Wounded Warrior 10K & Fashion :)

A few weekends ago I ran in a Wounded Warrior 10K race! It was a really meaningful race for which I was incredibly grateful to be a part of. It wasn't my fastest race time but I gave it all that I had and truly ran for everyone who made the IDEO device possible.

Here is a picture from after the race! It was really hot but well worth it :) Only 14 weeks until the half-marathon!

Last weekend was my friend's bachelorette party and it was so much fun! You can't very well see the IDEO in this picture but I had on black tennies and a black compression sock. I felt very pretty and thanks to the IDEO, I danced the night away! #supersleek #blackiskey



Below are two other fun summer IDEOnista outfits! As you can see, I obviously love grey and black and a pop of color :)

A special thanks to a very close friend of mine who gave me this tank top (2nd pic) because it reminded her of me. It says: SOLID HEART. STRONG BODY.

That my friends is an IDEOnista. You have heart. You are strong. Be bold. Smile. You are an IDEOnista. Have a great week! #nevergiveup

IDEOnista Spotlight: Deidra

Hi Everyone! Today I'd like to introduce you to my IDEOnista friend, Deidra. Bonded by a desire to find the perfect tennis shoe, Deidra and I have shared many a convo about IDEO outfit ideas! I'm so happy to share with you a little bit about her and I know she will inspire you to never give up! She inspires me!

How long have you had the IDEO?: 9 months

What is your clothing style?: I wear whatever makes me feel good. Before I had my injury I dressed super girly. I want to get back to that :) (and you will!)

Favorite outfit to wear with the IDEO: A pair of linen pants, a colorful cute tank and a jean jacket. I'm short, so finding the right jeans has been a little tough. I think I'm going to have to buy some and just get them tailored. However, I'm excited to start trying new outfits and I'm super excited about finding a cute dress to wear with the IDEO!

Favorite shoe brand to wear with the IDEO: So far, New Balance has been the only brand I have found that have worked for me. I'm always on the search for a new shoe, but in the meantime the dark colored New Balance ones blend in pretty well! (I agree! NB - especially the men's versions come in great dark color blends!)

Advice for other IDEOnistas: Do what makes you happy. Wear what makes you feel fabulous. Your IDEO can be an accessory, not an eye sore! Dress it up or dress it down. Whatever makes you feel good. (Love this.) I'm actually really proud of my IDEO. It has given me some of my life back. I get excited when people ask me about it and I can tell them about it. I've already given out Ryan's information three times to people who have seen the IDEO and asked about it. If someone else can get a little bit of their life back.... AWESOME!!

Shopping Advice: Bring a shoe horn! Try on everything, you might be surprised what works :) (Absolutely!)

How do you dress up the IDEO?: I'm still working on that perfect outfit. In the meantime, some black pants that blend in and colorful tops... Oh, and a smile :)

What is your proudest moment in the IDEO so far?: The day after I got back from Washington, I went to a beautiful park with my sister. I walked about 3.5 miles, only stopping to adjust my shoelaces (I've got that trick down now!). When I found out how long we had gone, I think my sister and I were both in tears... Then an avid hiker friend of mine went hiking on a trail and I did amazing if I do say so myself! There were some spots I had to stop and think how I would navigate it (they were tricky), but I was so shocked at what I could do. It's those little moments where it clicks that these are things I couldn't do before the IDEO. (It's such an amazing feeling, isn't it?!)

Any special goals for 2015?: Building a wardrobe is my number one goal! Then I will be back for another spotlight on the blog ;)

Favorite Quote: Your day goes the way your mouth turns... SMILE!

What's one thing you wish people knew about you?: I'm pretty much an open book. I wish people understood the pain people like us go through on a daily basis. Although the IDEO has helped me quite a bit, I'm still not pain free.

Any lasting words?: Beth is an inspiration. Her story is an awesome testimony and her blog is so inspiring! Even though for so many reasons I haven't found the perfect outfit yet, I can't wait to get to that point! (You'll find your style girl, I know it!)

