An ongoing love affaire with all things fashionable, tasty and fun

Posts tagged “OhSheGlows

Links You’ll Love – Resolutions Edition

We survived 2012 and celebrated the end of the year, and now that the first week of January is coming to an end those New Years Resolutions are starting to look further and further away. This week’s Links You’ll Love post is here to help keep you motivated, inspired, and on track with your resolutions. Whether your goals are aimed at career success, personal improved, fashion, health, or fitness – Keep yourself going with these great inspirational pieces!

Fashion:

I love the idea of this No Shopping Challenge {Inspiration: My No Shopping Challenge} from Style Within Reach – It’s a great idea to not only purge your closets at the beginning of the year, but take stock in what pieces you have and try to mix up your current wardrobe rather than blindly adding to it. But in practice I’m not sure that I have her self-control… What about you?

Refinery 29 is here to help you with your Fashion New Years Resolutions – 20 Influencers, 20 Resolutions To Adopt Now.

Fashion magazine’s are a great place to find inspiration – From fabulous advertisements to glossy, well-styled editorials to great articles filled with advice & ideas from industry insiders:

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Staying inspired and motivated to try out fun & interesting new trends and styles can be hard – But Pinterest is a great tool for fashion stimulation, so check out my La Mode to get yourself in the mood!

Health & Fitness:

Ever wonder how the models with killer bodies keep themselves in shape all year around? Check out this interesting article from Modelinia – Behold the Ultimate Model Master Cleanse! 

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While you have your health & eating better on your mind, why not try out some new recipes? Here are a few great round-ups from some top food bloggers of their favorite recipes from 2012 – So give something new & delicious a try!

Are you determined to shake things up at the gym this year but not quite sure where to start with your fitness resolutions this year? Check out The Fitnessista’s 12 Days Of Fitness.

The Whole 30 is a great clean eating plan that you could try in 2013 – So do some research, check out other people’s thoughts & experiences, and try some delicious new recipes – Holly Would If She Could’s Whole 30 Meal Plan – Week One (Plus Homework!)

I’m not a huge proponent of cleanses and detoxes that are too restrictive or severe – But this clean eating version is great, filled with healthy, nutritious, easy to digest suggestions – New Year New You: Easy Detox.


Links You’ll Love

Health & Fitness:

Sweet potatoes are a great addition to any healthy diet so you should definitely try out some of these nutritious recipes from Shape Magazine – 10 Healthy Sweet Potato Recipes.

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OhSheGlow’s Fall Detox Salad is a must try – Filled with Brussels Sprouts, carrots, apple, celery, sunflower seeds, and raisins, it’s as nutritious as it is delicious {also check out this salad as part of the Thanksgiving Recipe Round-Up}.

Eating well and living a healthy life doesn’t have to mean giving up all sweets and desserts, you just need to make healthier, smarter choices when you want to indulge – Try FitFluential’s Five Healthier Desserts which include amazing choices like Raspberry Chocolate Chips, Dark Chocolate Nut Butter Pretzels, Fruit & Yogurt Parfaits, Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes/Muffins, and Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries.

Do you want model-worthy skin? Refinery 29 has the goods – The Surprising Secret To Model-Worthy Skin.

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Finding a great, healthy snack that you love and that’s easy to make is wonderful – One of my favorites recently is Choosing Raw’s Cinnamon Caramelized Cauliflower.

Fashion:

Interested in spicing up your daily makeup routine? It’s always fun to see what other beauty products are out there and the sort of routines that women go through on a daily basis, so let’s check out how blogger Trop Rouge has set up her makeup routine – Makeup Monday.

Top 9 at 9: A Model’s Must Haves with Lonneke Engel gives you all of model Lonneke Engel’s Fall 2012 picks – From workout gear to sweaters to what her favorite shoes are for Fall.

Ulyana Sergeenko’s dramatic, eye-catching clothes are the perfect pieces for this dreamy Moscow-based photo shoot in the most recent Carine Roitfeld Fashion Book issue – Moscow Walk.

Oxblood is everywhere for Fall 2012 and if you’re not sure whether it’s the trend for you, trying beauty products and nail polish are great choices – 3 Chic Ways To Do Burgundy Beauty.

The Fall 2012 Collection for J.Crew is pretty phenomenal – It’s filled with great outerwear, fun, printed pants, and killer accessories. And none of those accessories are better than the Lulu Frost’s Capsule Collection – Shop It Now: Lulu Frost For J.Crew Holiday.


Fall Fabulousness

Fall is by far my favorite season – I love the weather, I love the fashion, I love the holidays, I even love the decorations – From Halloween pumpkins to Autumn leaves to Thanksgiving turkeys. And here in San Francisco, Fall has most definitely arrived.

