Fitness Experience.

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 Motivation

Today I laced up my pink-striped Pumas with a conviction and motivation I've never had before and I entered my school gym. In the past my fitness has consisted of a dance class here and there but the thought of entering a gym had never sounded appealing to me; just seemed like a bunch of people going nowhere fast on all those machines. Ever since I quit ballet a few years ago my level of fitness has gone drastically downhill. I just never got off my lazy bum. Last semester I tried getting into the whole "gym experience" but the one time I entered the gym I got all intimidated by my perfectly toned peers who look like all they ever do is work out (that's a college gym for you). Being weak in front of all these strong bodies was not something I was interested in. I had gained a few pounds I wasn't quite thrilled about but I didn't really have the motivation to start a workout regimen...

When school ended this past May I began to waitress at a local restaurant, and let me tell you, being a waitress is very physically demanding. I worked three to five days a week over the summer and in effect I was working out three to five times a week. It was like interval training for hours at a time! I find it ironic that I was losing weight while working at a restaurant with delicious food. I've cut my hours down to working only once a week now that school has started back up again but after my job whipped me into shape a bit (I'm still definitely out of shape but not as badly now), I'm ready to enter the gym with a little more confidence that I won't look like a complete fool who can't even speed walk for five minutes without sweating buckets and breathing wildly.

I sweat buckets and breathed wildly today but I worked out for almost one an hour and I really pushed myself. I walked on an incline for 15 minutes, did 100 sit ups, did 6 reps of 10 on some leg strengthening thing (two directions), 10 minutes on the bike thing, and attempted to lift some 10 pound weights that I mistook for 5 pounds (no wonder I was having very apparent issues). I am definitely still intimidated by the other girls who can run on the treadmill for an hour or do the stepping thing like a maniac but it's less a feeling of "run! (not literally because I wouldn't get far without my lungs forcing me to stop)!" and more a feeling of "that's what I want to be like by the end of this year".

The whole going nowhere fast on the treadmill and bike is  still weird to me but I guess I can get used to it. I actually had a moment of deliriousness in which I looked up from the bike and was surprised that I was still in the same place... Working in getting used to it.

What's your favorite type of exercise?

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Sincerely, Ella

Fashion Inspirations.

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An open mind

I've recently gone to investigate the hype behind tumblr... and discovered a world, a universe rather, in which I can look at photos for hours. I will let these photos speak for themselves. They have each provided me with some sort of inspiration; whether it be an inspiration in something that I will try to execute in my own fashion endeavors or just an inspiration in an emotional sense. I found these photos under a fashion tag:

Alice White 1929

Francesca Higgins from Winchester School of Art and Design in the UK, winner of WGSN’s FUTURE TALENT competition.

Sasha Pivovarova (Russia) by Tim Walker

Steve Madden Mag’s Fall 2012 Trendbook “Ditch Club”

Veruschka by Richard Avedon, 1966.

“roman adventure”
vogue russia, september 2012
marte mei van haaster by tom craig

carolyn murphy  vogue paris february 1996  by mario testino

photographed by Nick Knight for Septembers issue of UK Vogue featuring model Karlie Kloss

Hope you enjoyed!

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Sincerely, Ella

Business in the Front, Party in the Back.

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Re-invent the basics

When it comes to getting up in the morning to go to work I'm usually rushed due to my lack of motivation to leave my warm comfy bed. I've gotten the whole "no time to get ready" down to a science for my hair. I go with the simple formula of a low, side-swept messy bun. It usually settles my layers pretty well and frames my face without requiring much fuss. Recently I had a morning when i actually had enough time to do something funky with my usual style:

I added rows of french braids that wrapped around the back of my head and ended in the usual side bun. A definite fun time with my lazy style.

What's your go-to style when you're pressed for time?

***

Sincerely, Ella

Vogue-oholic.

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Vogue Magazine

I began my subscription to Vogue Magazine in December 2011. I know this because I have an archive of them sitting on my bookshelf (slightly shrine-like, I do admit). Ever since then I have cherished every moment I have held a Vogue; its history and professionalism give it an air of loftiness... I just love me some Vogue! Last night I reached a whole new level of excitement as I came home to the anniversary edition (September issue). 916 pages of spectacular Vogue and about as heavy as my recently purchased abnormal psychology book!
 