 





 "Do what makes you happy. Wear what makes you feel fabulous. Your IDEO can be an accessory, not an eye sore! Dress it up or dress it down. Whatever makes you feel good." -Deidra

Amen sister! #beYOU #beFABULOUS #IDEOnista

Have a great weekend everyone!

IDEOnista Spotlight: Dominique

Today's post is about a special IDEOnista friend of mine named Dominique.

Dominique wears two IDEOs (one for each leg) and let me tell you... she rocks it! She is an amazing woman and I know her words will inspire you. (She certainly inspires me!)

Dominique

"You are never fully dressed without a smile."

How long have you had the IDEO?: Two weeks :)

What is your clothing style?: Mostly preppy with statement jewelry

Favorite outfit to wear with the IDEO: Dresses! (Love it. Show off those legs, girl!)

Advice for people who are thinking about getting the IDEO: It can't hurt to look into it! The process started with reaching out to Ryan to see if I would be a good candidate. I learned that Ryan really only says you are a good candidate if he thinks there will be a huge impact on your life, so that is a great sign if he says yes! That process is easy, and worth the initial effort even if you are not sure.

Advice for other IDEOnista's: The device can be daunting at first. I know it isn't feminine, but I love how hardcore it looks. Rocking that with your feminine self is such an awesome combination. It defies stereotypes, and I am all about that! (LOVE THIS) I have worn AFOs my whole life. Of course people would stare. They think you can't see them staring, but you can. The IDEO has completely changed HOW people stare. Instead of looking at me like I'm sick and feeling sorry for me, they look with curiosity and assume I have some awesome story for why I have these carbon fiber devices. People have been much more likely to ask me about it, and engage in conversation over just assuming I am sick. It may sound strange, but I noticed that right away. It's a huge blessing to not feel like people are constantly pitying me!

Dominique's #happyIDEOs

How do you dress up the IDEO?: Dresses and wedges :)

Favorite shoe brand to wear with the IDEO: Payless Dexflex Comfort Wedges. I've never worn any type of heel! Since Ryan placed a wedge in my sneakers, this allows me to just wear the shoes without a wedge since they are the perfect height! I now own all three colors they sell :D Plus they are relatively inexpensive, which is great because I am sure I will be replacing them often. http://www.payless.com/womens-spectator-daylight-wedge/76007.html?dwvar_76007_color=white_black#start=2
(SO CUTE. Some of you may be able to make this work! I think it will just depend on your unique situation and how the IDEO is designed for your injury.)

What is your proudest moment in the IDEO so far?: Throwing away my AFOs at the Hanger Clinic. I still am not as mobile as I would like with the IDEO (it has only been two weeks), but throwing away my AFOs was an outward way of expressing my dedication to getting the most out of my IDEO. I can't go back!

Any special goals for 2015?: I would love to walk without a limp by September! Then I will focus on more high impact exercising. (You go girl!)

Favorite Quote: Let your smile change the world, but don't let the world change your smile.

What's one thing you wish people knew about you? I believe with my whole heart that God did not make my legs as a mistake. The IDEO is not something to "fix" me, but enable me to experience more out of life. I also believe that the IDEO was placed in my life for a reason. I can't wait to see where this path leads me! (What an amazing attitude!)

Dominique's Wisdom: My mantra is PMA. It's something my dad would always say. It stands for "Positive Mental Attitude". That keeps me going on the tough days.

IDEOnista Fabulous!

Wow! Now you see why this girl inspires me so much! I love Dominique's style, but more than that I love her attitude. To me, she fully embodies what an IDEOnista is: a woman who wears the IDEO with strength and confidence, knowing there is beauty in all that she has overcome. 

If you are someone who wears an IDEO on both legs, this girl is proof for you that you can make fashion work! So take heart my friends and embrace your feminine + hardcore image and step forward knowing that you are beautiful!

Thank you, Dominique. You are an inspiration to us all!

