Refashioning Old Jeans

For a while now  I have been wondering what to do with a stack of old jeans tucked away in my closet.  I am no longer into the boot cut and most of the boyfriend cut are too baggy for me these days.  I had actually considered trying to sell them but then it dawned on me... just refashion them!!

So I went to my main source for creative ideas... Pinterest of course!

Now I just might actually take on two projects - turning jeans into shorts & jeans into capri's!  And all without a sewing machine!!!

Thanks to two sources on Pinterest here are my possible projects :


The first project - jeans into shorts (according to Refinery 29)

Now instead of explaining it step for step I'll just refer you to their link.

Hopefully this will fix the fact I actually only like one pair of jean shorts I own!


The second project - jeans into capri's (according to By Your Hands)
(Since I don't have a sewing machine I am going to use the technic I'll learn from the shorts instead of the zig zag stitch she suggests.)

 

Again, here's a link to their site instead of explaining it step for step.

Now the capris seem way more challenging than the shorts, but if it works it would be nice to have actual capris instead of rolling up my jeans!


If and when I get around to it, obviously before the summer, I'll be sure to document my progress and keep you updated.

Bye! Dag! Adios! Namaste! Salut!

:) Danica

Winter Motivation

It's hard to motivate yourself to keep jogging through the winter, well, at least it is for me.  Today it was -2C (28F) and 2 weeks ago it was -3C (26F).  Do you know how hard it is for a Florida native to grasp jogging in these temps?!

Some days I have to watch out for ice, today there was frost everywhere, and even a small snow flurry.  It's hard on your breathing, especially for someone with mild asthma like myself.  It takes you twice as long to warm up before you even get going.  You have to buy special clothes, and wear a hat & gloves, there is so much more to think about.  What happen to my fun, motivated, short (30-35 min) jog twice a week to keep fit?

Besides the weather we have been sick off and on for about a month now.  All of this is causing my pace times to go down, down, down.  This is really frustrating, because every time I get out there I want to see improvement.  There has been no improvement since winter hit back in December.

Usually after a month I switch up my playlist and jog/walk times.  Mostly because they have become too easy and I need to step it up.  I haven't adjusted my playlist in a while because I am struggling from beginning to end of the jog.  Finally I realized I just needed to do it, good or bad weather I needed to make it more challenging in order to get over this slump.  So in the weekend I adjusted my playlist, rearranged some songs, added a few, and of course lessened the walking time & increased the amount of time I would jog.  I was a little nervous this morning before starting out.

See, I am taking jogging slowly, especially after injuring myself in the beginning (besides the asthma it is why I still rotate between walking & jogging).  So for me jogging just 30 seconds longer is an accomplishment.  In total I added 1 1/2 minutes to my jogging time with this new playlist.  Today was the first day I was going to jog 5 minutes straight without walking to catch my breath. 

And I did it!  Fog, frost, cold, & nerves, I still did it!!!  And oddly enough, I felt motivated and it wasn't as bad as I expected.  I am really glad I decided to push myself.  Maybe my body will not say that tomorrow, but who cares, I did it!

Any of you had any minor accomplishments lately?

Bye! Dag! Adios! Namaste! Salut!

:) Danica

Replacing Basics

My wardrobe has a few key items that I wear often.  My American Eagle "jeggings" and my Graceland boots.  I don't like spending a lot of money on clothes or shoes because they can so easily get damaged, but if I find something I like I'll just keep buying it again and again.

But what happens when the store let's me down?

Take American Eagle for example, I have been a dedicated customer for over 15yrs!  But this past year I realized their jeans just aren't the same anymore, what am I going to do!!!  A few years back I jumped on the "jegging" bandwagon and haven't looked back.  (Actually I have a stack of "boyfriend" jeans I don't know what to do with.)  When I visit The States I pick up a pair of AE "jeggings" or have my Mom send me a pair for the holidays, it's the easiest way to keep stocked up overseas.  But the pair I bought back in March 2014 just didn't fit right, I tried to shrink them, I tried everything, and yet after 30 minutes they are baggy and falling off.  I thought I bought a dud pair and had my Mom send me another pair for Christmas.  They're not as bad but still I can't keep them on all day because they just can't keep their fit.  I compared the labels of my old jeans with these, old jeans 99% cotton + 1% spandex, new jeans 99% cotton + 1% elastane.  Supposedly spandex and elastane are comparable, but I'm telling you the jeans just don't have the same fit anymore and they are impossible to shrink to become more fitted.  I am highly disappointed.  I actually think I might have to try out a different brand, it's not like I can wear the same 3 pair of jeans that do fit for the rest of my life.  Anyone else notice the difference in the American Eagle jeans?

