Sporty style continues strong this season, but you don't have to dress like a tomboy to embrace it. We office ladies always strike for the balance between being classy and sassy. That's exactly why I fell head-to-toe with this elegant DVF knit dress. Its body-con silhouette and high neckline are both office appropriate and feminine, yet nothing says "sporty" like those high contrast scuba inspired stripes. Step into a pair of fashion sneakers or booties, and you've got a perfect feminine outfit with a sporty spin.
BTW I've been thinking of posting this recent purchase from Saks for a while. Unfortunately we've been back to winter-ish temperature recently. Now the dress is sold out. Blame this brutal winter, please!
Dress: Diane von Furstenberg Josephine Contrast-Trimmed Body-Con Dress
Silk scarf: bought in Vienna, Austria
Polka dot stockings: bought at Taobao in China
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
My Big Fat Grey Goose
Can't imagine that I was still wearing my big fat Canada Goose Kensington down coat this past weekend! Aren't we approaching the Easter weekend? Everyone in the North East knows my frustration. This winter is way too long and way too cold. I want spring! I want flowers! I want fresh leaves!
Down coat: Canada Goose Kensington parka in Graphite (available in Barney's, Nordstrom, Shopbop, Amazon)
Tee: Ed Hardy
Leggings: Club Monaco
Down coat: Canada Goose Kensington parka in Graphite (available in Barney's, Nordstrom, Shopbop, Amazon)
Tee: Ed Hardy
Leggings: Club Monaco
Monday, March 23, 2015
Embrace Athleisure
If you bought Lululemon stocks five years ago, you would have seen your investment being more than tripled so far. And this year Lulu had apparently left all the negative news behind and is now heading north all the way again. Despite complaints of its dropping quality year after year and my unwavering verdict of this "overrated sports brand that charges premium mostly on its brand image rather than anything tangible", I have to admit that Lulu had spearheaded in bringing in a new fashion trend that is in full blossom this year -- Athleisure.
The perfectly descriptive buzzword shows women's desire to live a comfortably confident life in style. And for that reason, I see this change of tide more permanent than transient. From designer yoga pants to layering cashmere sweaters, these gym-to-street pieces are functional and comfortable, and at the same time, stylish and curve hugging. And the good news is: now we have more brands to choose from beyond Lululemon.
I've got a few running pieces from Under Armour and Nike recently. I happily notice that they are now taking a page of Lulu's style book and offering more body hugging styles, all with their fast dry fabric designed for serious workout maniacs.
Take this springy Under Armour 1/2 Zip top for example: When I put it on in the fitting room, I just loved seeing myself from every angle. It was definitely body hugging, but in a comfortable and flattering way. The fabric used in UA's ColdGear line wicks sweat away quickly and keeps you dry and warm. I've been using it in my outdoor long runs and weekend hiking trips. No complaints. The only improvement I would suggest to UA is: add pockets please.
The perfectly descriptive buzzword shows women's desire to live a comfortably confident life in style. And for that reason, I see this change of tide more permanent than transient. From designer yoga pants to layering cashmere sweaters, these gym-to-street pieces are functional and comfortable, and at the same time, stylish and curve hugging. And the good news is: now we have more brands to choose from beyond Lululemon.
I've got a few running pieces from Under Armour and Nike recently. I happily notice that they are now taking a page of Lulu's style book and offering more body hugging styles, all with their fast dry fabric designed for serious workout maniacs.
Take this springy Under Armour 1/2 Zip top for example: When I put it on in the fitting room, I just loved seeing myself from every angle. It was definitely body hugging, but in a comfortable and flattering way. The fabric used in UA's ColdGear line wicks sweat away quickly and keeps you dry and warm. I've been using it in my outdoor long runs and weekend hiking trips. No complaints. The only improvement I would suggest to UA is: add pockets please.
Jeans: James Jeans
Purse: Rebecca Minkoff MAC
Monday, March 9, 2015
Unique Glow
Finally we are out of winter! phew~ I know I'd been quiet for a while. Blame this brutal winter please. I'd never seen such a long and cold winter in New York, and I did not have the courage of stepping out of my cozy warm apartment to shoot pictures. But, I'm everything but a quitter! Now that the snow is melting on the ground, I'm finally motivated to take off my bulky Canada Goose and shoot new looks!
Back in my early summer trip to central Europe, I was impressed by the ultra light down coat my friend packed in her suitcase. It fits easily into its own little pouch, but keeps you warm when the temperature drops to ~40F. I scored one this season, and couldn't wait to put it on last weekend. :)
This Uniqlo down jacket also brought me into its enormous store in mid town, and I was shocked at the quality and price of this brand. Uniqlo did make a scene when it hit Manhattan a couple of years ago, but I took it just as yet another cheap brand and did not bother to walk into its store. Now I realized how wrong I had been all these years! A little money goes a long way here, and you get your money's worth!
