the IDEO goes undercover.

Happy Saturday! I don't know about you guys but it's been freezing in Dallas! We are on our third day of snow & ice... It's definitely made it more challenging to get my workouts in but I do have to say it's been fun to have a little winter weather mix for a change!

Today's post is about proving to you just how easy it is to make the IDEO streamlined (aka undercover) with your outfits all while not having to hide it. Take a look below. Do you even notice the IDEO...? ☺


find yourself some cool running tights :)

These long running tights fit great with the IDEO

Black workout tights are even more stealthy...

Another great staple to have is black workout tights. Your local running store will carry these. Nike & lululemon also have a wide selection but they are $$... so I recommend checking out TJ Maxx or Marshalls - you can find some great deals there!

Note: Make sure that the workout tights you are buying are fitted near the ankle. The last thing you want is the material from the pant bunching up, so definitely make sure when you try them on that the material fits snuggly all the way down (don't buy too big). Another point to mention is that if your tights are a little loose at the bottom, you can do what you normally would do with skinny jeans and pull the pant on over the lateral side bars at the bottom. I personally prefer the tights to be snug so that I don't have to do that but it is an option to consider if you like it looser. 
----


black IDEO. black tights. grey shoes. black top. blue dress ♥

Just another day breaking the stereotype that you can't wear tennis shoes with your nice clothes and look cute at the same time :) Style tip: Look for flowy dresses that you can wear with tights. This will make for some fun outfits!

Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak. - Rachel Zoe

Enjoy your week everyone. Next weekend I'll be in Arizona for work and will be running in a race while I'm there so stay tuned!

As always, please don't hesitate to comment or reach out. Would love to hear from you guys!   

XOXO                                                              

Colored Denim: A Girl's Best Friend.

Hi IDEOnista's! Today I wanted to share my first experience wearing colored skinny jeans.☺ I purchased these jeans from Ann Taylor Loft (style: AT Modern Skinny Jeans). If you are looking for a pair of colored jeans - definitely check them out! As you can see below, these jeans fit really well tucked under the knee cuff and they give you a couple more outfit options if pants are your thing. Also, you'll see (as in all my pictures thus far) that I am wearing dark colored tennis shoes. I think it's really important to find a shoe in grey, tan, or black as these colors can go with a multitude of outfits. White tennis shoes are a no go for me as they tend to stand out too much as athletic shoes. Don't get me wrong I'm all for being athletic, but when it comes to work attire / casual wear - finding a dark colored shoe will help you feel more dressed up and less like you are wearing a "tennis shoe."

See below for a quick look at how the IDEO looks with colored denim. What's your favorite pair of jeans to wear? Would love to hear from you! I hope everyone has a great week!





 

This picture was snapped right before

I spilled my protein shake all over my outfit... :)



In the right denim, a girl can conquer the world. ♥

#beYOU #beAMAZING

Fearlessly Fabulous.

Happy Thursday IDEO friends! Today's post is about feeling fearless to wear bright colors. ☺ I've added a few images below from my IDEOnista wardrobe from the past week. Hoping this post gives you gals some inspiration and ideas on how to make your outfits work with the IDEO. I just want you to know that you don't have to hide the IDEO under your pants and jeans - you can feel comfortable and fearless to be fabulous! For me, that means wearing bright colors. What does it mean for you? #behappy #beYOU

 

"Believe in yourself so strongly that the world can't help but to believe in you too."

 

 

 

The Power of the Human Spirit

We all face challenges in life, but it's through our deepest struggles that we find the strength within. Had you asked me in June 2011 (pre-injury) if I thought I was a strong person, I would have probably told you that I was. But now looking back at the last four years since my injury, I've seen a strength in myself that I didn't know I had. Through all the struggle, when my body seemed to fail me and things weren't looking up, God kept my spirit alive. 

Dean Karnazes sums it up best.