 

say hello to summer :)

Hi everyone! I'm happy to say the rain has left Dallas and the sun has finally returned! ☺

With warm weather and sunny skies ahead, I'm excited to post a few summer outfits in hopes that I can inspire you to break out your lighter wear clothes. As you'll see below, a maxi skirt is a great way to feel classy and dressed up while also camouflaging the IDEO. I'd recommend looking for length that covers your feet so that you can't see your tennis shoes. (This red maxi skirt happens to be a hand-me down from my mom so it's a little hard to add length to it at this point... but you get the idea!)

So earlier this week a friend asked me what advice I would give to other IDEO wearers who want to feel cute and fashionable in their clothes.

For me there are really three rules that I follow:

1. No white tennis shoes
2. No white socks
3. No bulky shoes

If you stick to these three rules, you will be headed in the right direction ☺It's not to say white tennis shoes or white socks are bad, but if you are trying to get dressed up, white tends to look very orthopedic and athletic. So if you are feeling in a rut, try for a darker colored shoe / sock and see if that doesn't help you to feel more classy and sassy! Bulky shoes can make you feel clunky... so when you are looking for shoes, try to ask yourself if you feel clunky in them and if the answer is yes, put them back. I followed this rule when looking for hiking boots and even though I had to try on a lot of shoes, I was glad I didn't settle! I think almost any outfit will look great with the IDEO but I really believe that once you find the right shoe, you will feel like a million bucks. You don't need to go out and buy new clothes... it's all about the shoes and socks people :)

 

 

Workout update: Next Sunday is the Wounded Warrior 10K race and I'm very excited! I've been keeping up with my training and am feeling strong. For me, it's really important that I keep my hip flexor and glute muscles strong so that I don't start overcompensating on one side so I've tried to keep this a focus of my training and it's really helped.  

As always, if you feel inclined, please send pics of your IDEOnista outfits so that we can share with others! Wishing everyone a fantastic week and remember, it's all about feeling confident. My tips are the just icing on the awesome person you already are! ☺#beYOU #beAMAZING #IDEOnista

 

dream big. sparkle more. shine bright.

Happy Friday everyone! Today I'd like to share a cute hiking boot option, a few outfit ideas and a little inspiration :)

Pictured below are the Women's Ahnu Montara Hiking Boot from REI. Regular price: $160 (on sale for $110)

IDEO side size: Women's 11
non-IDEO side size: Women's 9

Pros: fits true to size, comfortable, is not a men's shoe (yay!), stylish, light-weight, fairly wide toe box, non-bulky/boxy, breathable, waterproof, & easy to get the IDEO inside (use a shoe-horn).

Cons: REI doesn't let you split sizes so I had to purchase the pair in both 9 and in 11 to make it work. Oh well, I think these will last a long time so I consider this a good purchase!

http://www.rei.com/…/…/ahnu-montara-boot-hiking-boots-womens

 

Here is another picture of how the Ahnu boots look on as well as a Spring dress photo in my grey NB MT1210's.  Note: Though super cute, the black boots did not look good with the dress, so I think I will save the boots for jean outfits :)

Lastly, a little inspiration. Never forget that with God all things are possible. Never lose your faith or your spirit. ♥

 

 

 

I hope everyone has a Happy Memorial Day weekend!  #dreambig #sparklemore #shinebright

self confidence is the best outfit. rock it. own it.

It's not easy wearing a visible brace everyday, but I've decided it doesn't matter what people think about me - it's okay to be different. It's not how the world perceives me, but rather it's what I see in myself. ♥

I am strong.
I am fearless.
I am brave.
I am kind.
I am determined.
I am independent.
I am me.

Everyday you have a choice. Are you going to take in what the world perceives (injured, weak, broken) or are you going to believe in all that you are? You are more than what meets the eye. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise. Find the beauty in your strength and let that be your confidence.

Here are a few cute outfit ideas from the last couple weeks. ☺ It's been a little chilly and rainy in Dallas lately so while it may already be summertime, I'm still sporting a few winter favorites. With warmer weather in the forecast, I hope to post some cute additional outfits later this month!

