Friday, March 2, 2018

The Darling Physique: Fitness Goals for 2018

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>   Bonjour!   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


To kick off the start of my new wellness plan for the year, I composed my first fitness flatlay of 2018. Why am I focusing on exercise and healthy workout habits when I barely tip the scales over 100 lbs? Let me tell you a little story about my previous brushes with *shudder* athleticism. 

First of all, I was often one of those pick-for-last type of players at recess/PE. Why? Because my sport skills stink and my ability to show myself in excellent shape is about as likely as a squirrel who has been hit by a car or two and left along the side of the road. Sound depressing? Wait until my later years. 

In college I decided to ride my bike 3-5 miles into town on my way to participate in a research study. This decision was made hastily after a night of potato-couching and a lifetime of MUCH smaller bike expeditions. Also, I hadn't even eaten breakfast before I left. Yet here I was, pedaling my little legs to death trying to make it across a city previously never traversed by myself and my bike. I got as far as the downtown police station before I had to stop and vomit on the sidewalk; fortunately, there were no officers dutifully patrolling the grounds at that moment. UNfortunately, a lady happened past in her motorized wheelchair, saw me clinging to whatever was left of my couch-potatoed life, and asked concernedly if I was alright. Because I was afraid this would happen, I had pulled out my cellphone (which at that time was neither connected to Internet nor had any potential of increasing my dignity as a young adult) before she rolled up and I began feigning distraction to cover up that I was not, in fact, okay. I glanced up from the screen to see embarrassment cross her face as she fell for my ploy, thinking that she had merely imagined the pale green color of my face. She quickly recovered herself and moved along. I, on the other hand, drooped back into the bench like a green bean left out in the sun to wilt away, realizing I would have to cancel my plans for the day and call for a shame-filled ride back home.

Thus, we come to the purpose of this year's fitness goals. I am not in it to lose weight, as the majority of Americans are planning hoping to do, and I am not trying to jump on the Better Body Now! bandwagon. Rather, my resolution is to get in shape so that I can be more active in my adventures and less fearful of my body's very limiting limitations. To do this, I hope to challenge my core, tone my arm and leg muscles, and prepare my body for a more pleasurable and longer-lasting lifestyle.


Workout Tech:
  • Smartwatch to monitor water intake, track steps/activity, keep time
  • Pandora-playing device for upbeat workout playlist

 Workout Snacks:
  • Granola for upping energy levels and maintaining organ health (along with a multitude of other benefits)
  • Water and fiber powder mix for attaining and maintaining healthy weight, along with promoting positive digestive health (as well as other benefits)


 If I have time in the morning, I like to do a 30-45 minute workout using 15 minutes for cardio (Zumba-style with videos found on YouTube), 15-20 minutes using my Fit Girl's Diary: Diamond Abs Workout, and wrapped up with a round of arm-targeted weightlifts, pushups, and squats. Once I have sweated enough for a day's worth of labor, I pamper myself with a nice long shower followed by a peppy breakfast of oats and granola and my fiber drink.

As I just started this workout routine with the Fit Girl's Diary abs challenge, I am still on the first training and practically dying after 3 rounds of straight leg raises, but I am relishing the pain as a sign of progress. After all, if you aren't feeling the burn, you aren't trying to earn.


What are your fitness goals for 2018?


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>   Shop this Look:   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hello Goodbye Panda: Ross  | Smart Watch: Jane  | Diamond Abs Workout: Fit Girl's Diary

xoxo,
Sara

Thursday, January 25, 2018

In the Courtyard: A Story in Soft Pink & Woolen Grey

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This winter has been cuh-razy! For the last few weeks we have had days in the 30s followed by a day in the 50s followed by days completely in between and yet never in a steady progression. Fortunately, I was able to visit the University recently and have the chance to experience winter on campus again. And how magical it is! I love the sight of the old buildings towering over dusted courtyards and the sound of the bells pealing as students shuffle to their next classes. The area pictured above is one of my favorites, though I never spent much time there as a student.

