BLOG.HEARTANDCORE.COM

New Year, New Us!

2010-12-30T01:16:00Z

It's an exciting prospect--getting so much feedback from women about their sizes, their questions, their support for our heart&core brand! Yes, we've heard a lot, and now our company resolutions are set--to grow and to support women truly of all shapes and sizes! Like our resolution to continue growing our selection, improving our customer service and streamlining our business processes, we need to do it one step at a time...much like all of our personal resolutions.

What are your resolutions for 2011? Are you getting specific enough so that you can stick to a goal--not impossible but not boring?! I want to try the Pure Barre classes, to buy more organic foods, to meditate and stretch more often (also called yoga, I suppose!). I need to put specific times and expectations with these goals, as I do with my next steps for heart&core.

I looked on a couple of sites that talked about setting realistic goals and found these ideas to be helpful:

www.solveyourproblem.com:

Keep operational goals small
Set performance goals, not outcome goals

www.grandtimes.com:

Discover what you want--not what you think you should do or what others expect, but what you enjoy
Journal to commitment--keep a record to hold yourself accountable and celebrate your accomplishments
Follow the S.U.R.E. system:

S: Is your goal specific?

U: Do you understand the work involved in your goal?

R: Is your goal realistic?

E: Are you enthusiastic about your program?

These are just some positive thoughts I wanted to share and will review myself. Happy fresh start!

When Life Gets Complicated...Seek Simplicity!

2010-12-08T22:10:00Z

Easier said than done, right? When we last blogged, we were knee-deep in orders due to a wonderful newspaper article about our award to outfit female troops with a sports bra. And we had no complaints about that busy time! However, as it is that busy holiday time of year anyway, we're trying to figure out gifts, outfits, plans and more! On that note, I started looking at easy ways to shop for gifts...starting with lists from magazines and blogs that I respect:

This Daily Candy Guys' Gift Guide entertained me, reminding me that guys like unique drinking glasses and funky tools that they can use once a year to measure or fix something. Plus I love their Stylish Gifts That Give Back list with a range of prices and causes to support while giving a little something to family and friends.

The Fun Fashion Gifts for Your Best Friend from Self magazine reminded me of the silliness of gift-giving from fredflare.com, an awesome site with goofy, memorable gadgets and accessories! Similarly, Fitness magazine grouped some great beauty gifts that you can give to others--or yourself--like a new set of makeup brushes to help keep skin breakout-free during this stressful season!

Oprah's Home Design Gifts were like Pottery Barn's list of gifts under $25 that are perfect for hostesses and others where stylish yet practical fits--and the price is right!

Know an athlete? Road ID from active.com is a great gift for your active family and friends, and there are different styles, colors and price points--plenty of options! And of course, this one brand called heart&core is offering everything on site for $20 right now in a range of sizes to support women (sorry for the shameless self-promotion, but...)

The other gift that feels good to give? The one to those we don't know, who we might hear about not having food, clothes or shelter during this season. You can give anonymous gifts at the grocery store, where you can usually buy a pre-packaged bag or toss some change in the Salvation Army's bucket. Although I read that it's business as usual for many people who are spending on lingerie (good for us in the sports bra business!) and lattes, it's important to remember that your $4 drink could pay for something extra for those going without this season. Donating money or hand-picked gifts go a long way for those who count on Toys for Tots to spread holiday cheer.

I hope this helps simplify your gift-giving plans or gives you an idea for that hard-to-shop-for person. Next, I'm seeking out simple additions to the wardrobe to keep us going from day to night fashionably...I'll be back with that soon. Happy shopping!

Successes, Challenges...and the Contract

2010-11-30T05:45:00Z

My sister Jen and I spent the past 19 months learning and talking, laughing and crying as we worked to build heart&core Athletic Apparel to what we knew it could be. Let it be said here, if you ever start a company--or even have a passion to learn/find/discover anything (venues for your wedding, job openings in your field, stores that carry the perfect black shoe, schools in your district to send your child)--start talking! Talk to everyone. Ask questions. Brainstorm. Answer questions. And listen. We did--and we learned about the possibilities of women's business networks, of women in university sports, of a military contract.

What Jen and I discovered this year is that entrepreneurship has quite a learning curve. In what you're doing, where you're going, who you're working with and really--why you're doing all of this?! We launched, we celebrated, we sold, we waited, we lived and we learned. Laughing and crying requires a great team (and some great family, friends and people who've become family/friends in the process), and I was personally thankful for the yin and the yang that balanced my sister and I: Jen was excited, I was panicked. Jen was exhausted, I was energized. No matter what, we were a team. Between my sister and I, we were open to each other's thoughts and ideas, to each other's sense of humor--lots of laughter--and each other's shoulders--some tears too.

