Links You’ll Love
Health & Fitness:
Coming up with creative new recipes in advance can make your week run much easier so take some notes from Lonneke Engel’s piece for Organice Your Life – Quick Vegetarian Meals!
BBQ tofu is one of my favorite proteins because you can very easily pair it with other sides for a quick & easy midweek meal – From brown rice or quinoa to sweet potatoes or sautéed veggies, it goes with everything. Check out OhSheGlows’s Easy BBQ Tofu for the perfect recipe!
I love to discover new fashion blogs so I couldn’t pass up this great list from Greatist – 60 Must-Read Health & Fitness Blogs for 2013.
Eating the right foods after a workout can not only improve your recovery, it can increase your energy levels and ensure that you feel focused and alert for the rest of your day – After Workout Eats.
Mixing up your workout routine can help in a number of ways – Not only does it increase your enjoyment and help you stay entertained, it can also keep you from plateauing. So check out The Fitnessista’s Winter Shape Up for some fun new ideas to keep things interesting
Fashion:
Online shopping is one of my favorite pastimes but I’ve found that all of the email alerts and websites filled with flashing ads and pop-ups can be overwhelming and distract you from the actual shopping process. So why not take the stress out of it and enjoy yourself a little more? Check out the new online shopping site Ajent and some of the great things they’re saying about it.
Braids, twists, and buns – Oh My! I love a chic, classic updo that’s simple enough to pull off early in the morning when I’m not quite firing on all cylinders. Favorite Knotted and Twisted Updo Tutorials from My Precious Confessions.
Are you a lover of beauty products and trying new makeup? Check out this great collection of Must Try products that should make their way into your medicine cabinet – What I Want In My Bag: 2013 Beauty Lust-list!
Liquid eyeliner and retro inspired cat eye looks are two of my current favorites when it comes to my personal beauty routine so this tutorial is right up my alley – My easy winged eyeliner tutorial from This Chick’s Got Style.
Leave it to Dappered: Affordable Men’s Style to impart some much-needed style wisdom for those gentlemen who’re always in the mood for some new & exciting ways to approach fashion & their own personal style – 10 Bits of Style Knowledge I wish I had learned earlier.
Links You’ll Love
Welcome back to another Links You’ll Love round-up
Fashion:
No sure what the ideal lip color should be for you? Luckily for you Girl Meets Glam has done all the lip work for you and has shared all her secrets so that you can find the best color for yourself.
As much as I wish Spring were upon us we’re still in for some chilly days before sundress weather will truly be here. So why not take some tips from blogger Advice From A Twenty Something & The Glitter Guide on fun new ways to approach layering – How To Layer With Amanda Of Advice From A Twenty Something.
While some movie-inspired editorials can leave you feeling flat, this Clueless lookbook from Wildfox is just plain fun. So just enjoy the pictures! Did My Hair Get Flat? Did I Stumble Into Some Bad Lighting? What’s Wrong With Me?!
In my opinion one of the greatest muse-and-artist relationships of all time is Audrey Hepburn and Richard Avedon – The photographs that resulted have certainly stood the test of time. Harper’s Bazaar clearly agrees in their All About Audrey piece this month.
I’ve always been jealous by the creative abandon that artistic types can put into their decorating attempts – Luckily this DIY Instax Wallpaper idea can get you the artist’s loft you’ve always wanted!
Health & Fitness:
Our schedules don’t always permit for hour-long workouts in a gym each day, so this Drop-and-Do-Anywhere Circuit Workout can be a lifesaver for the girl-on-the-go.
Juicing and smoothies that include fresh vegetables are an integral part of my routine during the week so I was thrilled by this Say Hello, Max post – Beauty from the Inside Out: Juicing 101.
Sometimes the cold temperatures of Fall and Winter can make you crave warm, comforting foods, but that doesn’t mean you should give up fresh fruits and vegetables for half the year! Check out How To Eat Super-Healthy In The Dead Of Winter from Refinery 29.
I love to follow other fashion bloggers on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and I must say I was thrilled to read this post from Chriselle Lim on her healthy eating habits. So interesting to peek behind the curtain when you see so many pictures of macaroons & dinners out on an Instagram feed. The Chriselle Factory – My Diet Secrets – Part 1.
Hitha On The Go is also a firm believer in getting your exercise in when you can, check out her Fitness On The Go – 5 Factor Fitness.
Links You’ll Love – Superbowl Edition
Everyone loves an excuse for day drinking and indulging in tasty treats, but why not keep the fat, calories, and cholesterol to a minimum and try some of these delicious-but-healthy recipes today instead?
Appetizers:
- Red Peppers Stuffed with Confetti Guacamole from Choosing Raw
- Baked Garlic Curly Fries from Post Punk Kitchen
- Vegetarian Buffalo Chicken Dip from The Wannabe Chef
Entrées:
- Buffalo Cauliflower Wing Pizza from Keeping It Kind
- Phyllo Tempeh Reubens from Post Punk Kitchen
- Chickpea Sloppy Joes from Keeping It Kind
Desserts:
- Chocolate-Coffee Meringue Sandwiches from The Wannabe Chef
- Double Chocolate Chip Ice Cream from The Vegan Chickpea
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Blondie Squares from Purely Twins
Cocktails:
- Skinny Margaritas from Cookie + Kate
- Skinnygirl Super Bowl Cocktails from Bethenny
- Homemade Sweet & Sour Mix from The Wannabe Chef
How are you going to celebrate the Superbowl this year?