As far as I’m concerned the decorations box or closet it one of the best parts about changing seasons! So why not try some of these fun ideas to spice up your home for Fall – Glitter Guide’s 10 Simple Fall Decorating Ideas.

If you’d like some seasonal pictures frames why not try this too cute technique to spice up your photos! Easy Halloween Framed Pictures from Lilac & Lace.

If you’re not in the mood for traditional orange pumpkins this season than give this fun new style a try – DIY Glitter Pumpkins from The Glitter Guide.

Taste of Fall

A lot of what makes Fall to me is what I’m putting in my mouth! 🙂 I’m always dying to break out the squash, pumpkin, and apple pie by the time Summer wraps up. Here are some fabulous recipes to get you in the mood too.

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What’s your favorite part about Fall? Do you like recipes that showcase all of the Fall produce that’s hitting the stores?


Links You’ll Love

Fashion:

Whether you’re watching the US Open or America’s Cup, a stylish spectator outfit is a must – US Open 2012 from Net-A-Porter.

Are you starting to prepare your wardrobe for Fall? A great skirt with tights & killer boots is always a fabulous option so check out WhoWhatWear’s suggestions for Fall 2012 – Market Watch: Fall Skirts.

One thing that I always look forward to when Fashion Month rolls around are the Garance Dore and Net-A-Porter Fashion Week video collaborations Pardon My French. She talks to fashion greats, reviews the collections, meets designers, interviews fashion insiders, and just generally gives you a great behind-the-scenes look at all of the Fashion Month madness.

You know how much I adore a versatile piece in my wardrobe – especially when it comes to packing for a trip. Refinery 29 clearly agrees – Oxford Shirt Styling Tips: 1 Oxford Shirt, 3 Easy Ways To Style It.

One of the fun Fall trends this year will be finding pieces that have your favorite artwork translated onto them – Whether you’re a fan of the Renaissance Masters or Graphic novels, there are pieces out there for everyone! This Time Tomorrow – Wearing Your Art On Your Sleeve.

Health/Fitness:

Don’t have time for a run? Not interested in the membership fees at your local gym? Why not head online to find the perfect workout for yourself – Fit Club: The Country’s Best Virtual Workouts.

Are you looking for some healthy meals to feed your family to ensure that they’re getting all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that they need? Here are some great recipes to try:

No matter how much time you spend in the kitchen familiarizing yourself with new tools – or re-familiarizing yourself with tools you haven’t used in a while – is an important part of staying on top of things so check out The Blissful Chef’s Cooking Tool of the Month Series.

Medicine and bosu balls are two of my favorite gym toys – If you use them right they can keep your workouts both challenging and fun. Don’t believe me? Check out FitSugar’s Don’t Let the Medicine Ball Intimidate You — 5 Easy Moves!


Inspiration Saturday

Happy Saturday!

Why not start this weekend off with some beautiful photographs and inspiring words? The perfect way to prepare for a fun, fashionable day if you ask me. Enjoy!

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Pacey

{Sources: Vintage Virgin, Champagne & Strawberries & Pinterest}

Hope you all have a great weekend!


List Girl

My June Listing post was such a success that I thought I’d make it a semi-regular offender, so get ready for some information about me and details about what I’ve been doing lately.

What I’ve been eating:

I can’t seem to get out of the kitchen actually, something which I blame this new 11-Cup Cuisinart Food Processor for. I was thrilled to upgrade from the 4-cup to the 11-cup but I haven’t stopped baking since it arrived, and that’s rough on the jeans!

I’m still eating tons of veggies, cooking healthy meals for Arianna at least once a week, and eating my body weight in fruit every day, but everything I eat seems to come with a side of baked goods these days…

{JL Goes Vegan’s Cherry-Oat Ice Cream BarsPeanut Butter Protein Balls & OhSheGlow’s Oil-Free Chocolate Zucchini Muffins}

The boy has been thrilled by this little development and no one in my office is complaining about the abundance of cookies and zucchini muffins, I can assure you!

What I’ve been reading:

It seems like lately I’ve spent a lot of time on the train or in the car, so reading materials have been a must. The benefit is that I’m all caught up on my favorite magazines now, which is a relief, and I’ve read a handful of books over the last few weeks.

Recently I’ve gotten through the too cute Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Martin Cruz Smith’s Russian crime novel Stalin’s Ghost, and the international espionage novel Moscow Vector by Patrick Larkin. Now it’s on to Robin Maxwell’s Signora da Vinci and Lucrezia Borgia by Sara Bradford, both of which have been gathering dust on my bedside table.

What I’ve been writing:

Um… I take the 5th. I swear I’ll have an answer in my next Listing post. I swear!

