Each month, I share my favorite finds with Style Girlfriend readers – from fashion trends to music, to books to body products, and more. Weigh in with your own discoveries (or rediscoveries) in the comments!
March 2015 picks:
Getting my sweat on
This past month I spent a week in sunny SoCal and was very happy to find out that my ClassPass account let me sign up for classes in both San Diego and Los Angeles via a “flex” feature. Being able to work out when I was so far off my normal routine really helped me stay sane over a very busy week.
Now that I’m back, I’m in prep mode for a very special SG-hosted spin ride! I hope the local NYC guys will join me this Friday, April 10 at 7:30pm for a fun, DJ-backed class that I’ll be hosting at Cyc Fitness.
Don’t worry, one of their instructors is leading it – you think I could shout out instructions and pedal at the same time? Don’t think so. Need even more reason to come ride? Three words: free goodie bags.
You in? Sign up here for the Friday, April 10 ride at 7:30pm led by Aaron >>
Getting the F*** out of town
This winter was especially brutal, wasn’t it? Not necessarily measured in inches, but endurance. It just lasted a really, really, really long time. And every time it warmed up and we started to believe that, “this time, it’s really going to last,” Mother Nature would drop a foot of snow on the ground overnight. So much for ankle-baring jeans.
Which is why I was glad to have an excuse to get out to LA at the end of March. Sure, I missed the most brutal, soul-crushing part of winter, but better late than never, right? I stayed at the Mondrian, right in West Hollywood, saw some old friends, and wedged in plenty of work around all that driving.
As in, you see that beautiful pool up there? I had a great view of it from my room, but never actually made it down there. Too busy.
Streaming my girl power
Another highlight in March? Devouring the entire first season of The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix in a weekend. A a huge 30 Rock fan, I’ll watch anything Tina Fey puts in front of my eyeballs, evn if the premise seemed a little…out there.
The Office’s Ellie Kemper stars in the titular role as a woman recently sprung from a doomsday bunker with a disturbingly charming preacher (Jon Hamm!). The jokes come a mile a minute, and a few so-bold-they’re-kind-of-crazy plot points make you realize why NBC passed (her stepfather doing heroin in order to find her half-sister..also named Kimmy?) but I’m so glad Netflix picked it up.
If you haven’t watched it yet, do yourself a favor and block out a few hours to hoover it up. I mean, you’ll have the free time after Wisconsin and Duke face off tonight.
In-between season cocktails
March is an odd time for cocktails. You’re sick of wintery drinks like a hot toddy or buttered rum, but you’re not necessarily ready for or wanting something all that “refreshing.”
A few months ago I mentioned to a friend that I was trying to drink more whiskey..not in a weird way, but because I’d avoided brown liquor for so long and was finally getting into it. She said, “I have just the thing: whiskey, soda water, and as much lime as you can squeeze in.” It’s delicious, she promised.
She was right.
I did some digging and I guess it’s called a Rickey, but if someone wants to rename it the Megan, I’d be totally fine with that.
Engaging in a little friendly competition
March Madness, indeed. This was the first year in a few that I filled out a bracket for the NCAA tournament, and the first of hopefully many hosting a tourney on Style Girlfriend to determine the year’s most stylish man.
While both my brackets got busted pretty early (I had both Iowa State and Jimmy Fallon going much farther than how they fared in reality), I’m still happy I got involved. You forget it sometimes, but challenging yourself, setting expectations, can make things really, really fun. Also totally heartbreaking, of course, when your picks fail to measure up, but hey, at least you’re invested.
How Wisconsin, Duke, JT, and D.Craig will be feeling tomorrow is anyone’s guess; all I know is I can’t wait to find out.
Blasting new tunes (over and over)
Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly never made it off the repeat mode in March. I’ve already requested “King Kunta” from the DJ’s for this Friday night’s spin ride, so don’t be surprised if the newly-engaged rapper’s album makes it on the list for April as well…
Tell me:
What were you loving, reading, eating, wearing, and singing in March?
Want more of my favorite finds? Check out past months’ picks here, here, here, and here.
style girlfriend girl talk
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You’ve got to hit OC the next time you’re in SoCal. We (I think I’ve been here long enough to be a local, maybe?) may not be quite as trendy or cool as LA and San Diego, but I think we’ve got better beaches and just as good if not better shopping.
I’ve had “Outside” by Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding on repeat for the last four weeks, I honestly can’t get tired of it.
I tried out Pressed Juicery for first time over the weekend.
Also been drinking variations on this http://punchdrink.com/recipes/brown-derby/ As it stands in the recipe it’s a bit too sweet but I’m getting there.
Also also, been using some products from Aesop. I will say my skin has never felt better.
What did you get at Pressed Juicery!
And I did make it to Long Beach to meet up with a friend one day, so I sort of kind of checked the OC off my list?!