I’ll be landing in New York at 6pm local time so stay tuned for some updates from my week in the The Big Apple! 🙂
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
My Spring cleaning urges are clearly starting to kick in early this year – Check out Gala Darling’s Blog On, Babe: Get Organized! for some great ideas for organizing your work – Whether you’re a blogger, a writer, or any other creative type.
Did you enjoy my recent organizational tips & recommendations for closet cleaning {Closet Organization}? If so you’ll love these suggestions from Apartment Therapy – Get Sorted: 5 Functional Shoe Organizers.
I’m in an outerwear state of mind these days – Between San Francisco being colder than I can ever remember and a trip to New York City scheduled for two weeks – I’m determined to find the perfect coat. Stylish but warm. Leave it to Olivia Palermo to have all the answers to our statement coat questions – How To Rock: The Coat.
It’s just about time to start daydreaming thinking about planning your Spring vacation. So why not take some advice from stylist-to-the-stars Brad Goreski – How To Travel In Style.
In the market for a new lipstick? Get the right one with Cupcakes & Cashmere’s Lipstick Guide to help you through the process!
Health & Fitness:
You know that coconut oil is good for you and I’ve shared some tasty ways to get coconut into your diet, but have you tried using it in your beauty routine? Glitter Guide has the scoop in their piece 10 Ways To Add Coconut Oil To Your Beauty. Routine
Whether you’re gluten-intolerant, following a paleo/primal diet, or just interested in eating a healthier diet kelp noodles are a great new food to try out, you should read Choosing Raw’s Kelp Noodle 101: How to Prepare and Serve Kelp Noodles.
I’m always interested in learning how my nutrition affects my health & how my body feels, and clearly I’m not the only one. Check out Purely Twins’s – Day 18 interesting reads about fructose malabsorption & hormonal acne.
As we grow up we need to pay attention not only to our overall health, but to our bone health at all. You may think that eating a calcium rich diet or taking supplements is all you need to do, but staying educated and aware is what you really need – Best Foods For Your Bones.
If you’re interested in strengthening your thighs than FitSugar has the answers in their Inner Thigh Exercises post – Work it!
Links You’ll Love
Health & Fitness:
Here are some GREAT things to keep in mind as you’re working through your list of New Years Resolutions for 2013 – The Things Successful People DON’T Do.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been shivering my way through this recent cold front in Northern California. Rain in December I’m used to. Wind & air so cold it feels like it should be snowing? That’s new. If you’re in a similar boat these simple tips can save your booty this Winter – Stay Warm!
Keeping your energy levels up during the way can seem impossible sometimes. Day-to-day you may feel changes due to diet, the amount of sleep you got, stress levels… And while you can’t always control every aspect of your life, there are some things that you can keep an eye on to help with this – Fatigue Facts: 5 Things That Make You Tired.
While I enjoyed all of the “round-up” style posts during December to celebrate the end of 2012 I have to say that this was one of my favorites so I just HAD to share – Best of 2012: My Favorite Vegan & Raw Recipes.
Staying inspired and positive about your body is an important step towards being happy and healthy! See what The Huffington Post has to say about keeping your attitude in check – Seven Ways To Be More Body Positive In 2013.
Fashion:
There’s nothing quite like a flashy new campaign to get you in the mood for some serious shopping. That’s part of the reason we adore fashion magazines, right? Well Fashionologie has the low-down on all the killer campaigns for Spring here.
Finding stylish but simple new updos that’s keep my hair out of my eyes is a new mission so I was thrilled when I stumbled upon this fabulous tutorial – Beauty How To: Braided Bun Tutorial.
Need some inspiration to get creative with your hair this Winter? Check out Rebecca Minkoff’s 2013 Ushers In A New Wave Of Hairstyles for some serious tips.
I ADORE Winer outwear & accessories so this Glitter Guide post had me in raptures. If you’re similarly inclined head over for their Style File: Chic Winter Wear and prepare to swoon!
If you’ve been trying to find a fabulous statement necklace but have come up empty so far, why not make your own? This DIY Charm Necklace from I Spy DIY is to die for!
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:
- Harper’s Bazaar – Top Stylists Share Their Fashionable Resolutions
- Teen Vogue – New Year’s Resolutions From Fashion Industry Stars
- Fashionologie – 5 Resolutions We’d Like to See the Fashion Industry Keep in 2013
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!
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!
- Choosing Raw’s Best of 2012: My Favorite Vegan and Raw Recipes
- The Wannabe Chef’s 12 Months of Recipes
- OhSheGlow’s Most Popular Vegan Recipes
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.
Guest Post: Women’s Health
Raise your hand if your New Years Resolutions – officially or unofficially – include anything similar to these:
- Eat healthier
- Go to the gym more frequently
- Lose weight
- Get in better shape
That’s what I thought.
