Now go order some Cinnastix and pig the 'eff out!

Go Katie, GO!

Finishing in 5:29:58 is a respectable start to your marathoning, but let's aim to break 4:40 in your next go. Together. In Oklahoma City. Without Tom. And without dance pants.

And with a proper sports bra. For serious, how did you run that long with such little ladybit support?

(picture courtesy of People.com)

Be patient with me this week

My trainer, also the world's smallest, most irascible cheerleader (seen here in his "Team Johanna" workout tee*), insisted I place primacy on getting sufficient beauty rest instead of updating my blog at its usual pace this week, so even though I'd much prefer to stay up into the wee hours of the night searching for and writing about beautiful clothes, confounding DC style and fugly celebrity wardrobe choices, I'm instead going to be crawling into Monte's and my nightly spoon at a much more reasonable, hopefully-before-midnight time.

Post completed - or in today's case, started - or not.

How could I defy this little face? I mean, just look at him -- like a miniature Burgess Meredith!

*a million thanks to super-friends C, E & K for this. Muwah.

**to see a close-up of the photo Monte keeps close to his heart, go here

You sneaky minx...

Just when I thought I couldn't adore her any more, the mysterious Miss Holmes goes and pulls this.

Good luck, stylish one, Monte and I plan on each eating a celebratory orange wedge, pouch of vanilla Goo and pack of berry blue Jelly Belly Sport Beans in honor of you, runner 210529, on November 4th!

The obvious follow-up question

Now that I've cut my hair just about as short as yours (thank you so much for the inspiration!), I'm having issues with pulling it back during workouts. As someone with short hair and who seems to work out quite a bit, how do you deal with this? Also, I'm thinking about running my first 10K this Fall and would like your opinion on good running clothes? And iMixes??

After the boot query, this one - how do you keep your hair back and what do you wear/listen to while you run? - is the subject most frequently broached in your e-mails. Therefore, even though it's only tangentially related to fashion, with that tangent, of course, being my belief that a toned figure is a woman's first step to looking her best, I felt compelled to finally put forth a comprehensive three-part answer to this three-part question.

So here below is the nitty gritty "style" breakdown of how I look and what I listen to when I'm pounding the pavement doing my best to earn gams a la Ms. Underwood:

Skinny knitted headwraps by Scünci ($6.99 at CVS Stores)*

Ribbed cotton tank with built-in bra (2 for $30 at jcrew.com) Personal Best sports bra by Nike ($37.99 at ladyfootlocker.com)
Tempo track short by Nike ($28.99 at City Sports)Nimbus low-cut by Asics (3 pairs for $35.95 at zappos.com)**Glycerin 5 by Brooks (currently on-sale for $79.95 at City Sports)

Now, onto the music.

I have two iMixes to which I turn during my long runs, one a more playful, upbeat, chock-full-of-'80s lady music and the other a slightly more intense, angrier selection that isn't usually unleashed unless I've had a particularly trying day. If you're a regular reader, some of these tracks should look familiar - as with many things, I'm a creature of habit and rarely tire of a good song with great lyrics. Since both compilations are too long to list in their entirety, here are the first 20 tracks of each:

'Not So Hardcore' iMix:

1. Self Control (Laura Branigan)

2. Sexual (Amber)

3. Outrageous XL Remix (Britney Spears)

4. I Get Weak (Belinda Carlisle)

5. Say it Right (Nelly Furtado)

6. Glamorous (Fergie)

7. Hungry Like the Wolf (Duran Duran)

8. I Need you Tonight (INXS)

9. Pon de Replay (Rihanna)

10. Crush (Mandy Moore)

11. Stronger (Britney Spears)

12. Shilo (Neil Diamond)

13. Then He Kissed Me (The Crystals)

14. Sweet Escape (Gwen Stefani ft. Akon)

15. Manic Monday (Bangles)

16. Holding Out for a Hero (Bonnie Tyler)

17. Gloria (Laura Branigan)

18. Ooh La La (Goldfrapp)

19. Sorry (Madonna)

20. What's Your Fantasy? (Ludacris ft. Shawna)

'A Tad Harder Core' iMix:

1. Personal Jesus (Marilyn Manson)

2. Barracuda (Heart)

3. Get Busy (Sean Paul)

4. The Next Episode (Dr. Dre)

5. Paradise City (Guns 'N' Roses)

6. Heart-Shaped Glasses (Marilyn Manson)

7. Enter Sandman (Metallica)

8. Nookie (Limp Bizkit)

9. Pour Some Sugar on me (Def Leppard)

10. Dirt Off Your Shoulder (Jay-Z)

11. Buttons (Pussycat Dolls)

12. Flute Loop (Beastie Boys)

13. California Love (2pac ft. Dr. Dre)

14. Money Maker (Ludacris)

15. Baby Did a Bad Thing (Chris Isaak)

16. The Girl's Attractive (Diamond Nights)

17. Sharp Dressed Man (ZZ Top)

18. Dr. Feelgood (Mötley Crüe)

19. The Beautiful People (Marilyn Manson)

20. Sweet Child O Mine (Guns 'N' Roses)

*after failed attempts to stick ponytail holders and bobby pins into my half-inch long hair and trying both thinner and thicker cloth headbands, this middle-of-the-road variety proved the best fit for me.
**unless you're a distance runner, investing in fancypants socks really isn't necessary; up until very recently, I was a devoted Meijer-purchased Fruit of the Loom ankle socks girl.

