You're Strange, but I Like You

Hey Preps!

Oh, I am as corny as it gets.  Sure, I can be forgetful.  Maybe I am not

serious enough...I am allergic to grass, but I am standing in it.  One of my

favorite outfits are skirts and wellies.  This is me, and I am okay with

whether you like it or not.  It won't make me change, because

I am happy the way I am. 

Just watched this weeks episode of 'The Bachelor', which I DVR-ed.  Sometimes you just need time to unwind and watch a little bit of melodramatic TV.  'The Bachelor' is my show.  My girlfriend (and photographer) Amy, text the whole show.  Mostly it's cracking jokes at how desperate the girls are or why the bachelor is such a clueless knucklehead.  Regardless, it is my junkie TV fix for the week.

As I was watching the show today, I watched as several girls completely destroyed their chances of being Mrs. Bachelor, and they had no clue.  When they were rejected, they were shocked and kept wondering what they did wrong.  Statements like, "I tried to be everything he wanted" or "I gave up so much for him, why doesn't he want me, why am I not good enough" were common as they bawled their eyes out in the rejection limo.

It sounds completely pathetic but how many times do we do the same thing with a significant other?  We change for them, wrap our world around them, and try to be the best we can be...only to be left heartbroken and wondering what we could have done better to keep them.

My most recent past relationship, I gave up too much.  I was doing everything I could to make him happy, and that wasn't enough...I wasn't focusing on my career, what I wanted for my future, and was giving up my passions and time with friends to travel to see him.

When we broke up, I thought I was going to have a long road to recovery.  I didn't think I would ever find someone who compared to him...yet as I distanced myself from him and our past relationship, and started focusing on myself again, I have found true happiness.  I look at that relationship and see the flaws, not only his, but my own, which I stated above.  I have learned from what I did wrong in that relationship, and know I will never make those mistakes twice.

From now on, I am focusing on ME.  I have had so much more time to enjoy long runs, I am not tired from staying up late worrying about relationships, that I feel like I have the energy to accomplish whatever I wish.  There is no dwelling on when he will text me back when I go out with friends...the cell phone stays in the purse.  My career, social life, and fitness bring so much happiness into my life, that I wonder why I wasn't single sooner?  

It feels so great to talk about my accomplishments, and to help others without having the distraction of worrying about pleasing someone else.  Ya feel me?

So why are we so desperate in relationships sometimes?  If they don't want to be with you, then let it be. Don't ever try to force something to stay together that isn't working.  Chances are if you are already struggling now, you will struggle if you end up together.  A relationship should be a safe place where you don't feel judged or worried about saying the right things in order to keep the other person happy.  They should be proud of who they are with...and if they aren't...someone else will be one day. I promise.

Back to this bachelor show thing, it isn't the end of the world to be broken up with.  It may temporarily feel that way, but you can't dwell on it.  For me, it was an eye opener on how much of myself I had given up.  So I didn't dwell on the past a minute more, and have been living my life to the fullest.  I am proud of who I am...sure I have quirks, and things that will drive my future husband bonkers someday.  Yet, I won't settle for someone who doesn't love those quirks and doesn't respect me for who I am.

I am a firm believer that you learn from every relationship you are in.  What you learn prepares you for your future relationship and makes you a better, stronger person.  I did learn a lot from my past, and I am just content growing up a little on my own right now.

That doesn't mean I don't talk to boys though.  Oh baby.  So here's the deal...like I said earlier I missed my favorite TV show.  That rarely happens...but I had to deal because I went on a date.  Amy texted me saying, "Sheesh you must like this guy if you are missing your show for him".  Oh yes, it was quite the sacrifice, but I am happy I did because I had a great time.  Sure, it wasn't my first date since being single, but this time was a tad different.  The conversation was great, the guy was dreamier than the bachelor, and I think I am still permanently red in the face from being so flustered the whole night.  I haven't felt that in a while.

Does that mean I am going to text him constantly, or start planning the wedding tomorrow?  Heck no!  I am busy.  There is NYC this weekend, spring break, school, my career and internship, my fitness... I don't have the time to possibly do that.  Neither does he, and I like that.

So my advice to you?  Be happy on your own before you try to be happy with someone else.  Someone right is out there for you, but don't go searching.  Instead, live your life to the fullest...because that is when Mr. or Mrs. Right will come around, and they will love you for the weirdo that you are.

You are a weirdo you know.  Almost as big of one as me.  

Hope y'all are having a blessed week!

Do You Remember Side Ponytails?

Hey Preps!