So with all of our ambitious and health-oriented resolutions in mind I’m planning a few new series during 2013 to help motivate and educate us with regard to health, fitness & nutrition – (1) A series of guest posts from people in the health & fitness industries, (2) A Beginners Fitness series w/ reading materials, workouts, and nutritional information for you to consider, and (3) A series of posts documenting the trials & tribulations I face while attempting the Whole 30 program at the beginning of 2013.
To help get us started with Fitness Friday & put us in a healthy, motivated mindset so we can start 2013 at our best, I’d like to welcome Megan:
My name is Megan and I’m very excited to have the opportunity to guest blog for Moi Contre La Vie! When I was asked to write a few pieces for this blog, I found myself a little dumbfounded, searching for a topic interesting and worthy enough of the site. It surprised me that I felt this way since I blog at least three times a week on my own!
I manage and coach at an all-women’s gym called Kaia FIT Sacramento. I write 3-4 pieces a week for our website and find my inspiration from the amazing women of our gym community. I realized this inspiration fits perfectly in with the concept of Moi Contre La Vie and my blog topic was staring right at me the whole time!
At the top of the Moi Contre La Vie site it reads, “Celebrating Fashion, Food and Fitness,” and these are three of my favorite things! I will be writing a 3-part series on these topics and how they relate to my life as a fitness trainer and how they affect the women I’m surrounded by. Before my first post, however, I thought I’d share a little about myself and how I came to be where I am.
I’m 26 and married to an amazing man named Nick. Nick is a CrossFit trainer and ultra-runner. His passion for fitness, health and science has been one of my favorite parts about him since we met and I owe much of my success in the fitness world to him.
I was always an ‘active’ person… Dabbling in yoga and running, hitting spin classes at 24 hour fitness if I didn’t get off work at the restaurant too late the night before. You know, the typical college girl routine.
But none of it was ever enough. I loved the feeling of working out. Not the feeling AFTER a workout… But the terrible, breathless, burning feeling DURING it. And I know I wanted to feel it with more intensity.
Enter Kaia FIT.
A friend of mine started at Kaia FIT Sacramento as soon as they opened their doors and was absolutely loving it. Never mind her amazing results physically, her entire attitude and outlook on health and fitness had changed! I knew I had to give it a try….
And I never looked back. After a few months I went to certification and began coaching. A year later I’m managing the joint and have made it my full-time career!
Coming up: Fashion… Of the fitness world!
Thank you so much for the introduction Megan – We’re all looking forward to reading your next post. If you have any specific questions that you’d like Megan to answer please let me know!
Restaurant Review – Greens
Greens Restaurant is a vegetarian restaurant inside Fort Mason in the Marina neighborhood of San Francisco – It has delicious, healthy food, a creative, seasonal menu, a fabulous view, great wine list, and they’re incredibly willing to adjust dishes and make substitutions. Which is one of my favorite things in a restaurant!
For my recent birthday my family was sweet enough to take me to Greens – even though I’m the only one who follows a plant-based diet – since it’s one of my favorite restaurants in the city (Millennium is another dream place to eat!)
{Yellow Finn Potato Griddle Cakes – Ohmylord these little “cakes” were amazing, the table shared an order and I could have easily eaten two orders myself!}
{Yellow Curry w/ Fall vegetables & coconut milk – My mom & I both ordered and LOVED this dish – Tasty & very filling}
{Angel Hair Pasta – This vegetarian version of a classic dish was well-loved by the table – Especially the corn!}
{Fire Roasted Poblano Chili – Sean is incredibly hard to feed at this type of restaurant and always manages to order the dish that everyone likes least. It’s like he does it on purpose… Anyway, this was interesting but a little bland.}
If you’re ever in the city and are in the mood for a great meal with a phenomenal view I highly recommend giving Greens Restaurant a try!
Check out some other restaurant reviews from great places in San Francisco & New York City below:
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.
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.
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.
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
If you adored the leather-sleeved trench coat that Saucy Glossie sported in New York City last week {see Looks of the Week} than I have juuust the article for you – Shop The Look: Trenches Flirting With Leather!
What’s better way to enjoy your Fall clothes & accessories than with clean, well-organized, swoon-worthy closets? Seasonal Shift: Inspiring & Attainable Organized Coat Closets
While the House of Valentino is known for their showstopping awards season gowns and lipstick red dresses, it’s also known for sending sweet, girly frocks down the runway that leave many a girl sighing with desire – Fairy Tales & Fantasies.
Checking out pictures of street style and every day fashion from a city is a great way to familiarize yourself with the local styles as well as decide what you’re interested in adding to your closet for the upcoming season. Check out the latest installment of 4 Cities, 4 Looks, 4 Climates: Fall Edition from StyleList and learn everything you need to know about New York City fashion.
No matter what kind of shoes you’re in the market for this Fall there are some fun, flashy choices out there, so why not give metal toe caps a chance? Onto My Wardrobe’s Metal Cap Toe.
Health & Fitness:
One of the great things about Fall is that the stores fill up with delicious new produce, but don’t be intimidated by trying to cook something new, there are ways to learn! If you want to tackle a new type of squash check out Eat, Live, Run’s Perfect Roasted Acorn Squash.