Which brings us to this past Sunday, November 28, 2010. The Star Tribune in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area published an article that changed our lives... "Defense Contract Gives Sisters' Firm a Lift." Not only were we proud, seeing it in print, reading the words of a writer about what we had accomplished...we were getting people interested in our product, making sales and fielding questions--all of which pumped us up to keep moving forward and making good decisions for the women out there who want and need our products.

I was personally surveying what we'd learned, about fabrics, designs, money and people. By learning, we mean factors to make better products, mistakes we've made, and interpersonal relationships we've experienced. OK, so it was all about us. And then I started reading and responding to each e-mail--and one of the many messages that changed my thought for this post--to the reality of the contract. A woman talked about our support of the troops, her family members who were currently serving and her involvement with the Landstuhl Hospital Care Project (LHCP), a non-profit organization that provides comfort and relief items for military members who become sick, injured or wounded from service in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan, and in Germany, where some service members go before they head home. It was a reality check. We have the opportunity, as we change, grow and prosper, to help these true heroes. All of a sudden, our challenges and our successes were put in perspective. Life's lessons were a little different than numbers, contacts and projections.

This contract was exciting for us as a company; the article about the contract was amazing. But the fact that the contract and article led to feedback from customers--those with personal knowledge of the military, police force, breast cancer survivors and other women who took the time to talk to us about their needs--was the true success. The true win for Jen and I is that we can keep aiming for what's important in our lives: family, friends, military heroes, health, freedom, opportunity...and so much more. Thank you--from our heart (and core) for your time, your thoughts, your opinions, your service and your support. We will keep working to give you our time, thoughts, products, service and support in return.

Thank You to Our Breast Cancer Fund Supporters and Check Out Our Special Fall Sale!

2010-11-03T00:43:00Z

At the end of our heart&core Tees for Ta-Tas promotion, we felt happy we could support an important cause. October was a month filled with pink--referred to as "pink fatigue" by some reporters--and it brought up the importance of other causes. However, the power of pink remains important to us at heart&core, as our mother is a two-time breast cancer survivor, along with our aunt and both grandmothers who have lived with--and survived!--the same diagnosis. Although it's frightening for us, we model ourselves after the strong women who endure, who live life to the fullest and who make a difference in the lives of others. While we celebrate the survivors in our family, October also brought news of a loss--our first babysitter, at only 40 years old, passed away after her 10-year battle with breast cancer. This is when we're reminded of the hard truth: We have not cured this disease. We are still losing our family and friends, and we still have a fight ahead of us. We were proud to contribute to the Breast Cancer Fund, as they look at environmental causes and work to change our lifestyles and prevent this disease. Until then, money for research is invaluable. We thank you for your support!

As for November, we have exciting news! We are working to develop a new bra in more colors, more sizes and more features that will support you in a whole new way! That means, new products are coming our way, so are offering a close-out special to you, our fans, our friends, the active women in the world. Starting today, you can purchase our amazing Ultimate Support Sports Bra, Active Fit Ruched Tee and Active Fit Foldover Capri for just $20 each, plus shipping and handling. We believe in the quality of these products to perform with the super-soft, quick-drying Core-Wick Fabric and fabulously flattering fit. Stay active in style and take advantage of this special offer now!

We're also thankful to WomenVenture and KARE-11 television in the Twin Cities for featuring us on a news segment today. We will be at WomenVenture's Fall Leadership Event, next Friday, November 12. We're happy to be a part of this positive organization bringing new opportunities to entrepreneurs like ourselves.

We can't wait to show you what's next... Happiness and health to all of you! xoxo

The Power of Pink—Half Off Tees, Support Breast Cancer Research and a Tip for Your Nails!

2010-10-01T21:45:00Z

October is the month of pink--pink products are being sold everywhere to benefit breast cancer research. And while this cause is near and dear to our hearts, we have put together a deal for heart&core fans like you to save you money and support the Breast Cancer Fund. Simply purchase one of our comfy, fabulous, flattering Active Fit Ruched Tees (OK, this is a bit self-promotional) which are usually $49, for the sale price of just $25 during the month of October. The tee comes in a pink that's perfect for every skintone, a design that flatters your body and a range of sizes (XS-3X). Plus, $5 from each tee purchased will go to the Breast Cancer Fund, which exposes and eliminates the environment causes of breast cancer. Shop now and you'll lend a hand to this important cause!