As for my outfit, I chose some go-to winter pieces for this visit: light pink snow boots for a more stylish hoofing through the snow, a beret for added class, and the ever-popular plaid scarf. One motivation for getting me through these cold, dark days? Finding outerwear that I can be excited to go out in! Shop my look below. <3

What do you enjoy about winter?


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>   Shop this Look:   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Beret: Poshmark  | Scarf: Charlotte Russe | Coat: Zulily  | Pink Boots: Gifted


xoxo,
Sara

Friday, January 19, 2018

The Darling Review: Books of the Month (January)

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Since we are starting off a new year and the blog has since undergone its little renovation, I have decided to incorporate a few little additions to the round-up of posts that I create for the Darling Petite. One of these new installations will be a Book of the Month series in which I share a favorite read every month. Some might be related to a theme for that month (such as a romance for February) while others are just what tickle my fancy at the moment. You can expect that all books fit my guidelines for a good book (very little to no language, no inappropriate scenes or behaviors, etc.) with a reasonable taste for drama, mystery, or adventure and a decent plotline. Some picks may be considered for a primarily teen audience, while others fall into a more YA or adult (again, not X-rated) category. Of course, with each book I would love to hear your thoughts on it if you have read it or if you have suggestions for future book reviews!

Here is a peek at what I have been reading lately (and quite appropriate for winter)...


Title: Submerged | Series: #1 Alaskan Courage | Author: Dani Pettrey



Set in Alaska, Submerged spins a tale of a mysterious plane crash which not only kills a relative of the main character, but also does off with some questionable passengers. Even as Bailey gets deeper into her aunt's belongings, she finds that there is a mystery hidden within some artifacts that suspicious characters are all too eager to get their hands on, eager enough to send Bailey on a search for the truth among a rising body count. Add in a long-lost love interest from her past as well as some dark secrets, and this story will keep you reading all night.

Rating: 4/5 stars
Points given for the heightened drama and suspense, not to mention the attractive supporting character. I also like how the author intertwines a bit of history and geography into the storyline, giving the reader a more informed view of the setting and a deeper understanding of and connection with character motivations and points of view.

Note: There is a short passage in which one of her dark secrets is revealed (partying which leads to inappropriate behavior) which, in my eyes, is reconciled following a confession of guilt for her past actions and the striving to rewrite her future in a better light.



Above is a sneak peek of what the near future holds for Books of the Month, so stay tuned! Like any good shelf-dweller, I am always on the lookout for the perfect book to sink my imagination into.

Happy reading!



>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>   Shop this Book:   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


xoxo,
Sara

Friday, January 12, 2018

Little Pink Riding Hood

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>   Bonjour!   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>






Winter has definitely hit full force! We have been having temps below 0 here and on a couple of occasions my area of Illinois had colder weather than Alaska! All I have been wanting to do since December arrived was build a snowman, but at the rate we're going I would be a snowman myself before I even rolled out the first snowball! So all I'm asking, dear winter, is that I can have one nice snow day to create something nice for you. Please. Me and my toasty black boots will be sitting inside waiting for that day. :)



>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>   Shop this Look:   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
White Sweater: Thrifted | Denim Skirt: Loft | Fur-lined Boots: Rue 21 | Blanket Scarf: Charlotte Russe (now on sale for $5) 


xoxo,
Sara

Thursday, January 4, 2018

A Bright and Shiny New Year

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>   Bonjour!   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


I hope you all had a bright and happy new year!



 

Every year, I try to focus the patterns or textures OTD onto something sparkly, glittery, shiny, you name it. I settled on this dress and bejeweled collar for 2018. Why? I love the chic fit of the torso and the depth of the neckline made fitting a collared top underneath quite easy. Matched with sleek black heels at the foot, this outfit was an eye-catching start to the new year!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>   Shop this Look:   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Jeweled-Collar Top: Thrifted | Bodycon Sparkle Dress: Rainbow | Little Black Heels: Christian Siriano for Payless


xoxo,
Sara