Another amazing squash that you should get your hands on this Fall is the spaghetti squash. Now sure where to start? Peas And Thank You has the answer with her Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai!
Sometimes what you NEED is comfort food. And nothing else will do. So why not try a healthier version of your favorite calorie-laden dish and see that you can satisfy those needs with something a little more nutrition? 5 Comfort Food Makeovers from Ellie Krieger
Did Friday’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show post get you in the mood to sweat it out at the gym? Me too. So why not take some training advice from one of the gentlemen who helps the stunning Alessandra Ambrosio prepare for this fabulous runway show each year? Victoria’s Secret Workout: Runway Legs With Trainer Justin Gelband
Getting enough and the right kind of energy is important to fuel a great workout. Not only what you eat, but when you eat it are things to consider in advance – How to fuel for your workout properly and pre-workout superfood energy bites!
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
Outerwear is always one of my favorite parts about dressing for Fall, and with all of the fun patterned and colorful blazers in stores this season I’m even more excited than usual. Not sure where to start? Time to check in with the experts! The Glitter Guide’s Fall Shopping Guide: Blazers.
One of my new favorites to keep an eye on during Fashion Month is Russian designer and photographer Ulyana Sergeenko. Her style is dramatic, eye-catching, and perfectly over-the-top. And luckily for us fashion lovers she’s just one of many chic up and coming Russian fashionistas making the scene these days! You’ll thank me after you check out all of these lovely ladies in Bougeotte’s Modern Russian Czarinas Are Being Born.
Beauty lovers have been buzzing about the new Courtin-Clarins beauty blog that launched last month. If you haven’t gotten a chance to see what these French beauties have to say now’s the time! WhoWhatWear – The Scoop: Claire & Virginie Courtin-Clarins.
Patterned pants and all-over-prints on suits and shorts suits are all things that I’m excited to wear this Fall and next Spring, so why not check out some fabulous versions worn lately to get you in the mood? The Next Evolution of Fashion’s Print Obsession: The Printed Suit.
I recently discovered a fun new fashion blog that I’d love to share – Advanced Style was created by Ari Seth Cohen and celebrates the fabulous fashion of the older generations. As someone who grew up on Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant movies, couldn’t wait to start working after college so I could have a formal wardrobe, and dresses up to travel – this is right up my alley. I love the formality and classic approach to fashion celebrated by previous generations and this website is a great place to find stunning photographs of just that. Enjoy!
Health & Fitness:
I remember thinking at 18 that 30 was so old but now as I’m swiftly approaching the big three-oh my thinking has changed – I’m looking forward to the things that I’m going to accomplish in my thirties, the goals I’m going to set, the places I’m going to visit. Needless to say I was thrilled when I saw this article – Does life really begin at 30?
Sweet potatoes are a great favorite of mine – I love that there are an endless number of recipes that you can make with them, from snacks to savory dinner to sweet desserts. Versatile and delicious, what more could a girl want? More recipes to try of course! 10 Healthy Sweet Potato Recipes: Easy and tasty sweet potato recipes, each with about 300 calories or less.
Finding new recipes, reading about food, health & nutrition, and finding great food blogs written by creative, passionate people are some of my favorite pastimes so I was thrilled when Green Thickies posted a list of the their favorite blogs – Some I already knew and others I eagerly looked up. I had dozens of recipes printed in minutes! 🙂 Check out 8 Best Vegan Blogs for links and recipes to try!
Sometimes when I look at a recipe I’ll immediately think “no” in my mind when I look at the amount of oil, butter, or sugar being recommended. Rather than count certain recipes out, we can substitute healthier, nutritious ingredients for the more calorically dense, fattening ones. Apple sauce is one of my go-to ingredients to lighten up a recipe, but for Fall why not try pumpkin? How to Substitute Pumpkin Puree For Butter and Oil.
Speaking of pumpkin, this was one of the first pumpkin recipes I made this season when Trader Joe’s started stocking the shelves with canned pumpkin – How To Make A Quick Healthy Pumpkin Pie Fudge. So. Good.
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
Are you a fan of metallics? They can be a great way to spice up a look for Fall or make an outfit nighttime-ready – Style File: Metallics.
Black and white is one of my favorite color schemes, it’s chic and really stylish and you can spice it up really easily with a splash of color – Street Style Update: Black & White Outfits @ New York, Milan & Paris Fashion Weeks.
If you’re in the market for a sweet dessert-inspired necklace why not support an amazing cause? She’s The First sponsors girls’ education in the developing world and has created a too cute cupcake necklace to further their cause – She’s the First Tie-Dye Cupcake Necklace.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes books and have thoroughly enjoyed all of the recent remakes from the movies to the BBC & US-based TV series. Clearl I’m not the only one as Apartment Therapy put together a great list of Sherlock Holmes-inspired home decor – Get This Look: BBC’s Sherlock.
Healthy & Fitness:
Do you track your daily food intake? While it can see daunting to keep track of every single thing that you put in your mouth over the course of the day, it can be a useful and informative project. Commonly people over – or under – estimate their intake of calories, fat, protein, fiber, and vitamins & nutrients. Over the years I’ve tried a handful of programs – From Slimkicker to Livestrong to the My Fitness Pal app (for Android!) that my boyfriend recommends to his CrossFit clients. I highly recommend giving this a try, you may be surprised by what you find out!