Besides this ultra light down jacket, I also bought multiple HEATTECH long sleeve T-shirts in the store. Man! They kept me warm in this dreaded winter! Just like the quick dry material you pay big $$$ for in big sport brands, HEATTECH wicks your sweat away and keeps your body heat. You may stay dry and warm in those babies without worrying too much about your bleeding bank account.
Top: Uniqlo HEATTECH Crew Neck T-Shirt
Down coat: Uniqlo Ultra Light Hooded Down Jacket (sold out, new season)
Leather pants: Versace
Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff Mini Perry Satchel in burgendy
Back in my early summer trip to central Europe, I was impressed by the ultra light down coat my friend packed in her suitcase. It fits easily into its own little pouch, but keeps you warm when the temperature drops to ~40F. I scored one this season, and couldn't wait to put it on last weekend. :)
This Uniqlo down jacket also brought me into its enormous store in mid town, and I was shocked at the quality and price of this brand. Uniqlo did make a scene when it hit Manhattan a couple of years ago, but I took it just as yet another cheap brand and did not bother to walk into its store. Now I realized how wrong I had been all these years! A little money goes a long way here, and you get your money's worth!
Besides this ultra light down jacket, I also bought multiple HEATTECH long sleeve T-shirts in the store. Man! They kept me warm in this dreaded winter! Just like the quick dry material you pay big $$$ for in big sport brands, HEATTECH wicks your sweat away and keeps your body heat. You may stay dry and warm in those babies without worrying too much about your bleeding bank account.
Top: Uniqlo HEATTECH Crew Neck T-Shirt
Down coat: Uniqlo Ultra Light Hooded Down Jacket (sold out, new season)
Leather pants: Versace
Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff Mini Perry Satchel in burgendy
Friday, February 13, 2015
The Power of Contrast Shower
码字的人最怕的就是写了一半弄丢了。这篇本来是上周开始写的,谁知道自己手贱把它点没了,顿时泄了气,丢下一周,今天决定重振旗鼓,从头写起。
话说健身届有很多口口相传的说法和做法,不见得都有严谨的科学道理,真要考据起来也是众说纷纭,但是有时候倒也不妨听一听试一试。Contrast shower (or power shower) 就是其中的一个,在力量训练人群中颇为流行。长跑的人则更倾向于冷水浴。对于经常跑步的人来说,究竟哪种更合适呢?我来说说自己的体验。
既然是个人体验,当然先要说说我自己的锻炼背景:前两年我以力量训练为主,很少跑步。去年一月中旬开始每周一次长跑,六周后参加纽约半马。这一年来因为脚伤虽然跑得有点断断续续的,倒是没有放弃过,力量训练仍然坚持,但是不再是主要内容。今年跑步感觉很好,遂参加NYRR,基本上从三月起每个月有1-2个长跑比赛。跑得不快,但是距离还可以,自娱自乐也跑过16英里的距离了。
在以力量训练为主的年头里,contrast shower是我每天锻炼后的必做功课。根据健身届的说法,热水能帮助血管舒张,促进代谢,把运动产生的废物尽快排出体外;冷水则收缩血管,减少局部炎症,减轻肌肉和关节的酸痛。冷水热水交替冲,则能得到两者的优势,帮助恢复的效果最好。具体实施上,水温都是以个人能忍受的最大极限为准,都是从热水浴开始,以冷水浴结束,热水冷水的时间比例有推荐3:1的,也有推荐2:1的,我基本上是2:1,冲3-4个循环。实际效果非常不错,的确能加速恢复。
现在跑步多了呢,我就先琢磨了一阵子冷水浴。
冷水浴的好处,史书上记载还真不少,据说古时候斯巴达的男人就推崇冷水浴。也有很多文章证明冷水浴强身健体,锻炼意志,增强抵抗力,增强精子活力和男人生育能力,等等。
我是温室里长大的现代人,也不用考虑精子活力问题,咱只关心怎么洗澡最能加速跑步后的身体恢复和防止伤病。
虽然说长跑是全身运动,说到底,主要运动部位还是四肢,尤其是下半身。所以跑步以后很多人会小腿 脚踝和脚丫发生充血现象,但是没有人会胸肌背肌充血。因为血液集中在下肢,上半身血压会降低,所以跑步停下来以后会有人因为低血压而感到头晕眼黑甚至因此晕倒。
长跑以后的各种放松基本上都是针对血液过于集中在下半身这个问题的(比如放松走走),针对局部酸痛的RICE四字真经更是直接,Ice直接冷缩血管,Compress和Elevate则帮助血液从患处往心脏流动,血液流走了,肿胀 炎症和痛感也就减轻了。
所以长跑推荐冷水浴是很自然的,即使没有勇气全身冷水浴,也要在跑步后用冷水泡腿脚,局部酸痛要冰敷,总之“冰冷”是件好事。
我进一步想:如果在跑步后做contrast shower呢?
