Style post: Channeling Kate

Although the trip ended early due to back pain, I headed down to Midtown to go shopping on Madison Ave with the boy toy.

Before heading out, I sprintzed on one of my favorite perfumes, Daisy by Marc Jacobs, that was gifted to me from one of my best friends, and I realized it matched the cute flower ring I was wearing.

I loved the outfit I was wearing today.  I'm really digging tailored jackets and blazers, especially in lighter shades for fall, such as this tan color.

Boyfriend blazer: J. Crew

Tee: J. Crew outlet

Jeans: 7 for all mankind, from RueLaLa

Necklace: J. Crew outlet

Ring: Forever 21
Boots: Bandolino

I felt like I was totally channeling Kate Middleton with this blazer, jeans, and riding boots combo.  Clearly, the key to pulling off the future-princess, equestrian look is to raid your local J. Crew store!

...and to top it all off, I was with my own Prince for the day.  Corny? definitely.  True? You betcha.  :-)

UPDATE:  For more of my favorite trends and a little bit about my style, check out the new Style page!

Bad back, floppy core

After I saw Dr. Jordan Metzl, the "Marathon Doc", for the first time yesterday to get a second opinion on my back and leg injury that has kept me off the roads for the past 4 weeks, I found out that the injury was actually a bulging disc in my back that was causing secondary nerve pain down my leg.  OUCHIES.  Dr. Metzl informed me that it was due to my training that was jam-packed with long distance runs but was lacking in core strength training.  He said that the spine needs proper "scaffolding" from back muscles and that I "have pretty terrible scaffolding."  He instructed me to do 3 minutes of plank exercises every day, plus PT and NSAIDs, for 5 weeks, and I should be back on my feet in no time.  He also offers a free strength training course at Equinox for runners and triathletes that he registered me for...so I'm very excited!

Today was my first attempt at doing planks in a long time.  The front plank started off well...

...which soon turned into sheer agony...

After 1 minute, I did side planks, for 1 minute on each side...

...And then I died a little.

It was clear to me this morning that I definitely had poor core strength, and these terribly painful planks are exercises I need to do everyday if I'm going to continue to run for the rest of my life.  I guess I should start looking into pilates and yoga classes now!

Time for lunch and a stroll down Madison Avenue to go shopping with the boy toy, then dinner tonight with one of my besties for dinner at my favorite seafood place, Flex Mussels!  Nice little Saturday if you ask me  :-)

xoxo!