dexter season 4 season finale?!?

Holy shizz. Does anyone else watch Dexter?

I love this show and thought that I'd seen it all, but the season finale just blew my mind. It was a fantastic episode (although I'm sure there are other fans who will hold the opposite opinion). Such a dark, disturbing ending . . . I actually feel terrible, sad and a little sick after finishing the show. I'm going to re-watch the episode when I get some time because now that final scene between Dexter and TK takes on a whole new meaning. Yikes.

I can't believe I have to wait until September 2010 for the new season. I guess I'm just left thinking about what could be in store . . .

weekly training summary -- december 7 - 13

This was one of those awful weeks where I wasn't able to get more than a few hours of sleep per night and, as a result, had far too much take-out and far too few runs and cross-training. I usually try very hard to get exercise even when life gets busy, but this was one of those weeks where even I had to throw my hands up in frustration. I hate that feeling.

Monday: 4 miles

Tuesday: 3 miles

Sunday: 10 miles

I did manage to run out for a few hours and finish up my remaining Christmas shopping, since I won't have any time between now and when I leave for the 'Couv on Dec. 23. There are AMAZING sample sales this weekend (Opening Ceremony, Helmut Lang, Luca Luca, Bird, Aloha Rag . . . ) and although I couldn't stop by many of them, I did swing by the Rag and Bone sample sale and purchased the Nancy blazer in black.

I cannot own enough Rag and Bone, I tell you!

I also picked up a few presents online from J. Crew, including these gifts to myself:

I tried this schoolboy blazer on at the store before and really loved the fit. Now that they've marked down the price (plus the extra 30% I was able to take off with the internet sale this weekend), the piece became irresistible!

I thought this tee was adorable and plan to style it similarly to this picture.

Picked up a few of these basic tanks.

I'm a little old school and still like to keep a paper day planner and book for notes. I thought it was a good idea to finally pick up something to keep track of birthdays and anniversaries so that I remember when to send out cards and presents accordingly.
Not bad for a sprint-paced shopping session! I am so relieved to have all of my Christmas presents ready to go for the upcoming holiday (and perhaps a few too many presents for myself!) -- now I can just focus on getting a million and one things done at the office before I leave NYC for a short vacation. Really looking forward to seeing some of you while I'm back West visiting my parents!

3 am internet shopping is dangerous (part two) . . . .

I know that this isn't news for folks who follow fashion -- but man, in the past year or so, has J. Crew stepped it up or what? I used to shop there in high school and my first couple years of college, but quickly grew sick of the prices I would pay for such boring and ill-fitting clothes. But now? I really love their stuff. I work in a professional environment and am expected to adhere to a particular NY office woman look, which normally is the kiss of death for me. J. Crew has some really fun pieces to add to my basics so that I don't feel like I have to completely put aside my personal style in order to adhere to the office code (another store that fits the bill is Ann Taylor -- I swear!). Luckily, my firm is pretty laid-back about clothing, as far as law firms go. Case in point: Last month I got away with wearing a pink dress with an SATC opening credits-worthy tulle and lace skirt section + a black cropped Alexander McQueen for Target blazer and some tights. Not the type of outfit I'd wear for a client meeting or court, but at least I feel like I have the freedom to wear some fun pieces on normal workdays.

I had another 3 am internet shopping therapy session tonight. Here's what my efforts resulted in:

I debated this coat earlier in the season -- I hate buying black winter coats. Too practical. But after rocking my Phillip Lim (in green) from last year + other difficult-to-match hued coats a few too many times, I bit the bullet and started hunting for a black coat. And after they marked this girl down, I was sold! [Note to shoppers: the coat runs big -- at the store, I had to drop down to a size 0 petite, when I normally prefer a solid 2/4 so that there's room for a suit jacket or a sweater, so take that for what it is]
Did you know that it's next to impossible to find black denim? Yeah, I didn't know either. Seemed simple enough -- I wanted an easy pair of non-blue jeans to wear on the weekends so that I could finally end my lazy pattern of throwing on leggings, a tank and oversized cardigan (I've been fighting the leggings disease for years now . . . they're just so comfy . . . .). After finding these guys, I hopefully will begin a new lazy pattern of throwing on jeans, a tank and an oversized cardigan. Yeah, I know --I'm living on the edge. In terms of sizing, J. Crew denim usually runs true-to-size (unlike that Gap nonsense -- seriously, the vanity sizing thing needs to stop!). Hopefully this pair will fit like I think they should.

Fun thigh high socks for the weekend -- I got a pair in grey.

