Photo Blogging Challenge – Morning

The theme for the November photo blogging challenge was “Morning”.

I came up with photos I liked for this challenge.

This first image is a view of the Boston city crest, taken as I left the Boston public garden to go to an early morning meeting 

This is a photo of the sun rising over a November Project Wednesday AM workout. All November Project workouts start with the leaders shouting “Good Morning” at the crowd.

I like to take it easy on weekend mornings. This photo is of “Craig’s Benedict” at Craig’s Cafe – my favorite breakfast place in Quincy, MA

 I continue the lazy weekend morning by going to the Thomas Crane Library in Quincy.

I’m spoiled to have such a beautiful library in walking distance from my house. I’ve been binge reading mystery series by Rhys Bowen lately, so I stop by the library multiple times a week to pick up/return books.

This last one is a float in the Quincy Christmas Parade on 11/29. I think of it as picturing Christmas morning.

I’m also spoiled that I have 2 parades a year that have a route directly under my condo balcony (Christmas & Flag Day) so that’s how I get the photos from above.

This monthly photo blogging challenge is facilitated by PJ of the Northeast Bloggers Network.

Thanks for inspiring me to take more photos!

Blog and Fly at Flywheel Boston

It’s no secret that I used to think spin classes weren’t for me.

Then I discovered Flywheel in Boston.

Wow!

Their spin classes were so good that they convinced me that not only were spin classes something I could do – I actually enjoyed them!

Flywheel is my favorite spin studio!

On Saturday, I joined some bloggers from Blog & Tweet Boston for a #BlogandFly free class. I brought my friend Maggie with me to try out her first Flywheel spin class.

We both had a great time and a good workout.

The class was lead by Catie Macken. She was encouraging and kept the class up beat.

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A post shared by Danielle Kempe (@danielle.j.kempe)

To  my pleasant surprise, I found out that anyone who brought a friend that was new to Flywheel got a free class – so thanks Maggie for that!

The bikes are arranged in a stadium configuration so seeing the instructor is no problem. Also, you pick the bike you want to ride at check in, so there’s no jostling with other class attendees to get to bikes when the doors open. They also have gel bike seat covers available for free, in case your behind isn’t used to spin/cycling.

The spin equipment at Flywheel is actually comfortable! Spin shoes that clip in are provided as part of the class fee. There is an the electronic board on your bike that showed the resistance level, your Revolutions Per Minute, and how much current you’ve generated. After class, you’re e-mailed your stats, so you can compare your classes to see if you’re improving.

After class, we were treated to salads from Sweetgreen, and they were delicious!

A huge thank you to Flywheel Boston for hosting us!

I’m looking forward to spinning with you again soon!

Fit For Good Results

 

Thank you to everyone that logged steps for FitForGood!

The National MS Society came in 3rd, but still earned a $150,000 donation from Fitbit.

November Project – Cold 11/18

My husband joined me at November Project Boston this morning to climb some stairs at Harvard Stadium.

I was super happy. I’ve been working out with NP for over 2 years, but this was the first time my husband joined me for a Wednesday NP workout.

It was cold. The weather report on the drive in said 28 degrees.

We were bundled up and ready – so I thought.

Got to NP OK. Bounced, hugged, and attended the Newbie meeting.

I started climbing with my husband and I wasn’t doing well. Coughing a lot, due to still not being over a cold.

But my husband fared worse than me. I was afraid the drive home was going to turn into a drive to the ER.

I’m blaming it on the cold temperature, but my husband felt horrible. He described it as feeling like his “lungs and heart were on fire”. I think that his asthma acted up. He hasn’t had asthma symptoms as an adult, so he didn’t even think of it as a possible problem.

We left after climbing 3 sections.

Once we got home, he could catch his breath again, but he gave me quite a scare.

I’m disappointed, since this was NOT the outcome I expected when he finally joined me for NP stair climbing.

#FitnessFail for us. 😦

Gwynnie Bee – Still Loving the Clothes

It’s been a few months since I posted about Gwynnie Bee and I am still loving the clothes I get sent each week!

You may remember from a previous post, I am an affiliate for the awesome clothing rental company Gwynnie Bee.

They fit sizes 10-32.

For a flat fee, they send you plus size clothing to rent. If you love it, you can keep it, for a low additional charge.

You pick every item that’s added to your virtual closet, and the size for each item. (Which is great! Ladies know there’s no such thing as universal sizing in women’s clothes.) There are size charts for each item recommending which size to choose based on body measurements.

For me, this nearly guarantees that I’ll like the dresses & tops I’m mailed. (I’ve only had 1 item that the fit was off for.)

Let me know if you have any questions about Gwynnie Bee. I love them and would be happy to talk through their process for you.

Use my affiliate links above for a 30 day free trial.

Here are some of the items I’ve been sent recently:

Triste Radiant Juniper Fit & Flare Dress

Isabel + Alice Marbled Magenta Hi-lo top

 Spruce & Sage Baroque Print Ruched dress

Dorothy Perkins Geo Side Panel Pencil dress

Isabel + Alice Floral Sweetheart Peplum Top

Isabel + Alice Trellis Printed Peplum Top

Leota Sweetheart Dress in Bright Abstract

Left: Triste Painted Abstract Ruched dress

Right: Isabel + Alice Colorblock Floral A-Line dress

Jete Cozumel Print Peplum top

Jete Abstract Floral Notched tunic

I’m holding my weeks old new cousin. Isn’t he adorable?!