Sales pitch over...we also have some health information to share. Thinking about pink, it's also a fave color in nailpolish. But while getting a manicure recently, I learned that MANY of the lacquers on the market contain formaldehyde. You know how women are discouraged from certain chemicals and hair dyes while pregnant? Well, this information is of the same level of importance--to moms-to-be and to everyone else who's polishing up! My manicurist uses a soy-based line called Zoya, which was created by a couple who saw these chemicals going on our nails--our nails breathe!--and were concerned because they are so harsh and harmful. She told me that there are other options on the market too, as other countries only sell formaldehyde-free formulas. In this safe group are Nicole by OPI, Nubar and butter LONDON, plus more brands are changing over and taking our health in consideration. Be sure to read the labels next time you pick out your new color and bring it in to your manicurist to use--many still use the polishes full of chemicals.

Be pink, be charitable, be healthy! We support you!

A Spicier, Healthier You

2010-09-30T22:22:00Z

What does your spice cabinet look like right now? A hodgepodge of flavors? A carefully organized library of everything under the sun? Salt and pepper? I hadn't thought about my spices much until trying out new recipes, but it got me to refresh the spice rack some. However, would you be even more inclined to purchase new spices if you knew that just eating them was good for you? I know I would! Adding a little pizazz to your food is easy--and it can benefit your health.

I've long heard that tumeric helps in the fight against cancer. If you're a curry lover, be sure to stock up on this healthy seasoning.

Cinnamon makes food a sweet and spicy treat, but did you know it slows the rate at which your stomach empties after meals? That would mean you are satisfied longer, and last I checked, that's a good feeling.

Garlic and vampires may not get along, but by adding it to your food, it lowers blood pressure, insulin and triglycerides, and also is shown to prevent weight gain.

Ginger ale was always the drink of choice when I had a stomach ache as a child--come to find out ginger has a ton of properties that help to fight nausea. But as we learn more about cancer and other diseases, and the fact that inflammation is related to these afflictions, it's important to note that ginger can be an anti-inflammatory.

In addition to your workouts, vitamins and managed stress, your food choices can have a positive impact on your health. And just by adding a little spice here or there, you can reap the benefits! Want to see more ideas of healthy spices? Self magazine lists their four faves, and other sites spill their secrets on spicier, healthier living. Need a new menu for your new spices? Try these yummy, easy-to-do recipes on my friend's site, Working Moms Can Cook.

It's a simple way to add a little kick to your day...bon appetit!

Clean Out Your Closet—And Then Fill It Back Up with These 5 Trends

2010-09-24T22:26:00Z

Last weekend I did something I absolutely despise--sorting through my closet, being honest about whether I've worn something recently, trying on the maybe pile, forcing myself to turn maybe into no! My motivation--warm clothes that I haven't worn in a year or so would probably go unworn again and would probably mean the world to someone who needs truly needs them! So to Goodwill I went and delivered three large bags of clothes. Now I didn't just toss away everything...I'm not made of money! So I had to be careful and understand what could be kept and turned into something new with the right accessory or layering. Enter the 5 items that you will love:

Belts--Although it's not quite my style to belt a fancy dress, designers are doing it everywhere--and it's growing on me! H&M stocks a ton of belts and other fun accessories that will spice up your dress or chunky sweater. Wrap and go!

The new boots--They are everywhere and can change the look of an outfit in an instant. From day into night, the boot works for work and play. I just got a gray pair that will get a lot of wear this season at Arden B.

The bright bag--I've seen a lot of satchels and hobos this season, and it's a fun thought to add a burst of color this way to the basic jeans and white tee. So simple yet so colorful! I got a green leather hobo that I love at Fossil.

The shirtdress--Always a classic and perfect with a fun little belt to switch into other outfits, I picked up this Calvin Klein shirtdress at Macy's and got 100 (or so) compliments the first day.

Military trends--I said it before, and the trend continues. Jackets, shirts, even watches! You can't go wrong. This weekend I'm hitting up Urban Outfitters to check into the casual watch shown here.

After all, I have cleared some space in my closet, so I'm shopping guilt free. Take some time, clean out the unnecessary, hold on to the basics and fill in the spaces with some new bursts of energy. Happy fall shopping!

Fast Food Anyone??

2010-09-21T14:46:00Z

A friend of mine showed me this website and it made me laugh and feel sick to my stomach! It shows what the ads for fast food look like vs. the reality...not a pretty picture. If you are ever having a craving for fast food or are trying to break the habit of eating there often, check this out...it will disgust you.

thewvsr.com/adsvsreality.htm

I think I'll just have a water, thanks.

Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

2010-09-13T18:34:00Z

The title of my blog today actually makes me sad because I can't believe we even need to have something like this! I'm happy that it is being done because it is an epidemic, but it is unbelievable that it has become such an issue. I was recently at the state fair, and between my sister, myself, my mom and my two kids, we split a cone of cookies. Oh yes, I could've eaten a bucket of them...and being that my kids have inherited my lovely sweet tooth, I'm sure they could've too, but I don't let myself or my kids actually HAVE the bucket! At the table next to us was an obese family, and a girl, who couldn't have been more than 12 years old, could barely push herself up out of her seat as she got up. Once she did however, she picked up her bucket of cookies.

