www.youtube.com/watch?v=zacV85PFhBk

You’ve seen me wearing Claudia Labao’s jewelry for year, now meet the beautiful woman behind the designs. In this video she takes you through her Fall 2010 collections at Tootsies.

I love her line because every piece is noteworthy; even the simple hoops have character.  She uses blushed metals so despite the size the pieces are lightweight and shiny without being gawdy.

And finally, the icing on the cake, her designs are affordable ($65-$700). Spending a couple hundred dollars for jewelry you’ll love forever is a deal if you ask me. Even her new gemstone collection that you’ll see in this video won’t break your bank.  Pay close attention to the emerld, I’ve never seen the raw stone in this form before.

See something you love, contact her sweet husband Paolo directly with any and all questions you might have.  (They promise to have an online cart soon!)

All UV is not created equal, but no matter where you are, you should always be lathering up in suncreen.

For my body, I’m not as particular with the brand, but I ALWAYS useSkinceuticals UV Ultimate Defense SPF 30 for my face.  It has 7% transparent zinc oxide that provides an actual physical barrier as well as a chemical one to shade my fair skin from the rays.  I also use it on my arms and chest because they get the most exposure to sun.

(Full Disclosure: I purchase Skinceuticals suncreen and receive it for free via PR.)

Are you going to be marching in line with the trendsetters this fall and finally squeezing into a pair of skinny cargo pants?

Here are my thoughts:

• Cargo pants are supposed to be comfy and casual, so making them tight really defeats the purpose.  So if you do adopt the trend, don’t grab the skin tight pair, give yourself room to breath.
• There is always a more attractive option so why not put those pants on instead?
• The trend is a product of our boredum with skinny jeans, but that doesn’t make it right.  Give them one more season and they’ll be history.

The celebs all seem to love them, but you’ll notice they’re all wearing the same pair.  I guess J Brand has been on a gifting streak!

Free or not, these fashionistas have their pick of fashion’s greatest pieces and they chose cargos.  The question is, will you?

(Photos via)

Cynthia Rowley’s new designer band-aids – gut reaction, love them or hate them?

Latisse works!!!

Seriously.

My blonde, blue-eyed friend Jen used it and her lashes look AMAZING!  She was skeptical of the product because she has blue eyes, but she heard about a new way to apply the gel to protect your eyes.  I’m getting the break down from here asap and will let you know her secrets!

In my spinning classes I always tell my riders that they have come to class for many reasons, only one of which is to work hard.  Instead of mentally fighting the struggle of exercise, revel in it.  You know there is satisfaction and reward on the other side, so enjoy the journey and appreciate the strength you’ve built for yourself.  Instead of being complacent, you are here because you want more out of life.

When it comes to challenges in life, you can apply the dedication and confidence you train for in those isolated scenarios.  The only problem is that you don’t know the outcome.  I hadn’t thought about that….when you tackle a problem with your skills, logic, research, the result is not always a good one.

Yesterday at church, the pastor took us to the book of James and I saw this passage:

“Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters.  As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish the finish line – mature, complete, and wanting nothing.”

James 1:2-4

Patience (or my lack of the virtue) has been a re-occurring theme in my life.  As one who always wants instant results, I can be hasty and often disappointed.

Two years ago, I began training myself to be more patient, and I can attest that while it was challenging and not always pleasant, I now enjoy a new-found sense of maturity that makes me stronger in facing life’s challenges.  I learned that when you slow down you can enjoy life, there’s no need to get worked up over the small stuff, and patience is one of the greatest signs of respect for others.  Patience also forces you to deal with your feelings – wrestle with them – instead of neglecting the emotions that pull you from inside.  That doesn’t sound pleasant, it isn’t.  So then you seek out new things to make you happy, which will lead you down an interesting and exciting road of self-discovery.

I believe that your twenties are about personal evolution.  Every year, your character changes depending on your circumstances.  By the end you can look back and see how you’ve experienced so much to become the person you are now.

This new-found sense of maturity anchored in patience forces me to see the reality of my life, but also gives me the strength to work hard for what I want AND enjoy the journey.  Trust me when I tell you, I put this to the test everyday.  Sometimes I fail miserably and end up in a ball crying on the floor, but that’s part of the whole experience and growth I suppose.

If you’re working out this week, chances are you’ll be doing squats at some point.

You could do the same movement you do all the time, or you can challenge yourself to add a little power and jump up instead of just standing.

Here’s what you do:

• Stand with your feet hips width apart, shoulders back, core engaged.
• Put the pressure in your heels and sit down low.
• Rising up, roll to the balls of your feet and jump.
• Land as lightly, roll from the balls of your feet back to flat and repeat.

Make sure to keep your core tight to protect your back.

Throw 15 of these in between weight lifting sets for extra cardio.

Happy sweating!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=f87eDutJS44

Just checking in to let you know I’m alive.

Well, I’m officially sick.

For the past two nights I’ve been roasting (and sweating profusely) in bed but feeling freezing cold. My head aches and I can barely move or stand up.

Today I’m going to try to sleep it off.

This sucks…

My sweet friend Gavin brought me over a fluid and food regimen to help me beat the bug:

— Chicken soup

— Umca tablets that I dissolve in 3/4 cup of warm Recharge. Take every 3 hours.

— Fresh squeezed orange Juice to hydrate instead of water

— Greek yogurt as a snack to settle my tummy

— Lobster bisque because chicken noodle soup can get boring

One bowl of soup and some oj and I already feel a little better.

Thank you Gavin!!!

Back to bed.

Sip on these wines I’ve discovered recently.  Not sure if you’ll be able to find them in the grocery store, but they’re worth the S&H.

Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina 2008 – delicious light white grape you can use sub for that Savignon Blanc you’re tired of.  $15

Loimer Reisling 2008 – vibrant, crisp and light with absolutely NO residual sugar $20

Lambusco di modena – a fruity, sparkling. medium bodied red wine.  There are several wineries that produce it, and I can’t say that one is necessarily better than another.  Give it a shot though, very tasty!