Chic AND Comfortable? New Balance GIVEAWAY

RUNNING (sort of)... 
*note: feel free to scroll straight down  to enter giveaway and hear good music.

Is this actually possible??

A couple of my recent posts have been about my running shoe collection.  I have confessed to having several pairs - way more than I need.  I've discussed the fact that I love them all and that they are basically all I wear.  And I have taken comfort from other readers who feel similarly about their own collections...of running shoes, or CDs or whatever else they have told me they have 'a lot' of.  I was ready to move on and I'm sure you are, too.  But then, yesterday, I received an email from New Balance telling me that they have created a shoe for those of us who want to be comfortable AND chic.  What?? As I've mentioned, once in a while I do have to wear a non-running outfit.  I know, shocker.  And we all know sneakers with skirts...not so much.  Enter the New Balance Well2Go ballet flat.  

(Haaaaaaaallelujah!)

These babies are stylish and comfortable and do not, in any way, shape or form, look like sneakers.  YES!!!  Throw these puppies on with a skirt and people will admire both your style and your effort.  Meanwhile, you'll be smiling on the inside because you're walking around on "plush memory foam" OR "gentle massaging pods".  No joke, you get to choose which insert you are in the mood for at any given moment.  And still, you look freakin' great.  Okay, calm down, Rebecca.  I immediately purchased a pair for myself.  And then, naturally, I felt I should spread the word.  I reached out to New Balance and let them know how psyched I am to have discovered these shoes.  I also mentioned that the RWM readers (well, the ladies) would probably dig them, too.  Boo-yah!  The good folks over at New Balance have generously donated a pair of these Well2Gos to give away to one lucky RWM reader.  I don't know about you, but I'm already excited for the winner because how can you not love these shoes?  Check out the other color options below.  (Gentlemen, no reason you can't try to win these gems for the lady in your life)

Here's how to enter: Comment below.  What's the most inappropriate place that you've worn your running shoes?  To a wedding, out to dinner, to a Guns 'N Roses concert (guilty)?  You get the drift.  You can also just tell me you'd love to own a pair of these shoes, but that's not nearly as fun.

For additional entries (in a separate comment box for each):

1. Follow New Balance on Twitter

2. 'Like' New Balance on Facebook
3. Follow RWM on Twitter (or tell me that you do)
4. 'Like' RWM on Facebook (or tell me that you do)
5. Join RWM with Google Friend Connect (or tell me that you already did)

*PLEASE NOTE: This contest is open to U.S. & Canada residents only.  It will close on Friday, April 5th.  The color will be determined by the winner's shoe size.  Retail value of this prize is $54.99.  The winner will be chosen using a random selection process.  Good luck!

...AND MUSIC

Listen to this:
Everything Everything - Cough Cough  

A LOT (continued)

RUNNING...

Turns out I'm not the only one who has a slightly ridiculous amount of running shoes and/or attire. After recently admitting to my shoe problem (click to read post), I happily took comfort in learning that many other runners both understand my problem and struggle with a similar issue.  Thanks to them, I no longer feel too bad about my shoe purchasing habits, which, it turns out, is pretty tame compared to a few others out there (eh-hmm, Ms. Ritz).  Oddly, a lot of other people are blogging about their obsession with running attire and shoes at the moment or, I should say, sharing their running wardrobes with pride.  Go check out Pavement Runner's closet.  Looking at these pics makes me feel, not only like I have a much smaller collection than I thought I did, but also that I could use a few more pieces to freshen up my wardrobe.  Just a few. (insert eye roll from husband here)  Or check out all these duds from iheartrunning's closet.  Are you kidding me with this organization and color coordination...wait, Abercrombie & Fitch sells running shirts?  I digress.  The responses I got from my own post about my shoe collection and what it means to me are fantastic and worth sharing (my own comments in orange).  Yes, I'm a little nuts, but as WestCoastRunner115  replied, "live your life the way you want it."  I have a lot of shoes, dammit, and I want it that way!  

TOP 10 READER RESPONSES TO MY "A LOT" POST (though I loved them all)

1. I have been accused of too much Dri-Fit and Denim...I normally ignore the haters...Ha Ha Ha. Well, ignorance IS bliss, right?

2. Cool pic.  You should see how many different words you can spell with running shoes. - I did not do this but I thought about it.  Check out what Happy Fit Mama did with hers.

TRUE LOVE

3. I'm thankful I don't have a shoe problem like so many other Loopsters (you!).  Fair enough.  But, I'm still ok with it.

4. I have a little bit of a shoe problem as well.  And I don't typically buy "regular" shoes either, although I do need them for work.  I fought an achilles problem for a while last year, so catching me in heels now is like seeing a unicorn in real life.  I can't add anything to make this one more awesome than it already is.

5. Well, if you don't have running shoes, what would you spend your time with and money on? We all understand... I think last time I counted I had over 200 pairs of running shoes. They're all my babies!  Ok, that's an insane amount of shoes, Ms. Ritz.  But, I'm not judging.  And, I have no idea what else I would spend my time and money on.  Thank goodness I don't have to think about it.

6. Trying to kick my habit. I have more shoes than a centipede has feet.  I wear running clothes all of the time too, sometimes even to really inappropriate places, like fine dining restaurants.  I, too, am guilty of this.  I often get some serious "looks", particularly from my own family members, when I do it.

7. They really are the comfiest type of shoes and pretty much go with everything.  Might as well stock up!  Exactly.  Comfort is key.  I will stock up, thank you.

8. Everybody needs a hobby. Right??

9. If I could wear running clothes 24/7 I would.  Yes! I would, too. Oh wait, I kind of already do that.

10. I loveeeee my running shoe collection. It may possibly be one of the things I'd grab in a fire. I spend the majority of my time in running/workout clothes - my closet has a severe lack of "fashion sense".  I'm trying though!  Keep trying, girl.  I'm right there with you.