 

Style tip: Neutrals are my favorite. ♥ You'll see nearly all my posts are with shoes that have a neutral base - grey, black, navy, tan. I really recommend finding a neutral colored shoe that you like - it will make all the difference!

Though not posted here, I wanted to mention Nordstrom Rack has really cute neutral colored Paige Denim skinny jeans that work great with the IDEO. The material is really light and fits close to the leg so that there is no bunching. I have a black and navy pair that go with a lot of outfits. #favorite #treatyoself

 

Workout update: Currently training for my next 10K race in about 5 weeks! Still on track for the Race for a Soldier 1/2 marathon in September so let the training continue :)

Bottom line, the world may try to make you feel different because of your injury, but you have to choose to see the strength that lies within. You are beautiful just the way you are. Rock it, sister! #OWNIT

how do you move on from an injury that doesn't?

Growing up playing sports, I had my fair share of injuries ranging from a broken thumb to a torn ACL. Though each one brought challenges, each one always healed.

I'm finding it's a process to learn to live with a life long visual injury. Some days I'm okay with the questions people ask, but other days leave me wanting to get an arm sleeve of tattoos and paint my nails black, secretly hoping people will think I'm too badass to ask what the deal is with my leg. If I let my mind go there, it can be overwhelming to think of answering people's questions about what happened... for the rest of my life. In a large way, the IDEO and my injury define me but I'm learning to find a balance - because though to the world my injury is what they see, I don't want it to be everything.

So how do you move on from an injury that doesn't? I don't think I have the answer to this yet but I'm pressing on, one day at a time. If there is one thing this injury has taught me, it's that God will never give you more than you can handle and when you feel like he does, He will be there to help you. So I'm holding off on the tattoos and black nail polish for now :) and keeping my head up, knowing that God is with me, every step of the day.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your steps." - Proverbs 3:5

IDEO | No Limits.

"Don't ever limit yourself on what you think you can do or what someone else thinks you're capable of achieving. Also, if you feel the need to tell me what you think I cannot do, I will use every effort to prove you wrong. So be warned. I don't give up easily." - Me

I posted this quote and picture on my Facebook the other day in reference to a comment a fellow racer made to me before the 10k race, advising me to move to the back with the slower paced runners. I passed her in the race and beat her in the end. Friends, you may experience comments such as these when you are out there competing or just living life, but the trick is not to let it bother you. Instead, let the words fuel your passion. A passion that we all have because of the comeback we have made. The IDEO knows no limits.

Tell me I can't do something and I will prove you wrong.

 

GE Irving Marathon 10K

Of course, it wouldn't be a full post without a couple pictures from my IDEOnista wardrobe from this past week. ☺ As I've mentioned before, the IDEO looks great with dresses! Take a quick look below. Spring is a great time to wear flowy skirts and dresses!

Tip: Black tennis shoes are definitely a staple  to have when dressing up any of your fancy outfits.



Also, my IDEOnista friend Lisa told me about some cool work shoes she bought recently that she was able to fit in her IDEO. Check these out! They are Clarks: Feature Show.

Lisa's shoes... Clarks: Feature Show

Have a great week! ♥

IDEOnista Spotlight: Iana

Today, I would like to share with you a post about a wonderful woman I have come to know in the IDEO community by the name of Iana. She is an amazing lady that I hope to meet in person one day! Read her IDEO advice, clothing style, and inspiration below.

Name: Iana

When did you get your IDEO?: June 2014

What is your clothing style: I work with horses, so my clothing style is breeches, long sleeved shirts (sun protection), dirt, shavings, horse hair and boots / hiking shoes :) ... and when I am not with horses, I wear skirts and dresses. I like being a girly girl when not in breeches.

What have you found to be the outfit you feel best in the IDEO?: Favorite outfit would probably be a maxi dress or skirt, something flowy, gypsy and fun!