Even amid my deliriousness from lack of sleep I delved in. I only put it down when I realized that I just could not will my eyes to stay open. Today I went on a small road trip with my family and I read my fashion bible every chance I had. I have still not finished all 916 pages because not only do I read the magazine, I also study it, take it in, and stare at its brilliance; which takes more time than just flipping through. I will probably be obsessed with this issue until the October issue arrives on my doorstep.

Any other fans of Vogue out there?

***

Sincerely, Ella

Twhello To Twitter.

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Twitter

I've recently set up a twitter account to promote my blog and I have no gosh darn idea as to what I'm doing. If you would like to follow me and bear with me as I discover what there is to discover in the world of twitter, you can find me at @ellasincerely .

 ***

Sincerely, Ella

Popeye Would Be Proud.

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A craving and an open mind

Whenever I feel a craving coming on it's usually for Oreos or pasta. I have never found a "healthier" substitute for Oreos; there is just nothing under the sun that gives the same satisfaction as an Oreo dunked in milk; and definitely nothing that is healthier. This past weekend a friend was talking about spinach being a healthier alternative to pasta. The idea is you put everything you usually would put on your pasta on top of spinach instead... well I tried it and it was really great. I'm a tomato sauce and melted cheese on pasta kind of girl and the spinach took really well to those toppings. All I did was construct it and then pop it in the microwave. The spinach turned into a semi pasta-like consistency and my craving was totally satisfied. I think zucchini would work well in the mix too. Can't wait to try it that way!

Do you have any healthier alternatives that you like to substitute for sneaky cravings?

***

Sincerely, Ella

FALLing Back to School Shopping Spree.

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A wardrobe of self-expression


As school approaches, one of the top things on my "to do" list is "create an easily workable yet fashionable stylish wardrobe with outfits that are readily available and with pieces that can be used in the Fall as well as layered in the cold Chicago Winter." Sounds simple enough, huh? Well here are some of my recently treasured finds from the local TJ Maxx. I cannot go there properly unless I spend two or so hours there, which is what I did during this past trip (thank you for your patience Avi), and I am mighty glad I did because I think I'm set for my Fall wardrobe. Here are some pictures of the pieces that I purchased (they may look strange just hanging on the hanger but as I style them I'll try to snap a few shots to show):

I'll probably wear this one with some black pants tucked in at the front to give it some funk. If I'm feeling daring I'll wear my black jeans. Jean on jean is a look I have yet to master. I may wear a tight fitting black maxi skirt with it on one of those "I'm just in the mood for a maxi skirt" days.

 I love this take on the classic blazer. Lace is a favorite of mine. I'll probably wear this on a formal-ish day to dress up some jeans in a classy yet unique way or during an actual formal dress day with a skirt or dress of sorts.

I'm a sucker for my black pants so this piece is a great black pants partner.

Another friend to my black pants.

The dress is more for fancy occasions that allow room for a bit of a bohemian feel. I wore it the other day to an engagement party. I love the lace detail, the nice touch of a sheer sleeve, and the belt that fastens into a bow is a great touch

I kind of tend to redefine my style once in a while and nowadays I'm going for a slightly edged out preppy (if that makes sense). Styling posts using these pieces and more are yet to come (I tend to hate full length pictures of myself so bear with me).


How would you define your latest style?
***
Sincerely, Ella

Hair Style of the Bridesmaid.

Recommended:
YouTube hair tutorials


In my last post I had mentioned that I was attempting to find a suitable hairstyle for an upcoming wedding... Well, the wedding was this past week and it was really wonderful. I was a bridesmaid and had the option of getting my hair and makeup done professionally along with the bride and the rest of the bridesmaids. As appealing as this was, I wasn't quite ready to pay for someone to do something that I find to be a way to bring out my own personal touch. I know what I like and the makeup I use on myself is tried and true. So I began the journey (more like research) to find good tips on makeup and hair for weddings.

I soon became obsessed with watching a girl Kaley's channel on You Tube. You can become obsessed too by clicking here. She is so very talented and her tutorials are easy to follow. I learned how to do the hairstyle from my last post from her and I used another one of her tutorials for my hairstyle for the wedding. This is how it turned out:

The style was well contained and held up all the way until I jumped in the hotel pool after the wedding. Here is what the style looked like from the front (and an idea of what the makeup looked like):

  

 I do look like I'm trying to hold my eyes open in this picture but this is the only shot I could get before I was whisked off to bridesmaid duties.

As much as I would love to be, I am not a real life professional makeup/hair artist but I did get asked multiple times if my hair and makeup were professionally done. I silently celebrated my work well done whenever I was asked.

***

Sincerely, Ella