blog – Page 9 – The Blonde Giraffe

blogging, fashion, fitness fashion, seattle

23 Comments

If you haven’t heard of Buki Brand, it’s only a matter of time until it is a household name. Buki Brand, a startup sportswear collection that has recently launched in Seattle. Let’s just say Joey Rodolfo knew exactly what he was doing when he launched his brand using Kinoki 3.0 fiber technology. A few of the major attributes of this technology include superior moisture management and dynamic stretch & recovery. To all the Moms and busy professionals out there — this means no ironing or dry cleaning needed!

As a Mom and Pilates teacher, comfort is my number one priority for any item of clothing. Buki Brand’s luxurious technical fabrics along with their minimalist architectural silhouettes and perfect fit are ideal for my on-the-go lifestyle.

The founder is a University of Arizona alum which is how I convinced my Wildcat husband to join me in some photos. We lived in Tucson while my husband was in law school so it was nice to reminisce about some of our favorite places in the desert.

Now sharing three his and her looks of my favorite pieces from the Fall line…and a discount code at bottom…

Her: Perfect Pullover // AG Denim // Dolce Vita Booties (similar) His: Courtside Shirt

Her: Lounger Crew // Shorty Shorts // Dolce Vita Booties (similar) His: Superplaid Shirt // Maverick Crew

Her: Hometown Hoodie // Go-Getter Tank // Brooks Running Tights // Nike Free 5.0 // Tory Burch Diaper Bag His: Cruiser Tee // Cruiser Pant

Photography: Jenna Lynn Photography

Use discount code BLONDEGIRAFFE to save 15% on all bukibrand.com orders through Nov 30, 2016. Enjoy and Happy Holiday shopping!!

blogging, food, health, life

Storm Brewing & a Cherry Apple Grain Mason Jar Salad

theblondegiraffe

October 14, 2016

4 Comments

There is a big storm headed our way and the rain has already started here in Seattle. It looks like it will be a weekend full of lounging in our PJs and staying inside. We decided to get in one last family run around the neighborhood last night. The leaves have started turning here so it was a gorgeous run with lots of Fall colors.

Lately, with the cooler temperatures arriving, all I have wanted is soup and salads. Both work great for on-the-go meals prepared in a mason jar. When I recently received the package below from Wholefoods, it inspired to get in the kitchen.

Everything seems to taste better in a mason jar. I was born and raised in the South where canned vegetables and jams in mason jars fill the pantries. My favorite drinking glass at home is a mason jar and I love any party with mason jar decor. In the package was a recipe for Wholefood’s Cherry Pecan Grain Salad. Their recipe looks so yummy but I tweaked the recipe a little since I’m not a huge Pecan fan. Hope you enjoy and shared my recipe below! Now it’s time to make my Mom’s potato soup!

Cherry Apple Grain Salad

by Sarah Johnson

Prep Time: 15 mins

Ingredients (2 jars)

Salad

2 cups cooked barley
2 cups spinach and arugula salad mix
1/4 cup dried sour cherries
2 tablespoons blue cheese crumbles
1 apple cored and cut into small pieces

Salad Dressing

2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon olive oil
dash of salt and pepper

Instructions

Mix salad dressing and barley together and layer in bottom of mason jar. Layer in spinach and arugula salad mix, dried cherries, blue cheese crumbles and apple. Enjoy! Salad can keep up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

baby, blogging

When Friends Become Family

theblondegiraffe

October 8, 2016

2 Comments

Living miles away from your family is tough. It’s even tougher once you add children to the equation. My friend Gina shared this article last week about what it’s like not having family on call. It was a really good read and I might have shed a few tears.

We love Seattle and the life we have created here. The longer we live here, the more it feels like home. For once, we really feel like we are living where we belong. The only downside about living here is being away from our family and all the perks that come along with that.

The longer we live here, the closer we become with our friends. For us, these friends start to become our family. They become that network of people we rely on for so much. Each city we have lived in we have made friends that are now family. When Logan turned one, two of my best friends flew out for a long weekend. These girls are the sisters I never had. We all worked together in our first real jobs out of college in Charlotte, North Carolina. Not only did we work 40+ hours a week in cubicles together, we chose to spend almost all our free time together. I could count on these girls for anything.

Fast forward to the present – Roxy lives in New York City, Kristin resides in Dallas and I live far away in Pacific Northwest. Since we all have busy schedules, it’s a blessing if we get together once a year. This doesn’t mean we don’t still have our fair share of group texting and wine Skype dates on a regular basis. The second we are in the same place, it’s like our lives are all in the same city again. The weekend they were here could not have been more perfect. We visited downtown Seattle, dined at some of our favorite places, attempted a hike, watched the sunset at Golden Gardens with a bonfire and there was a lot of catching up at home. These girls are my family and I’m blessed they are in my life.

baby, blogging

Logan’s 1st Birthday

theblondegiraffe

October 2, 2016

5 Comments

One year…wow! I seriously can’t believe it’s been a year since we welcomed our sweet boy into this world. I never knew how much a child could change you in a positive way. Everything in our life has changed. The way I view the world and the things I thought were important suddenly are so different.