用热水冲上身,帮助血管舒张和代谢废物,然后用冷水冲腿脚,帮助下半身血液回流和舒缓酸痛。仍然是热水开始,冷水结束,仍然是3-4个循环,但是将热水冷水时间调整到1:2甚至1:3。这样做会不会效果更好?
我试验了三周了,个人体验非常惊艳。
以前跑完一定要用冰块敷脚,痛得龇牙咧嘴,现在不需要了;以前刚跑完小腿肿得很难穿靴子,现在直接轻松拉上;最重要的是,这样洗澡以后真是神清气爽,全身没有哪个地方是酸的胀的不舒服的!在这之前,我不敢跑speed training,更不敢跟long run离得太近,一个是怕脚伤复发,一个是怕身体疲惫。现在可以一周跑3-4天,而且可以back-to-back speed training and long run (这个不推荐,一般建议这两个中间隔开几天,我也是时间安排不过来才这么跑的),腿脚都感觉很舒服。
虽然是我一个小白鼠的个人体验,如果你也跑步的话,不妨也试一试?
话说健身届有很多口口相传的说法和做法,不见得都有严谨的科学道理,真要考据起来也是众说纷纭,但是有时候倒也不妨听一听试一试。Contrast shower (or power shower) 就是其中的一个,在力量训练人群中颇为流行。长跑的人则更倾向于冷水浴。对于经常跑步的人来说,究竟哪种更合适呢?我来说说自己的体验。
在以力量训练为主的年头里,contrast shower是我每天锻炼后的必做功课。根据健身届的说法,热水能帮助血管舒张,促进代谢,把运动产生的废物尽快排出体外;冷水则收缩血管,减少局部炎症,减轻肌肉和关节的酸痛。冷水热水交替冲,则能得到两者的优势,帮助恢复的效果最好。具体实施上,水温都是以个人能忍受的最大极限为准,都是从热水浴开始,以冷水浴结束,热水冷水的时间比例有推荐3:1的,也有推荐2:1的,我基本上是2:1,冲3-4个循环。实际效果非常不错,的确能加速恢复。
现在跑步多了呢,我就先琢磨了一阵子冷水浴。
冷水浴的好处,史书上记载还真不少,据说古时候斯巴达的男人就推崇冷水浴。也有很多文章证明冷水浴强身健体,锻炼意志,增强抵抗力,增强精子活力和男人生育能力,等等。
我是温室里长大的现代人,也不用考虑精子活力问题,咱只关心怎么洗澡最能加速跑步后的身体恢复和防止伤病。
虽然说长跑是全身运动,说到底,主要运动部位还是四肢,尤其是下半身。所以跑步以后很多人会小腿 脚踝和脚丫发生充血现象,但是没有人会胸肌背肌充血。因为血液集中在下肢,上半身血压会降低,所以跑步停下来以后会有人因为低血压而感到头晕眼黑甚至因此晕倒。
长跑以后的各种放松基本上都是针对血液过于集中在下半身这个问题的(比如放松走走),针对局部酸痛的RICE四字真经更是直接,Ice直接冷缩血管,Compress和Elevate则帮助血液从患处往心脏流动,血液流走了,肿胀 炎症和痛感也就减轻了。
所以长跑推荐冷水浴是很自然的,即使没有勇气全身冷水浴,也要在跑步后用冷水泡腿脚,局部酸痛要冰敷,总之“冰冷”是件好事。
我进一步想:如果在跑步后做contrast shower呢?
用热水冲上身,帮助血管舒张和代谢废物,然后用冷水冲腿脚,帮助下半身血液回流和舒缓酸痛。仍然是热水开始,冷水结束,仍然是3-4个循环,但是将热水冷水时间调整到1:2甚至1:3。这样做会不会效果更好?
我试验了三周了,个人体验非常惊艳。
以前跑完一定要用冰块敷脚,痛得龇牙咧嘴,现在不需要了;以前刚跑完小腿肿得很难穿靴子,现在直接轻松拉上;最重要的是,这样洗澡以后真是神清气爽,全身没有哪个地方是酸的胀的不舒服的!在这之前,我不敢跑speed training,更不敢跟long run离得太近,一个是怕脚伤复发,一个是怕身体疲惫。现在可以一周跑3-4天,而且可以back-to-back speed training and long run (这个不推荐,一般建议这两个中间隔开几天,我也是时间安排不过来才这么跑的),腿脚都感觉很舒服。
虽然是我一个小白鼠的个人体验,如果你也跑步的话,不妨也试一试?
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