WEEKEND

via copenhaven

this weekend i am stepping out of my box... its been a while since i taught a yoga class, but on saturday i'm teaching a calls at a woman's church retreat! the best part about it is, its a sunrise class!

since the sun is not coming up until 7:30am these days, it might be a pre-sunrise class!!

i can't wait- i've got a great sequence and a fun play list for these galls... namaste:)

here's what i will most likely be sporting the morning of - casual, comfortable and breathable!

i'm most excited about rockin these new 'harem pants' my mom brought back from her bali trip - they are the softest, most comfortable thing i've ever worn. so long tight yoga pants i have to peel off after a good sweaty session.. hello flowy, breathable bali pants!!

weekend warrior style 

mat || water bottle || tank (on sale!) || tank (on sale!) || pants || bra || oils || towel

other links to keep you inspired this weekend: 

+ my sister and i are still on the standard process cleanse.. so nothing too fun to cook this weekend

+ we are celebrating one of my dear friends before she gets married this weekend - laid back, hill country style!! on the list of things to back: cowboy boots of course - cant wait !!

+ as soon as the cleanse is over, i will be making these bad boys!!

+ don't forget... sunday is the last day of the state fair of texas - you know you need a fletchers:)

CURRENTLY LOVING

O N E  |  T W O  |   T H R E E  |  F O U R  |  F I V E  |  S I X 

seems like there are all things tassel and fringe everywhere right now!

which is why i have my eye on this pretty little white number from topshop. you can't really see the fringe across the bottom in the above picture, but if you look closely … its there!! 

also, i've been on the hunt for a good pair of denim shorts/romper combination. when i saw these on sale on oldnavy.com the other morning, i knew it was calling my name!

last week on 'currently loving' i highlighted a few of my favorite things from paizlee.com … i still can't get over how cure their things are and how amazing the prices are to boot - so this bag made my list this week!

last but not least.. have you heard of puravida bracelets?!
i've had my eye on the 'yoga girl' stack, and as soon as they were back in stock i placed my order. i wear them all the time - they are cute and fresh for the summer .. a portion of the proceeds from your purchase of this pack goes towards the barncancerfonden charity, which works towards eradicating childhood cancer through care and support of children and their families.
they are currently out of stock of this particular stack.. but on the bright side, you can use this code: 'GRAJALES10' for 10% off your next purchase!!

LUKE'S LOCKER | SPRING 2014

Remember back in January when Luke's Locker asked me to come in and try on (check out the post here!) some of their winter 2014 collections?! Well, thanks to you guys (my awesome readers) and the feedback they got they asked me to come back and thumb-through and try on some of the fun and colorful new spring lines!

If you live near a Luke's Locker and you haven't already been in for a visit, it's time to make the trip!

You must check out their training and events,  especially if you are a runner. 

Now, if you follow the blog, you know I am not a runner, not even by any stretch of the imagination! I am a yogi any day of the week - so you should not be looking at my 'form' while I 'trot' around the packing lot, but rather at the cool clothes I got to try on and enjoy for the morning!  :)

Most of the pieces below are available in the online shop. 

if its not, be sure to run over to a luke's locker closest to your before things sell out....

(all of the items below are currently available at the dallas|mockingbird location)

l o o k   o n e   |   r u n n i n g

underarmour | fly-by shirt

underarmour | still gotta have sports bra

asics running | noosa tri 9

l o o k   t w o   |   r u n n i n g

lucas hugh | sulpher t-shirt

lucas hugh | prism print leggings

splits59 | danica trailblazer tank

nike running | free 3.0 flyknit 

l o o k   t h r e e   |   y o g a

beyond yoga | big reveal tank

beyond yoga | everyday racerback contrast bra

beyond yoga | essential gathered legging

l o o k   f o u r   |   y o g a
beyond yoga | day cape
onzie | capri pant
onzie | all in one tank

l o o k   f i v e   |   t e n n i s 
nike | feather light tennis visor
adidas/ stella mccartney | barricade tennis dress 
adidas tennis | barricade adilibria school

l o o k   s i x    |   l i f e s t y l e 

nike | pro printed sportsbra

tonic | practice tank 

tonic | crop veda pant

hari mari | flip flops

prana | soleil satchel 

This was such a fun morning - thanks to Khristal for the help and photography skills!

 I loved each of these looks - so hard to choose favorites, when everything fit so well and the services is so friendly and helpful!

What's your favorite look!?