What I’ve been wearing:

I’ve been making an effort to trade in my easy-to-wear dresses for fun separates and that’s given me a chance to be more creative with colors and prints and accessories so far this Summer.

Hopefully I can keep this up through the end of Summer and start Fall off right with lots of great skirts and pants paired with fabulous tops and all the cold weather accessories I’ve been missing!

Some Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Me:

  • I spend most of my waking time thinking about food – I love to cook and eat, and trying a new recipe is one of my favorite parts of the day.
  • I compulsively double lock my front door whenever I walk inside my apartment. Even when Sean’s just walked out to drop off the garbage. I can’t help it!
  • I love swimming and spending my vacations in the water, but I’m afraid of lake monsters. Don’t ask.

How have you been spending your time lately? Have you eaten anything great? Read anything new? Worn anything fabulous that you’d like to share?


Links You’ll Love

Fashion:

Want some advice on stretching your existing wardrobe and how to make the pieces that you have work in multiple ways? Thought so! Everyday Reading – One Piece Many Ways.
 
Remember the adorable Robert Downey Jr., Marisa Tomei romance Only You? The Design Sponge brings you clothes, accessories, and houseware products reminiscent of the sweet rom com – Living In: Only You.
 
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Fashion can be fun! Check out Refinery 29’s An Illustrated Guide To Fashion’s Biggest Icons featuring illustrations of fashion’s most legendary and colorful characters including Marc Jacobs, Anna Dello Russo, Daphne Guinness, Diane Pernet, Anna Piaggi, Iris Apfel, and many more!
 
I’ve adored Peter Pilotto’s last few collections and if you’re not familiar you should check out Olivia Palermo’s review of – Lines We Love: Peter Pilotto.
 
 
If you love resortwear with a fabulous vintage feel than the Caftan is probably right up your alley for your next vacation. Whether you’re throwing it over a swim suit in your resort, wearing it with leggings for dinner when the wind picks up, or just with sandals and chunky jewelry as you explore the city, it’s the perfect piece to invest in to give your vacation a fun, hippie twist. Don’t believe me? Read The Glamourai’s { In The Market } For Caftans and tell me you’re not DYING to try one!
 
 
Health/Fitness:
 
 
Interested in adding the oh-so-healthy chia seed to your diet for some much-needed nutrients and omegas? Read FitSugar’s Bring On the Omegas! Products That Contain Chia Seeds and try making OhSheGlow’s Easy Overnight Buckwheat Parfait with chia seeds.
 
Think you can get away with skipping weight training during your gym time? Nope! The Zen of the Barbell. Not convinced? Sports Medicine – Why Women Should Lift Weights.
 
Sometimes trying something new in the kitchen can be a little nerve-racking. Are you preparing it right? Will the recipe turn out? Should you have tried something else? Check out this Sexy Swiss Chard brought to you by Candice Kumai – author of Pretty Delicious: Lean and Lovely Recipes for a Healthy, Happy New You and the talent behind The Stiletto Chef blog –  and get a great tutorial on cooking the powerhouse veggie Swiss Chard.
 
 
Need some new low-calorie treat ideas for hot summer days? Are you a big fan of Greek yogurt? Check out YumSugar’s Taste Test: 15 Greek Frozen Yogurts.
 
Even fashionistas know the benefits of coconut oil! Check out The Stylist’s Coconut Oil For Skin, Hair, Body: 6 Things To Know About The Super Ingredient. Curious about how other fashion insiders approach health and nutrition? Check out this new video from blogger Shea Maria of Cheyenne Meets Chanel fame – Health 101: Eat This Not That Part 1.

Instagram Lovin’

Here’s a little Instagram Lovin’ for you today!

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Follow me at Instagram @ moicontrelavie


Love. Want. Need.

I wanted some things I’ve been loving lately.

Enjoy!

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Sugar Skull Ponytail holder in Oxidized Silver Tone White Bronze
 
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Pictures from here.


Links You’ll Love

Fashion:

If you follow me on Twitter you’ve probably picked up on my serious girl crush on The Man Repeller – Her site is clever, witty, and she’s just as fashion obsessed as I am. Maybe even more so. And today’s she’s here with a phenomenal Do It Yourself project for all you fashion lovers out there – DIY: Fancy Footwear.

Don’t you want bows?

Refinery 29 doesn’t want us to forget about all the stylish mom’s out there, check out their post on stylish moms in NYC – 8 Ultra Cool Moms Show Off Their Killer Style.

If your city is starting to heat up you’re probably in the mood for some tips on warm weather dressing. The Little White Dress is always a great option and here are some oh-so-tempting versions to try out: 14 Little White Dresses You’ll Live In All Summer.

Calling all bun heads! If you’re looking for some new hairstyles to keep your Summer looks interesting check out Refinery 29’s Give Tired Bunds A Twist With These 4 Fresh Styles.

