Red Glasses » Living

2012 Challenges: A Stronger Body

Caroline — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:33:51 +0000

I love New Year’s resolutions. I always have – there is something about starting fresh in a new year that never ceases to inspire me. Like many of you, I have a few resolutions. One is to become a stronger person, physically.

Last year presented some physical challenges that were, if not very painful, certainly a nuisance. In the summer, I took to running up the mountain in the mornings before work. At first, it felt amazing. After a while, I began to experience abnormal muscle pain in my hips, butt and upper legs – as well as a nerve pinching in my butt. I felt like an OLD LADY. And no offense to the old ladies out there, I am sure you are rocking your thing, but I’m 31 years old and NOT ready to feel physically limited!

In the fall, an ergotherapist unblocked my hips, which had been causing me to run with all of the elegance of an elephant – and I regained some motion I didn’t realize I had lost. She also determined I had weak core muscles which was causing a lot of trouble. So this year is the Year of the Core. I will become the Wonder Woman of the core muscles. Just joking. Sort of.

In 2012, I’ll become the master of my gluts. The ambassador of my abs. A leggy priestess of all that is fitness.

This is not about losing weight. It’s about building a strong body that will carry me through the years.

A bit of inspiration to help me along: I started a Pinterest board called Strength Inspiration.

What are your resolutions this year?

Photo via Pinterest, by Marc Thyssen

Missoni for Target

Caroline — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:36:52 +0000

This is the sort of bike a grandma would ride. But I like it! Missoni for Target.

Sticky Notes

Caroline — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:20:00 +0000

See Jane Work has created the cutest set of sticky notes on the theme of glasses! They make Post-its look really boring, no?

Via: Design Sponge

Matchbook Magazine: Field Guide to a Charmed Life

Caroline — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:09:57 +0000

Two of my favourite bloggers, the lovely Katie Armour of the blog The Neo-Traditionalist and Jane Lilly Warren of Lox Papers, have launched a new online mag called Matchbook. I’m so excited to devour the premier issue as I am in love with their sunny outlook on life and the girly yet sophisticated aesthetic. To give you an idea, take a look at their mission statement:

A few more shots from the magazine:

Organizational Charm

Caroline — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:14:13 +0000

Maybe it’s because I’m horribly busy at work, not to mention pretty darn occupied in my personal life, but these to-do notepads by Modernmotive seem like a gift from god at the moment. Choose a weekly planner to help you plan what you’ve got to do or even what you want to eat, or micro-manage yourself by the hour with a daily planning notepad. Each notepad comes with 50 pages so you can keep getting things done, week after week.

Flowers and the iPhone

Caroline — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 19:59:13 +0000

I have said it before and I will say it again: my favourite possession is my iPhone. As geeky as it sounds, I have to admit that it makes my life more fun AND more productive. And it’s ohhh so good lookin’. So for my iPhone, a standard old case won’t do. Enter Cath Kidston, a housewares, clothing and accessories designer based in the U.K. Incase has got nothing on Kidston’s fun, floral iPhone cases. Love the old-fashioned aesthetic; the first one reminds me of wallpapering in an old English country home! I think I’m in love! What do you think? Do you love them, too?

Raving About: Puma Bikes

Caroline — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:33:35 +0000

I’m back from a fun-filled week abroad! I attended my dear friend Lisa’s wedding in the French countryside. I’ll post some photos as soon as I can get my hands on some – as you can imagine, the wedding’s setting was beautiful, and the bride & groom were gorgeous!

In the meantime, I’m excited to get back to blogging!

Perfect for the city, Puma’s collection of bikes caught my eye with their punchy palette of colours. They come equipped with special features to make life easier for city riders such as extra-wide tires and anti-theft devices. Aren’t they the cutest?

Practically Perfect

Caroline — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:05:43 +0000

I am a huge proponent of efficiency. In organizing my personal documents to the kitchen cupboards to the bottom of my purse. I hate, and I mean hate, digging for stuff in my purse, especially when I can’t find my phone when it’s ringing!

Some people, mostly men, might say to carry less crap. I’ve come to terms with that fact that I’d much rather organize my crap than not carry it at all. My crap enables me to be ready for any possible outcome, eventuality or mishap!

Enter these totally awesome purse organizers! They are PERFECT for organizing and containing the different items floating around an overly stuffed handbag. Like bags for your bag. This technique works well; I’m currently using small leather pouches in a similar way, and it’s much easier to find what I need now!

Via The Office Stylist

Just Throw It On The Barbie

Caroline — Thu, 27 May 2010 00:25:42 +0000

Woo! What a scorcher in Montreal today. This hot weather puts me in a summer mood, and summer to me means barbecue! Unfortunately, we don’t have a backyard or large deck, but we do have a couple of balconies that could handle a small charcoal grill like these colourful ones made by Bodum. (I mean, these are so cute I would use them to just decorate my house, never mind barbecuing!) Has anyone ever used a tiny grill like this? Do they work well?

Via Daily Candy

Kid Constructions

Caroline — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:00:42 +0000

When I was a kid, my favourite thing in the world was to build forts out of couch cushions, blankets and brooms. Naturally, these photos made me smile.

Via Swiss Miss and Just Be Splendid