I can’t live without music in my day-to-day life and I REALLY can’t live without music at the gym. If I forget my headphones or don’t charge my mp3 player, odds are I’ll skip my workout. So finding new tunes for my fitness sessions is essential – Whether they’re new tracks on the airwaves or I’m rediscovering CDs from my youth.
- Workout Playlist: Pop Music
- Shayk Your Booty: Irinia Shayk’s Poppin’ Playlist
- Harley Viera-Newton Has Your Summer Playlist Covered
We’re heading into the holiday stretch now and with all the family gatherings, social events, and holiday festivities on the horizon, why not make a healthy eating plan that’ll allow you to not only show up to everything looking fabulous, but also feeling great? Check out The No Meat Athlete’s 10 Simple Guidelines for Eating Healthier than Ever and get inspired!
Shopping at your local Whole Foods or health food store can be a daunting prospect – There’s a reason they call it Whole Paycheck! So why not get some advice & tips to arm yourself before your next trip? Prevention’s Smart Buys At The Health Food Store.
If you’re anything like me, you’re always in the mood to try something new in the fitness arena. From boxing & pilates to running & yoga, I’m always interested in finding new ways to keep myself interested and to keep my body from plateauing. Classes at the gym or local Y can be a great option and with endless choices to pick from learning a little about them in advance can’t hurt. So read on – TRX: 6 Things to Know Before Trying a Class.
Links You’ll Love
Health & Fitness:
I was quite the little baker this Summer and I have to say that this was one of the tastiest and most creative recipes that I tried out – Dark Chocolate Cherry Zucchini Bread.
A short, energizing yoga workout is a great way to de-stress and stretch out after a long day at the office in your desk chair – Women’s Health yoga video.
Love Thy Self! Gala Darling agrees and wants to help you – 10 Radical Self Love Exercises To Boost Your Summer Lovin’!
A vegetable stir fry with either a grain or soy, tempeh, or tofu is one of my favorite quick & easy mid-week dinners so I enjoy finding new sauces and combinations to try out, like Peas And Thank You’s Szechuan Broccoli and Quinoa.
You don’t need a full hour for a workout to be beneficial, fit in some walking and short bursts of exercise whenever you can! Before work, during your lunch break, before a class starts – Get Fit In Only Fifteen Minutes.
Fashion:
Being able to break out all of your jeans is one of the fun things about Fall dressing. Check out FabSugar’s The Ultimate Fall Denim Guide — Every Trend, Cut, Color, and Fit.
My favorite part about Fall is the outerwear – I love full ankle-length coats, peacoats, trenches, blazers, basically anything that I can get my hands on – Coat Check: How to Take Your Look in a Ladylike Direction.
Most of us wish we could get more sleep, so why not save a few precious minutes in the morning by speeding up your beauty and makeup routine? How To Do Your Makeup In 5 Minutes (Really!)
Dressing for work doesn’t need to be boring, from colorful separates to chic suits to fabulous sheath dresses, Harper’s Bazaar has the answers – Stylish Work Clothes.
Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month with some stylish pink finds – From beauty products to accessories and jewelry, no matter what you’re in the mood for you can support this great cause. Mama’s A Rolling Stone – Our 6 Favorite Breast Cancer Awareness Products.
Summary Saturday
For this Summary Saturday I want to share some of my Instagrams from the past week or two with you all. Everything from jewelry and clothes to snacks and vegan recipes – Enjoy!
- Instagram – You can follow me on Instagram @moicontrelavie
- Twitter – You can follow me on Twitter @moicontrelavie
- Pinterest – You can follow my Pinterest boards here
- Facebook– You can LIKE my Facebook page here
- Lookbook – You can see my Lookbook looks here, you can FAN me to get an email update when I post a new look, or you can HYPE my looks if you like them!
Have a great weekend!
Links You’ll Love
Healthy/Fitness:
Need some motivation to keep you going? Check out Karena Dawn from Tone It Up’s post for The Daily Love – Overcome and Achieve.
Interested in the benefits of a plant-based diet? Here are some interesting testaments that you can read:
- HelloGiggles’s – True Story: I’m a No Meat Athlete
- Brendan Brazier’s – Go For High-Net Gain Foods: Make a Small Investment for a Big Return
- The Wall Street Journal’s – Manny Pacquiao vs. The Vegan
- Equinox’s – Plant-Based Power: Should Athletes Go Vegan?
- Access Hollywood’s – Fab Food Friday: Power of a Plant-Based Diet!
Want to add soy to your diet but are concerned about conflicting information you’re receiving. Check out FitSugar’s Get Smart About Soy or Prevention.com’s 13 Ways to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally.
Love the real-life ideas and fun but realistic decorating tips from Real Simple? Read RS’s When To Wash It Handbook, Stay Healthy On The Go or 700+ New Uses For Old Things.
Fashion:
Are you a fan of the peplum shirts and dresses that are going to be big this Spring and Summer? Check out FabSugar’s 3 Foolproof Ways to Wear It.