If Coachella just whet your apetitite and you’re going to get geared up for more concerts and music festivals as the weather warms up, you’ve got to check out The Festival Tracker – The Ultimate Guide to Music Festival Fashion and Style. Bonnaroo anyone?

Health/Fitness:

Were you brave enough to sign up for a race this year? Do you have some 2012 New Years Resolutions that you still haven’t reached? Check out The Blog of Impossible Things’ The Women’s Guide To A Triathlon or watch David Kirsch and Heidi Klum’s video How To Train On A Treadmill for some needed motivation and inspiration!

Searching for healthy snack ideas or a great energy boost for before your daily workout? Look no further! 100-calorie snack: Dairy-free chocolate almond butter chews ready in five minutes.

Concerns surrounding the physical and mental consequences of chronic stress have increased over the last few years – weight gain, diabetes, depression. Are you taking it seriously? Read Chris Kresser’s Are You In Stress Denial?

Interested in the new CrossFit trend but hesitant to head to a gym for an introductory class? Take a look at FitSugar’s Three CrossFit Workouts Anyone Can Do to get you started!’

Are you fan of spices? Check out the Whole 9 Life’s Spice Hound 100 Spices Whole 30 Approved. There are some GREAT ideas here.

Barefoot running was all the rage during 2011, due in part to the success of Christopher McDougall’s Born To Run, but what about barefoot walking? Take a look at FitSugar’s Three Ways Walkers Can Benefit From Barefoot Walking and learn more on the subject.

Speaking of Born To Run, if you read it you probably got as interested in chia seeds as I did. Here are a few articles on these phenomenal little seeds


Links You’ll Love

Fashion:

Looking for a pretty new up do for the Spring & Summer weddings you’re attending or participating in? Refinery 29 has you covered with their 3 Pretty ‘Dos For Wedding Season.

Not sure what to keep in your closet and what to donate? Miranda Kerr’s stylist tells us just how to Spring clean this season – Modelinia.

Or if you’re interested in jumping on the ombre train, Fashion Fazer has you covered – Ombre and Dip-Dye Hair.

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Love that collar necklace? Ya, me too. Check out Fashion Love Affaires for her DIY Diaries: In All My Glittery Goodness.

I’ve clearly shown that I’m a fan of Olivia Palermo’s personal style, I did Style File posts on her adorable polka dot maxi skirt AND her chic outfit for the menswear shows last fall. She recently started a blog and I wanted to share her little piece on closet organization – Glam Tip: Keep Off-Season Clothes Fresh.

Refinery 29 doesn’t want to see your old college sweats or your ratty t-shirts at the gym. Ever. Chic Gym Gear To Replace Your Sweats. Its time!

Are you in the mood for ladylike glitz and glamour this Spring? Me too. From Elie Saab to Christian Dior, Cristina’s got you covered. Read on!

Health/Fitness:

Did you sign up for a race to meet a New Years Resolution and get so busy and distracted this Spring that you’ve hardly started to train? Read the No Meat Athlete’s 3 Steps to Planning the Perfect Running Getaway to Re-energize Your Training or Stuck Running on a Treadmill? Make the Most of It with These 3 Workouts.

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Not sure when to nosh? What about which foods will be best for you? Check out Fit Bottomed Girls’ Foods to Fuel You– A helpful list of what foods will help fuel you before, during, and after your exercise sessions, Women’s Health’s Eating Well: The Best Fitness Foods for Women, and OhSheGlow’s 3 Ready-in-a-Jiffy Warm Weather Snack Recipes!

Not sure which oils to use for what? Read through Wake Up World’s 160 Uses For Coconut Oil.

If your Spring has been anything like mine you’re a busy busy bee. Don’t let that get in the way of staying healthy and meeting your fitness goals though, these mini workouts will keep you motivated:

Or check out all my links over at A Healthy Mentality!


Friday Links – Mother’s Day Lovin’

Anyone procrastinating on getting Mother’s Day gifts, sending cards, or planning an outing to celebrate the mother(s) in your life? If you’re in that slowly sinking boat, here are some links to websites, blogs, and stores to get you started and give you a little inspiration to start preparing for the big day.

Best Mother's Day Gifts Under $50

Are you a traditionalist when it comes to Mother’s Day? I’m a big fan of sending flowers when I don’t get to see my mother on her birthday or Mother’s Day. What girl doesn’t LOVE to have a huge bouquet delivered?

Give a mother's day gift that lasts, like this pretty orchid.

