NY: Part 2: Mind Over Madness

I know I'm on vacation, but I wasn't the least bit upset when my alarm went off at 6 a.m.! In fact I was awake a bit before the alarm. Much like kids on Christmas morning, my friend Amanda and I were so excited to get downstairs (literally steps from our hotel door) and get our spots for the sunrise yoga class!

It's kind of crazy how when you wake up early, you feel like no one else is up. But then you go outside and turn the corner, you can find something like this happening! Pretty cool!

This is really what the yoga community is all about: coming together to share a love of yoga even if it is among strangers, in crazy places, at early hours.

The summer solstice marked the first day of summer and the longest day of light. To start summer off with a celebration like this was truly amazing!

*Tomorrow's post will feature the rest of the day's shopping bonanza (back to the fashion soon, I promise)!

Amongst madness!

Shoes: Nike "Victoria" (awesome color scheme here)

Pants: Lululemon Wunder Under crops

Tank: Lululemon Cool racerback tank in what else but hot pink!

Tie dye sports bra: Forever 21(similar here)

Amanda and I all ready to yoga!

Amanda's top: Lululemon "Practice Freely tank"

Our free commemorative mat! Thanks Athleta and Times Square Alliance!

 Sleepy and uncaffeinated but still rocking our Lululemon brights!

Yogis on the Jumbotron! 

 Let the big morning stretches begin!

Later that day we got tickets for Phantom of the Opera at that tkts booth! 

One final rest to wrap up the practice.

Our teacher and Athleta model, Drisana Carey. How cute is she?

Who's excited to go next year??

NY: Part 1

Ok, so I'm having trouble with where to even begin. This might have to be a many-part series on my trip to New York.

Let's start on the day I left.

That morning I woke up, got dressed and went to work just like any other day. But by 11:00 that night I made my way to one of the most famous places on Earth: Times Square, Manhattan.

But Times Square itself was about to undergo an even bigger change: transforming from a hub of commerce and commotion, into a day-long celebration of yoga at the heart of New York.

So what was this yoga event, you might be asking. It's called "Mind Over Madness," which is perfectly fitting because it's a peaceful yoga practice happening amongst the madness on the crowed city streets of Times Square. If you've been to New York - and even more so if you've been to New York and you do yoga - you can imagine what a contrast this is.

I had seen it in a magazine a few years back and thought it looked absolutely incredible. I held onto that magazine clipping for at least a year and finally went last year, and it was exactly as I had hoped. I couldn't wait to go back this year.

Our hotel, the W New York, Times Square, was just steps away from the check-in station. It was pretty incredible how perfectly situated we were with our location! Here are some pictures from the day's work outfit and then post-flight around the hotel.

*Check out tomorrow's post for pictures from the actual event.

Dress: Old Navy (found mine on the clearance rack for $17!)

Wedges: Express

Belt: Came with this Forever 21 dress

Chambray Blazer: Target

Watch: La Mer (same) via Stitch in Bucktown

Sunglasses: Purchased at Randolph Street Fest (and as close to the mirrored sunglasses trend as I'm gonna try)

Necklace: Banana Republic Outlet

(Yes, I left my heels at work and changed into my flats for travel)

Back From NYC!

Hello all!

 I just returned yesterday from the most amazing trip to New York! For those of you who don't know, I went with my friend Amanda for the summer solstice yoga event called Mind Over Madness in Times Square. I can't wait to share all my pics from the incredible experience. Below is a preview of my own "private" yoga island on 46th and Broadway! More on that later but if you can't wait to see more check out my Instagram and Facebook page.

Thanks for reading,

Jill