So many thoughts ran through my mind...this poor girl...I'm sure she gets made fun of at school, I'm sure it's hard for her to find fun, cute clothes, and what are her parents thinking? Feeding your child healthy food does have to be hard, believe me, I can't cook, but even I can come up with a decent meal with fruits and vegetables and some kind of protein. It's not to say we don't have our treats, but the good stuff needs to be eaten first. It's not rocket science either as to what is healthy. We all know that a fast food cheeseburger, fries and a soft drink have no nutritional value. Parents letting their children eat like crap because they are too busy, tired, etc. are lazy and truly it is a form of abuse and neglect to let their child get obese from poor nutritional habits.

I try not to get too serious on my blogs, but this is an issue that just gets me angry because it can be controlled. Parents need to take control and responsibility for their actions so their children can have the best opportunities in life! My statement is about awareness and leading people to solutions, like this website, which has some good links and resources: www.healthierkidsbrighterfutures.org.

Getting kids to eat well will give them the energy to play more too--and I don't mean video games! Here are more ideas from First Lady MIchelle Obama and her "Let's Move" program to help combat childhood obesity. Not even cold weather can be an excuse with indoor playgrounds and Fitness magazine's list of kid-friendly DVDs for activities inside. Please share these resources with your others. Healthy habits that begin in childhood help create healthy habits for a lifetime!

Push-Ups vs. Posture

2010-09-09T14:29:00Z

I hear people talk about the really tough classes they do at the gym and I think "Great, good for you!" Then they start to tell me about what they did and sometimes I think, "No, not so good." Here's why...my beef with classes is that most of the time (not all of the time, so if you are an instructor please don't be offended!) there are two things going on that I don't agree with:

The instructor is doing the workout--how can they be checking the form of their participants? I understand doing a few as examples, but then they should be moving around the room and watching people. The smallest corrections/adjustments can make a world of difference--not only in its effectiveness, but preventing injury as well.
Chest work--especially for most women is not going to benefit you! Push-ups are always a big one I hear about--not so good for the majority of women. Most of us ladies (men too!) have developed weak or poor posture for many reasons--sitting in front of a computer all day, bad chairs, gravity, driving, being tall and hunching over to talk, and for women, a larger chest, and nursing or cuddling a baby can do it too. I would prefer back work, low back work, shoulder work for the rear deltoids, upper back, etc. Working those muscles will help improve poor posture and you will feel better! When you go into a class from now on, when they are doing chest presses, do reverse flies instead, so pulling back instead of pushing forward, keeping those shoulders back and down and squeezing between your shoulder blades. Instead of push-ups, do small reverse circles with your thumbs pointed to the ceiling and as you rotate your shoulders back and down. Hold them in that position for a moment so you are pushing your shoulder blades down towards the floor. Or simply lay on the floor face up with your knees bent, and pull your shoulders back and down and pull your abs in--it will be harder than you think!

I will try and post some videos of some of these exercises, but please be patient. I recently switched from a PC to a Mac, and I am still trying to figure it all out! I'm not exactly tech savvy!!

A New You Doesn't Always Just Happen at New Year's: 4 Ideas to Refresh Your Look

2010-09-08T21:01:00Z

Refresh your look for fall with some deals, tips and ways to feel your best!