Favorite shoe brand to wear with the IDEO: I found a boot called NuTec, for men. They are known as "packers". I also recently tried a pair of Ariat paddock boots and they also fit well. I must buy two pairs since my feet are pretty small in general. I have an unusual angle to my ankle and Ryan Blanck had to fit my IDEO to it... I have to walk in heels.... yup... heels... wedges are the best so in boots I have to put in an insert. I have also found a couple of sandals at The Walking Store that are wide enough to fit the IDEO. I have even found a couple transvestite shoe stores that offer high heels in men's sizes... (I didn't think about that Iana!)

Advice for other IDEOnista's: Don't make limits. Just go out there and try it on... whatever it is... life is fully of daily miracles, we just have to see them and be thankful.

What has been your proudest moment in the IDEO so far?: Gosh, it's hard to say which is my proudest moment... I think everyday, every moment is just amazing. Just knowing I can walk and not have pain is a miracle all the time.

What are your goals for 2015?: Now that I can move more, my goal is to lose 70lbs and to become super fit again.

What's your favorite quote?: My dad used to say, "Give time to time."

 

 

In Iana's words: "Be happy, be thankful and keep going forward." ☺



SPRINGing into Action :)

In the weeks since my last post, I have accomplished some pretty cool things in my IDEO! Namely, I completed my first 10K race in the GE Irving Marathon yesterday, which was such an amazing and fulfilling experience. My goal was to run it under 60 minutes and I finished with a time of 59.34, placing 111th out of 332 overall, 41st of 233 women and 8th out of 25 in my age group. Running is my passion and after my ankle injury I didn't know if I'd ever have the chance to make running a part of my life again... so to be able to do what I did yesterday is just amazing. The IDEO truly gave me my life back and my spirit and I run each race like it's a gift... because it is :)

My friend Jen and me at the finish of the 10K

Another "first" in the IDEO was indoor rock climbing... and I had so much fun! Sadly, I don't have any pictures to show, but you can definitely fit the IDEO in climbing shoes. I just went up a size or two for the IDEO side (like I do in my tennis shoes) and I was able to fit it in there just fine. In fact, I think I was a better climber than some of the regular people climbing the walls :)

I have also been getting more into my yoga routine (#orimtryingto☺). I think it is really important to get in tune with your body because it helps be able to evaluate where you are tight and which muscles need more work / release. For me, my non-IDEO leg tends to get really tight so I focus a lot on strengthening and stretching as much as I can. Here is a picture from a Saturday morning class in the park. It's taken me awhile to be able to trust where my IDEO leg is planted but now that I've had it for awhile and my core is stronger too, I don't have to stare at my leg to know where it is. Tip: I practice yoga in my IDEO because it is painful for me to be without it, but I do know other IDEO peeps who take their IDEO off when doing yoga. You just need to decide what's best for you / your injury.

#happyyoga

Now that the weather is more spring like, I'm happy to report I am back on my road bike again! I took it out for a 25 mile ride last week around the lake and it felt amazing. I love riding my bike and it feels normal in the IDEO. I clip into my pedal on the non-IDEO side and use a regular pedal for my IDEO. Here is a pic before I left for the ride. (See, you can make the IDEO look cute in a bike outfit! ☺)

#bikehappy

I went home a few weekends ago to visit my family and wanted to share with you an awesome organization called Spike's K9 fund (t-shirt I'm sporting in this picture below). If you haven't checked out Spike's K9 Fund, you really should. It is an organization created by my friend and IDEO user - James - whose life was saved multiple times by military dogs and whose mission now is to support those military dogs who have returned home. By donating or purchasing a t-shirt, you can help to provide medical care for the dogs! Here is a picture of the shirt! 

help support Spike's K9 fund!

Lastly, I wanted to share two pictures from my Spring IDEOnista wardrobe! It makes me super happy to break out the pastel colors ☺☺ and below I want you to see how seamless the IDEO looks with jeans and a fun top. I know I show my jean outfits quite a bit... but I think that's really one of the best looks with the IDEO. So embrace your pastels and get yourself a dark wash jean and dark colored tennis shoe and smile... life is good ☺ Hope everyone has a great week. #beAMAZING #IDEOnista