I got addicted to blazers and jackets over the last little while. I had just bought this amazing casual royal blue one from my work…..I’m keeping it because I love it but then I read Minimalist Beauty’s latest post about sweatshops and I’ve decided that I’m going to try and get all my clothes from thrift stores and/or stores that don’t support that kind of abusive labour. This is going to be amazing considering I work at a women’s clothing store, and my job is to encourage all of you to buy this stuff.
It just rubbed me the wrong way and I’m sick of thinking that the changes I make don’t impact the rest of the world – who cares if they do or they don’t, it’s the principle, it shouldn’t be my excuse not to try.
Anyway, so after work I hit up the local thrift store and found this bad boy……
* don’t you love how I have a DSLR camera and my blog is filled with crappy photobooth and cell phone snap shots 
I love it!!! I feel so “Rachel Berry” in it, but in a good way and I think it’s a classic piece that I’ll end up getting a lot of wear out of. I’m happy 
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I had one of my worst runs to date yesterday morning. Everything that could go wrong did. So I’ll summarize and spare you the rant
- Right away it started to rain and it was not only cold but my water bottle was leaking all over my poor hand…..I had to dump out half my water just to avoid having a constant leak stream down my hand. <—— Fuelbelt needs to send me a replacement 22 oz bottle!
- I literally ran into a skunk! He had his tail up and everything waiting to take me on – I ran! …..but not before taking a photo in the name of the blog.
* the crappiest photo, maybe….but photo prove of that little bugger running away nonetheless * the skunk is on the bottom right corner of the driveway **
- My knee was hurting me even though I foam rolled prior to heading out, I wore a TC sleeve but it didn’t seem to be working for me. Which prompted some walk breaks.
- It was pitch black out and my mind kept telling me I was crazy for going out a) alone and b) onto a dark trail alone.
- I ended my run 5 miles in with 6 miles left to be made up later this week.
- To get home I had to tackle the “adventure stairs“ – if you’ve never done them – they’re a must for anyone local. This man built them and they are a use at your own risk feature…
* heading up the stairs – they’re all made of recycled concrete and patio stones, the railings are branches and the stairs go all the way up/down the escapement
Ending a run remains one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do. Why? while running, to me, is always hard, it’s always a challenge and always something (until I reach that “high” in the run) that I want to be over. I only really love running once I’m done or at mile 8 So listening to your body and ending a run is quite the challenge. I always end up asking myself – should I stop? do I really need to? am I making excuses? should I just suck it up and go anyway?
The inner monologue is endless! but choosing the answer is humbling. Sometimes you’ve just got to ask yourself – would you rather run today and get injured, or stop and take a few days to heal and run forever?
I really think I’d like to run for as long as I’m blessed with the ability Just like Fauja Singh :)
I think the fact that you could end a run so easily because you didn’t feel it makes it really hard to know if you really need to stop due to pain. I was on a time constraint and knew I wouldn’t make it going the slow speed I was, so ending the run seemed logical….however, parts of me will always look at it like I gave up, and question whether I should’ve kept going.
I got injured at 11 miles last time and so I’m also super scared to go past it and run through pain again.
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I hooked up with the sibs for a huge milestone birthday event with my dad’s side of the family. My Grandma is turning 85, her brother Ron 80 and her younger sister Grace 75. It was a fun event with a lovely buffet brunch that had some great eats.
It was nice to see them so happy. There was definitely a lot of love to be shared in the room. I don’t think I’ve ever seen those 3 look so happy - except maybe Grace, as she’s always happy to see me I hope I can be as happy as they are when I’m older
It was nice to meet some of our second cousins – as I hadn’t seen them in years! Including Jack, the little cutie in front of me in the blue, who was excited to share with me that he’ll be running his first 5k in a few weeks
*I seriously nailed how I feel about myself with that jacket – best 9.99 I’ve ever spent!
I just need to keep running – as it has literally proven to be my saviour……well that and deep-fried cheesecake, I seriously should’ve asked them to pack some up for me!
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Questions:
1. do you rock the blazer – yay or nay??
2. runs – do you know when you need to stop and when you’re just lying to yourself??
I think I’ve seriously gotten a lot better at figuring that out and I’m happy with my decision to cut yesterday’s run short. To be honest, I’m still feeling like not running today so I plan to foam roll, epsom salt bath and just do some mad strength and yoga instead
3. do you think you’ll ever be able to be completely satisfied and happy within yourself??
I truly do. I mean I seriously HOPE to be a role of inspiration – I’d love to be able to sort through my crap instead of push it away. I truly know I’ll be smiling when I die and I know I can do this! I really think I can and will do this!
PS: sorry for this insanely long post – but it’s Monday, and a lot of time that happens
I like the blazer- lookin’ fly!