MassAve chic

Since I started this blog back in December, I've been meaning to pay closer attention to the walkers-home - or more specifically, what the walkers-home are wearing - while I scamper Asics-style up and down MassAve chasing Oprah's 4:29:20 and burning off countless handfuls of Hershey's miniatures, at least three-inches of half-n-half and whatever non-vegetable topping (I allow myself one) I added to my Cosi salad that day.

Well, today, finally, I'm going to make good on that promise.

In between giving Dick my best Yasmine-Bleeth-running-in-slow-mo-on-the-beach impression when I pass by the Naval Observatory (he might see me, one day...) and carefully avoiding tripping (again) over that homeless dude on a hunger strike in front of the Sudanese consulate, I will take enough mental notes to prepare something good and juicy for you all.

And yes, I actually do have all three "Baywatch" themes - Save me (Peter Cetera/Bonnie Raitt), I'm always here (Jimi Jamison) and I'll be ready (Naughty Boy & Sunblock) - in a "Baywatch"-block on my training iMix as inspiration to nail that intense-eye-contact, heaving-bosom jog-past.

You know you'd watch it if it was still on the air.

Second favorite OKC moment.

Not since I took a nasty spill at mile 23 of my first marathon while stealing a glance - okay fine, a series of glances - of myself in reflective glass have I come across a situation thicker with laugh-out-loud irony as I did on Saturday night when I came across this Magnum XL condom wrapper atop a Holy Bible in my bedside drawer at the OKC Sheraton.

I think you'll agree with me there's no commentary needed.

The land of $.75 muffins and $9 manicures

I may just stay here.

The prices are low, the people are kind (a take-you-by-the-arm-and-insist-on-helping-you-find-those-Nature-Valley-granola-bars-at-the-Super-Walmart brand of kind) and aside from the year-round concern that your house might be funnel-clouded from Lawton all the way to Norman, the weather is pretty darn wonderful, too.

And the honeysuckle. Oh the honeysuckle!

But in the end, I don't think Oklahoma City is for me. Partly because Monte would refuse to come, partly because the nearest Sephora is in Texas (when I need more Stila concealer in shade C, I need it now, not in 3-5 business days), but primarily because I don't think the market demand for Chinese linguists could bear more than sweet Zhao Shanmei and her elderly husband, both of whom have been here so long they've unconsciously adopted the local "y'all" and have even plastered both windows of Lucky Jade Palace with Sooner football decals.

Several of you sent me e-mails yesterday asking me to comment on the style scene down here, and by "comment" I assume you mean "denigrate," and while I'm usually up to the task, after a most pleasant evening of palavering with the locals last night over lump crab penne primavera and a frisbee-sized snickerdoodle cookie at Nonna's, I decided not go down the path of poking fun at their bedazzled pantsuits, brassy bouffants and visor-to-sneakers Sooner pride uniforms.

The thing is, I don't really think I could, because even though I don't share their affinity for all things matchy-matchy and bedecked with flair, there's no getting around the fact that these women are seriously put together. In the 24 hours I've been here, I've yet to see a single just-'cause-it's-comfortable kind of woman. Granted, Okie ladies may not be wearing high-waisted trouser jeans, halter-neck tuxedo blouses or ballet flats; they may not be able to answer the question, "Did you prefer Katie Holmes' style pre-Tom or post-Tom?"; and yes, they may have names we Northerners like to associate with teenage pregnancy like Crystal-Anne, Tammy and Tricia-Jo, but even so, these women, unlike so many I see in NW DC, have taken the time and care to develop a style all their own. They actually know what they like and dislike. They actually get what fits and doesn't fit their frame. In short, they care about presentation.

And that right there, to me, is style.

And now I'm off to get that $9 manicure, which, yes, does include tax and tip.

Grape slushees and tornadoes, here I come!

Though I always knew I loved this blog and loved you, my loyal readership, it took facing a no-way-around-it three day departure for me to really realize just how attached I'd grown over the past four months to sharing with you my sometimes educational, often repugnant but always spot-on views regarding DC fashion and celebrity weight-gain.

