June Happened.
aaaaaand.a.lot.of.sorta.big.deal.things.happened.too.
We Raced in Fontucky. I mean Fontana. Whatever. It was PR City.
We’re Racing to the Altar! {and rumors begone, we’re not registering for a jogging stroller anytime soon}
Rainbow Colored Deliciousness so good I.am.still.dreaming.about.them.
We partied with Hef at the Playboy Mansion Jazz Fest
I picked out my new ride(s)
And I got my a** kicked at Dynamic You and Physique 57. Sore for Days.
What were your highlights?
{MF Dre}
Remember when I posted this awesome giveaway?
The Naked Foot DC race was this past weekend and I am seriously getting so excited for the October race in Santa Barbara. It’s definitely not a race-race in the sense that you have these crazy agro runners {ahem, me} vying for a spot in the corrals – the Naked Foot 5k celebrates running without focusing on the miles, Garmins and timing chips.
Have a look!
non-runners – admit it, you know you think this kinda sorta looks like fun too.
Anyway, Katherine and Miss Zippy both won entries as part of my giveaway – you should head on over to their blogs for their full recap. SPOILER ALERT – Katharine placed! and Miss Zippy ran the whole thing Barefoot!
If you live in one of these cities, or nearby, you should consider signing up – and bring your family too!
{MF Dre}
Last Wednesday I was invited along with a small group of other bloggers/entertainment hosts & writers to a 2 year anniversary event for Physique 57 held at their studio in Beverly Hills. For those of you familiar with Bar Method – type classes,
Physique 57 is an innovative workout program that combines isometric exercises and orthopedic stretches to systematically lengthen and sculpt your muscles and create a beautiful, lean body. Our process is similar to interval training, but we’ve taken that concept to the next level to make it even more effective.
With fans like Kelly Ripa, Denise Richards, Lisa Rinna and Demi Moore, Physique 57 is known to transform bodies.
I started taking ballet class when I was 5 years old and quit by 5 years 1 week. I loved it thaaaat much. Unlike my graceful sister, I never had any control or coordination with my limbs and I was — and still am — far from good at anything remotely delicate and feminine or that involve dancing {remember this}?
Anyway, over the last few years I’ve made a much more concerted effort to just say yes to learning, trying new things and overcoming hurdles – thus when I got invited through my friends at FitFluential, I knew had to say YES.
There were about 10 of us invited and we mingled — albeit a bit nervously — with co-founder Jennifer Maanavi before class started. She pretty much told us we were in for it. I suppose you can’t claim that your clients see results in 8 classes or less without putting them through the wringer.
{L-R: Chelsea from Hollywire, Jessica from Glamour, Me, Jennifer Maanavi in Pink}
Our instructor, Sarah, started us off with about 10 minutes of arms – all different ways – using 5lb weights. The weight seemed light, but by the time we were a few minutes in with no rest between sets, I knew things were going to get shaky from there.
Once my arms were 4 minutes past the fall off point, we moved over to the barre where we spent the next chunk of class doing squats: regular squats, squats with rubber balls between our knees, half squats, squats our toes, one leg squats – every variation possible. No joke, marathon running legs mean nothing when it comes to this stuff. I think I was laughing to mask the tears that I wanted to cry and I am now certain why the people who take Physique 57 have the best bodies ever…my legs were burning!!
We followed the barre with hips, back, abs, push ups, more abs and finally some stretches. 57 minutes later every I was beyond aware of every muscle in my body because each was shaking in that holy crap I’m alive or.maybe.dying.kind of way.
Physique 57 was kind enough to give each of us a pass good for 2 weeks to take as many classes as we’d like so I went back again 3 days later, this time taking a Mixed level class since the Beginner didn’t work with my schedule. Not going to lie – this workout is the real deal. Two classes in, I know what this can do for my body. It asked me to work in a way that running and other cardio doesn’t – focusing on small movements that not only strengthen the large muscles, but activate the smaller stabilizing muscles which don’t get as much use when I run.
In addition to the 2 week pass, Physique also gave each of us a gift bag which included this book and a pair of their grippy socks to use in studio. I’m headed back tomorrow and hoping to get 5-6 classes in before my two weeks are up.
I am pretty hopeful that this type of workout, in addition to a revised running plan will be just the trick I need to ensure the balance of endurance, strength and flexibility I will need to achieve my Chicago Marathon goals. Plus, given how sore I was – I can certainly say that If I keep this up, my arms will look pretty good in my wedding dress this November.
While I may have hated the ballet barre, I can see myself getting hooked on this one.
Have you ever tried a barre class?
{MF Dre}
40 years ago Title IX opened up the doors for Women and Girls. Best known for breaking down the barriers in athletics and sports, Title IX also opened the doors for women in education. While the spirit of Title IX certainly has extended beyond borders, its enactment as law was limited to the United States – without official extensions beyond our borders.
On this 40th year, the women of Saudi Arabia will finally have the rights to participate in the Olympics.
Progress is still being made and unfortunately title IX is not a global right.