Watch the knee- pain is the first sign theres something up so maybe cut back on the running for a coupla days
Also I’m never going to tell you what you should and shouldnt do but be careeeeeeefullll on trails at night solo! Its a horrible reality that ladies are at risk, hope you had no music on! x
You’re right! I literally stopped before entering the trail (as I was hoping the sun would be up by the time I reached it and completely forgot it wouldn’t be) and I stretched there for a while saying “Am I stupid to go in there??” I did anyways….I only ran into an old man….and NO I did not have music on
I was literally scared shitless the whole run – I was on mad alert!
I never run in the dark so this was weird for me
Im glad you were super watchful once in there! Whenever I run at night I spend the ENTIRE time looking at people suspiciously ha ha!
That trail looks very scary early in the morning. I started running at 6:45am yesterday and it was pretty dark but I stuck to main roads.
Ya, it was scary. I’m an idiot – I mapped my entire run without thinking “HEY, the sun won’t be up!” but ya, it was scary and I won’t be doing it again. I spent so much time looking behind me
I love rocking a blazer on date nights with Melly or special events…but then again I am a dude so no surprise there!
With runs I always try to push through thinking it will just get better…but sometimes the better feeling never happens and I regret trying to push through…
One day…and lots of therapy before then…
LOL nice! I love men in blazers….Colin is not a blazer guy. But I think I’ll work on converting him shortly
and therapy – I hear you! I was in therapy my whole life….now I just read self-help books, talk to like-minded individuals and do yoga and running
Love the blazer!! So cute:) I have been looking for a cute blazer for over a year and just haven’t found the right one. Maybe I need to check out the thrift stores:) most of the time I want to quit running, it’s mental. Rarely if ever do I have a legit excuse. That’s why I try not to run on the treadmill since its too easy to quit.
Thrifting is the greatest, and most dangerous thing ever! I went to exchange (as you can’t return) another jacket that I bought on impulse and ended up spending more money – HOWEVER I’ve never owned anything lululemon and I found a mint condition hoodie for 34$
SCORE!!!! so now I officially own something name brand 
and you’re right – I missed my workout this morning due to Logan but I hope to get enough mental strength to get on the tready later today before work
I am such a blazer and jacket person. they are super cheap at forever 21 or h&m. that run sounds miz, just miz. good for you for doing it.
It was miz! but I’m glad it’s done
and YES! I love blazers – simplest way to look put together 
I love the blazer, they look good on you!
Thanks
Love blazers!! I really have to admit that I like fall fashion more than any other time of the year
Sorry your run didn’t go well.
Agreed. Fall sets the mood for the entire year!
Loved that grey blazer, what a great find! I need to do more thrift store shopping! LOVED that photo of you and Fauja Singh haha that was hilarious!
I have this problem with myself as well, always thinking of what I should or could have done better, faster, harder, gone longer, etc. when instead we need to listen to our bodies and thank it for the ability to accomplish what we did as not many are that lucky! You are a great inspiration Ali!
You definitely do. You have to be in the mood, as there’s a lot of sifting through….you also have to watch that you actually NEED/want the piece, as the prices are so cheap that it’s easy to be impulsive – ie: I ended up buying a purple pencil skirt just b/c it both fit me and looked awesome, but I really didn’t need it
Very cute jacket. It’s perfect for you.
Love the photo of your Grandma and siblings. They look like such nice, happy people.
Thanks Char…if I find another one I’ll ship it out to you so we can be twins
They are definitely nice happy people.
I love blazers, but I don’t wear them. That 2nd one is so cute on you- great find!
. It will happen.
I believe I have become better at knowing when to say when as far as running goes. I used to just keep pushing but not anymore.
I really do hope to one day be truly content and happy with and within myself. I am not UNhappy now, but I look forward to being completely and utterly happy about me and everything about me
I loved this comment Jerilee!!! It WILL happen
we’ve got this!
I completely agree with everything you said, I’m not unhappy either, but I’m definitely not at “that” place
one day.
and you need a good blazer! I promise, T-shirts and jeans never looked so good
Aw! I love the birthday boy/girls! So cute!
I sometimes stress about sweatshops too. I had someone suggest both thrift store shopping and sewing-your-own-clothes to avoid supporting sweatshops. And the thing is that I love to sew…but I can’t figure out how the person who proposed this could assume that the fabrics that I use to sew aren’t from sweatshops. It seems that thrift stores are the only way to be sure.
Thanks Becky!!! and I LOVE that you’ve been doing research on this matter as well. I agree, the fabrics are probably sweatshop made as well.
Thrifting is great because the big companies see NONE of that money
I just bought my first ever piece of lulu – $34 at value village 
Love the blazer Ali, it looks super smart on you! I really like blazers but I only have one, I’d like to get another though
I hope your knee is okay, I’ve gotten really bad pain in my knees this year but I’m hoping it’s just an extension of the same old back pain, don’t really want to deal with another issue! I couldn’t run on a trail in the dark (ignore the fact that I can’t actually run haha) because I’d be too scared, I avoid going anywhere on my own at night really!
The party sounds lovely, glad you had a nice time
I love that blazer! I have several blazers that I love to wear with jeans or with pencil skirts.