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Odds and Ends No. 19

shoes

1. Have I shown you all my new shoe closet? Wait…I don’t have a shoe closet. Oh well, I can still dream of this one.

2. Swimming! Who swims out there? I’m off the running for the next 6-8 weeks while I go to physical therapy for my back/tailbone issues, and I’m looking into some swim lessons. (And begging Kristen to join me. Come on, girl, it would be FUN. Maybe.) We started this discussion yesterday on the Facebook page (join us, good times!), but where can I find a good one-piece swimsuit for my lessons? Also, will I need a swim cap? Goggles? What if I snort water up my nose and loudly choke/gag/barf in front of the instructor? The questions, they burn.

3. Speaking of Kristen, did you read her hilarious post on bringing the holidays down a notch? It’s a must. In the meantime, I’ll be working on my Easter egg tree.

4. I love these photos of a young Martha Stewart during her modeling days.

5. I’m making these adorable leather hair ties in the very near future.

6. This is a fantastic Pinterest board for makeup dupes. It led me to this post, which made me cry with happiness.

7. Morgan from The 818 just got her eyebrows tattooed, and I’m fascinated. (Although facial tattoos and permanent makeup do differ, which she explains.)

Happy weekend to you. We have absolutely nothing planned, and I LIKE IT.

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25 comments
  1. sizzle

    March 22, 2013 at 7:15 am

    I love, love, love to swim. When I was going to the pool regularly, I got a suit from Land’s End. They have well made, long-lasting, durable suits that don’t look awful. Enjoy!

    • whoorl

      March 22, 2013 at 7:26 am

      Going to look right now, thank you! (All the Speedo ones are freaking me out a little.)

  2. Erica W

    March 22, 2013 at 7:35 am

    I started swimming a few years ago having basically never done it.
    Suit – Nike, simple black from a sports warehouse store (unlikely to run into anyone when you’re trying on), comfortable and has lasted well so far
    Goggles – yes! Love them!
    Swim cap – no, but I have short hair. All of my long-haired friends prefer a cap for lessons/laps and some wear 2 caps if they have a lot of hair to contain.

  3. Amy

    March 22, 2013 at 8:49 am

    Swimming is my fave. I have a Speedo one piece and it’s fine…I promise. YES to swim cap, not only for your own comfort but because it’ll keep your hair from getting so dried out by chlorine. I also find ear plugs to be insanely helpful — no shaking your head to get water out! And goggles are a MUST HAVE.

    • whoorl

      March 22, 2013 at 10:36 am

      Amy! I didn’t even think about ear plugs. I huh-ate water in my ears. Good call.

  4. Kerri Anne

    March 22, 2013 at 9:00 am

    Most of the Speedo/”athletic” one-pieces are made for “racing” of some sort, and are thus strangely (and very hiiiiiiigh) cut in places. For lessons and/or lap-swimming/kick-boarding, etc. any adorable one-piece from wherever that makes you feel awesome and is super comfortable will do the trick.

    As for swim caps, you won’t really need one (again, unless you’re looking to race/be super aerodynamic in the water, weee!), save for to protect your lovely locks against The Chlorine, maybe? (I was never a big fan, but was forced to wear them for swim team/practice.)

    Goggles are really rad for lap-swimming, and I would venture to say even essential, if only so you don’t end up running into a wall/another swimmer (not that I’ve ever done either, ahem), and so you don’t end up having chlorine in your eyes. The trick is finding ones with a really good seal. Speedo and/or Nike should have some good options.

    SO PSYCHED FOR YOU. Swimming is one of the best and one of my all-time favorite ways to move my body.

    • whoorl

      March 22, 2013 at 10:36 am

      I AM SO PSYCHED TOO. Thank you for your recs, lovely lady!

  5. Kristin

    March 22, 2013 at 10:12 am

    What a beautiful shoe closet! You need to make that happen in your new house!

  6. MommyTime

    March 22, 2013 at 10:34 am

    You MUST have a swim cap. (I have long hair too.) Even with your hair in a ponytail, as you turn your head to the side to breathe, the tail of hair will flap in your face and fill your mouth and nose with water. It’s completely impossible to feel like you won’t drown in your own hair. I highly recommend googles too, as it’s much easier to see. I LOVE the Lands’ End suits for durability, coverage and stay-put-ness, while still being cute. They also sell a lot of them in long torso styles, which I need. Also, they are just a great company I like to support, as many of their suits come in mastectomy styles, they have suits for different shapes of real women, etc. And they have fantastic return policies as long as tags are on.