Growing up, it was evident that I was a 90's baby.  Oh yes, from Jellies sandals to Saddleback shoes...I was from head to toe 90's.  I rocked the side ponytails (that my mother lovingly called "Kalyns" because it was the fastest hair-do, and all the time I would allow her to put into the frizzy mane), and you bet my dresses had everything from cats to lemons on them.  

And you didn't believe me?

The Backstreet Boys were my heart throbs, Lisa Frank covered every folder and eraser I owned.  I was a living, breathing 90's statement.  I look back on that era and can't help but laugh as I already see the differences in the generation growing up behind me.  

Working in fitness, I get to become part of many new parent's lives.  It is truly rewarding to help a woman who recently gave birth shed the baby weight.  It is equally rewarding when her toddlers come running up to me and shout, "It's Mommy's best friend!".  I lose it every single time.  There is truly something about helping others change and better their lives that just grabs ahold of me.  Nothing in the world is more satisfying than finishing my day, knowing that I made someone's life a little bit better.  

Today, I was teaching a fitness class, when a young mom and her three kids swarmed into the classroom so mommy could grab a spot.  Her twin girls had side ponytails on.  She looked at me and stated, "The girls wanted to have "Kalyn Ponytails" today".  I laughed, I never realized it until now, but even today as a grown up I have the tendency to pull my hair into a ponytail that is still slightly to the side.  I guess some things are instilled in you at such an early age, that you don't even notice them anymore.  

Kind of like my hairstyles and my penny loafers.  

Yet, there are some things that we claim to be part of us, that sometimes we must change.  No one likes change, and no one wants to admit flaws...yet we all have them.  One problem I struggle with is shopping.  A girl can never have too many clothes right? Wrong. I have too many.  I literally could give away half of my wardrobe and still find a different outfit for every day of the year.  So why do I buy more clothes?  My money would be a much better resource if I were investing more of it, saving it, or using that money for experiences, not stuff.  Sure, I am a fashion guru, so I want to always look put together, but I can do so with the wardrobe I already have.  Of course I will not completely stop shopping, but I know that is something I can improve upon.  

What is the side ponytail in your life?  Is it eating the wrong things?  Avoiding the gym?  Is there a bad habit that you want to kick?  If so, it will be hard.  It will be hard to change the way you live your life currently, but I promise it will be worth it.  

My challenge to you?  Pick something in your life you want to change, and every single day make an effort to do so.  It won't be easy, but you will become a better, stronger you because of it.  Don't let it defeat you!

  

By the way, be sure to check out the blog, Campus Sartorialist!  I was featured in their most recent post, and they are an awesome blog to follow!

Photo Credits: Amy Rebekah Photography and Campus Sartorialist

Running Towards Balance

Hey Preps!

(This is my life: My foam roller, duck boots, gym bag, and kettlebell...

I am more than ready to hit the gym)

Do you ever just have one of those days where everything seems to go completely opposite as planned?
Today has been exactly that.  I overslept, the causing effector that lead to a day full of mishaps.  Oversleeping lead to a rush to scoot out the door...which lead to forgetting something or other, dropping that something, and being late.  Ughhh.  It's tough to stay positive when everything seems to be going wrong, and you seem to be the culprit of the chaos.  Do you have chaos in your life?

What is causing anxiety in your life right now? Anything? Furthermore, is this anxiety preventing you from being the best you can be?  Sometimes I ask myself that.  You see, I have this terrible tendency to put too much on my plate (hypothetically and occasionally literally).  I want to achieve a ton of different things at once...I am currently training for a marathon, am a student, teach fitness classes, work, intern, and want to have a life on top of all of that...it's sometimes overwhelming when I look at my planner and see every minute of my day scheduled.  How can I not be anxious or overwhelmed when there is no 'me' time?

There is where you are wrong.  Like I have said in previous posts, I am a huge fitness and nutrition junkie. I have a passion for running.  It's my therapy.  There is nothing better than a long run, completely unplugged from everything else in my life.  I get those endorphins pumping, and I feel like I can conquer anything in my life after I am finished.  For me, running puts balance in my life.  So does writing in my blog...it's an outlet for me to do something that I love.

Rebecca Hesker said it best when she stated, "Sports are like purification for me.  Every bad thing is taken away, the pizza I might have had the night before, the stress and anger from an argument, or just the frustration from work.  I become my favorite person again; the one who is not worried about what she looks like or how others see her; the one who is a strong determined fighter."

If you look at your workouts the way Rebecca does, I bet it will be easier for you to hit the gym.

It is possible to achieve at a high level, be busy, and still live a balanced life.  However, a great deal of society makes excuses as to why they don't do the things they love anymore.  "I would come to the gym more...but..."