Dear Luke's Locker, the nicest team, Khristal for all your help, and my girl Jayna, 

thank you so much for having me back- I had a blast trying on all the new collections 

and playing workout dress-up for the morning!  Love me some Luke's Locker!!

x o x o - T h e   L a n e 

** Hair credits to the amazing Linsey @ TRU Salon in Dallas **

BEYOND WISH LIST #3

1 emi-jay hair ties (sold at BEYOND) || 2 nancy rose pants (sold at BEYOND) || 3 itunes gift cards || 4 nancy rose sweatshirt (sold at BEYOND) || 5minnetonka mukluk boots || 6 jawbone UP 

7 nest holiday candle || 8 gwyneth paltrow cook book

today is round three of the BEYOND Studio Instructors Holiday Wish list / Gift Guide!

it is always nice to know what the fitness lovers, who live, breath and teach everyday 

would love like to see under the tree this year!

so when we asked kendall, my daily partner in crime, pilates enthusiast, yoga lover and down right good friend to share her 'holiday wish list' it was no surprise that most of her 'must-haves' are for sale at the BEYOND Studios!

if you missed part one go here and part two is here!

if you are in the dallas area, send me a little email and we can talk about setting up your first visit to BEYOND!

**stay tuned for more BEYOND amazing wish lists this week and next**

BEYOND WISH LIST #2

1 jessica moto leggings, body rock (available at BEYOND || 2 knee highs, toesox 

3 carry me om tote, lululemon || 4 juice cleanse, roots juices || 5 wellness formula, source naturals  

6 coffee, cafe bustelo || 7 reve de miel lip balm, nuxe 

today is round two of the BEYOND Studio Instructors Holiday Wish list / Gift Guide!

it is always nice to know what the fitness lovers, who live, breath and teach everyday 

would love like to see under the tree this year!

so when we asked adria (who's a fabulous birthday girl this week!!) to share some of her favorite things  i was super pumped that she shared some of her 'wellness' necessities... 

adria literally has the best skin.ever.

if you missed part one, if here!

if you are in the dallas area, send me a little email and we can talk about setting up your first visit to BEYOND!

**stay tuned for more BEYOND amazing wish lists this week and next**

SEVENTEEN: A FAVORITE

Day 17 of the challenge. A favorite photo of yourself and why...
feels kinda strange picking a favorite photo of just myself, so i tried to pick one that has a lot of meaning to me personally. 
this past january i finished my yoga teacher training (RYS 200). it was a personal goal i set. i saved the money (setting a little aside every month so it would be more meaningful). and i dedicated the six months of the training (we met every other weekend for 12 hours) to my personal yoga practice. i was in the studio 5 or 6 days a week and i loved every minute of it. 
the last big goal i had set in my life was to attend and complete college in four years. (this may not seem like a big deal to many, but i was the first in my family to do so.)

so here's why this picture means a lot to me. it was taken the last day of our training, and i was  extremely proud of myself and our group for becoming newbie yoga teachers. to me this picture and moment represents devotion, commitment and love to my yoga practice. 

DAY FOURTEEN: HAPPY THINGS

day 14 of the #blogeverydayinmay challenge... and its all about ten things that make you really happy (these are mine, in no particular order):

1: laughing and spending time with family, boyfriend and friends.. laughter is the best medicine!
"A cheerful heart is good medicine" (Prov 17:22)

2: hot coffee, morning wake-up cup or afternoon pick-me-up ....all sounds good.
3: my job- being in a role where i get to be completely humble, where i get to serve others is a true blessing.
4: watching a storm roll in, and listening to the rain pitter patter....

5: being in the country; the calm, quiet and amazing beauty gets addicting!

6: yoga. being on my mat and taking time for myself.
7: fresh flowers. either in the house or in the garden.

8: going 'junkin'. flea markets, estate sales, vintage sales or even a good ol' garage sale.
9: handmade, on the rocks, lane family recipe- margarita. anytime.
10: mexican food, peanut butter, and a home cooked meal.

it was hard to only choose 10.. hence the few that fall in the same category ;)

ENERGY BITES

during my yoga teacher training we would take turns bringing snacks for the group on the weekends we met all day saturday and sunday. good thing about rotating snack schedule with yogis is its all healthy, organic and good for the body!
when i had my first 'energy ball' i was hooked. you feels like your cheating on your favorite sweet snack when you have one of these... served cold, they will satisfy your savory and salty craving all in one bite. 
i have been making these balls of goodness ever since and figured it was time to share the goodness with you as well. its best to make the full recipe and just store the bites in your fridge. you will eat them all before you know it anyway!

i will post the recipe details below. but feel free to adjust to you liking. 
for example: you can use peanut butter instead of almond butter. craisins instead of cherries, etc. make them your  favorite energy bites!
 

NO-BAKE ENERGY BITES

(Recipe adapted from Vegetarian Times, Oct. 2005)

2 1/2 cups organic rolled oats

1/4 cups raw pumpkin seeds 

1/2 cup dried cherries (or other dried fruit)

2 tbsp raw sunflower seeds

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup almond butter

1/3 cups + 1 tbsp honey or agave

1 tsp vanilla extract 

1 pinch of sea salt 

1. grind 1/2 cups of oats in food processor until powdery - transfer to small bowl, set aside. 

