Personal...

Tomorrow marks my one year anniversary of my introduction into the sport of Crossfit and what a year it has been!

Last Nov I was stuck in the boring gym routine when I had the thought to get a personal trainer?  Would that make me more efficient?  Would it make me more accountable?  Would I like going to the gym more?  I pondered that for a while, and then I saw on Facebook that an old childhood friend was now doing personal training from her home.  I grabbed my sister and committed the next 8 weeks to training with Stephanie at her house.  Why not I thought, what do I have to lose in trying something new.

Stephanie’s style of training was ‘HIT… High Intensity Training’ and boy was it!  I had entered this new world where you lift heavy and then work your ass of in a short span.  In that first session in the ‘red room of pain’ as dubbed by one of her other clients, I had worked out harder than I had in the past year at the gym.  I WAS HOOKED. 

Steph trained me and she trained me hard.  I had a mind shift, I no longer had the goals I came to her with.  My goal was to become master the techniques of the moves we were doing so I could lift heavier weight.  Strong became my goal!  I just wanted to get stronger!  I became obsessed with Crossfit, constantly youtube’ing workouts, telling everyone I knew about ‘this insane workout’ I do.  I had finally found something I was passionate about since figure skating, a whopping 12 years post retirement.

I had considered myself strong before, but that was thrown out the door as I recognized how much stronger I could become.  Steph always encouraged me, ‘just a little bit more, you got this” was uttered more and more, and sure enough, heavier lifts I could do, I could jump rope longer, even double under it.  I was getting back to the stamina of my former National Figure Skating strength. 

Well, when those 8 weeks were finished, and I turned around and went back, and haven’t looked back! 

After a few months I needed MORE, I eventually got up the ‘courage’ to enter a box.  I knew I could do it, but working out with others in this way scared the s**t out of me.  I knew my skills, but I knew they would be better, I had check my ego at the door and enter because I loved it and moreover I needed it, I craved it.  After some trial and error I found my home at Crossfit Guelph.  Now to say that since joining in the spring has been great I would be lying, Crossfit is tough, it depletes me multiple times a week; however, I leave filled to the brim with accomplishment.  I read in an article once that said Crossfit is ‘communal suffering’ and that would be a great way to describe it. Being at Crossfit Guelph I have improved tenfold.  Things I couldn’t dream out doing I have succeeded at, that old adage, practice makes perfect explains this. Lol

I have become a part of a community of crossfitters, we are own breed.  I have been thru 5 workout partners that prove it is not for everyone, but it is for me, and I can’t imagine working out any other way EVER again.  This is it, I am a lifer.  At Stephanie’s and at Crossfit Guelph is where I belong.  It is where I am encouraged, it is where I am broken and rebuilt and rebuilt stronger.

Thursday will be the one year with the sport of Crossfit but most importantly it is also the one year anniversary of celebrating Thursday’s at 6:30pm with Stephanie.  I owe her more than she knows!  Because of her I found a new lease on life in terms of finding something I am passionate about.  She has taught me I can always push that little extra even when I think I have nothing in the tank.  Steph has made my confidence brighter and because of that my outlook on life and everything has shifted. 

Stephanie, I cannot thank you enough for following your passion to become a trainer.  You have inspired me, and you will continue to inspire others.  

Thank you for one of the best years of my life!  I look forward to more accomplishments with you and cheers to another year!

_Carlie

Steph spotting my bench press

Killing It! hahaha

 

Event Clothing...

This 'event clothing' post is a little differnet, this one is all about the amazing event I am hosting this coming Saturday; CONSIGN YOUR CURVES!!!

As you frequent readers know I have attended {BIG DEAL Toronto} over the past two Summers and have been able to make some money off the resale of my closet.  Thing is, I am not from Toronto but Guelph, so thought it was time that I brought this style of event to my neck of the woods.  Guelph as a small city is under-serviced in plus size consignment and this is a perfect way for myself and other tri-cities fashionistas to open up their cloests to other ladies!

I was thrilled when fashion friends, {Karyn}, {Erica}, {Jessica}, {Sheena} and {Melissa} got on board and wanted to sell their clothes too!  I was so flattered to have these ladies support me; Truly humbled.