As a child, my first love was sports. From the soccer field, to the pool, to the courts, my favorite memories lived within the rush of the win, the whip of the net as the ball hit the back of it, the reach of the two hand finish, the thrill of the ace, the fierceness of the competition, the sting of the all-too-excited high-five and the camaraderie of team. Through sports, I discovered IX things about who I was and who I was meant to be.
Determined, capable, intuitive, strong, empowered, spirited, enduring, ambitious and emotional.
Sports pushed me to set goals, push limits, dream large and persevere.
Today Nike released an ad celebrating and spotlighting some of the women who persevered through the harsh realities of this game-changing legislation.
”Voices” reflects on some of the challenges these incredible athletes have faced on their journeys to greatness, and celebrates the passion, commitment and strength of female athletes everywhere to be the best at what they do. As the film progresses, the voices of these athletes are embraced by young girls who embody the spirit of women in sport of the future, adopting the same “play by your own rules” attitude that Lisa, Joan, Marlen and Diana exemplify. An attitude that will inspire the next generation of female athletes. - Nike
My life is a tribute to playing by my own rules.
Is Yours?
{MF Dre}
When it comes to fashion I am never one to jump on a trend, but I’m a fan of subtly incorporating something fresh and different or vintage and inspired into my look. My ‘bohemian bright’ style characterized by being laid back, comfortable and colorful.
I was recently introduced to Copious – a social marketplace that makes it easy for people to buy and sell the things they love. Based on your personal fashion interests, Copious pairs you with colors, trends, stylists and brands in fashion — allowing you to connect with the brand/seller on a direct, personal level – unlike the hidden walls of eBay transactions.
I did a closet cleanse this weekend to organize and make room for some new favorites. I decided to part with some old favorites that are now for sale (at really amazing deals) over on Copious. Shop my collection here.
Charlotte Tarantola, BCBGirls, H&M, Boutique 9, COACH, Marciano, GLAM, Gap, James Perse
What’s even better about these deals? There is a Purpose — all of the money from items sold will go directly towards supporting Pediatric Cancer Research at Children’s Hospital LA. I will use the sales to meet my fundraising requirements as I race with Team Disney this September in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon relay benefiting Children’s Hospital LA.
Did you find anything you love on Copious?
{MF Dre}
On one of my first post-college trips to New York City years ago, I packed a bag full of the finest “beer budget” clothes I had, the sexiest heels I could afford and what I termed my signature fragrance {yeah, thank goodness I’ve grown up since then and realized CK One stinks and is hardly signature}. I envisioned my trip to be a soiree through all the Sex and the City haunts – turns out the only one I could actually afford was a trip to the famed Magnolia Bakery.
When I walked through those doors, the scent –unlike CK One — was something extraordinary, the sights of pastel and chocolate sweets were perfection and I quickly realized that I for the next 4 days, I had a 4pm fat out session date with Magnolia for an afternoon cupcake, brownies, slice of cake and holy-I-think-I-just-found heaven Banana Pudding.
and then I stumbled upon the recipe in the More from Magnolia cookbook
It was as if the heavens opened up and angels carrying spoonfuls of sweet banana pudding deliciousness were coming down to grace me. And I’ve been paying it forward ever since, doling out bowl full after bowl full of this goodness as often as it’s requested.
Since I have made it no less than 3x over the last 2 weeks and been asked more times than I can count on two hands for the recipe, I figured I’d let you in on one of the easiest, most delightful and most assuredly crowd pleasing desserts I’ve ever made.
…so much so, that I’ve never been able to capture a picture of it before it gets completely dominated.
{so I continue to use one from this site – way more artfully displayed than what mine looks like after domination}I’ve made it with a variety of substitutions {cool whip, store brand vanilla wafers, non-instant pudding} and additions {coconut flakes, butterscotch chips, caramel drizzle}, but the truth is that some things are best left untouched.
Even the non-banana lover has been known to quiver in defeat when that last spoonful has been scraped from the sides of the bowl… yea, that good.
Magnolia’s Famous Banana Pudding
1 – 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk (I use the fat-free kind)
1 1/2 cups ice-cold water
1 3.4oz package Jell-O brand instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups whipping cream
1 – 12oz box Nabisco Nilla Wafers
4 cups sliced ripe bananas (about 3 large bananas)
I’ve made this dessert for BBQ’s, for holiday parties, for birthday desserts, for Father’s Day, for Baby Showers (I filled baby cups with it!) and “just because” and it is completely and totally fool-proof. This definitely makes the D.T. list.
Seriously, get off the couch, drive run to the store – you only need 5 things!
Now I am wondering… Is it possible to be famous for someone else’s recipe? If so, credit me.
{MF Dre}
P.S. my favorite vanilla cake with butter cream frosting is also from Magnolia Bakery – try this recipe!
Last Sunday we took the homies to the Rodeo Drive Concours D’Elegance.
{that’s Beverly Hills fancy for car show}.
The car show is an annual Father´s Day event in BH so I thought it would be a good way to break the news to the Mr…. lucky for everyone, he is most certainly not a father — except to two adorable adopted mutts.