2. combine remaining 2 cups of oats, pumpin seeds, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, cinnamon and salt in food processor. process until everything is uniform in size and powdery (about 45 sec). 

Remove to large glass bowl and stir in almond butter, honey and vanilla until soft dough forms. 

3. moisten hands, and roll dough into 1-inch balls. coat balls in oat powder. 

store in fridge and serve chilled or at room temperature. 

SNOGA

note to anyone headed out to hit the slopes: if you can, make your reservations during the week you will be in for a great surprise. 

while we were in winter park last week there were times we would be the only four on a run and there were no lines for the lifts. it was pure slope bliss!

since we had a few of the runs to ourselves, there were a few times we would 'pull over' un-bind and have a good time! trying to to get a little sno-ga in was one of those fun stops. 

sp and i decided to do handstands together and it turns out handstands are so much harder in full winter-gear, gloves and at 10,700 elevation. but it was also a great way to get in a good solid laugh, good times and unforgettable memories!

WAY TO YO-GA

you've heard me say this before, but i really do have the best friends and family. 

for the past month, my friend becky and sister and i had scheduled to toast with margaritas after completing my yoga training this past friday. 

while on my way to meet them at the restaurant i got a phone call from my sister that her car wouldn't start asking me to come pick her up. reluctantly (was only a few blocks away from sipping on that yummy marg) i detoured and headed to pick her up. when i pulled up, all of my friends cars were parked out front and waiting inside with champagne, food and a margarita machine!! i said hello to all the girls and then we went outside to say hi to the guys who were out by the fire pit. little did i know there was another surprise awaiting. as i said hi to all of my friends significant others, i started telling a very irrelevant story.. and my sister stopped and asked me if i had said hi to everyone... when i looked around, SP walked out of the dark!! he was hiding, waiting to surprise me for the best icing on the cake of a perfect surprise party!! becky and my sister had been in cahoots with him for the past month about making this surprise happen. he drove in that afternoon and i had no idea! 

shortly before leaving my house i had texted on of our mutual friends (megan!) to tell her i was headed to sip on some margs to celebrate with becky and sister, and included in the text how i wished SP was here to celebrate with me! she knew all along and kept a great secret too!

to everyone involved in making the surprise happen- thank you, you are the best! it was a perfect party and i loved being surrounded by all my favorite people! thank you for celebrating this milestone with me!

YOGA: WHAT YOU NEED

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 

if you plan on making a commitment to your mat (and yourself) this year it might require a little investing in some good yoga basics. and by commitment i mean you get on your mat a few times a week and really sweat it out!

first things first: GET YOUR OWN MAT. most studios will provide you with a loaner mat, but lets be real, how many people have dripped their body content of sweat on it before you did? just get your own! if your new to yoga and a manduka mat is a little over your budget, target sells great mats too (my first mat was from target!)

second: what you wear to the studio is total up to you. there's a lot of lululemon out there, but don't feel like you have to wear lulu to do yoga! 

personally two of my go-to items at the moment are from MPGsport.com: the Trek Jacket and the Pegasus Leggings are the most comfortable yoga items i currently own. 

lastly: two accessories that go with me everywhere are the take me with you tote and the vinyasa scarf -->even outside of yoga the bag has become a travel staple and the scarf an everyday go to when i leave the house. 

food for thought when you are on your mat:

-listen to your body. just because the yogi next to you is in some crazy inversion doesn't mean you need to hurt yourself to get into the same pose. 

-every day is different on the mat. one day you might have the best balance, the next day standing in tree post might seem like the most difficult pose ever. 

-if you've been going to yoga for a while, try to tune into the verbal cues the teacher is giving the class. alignment is very important! 

-relax and enjoy your time on the mat. remember that time if for you!!

oh and always remember to breath!!

CERTIFIED

a few days ago, i posted that i was only a short few days away from being a certified yoga instructor... well as of yesterday evening it's official! I AM A CERTIFIED YOGA TEACHER! the past six months have been amazing. i went through training with some amazing ladies, even made friends for life. i enjoyed learning something i was truly interested in, oh and a little sanskrit on the side! my personal practice grew so much, i have enjoyed pushing myself and finding my new edge and passion in my personal practice. 

thank you to our amazing instructor, yoga guru and friend, the inspirational and beautiful susie caicedo! you helped each of us grown into our personal practice and find a voice for teaching what we truly love! (and you kicked my yoga butt five times a week for the past six months and it was worth every inch of pain and drop of sweat!)

toasting to the occasion with laughter, smiles and of course a little champagne and mala-beads!

he's to each and every one of you- it's been a life changing experience! 

see you on the mat soon. 

Namaste.