If you are reading this and your are outside of Canada, or heck even outside of Ontario I am sorry you cannot attend... but! If you are around these parts, have access to public transit you must come out!!!  If not only to shop and meet these iconic plus size ladies in person!

I woke up this AM to see my local paper had done an article on me and the event, click {here} to read it!

I will wait with baited breathe to actually see how this event goes on Saturday, but by the current buzz it will be one not to miss!!!! And, of course a post next week to show and tell you how it went!

For those that read the newspaper article and came to check out my blog, thank you for stopping by!!
I hope that you come back again to see what I have to say!

Find the event {here} on Facebook!!!

** rack rentals are closed **

Styling...

In just seven days my best friend Cindy and I are heading out on our '30th Birthday' trip!  Yes our birthdays were in April, but we needed just the right time to head away.  We are checking out New Orleans and Washington, DC, we are both pretty pumped!!!

Now a constant struggle is what to wear while on a plane.  Yes the comfy lulu's or the trackers are always a great comfy choice however I always want to put my best foot forward, and sometimes wearing an outfit on the plane eases on packing.  And {Tim Gunn} says we must dress up, so I guess we MUST!

Below are a variety of outfits I could wear, and like I said earlier will also double for sight seeing outfits.  I am leaning towards to the far right, sweater tank option.  Layering is key for planes since you never know if you will be freezing or boiling.

What are your thoughts?  Do you dress up for flights?  Is the art of airport fashion dead?
Love to hear your opinion!

Event Clothing... 2013 Emmy Red Carpet

I might have taken a holiday from blogging, but when it comes to red carpet reviews how could I not break the silence and do my review!

Major themese of the night were:
minimal jewellery
coloum, body hugging silouttes
and BOX CLUTCHES!!!!  yes, I am serious, box clutches were the BIG reoccurring trend of the night.  So next time you go to grab an evening bag make sure it is a boxed one.  The red carpet said so..lol

To do something different going to start with my pick for least favorite!  Why not!  Keep you on your toes!

Drum roll....... bum bum bum bum... my 2013 Emmy red carpet review!

 Carrie Underwood in Romona Keveza looked like she was 16 and going to prom. UGH!  What were you thinking!!!!  She was performing, not nominated, felt with zero pressure she can could have taken a WAY bigger risk then a traditional prom dress.  The Y necklace although nice just added the prom vibe.  Now, that necklace with a plugging neckline, winner.  

Sorry Carrie, but you are my least favourite.

Zosia Mamet from GIRLS in an Honor dress was amazing.  LOVED the risk, the pattern.  Where it fell short for me was the black bra part; t looked like a censorship bar if you know what I mean.  If that was gone, legit, this would have been my favorite of the night.  But even with that said, I still LOVE IT!

 

Favorite to win, yet didn't Kerry Washington in Marchesa was super feminine.  I thought it looked beautiful, something a grown up fairy would wear.  People magazine just named her best dressed of 2013 and it is well deserved.  *please note this is the first appearance of the box clutch..lol

Michele Dockery in Prada.  Now this is modern and contemporary.  The rust coloured in two tones was so fresh.  She pushed the envelope and won. *box clutch

 

Tina Fey in Narcisco Rodriguez, was making everyone blue with envy.  I however, not so much.  I couldn't help shake that she reminded me of superman.  Seriously, I couldn't think of anything else.  Perhaps if there was some flare, a  bigger bracelet, hair up, a larger earring it would have offset my feelings.  I hope no smurfs or superman capes were harmed in the making of this dress.

Well the buxom babe has done it AGAIN.. a mermaid dress.  Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang stuck to the silhouette she does best, boobs out, and skin tight.  Guess don't fix what isn't broken?  She said on the red carpet she was wearing Kmart undergarments.  I am driving to the nearest Kmart if they have undergarments that can me look like that I tell ya.