The Stylist’s next Lesson of a Modern-Day Lady is How To Wear Cropped Trousers – A chic alternative for Spring and Summer and a great way to get yourself out of your skinny jean phase.
Still in the market for the perfect pair of flats? (A lifelong pursuit as far as I’m concerned) Check out Beauty and the Budget’s Shoe Trend 101: Smoking Slippers for Every Style Personality.
If you’re in the mood to start Spring’s brights & neons trends a little early look through the beautiful floral designs from the DKNY x Baublebar collaboration, the Purse Blog’s Primary Colored Handbags or the Frugal Fashionista’s Charming Prints for Spring.
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
Want to trade your chic white winter coat for a crisp, stylish white dress when the weather warms up? EatBreathFashion.com has a breakdown of the pieces you’ll need to recreate Katherine Mcphee’s recent adorable white look for her Smash premiere. You can also see ShopBop.com’s white dress offerings here – they have all different styles, lengths and fabrics.
Behind the scenes video for the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012 advertising campaign photo shoot – Pretty Pretty Pretty!
Need some more inspiration for your Spring/Summer wardrobe? Check out the styling of the looks that will hit Zara in March or the Club Monaco Summer 2012 lookbook here. You can also read about Rachel Bilson’s Must Have picks for the upcoming warm weather here.
Did you get a chance to review my photos and reviews from New York Fashion Week Fall 2012 shows & street style? You can also see FabSugar’s round-ups: Best Coats, Top Trends & Standout Shoes.
Health & Fitness:
Interested in giving running a try? Strength Running has the basics for you – How to Start Running from Scratch: A Complete Beginner’s Guide or read FitSugar’s How To Run Pain-Free.
Upset stomach? Rather than reaching for the pink stuff, check out this article on 7 Foods To Help Ease An Upset Stomach from FitSugar.
Want to add a healthy dose of fiber and omega-3s to your diet? Try flax seeds! FitSugar has 8 Recipes Made With Flax.
Confused by which oils you should be using when you cook or interested in trying something new? Check out The Cooking Oil Comparison Chart from Eating Rules.
Pressed for time but want to squeeze in a quick endorphin boosting, calorie burning working? Try FitSugar’s 10 minute leg workout or Sports Illustrated model Julie Henderson’s Power Body workout with fitness guru David Kirsch.
Links You’ll Love
Health/Fitness:
Are you a fan of quinoa? Here are some great recipes to try out if you’d like some new & creative way to enjoy this protein-rich pseudo-cereal:
- The Hungry Hungry Hippie’s Quinoa Quiche
- Pure 2 Raw’s Baked Cheezy Quinoa Casserole
- Choosing Raw’s Black Bean & Quinoa Salad w/ Cumin Dressing
- The Wannabe Chef’s Quinoa Cakes
18 Tips for Improving Food Disciplinefrom The Primal Parent, Jillian Michaels shares her favorite snacks with Fitness Magazine, what vitamins do you really need to take vs what nutrients you should be getting in your food from health.com and an exclusive interview with Jesse Brune from FitCeleb.
Would you like to learn more about some of the supplements out there? Gena at Choosing Raw can educate you on the benefits of Chlorella and Martin Berkhan has the low down on Fish Oil supplements.
Personally I like celebrity trainer David Kirsch’s no-nonsense approach to staying healthy, he doesn’t mince words – to lose weight and get in shape there’s nothing you can do other than eat healthy and workout. No short cuts. Here’s his Lazy Girl’s Guide to Getting Fit.
Fashion:
Do you love the retro fashion of Mad Men? Did you adore Banana Republic’s Mad Men inspired capsule collection? You’re in luck because Banana Republic has announced that their second collection with hit stores and online in March!
Still shopping for the perfect dress for your Valentine’s Day date? The Budget Fashionista has narrowed down their five favorite dresses from Piperlime under $50 and WhoWhatWear has all the best heart-printed clothes and accessories for you here.
Now that Jason Wu has virtually sold out at Target the only thing that we can do is start getting excited that Marni for H&M will hit on March 8th.
Are you expecting and not sure how to stay stylish and cope with your changing body? Alessandra Ambrosio walked the runway at Sao Paulo while 5 months pregnant, proving that pregnancy doesn’t have to mean shapeless dresses and sweats! FabSugar posted great pictures of Kristin Cavallari in flowy button-down top with stretchy pants. Don’t want to wear sky-high heels through your pregnancy like Rachel Zoe & Victoria Beckham did, but want to keep it fashionable? Try riding boots a la The DayBook.
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
It’s that time again… Time for all the new ad campaigns for Spring 2012 that make us swoon and wish the weather would hurry up so we can throw on sundresses and gorgeous resort wear. Sigh. Tom & Lorenzo have the lowdown on Valentino, Harper’s Bazaar previews the fabulous Burberry video featuring Poppy’s younger sister Cara Delevingne, Mama’s A Rolling Stone has gorgeous photos from the 2012 campaigns for Lanvin, Chloe and Balenciaga, and My Dress.My High Heels.My Style shows off the Proenza Schouler Spring/Summer 2012 Ad Campaign with the lovely, tan Natasha Poly, a breathtaking Mila Kunis for Christian Dior Spring/Summer 2012 and great mixing and matching of prints in the DKNY Spring/Summer 2012 Ad Campaign where Ashley Greene giving great face on New York rooftops.