"The body has limitations. The human spirit is boundless." - Dean Karnazes

Remember that though your injury or others may make you feel like you are limited - thank God for the IDEO but also thank God for the human spirit. #nevergiveup


Look on the Sunnyside of Life :)

Hi fellow IDEOnista's! I’ve been a little under the weather lately but now that I’m on the upswing I wanted to give you an update on last weekend’s IDEO adventures. ☺

On Saturday I placed 3^rd in my age group in the 5K I ran in!! I hope this inspires you to know that anything is possible with the IDEO. If running makes you happy, get out there and run again. If walking makes you happy, walk your socks off. Get back to doing what you LOVE again – whether that’s hiking, walking, running – start small and never give up. Pre-injury, when I ran in races, my goal was to beat my previous time and just get faster and faster and now – post-injury, running with the IDEO, I run with a sense of gratitude and thankfulness and each race is special to me because I know the challenges it took to get to where I am today. Before the start of each race I look down at my IDEO and remind myself just how far I’ve come. It’s not about winning anymore (although that is fun and I certainly haven’t lost my competitive nature!); but to me it’s now about enjoying the race because I remember the times when I didn’t know if I’d be able to ever run again. The IDEO is truly a life changing device.



 

Saturday evening was the first time since receiving my IDEO that I’ve been to a black-tie event and I wasn’t sure how my Brooks Glycerin’s and IDEO were going to look with my dress…but I’d have to say I think my inner IDEOnista shined through. ☺ I wore a floor length one shoulder dress and you couldn’t even tell I had a leg brace or tennis shoes on – it was awesome. This is good news for IDEOnista brides out there – I think you could easily fit your dress over the IDEO and your tennis shoes and no one would even know! Pre-IDEO, there would have been no way I could have danced at the wedding, let alone gone to the wedding without my crutches. The IDEO has allowed me to live life again. For that, I am thankful.

 

 

Wishing you all a great week.  Just remember, it’s not about what you don’t have, it’s about what you do with what you have left. Focus on the positives and remember though your injury may have taken a lot away from you and your life, it’s the choices you make with the life you have now. The IDEO opens up a lot of possibilities – don’t let your injury be a setback that stops you from achieving your dreams for your life – choose to make the most of what you have today. Choose to see what you can do with the IDEO – look for the positives that have resulted in your life because of the IDEO and most importantly, never give up. ♥

“I don’t think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains.” – Anne Frank

#IDEOfabulous

January 26 | Week in Review

Happy Monday Everyone! I don't know about you guys but I'm super excited about this year and what is to come. ☺ If you put in the effort, anything is possible! I'm currently going on week 3 of my 10K training program with a local running store here in my hometown and LOVING it. Like I said last week, my goal this spring is to build up my core and really focus on my form. I think I may have started out too fast too soon last year (I have a tendency to push myself too hard!) which caused some IT band issues with my non-IDEO leg... so in 2015 I am starting with working on my form and core strength. #gettingstrongereveryday

This weekend I have a 5K planned and a wedding to go to so fun pictures to come! Can't wait to see how the IDEO fancies up for the black tie wedding in my floor length dress! So stay tuned...

 

My advice this week: Take time to reflect on how AMAZING it is that you are even able to walk without pain again, let alone RUN. We are so fortunate to have the technology of the IDEO. When I am out running and start to get tired and feel like stopping, I remind myself of all the pain and the times when I longed to just be able to run again... and it keeps me going. I smile because I am reminded each day of how much the IDEO has changed my life and that is something I will never take for granted. #IDEOstrong What are you grateful for?

Of course, I can't sign off without showing an outfit and a little inspiration. ☺

 

The IDEO looks pretty sleek here if I don't say so myself :)

 

Getting more flexible - feels good!

 

I run every chance that I have because to me it is a gift. ♥

 

 Have a great rest of the week! Never stop trying. #beAMAZING

Fashion, Shoes & Fitness | What more could a girl ask for?