Cosmetic Clean-Up: Aside from the fact that there's a shelf life for the effectiveness and cleanliness of products--there's also what I have: the cosmetic bag mess, the powder and mascara covering the outside of my products. I'm not made of money...so how to refresh without breaking the bank? Get an entire set of the much-loved Tarte cosmetics for a quite a deal through September 10 only! I love these sets (if they are your colors that is) because they accomplish a lot, refresh your brushes and make it easier to toss the old stuff). Check it out if you're looking for a simple update. Other complete makeup sets like this let you clear away the old and bring in the new!
Get Skin Savvy: I keep reading about great skin, whether it's the secrets of people who have it or Self magazine's guide to foods that help it. One thing that I really didn't know, as odd as it sounds, is how helpful workouts are to your skin! Yes, I get it now...you sweat out impurities, you get the blood flowing for that natural glow, but I was always worried about clogged pores. I do live and breathe my skincare routine (washing, moisturizing, not letting sweat dry after my fitness routine), but I am thankful that all along my long runs, weight training and yoga stretching have been helping my skin in addition to my muscles. Good news for those of us active women!
Flash Those Pearly Whites: Giving your teeth the best care is important--your smile says a lot about you! You should brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, hold the head at a 45-degree angle away from your gums, use a medium or soft bristle, and if possible, use an electric--they clean better, are gentler on gums and will alert you to your two minutes. My dentist told me also that to prevent between-teeth cavities (sometimes due to more acidic saliva), you can swish with baking soda and water as the last thing you do each night to neutralize your mouth. Also, keep in mind that a lot of medications can contribute to dry mouth, which also contributes to the risk for tooth decay and infection. There are the other tricks to know--sipping through a straw--and being aware of what sugary drinks do to your teeth. Plus, chomping down on ice, almonds or other crunchy foods can fracture your teeth! Awareness can help prevent problems now and down the road.
Embellish Flat Hair: There are many options to boost volume, whether using shampoos and conditioners recommended by Self, or products like dry shampoos and hair powders like The All Nighter that has gotten rave reviews. For all kinds of hair, we're seeing glitz and glam added to the standard Goody hairbands that a lot of women wear for workouts. The decorative lines from Goody are reasonable (Target has some exclusive collections to check out), and Glamour shows the vintage styles out there too to tame any tresses--whether fine, curly or somewhere in-between.

We like to share quick tips to enlighten our readers for mini-makeovers here and there--and have plenty more to come! We're also working on some lesser-known tips for ramping up your workouts and getting better results! Until next time, let us know of any ideas you have so we can continue to support you and your goals!

Flip Flops vs. FitFlops??

2010-08-26T03:23:00Z

As much as I love my Reef flip flops, I think it has come time to find something more supportive. This doesn't mean I want to end up at the orthopaedic shoe store with my Grandma, but I need something better! I mentioned a few blogs ago that I had gone back to using my orthotics due to a nagging pain in my foot that was starting to develop into plantar fasciitis. The problem being that I only wear my running shoes for running/working out and the rest of the time I am wearing flip flops,which aren't supportive enough for me. When I recently competed in the Ragnar Relay in Minnesota, one of my friends had a pair of FitFlops,which I tried on and loved! They were cute too--black with sequins sothey could be worn casual or dressy. I am all about that!

Yes, they are more expensive than my Reef's, but they will be better for my feet! I have a feeling podiatrists are not lacking for clients these days due to women/men wearing flip flops constantly and women wearing heels as well. I've also heard that some people have relief from back pain using these more supportive shoes.

This is just a gentle reminder that at some point if your calves are tight and/or sore, or your feet start hurting you need to quick take care of it. Once you have a full-blown case of plantar faciitis, it is hard to recover and takes a long time—save yourself the pain! Go see a podiatrist, or at the very least get some supportive shoes (they can still be cute!)!

Does anyone have any other flip flops they recommend that offer at least some support and are attractive as well?! I would love to hear from you!

5 Reasons Why We Heart Autumn!

2010-08-24T21:38:00Z

It's inevitable--Labor Day is coming, summer is ending. But there's so much to love about fall!!! The big fashion magazine issues arrive, the back-to-school vibe is in the air, the football games, the warm foods. Here are our fashion, fitness and functional ideas to keep you light and inspired, even as you pack your swimwear away:

Olive Us! The military pieces, the cargos, the minis...you've been buying them all summer, and they are perfect for fall! Harper's Bazaar magazine gives us ideas on how to wear olive, plus current beauty tips to compliment these colors, and the must-have accessories to complete the look!
Rake In The Fun! Among Self magazine's ideas for burning 200 calories is raking! Yes, it can be a chore, but it can be a great workout, while taking in fresh air and wearing a cute scarf! You can warm up in cool designs from unique brands like eryn brinié, Tulle and fredflare to keep your looks fresh, even in layers!
Soup There It Is! It's also time to check out yummy recipes for healthy, filling, warming soups, like these from Fitness magazine.
On The Road Again! More fall favorites: enjoying getaways along the river, seeing the colors change and going for a hike in the cool outdoors on a new path. Check out the best places to enjoy the seasonal changes and take a road trip!
Happy Trails! All kinds of events celebrate the fall: Thanksgiving Day turkey trots and road races are so enjoyable when the temperature drops a tad. Set your goals now (what's next...a 5K walk, 10K run, relay race, half marathon?) and sign up for one...or more!

The list goes on...what are your favorite things to do when September rolls around? What keeps you fired up in the cooler weather? Tell us what you love!

...And We're Back!

2010-08-03T01:10:00Z

The heart&core sisters would love to be those do-all, be-all, making-time-for-all women who keep their company, workouts, families and BLOGS going ever so smoothly. However, a couple triathlons, a family vacation and a lot of work on promoting heart&core later, weeks have passed! We've missed you and plan to be back in your lives with the tips, ideas and conversation that supports your goals as active women on the go. Hot topics right now: workouts on the go, putting together perfectly simple wardrobe and...gasp...fall fashion previews. Just some food for thought...