Greens 3.
LB is cool, I prefer Laguna but that may be more proximity than anything else.
Greens 3 is my faaaaaavorite
Greens 3 is my faaaaaavorite
Greens 3.
LB is cool, I prefer Laguna but that may be more proximity than anything else.
What did you get at Pressed Juicery!
And I did make it to Long Beach to meet up with a friend one day, so I sort of kind of checked the OC off my list?!
Got the bike ready for the commute that will hopefully start the end of this week and had 2 soccer scrimmages with the kids this weekend so that is my exercise rebooted. Kind of gave up on music myself so nothing there and no winter getaways either (went to Philly but it was colder than here).
NASL season started last weekend – it didn’t go our way but I am looking forward to the home opener on the 18th.
March started out so well, time spent in Mexico, a bungalow on a beach, no crowds, just paradise so that’s what I was loving. It was great to be eating fresh seafood, fresh fruits and veggies, all of it, all my favorites in season, it made me look forward to the coming summer all that much more. Drinking? Well, perfect margaritas, no syrupy mix, just the perfect blend of tequila, orange liquor, freshly (there’s that word, fresh, again) squeezed lime juice and sea salt; perfect. So tequila, Don Julio, was the theme for the first half of the month but then bourbon, my other favorite helped close out the month.
What was I listening to and reading? A mix of the Buena Vista Social Club, Courtney Barnett, Elle King and Rhiannon Giddens was my soundtrack in addition to my usual morning workout playlist. Reading wise I was caught somewhere between Russia as seen through Alex Dryden’s words and New Jersey as told by Harlan Coben.
March is hard on the wardrobe, not cold enough for heavy winter clothing but not warm enough to call it spring so the heavy sweaters got put away in favor of lighter cottons, bright shirts that aren’t too summery yet and as I mentioned previously, pant colors are shifting with the season as well. One thing I’m not wearing any more are my winter boots!
With March behind us its also time to get my bicycles and motorcycle ready to take to the roads and trails, I can’t wait to see what April has in store, then again, I just need to find the ever elusive time to make the most of what’s ahead.
Tell me about it – time is definitely key to making it all happen, but nobody seems to have a handle on it!
Thanks for sharing all your great faves from March, Paul!
Paul – I love the Buena Vista Social Club. Have you seen the documentary? It’s free on Netfilx.
I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation.
I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation.
Paul – I love the Buena Vista Social Club. Have you seen the documentary? It’s free on Netfilx.
Can’t make your spin class, I receive all my cycling and life related lessons from Tristafe.
you will be missed
I saw the first few episodes of Kimmy, its a wacky show for sure! Also season 4 of Louie is on Netflix now. Brain Games is pretty cool too on Netflix. They have different illusionists show you how your eyes play tricks on you. The episode on persuasion and the different ways marketers pursuade us to buy was very intersting.
For music I’ve been listening to new Alabama Shakes songs on Spotify. the new Sick of it All album is great, check out Get Bronx…great tune!
I haven’t even heard of Brain Games, I’ll definitely have to check it out. And I have listened to the new Alabama Shakes but not the other two. Will give ’em a listen!
I haven’t even heard of Brain Games, I’ll definitely have to check it out. And I have listened to the new Alabama Shakes but not the other two. Will give ’em a listen!
I saw the first few episodes of Kimmy, its a wacky show for sure! Also season 4 of Louie is on Netflix now. Brain Games is pretty cool too on Netflix. They have different illusionists show you how your eyes play tricks on you. The episode on persuasion and the different ways marketers pursuade us to buy was very intersting.
For music I’ve been listening to new Alabama Shakes songs on Spotify. the new Sick of it All album is great, check out Get Bronx…great tune!
Fellow 30 Rock and Kimmy Schmidt fan here. I’m really interested to see where they take the show.
March was good for me at work. My numbers have been great and they moved me to a window seat which is just about as close to a corner office as you can get at my job without being an executive. Our office sits on a nature preserve with a beautiful lake and forest. It helps to calm me while I’m being yelled at for how high someone’s insurance premium is.
I’ve been drinking a lot of Campari. It’s one of my favorite warm weather drinks because it is bitter but quite refreshing with a little vermouth and soda. I’ll have to give the ricky a try though.
Corner office..niiiice, congrats TJ!!
Corner office..niiiice, congrats TJ!!
Fellow 30 Rock and Kimmy Schmidt fan here. I’m really interested to see where they take the show.
March was good for me at work. My numbers have been great and they moved me to a window seat which is just about as close to a corner office as you can get at my job without being an executive. Our office sits on a nature preserve with a beautiful lake and forest. It helps to calm me while I’m being yelled at for how high someone’s insurance premium is.
I’ve been drinking a lot of Campari. It’s one of my favorite warm weather drinks because it is bitter but quite refreshing with a little vermouth and soda. I’ll have to give the ricky a try though.