Happy Saturday everyone! Today I thought I'd share a photo summary of my past week and give you a little inspiration covering all the bases: fashion, shoes and fitness :)

Skirt Fashion: Below are two pictures of how I pair skirts with my IDEO during the winter. The key is finding a way to make the IDEO a seamless part of your outfits. I've found the easiest way to do this with your skirts (during the cold months) is by wearing tights. By doing this, the IDEO becomes magically less noticeable at first glance and your look feels more streamlined. Top it off with dark colored tennis shoes and a dark colored compression sock (whatever goes best with your tights) and you are set to go! NOTE: I've had to cut some of my tights because it was too compressing to wear tights + compression sock over... so keep that in mind. You can always cut the tights on your IDEO side leg if you need to (its a little tricky but doable!). It's all about finding what feels & works best for you :)

 

Shoes: I was so excited to get my new Brooks Glycerin's this week!  I can run like the wind in Brooks and they are super cushy. (To give you an indication of how they fit: I wear a men's 8 on the L and a men's 10 on the R with my IDEO.) I'm planning to supplement this pair with my other Brooks Glycerin's and rotate them out with all the running & activity I am doing. This greyish color is great and I know it will go with a lot of outfits too :) New shoes = happy Beth.☺

Brooks Glycerin ♥

Fitness: Last week I signed up with a local running store for a Spring Training Program. So excited! After reaching such a huge goal with Project Athena last November, I couldn't decide what I wanted to do in 2015... but I finally decided for year 2 in the IDEO to improve my running form and distance. So this spring I am training and working on pace/form from Jan - late April on 5-10K level races and then assuming my body holds up for me (I have a tendency to push it too hard sometimes.. hehe) I plan to train for and run in the Race for a Soldier half-marathon in September in Gig Harbor. I have also started adding in more formalized weight training and yoga... working on flexibility and muscle strength needed to keep good form while running and also to avoid injuries (ain't nobody got time for that!). I have a lot of work ahead of me this year but I think by taking a systematic approach to my training and building my base / form / pace from the ground up, I will be in good all around shape to train for a half-marathon. So more to come on this... But if I can do the half-marathon - that will be the first half-marathon in my IDEO! (definitely on my IDEO bucket list!)


 

#iloverunning

 

Sometimes all it takes is believing that YOU CAN. Believe that YOU CAN look cute in your IDEO, believe that YOU CAN get back to living life to the fullest again, and believe that YOU CAN do anything you set your mind to. It all starts with believing in yourself. Make it a great week! #achieveyourdreams #beYOU #beFABULOUS #IDEOnista

Find YOUR style. #beAMAZING.

“…style is the sum of so many things-beginning with a sense of who you are and having self-confidence. It’s about getting the most mileage out of what works best on you. I’m a firm believer in wearing what makes you happy. And the only rules I’d encourage any to follow are their own rules.” - Kate Spade

 

True that Kate! One of the things I love most about Kate Spade is her confidence in her own unique style. Her looks are classic, yet it's her confidence that makes her beautiful. You can add all the cool compression socks to your wardrobe that you want but it's your confidence that will bring out the best that is within you. Turn your focus away from what you can't wear to what you can wear... there are a lot of options out there but it all begins with how you see yourself. So experiment, find your unique style, wear what makes you happy, and most importantly don't forget to smile. You've come a long way :)

 

PS - I would love to see pictures of your unique IDEO style. Share them in the comments or message me on the right. Have a great weekend! I don't know about you guys, but there will be running involved in mine... :)

 

#beYOU #beAMAZING #IDEOstrong

 

Winter = Skinny Jeans.

Hope everyone is off to a fantastic year!