Somehow summer has been racing by...but many of you are probably still looking ahead to a trip while it's still warm, school is out and you are in a vacation state of mind. The heart&core sisters are looking forward to visiting their parents, but with that always comes the break in routine. Not that you can just have a vacation without fitness or get out for a run each day to keep it simple, but some movement breaks up the day, lets you have a second margarita and brings down stress levels of so much wonderful, non-stop "togetherness"! I love these reminders of what to do for a full-body challenge when I don't have my gym nearby or access to equipment. These basic exercises, done slowly and in repetition can fill in for your usual weight or yoga routine, if you're looking for something different--and out of the scorching heat! Do any of you have favorite go-to exercises on the road? Pleas share, as we're always looking for new ideas when you have yourself, a chair and a jump rope.

Another exercise of sorts is "slimming down your wardrobe" on this shopping diet. I like these types of mental challenges, which can become physical when I'm reaching on the top shelves of my closet to uncover shoes, sweaters and bags that may make the cut of the perfect wardrobe, or bagging them as they may be a perfect donation to someone in need. Just when I get panicky about letting go of something that I may realize I miss a week later (though highly unlikely!), I read something like this "shopping diet." Six pieces of clothing? Could you do it? Could I? I know I've been in love with more of the basics, soft cottony pieces that are solids or stripes and mix and match well. But then I read on to the Great American Apparel Diet...that is, a pledge to not buy any new clothes for a year. The odd thing is, with a packed closet, I still look at it and some days think "I have nothing to wear!" I think some serious consideration of what I have, some cleaning out and some creative thinking could have me being my own stylist in a less cluttered world--while saving a little cash. I'm curious, but not making any pledges just yet! And wondering what you all think?

I mean not to tempt those of you who are actually considering a pledge with the next bit of conversation, although I think the recycling of fashion means that we are somehow on trend, even if we aren't buying all the latest pieces. But here goes my thoughts on fall fashion. Jeans...knowing how to wear what you have is explained by the experts--we like Self magazine's denim expert. Pretty sure no one has to buy new jeans (don't we all have at least two pair, some of us ten pair?) but instead look at how you're wearing them for this season's style. The same goes for blazers. I was just shopping with a friend who lives in New York City--and she was questioning if it was too college-like to buy a corduroy blazer. Ummm, they are all the rage this season--and paired with those perfect jeans and a tee, you have the look--nothing new necessary! Maybe just pick up a new accent piece, like the tri-colored chains that are absolutely everywhere! And for you fashionistas, who'd still like a peek at what's hot and new, I give you the Elle Boutique Buyer's Guide. The unique part of boutiques--and their owners--make me want to support them if I do decide to buy! Or else I like to see the look and shop around. One new, eclectic piece can't hurt...can it?

Now that I've whirled around the fit, function and fashion of life, I hope you are inspired in some way to think about the month of August--vacation, fitness and clothes--and maybe make some fun decisions about each. Enjoy!

Summer Whites: Crisp Clothes and Ice-Cold Milk Do a Body Good!

2010-07-02T21:29:00Z

While a look ahead at fall fashion is everywhere now, and I'm seeing furs, velvet and dark colors, I look out the window and see sunshine and flowers, and I'm only in the mood for fashion that matches that. Clean, crisp white is what I want right now! I love that trends are blending too, like the recent surge of studs (no, not guys) but studded looks in shoes, shirts and purses and crochet, bohemian, you-name-it are making appearances in white. You can go from either price extreme--the Target sandals to the white studded strapless jumpsuit (really hitting all the latest trends at once). But no matter how you wear your whites--crocheted dresses, cardigans or jeans--you can't go wrong! The classic look of white is always welcomes and matches everything! But with white comes dirt, so it's always nice to see what's new and replace these light pieces in your wardrobe with something new. Surf around yourself and check out the range of products that would nicely join your wardrobe : )

In addition, I was just reading some health articles about women, osteporosis and healthy diets, and I thought about the white accessories that come along with you every day--your teeth and bones! We love our water and our wine, but did you know what an ice-cold glass of milk can do for you? I didn't realize the true power of this white elixir and how it can benefit us in so many ways--especially as women! Outside of your vitamins, are you getting the calcium you need? Did you know that better than vitamins, food is the best source of calcium for the body, and dairy foods are at the top of the high-calcium list? Women over 19 years of age should get at least 1,000 mg of calcium, if not more, a day--and the benefits include combating obesity, cancer and diabetes. So while you're relaxing this holiday weekend, sitting out in your white romper or swimming in your white bikini, serve up some ice-cold milk and show some love for those teeth and bones! Happy 4th of July!