New top to throw with a suit for work. Steeply discounted to only $19.99!Making me wear a pair of chinos is normally akin to forcing a vampire to go sunbathing. The above picture is a testament to Jenna Lyons' styling ability. Seems simple enough -- roll some pant legs and throw on a metallic belt -- but those little steps made pants I would normally hate quite palatable to me (although let's not even discuss those awful shoes). Plus, they were only $20. : )

Bottom line is that I've added J. Crew to my list of go-to shops, especially for work gear. I should have known this was inevitable after they added Erin Wasson to their line-up of adorable (yet still interesting-looking) models. I'm a sucker for anything that might be a throw-back to grunge or a "nod to the crisp Seattle weather." ; )

3 am internet shopping is dangerous . . . .

Yep, I am totally getting this Phillip Lim dress for the holidays. It is exactly what I'm digging right now: Sequined, frilly, yet stylable into something that's a little bit rock 'n roll. A refreshing take on the ubiquitous one-shouldered dress. Gonna wear it with my platform ankle motorcycle boots from Zara (platform + motorcycle = contradiction?) and my favorite cropped leather jacket. Loves it.

weekly training summary -- november 30 - december 1

It is so much harder to train now that the weather is getting colder and the days are getting darker much earlier here in NYC. I'm trying to stick to a 5 days per week workout schedule (consisting of 3 - 4 runs + remainder as strength and cross training), but it is such a challenge -- especially with my crazy long work days!

• Monday: 60 minutes elliptical + weights
• Tuesday: 4 miles (intervals)
• Friday: 6 miles
• Saturday: Total body conditioning class (strength training)
• Sunday: 18 miles (Long run pace. Weather was cold and sunny. Overall, the run felt great, although I was VERY disappointed by David Sedaris' "Holidays on Ice." It was by far the worst book of his that I have ever read -- actually, listened is more accurate. Boo.)

It's no secret that I'm a nut about making music mixes (I still have lots of mixed cassette tapes from junior high and high school, holla!). My most embarrassing mixes are the ones I make for races and working out. They're 90% teenybopper music and 10% music that I would actually listen to outside the confines of headphones (where no one will hear my secret shame!). That being said, I received a request for some good workout songs, so I'm including my current short run mix. I change it up every couple of months. Here's what I'm listening to on my iPod shuffle for my runs that are 8 miles or less at the moment (just in case you want some suggestions):

"Idioteque" (Radiohead), "Frug" (Rilo Kiley), "Bulletproof" (La Roux), "50 Yard Dash" (Raphael Saadiq), "Heads Will Roll" (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), "Maneater" (Nelly Furtado), "Get off the Fucking Flowers" (Blakrok and Raekwon), "Telephone" (Lady Gaga and Beyonce), "Good Girls Go Bad" (Cobra Starship),"Use Somebody" (Kings of Leon), "Battlefield" (Jordin Sparks), "Morning After Dark" (Timbaland and Nelly Furtado), "You Belong With Me" (Taylor Swift), "I'm Good I'm Gone" (Lykke Li), "Misery Business" (Paramore), "Run This Town" (Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West), "Celebration" (Madonna), "The Fixer" (Pearl Jam), "Fly on the Wall" (Miley Cyrus), "Shut Up and Let Me Go" (Ting Ting Tings), "American Idiot" (Green Day), "New York Girls" (Morningwood), "I'm the Boy" (Serge Gainsbourg), "Dirty Little Secret" (All-American Rejects)

Nick and I also saw David Duchovny while on our long run today. Not a very good celeb sighting, but I did still have to fight the urge to run back and ask him if he could really be serious about his problem -- not cool, Agent Mulder. Not cool at all.

weekly training summary -- thanksgiving week.

Nick and I ventured out to Boston to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with one of Nick's college buddies and his family. It was an incredibly relaxing and fun trip --- but I definitely went overboard with the eating and lack of exercise. I just got back into town and am going to work hard to get back on the wagon. I feel like I gained weight just from my three days of gluttony! I may have to even resort to another 3-day Blueprint Cleanse just to feel back on track.

My training runs were limited this week, but I'm glad I even got a few in, considering all of the R&R time I put in. My long run for the week was really fabulous. Today was one of those gorgeous NYC fall days that just reminded me why I love this city so much. Running around Central Park (even the Harlem Hills felt really soothing), ending with a fantastic view of the Statue of Liberty . . . I'll never get sick of it!

• Monday: 5.5 miles
• Tuesday: 4 miles
• Sunday: 16 miles