One of my favorite things to do is to document my weekends with Instagram. That way, not only do I look back and appreciate the fun things I did, but I also find that I think ahead and plan better weekends. Last weekend I loved visiting Pike Place Market and picking up fresh flowers and something for dessert. The market has amazing big fresh cookies, personal sized cheesecakes and tons of different types of pastries. There’s also the most fabulous store near the market called Watson Kennedy which is one of my favorite places to pick up gifts, Molton Brown soaps and other special things for my home. Ted, the owner, has the most amazing taste and if you’re ever in Seattle I highly recommend visiting the store.

For many more photos you can follow me on Instagram at FitFabCities.

Happy Fit Fab Weekend!

When summer rolls around, I can’t get enough of sitting outside, relaxing and enjoying chips and guacamole. I always like to see if I can find healthier versions of my favorite foods, and I’m pretty picky about my guacamole (it has to have tomatoes, not too much lime and plenty of healthy chunks of avocado) so, I was really excited to try this recipe from Cooking Light. Now avocados have a lot of fat, but it’s good fat…I just have to be conscious of portion control so I don’t over do it on the calories, but at least I know  I’m consuming something better for me than most dips. The chips are simply baked corn tortillas, so I cut calories and unhealthy fats there, and they still have a great crunch and, most importantly, enough heft to hold the guacamole.

The recipe calls for tomatillos, which are used to make salsa verde, and they give the guacamole great flavor…plus, it has kick from the jalapenos making it utterly delicious! In fact, my husband followed me around, chips in hand, until I was done taking photos so he could dig in! This recipe makes a great al fresco dinner dip and it’s something you could bring to your next fiesta…I also love putting a little on a chicken wrap for lunch the next day! Hope you enjoy!

To make the chips just cut corn tortillas into 8ths, place them on a cookie sheet covered with cooking spray, sprinkle with course salt and chili powder and I like to give a quick squeeze of lime. The coat one more spay of cooling spray at put them in the over at 375 for 10 minutes.

I’m always looking for ways to spice up my runs. I love throwing in a few intervals and combining some principles from high intensity interval training to keep the workouts short but still super effective. This workout uses one minute intervals, 30 second intervals and a four minute  tabata protocol interval section (tabata intervals use 20 seconds of intense work and 10 seconds of rest) to burn tons of calories and increase your speed in only 35 minutes.

You can do this workout outside or inside on the treadmill. If you’re running outside or if you’re getting started with a workout plan and you’d like to walk instead, use the RPE  in the right hand column instead of relying on the MPH speeds . The RPE, or rate of perceived exertion, is a scale of 1-10…1 is sitting on the couch, 5 is a comfortable workout (you know you’re working out but you can still keep up a conversation) and 10 is working as hard as you can. Use that scale as a guide to change your speeds during the intervals and recovery work. Also the speeds are just a guideline…feel free to go slower or faster if you like.

This workout has 3 sections you can do one, two or all three parts . Here is the breakdown

• Section A: 4 x one minute sprints
• Section B: 4 x 30 seconds sprints
• Section C: 4 minute tabata section,
• 8 x 20 second sprint and 10 second rest
• If you’re in a treadmill….”step off treadmill” means stand on the side rail area on either side of the belt for the 10 seconds of rest. If you’re running or walking just slow down to a slow walk or a slow jog for this part

I always need great music while I’m working out, so here are a few songs that are totally motivating me through my runs right now!

• Katy Perry, Part of Me 
• (I’m not embarrassed to say I’m totally into One Direction lately:)…One Direction, One Thing and What Makes you Beautiful
• Kelly Clarkson, Stronger
• David Guetta & Nicki Minaj, Turn me on
• Drake featuring Rihanna, Take Care
• Lady Gaga, Alejandro (Dave Aude Remix)

Praise the paper-bag waist! Seriously, if you don’t own a pair of paper-bag waist trousers or shorts, you will want to get one. They are super comfortable, really flattering (the ultimate antidote for muffin top) and perfect for anyone who is over low rise pants.

A high waist can be incredibly flattering, and when it’s paired with heels, legs undoubtedly look miles longer. I bought these silk shorts at Madewell last summer and they are my go to pair since they can easily be dressed up or dressed down. Since I have them paired with platform high heels I’m showing a lot of leg, so I like to throw a sweater over the top to tone the look down and keep it appropriate. The white racerback tank is from Nordstrom’s BP section which I always recommend as a great place to get basics. This tank is silky and perfect with jeans for the weekend or a skirt for going out…plus it was only $30.

With the neutral palette of my shorts, tank and sweater, l thought I’d add a pop of color with my favorite turquoise JCrew necklace and a pair of surprisingly confortable color blocked platform sandals. I was actually able to wear this outfit in Seattle this week since it’s been 80 degrees and sunny… who would have thought! Here’s to summer!