Goals, Experiences, Dreams...No Matter What You Label Them, Are You Going After Them?

2010-07-01T00:25:00Z

In the past month, I have done three things that scared me--played electric guitar in a band on stage, swam consecutive laps in a 50-meter pool and gotten back on my bike with clipless pedals from which I've fallen and scraped up my knees nearly a dozen times. From some people's perspectives, these aren't huge hurdles in life. Others may have no desire to do any of these activities. And some, I'd like to think, actually see what these are for me--personal accomplishments that give me an internal smile and an external glow--and recognize those same achievements within themselves. I am not a wife or a mother, so my time is kind of my own outside of work, and I want to make the most of this free time as life changes quickly, so I'm excited I actually put forth the effort. But this isn't to give you a list of all the things I've done lately...it's to turn the question over to you.

What have you done lately? For yourself, for your health, for your personal inner glow? I know those of you with complicated schedules, those responsible for others, those who aren't able to do some of these activities may not even be thinking along these lines. But in your life, are you setting goals, trying new things, daring to see a new side of yourself? It's from your perspective, I've learned, no one else's, that you can determine your own definition of bravery and skill and pride. In our lives we get on the track of a routine (I love the comfort of my routine!) and we go our way each day, feeling good in our own to-do lists and daily responsibilities. But if we can break that routine, get excited about something new and go just a little out of our comfort zone, our bodies and minds can be energized in a new way. I know, this isn't an aha moment, but it is a moment I experienced recently, and I just wanted to pass along to you.

If you haven't thought of it lately or have been putting it off, I encourage you to take a different path, walk up to a new piece of equipment and "test the waters" in a new way--it's refreshing and it awakens your mind. And remember, you can do this just for you--it's your goal, you set it and you get to feel the accomplishment all by yourself. Enjoy!

Fashionista Friday: Ahhh Summer, Florals and South Pacific

2010-06-25T21:12:00Z

It's summer north of the equator, and that means sunshine and flowers and pool parties. So why not wear summer on your swimwear? The South Pacific trend follows this fun, floral time of the year and makes quite the fashion statement...

The look is everywhere...American Eagle sports a tropical twisted bandeau bikini, Guess has a bikini based on a cabana party and related cut-out one piece, even sportier brands like TYR are in on the style with a garden-loving suit and colorful tankini, as well as Patagonia getting wild with a tankini top in a similar pattern. Brands I've just discovered like Undrest put a feminine twist on this look --so cute and ruffly! Less emphasis on the floral aspect is the focus of Lolë's stylish suit. And Target never fails to give a more economical version of swimwear in the styles you seek.

Are you set for swimwear? Then there's plenty of dresses, shoes and jewelry to accent your wardrobe with a summery look.The ever-popular, ever-comfortable maxi dress in a million colors and styles, the beach- and street-friendly flip flops from J.Crew and all-the-rage everywhere I go right now, the giant flower ring all allow you to take this trend away from the water.

This trend helps me personally, as I go for solid colors so I can mix and match easily, but sometimes that gets boring. I'm personally better with that stand-out ring or purse, with my usual solid color outfit, yet this makes me want to buy a bold dress that would stop traffic : ) What about you? Are you a pattern person? Or do you like your style expression in your accessories? I like to think that the variety of options within this look means that I could wear an all-black outfit and spice it up with sassy flowery flip flops. No matter what kind of person you are, there are plenty of ways for us to work a flower or a garden into our wardrobes.

After all my scouring of magazines and websites, Marie Claire simplifies the look too with a little slide show of floral finds--and reasonably priced ones too. So I'll send you their way and then on to the weekend...enjoy!

Fit and function on the Playground—Show and Tell

2010-06-23T15:13:00Z

So here I am doing the overhand grip inverted row with straight legs-make sure your back is straight and your butt isn't sagging-keep those abs tight! Also, make sure you are keeping your shoulders back and down and keeping your hands wide so your elbows are bent at about a 90 degree when you are pulling up.

This is the underhand grip inverted row bent knee, which is easier than a straight leg-perfect for beginners! My head is jutting forward too much in the first picture so make sure you are keeping your head back, and again, don't sag and keep those abs tight. Be sure to slowly lower, staying in control!

Dips are great to do for the triceps-none of us want the loose, flabby arms! In the top pic I am doing it with a bent knee, which is easier than the straight leg, however, make sure you keep your hips and back close to the bench no matter which option you choose to do! Keep those elbows pointed straight back and not bowing out to the side-if it feels easy, you're doing it wrong-just sayin'!