You fill in the blank.  It doesn't even have to be about exercise.  It can be about doing anything you love.  Why did you stop doing it?  Do you REALLY have no time or are you wasting it on something else?  Sure, there are days I want to come home and just plop down on the couch with a junkie show like, "The Bachelor".  However, is that giving me the fulfillment and balance in my life that I need?  Probably not.

So the moral of this post?  Find time to have 'you' time.  Do something you love, be with someone you love...because that will give you balance.  The moments you are happiest are the ones you will treasure forever...not the stress in between.

Pyramids Aren't Just for Egyptians

Hey Preps!

Pre-Distance Run...as you can see, still a little chilly in this picture,

but it won't take long until I am sweating, even in this cold weather.

"It's like a secret that running can transform your life in more ways than you know"

-Mary Whittenburg

Happy Sunday Funday! What do y'all look forward to most on Sundays?  For me, it's a distance run.  All who follow my blog, know my love of classic fashion, and all that it entails.  Classic fashion should be matched with a classy personality.  That personality is who you are, it's your character.  It isn't something that you put on for others and then take off when you are out Saturday nights.  (Ok yes, a rant...sorry) The point is, that is who I am.  I want my fashion to reflect my character.  Another thing my fashion does is reflect my lifestyle.  I live in my duck boots.  Literally.  I wear them to the gym, to class, wherever.  I don' care if I look ridiculous in them or if they are worn to death...they match my on the go lifestyle, and I'm proud of who I am...that is reflected in my duck boots.

Part of being a prep is living a clean life.  A prep is classy, they know how to carry on a conversation about practically anything, they dress in a way that is put together...but not over the top, and they are into a healthy lifestyle.  For me, a healthy lifestyle means being emotionally stable (I truly think everyone should see a psychologist at some point in their life), independent, and practice good nutrition and fitness.

Fitness and nutrition are very important to me.  I recently found out I have a wheat allergy, and have had to go on a Gluten-free diet.  It has been hard.  There are times where I cave-in because all my friends are grabbing a pizza to split and it looks tempting so I grab a slice.  The next day, I wake up feeling hungover from eating the wheat.  It's really not a fun process, so being able to hold back my impulses has been something I have been striving for.  Gluten-free diets do allow you to eat certain types of rice and other carbs, but basically it forces you to stick to a 'clean eating' lifestyle.  For me, I tend to eat a ton of raw veggies and fruit and will grill a week's worth of chicken to keep my protein levels up.  I have noticed that by doing so, I feel great.  I don't wake up feeling sick like I did before I found out I was allergic to wheat.  So, I highly recommend you try eating clean as well.  It allows you to see what is really going into your body in contrast to the many processed foods we Americans eat today.  Just a thought if you are trying to get back into shape.

As for fitness, I am a runner these days.  I grew up a lifelong swimmer, and in addition did cross country and track in high school.  However, swimming is one of those sports that you can easily get burnt out on...especially if you have done it competitively for a long time...so now I stick to my runs.  I run virtually every day.  I have two off days where I run a one-mile warm-up before I lift.  The other days I either am doing short distance interval sets (three to five miles) where I build into a sprint and bring it back to a steady jog...and then I have days like Sunday where I will do an eight to 14 mile run.  Ughhh.  I know I sound sick, but I love it.  It's my release from the world where I get to just do my own thing for a little bit.

If you are trying to get back in shape, I am not recommending that you just go whip out 14 miles.  No, start slow.  I have said this before, I gained 35 whopping pounds my freshman year of college, and it took a rude awakening for me to understand that I really needed to get back on track.  Never did I think I would be back to the teeny sizes I was as a teenager, but I did it through a lot of sweat and hard work.  The weight loss path is not easy.  There is not magic secret regardless of what infomercials tell you...but it's completely worth it.

One of the happiest days of my college career was making the decision to try on a pair of size 0 jeans that I just couldn't seem to give up.  I zipped them up and they fit.  They fit?! I ran around my apartment screaming.  I had accomplished something I thought was impossible...it took time and commitment, but I did it...and I know that if you are struggling with a similar situation, that you can do it too.

I teach a fitness class.  It is an intense circuit weight training class with plyometrics in between each circuit.  At the end of the class there are the three hardest circuits.  They are called burnouts, pyramids, and declines.

A burnout is when you strive for as many repetitions of an exercise in a period of time.  For my class we do a 30 second burnout followed by a 25 second and 20 second burnout (resting 5 seconds in between).

Pyramids are my favorite.  I build mine in 5 sets.  The first set we start by repeating an exercise 12 times, followed by 10, 8, 6, and just when your muscles are starting to burn...we finish with a set of 15.