Another dilemma on the horizon, is my favorite autumn-winter boots are wearing out and I can't find anything comparable in the stores right now!  To some they are extremely ugly boots, I must admit when I first moved to The Netherlands I never would have worn them.  But time wears you down, and you end up adjusting your style.  And actually you'd be surprised how many outfits these boots go with.  I can wear them with "jeggings" & "skinny" jeans, none of my other boots can handle the extra material of the "skinny" jeans.  I can wear them with light or dark colored jeans.  And because of the sneaker like sole I don't mind walking distances in them.  I could go on and on.  Anyway, I've been occasionally checking the 2 stores that carried them and they don't have anything like them anymore.  I have the feeling I am going to have to either pay more money elsewhere or find a different style.  I know the stores have to change styles every season, but that doesn't mean all of the people do.  I should have bought 2 pairs when I waited a month for the sale, arg!  Any store let you down recently by discontinuing a shoe model?

My sister-in-law did tip me off to a store worth trying here in Eindhoven for jeans, but that doesn't solve my shoe problem.  I'll let you know if I can find replacements to my basics!

Bye! Dag! Adios! Namaste! Salut!

:) Danica

New Job!

I've been promising big news for a while, so here is 1/2 of it... my husband starts his new job today!!!  After 12 years of hard work and dedication to the same company he decided to branch out, and landed himself a job at Microsoft NL.  It was a natural step considering he has been working with MS CRM since it was first released in Europe.  Needless to say we are all very proud of him and wish him the best.  I've been a Microsoft fan for ages, and have been pushing him in this direction for a while.  But being the good businessman he is, he waited for the right timing and job opportunity. 

My husband knows Dynamics CRM inside and out, and it will be great for him to work with other people as enthusiastic as he is to get the product further into the market.  He's already made a name for himself within the European CRM world, who knows what will happen with Microsoft now backing him!

I wish him the best, and am happy to say we're now part of the Microsoft family.

Here he is leaving for his 1st day of work.  Yay!!!

Bye! Dag! Adios! Namaste!

:) Danica

10 Min Workouts

Looking to firm up your abs in 10 minutes?  What about tighten up your arms?  Well, I have two go to dvd's that help exactly with that.  I've mentioned these pilates dvd's in the past but here 2 years later I'm still turning to them for the in between workouts.

(If you're a little overweight and still fairly fit these workouts are perfect for you.  If you don't exercise regularly or are more than 20lbs overweight they are most likely too hard.)


My go to 10 min ab workout (for the past 10 yrs) is :

Crunch - Pick Your Spot Pilates - Belly

Sure there are other exercises on the dvd but I always start with the ab exercises and depending on time work my way through the other 10 minute exercises like butt, thighs, or total body.







My go to 10 min arm workout is :

10 Minute Solutions - Pilates - Sculpting

This one actually gives you obvious results in your arms.  It doesn't bulk you up but manages to firm your arms and help create a bit of definition.  It also has 4 other 10 minute workouts.







I've tried at least 5 different 10 minute pilates dvd's and I promise the two workouts I mentioned above will give you results within a couple weeks.

At one point pilates was my main form of staying in shape.  These days I try to jog twice a week, and use pilates when I see my arms or abs could use some attention.  Or during the weeks when I know I over ate in the weekend.  The beauty of these 10 minute exercises is that you barely break a sweat, if you even do at all, unlike cardio workouts. 

Unfortunately last weekend we packed up my beloved crosstrainer (elliptical machine) into a storage unit.  But to be fair, I haven't been really using is since I started jogging, plus the weather is too cold for my crosstrainer workouts in our outside shed!  When we eventually get a house we'll be sure to bring it back home and incorporate it into our fitness regime.

Besides jogging & pilates (wow, I almost sound fit but I promise I have 5-10lbs that come and go monthly) I dabble in other home exercise dvds.  I recently just tried some of Jillian Michaels workouts, but I'll save that for a future post.

