"Shopping is my cardio" - Carrie Bradshaw

Whenever I think about shopping till you drop, I always think of this quote from Sex and the City.  Miranda is telling Carrie she should get internet (wait, there was a time when people didn't have internet???), and she tries to convince her that she should at least get it for the online shopping.  

I am a big online shopper.  Lately, since I'm busy in school, online shopping so easy and convenient!  I do it for all my gifts during every holiday and for every birthday.  Plus, I'm much more likely to use coupons because my favorite stores send me coupons by email, and I can just type in the code (no forgetting to bring them to the store).  Another reason is because since I'm currently living in the city, I almost never move my car unless I absolutely have to.  Spots are hard to come by in University City during the school year.  

Today, my one class let out over an hour early.  I was able to go and meet me mom, uncles, and grandpop for lunch at Millers!  It was a good time, and after lunch (since I had the car out and all) I decided to run a few of my errands that I've been meaning to do.  First things first was a trip to liquor store to get some white wine for this weekend.  I decided to get Yellow Tail Pinot Grigio, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc.  I always feel like I shouldn't be in the liquor store when I go, even though I'm legal!  It still feels forbidden.  Funny thing is, once I turned 21 and started buying alcohol at state stores, I almost never get carded.  Go figure.

Next stop was an impulse stop in Marshall's.  I haven't been to a Marshall's in forever, but whenever you go to a discount store it's usually hit or miss.  Boy did I hit it today!  (For those of you who don't know, Marshall's has designer clothing that was over-produced so Marshall's buys the clothing from the designers and sells them at an unbelievable discount!)  The only thing that you need to be prepared for when discount shopping is digging through racks to find the good stuff.  Everything is all thrown together so you have to be willing to hunt to get the cute clothes that are great deals.  I was planning on going to Ann Taylor Loft and some other store downtown tomorrow, but I was able to make it a one stop shop here.  I know I got so much more for my money!

Everything was so cheap (I'm talking designer clothes all under $16.99).  I tried on 41 items and felt like a kid in a candy store.  I ended up getting some really nice pieces that were very versatile.  My thing about shopping is that I want to pick items that are easy to mix and match as well as be work over and over again in different ways.  I don't know if anyone else feels this way, but now that we are the age of social and online media, I don't like to repeat the exact same outfit very often.  If I wear the same thing and take a bunch of pictures, then a week later where the same thing and take a bunch of pictures, it makes me feel unfashionable or something.  I definitely wear my clothes to death, but I like to try and create new combination and be creative.  

Now I'm about to bombard you with some of my favorite finds of the day!  Stop reading here if your completely uninterested!  

I wanted a pink top for Valentine's Day!

There was so much cheap polo stuff! LOVE

I tried to get clothes I could wear out on the weekends or with nice pants to work or lab.  I think I succeeded.  Most of the time Monday-Friday I look terrible in sweats and t-shirts (that's something I need to work on).  I'm sure you will be recognizing some of these tops in upcoming blog posts!!!  

I have a fun weekend coming up, but first I need to get through to Friday!

Where are your favorite places to shop? 

Mine are usually Express, Arden B, Victoria's Secret.  I'm happy I branched out today!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!  It ends on Valentine's Day!

Night running on Kelly Drive

Tonight I went on a chilly night run on Kelly Drive with Kate from one of the running clubs I've been running with!  We had a good run, and I did 4 miles for the second time.  I always feel super accomplished when I finish a new "far" distance for me without stopping.  4 miles in 46 minutes isn't half bad.

 

Lots and lot of layers

Pre-run photo shoot

Yup, I know what you're thinking, and I probably should wash my hair tonight...

Kelly Drive

Time!

I ended up driving to Kelly.  It was the first time I've ever driven to a run, but I sort of liked it.  Usually I walk or bike to this area, but it's 5 miles round trip.  So in addition to my 4, that's a lot of time out in the cold.  I think driving to some of my running venues may get me through these long cold winter months.

Today, Katherine left me a comment asking what cold weather gear I use to run outside in the winter.  Here are some things I recommend, but I am in no way an expert!!

1) Base Layer - for this I have been wearing cold gear "under-armour."  I use that term loosely because the past few runs I've been wearing the Nike equivalent.  It's usually just as good and cheaper.  It's nice and warm, yet moisture wicking for when you sweat.

2) Running jacket - I got a mizuno running jacket early in the fall and definitely was wearing it pretty early in the season (probably unnecessarily).  My jacket protects against the wind, and is light yet insulating to keep you warm but not feel bulky while running.  While searching for a picture online I saw it really cheap at 6pm.com.  Get it while it's hot haha.

Mizuno Elixer Women's Running Jacket

3) Gloves - I just bought a pair of under-armour running gloves off amazon.  They weren't that expensive, and they are kind of like liners.  Thin and soft.  They do the trick though and sometimes towards the ends of my runs I even take them off.  They also have little grippies on the hand part which sometimes but not always work with my iphone which usually needs skin contact.  That might be a pro for some of you.

4) Ear protection - Originally I bought a North Face headband at a running store.  It's nice...but it is a tiny too big.  I feel like it puffs out around my ears, while I would prefer a tight headband for maximum warmth around the ears.  Today I rocked my Burberry ear muffs over the headband.  I wear these babies to death in the winter, and they are my favorite winter accessory.  I just don't wear them to bars because I'm afraid I'll lose them when I take them off.  I got mine at a Burberry outlet for a good deal and am seriously thinking about getting another pair in case anything happens to these.  Also Charlotte wears them while running in Sex and the City.  Therefore it's a must.

5) Leggings - I have 2 pairs of under-armour cold gear leggings that I run in.  Occasionally, I have a pair of looser fitting Nike running pants that I can put on top of the leggings for extra warmth.  It's usually just for my peace of mind though.  I hate the cold so much that I'm always worried about being cold and wear too many layers.  I guess I'd rather be safe than sorry.  

6) Neck warmer - I just got this from Santa, but I really wanted it!  He always knows best.  It's the best option for covering your neck without being bulky and long like a scarf.  Mine came with a nice hood that was extra creepy when I put it on.  If I wear the hood low and the neck warmer high, I can basically have everything covered but my eyes.

such a nerd.

So those are my tips.  I've been sporting a vest lately too, but I don't actually need it and tend to overheat towards the end.  I would just always rather be hot than cold and miserable so I err on the side of caution.  Hope this helps!

Anyone else have any tips for cold weather running apparel?