• Shorts: Madewell (old) but here are similar ones. JCrew, Forever21, Madewell
• Tank: Nordstroms BP
• Necklace JCrew
• Shoes: Aldo

“Repeat after me: I CAN DO THIS.”

Have a great week and a happy Motivation Monday!

-Caitlin

Paris photo is from Pinterest and http://savedbythesouthernbelle.tumblr.com

This is one of my favorite times of year…the weather is getting better and we still have all of summer to look forward too! It’s time to run outside, break out our sandals and enjoy long al fresco dinners. With spring and summer in mind, here are three things I think will make for a Fit Fab Weekend.

1. Pandora a Playlist to Paris: My “La Vie En Rose” pandora station is one of my new obsessions. I love playing it while I’m cooking, reading or getting ready in the morning as it’s the perfect way to breathe a little glamour into each day. While picking up and flying to Paris is not always a possibility:)…just putting on this playlist gets me a little closer, and makes everyday more romantic and beautiful.

2. Try Super Pink Lips: I’m a lip gloss addict, in fact one of these days I’ll Instagram a photo pf my ridiculous lip gloss collection just to prove how bad it is. Anyway, lately I’ve been embracing matte lipsticks and I’m loving bright bold pink lips. Celebs like Blake Lively, Kate Boswoth, Emily Blunt and my new favorite Ashley Madekwe (from the ultimate guilty pleasure..Revenge)  are rocking pick lips and the color is so perfect for summer. If you want to tone the color down a bit, just top your lipstick with some concealer.

3. Switch Ice Cream for Lower Calorie Gelato: Did you know gelato has less fat and fewer calories than regular ice cream! Awesome right?! Spring and summer are not complete without partaking in ice cream, so why not switch up your dessert and save a few calories with creamy, delicious gelato. It comes is so many rich, intense and amazing flavors that you only need a small portion to feel totally indulgent and satisfied. This picture is from the Williams Sonoma website where they have great recipes for gelato!

Happy Fit Fab Weekend!

-Caitlin

All right ladies and gentlemen…summer’s almost here and that means it’s almost time to hit the beach! Given it’s the season to show a little more skin, I think you’re going to love this bikini (or boardshort, I don’t want to leave the guys out) bootcamp workout. There is no better way to burn fat and get totally tight and toned than by combining cardio with full body strength work. Plus, since you’ll be alternating between cardio and strength sections, this is also a killer interval workout .

With the weather is getting better feel free to do this workout outside since you don’t need any equipment. It’s also perfect for the gym if you prefer to bike or do the elliptical trainer instead of running. This one is going to make you sweat, but I promise if you do it 2-3 times a week you’ll be beach ready in no time!

Happy Workout!

Get the printable workout with instructions here. Bikini body bootcamp

I’m going to do a new thing on my YouTube channel and post videos of some of my favorite exercises or things I do during my daily workouts. The videos are shot on my phone and I’m post run/weights/plyos which explains why I look oh-so-glamorous . Truth be told, as I see it, the grosser and sweatier I am post workout, just means the better workout I got. So here is the first video!

I love plies for targeting the lower body. They works the inner and outer things, hamstrings, quads and really hit the area I like to call the “thutt”. FYI, thutt is my “technical term” for where your thighs meet your butt. We are going to use one dumbbell and start in plie position, then switch hands as we bring the dumbbell up and down from the floor. You’ll notice you’ll end up getting a lot deeper in the plie and your thighs will be close to parallel to the floor… giving your legs and butt a super workout. Plus, I added a little something extra to the end of the plie to really tone those thighs!

Try adding the ultimate plie to your regular strength training workout and aim for 2-3 sets of 30-45 seconds of the plie and 15-30 seconds of the pulses at the end. Then get ready to rock your summer shorts!

Happy Workout:)

Yu can subscribe to the FitFabCities YouTube channel here.

“When feeling overwhelmed by a far away goal, repeat the following: I have it within me right now, to get me to where I want to be later.”

Happy Motivation Monday!

XO Caitlin

My love of stripes is well documented on this blog, in my closet and all over my Pinterest board. I can’t help myself… they are classic, chic and sophisticated which I love. I’m also infatuated with the bright denim this spring and these Old Navy Rockstar skinny jeans are my new favorites…they are super comfy, a great color and only $30! This is one of my favorite casual spring time outfits, perfect for running errands, writing or hanging out on the weekend. With the bold jeans, bright nails and statement jewelry I like grounding the look and taking the girly quotation down a bit with a neutral bag, shoes and my  favorite utilitarian JCrew army jacket. I bought it a few seasons ago, and I wear with everything from maxi dresses to and sandals in the summer to skinny jeans and boots in the fall.

• Jeans: Old Navy Rockstar
• T-shirt: old from H&M but check out ones from stylemint,  this one from Splendid ot this one from JCrew.
• Necklace: JCrew Bubble necklace in turquoise.
• Jacket JCrew, old
• Bag: JCrew Brompton Hobo
• Wedges: Aldo
• Nail Polish: Julep in Alicia