ma-wau-kee and chi-caaa-go.

I recently took an amazing, but all too short, trip to Ma-wau-kee and Chi-caaa-go with my mom and sister. I have never felt so "on-the-go" in my life but it made it an intensely exciting adventure with two of my favorite people in the world.

We flew into O'Hare on Friday evening and were swiftly picked up by my "professional driver" Uncle Mike before the security had a chance to beat us for taking too long at the curb. We drove straight to Oconomowoc (that's "O-con-o-mo-walk"), right outside of Milwaukee. We arrived around midnight at "Aunt Nan's" house. After breakfast the next morning we did as any Nelson would do and walked down the beautiful suburbian streets to a few yard sales. (You will quickly begin to learn from reading my blog that "Yard Saleing" is a favorite hobby of mine).

We then went to a quaint little coffee shop in town that put gingersnaps on your coffee lid.

The rest of the day we spent on the lake with quite a few of aunts, uncles, cousins, and cousins-once-removed.

One of my favorite cousins, "Manda," who lives in Chicago, suggested that I take the 5 'o clock train down to spend the evening there (I was leaving out of O'Hare the next day so it worked out perfect). For an excursion that one 26 year-old is taking alone, you wouldn't believe the amount of safety tips that can come from a group of relatives! "Don't talk to strangers" "Call us as soon as you board and then when you get off" And my personal favorite, "Don't talk at all because they will know you're not from here." But it's good to know you're loved :)

I never thought I would get that much joy and excitement traveling by myself!... But it was probably because of where my destination was, and the fact I had a night of fun ahead of me!

Milwaukee

to Chicago.

Manda let me tag along with her and her friends for the evening. We began at Millenium Park where we sat on the lawn, drank wine, and listened to the symphony. I tried not to act like too much of a tourist but I'm sure it was pretty apparent by how many pictures I took of the skyline. (These are only a few)...

We found out after we got to the airport the next day that our flight had been cancelled. Mom, Kristin and I had to spend one more night in Chicago. We got a hotel room and walked to find dinner.

They say everything happens for a reason... maybe our flight was cancelled to allow the three of us more time together... Or maybe it was so I could be on a flight with Kate Voegele the next morning. (No I did NOT go up and talk to her. I was too embarrassed after my mom took a very loud picture of her backside with her camera phone... BUSTED!... It was pretty freakin hilarious though!)

FITNESS FASHION CONTEST!!

I am looking for serious fitness fashion... Enter for a chance to be featured on my blog, upcoming new website, and my 8 Week Kadifit Challenge FREE! Here's how to register:

Find a fitness outfit with great style and personality and either:

1. Email me a pic katie@kadifit.com . Include: your name, location, and where you got each of the pieces in your outfit.

OR

2. Come to one of my classes dressed in it and tell me you want to enter.

The finalists will be featured on my blog, then YOU vote on the winner!

Helpful Hints: Show your personality and individuality. Stand out with bold statements: a vintage shirt, hot accessory... something you love, but don't go overboard. Pair it with something simple and show me your style!

DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2009

Close one chapter to open another.

I apologize, it has been awhile since I've blogged. First I was moving into our new place, and now I'm on vacation. It's a dreary day at Emerald Isle so I thought I would catch up...

The week of the move was an absolute frenzy. No matter how hard I worked to be organized and have everything packed on time, we still ended up throwing things into random boxes (or whatever we found around the house that held multiple items). The fact that I had spent a month trying to avoid that made me feel a small amount of failure. Fortunately I had some pretty awesome friends help in the midst of the frenzy.

Due to the limited space in the new place we are still throwing things out as we unpack. Once we are settled and everything is in place I will share the before and after pictures to tie up the "Live. Life. Simply." series.

Which brings me to my new series... "Fall. Fitness. Fashion." I know many people would say "Why do I need to look good when I workout?" or "I'm not trying to impress anybody at the gym." However, as a person who absolutely loves clothes and fashion, I know that I feel happier when I am wearing a great outfit, even if I am working out. If feeling great effects my energy and makes me workout harder... then bring the fashiON.

So I have tried to research some great fitness fashion online and have found very little. That makes my new project more challenging, which makes it all the more exciting!

Here are the few things I did find...

American Appareal Thigh Highs These will be great for fall. (Leg warmers were one thing I never grew out of). Sport them in a dance class or pair them with shorts on cool weather runs.

Yellow Zumba Cargo Pants I highly reccoment baggy pants for any Kardio Dance or Zumba class. Not many people can feel comfortable "shimmying and shaking" in shorts or spandex!


Urban Outfitters Bird Tshirt Instead of a regular old t-shirt try a graphic Tee... much more flattering than a baggy one.

Nappy Tabs Plaid Hoodie Nappy Tabs is designed by the amazing choreographers Tabitha and Napoleon. They have fabulous urban style to compliment their hip hop routines.

I am totally in to plaid right now. Stoked to add it to my fitness wardrobe for fall!

Nappy Tabs Halter Hoodie The halter hoodie is great to stay a bit cooler but still get the great look of a hoodie. But you may want to wear a sporty tank underneath just in case you get a bit toasty.

Until next time... I'm on the lookout for people I see with great fitness style :)