...AND MUSIC

Listen to this:

Life's a Beach - Django Django  

'DEVINE' MUSIC: A Story & Playlist

RUNNING...

Recently I connected with fellow athlete and music enthusiast Nicole Devine through Twitter.  Rarely do I find someone who loves music and is as motivated and inspired by it as I am.  Clearly, I have met my match.  Nicole is a wife, a mother, a runner, a sports fanatic and playlist junkie.  Her music keeps her motivated to run, walk, hike....basically to be a healthy, happy person.  And at this point her in her life she is "exactly where I want to be."  Amen to that!  Today I am thrilled to turn RWM over to Nicole who writes about her love for sports and music and then shares one of her recently created playlists.  Her playlist includes some of her all time favorites as well as some music suited for her current workouts.  Modest Mouse, Motley Crue, & My Morning Jacket...oh my!!  I will be spending the rest of the day with this bad boy.  I hope you enjoy her story AND her music as much as I do.  Rock on, Nicole. And thanks for sharing.

USED TO MAKE QUITE THE MIX TAPE. NOW I MAKE A SWEET PLAYLIST By Nicole Devine Hi, I’m Nicole. I’m a wife and a mom.  I love my family and the experiences we are all having along the way.  I also absolutely go crazy for music and sports. As for team sports, I played softball for 10 years, played basketball and ran cross country track in grade school.  I still love watching most sports (and have an unfortunate love of teams that haven't been very good recently), but now my own athletic activities are focused upon an actual fitness routine.  A little weight training, an even mix of walking and running, with the occasional hike thrown in for good measure, this has been working for me.  I’m doing my best to try to keep healthy for my kids, my husband, and of course, myself.  While that’s my strongest motivation, it hasn’t always been easy for me to stick to it.  Excuses are easy.  Hard work is, well, hard.  This is where my outsized lifelong love of music comes in.  I favor most types of rock – classic rock, hard rock, alternative, indie, you name it, but I’ve also got many favorites in genres from electronic to hip hop, rap to freestyle to pop, there may even be some Baby Einstein lullabies in between.  I’ve ended up with a pretty expansive collection.  My attic is filled with shoe boxes of cassettes, racks of CDs, even the occasional record album.  Thankfully, digital media came along and it’s made it easy to maintain and keep up with all of it.  Of course, digital media also means…playlists. I’ve got ever changing ones, set in stone ones, I created the actual playlist on my iPod for our wedding reception, which was held at our favorite steakhouse.  That was pretty special.  But I'll also make them for most any occasion.  I can be inspired by something as simple as the fact that it’s a Tuesday at 9:37 p.m.  I’ve come a long way from the hundreds of mix tapes and CDs I’ve made and I'm the resident playlist maker among my family and friends, even picking up the nickname "DJ Tash" in college.  I find it enjoyable, relaxing and sometimes even a little challenging.  I’ve always had fun in my quest to find new songs and new bands that I really, really like.  It’s how I discovered this site a few days ago.  In my aim to remain on track fitness wise, I’m helped by my love of music.  I know I’m not alone when I tell you different playlists push me to my finish line, whatever that may be on a given day.  My songs make me want to keep going, even if the tank is empty, sometimes just so I can listen to more music.  And yes, I’ll admit, working out gives me an excuse to create and update playlists.  Different things click for different people.  Music has always been a big part of my life.  It inspires me to keep going, to listen to “just one more song”, when my body is telling me to stop.  Fitness-wise, this is benefitting me and my family.  I’ll make a playlist to that! ...AND MUSIC LISTEN TO THIS:  An (Epic) Playlist by Nicole Devine Rolling In the Deep - Adele   Neighborhood #3 - Arcade Fire   Teddy Picker - Arctic Monkeys   Electric - Atlas Genius   I Know What I Am - Band Of Skulls   Root Down - Beastie Boys   Strange Times - Black Keys   Gangs In The Garden - Black Moth Super Rainbow   Step Out Of The Car (Live in Tennessee) - Boxer Rebellion   Feel Like Taking You Home - Brendan Benson   Everything Moves - Bronze Radio Return   Jerk It Out - Caesars   Sweet Nothing - Calvin Harris, featuring Florence Welch   Break - Cinematics   A City In Florida - Deadmau5   Munich - Editors   Good Feeling - Flo Rida   The Pretender - Foo Fighters   Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand   Freedom - Gemini   Sale City - Generationals   The Queen and I - Gym Class Heroes   All We Want, Baby, Is Everything - Handsome Furs   Flagpole Sitta - Harvey Danger   We Run The Night - Havana Brown, featuring Pitbull   The Heinrich Maneuver - Interpol   Sour Cherry - The Kills   Four Kicks - Kings of Leon   My Delirium - Ladyhawke   Daft Punk is Playing At My House - LCD Soundsystem   Bang, Bang, Bang - Mark Ronson & The Business Intl   Tiger - Maximum Balloon, featuring Aku   Gold, Guns, Girls - Metric   Paddling Out - Miike Snow   Dashboard - Modest Mouse   Live Wire - Motley Crue   Anytime - My Morning Jacket   Abel - The National   Girls and Boys In School - Neon Trees   Starry Eyed Surprise - Oakenfold   Folds In Your Hands - Passion Pit   Rearviewmirror - Pearl Jam   Testify - Rage Against the Machine   Factory of Faith  - Red Hot Chili Peppers   Darling Girl - Rifles   Run Like Hell - Rock Kills Kid   Sort Of - Silversun Pickups   Like A Vibration - The Whigs   Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes   Heads Will Roll - Yeah Yeah Yeahs