Finally, there are declines.  You can lift a little heavier when going for declines (usually 5 lbs per arm).  I do my declines starting with a set of 20, followed by 18, and then 16.  They burn.

All of these circuits are great because they allow your muscles to keep burning fat long after your workout.  So if you are heading to the gym today try doing a burnout set of bicep curls, or a set of declines squats.  I promise you will feel it the next day!

If you ever have questions about fitness, feel free to e-mail me.  I am all for helping others with their fitness goals and encouraging them along the way.  Everyone needs someone to motivate them, and what better motivation to have than from a girl who has gone through the weight gain/loss process.

Weight loss doesn't happen over night, I know the feeling of disappointment when you step on a scale after working your butt off for a month, and it not being the number you wanted...or stepping into a dressing room where the lighting just isn't helping the way your hips look in the cheap mirrors.  My suggestion?  Measure yourself.  Measure your legs, hips, and waist...that's the best way to see results.

People always think I am about ten pounds less that I am, because I have muscle, and muscle weighs a whole lot more than fat...so if you feel like you look good, and your measurements show that...don't worry about that forsaken scale number.

I promise, if you stick with fitness, it will help your life in so many ways.  It helps me to stay focused, it is something I am proud of, and is the 'me' time I need during the week when I am stressed to the max.  Don't make excuses, and get out there...it isn't easy...but it is completely worth it.  Don't think you are athletic enough to get started?  I suggest reading Run Like a Girl by Mina Samuels...it will completely change the way you think about yourself and those around you.

I will leave you with these inspiring words:

"In other words, if we say, 'I am a strong athlete,' there's a good chance that's what we will be."

-Mina Samuels

Be strong.  Be persistent.  Be preppy.  

Oh, The Places You Will Go!

Hey Preps!

Adventurous red pants and some sturdy boots...and off exploring I go!

Amy Rebekah Photography

(Outfit of the Day: Lands' End Canvas Sweater and Shirt,

Delias Skinny Colorful Cords, Sperry Top-Sider Sheerwater Boots)

Don't mind me, just the queen of being cheesy in pictures.  I can't help it I guess.  Last night I was out with a friend, and was told that I never stop laughing.  Then he said, "you're such a cheeseball".  I died.  Apparently my jokes are only funny when I laugh according to him.  Just your personal cheeseball of a blogger here. 

Do you know what you want to be when you grow up?  I don't.  Not a clue.  Today I was writing in my journal, and I made it a point to write out who I think I am as a person, and how I can get to be the person I want to be.  I sat there and made bullet notes of what makes me who I am.  Then, I made a new bucket list.  Do you make bucket lists?  I make one every year, and it's so funny how they change.  Yet, this one is my best yet...why?  Nothing on my bucket list is dealing with pleasing someone else or making my parents proud.  Every single thing on that list is for me.  It's things I want to accomplish in my life, and when I want to accomplish them.  

It's so easy to make a Bucket List, yet so many times those dreams seem farfetched, or we are unsure of how to achieve those dreams.  To reach your goals in life, it takes work...hard work.  Also, reaching those goals takes failure.  Many times we hide our failure.  I am certainly one of those people.  If I do poorly on a test, I am humiliated.  There is a bit of me that is a perfectionist, so when I do fail, I don't like it.  Yet, instead of ignoring those failures, we all need to start learning from them.  I wouldn't be half as strong as I am today if I didn't go through hard times.  I wouldn't know who I am or what I wanted if I didn't try some things I didn't like first.  Additionally, I wouldn't be a fitness instructor or runner if I hadn't gained some weight that made me realize how important healthy living truly is.  

The other thing I noticed that my Bucket List takes is time.  I am an impatient person.  I want things to happen over night.  For example, I got bored with high school, and decided to graduate a year early.  I rushed my last year, and didn't really get to enjoy it because I was so busy cramming two years of classes into one.  I need to slow down.  

Finally, I need to do what I love.  For the longest time, I have forced myself into things I hate.  My major is one of them.  I am stubborn, and never gave that major up.  Here I sit, and I don't want to be in a lab or become a doctor.  I want to write, to work with people, and to be a positive influence on those around me.  Promoting people and their strengths is something I love doing.  Working as a fitness instructor, I have the honor of helping people get back on track with healthy living.  It is awesome to be someone that is inspirational to those I help, and to see people improve and grow in such a short matter of time.  Every day I feel good about doing that for people.  I know that is what I love.

I love traveling, and being outside.  I truly could just travel my whole life and explore if the means were given to me, but they are not.  Which is why there is something called saving money...and something called a Bucket List that will hopefully keep me on track with my world adventures as they come.  