Planks can be done with both feet on the ground, however, if you want to challenge yourself bring up one foot for half the time, then switch. Make sure your back is straight and you aren't letting your abs/low back sag-keep them tight!

Last exercise, lunge with back leg on bench-make sure that as you lower your front leg, keep that knee at a 90 degree angle so not to come over the toes and keep your back straight with your shoulders back and down and your abs pulled in.
I look pretty good for not having showered and it being blazing hot and humid out-good thing they aren't close up shots and you can't smell me
Any specific questions, please ask and we would love to hear your ideas as well! And don't forget to always use caution when doing a new exercise i.e. don't sue us because you slipped and fell trying to do fancy tricks on the monkey bars!

Fit on the playground-no kids required

2010-06-22T04:04:00Z

Who gets bored doing weights in a gym or at home? I have been bored with them for a while so I am trying to mix it up. Now that Minnesota has been blessed with some warm weather I have been trying to take my clients up to the playground for a workout-just body weight and the monkey bars! I love the low parallel bars that you can do dips on as well as inverted rows. By inverted rows I mean have your body at an angle with your heels in the ground and pull your body up so your chest hits the bar. Slowly lower, keeping your shoulders back and down, then repeat. You goal is not to let your hips/butt sag and keep your back straight. This will work your shoulders, biceps, back, etc. If you find it is too hard to pull up at that angle, flatten your feet, keeping as little weight as possible on them. This will give you more help, but still challenge you! Start with an underhand grip, keeping your hands shoulder width apart, however, you can advance to using an overhand grip and widening your hands so your arms are bent at a 90 degree angle.
I mentioned dips before, if you can't lower and raise yourself using your body weight and the parallel bars, you can uses a bench and either put your legs straight out in front of you, staying on your heels and keeping your back close to the bench, or you can bend your knees at a 90 degree angle and keep your feet flat. Make sure your elbows are pointed straight back and you are keeping your arms close to the sides of your body.
And of course one of my favorites is to do a plank-in a push up position, but keep your arms bent at a 90 degree angle with forearms on the ground and up on your toes. Make sure your hips/butt aren't sagging and you have a flat back. Hold for 30 seconds and work up to to 1 minute. If you want an additional challenge, pick up one foot and hold it up, then after 30 seconds, switch to the other foot and hold for another 30 seconds.
You can always bring a band with to do rows, or bicep curls, but challenge yourself with the equipment or your body weight in other ways-swing across the monkey bars, do lunges with your back foot up on a step or bench, or do walking lunges around the perimeter of the playground (watch that knee so you don't go past a 90 degree angle!). Do a set then run or walk around the playground and do another set! Remember you don't have to spend an hour doing this, just get your body moving and have fun!
I will add pictures tomorrow of these exercises because i know sometimes that is easier than trying to visualize, especially if the explanations aren't making any sense to you!

Function: Training, Injuries and taking care of yourself!

2010-06-10T03:30:00Z

Lara is off and away in Nashville so I have taken over the blogging, at least for today anyway!

I am in training mode for the triathlon season, and I consider myself competitive, but really it's more about being balanced, i.e. train hard=eat chocolate and drink wine. I have floated along these past few years injury-free until recently when my calf cramped up and I shrugged it off thinking it would go away. Instead, I found out that it had developed into plantar fasciitis and my heel and arch started killing me. I went to my chiropractor, and I have to admit, I used to think they only really worked on your back and neck. She adjusted my foot, heel, and did acupuncture (that hurt like a...well, it hurt a lot). It felt better, and then I would run again, feeling good, but soon after my run I would be in pain and could barely walk. So being the smarty that I am I decided to pull out my orthotics from years ago that I rarely wear and stuck them in my running shoes the day before my triathlon. And it actually worked! Now by no means would I recommend you using orthotics from 10+ years ago, and I will be getting new ones for myself, but it made me realize as you get older your body can change in an instant and not recover like it used to.

We live in such a fast-paced world and taking time to slow down and listen to our bodies is more important than ever. Stop and listen to your body and see what it needs. Do you need to stretch, get a massage, get adjusted or simply get more sleep? Start being proactive with your body and taking care of yourself because you only live once--be nice to yourself and take deep breaths when you are stressed and think about the good things in your life. Smile and laugh a lot--you'll feel better just doing that alone! Now I need to stop because I am starting to sound like those inspirational framed posters you see in corporate offices that make me want to throw up. Yikes!
One last thing--I've always loved the words to the Everybody's Free (wear sunscreen) video by Baz Luhrmann.

What do you do to de-stress or to take care of yourself? It's always good to hear what others do...I could always use some new ideas myself. Thank you! Jen