Today I want to show you just how easy it is to make your IDEO blend in with your favorite jeans. As I mentioned in an earlier post, wintertime is one of my most favorite seasons because I can layer up and wear darker colors to blend in my IDEO. As you'll see in the images below, I am wearing skinny jeans. I truly believe as a woman, if you are going to wear tennis shoes with jeans, skinny jeans are the way to go. In fact, even non-IDEO people are wearing skinny jeans with tennis shoes - the style is real my friends :)
 
Skinny jeans with the IDEO... best kept secrets:

• Find a solid dark wash jean. This color can be dressed up and is great for work or going out with friends.
• To help the IDEO blend in, pull your skinny jean under your knee cuff and over the slats at the bottom (see last picture at bottom for close-up) Put pants on first, then the IDEO on over and pull the bottom of the pant leg over the outer side slats to cover them.
• Find jeans that are not too thick... you definitely don't want your jean material to be so thick that it makes wearing your IDEO too tight (this is not fun). Make sure to try your jeans on with your IDEO before purchasing to see how it feels.
• Try to match your shoes with your outfits / pants (as best you can!) I've found having neutral colored shoes - black, dark grey, tan, and light grey make for great options!
• Experiment with different colors of pants - this will help you feel like you have more options when it comes to making outfits. Currently, I only have regular denim, black, navy and grey jeans but I'm hoping to find some new colors to add to my wardrobe - maybe maroon!
• Don't cross your legs all day... this may sound odd but I was used to crossing one leg over the other when I was sitting at my desk. Interesting enough, I found over the last year that I was making a tiny hole in my jeans from where the IDEO was resting on my other leg when my legs were crossed at my desk. Even the color of the jean was fading from where the IDEO had rested on my opposite leg. Recognizing this, I made a conscious effort to frequently change up how I cross my legs when I am sitting for long periods of time. The way I look at it is it's a small price to pay for the benefit of living pain free! You may not experience this problem but just wanted to point it out in case you are a leg crosser like me :)
• If you are wearing dark pants and you have dark tennis shoes, wear dark socks with your IDEO. Do not wear white. This will make you feel more stylish - I promise!
• Unless the pant legs of your skinny jeans are pretty loose, put your compression sock for your IDEO on first and then put your pants on. Trust me on this haha.
• I haven't typically needed to wear the knee sleeve if I'm wearing skinny jeans because the jean material is enough to act as a buffer between the IDEO and my knee. See what you like though!

Skinny Jean Winter IDEO wardrobe ideas below. (Click on image to enlarge pictures)

Where is the IDEO, I don't even see it?? :)

 

 
Remember: You are beautiful no matter what outfit you have on, I'm just here to show you what's worked for me and to inspire you to find ways to feel fabulous again! Most importantly, wear the IDEO with confidence knowing there is beauty in your strength. After all, that's what an IDEOnista is. And smile - you're pretty amazing!

Until next time my friends.

Get Yourself a Shoehorn. You'll Thank Me Later.

I know you're thinking "Who uses a shoehorn?" I thought the same thing for a long time until my mom gave me one for Christmas this past year and I don't know how I went this long in my IDEO without it. Maybe it's stubbornness or possibly the idea of associating a shoehorn with something my grandfather would have used, but trust me using a shoehorn can help make your IDEO side shoe last longer and help you get your IDEO into tighter fitting shoes. (I should listen to Ryan's advice more often!)

From here on I will now be referring to a shoehorn as a shoespoon, because (a) it's a better description of what the tool does (acts like a spoon!) and (b) it's more fun (and I'm all about fun)! Below are instructions for how to use the shoespoon to help slide your IDEO into your shoe. Note: You don't have to use a shoespoon every single time you put your shoes on. I can't honestly say that I always use it, but I have started to with my new shoes and it's allowed them to keep their shape and not stretch out.

Step 1 - Hold shoespoon in your hand and get your shoe in front of you. 

 

Step 2 -  Place shoespoon in shoe with the angle of the spoon facing down like a rainbow :)

 



Step 3 - With your IDEO on, start sliding your IDEO into your shoe - using the shoespoon to help guide you in the back.

 

Step 4 - Your IDEO should begin to slide in smoothly. Shoespoon = your friend.

 



Step 5 - Once your IDEO has slid in completely, your shoespoon will be up in the back. It has done it's job.

 

Step 6 - SUCCESS. IDEO is in and shoe has maintained shape. Rock on IDEOnista.

This concludes my IDEO wisdom on shoespoons. Stay fabulous my friends ;)