Christina Hendricks from Mad Men in a black lace Christian Siriano gown.  This was safe for her, but still super elegant.  *box clutch

Taylor Schilling in Thakoon was that California beachy cool surfer chick vibe.  Very sexy, very edgy.  She pushed the modern red carpet boundaries and succeeded.  *box clutch

Zooey Deschanel always wears something super girly but this J. Mendel powder blue column dress was sexy for her.  The tosseled tresses added to its appeal.  Our little Zooey is growing up; until you see her mani and it has little mustaches on it.  Guess not fully grown up! lol  *box clutch

I love me some Lena Dunham, I appreciate she wears what she wants!  This floral print dress was unreal!  She is getting some flack for it in the press, but hello, look at her! It is unlike anything else and that is what makes it amazing.  I also could not starring at her yes.  Great dramatic eye with the green.  

Ahh.. Dunham in Prada makes me happy.

Connie Britton in a Naeen Khan velvet gown did NOTHING for me.  Not the worst but too much a good thing.  The gold on the dress, the stacked arm candy, the gold on the nails, the gold *box clutch, all too much gold.  Wait, did I just say you can have too much gold?! I shouldn't have stopped blogging.  

So, correction, never too much gold! lol

Plain and simple was January Jones in Givenchy.  Pretty but nothing to write about.

Breaking Bad's Anna Gunn in a pale pink and black lace Romona Keveza gown was sexy and classy. 

*box clutch

Elisabeth Moss in Andrew Gn was my super awesome pick of the night.  And sadly this picture does NOT due it any justice.  Complete sequins from head to two!  Classic, modern, colour on trend, simple and timeless.  Amazing.  *box clutch

Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Monique Lhuiller was oozing amazing.  This dress must have weighed a ton!  Again this picture does not due it justice.  Those were all individual beads.  Classic lines, simple hair down, she let the gown speak for itself.  *box clutch

 Julianne Hough took a risk and this twenty-something year old lady rocked it!  In Jenny Packham dress she was young and sexy.  The pale grey almost mint green colour was effortless. 

 Oh to be 25 again and wear this! *box clutch

Julie Bowen, the 80's called and they want their Zac Posen peach dress back.  Julie loves some dress drama but this had too much going on for me. *box clutch

I want this dress.  Burgundy, sexy and classy was this Vera Wang dress Kaley Cuoco wore.  

Bang on.  No pun intended.  *box clutch

This is an illusion dress!  I didn't even notice on the red carpet the bottom was see-thru! Leslie Mann in J. Mendel was super sexy.  That is one hot mama! *box clutch

My girl crush Mindy Kaling slayed in this Georges Chakra dress.  Best part was that amazing neckline.  What  you can't see here is that is was identical on the back.  Beautiful.  Also note that this sleeve length is back in style!  *box clutch

 Robin Wright in a sleek and modern Ralph Lauren dress was everything a sexy and sophisticated woman should wear.  A++

Our Canadian girl Jessica Pare wore Oscar de la Renta.  Great choice, but the shoes, snooze fest.  She could have done with a WAY better shoe choice.  And pockets, this trend not over yet?

Speaking of snooze fests, Allison Williams in Ralph Lauren.  Miss Allison, you are on a top hit show about GIRLS wear something fun, adventurous this was just BORING.  

That is my review.  Hope you laughed, hope I didn't make you cry.  And for heaven's sake, if I didn't drive home the BOX CLUTCH trend you should really read this post again!

~C
xo

Just Because...

FimC readers… I have started and stopped this blog post more times then I will admit.

How much do I share?  I hope I don’t over share, but I want to be honest? I never really ‘talk’ about myself, so how will this go over?  All things that I have thought of.

Last week this little ‘ol blog turned two!! 

Yes my blog is the same age as Posh Spices’ daughter and Kate Middleton and Prince William and I share a 2^nd anniversary date.  Lol How lucky am I..lol

I started this blog as a creative outlet as most of you know; A place to share my love of clothes, fashion and all other stuff that keeps this brunette haired head turning.  I have shared events of my life; even my friends have come on the roller coaster with me and let me share their lives.  And I am beyond thankful and mystified that hundreds of you check back daily to see what I have to say.  So amazed and flattered by it.