Took a long weekend to get out of the cold and went hiking and 4-wheeling in Arizona.
Nice!
Nice!
Took a long weekend to get out of the cold and went hiking and 4-wheeling in Arizona.
Getting the F outta town is on my list as well, headed to Mexico next week, and I CAN’T wait. This winter seemed like it was never going to end.
Josh – The Kentucky Gent
http://thekentuckygent.com
Getting the F outta town is on my list as well, headed to Mexico next week, and I CAN’T wait. This winter seemed like it was never going to end.
Josh – The Kentucky Gent
http://thekentuckygent.com
Mexico! Jealous! For work or for fun?
For fun! But I kind of wish it was for work. I think it’s safe to say I have a problem.
For fun! But I kind of wish it was for work. I think it’s safe to say I have a problem.
Mexico! Jealous! For work or for fun?
10 day get away to Naples, FL! The next two days can not come fast enough, I have been wanting to check out Kendrick’s album since it came out. Seems like the perfect album on the plane ride down. Safe travels to all who are leaving mother natures’s menstrual cycle.
ooh ooh! yes definitely download Kendrick to your phone for the flight – I promise you’ll listen to it the whole way there
ooh ooh! yes definitely download Kendrick to your phone for the flight – I promise you’ll listen to it the whole way there
10 day get away to Naples, FL! The next two days can not come fast enough, I have been wanting to check out Kendrick’s album since it came out. Seems like the perfect album on the plane ride down. Safe travels to all who are leaving mother natures’s menstrual cycle.
The Rickey is always a winner; the great part is when it starts getting warmer the Gin Rickey is right there to pick up the slack.
The Rickey is always a winner; the great part is when it starts getting warmer the Gin Rickey is right there to pick up the slack.
I had hoped to GTF outta town and spend a week somewhere warm, but we opted out of a trip this year, since we just bought a house instead and just finished moving in…
No spin classes for me, but I got out for a few rides on the bike outside and will try to get some more in this weekend. I did teach indoor cycling this winter, but not spinning, it was on VR bike trainers, where people bring their own bikes and set them up on the trainers, and we have the workouts programmed in. I just got to “motivate” (aka. yell at people in an encouraging manner) while they ride…
How are you at ‘yelling in an encouraging manner?’ Good?
As a running/cycling coach/personal trainer (on the side of the 9-5 job), I’d like to think I have mastered the skill of “moti-heckling” (which could best be defined as motivating by using a variety of means, including encouragement, and appropriately designed trash-talk/heckling). Obviously I cater the delivery to the individuals (those who are more fragile in psyches get more encouragement, whereas others (especially the more stubborn) get a healthier dose of heckling), but I’d like to think I am pretty good at getting people where they need to be in terms of effort… I should revise the yelling comment as well, since it’s not always at a high volume, I used to be pretty adept at talking under other coaches when instructing runners from a busy finish line area, so that in spite of the loudness of the areas, they could clearly hear my feedback amongst the see of other coaches…
As a running/cycling coach/personal trainer (on the side of the 9-5 job), I’d like to think I have mastered the skill of “moti-heckling” (which could best be defined as motivating by using a variety of means, including encouragement, and appropriately designed trash-talk/heckling). Obviously I cater the delivery to the individuals (those who are more fragile in psyches get more encouragement, whereas others (especially the more stubborn) get a healthier dose of heckling), but I’d like to think I am pretty good at getting people where they need to be in terms of effort… I should revise the yelling comment as well, since it’s not always at a high volume, I used to be pretty adept at talking under other coaches when instructing runners from a busy finish line area, so that in spite of the loudness of the areas, they could clearly hear my feedback amongst the see of other coaches…
How are you at ‘yelling in an encouraging manner?’ Good?
I had hoped to GTF outta town and spend a week somewhere warm, but we opted out of a trip this year, since we just bought a house instead and just finished moving in…
No spin classes for me, but I got out for a few rides on the bike outside and will try to get some more in this weekend. I did teach indoor cycling this winter, but not spinning, it was on VR bike trainers, where people bring their own bikes and set them up on the trainers, and we have the workouts programmed in. I just got to “motivate” (aka. yell at people in an encouraging manner) while they ride…
Just finished reading The Other Wes Moore…fascinating concept for the book. New cocktail I’m into making at home Port of Call. Just started getting into Whiskey myself although my crew drinks it when we smoke cigars. Macallan 12 is where you’ll find me.
Oh wow, just read the synopsis. Putting this on my reading list immediately. Thanks for sharing, Barney!
Just finished reading The Other Wes Moore…fascinating concept for the book. New cocktail I’m into making at home Port of Call. Just started getting into Whiskey myself although my crew drinks it when we smoke cigars. Macallan 12 is where you’ll find me.