If you haven't noticed the theme, I like to save money by not having a gym membership.  I can use the same exercise clothes for jogging, pilates, & the crosstrainer.  And equipment I have collected over time as I find them on sale.  I have pretty standard stuff like an exercise mat & light weight dumbbells, and of course a couple fads like the balance board & kettlebell.  All of this keeps me fit for little costs and saves time by being able to do it from home.

What do you do to stay in shape?

Bye! Dag! Adios! Namaste!

:) Danica

Music Moments #7

It's only been 10 months since the last "music moments" so I would say it's time for an update!  So, what am I listening to right now?  Basically there are two albums I can't get enough of at the moment.

First off... Sia - 1000 Forms of Fear

She has such a different voice, I'm hooked!

You all probably know Chandelier from the radio (depending on which country you live in).  Love this song, it has a great story and beat.

Another popular single from this album is, Elastic Heart.  Again, a song full of emotion and a beat that just makes you bob with.  Too bad the music video is getting such negative press.  I actually think Maddie & Shia did a uniquely great job.

I really appreaciate that Sia (helps) write her own songs, it makes them seem deeper and more heart felt.  The entire album makes you feel you've stepped into someone else's head.  Besides the two most popular singles, there are other songs worth checking out on the album... Fire Meet Gasoline, Hostage, & Straight for the Knife.


The second album is completely different but still delves into deep feelings & relationships... Alex & Sierra - It's About Us

I mentioned them back in 2013 when they were competing on X Factor and now they finally have an album out!!!  Loved their style from their first perfomance on the show.

I am not sure if their music is playing on US radio's or not, but it should be.  It is yet to make it here in The Netherlands, but I'll keep my fingers crossed. 

They have to videos made and the songs are great, Scarecrow & Little Do You Know.  The songs are catchy & meaningful and make you want to sing along.

For their first album I think it went well, they didn't venture too far from the style that we all fell in love with during X Factor.  Other worthy songs on the album, Bumper Cars (it definitely needs an official video), I Love You, & Back to You.


Hope you all give them a chance and enjoy these two albums as much as I do!

Bye! Dag! Adios! Namaste!

:) Danica

Finding Balance

Where have I been you ask?  (Or maybe not, ha-ha!)  Well, I allowed myself to get so ridiculously focused on my daily schedule that I turned into a human robot.  It happens!

Finding balance in life is so important and yet so hard.  We can't do it all at one time.

You know there are the things you have to do to survive... there are things you have to do to be a good wife & parent... there are things you have to do to run a house... plus juggling school & sports... there are meals to be made & bags to be packed... bills to be paid & plans to be made... there are hobbies & down time... I could go on and on.

But how do you juggle everything and still have an ounce of spontaneity & freedom left? 

That's where balance comes into play.

I think it will be a life long commitment, just like health.  There are no quick or easy answers.  It's just doing what's right for you & yours.

Thanks to a holiday refresher, and of course my husband pointing out the side road of life I had decided to veer down, I'm trying to get back on track.  Trying to find a way to balance the needs, wants, & of course fun in life.  I hope to get back to blogging, writing, & photography.  But first things first, I hope to get my personality back!  For the sake of my husband & daughter, and family & friends! 

So here's another step down the road of life, a step towards balance, my first blog post of 2015!  (Nothing like the pressure of the first post of the year, ha-ha!)

Hope all is well in your corner of the world and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Bye! Dag! Adios! Namaste!

:) Danica

Blogging Anniversary #3

Wow, where does the time go?  Did you know this is my 3rd year of blogging?  I almost forgot!  Turns out, back in October my blog turned 3!

Just like life, blogging has an interesting way of taking different paths over time.  Especially a random blog like mine.  At times I am more focused on activities around the city where I live, other times health & fitness, and even a book review here or there.  Lately I have very little time to consistently post, unlike last year.  And I seem to often be blogging about being a parent, something I tried to veer away from in the past.
 

But with this new blogging year, changes are coming.  There's a lot going on in our personal lives.  Things I would like to post but have to wait for the right timing.  So until I can share these ideas & plans, you're just going to have to take the blog for what it is and has been.  And to help you do that, here are a few of my favorite posts from the past year:

MISSING MARKET

SNAIL STORY

SKID TRAINING

CREATIVE MISSION

ENDOMONDO

FEEL GOOD MARKET

WISHFUL THINKING

POLYVORE OUTFITS

Bye! Dag! Adios! Namaste!

:) Danica