Looking for something light and entertaining to read this weekend? Try Simon Doonan’s Gay Men Don’t Get Fat, see Harper’s Bazaar’s review here. Not your typical fashion tome, that’s for sure.
Need some ideas for comfy clothes and cozy accessories as this latest cold weather front moves through? WhoWhatWear has the breakdown on outerwear worn by everyone from Ashley Olsen to Rooney Mara, Frugal Fashionista has the lowdown on snowboots under $100 and FabSugar has 5 ideas on how to mix and match your feminine, warm-weather wear with cozy pieces for winter.
Need some extras to finish up your daily looks these days? 10 sweet winter accessories under $50, China Glaze creates a Hunger Games inspired line of nail polish, 7 pairs of nerd-chic glasses and leopard print scarves.
Health & Fitness:
Personally, I don’t own a scale, I’m much more interested in how my clothes fit. One reason? Muscle mass is important for your health. Is bulking up at the gym one of your fears? Fit Bottomed Girls discuss common fitness fears.
The girls over at Tone It Up give great daily updates – check out their great suggestion to keep you healthy and moving all day at work. Need some more motivation to get you going? FitSugar has you covered with quotes and mottos to get you up and out the door.
I can’t decide what I want to make first next weekend: FitSugar’s black & white bean sweet potato soup, The Wannabe Chef’s tofu stirfry or The Hungry Hungry Hippie’s clean food cornbread.
Looking to add some new foods to your diet to increase your health? You could try hemp seeds, antioxidant-rich foods, green monster salads, “cheesy” veggie quinoa Quiche and some of the newly popularized superfoods of 2011.
Hope you had a great weekend!
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
Want to see Darance Dore dance? Thought so.
Not sure how to apply current and upcoming fashions to yourself? Check out Bazaar’s Fabulous At Every Age for some tips on how to style Resort looks for yourself. But keep in mind your personal style and what’s appropriate for you.
Need some Zoe in your life? Frugal Fashionista has a breakdown of Zoe Saldana’s fabulous 2011 looks, Mama’s A Rolling Stone shows off her love of brights here and here and WhoWhatWear featured her fabulous fringe.
Did you enjoy Chanel’s Paris-Bombay Pre-Fall 2012 show that I reviewed here? Then check out the video – Eerily gorgeous is the phrase that comes to mind…
Health & Fitness:
Are you all set to make some huge fitness resolutions for 2012? Perhaps run a race, start using the fitness DVDs you got for Christmas, squeeze in even mini workouts when you’re short on time, taking up yoga to keep yourself calm and relaxed,
30 Things To Start Doing For Yourself from Polish My Crown and take some time to reflect on yourself and how you spend your time like Holly Would If She Could.
Both sides of the meat-eating versus non-meat eating arguments – Dead Cow Walking: The Case Against Born-Again Carnivorism and The Meat Of It. What’s your stance? Do you make your food choices based on moral choices? Nutrition? Health?
Ready to get started on your 2012 fitness regime? Whether you’re a gym-rat, take as many classes as possible or like to workout from home, there’s something for everyone to get into shape this year!
- Fit Bottomed Girls – The 10 Best Intermediate Workout DVDs
- Tone It Up! – Motivation Monday’s 2012 Challenge
- Health.com – 5 Great New Classes To Get You Fit
- Functional Movement Systems – Balanced Body Series: Dead Lifting
- FitSugar – At Home Circuit Training Workout
- Ignite the Fire – 5 tips for training on the road
Links You’ll Love
Health/Fitness:
Mixing up your workout routine is part of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle, so why not add some weight bench ab exercises to your workouts? Crunches, hip raises, twists, leg lifts and extensions. Or 20 Minute Intervals with walking and core exercises from Prevention.com.
5 Reasons Your Workout Isn’t Working from the Huffington Post – Advice on keeping things mixed up and how to not lose your motivation if you plateau.
How to work your triceps – Tone Your Arms in 3 Moves from Tracy Anderson for Fitness Magazine.
5 Minute Workouts, 10 Minute Workouts & 15 Minute Workouts – No excuses kids. No matter how little time you have, you have time for a workout!
Fashion:
Mixing and matching high-low fashion is a trick many celebrities and fashion-insiders swear by – Olivia Palermo, Zoe Saldana and Kate Bosworth to name a few. And with stores like J Crew, Zara and French Connection creating well made, on trend clothes for a fraction of what designer duds cost, who can blame them for taking advantage? There are also an increasing number of amazing designer collaborations like Karl Lagerfeld for Macy’s impulse, Versace for H&F and Missoni for Target, where you can swoop up high-end designer created pieces for every day prices.
Looking for some fun new ways to wear traditional winter pieces? Faux fur has long been a winter staple, not only does it evoke old-school glamour, it keeps you toasty warm. Olivia Palermo‘s cropped jacket paired with a skirt and blouse is modern and chic while Kate Moss‘s longer jacket works equally well with Capri pants and a dress with tights. On the other end of the spectrum is plaid, a low-key winter look that can be really versatile and laid back. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley makes plaid a little rock n’ roll with booties & a blazer and Alexa Chung channels the 60’s fashion with a plaid babydoll dress.