But as this blog now reaches the ‘terrible’ two’s I am struggln’ on where to take it.  I have never shy’ed from the fact that this blog never had any direction. Lol  I mean I had no goals for it, I never wanted to get a book deal or a career in styling from it, and neither have come.  I realize my posts are becoming less frequent and of course the lacks of ‘what I wore’ posts are almost non-existent.  It has not been from a lack of WANTING to post but rather time to post.  As the bloggers reading this know, blogging is a full-time job.  Editorial calendars, brain storming, searching, sourcing are all of the things that go to keep this and all blogs running.  And well, I am lacking time.

Yes it is Summer and that comes with its own social calendar, (you would be amazed what I pack into a week..lol)  I have found a passion in Crossfit and regained that feeling of training like athlete again (I was a Figure Skater for 18 years).  I bought a house and well, it does not decorate, style, clean and maintain itself.

I am simply short on days and time and well, motivation.  No longer in desperate need of a creative outlet, this blog will continue for sure, however at a slower pace.  I say this now, and heck in five months I could be blogging twice a day!  Who knows what lays ahead for me or anyone us, but at this ‘terrible two’ juncture I need this little break.

I need to soak up the sun more, workout more, clean more, walk the dog more and blog less.  I have to not stress about giving you readers fresh content every day.  Cause trust me, I do!  The guilt that you check in everyday and nothing is there or that what I post won’t make the 2 mins you read my blog make you go hmmm fill me with disappointment.

I hope that this slower paced blogging will not deter you from checking in to find out what I have to say or what is happening in the world of fashion, what I am griping about, and of course my red carpet reviews.  And with 100% those will remain! Hahaha

My blog is going thru some growing pains and that is ok.  As I am sure MOST parents would agree, the terrible two’s end and a bright new future is just around the corner.

As I said earlier I struggled to write this, and I thank those who have made it to the end of this open letter.  I thank those that have been loyal with me over these two years.  I am BEYOND thankful for the amazing new friends via twitter and the blog that I can now lean on, confide in and laugh with and hang out with.

This blog has been my vessel of fun for two years and as the ship docks for a bit she will see the sea again. 

Thanks for always having my back in this ‘closet’. 

Now with all that said, continue to be inspired and be inspiring! 

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRIENDS IN MY CLOSET!!!!!

Lots of love

_Carlie

xo

GRIPE...

GRIPE DAY!!!!

Oh Vera Wang... now that is quite the belt you have there!  The designer sported one heck of an oversized accesory to the M.A.C & SCAD Museum of Art in Paris to the 'Little Black Dress' Exhibit.  She is known to always wear big pieces, it's her thing, but this might be a little overboard.  Who am I kidding it is WAY overboard! 

I am ALWAYS for a large bracelet, a huge hat, but a belt that literally SWALLOWS her up is not good. 
When 'they' say, less is MORE, this is exactly what they are talking about..lol 

Now, if it was a BELT EXHIBIT then this would be 100% amazing! hahahaa

Do you agree with my GRIPE?!

** maybe it could be used as a modern day corset?!!

Spotlight...

As you readers know I have moved into my very own house.  And with that came a MAJOR closet purge, still have to much but what can a girl do!  I have purged quite a few bags as you can see!

**ironing board not included..lol

And with that said it is that time of year again for {BigDealToronto} where myself and all the other fabulously curvy bloggers from Toronto and area will be selling our clothes, accessories, shoes, handbags.  Pretty much a free-for-all to raid our closets!  And well we are all biased, but we think we have the best curvy closets going..lol

If you are a size 12+ or even not and want some great bags etc come out to {BigDealToronto} on Sunday July 28th from 2-6pm! This is our {site} follow us on Twitter {here} for updates and Facebook {here}.  We are a 'BIG DEAL' so we are everywhere!  lol

{This} was the event last year, and what I wore {here} to the event last year.

This year will be bigger and better and with more AC than last year!  I cannot wait to meet some of you readers as well as always seeing my fellow blogger ladies!!!  Come shop our closets and hopefully find something great for yours!

This is literally what my blog is about, FRIENDS IN MY CLOSET!!!!