Planning to make your mom a meal? A fun family brunch is a great way to enjoy the day so if that’s what you’re thinking, check out some ideas and recipes below:

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Wondering what I did for Mother’s Day? I was lucky enough to see my Mother last week so I was able to celebrate her birthday, which was in April, and an early Mother’s Day simultaneously. Her Mother’s Day gift ended up being a pretty, drapped front cardigan, perfect to throw over any outfit (she’s always cold). I’d originally gotten her a box of Godiva truffles but for some reason they didn’t survive in my apartment… Gnomes?

Have a great Friday night!


Links You’ll Love

Happy Sunday!

I don’t know about you, but I had another amazing weekend. The perfect combination of relaxation, family time, and social events. Before we get to this Sunday’s Links You’ll Love post, I just wanted to say a quick congratulations to my childhood friend Sophie who got married in a beautiful, moving ceremony yesterday.

Fashion:

Let's go!

Are you going to start a new internship or job this Summer? Not sure how to prep your wardrobe? Refinery 29 has you covered! The No-Fail Guide To Dressing For A Summer Internship (On A Budget).
If you’re in the mood to mix up your style this season head over to Little Tin Soldier who has rounded up a handful of Do It Yourself clutches if you’re looking for a project or FabSugar has tres cute DIY: Thread-Wrapped Bracelets that would complement anyone’s jewelry collection.
Check out the Harper’s Bazaar piece on The Best Of What’s New– The best of pre-fall’s modern takes on timeless pieces. But I should warn you first. You’ll want ALL OF IT. All.
Health/Fitness:

Interesting news on the supplement front from Natural News – Vitamin D and sun exposure work synergistically to prevent breast cancer.

Here’s this week’s healthy recipe round-up: Kale Salad with Oranges, Almonds and Avocado (the “detox” salad) from Eat, Live Run, 10 Flavor-Packed Tofu Recipes from Shape Magazine, Broccoli White Bean Soupfrom FitSugar, How to Make the Perfect Big-Ass Salad (and the Best Dressing Recipe—Ever) from Fit Bottomed Girls, Healthy Zucchini Breadrecipes from FitSugar readers, Sun-dried Tomato Cheezy Kale Chips from the brilliant OhSheGlows, and 15 Gluten-Free Recipes from Heath.com.

Video time! Check out these two motivation and instructional videos to get you in the mood for healthy eating and working out this Spring .

I think that this is a great idea! I’m always looking for something fun to do with friends that doesn’t revolve around eating or drinking. Yes, I love a cocktail as much as the next workaholic, but with my early mornings a booze-fueled “school night” is never a good idea. Barry’s Bootcamp – Party Fitness: 7 Workouts Better than Happy Hour. From a yoga rave to a Zombie Run, there are some great ideas here to try out.

How do you stay healthy and in shape when you have a hectic schedule and lots of traveling on the horizon? See what Miss Garance Dore has to say about her routines here.


Links You’ll Love

Fashion:

Need a tutorial on mixing colors for Spring? Cristina’s Blog has the goods – Mixing Colours… Blue & Yellow.

If you love glamour and a slinky, retro vibe you’re bound to be a fan of Russian stylist, photographer, and designer Uliana Sergienko. Couture et Cuisine has a collection of phenomenal pictures of her here for your viewing pleasure.

If you’re in the market for a new girl crush I highly suggest checking out Modelinia’s Elisa Sednaoui Continues to Reign as Our #1 Girl Crush or Vogue UK’s catwalk piece on the stunning Jourdan Dunn. So hard to choose!

Curious what the fashion industry is up to between the shows? Here are some of the recent events and launches: The New Museum’s 35th Anniversary Gala, The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Dinner, H&M’s 2012 Conscious Collection hit stores 12 April 2012, get a tour of Rachel Roy’s office, The 9th Annual New Yorkers for Children event, and, as I’m sure you’ve heard, Raf Simons from Jil Sander has replaced the disgraced John Galliano at Christian Dior.

Check out this casual, cool look from Coachella queen Kate Bosworth on Frugal Fashionista to get you in the mood for the music festival. If you need for inspiration read my Hippie 2012 Breakdown for everything you’ll need for Coachella!

Health/Fitness:

Marion Nestle is an author, professor & nutritional expert who has written books, chaired government committees, and writes a column for the San Francisco Chronicle. Her blog, Food Politics, always has great posts on food, nutrition, grocery shopping, farming, buying organic, meat processing… I highly recommend checking out the following pieces:

I found myself nodding along to Choosing Raw’s Building a Better Snack: Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Snack Bars. Sometimes you want something quick and easy to snack on, but when you read the ingredients in products you realize that there are very limited healthy processed options. Making your own snack bars (or energy bites) are great options! Next week I’ll be sharing my energy bite recipe or you can try Choosing Raw’s Super Speedy, No Bake Omega-3 Vegan Snack Bars, Hungry Hungry Hippie’s Peanut Banana Oatmeal Bars, or OhSheGlow’s Homemade Banana Bread Larabars.