    • whoorl

      March 22, 2013 at 10:38 am

      Long torsos unite! I love Lands’ End too – going to order some styles to try today. I feel you on the swim cap – my hair would be EVERYWHERE without one. (Hmmmm, another good reason to get a pixie?)

  7. MommyTime

    March 22, 2013 at 10:37 am

    PS My hairdresser recommends getting hair thoroughly wet in the shower-off area before you get in the pool, as that way your hair has already absorbed all the water it can before you enter the pool, and it will therefore absorb much less chlorine. This is especially important for color-treated hair, but will protect all hair (like fine baby hair on children, for example) from getting as dried out.

  8. Kelly

    March 22, 2013 at 2:19 pm

    Swimming is great cross-training for runners, you’ll love it! The tight swimsuits really stay in place and keep everything covered, with no straps falling down or creeping up on you. I’ve had the best luck with suits made by Tyr and Nike. As far as the cap and goggles – yes to both. Without a cap, little stray hairs will find their way into your face and drive you nuts no matter what you do. The silicone ones are easier to put on, last longer, and don’t pull your hair. I know that you’re freaked out by the thought of wearing this stuff, but I promise that you will look like everyone else in the pool. And one visit to the pool locker room will erase all insecurities you may be experiencing – no modesty there!

    • whoorl

      March 22, 2013 at 5:33 pm

      Thanks for the recs – I’m definitely going to get a silicone cap. I just hope I can fit all this hair into one!

  9. Molly

    March 22, 2013 at 4:01 pm

    Former serious swimmer (through college), former swim coach: You need cap and goggles for sure, most pools will require a cap for lap swimming but even if that is not the case, nothing (NOTHING!) is more distracting than trying to swim with loose hair. The Athleta site has a good selection of suits — if you really can’t find a one piece you like (I prefer Speedo & TYR), there are “performance” bikinis that have sports bra-type tops and bottoms with drawstring tie (this is key). I think the cheap caps and goggles are just as good as the expensive ones, and when I was a kid we would dust the inside of caps with baby powder when they were dry, to make them easier to put on…but you will get the hang of it quickly.

    • whoorl

      March 22, 2013 at 5:32 pm

      Thanks, Molly!

  10. Jacquelyn B

    March 22, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    I recently had to start swimming due to a foot injury:-( I actually really like it once I’m in the pool. You should check out the dolfin swimwear line, affordable, sporty, comfortable, and durable. The “uglies” are the best, check it out!
    http://www.dolfinswimwear.com/swimsuit-women-category.php?CategoryID=6

  11. amtib

    March 22, 2013 at 10:37 pm

    you are funny. silicone cap, mine is speedo, it is crazy but your hair fits in there. speedo goggles. no need for plugsif u wear a cap. question, were you not on a swim team as a kid? good luck, now you can perfect swimming and get back into biking a do a triathlon ( when you can run again) have fun.

  12. SBMaya

    March 23, 2013 at 11:03 am

    I swim. In the ocean. All year. A couple hours North-er from you guys. In a bikini, because more fabric = more drag and I have yet to fond one peice that doesn’t make my short!! Torso look stumpy and thick. Hate hate hate swim caps but goggles are awesome so you can seee!! I usually slap some conditioner on my hair right after I get out of the ocean and that is also helpful. Shoot me an email – if you want to REALLY cross train, skip the pool and head to the BEACH!! :)

    Bonus; Dolphins! Birds! The scenery changes! Bodysurfing on the way in! No old ladies crowding the lanes!!

  13. Carrisa

    March 23, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    My aunt got eyebrows tattooed on her face and they just look awful. I think it can be done well, hers just was not. As with any tattoo I guess. I also agree with Kristin, although I do not have any kids. Bring the holidays down a notch people.

  14. Kris

    March 25, 2013 at 8:07 am

    Suggest getting two swim caps…one lycra and one latex. I wear the lycra one first and it makes getting the latex one on and off way easier. You’ll definitely want to get your hair wet before you swim as well. Kaiman makes awesome goggles too. Good luck! I love swimming laps!

  15. sarah

    March 25, 2013 at 10:29 am

    I started grinding out laps after my last running injury & it is great! Feels like less of a workout & more FUN. Then it gets boooring & quiet. But then i get mental clarity, because there are so few places where you are truly isolated. So, very zen. But i wouldnt turn down a waterproofed mp3. :)
    Also, HIGHLY recommend wetting your hair & combing some conditioner through before putting on your cap. Then your hair is saturated, and protected from the chemicals by a the oils of the conditioner as well as the cap.
    Rinse yourself and your suit off after the swim – those chemicals mean business and can discolor your suit or wreck the elasticity. I love the amrita line from athleta, which you might be able to get on sale. If you prefer 2-pieces, they are sporty & stylish!