But like I said, there's just no way for me to fit in time to blog when I will be jet-setting this glorious ass of mine Grapes of Wrath style in a pair of Asics Gel Kayanos to the capital city of the state that boasts the nation's highest civilian-to-correctional-facility ratio (approximately 70,000:1), is home to Shawnee, the city in which the very first Sonic Drive-In turned on its speakers, and most notable, the state that serves as the unofficial birthplace of the rat-tail, the femmullet, and even though I'm pretty sure it hasn't been identified yet, whatever this is.

And to those of you who've asked me the same two questions over and over again, the answer to the first is I will prepare mentally with the films Time Cop, Rocky IV and Serendipity; the answer to the second is a resounding "yes." Yes, I will be going through the full makeup routine beforehand. Even bronzer. Even eyeliner. Even Dior Addict lip gloss in shade #313.

See you on Monday!

80 degrees and sunny -- on a work day.

There's no greater feeling than waking up on a lazy Saturday or Sunday morning (or afternoon, technically) and while still in bed, without consciously thinking about it, already knowing from the temperature in the air and the strength of the shadows on the floor just how warm and sunny a day you're about to enjoy.

Aside from the only non-negotiable - the prince's five daily walks - these days are filled with one, maybe two open-ended commitments. Whether it's a late Cafe Saint Ex brunch or a manicure with L, naughty store purveying with P, or an action movie and gun show one-two-punch with R, lazy weekend plans, even those that require pre-arrangement, are made with the mutual understanding that when, where and what are all subject to change for no better reason than either party feels like staying where they are just a little bit longer.

Getting dressed on one of these days, for me, usually involves a bikini, dressy shorts, an Ella Moss slight-pouf cap-sleeved tee and bright flats. I pull my hair, including my bangs, completely off my face, brush on some concealer if I need it, swipe bronzer onto my apples, apply a double-coat of waterproof mascara and dab on some shine with my Kiehl's lip balm. Maybe a spritz or four of fresh Sake behind my wrists, knees and elbows. Very laid-back, very low maintenance.

Tomorrow, unfortunately, is going to be one of these days, but with a long run, an 8:30 to 5:30 work day and a proper, supportive bra in place of sleeping 'til 11, lounging without looking at a clock and lycra triangles held together by a bit of string.

What can a girl do to get excited about the first 80-degree day of the year when it falls on, of all days, a Tuesday?

There are several things, actually.

Assuming the proper planning and purchasing have been taken care of, you can debut your new Spring 2007 makeup palette; assuming your toes are in warm-weather shape, you can rock your killer peeptoes; and assuming you own one, you can float through the day in a fabulous lightweight, work-appropriate dress that easily transitions from professional to sexy for that post-work al fresco happy hour at Le Bar opposite the White House.

Oh, and don't forget to carefully assemble that all-important first iMix of the season, too. Having the right soundtrack on your way to work is critical to establish the desired mood for the day.

That means replacing Snow Patrol with Ludacris, Rachael Yamagata with Beastie Boys and Graham Parker with Mungo Jerry's "In the summertime."

Now go lay out that outfit before you wash your face and apply your before-bed lotion treatment.

A bag worthy of your spandex shorts and NB992s

Whether you need a supplemental bag for gym clothes, your laptop, or the frosted, be-sprinkled sugar cookies you made "just 'cause" for your office-mates, please PLEASE leave the canvas monogrammed tote to the mall-walkers and late-night QVC addicts for whom these awful bags, along with their garish Paula Abdul-designed hammered aluminum multi-stone earrings and Quacker Factory embroidered tracksuits are their most stylish outfit components.

Instead, try one of those below.

And if the one you select ends up not being large enough to accommodate your shoes, just do like I do and tie-'em and throw-'em over the straps of your daybag -- I've found this to be an amazingly effective solicitor of oh-you-like-to-work-out-too? male attention.

Not that I'm at all promoting women should relish flattery based on superficial trappings. Gosh, that would set women back a few decades, wouldn't it?

While I go admire my good heart and big vocabulary in the mirror, please enjoy browsing my picks for secondary daybags:


Top to bottom:
1. Quilted double strap bag ($29.99 at urbanoutfitters.com)
2. Framed Emily tote ($39.99 at urbanoutfitters.com)
3. Braid trimmed tote by Xhiliaration ($19.99 at target.com)
4. Belted tote by Merona ($24.99 at target.com)
5. East/West tote by Kathy Van Zeeland ($92.95 at zappos.com)
6. Cheyenne NS tote by Tommy Hilfiger ($72.95 at zappos.com)
7. Oversized paneled shopper (£25 at asos.com)
8. “R you with me?” tote by Kenneth Cole ($68 at macys.com)
9. Nolita tote in Lippicat pink by LeSportsac ($56 at lesportsac.com)
10. Zip top shopper in silver black ($46 at lesportsac.com)