What is my advice to you today?  Do what you love.  Make a Bucket List.  Explore.

...and read Dr. Suess' "Oh the Places You Will Go"

Check out Amy Rebekah Photography on Facebook!

Have a blessed day y'all!

Patek Philipe Obsession

Hey Preps!

For those of you who aren't aware, I work at a gym.  It is quite interesting honestly, because many characters of different personalities, shapes, and sizes enter through these doors.  However, one in particular has my heart.  We will call him Buddy...every morning he comes in and talks to whoever will listen.  Most of the time it's me.  Some people shy away due to his repetitive stories and forgetfulness, but not I...he simply gets my morning off to a great start.

Usually, he tells me that I should go into sales because I am good with people and pretty.  Then he tells me I am smarter than all the boys, just like his wife, which is why he married her 65 years ago.  Finally, he goes into a huge long story about how he came across a Patek Philipe watch on the streets one day, and after a year of it not being claimed, the $60,000 dollar watch became his.

He takes it off and shows me, and we both admire the unique design and time measurements that a Patek Philipe is famous for.  Then he goes on his merry way to the rocumbant bike, and I watch him completely amused and humored, wishing there were more men like him in this world.

Anyways, today Buddy walked in rocking a Tommy Hilfiger flannel button-down, khakis, a needlepoint sailing belt, and Keds.  I'm not going to lie, I DIED.  Seriously my favorite, best dressed, forgetful old man ever.

He's the best!

Hope y'all have a blessed day!

"The World is Mud-luscious and Puddle-wonderful." ~E.E. Cummings

Hey Preps!

(Outfit of the Day: Forever 21 Military Inspired Jacket, J. Crew Flannel Plaid Shirt,

Tommy Hilfiger Corduroy Skinny Pants, Hunter Boots, Polo Ralph Lauren Headband)

Sheesh! I scurried to my car and practically got blown away!  It's ridiculously windy here, and rain felt left out too and decided to add it's touches by ferociously smacking me in the eyes as I made a mad dash to my car.  I kind of like rain.  Especially right now when I'm still a tad bit sad.

So to get back at it, I decided I'd splash in every single puddle I saw.  I was not merciful, oh no...I splashed in those suckers so hard that they dispersed before I could make a second leap.  You know what?  I laughed.  I was there...in the middle of the parking lot... laughing and splashing and people were staring...and eventually cracking up at the silly girl in bright red rain boots splashing in those puddlies like she was five years old.

Laughing is so contagious.  I may be upset or sad, but by watching something funny, or sending Amy a picture of myself in my retainers last night stating, "At least my teefies are gonna be extra straight for the next dude who dares to get entangled in my life", makes everything better.  Sure, this whole ordeal (that I'm sick of writing about, and thinking about, and feeling...and I'm sure you are too) is going to be something I struggle with for a while.  Yet, I know in time it will make me stronger, smarter, and someone who is even more instilled in who I am and what I want in life, instead of having to always try to please others.

For example, this blog was started for my own outlet and enjoyment.  If no one was following me, I would still write in it.  It is simply something I do for myself, and I am very passionate about it.  Apparently someone likes my weirdness too, because I have a great group of followers who I truly am so happy to hear from every day...y'all seriously are the best.

Anyways, something I did do for myself a long time ago was bought a pair of Hunter Boots.  I love them.  They are bright cherry red, and every single girl who I pass by stares...is it envy?  No clue, probably they think I'm weird but it makes me giggle. Watcha looking at girl?  


I made a Polyvore inspired by the outfit shown in the picture above, and included my Westie pup:

An Outfit Perfect for Splashing by pittsburghprep featuring dog boots

You know what else my boots are good for? Walking my pup, Sir Maxwell Smart.  I can endure any terrain his sniffing nose leads us too...I feel like I'm safe in my Hunter Boots, like no snake could get me if they attempt when I'm out in the woods.  They are like my Super Woman boots.  Max likes 'em too.  He says: Let's go check out that bush wayyyyy in the middle of the forest, and there is nothing stopping him.

So the moral of this aimlessly written blog post?  Splash in some mud puddles, buy a pair of fun wellies, and laugh until your sides are sore...even if it is all by yourself.

Below are a few more pictures of my 'Outfit of the Day' that I thought you would enjoy.  Of course the lovely Amy of Amy Rebekah Photography took these as well! Be sure to check out her Facebook page!

Puppy is ready to explore!

Thanks y'all for all of your support, it means the world to me.  Have a Puddle-wonderful day!

God bless!