Boys, it’s time to step up. Fashionable doesn’t have to mean gay. When in doubt, turn to The Sartorialist – He’ll answer your questions & alleviate your fears. And in related news, Isaac Mizrahi AND Vera Wang may be launching menswear lines.
FabSugar’s Top 50 Reader Looks of 2011 – This is great for finding new ways to mix and match what you already have in your wardrobe in new and exciting ways.
In the market for some new glasses? Take some inspiration from the stars over at The Daily Beast.
Have a good Sunday!
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.
- How to Roast Veggies – From Hungy Hungy Hippie
- How to Roast Garlic – From OhSheGlows
- How to Build a Meal Sized Salad – From Choosing Raw
- How to Get Started – From Choosing Raw
- How to Peel a Butternut Squash – From Healthful Pursuit
- How to Cook Tofu – From Hungy Hungry Hippie
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.
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
Want to try a new color combo this winter? Read what Beauty and the Budget has to say about Black & Brown.
Holiday decorating is upon us! Here are some tips for the experts on how to make your home festive: Harper’s Bazaar, Elle Decor, Real Simple & Vogue.
Marni for H&M! I’m excited, are you excited?
Miranda Kerr’s street style looks these last few post-baby months have been downright phenomenal (exhibits A and B) and here’s yet another amazing one broken down by The Frugal Fashionista.
Not a dress girl? 5 Holiday Outfit Alternatives For the Anti-Dress Girl from FabSugar
Health/Fitness:
No More Excuses! The Hungry Hungry Hippie gives you tips & ideas for food prep for the weekend that will keep you well fed all week long.
NYT – Should We All Go Gluten-Free?
Gina from The Fitnessista shares her 2011 gift picks for everyone on your list and The Stylelist gives you the best Budgest Friendly Gifts. You can also check out the MCLV Gift Giving Guide here.
Five strength training exercises for beginners and five inner & outer thigh toning tips from FitSugar.
Skin care tips from Garance Dore here.
You may have heard me mention Brendan Brazier and his Thrive books in the past, I’m a really big fan of not only his written work but of his general approach to food and nutrition. The healthy food delivery system Fresh N’ Lean is now partnering with Brendan to develop a new line based on his recipes and healthy food principles called Thrive Foods Direct. “Fresh ‘N Lean is not another quick fix or fad diet. We do not eliminate carbs or restrict calories. Our concept is really quite simple: prepare healthy, fresh, and delicious meals, without all the preservatives, additives, sodium, and sugar that Americans have come to accept as “normal,” and add the convenience of home/office delivery.”
Links You’ll Love
Health/Fitness:
Does your gym playlist need some updating? Check out Rachel’s ideas here and The Fitnessista’s here.
CNN Health reports on high heels – Are you shoes killing you?
Easy ways to get more key nutrients from FitSugar.
Interested in trying out some new lifts in the gym? Check out Athletic Therapy’s Intro to Olympic Lifts.
Do you like your meat well done? Well cooked red meat could be raising your cancer risk.
Snacking to keep your weight in check from the Huffington Post.
Fashion:
Harper’s Bazaar steps in early to give you some Holiday Gift Guides (you can also check out MCLV’s Holiday Gift Giving Guide here).
Planning a wedding? Check out FabSugar’s Vera Wang wedding shop.
Ready to get into fall dressing? Jezebel has 25 ways to tie a scarf here.
Check out Harpers Bazaar’s Street Style picks.
Need some polka dots in your life? Check out FabSugar’s suggestions.
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
Check out Bazaar’s Gatsby Girls for some 20’s-inspired looks.
In the mood for a new scent? Harper’s Bazaar has some tips here or you can check out what HollyWouldIfSheCould has to say here. I love perfume and have gone through three scents during my adult life. After living in Italy at the age of 21 I settled on Allure, then I decided I needed to switch it up and settled on Chance, which I wore for a couple of years, and now I wear Coco Mademoiselle.
Need some cool weather outfit inspiration? Check out Kate Bosworth’s blouse & boot combo over at FabSugar, Nicole Richie’s cosy sweater look at Frugal Fashionista or Rosie’s sexy hippie look at TLo.
Harper’s Bazaar – Spring 2012 Accessories Report & Celebrity Beauty Secrets.
Healthy/Fitness:
BBC reports on the increased usage of painkillers in the US here. The scariest line is, in my opinion, “Almost 5,500 people start to misuse prescription painkillers every day.” Whoa.
Discovery News reports that Strawberries Can Fight Alcohol Damage. Am I the only one who reads this and wonders about their stance on strawberry daiquiris?
Some common mistakes that even healthy women make – FitSugar
Are you gaining weight from consuming too much wheat? Check out LifeExtension’s take here. Need some more background? Read my post – Gluten: The Good, The Bad & The Itchy.
The Bloomingdale’s Giveaway winner will be announced tonight, thank you to everyone who participated.
Moi Contre La Vie 