7 April Superfoods from The Huffington Post – All in green and red!

Still looking for great breakfast ideas for Spring? I’ve shared overnight oats recipes and smoothiesgalore, what about breakfast porridge? Check out Chatelaine’s Gluten-free recipe: Sweet breakfast porridge with fresh toppings.

Have you read about or tried intermittent fasting? These are both interesting reads: Dr Michael Eades, M.D.’s Could intermittent fasting or caloric restriction make the heart more resistant to damage? and Stop Eat Stop.

Do you workout with your significant other? Do you want to…? I suggest taking a look at Rachel Wilkerson’s piece Living In Sin: How CrossFit Has Helped My Relationship, Holly Would If She’s Could’s CrossFit Love: How Sharing Fitness Has Improved My Relationship, or my post Health & Your Relationship.


Friday Links + Giveaway Fun

Before we get down to the Friday Links, I want to remind everyone to submit an entry for the Spring 2012 MCLV Giveaway! It’s easy to enter, just pick one of the four ways to enter listed in the Giveaway post, and you could win a $50 gift certificate to Bloomingdale’s. Just tell me what you’re looking forward to for Spring…

Good luck!

Health/Fitness:

Do you like to have a cup of coffee before your morning workout? Read Christopher Williams’s article on the Robb Wolf blog Caffeine & Performance about the relationship between physical performance and your daily caffeine consumption.

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Need some new ideas for healthy breakfasts? OhSheGlows has the goods, from desserty goodness like Chocolate Cake Batter Overnight Oats (OH YUM) to fresh Spring produce filled Blueberry Vanilla Banana Soft Serve Overnight Oats.

Have you tried nutritional yeast yet? Personally I like to use it instead of cheese as a topping when I cook and love it in vegan cheese sauces, but it has even more uses. Interested in learning more? Check out One Green Planet’s Nutritional Yeast: Health Benefits, Tips & Recipes.

With the new Reebok backing, CrossFit is becoming even more mainstream. Are you interested in learning how CrossFit style workouts can potentially improve your health and tone your body? (You can even see my experiences here: Do you… CrossFit? My Personal CrossFit & How To Survive A CrossFit Meet)

Don’t have time for a full HIIT or Tabata cardio workout? Still hit the gym, jumping rope is a phenomenal workout and only takes minutes! Check out Jackie Warner’s 5 Favorite Jump Rope Moves from FitSugar.

Fashion:

Best Spring Bags 2012

Not sure what bag to invest in for Spring? FabSugar and Refinery 29 both have a gorgeous list of options for you – from Phillip Lim and Diane Von Furstenberg to Club Monaco and Zara.

Brave enough to try printed pants for Spring? Mama’s A Rolling Stone has done the leg work for you – Top Buys: Printed Jeans. Need some more convincing? See how Olivia Palermo and Jessica Alba make this trend work oh-so-well for them.

I found Refinery 29’s 29 of Fashion’s Biggest Mysteries, Solved! pretty interesting to read. From reality show myths debunked to background on prints, fashion insiders and brands.

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In the mood for some more DIY? Check out this super easy & stylish decoupage tray from Refinery 29.

While I’ve never seen The Rachel Zoe Project, I do have to say that I love Rachel’s styling for clients as well as her personal style. Check out FabSugar’s segment: In Dress Distress? Rachel Zoe Answers Your Most Frequently Asked Styling Questions.


Best of 2011

As I was doing my daily blog reading this morning I stumbled upon quite a few 2011 recap & “best of” type of posts. I found that they were really fun to read because it let me get the author’s opinion on things I may have missed over the course of the last year – which was especially fun when it came to the blogs that I only recently discovered.

So in that spirit I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorites from 2011:

Fashion

  • Best Red Carpet StyleZoe Saldana & Diane Kruger. Sorry, can’t narrow it down further, it goes against nature to pick between these two.
  • Favorite NewcomerAmber Heard & Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. They share a certain poise and both favor glamorous, ladylike gowns on the red carpet, which I love. (And I am not at all upset or jealous that Rosie is dating Jason Statham. I swear.)
  • Go-to Fashion Blog – I hate to narrow this down to a single site since I’ve discovered some really great ones this year, but I’d have to say that the most entertaining one I read is Tom & Lorenzo: Fabulous & Opinionated. I’ve had to outlaw it at work because I can’t stop laughing at their commentary.
  • Best Trend – Bright, minimalist Calvin Klein gowns
  • Favorite Collaboration – Karl Lagerfeld for Macy’s Impulse

