outfit using items you already have in your closet. I signed up to participate thinking that it would be a little trickier for me considering that I'm in this really weird limbo phase of maternity clothes and regular clothing, and my wardrobe currently feels a little incomplete.

This month's inspiration photo comes from StyleLovely and the theme is fall tones:

My first thoughts after seeing this photo were: black and white, a pattern, basics. And since my closet is 85% neutrals, I was rather relieved to discover that I wouldn't have to get too creative with my outfit. ;)

 sweater // scarf // pants // purse

Check out how the other ladies participating in this month's series were inspired:

Brooke at Silver Lining // Alexa at He and I // Aubrey at Aubrey Zaruba // Hannah at Hannah Rae // Sierra at Sierra's View // Sharlee at My New Lines // Berkley at Berkley Anne // Amy at Harris Inc. // Brooklyn at Brooklyn Jolley // Amy at Lamb & Ivy // Autumn at Stay Gold Autumn // Brielle at Breezy and Co // Riley at Riley Jo Blog // Maren at Maren and Co // Tori at The Doing Things Blog // Kyla at FordOlogy // Megan at Diary of This Girl // Robin at Penn & Quill // Justine at Little Dove Creations // Bekah at These Are The Days // Shelbie at R+S Brereton // Jennifer at Jennifer Sikora // Sarah at My For Real Life // Deidre at Deidre Emme // Rachel at Rachel Sayumi

To sign up for next month's series, hop over to Brooke's blog for more details!

workout must-haves: modern and mixed

shirt // capris // heart rate monitor // hair ties // shoes // headphones

I don't own this shirt, but I'm dying to try it out.  Any shirt that's fast-drying, made of comfy material, and has thumb holes is priceless.  Yes to thumb holes.  Always.

I've said it before, but my heart rate monitor is so stinking awesome.  I love that it beeps whenever I'm out of my target heart rate range, and I can see how many calories I'm burning.

These capris keep calling my name.  Black and white AND flowers?  They're just too cute.  I like that they're Dri-FIT, have an adjustable drawcord, and have a hidden pocket perfect for stashing your apartment/house key when you head out for a run.  Pretty sure I need these pants in my life.

Hair ties.  Always and forever.  And it doesn't help that this cute package comes in great patterns.

I have these shoes in another color, but they are fabulous in every way possible.  I love how the material breathes and allows my feet to stay cool (I know...weird. :)), and they're the perfect fit for my feet.

Headphones.  Music.  Enough said.

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 Interested in making a few dollars here and there simply for working out, tracking your food, and eating fruits and veggies?  Then check out Pact!  After downloading the app, you connect either a credit card or PayPal account to your Pact account, and you set personal goals for your week.  For example, I set my account to read that I would workout 4 times/week and eat 20 fruits and veggies/week.  Next, you set the amount you want the app to charge you for each missed workout or missed fruit/veggie.  20 fruits and veggies at $5 per missed one is quite a bit!  However, it's super motivating because no one wants to lose money.  Last week I made $4 for completing all of my goals.  It's not a ton, but it's been adding up over the past few weeks and pretty soon I'll be able to purchase those cute black and white workout pants!

workout must-haves: colorful and carefree

shoes  // heart rate monitor // sports bra // shorts // headphones // jacket

Although I don't personally own these shoes, I know a few people who have said they only use this brand and will never, ever change that because they're comfier than Nikes.  (I haven't tried them on, therefore, I have no opinions.)

I've said it before, but my heart rate monitor is so stinking awesome.  I love that it beeps whenever I'm out of my target heart rate range, and I can see how many calories I'm burning.

Yay for Champion sports bras!  Why?  Because they're cheap, come in all colors, and comfy!  I know there are a million better quality ones out there, but if you're not wanting to drain your bank account, try this brand from Target.

I'm dreaming of these shorts being in my closet.  I've heard the material is quite breathable, and perfect for hot, humid weather.  (Yay for living by the Mississippi River.)  They come in over 50 different colors and patterns, so that's also fun.

Headphones.  Music.  Enough said.

This is one of my favorite light jackets/pullovers ever.  It's something I wear all of the time and usually throw on as soon as I get home from work.  I love how I don't get super hot in this while running, and I love the soft material.

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Do you track your food?  I've heard lots of positive and negative things about keeping a "food diary" and tracking what you eat, but I like being able to see what I've eaten.  I had been using My Fitness Pal to track exercise and food, but it just wasn't cutting it for me.  I lost interest in it quickly.  However, about a month ago, Ben discovered Lose It!, and we've really enjoyed this app.*  You can scan the bar codes on your food for easy entry, join fitness challenge groups, add your own personal recipes, track how many steps you take each day, and I simply like the overall layout better.  The free version has been great for me, but if you upgrade (I think it's $40/year), it tracks a whole lot more for you.  I've logged every single day for over a month and a half, and it motivates me to hit my calories each day without going too far over or under.

*Disclaimer:  For me, tracking my food isn't about losing weight.  It's about being able to see what I'm putting into my body, and making sure that I balance out my cookies and broccoli. :)

workout must-haves: sporty and sassy

sports bra // headphones // jacket // heart rate monitor // leggings // shoes

Three cheers for workout clothes and the magical motivation they possess!  Like most girls, I love buying new clothes and wearing them, and workout clothes are no different for me.  With the weather getting warmer and me feeling the need to get my butt into gear, I've been putting together some collages of workout attire because a) it's fun, and b) it's motivates me to workout.  I'll be posting a few collages and sweet workout apps I've found over the next little while, so follow along if you need some basic ideas.

Also, leave me a comment with awesome workout gear/clothes you've found or a song you really like working out to!

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I'll admit that I don't own this sports bra (a bit too pricy for me), but I fell in love with how comfy it was when I tried it on.  I also thought the material would be durable - something that wouldn't wear out in a few short months of use.

Headphones.  Music.  Enough said.

A great lightweight jacket for those windy days or chilly morning/evening runs!  I really like that it has pockets for my apartment key, tissues, etc., and it just so happens to be the most comfortable thing ever.

I've said it before, but my heart rate monitor is so stinking awesome.  I love that it beeps whenever I'm out of my target heart rate range, and I can see how many calories I'm burning.

These leggings!  At first I thought they were kind of crazy/hideous, but I'm secretly falling in love with them and I kiiiind of want them a lot. :)

I don't own these gray Nikes, but I've heard good things about them and their ratings on different websites are always pretty high.

4th of july sale.

Guys, Forever21 is having a Fourth of July sale that I just can't stay away from.

 

After searching their website for something modest, I finally found these two tops.  And guess what?  It's only going to cost me $24 (yay for free shipping!).  Enter FREESHIP21 when you're checking out, and you'll make your bank account a little bit happier.

Happy (early) 4th of July!  We're starting off the holiday early this evening with a picnic and a local play.