ashleyd /

Popsicles and Prosecco

Happy Sunday and Happy Mother’s Day everyone!

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Thanks to jet lag, Bo and I have already gone grocery shopping at Trader Joes, sipped Blue Bottle iced coffee and taken a walk around Cobble Hill! We are heading uptown later this morning to meet friends for a Soul Cycle class and coffee date! After hearing rave reviews, I can’t wait to take Hallie’s Soul Cycle class!

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Yesterday when we landed in New York City we kept our energy levels high with a packed schedule.

First afternoon activity was a killer Soul Cycle class at the Brooklyn Heights location. Conveniently located just a few blocks from Russell & Meg’s apartment, this was the perfect way for the four of us to workout together and get a second wind. Selena kept us out of the saddle for over half the class and her arm sequence was killer. Luckily her playlist helped distract me from the burn.

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While spinning at Soul Cycle in branded gear isn’t required, sporting Brooklyn and NYC tanks sure makes it more fun!

The rest of the evening was spent celebrating the recent engagement of  Meg & Russell. As we haven’t been back in New York City since their engagement in March, it was wonderful to spend the evening with many of our good friends celebrating. Over the years, many of our good friends have become Meg & Russell’s “aunts and uncles” not only serving as their friends but also helping them find their way in New York City.

We enjoyed rooftop cocktails at Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar before heading to El Vez for margaritas & Mexican food!

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Loopy Doopy exceeded our expectations as the views were wonderful, even on a hazy evening, and their signature cocktail, Popsicle & Prosecco, was DELICIOUS! They have five different flavors including the blackberry mint which I happily enjoyed. Prosecco on tap and rooftop views? Even with the $20 price point it was a perfect way to start the evening!

Your turn: What’s your favorite cocktail?

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ashleyd /

Jumping for Joy

Man has today been incredible!

How can you not jump for joy when the weather is this beautiful? I can’t appreciate today’s weather nearly as much as my NYC friends who have dealt with the freezing weather but it’s still amazing! I also think it’s impossible for me to do anything fun like jumping without opening my mouth! #akwardforthewin

019I woke up this morning for a Soul Cycle date with my sister in law Meg and running buddy Meghan. Did you know that there are two Soul Cycle locations within two blocks of each other? Yup! I showed up at the 19th street Soul Cycle big as life this morning thinking that it was just a renovated Union Square studio. Or maybe it was just early and I hadn’t had any coffee. 007 006A few minutes later I found myself on bike 39 jamming out to an awesome playlist and Isabel’s inspirational and very arm heavy class. It was my first time spinning with Isabel but I really liked her format. The class was a sweat fest and filled with lots of pushups and touchbacks but her music took our mind off everything. The class flew by and before I knew it we were stretching. I appreciate the fact that Soul Cycle is such a full service studio offering you everything from shoes, towels, shower toiletries, and even hair ties. It’s so nice to know I can spin in New York and not have to pack spin shoes and not lug all my beauty products to the studio and then to work. 010 We followed our spin class with a trip to Liquiteria Union Square which just opened at 13th and 4th Avenue. The All Greens with lemon, ginger and apple was perfect to sip on all day as the ginger kick kept me mindful of how much I enjoyed. I loved their assortment and the fact that they also make smoothies and other fun treats like acai bowls. The past few days have inspired me with so many fun new ingredient combinations for my Geneva juicer beginning next week!012 013After a long day of meetings there was no where I wanted to be other than Central Park. Our work run club hit the streets for a fun, relaxed run through Central Park Zoo, over the small bridges, up the hills and through the tree lined row of statues enjoying the almost 60 degree weather! The park was filled with runners all enjoying the weather and fresh air!

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I’m so thankful to enjoy business trips to New York City which allow me to have great face to face meetings with my co-workers and business partners during the day and then enjoy quality time with friends during workouts and dinners.

Your turn: What about Spring has you jumping for joy?

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ashleyd /

Bloggers in the City

Good morning from rainy New York City. This is one of those weeks when I’m so blessed to live in New York City! A few times a year, I’m lucky enough to catch up with friends due to events or work commitments which bring them to New York City! It’s even sweeter when their hotel is only a few blocks from my apartment!

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Even though it’s Wednesday, I won’t be heading to the office this morning. Instead, I’m using a vacation day so that I may participate in Fitness Magazine’s Fitness Blogger Meet & Tweet (#FitBlogNYC) event! I was invited to particpate through Fitfluential and am looking forward to learning about new products, fitness trends, digital media, and blogging from the staff at Fitness and a few inspirational bloggers and friends such as Julie, Tina and the amazing Kelly Olexa!

Since this event is taking place just down the street from my apartment, I was able to spend some much needed girl time with a few of these ladies last night at Greensquare Tavern, where we met for a delicious dinner and fun conversation.

IMG_2190  IMG_2197 Located at 21st and Fifth, Greensquare Tavern is a new to me farm to table restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere and a menu balanced between healthy and indulgent seasonal items. Tina and I went with the Lancaster County Honey Roast Chicken which was marinated in honey and herbs and complemented by a side of sweet potato mash and steamed vegetables. While the vegetables lacked seasoning, the sweet potatoes and chicken were divine! I’d definitely go back there, especially for dinner or brunch!

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After dinner we met up with Anne who had just finished dinner with a friend in the city. Never one to turn down time with our out of town friends, Theodora and I gladly accompanied them to Tina’s hotel bar where we sipped Prosecco and discussed today’s event and our upcoming Reach the Beach weekend!

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Only seven hours later, I was up and back in their hotel picking up my morning workout partner, Julie! While we’ve been at many of the same events historically, we’ve never had the chance to spend time together. When she saw me tweet about a possible morning Soul Cycle session, she quickly jumped on the opportunity. Due to popularity, I wasn’t able to snag us bikes in the 7am Union Square class. But, always the trooper, Julie was more than happy to meet me at the early hour of 5:30 so we could walk to the 6am class with Ben T..

Fondly known as the “rooster class” the class left us sweaty and energized. His class was heavier on the arm work which I loved while his second to last track’s hills left me breathless. I’m so happy Kristine convinced us that the early hour would be worth it.

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I’ll be back later to share today’s adventures with you and my own Marathon & Moderation guest post!

Question: What is your favorite workout song right now? I just downloaded a ton of new songs and am seriously loving Back in Time, the new Pitbull song from Men In Black III.

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