Fitness

  • Favorite Blog –  The Fitnessista is a great website with motivating posts & booty busting workouts, I’ve cited it a lot in my Gym Goddess series.
  • Favorite ApparatusMedicine balls! There are an endless number of great workouts that you can do to emphasize different muscle groups and you can even do them with limited space which is great if you don’t want an expensive gym membership or if you travel a lot.
  • Best New Workout You Tried – I’m going to have to go with CrossFit. My boyfriend is an instructor so with some not-so-gentle urging I gave CrossFit a try, and  I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised. If you haven’t taken an intro class I highly recommend it. It can be intimidating at first, but it’s challenging, intense and a great atmosphere if you’re competitive and like to push yourself.
  • Best Magazine – I adore Women’s Health. They have creative ideas for workouts, pick great, inspirational women to feature and I love the fun little facts & cute workout gear they include every month.

Food

  • Favorite Recipe – Vegan Mac n’ Cheese made from butternut squash & ANY of Evan’s desserts over at The Wannabe Chef. Seriously, check out his site, he has any type of recipe you could want – vegan, paleo, gluten-free…
  • Best New Ingredient – 2011 was the year of coconut milk! Not only is it high in phosphorus, potassium and iron, its delicious in everything from smoothies to veggies to curries. Yum. (Yes Sean, you were right)
  • New FindLollihop (which I promise you a full post on in the next week or so!)
  • Favorite BlogHungry Hungry Hippie & Oh She Glows
  • Best Books – I can’t pick just one! The Kind Diet, Peas & Thank You, I Am Grateful and Clean were some of the bests though.

What are you favorite new finds of 2011?

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for more new and exciting in 2012! 🙂


Links You’ll Love

Health/Fitness:

Are you getting back into the kitchen after a busy Fall? Want to make more home cooked meals and stay out of pricey restaurants? Want to eat healthier food? Here are some tips & tricks of the trade to get you back into the kitchen and up to speed.

Spicy Chipotle Shells & Cheez from Happy Healthy Life – I’m making this as soon as humanly possible, I love recipes that use chipotle and I love mac n’ cheese!

Are you intimidated by Kettlebells? It might be time to face your fears – 7 Reasons to Try Kettlebells Now & The Super Slimmer You Haven’t Tried from Prevention.com. You can also read about my experience and check out some beginners exercises with them here.

In the mood for some winter comfort food? How about red enchiladas? How about healthy red enchiladas? Thought so. 🙂 Hungry Hungry Hippie has you covered!

Fashion:

Ready for a gorgeous Winter Wonderland? Check out Tatler’s Russian-themed spread over at TLo. I LOVE the way they styled the Armani (pictured above) – you can’t even tell that it’s the same dress!

Kate Bosworth’s Mulberry look at a recent Chateau Marmont event was picture perfect, low-key elegance with a hippie twist. Army green dress, studded pumps and an adorable boho twisted hairstyle. FabSugar covered the look here and WhoWhatWear covered it here.

You may not think of Heidi Klum when you think of budget shopping, but the Project Runway host has some tips to share.

Jessica Hart Debuts Her Capsule Collection with Pencey – Seriously cute dresses and easy separates that can be thrown together for breezy, summery looks. Soft fabrics, floral prints, fun cuts – See the collection here.

Do you love headbands, graceful updoes, chic pony tails? WhoWhatWear has some great Holiday Hair Accessoriesto help you create the best looks this holiday season, or you can check out Fashionology’s 7 Holiday Hair Ideas Straight from the Runways.


Alterna-Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of the few days a year that has a set menu, and while each family has their traditions, the basics are fairly common: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie…

What about mixing things up this year? You don’t have to go crazy or change every single memorable moment of Thanksigivings past, but you could add a new dish or two. Even one that’s – GASP – healthy?

Here are some delicious, easy recipes that you might be interested in adding to your traditional holiday table. Maybe you don’t even have to tell your guests that they’re low in the salt, fat, butter & sugar that Thanksgiving is known for. Maybe. That’s between you and your conscience.

Sides (my FAVORITE part of Thanksgiving):

Baked Butternut Squash w/ Cranberries from Eat, Live, Run

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Cinnamon Sweet Potato Chickpea Salad from OhSheGlows

Savory Pumpkin Quinoa from The Wannabe Chef

High Protein Garlic Mashed Potatoes from OhSheGlows

Carmelized Brussels Sprouts from Eat, Live, Run

Cornbread Dressing with Tempeh Bacon, Cherries and Portobello Mushrooms from Peas and Thank You

Entrees:

Vegan Lentil Walnut Loaf from OhSheGlows

Sprouted Grain Stuffing with Field Roast Sausage from Peas and Thank You

Mushroom-and-Spinach Lasagna  from Rachel Wilkerson.