Of course, there are the days where all I want to do is cry and wonder if I am a good Mother. Every morning when I hear that little happy voice from the other room I realize I can’t be that cranky non-morning person I have been all my life.

If you know me well, you know I have never been one to make big celebration around birthdays. I had decided I wasn’t going to have a 1st birthday party for Logan. Our best friends were flying in for the weekend and as the date got closer, I realized I should have a little something for him. We decided to keep it really low key and only invited over some of our closest friends. Logan has an egg allergy and I was going to make a little smash cake for him. I waited till the last minute to plan everything and the week leading up to his birthday got really busy. I decided to order his cake from a vegan bakery – The Flying Apron. The cake was pricey but really good. It was a perfect day with friends celebrating Logan turning one.

blogging, fitness, fitness fashion

#HitTheBarreWithZico

theblondegiraffe

September 29, 2016

29 Comments

Fitness classes will always be my jam. I love working out in a group setting and love getting the chance to try a variety of workouts. I teach Pilates mat and reformer classes part-time and the little free time I get I’m usually taking a Pilates group classes. If only there were more hours in the day…sigh! When I get the opportunity and time to try out something besides Pilates, I get so excited.

When Portia from Obsessed with Portia invited me to her #HitTheBarreWithZico event she hosted with Flybarre and Zico, it was no question I would be there! It was my first time trying out Flybarre and I loved it! I have subbed a few barre classes for instructors at my gym and love barre workouts. My favorite aspect of a barre class is the strength component and I never walk a away from a barre class not feeling it in so many of my muscles.

Here is a breakdown of Flybarre:

It’s a total-body sculpting class using light weights and core-strengthening exercises.
Exciting, high energy workout concentrating on arms, core, thighs and glutes — the essentials for that perfect bikini bod!
MUSIC !!! Upbeat, high energy and motivates you to keep pushing yourself.
The classes come in a few different formats including Power45, Power60, Tone & Stretch and Flybarre Sport. I took the Power45 but plan to get back to try out a few of the other formats.
Classes challenge both super fit athletes and newbies. The instructors are great at providing modifications if needed. Don’t be intimated to try it out. Let the instructor know it’s your first time!!
Currently, there are 38 locations in 12 markets across the US.
The studio space is gorgeous! I have only visited this Southlake Union location and the studio in Charlotte, NC. Both locations offer superb amenities. Beware though — if you are the least bit addicted to cute edgy workout clothes, don’t take your wallet in. I think I might be making a trip back to buy the cute top our instructor was wearing!

No Obsessed by Portia event is complete without the best of best swag bags.

Swag bags included: Polar Bottle, Seven Salon Product, ZICO Coconut Water, Mamma Chia Squeeze, Bissinger’s Chocolate, Seattle Met Magazine, Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups, Julep Hydrating Cleansing Oil + Konjac Sponge, Shea Moisture from Bartell Drugs, Clinique Makeup & a Free Ticket To Fly from Flywheel

I was so excited for the braid bar provided by Seven Salon. Braids for workouts are my favorite and one day I will actually learn to braid.

All Photos above are by Sukha Design & Photography

Thanks to Zico for the perfect post workout blended smoothie!

Thanks so much to Portia for inviting me to such a fun Sunday afternoon #HitTheBarreWithZico event!!

fashion, fitness, fitness fashion

Flight Look

theblondegiraffe

September 26, 2016

2 Comments

Traveling with a one year old meant we were a large adult playground for the five hour cross country flight. Overall, Logan was good on both trips just really active. Ryan and I were exhausted after both flights. Logan was happy because he was fed way more Puffs than he should have ever eaten in a five hour period.

What I could control was my outfit. My street style has certainly evolved over the past year. Most of what I wear has an athleisure feel to it. Comfort has always been important to me but being a Mom makes it my number one priority now. My part time job is teaching Pilates so when I invest in work wear now that also means an activewear purchase. No complaining from me! You have seen these Brooks running tights in multiple posts and I seriously can’t stop wearing them. They are the best lightweight leggings I have ever worn!

blogging, life

Ocean Isle Beach

theblondegiraffe

September 18, 2016

2 Comments

We spent a week in North Carolina over Labor Day visiting family. After flying into Charlotte, we spent the first night at my parents house at Lake Norman. The next morning we packed up and were off to the coast. I spent most of my summers at Ocean Isle and it was good to be back.