Conference chic thanks to Gwynnie Bee – both for my work NORD Rare Disease Summit

and Association of Fundraising Professionals MA Conference

Left: Jessica Howard Boatneck Dress in Ikat Print

Middle: Triste Abstract Cityscape Shift dress

Right: Jessica Howard Fit & Flare Dress in Tile Check Print –

I love the Jessica Howard Fit & Flare Dress in Tile Check Print so much I’m thinking of buying it to keep. It has pockets!

I’ve worn it 3 times to networking/work events and it’s been a huge hit.

London Times Sheath Dress in Abstract Floral Print

Left: Elvi Navy Lace Print Faux Wrap shirt

Right: Jete Abstract Printed Faux Wrap dress

The above are only a small selection of the 50 clothing items I’ve been sent so far in my 3 months of Gwynnie Bee membership. I started my 1st month on the 3 items per box plan, but have upped it to a 5 items per box plan for the last 2 months.

Once you’re done with an item, you mail it back in a postage paid bag provided by Gwynnie Bee. You’ll get a new item within about 4 days of mailing an item back.

I feel fashionable every day I’m wearing a Gwynnie Bee item & it’s made my work wardrobe pretty much hassle free!

I pair the tops with jeans on weekends.

As a plus sized woman, I’m used to wearing items that fit but aren’t my style. To be able to stay stylish and professional with Gwynnie Bee is a world altering shift for the better for me! I would sing their praises as a happy customer, even if I wasn’t an affiliate.

And I do often! Even in supposedly unfriendly Boston, I get stopped by other women on the subway to ask about my beautiful Gwynnie Bee dresses. I tell them the website without getting any affiliate credit.

I also love that I pick out the clothes and get multiple items throughout the month, as opposed to 1 box of items curated by someone else like other boxed clothing services.

The clothing rental aspect of Gwynnie Bee works for me! It makes me look like I have enough clothes in my closet to be a model and I can send the items back when I want something new.

November Project – Better Than Bedtime – Boston

On Sunday evening, November Project had a workout called “Better Than Bedtime“. We would meet at Harvard Stadium at 4:54 PM, bounce and welcome everyone, then run to an undisclosed location for an after-party.

My husband joined me for this adventure!

Dave & I post run – waiting to enter the party

We decided to be part of the one mile run group.

We ended up working out a bit with the injury deck group before heading on our run.

We met up with those running the 3-5 mile route on the way. The final destination was a huge dance party at POP Allston (Converse building).

I’m amused at how my husband described the party:

This s*** is bananas! #betterthanbedtime #yinyangbos @Nov_Project pic.twitter.com/V0eqa8UMLW

— David Kempe (@kempedavid) November 9, 2015

Thank you to November Project Boston for being amazing and hosting such a fun workout/night out!

Want to get a feel for what the evening was like? Check out the video below from Scott Goergen:

Fitbit – FitForGood

Friends that track steps – sign up for FitForGood!

In recognition of the National MS Society’s commitment to mobilize people and resources so that everyone affected by MS can live their best lives, Fitbit has chosen the them to be one of three charities to participate in their 2015 FitForGood challenge.

Starting November 9, anyone can earn points to help the MS Society win up to $500,000 in the FitForGood challenge by:

* Signing up now at fitbit.com/fitforgood
* Picking the National MS Society as your charity
* Telling everyone you know
* Logging your steps for MS from Nov. 9 – 20
* Sharing your steps or activity on Facebook or Twitter for bonus points
* Don’t have a Fitbit? You can participate by using Mobile Track on the free Fitbit mobile app

The National MS Society supports a cause close to my heart: curing Multiple Sclerosis.
I have a close family member that has MS and I worked in fundraising for the National MS Society Greater New England Chapter 2 years.

There’s no cost to join this program! You’re tracking your steps anyway, so why not help them get a donation for a great nonprofit!

What are you doing on Sunday? November Project Better Than Bedtime

Hey awesome friends that live in any of these 26 cities that have a November Project tribe!

What are you doing on Sunday?

You should join us for November Project Better Than Bedtime.

Better Than Bedtime is a run-to-social put on by November Project in all 26 cities in North America. The idea is simple: Meet in some random part of town dressed in the theme gear. Run, as a group (2-5 miles) to a destination that nobody in the tribe knows. That’s right, this will be a follow-the-leader situation. Once you and your tribe arrive to this pre-arranged bar/house party/location, we’ll all raise a glass to your Co-Leaders and fellow members of your November Project tribe for working as hard as we all do each week (all while 25 other cities are doing the same thing on the exact same night all around the continent).

Has your excuse been NP meets too early for you? You’re in luck! On Sunday, November 8th, we meet at 4:54 PM!

Here are the details on the Boston Better Than Bedtime event.

WHAT: A social run to a hidden/secret party as the destination. You’ll have no clue where you’re going. Party & socialize with your tribe. Look weird the whole time. Simple. We call this event Better Than Bedtime.

WHEN: Sunday, November 8th.  We will bounce at section 37 at 4:54pm.

• The social will go from 6-9pm.  There will be beer, wine, and water.

WEAR: The general theme for the 2015 Better Than Bedtime event in all 26 cities is “black & white.” The Boston specific theme is “yin & yang.” Get inspired, get creative, just get dressed up, costumed up…everyone will be doing it and you won’t regret it.  Go solo, find a two-sie, group it up, whatever your pleasure.

WHERE: Meet at section 37 of Harvard Stadium.  You know, the same place we meet every Wednesday morning.

I’m going to take part in the short run option.

• Can run, but not that far?: Anyone who can run up to a mile, still meet at Harvard.  We will then tell you a meeting spot that you will go to from the stadium and the run group will meet you there for the last 1 mile.

Will you join me? Now is the perfect time to join in the NP awesomeness and weirdness!

I promise you’ll have a great time!