Pumpkin Chili from Rachel Wilkerson

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Seitan log from Hungry Hungry Hippie

Desserts:

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Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake (5 ingredients) from Blisstree

Pumpkin Pudding & Chocolate Mousse Parfait from Choosing Raw

Vegan Pumpkin Pie Pudding from Choosing Raw

Pumpkin Gingerbread w/ Spiced Buttercream from OhSheGlows

Vegan Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls from Eat, Live, Run

If you’d like to brush up on your cooking basics, head over to The Wannabe Chef for instructions & tutorials, from dicing an onion to dairy-free mashed potatoes to making your own ice cream and bread. Or check out the Huffington Post’s take on a Vegan Thanksgiving here and Vital Juice’s Skinny Thanksgiving Side Dishes here.

 

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!


Motivation

 

Personally I find an external motivator to be great incentive to keep up with an exercise regime. I wish I could say that I have all the internal motivation that I need in order to meet all of my goals, but unfortunately I don’t. Sometimes on days when I’m tempted to skip my planned workout, knowing that I’ll have to admit my failure aloud to someone else is usually enough incentive to push through.

Usually. 🙂

I’m registered to run the San Francisco Half Marathon on July 31st and haven’t run consistently for months, so I need to begin training, um… Now! It just so happens that one of my best friends is training for the Death Ride (which I lovingly call The Ride of Death) a 129 mile bike race with 15,000 miles of climbing through the Sierra Nevada’s near Tahoe. Her race is July 9 and although we’re training for different types of races in different cities (she’s in Sacramento), she has been acting as an unofficial sponsor and motivator for my last-ditch training efforts.

Monday mornings I email her my proposed workouts for the week (subject to scheduling changes) and each morning I send her a confirmation of what I accomplished the previous day. I’m going to include various types of exercise in my training program in addition to running, specifically circuit training and Pilates.

Below is a draft of a proposed schedule for one of the weeks of training:

Monday:

  • Run to work (1.3 miles)
  • Mini cardio session (2 miles stationary bike & 1 mile elliptical trainer)
  • Pilates Mat class (5pm – 6pm)

Tuesday:

  • Jog to work
  • 15 minute circuit training workout
  • Run (pm)

Wednesday:

  • Walk to work
  • High intensity interval training on the elliptical
  • Pilates Mat class (5pm – 6pm)
  • Yoga Flow (6pm – 7:15pm)
  • Walk home

Thursday:

  • Walk to work
  • 25 minute circuit training workout
  • Run (pm)

Friday:

  • Jog to work
  • 15 minute circuit training workout

Saturday & Sunday – Rest & stretching (maybe a massage if I can be convincing enough) and long walks or a hike

Hooking up with a workout buddy who you can share your plans with or a like-minded friend who you may not workout with but who has similar goals, can be a great motivator.

If the idea of sharing your workout goals/plans with someone else isn’t appealing, or if you’re just getting started and want to hold off until you feel like you’ve made some progress, there are other external motivators that may help you when the odd lazy day rears its ugly head.

(1) A kick-ass play list can do wonders. Put a super charged playlist on your MP3 player or blare it over your computer/sound system. Everyone has their own style and different beats that get them pumped up, and I personally refresh my Nano weekly, but here are some artists/bands that never fail to get my heart rate going, regardless of my mood: Panic! at the Disco, Fall Out Boy, Chemical Romance, Finger Eleven, Breaking Benjamin, My Darkest Days, Jason Derulo, Lady Gaga, Bon Jovi, K$sha, Katy Perry, Beyonce, Sean Kingston.

(2) Sign yourself up for a class on a day when you don’t think that you can make yourself do a work out. You’ll feel guilty not showing up after having reserved a spot in the class and even guiltier when you see the charge on your credit card! The two days of the week that are the hardest for me to get off my booty are always Monday and Wednesday, so I’m getting into the habit of doing at least a Pilates class at Glow Yoga  each of those days. And now that I’m getting to know the other students and the instructor, there’s even more motivation not to play hooky!

(3) If you have a movie or a book that you find extremely motivational, that can be a great way to get yourself going. If hearing Jillian’s commanding voice shoots you out of your seat, start your workouts with some Shred, even if you don’t plan to do the video it can give you the push you need. Personally I’ve found that popping in a dance DVD before my 5:30pm after-work runs or reading a few pages of Born To Run are a sure-fire way to get myself going.

(4) Finally, one of my favorite pieces to read when I need to stoke my motivational fires is The Better Man, about the (then) 75 year-old fitness guru & health nut Don Wildman (my friend Jim sent me this YEARS ago and I saved a PDF in case of emergencies). This always gives me the kick in the pants that I need to get off of the couch.

Good luck getting yourself onto the trail, treadmill or into the gym. Make me proud!