It was Logan’s first time in the Atlantic! Let’s just say he isn’t quite the biggest fan of the sand and ocean.

I am pretty sure I am have the cutest blonde haired, blue eyed nephew.

Love being home and eating my Mama’s food. Her shrimp and grits were so delicious and I am planning to attempt to recreate soon.

After a gorgeous first day at the beach, Tropical Storm Hermaine decided to roll in and make an appearance. We didn’t let the wind and rain stop us from trying to catch flounder in the sound. Good thing my surfer brother was there to catch our bait.

Rain wasn’t stopping us from some running either. It took like two days for my shoes to dry out but so much fun.

After the storm we had one more day to enjoy at the beach before heading back inland.

blogging, fitness, fitness fashion

Seattle Soul Pose

theblondegiraffe

September 14, 2016

2 Comments

I was feeling a little under the weather Saturday evening but I had tickets to attend Soul Pose. No matter how I feel, a little yoga makes everything better. My yoga outings have been few and far between since Logan made his debut into our lives. I have tried a home practice but I get so much more from going to a yoga class. I hope I get a chance to really get back into yoga again in the future.

What is Soul Pose? From the makers of The Color Run, Soul Pose was an hour long yoga party under blacklights. If you come for the Savasana, this isn’t the class for you. It ends in a dance party. Overall, it’s one big yoga party with less mediation and a lot more upbeat yoga flow.

It was just what I needed for my Saturday evening. If you plan on going to a future event, get there early. Half the fun is being with your friends and decorating each other in body paint.

I went to the event by myself. It’s so funny how I have become so independent as I get older. I find myself going and doing things alone I would have never done in the past. I did have two girlfriends working the event so I guess I can’t give myself complete independent credit. They were able to meet up with me once the class started. I loved sweating it out on the mat with these two lovely ladies – Carleeh and Sarah.

Kevin Ng taught our session and all I can say is he rocked it and I’m obsessed with his playlist!! I hope to take another class from him again one day!

Thanks for sharing your photos with me Carleeh!!

fashion, fitness fashion

Chilly Nights, Changing Leaves and Prana Sweaters

theblondegiraffe

September 10, 2016

8 Comments

I always get excited for Fall. I love that crisp cool air, the changing colors of the leaves, bundling up in sweaters, and drinking all the hot beverages. This year, I feel like summer never happened in Seattle. I grew up in the South with those hot humid summer days so that might be why it felt like the summer that never existed here in Seattle. Regardless, I am embracing the Fall season. Bring on the sweaters.

I have tried out some of Prana’s true activewear pieces in the past and honestly didn’t know their line included all the denim and sweaters. I am sharing a look from their Fall line. The Mattea sweater is a recycled wool blend and will be perfect as the nights continue to get colder in the Pacific Northwest. It has an asymmetrical hem and drawcord collar detail for the win! I plan to style this with my leggings all winter long. I am wearing the London Jean and let’s just say I get excited when denim makes the booty look good. This denim passes the test.

Use discount code PFS16TBG at check out if you want an additional 15% off your order when purchasing from the Prana website. Happy shopping!

This post was sponsored by Fit Approach and Prana. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.

blogging, fitness fashion, health, life, seattle

Keeping Focus

theblondegiraffe

August 30, 2016

6 Comments

“Your reality becomes what you focus on so focus on what you really want.” – The Blonde Giraffe

FOCUS. Focus is something that I’m making sure to incorporate into every aspect of my life. I feel like I often over commit to everything in my life. In a world where we are so connected it’s so hard not to. I realize as a mom, my time is more precious than ever and I don’t want to waste time on things that are not important to me. I want to make sure I am spending time on what is going to create the life I want.

Making lists and goal setting is the best way to keep your focus. I am the worst planner sometimes but realize in order to keep focus I have to keep working to change this.

As far as my career as a work at home mom, I am making sure Logan is my number one priority during the day and trying to take care of my business ventures and crazy ideas at night after he goes to bed. I realize what really makes me happy is teaching fitness. While I love to try new workouts and mixing up my workout routines, I am really trying to focus my teaching to only Pilates right now. Pilates has changed my life so much and there is so much for me to learn. I am thankful I am teaching somewhere that offers childcare. Logan and I get out of the house and I get that adult social interaction that I so need. Staying home with a baby can wear on you mentally and I realize that I need to focus on getting out of the house as much as possible.

Brooks Running Outfit (c/o): Sports Bra // Running Tights // Trail Running Shoes

If you follow me on Instagram, you have seen these Brooks running tights are on regular rotation. They are my go to tights and I will be wearing them on our cross country flight home tomorrow. I am also loving this new sports bra. How cute is the back that you can change up?! The shoes are trail running shoes but I have been wearing them to run on the track and to teach in because I love the colors.