Lucky.Man.
Rodeo Drive was lined with vintage and racing cars and motorcycles – Bentley, Jaguar, Lotus, McLaren, Rolls, Triumph and some crazy Hot Rod Nash below — it was pretty ridiculous — maybe not quite as ridiculous as the people in BH, but close.
Here are a few of my favs
{this was the car that Grace Kelly and Cary Grant drove in this movie}
{This brings the term road rage to a whole new level}I told the Mr. it was time to find my new ride(s).
I picked an Orange 1960′s Morris Convertible, a 1941 Chevy Pickup and a 1967 Rickman Mattisse 500 C.C. Matchless bike. I want them all, please – especially the bike.
and then these two told me I was smoking something crazy.
Dare to Dream.
I didn’t know a thing about cars–and quite frankly, didn’t care–until I met the Mr. Since he’s all cars all the time, it was either buckle up or get run over.
{Sometimes I’m certain that he likes cars more than me – he says it’s a tie}
I’ve learned a lot about cars in the last few years and while I still glaze over when it comes to the technical aspects, I’ve taken a huge appreciation for the styling and detail of them – case in point on my 3 choices…I’m guessing none of them are exceptionally fast (maybe the bike because it has some extra fancy 500 C.C. title to it), but each of them has a detail that you miss in today’s cars which are all starting to look alike.
Anyway, he’s off to the race track this morning and I’ve got the weekend to myself. Bring on the Manicures, Wedding Planning, Wine, Girlfriends, Running, Yoga and Fun!
If you could drive anything – new or old- what would it be?
PS – still time to enter my Dynamic You giveaway AND I ran this 5k on Tuesday in 23:59 (avg. 7:50 pace!)
{MF Dre}
What does this shirt, this sweater, these stripes and this headband and pants have in common?
They’re all Saint Grace.
and I’m in love. If I didn’t have to wear ‘work clothes’ 5 days a week, I’d live in Saint Grace for comfort, lifestyle and fashion.
Want in to this fashion club? Join me tonight at Palihouse for the tiny Bandit Sample Sale featuring some really great brands. I’m on major wedding budget right now, but for deals like this, I can always find ways to hide them from justify them to the Mr.
Who’s In?
{MF Dre}
Last week I was invited to take a few classes at the new training studio Dynamic You in West LA. I love trying out new gyms and classes so of course it was a yes for me.
Dynamic You’s mission is to offer group exercise classes that focus on individual goals – bringing a personal training mindset to a group forum. Simplifying Your Fitness. So while you’re sweating and kicking butt next to others, the instructors are also consciously aware of your personal goals and physical challenges so that they can adapt, adjust, monitor or push you harder through those moments to maximize the workout that you as an individual are getting.
Also, in order to achieve this, Dynamic You limits their classes to 10-14 clients per class so that they can provide that individual focus and attention.
Dynamic You offers both group classes and private training. Classes include Kettlebells + TRX, Zumba, Boot Camp, Yoga, Beach Body Toning and NIKE Training Club. If you read this, you know that I’ve recently become a huge fan of NIKE Training Club and have been doing it on my own, guided by the app, but I was really curious to see what an hour of instructor-led NTC would be like.
Dynamic You has an easy to use website to sign up for classes.
{Side note, I heard a funny story the other day about some rabid spinning fans in their 60′s and 70′s who’ve been accustomed to waiting outside the spin room at their local gym for up to 30 minutes before class to claim “their bike”. Then the gym converted to online sign up for classes and it caused a complete and total meltdown for some of these members who had never conceived of the idea of having a computer dictate which bike they were going to ride… Sometimes I take the fact that I’m a digital native for granted}.
I arrived to Dynamic You about 15 minutes early and watched the end of a TRX training session. While I waited, I chatted it up with the staff who were super friendly and really helpful. It was clear that they were not just selling sweat to the sweat enthusiast. We talked about the fact that I am a runner and about some of my past injuries, strengths (endurance, power, high energy) and weaknesses (speed, flexibility, quick twitch muscles).
{This woman was killing it and made my 50 push up limit seem measly and extra weak}I snapped a few photos of the room, the equipment and TRX torture straps hanging down from the ceiling and wondered my fate now that I’d disclosed what I was good at and not so good at…
Lucky for me, no photos were snapped as I spent the next 60 minutes running, jumping, lunging, planking, dead-lifting, plank walking, ski jumping, leaping, crunching, frogging, squatting, curling, climbing, superman-ing, kicking and finally stretching – all the while sweating my tail off. Each exercise was a minute to two-minute interval and there was no down time in between. As the instructor demonstrated a new move, I was on my toes, running, jumping or boxing in place — actively recovering.
Lucky for me – and my weakness disclosure – the instructor, Donna, put my hips through the ringer, tweaking my movements to improve both mobility and power and she upped the ante during froggers – speed froggers!
Aside from yoga, I’ve never been overly keen to group fitness classes. I’ve always preferred to work out alone. That said, when it comes to strength training, I’m not that great at pushing myself doing it at all. The NTC class at Dynamic You was AWESOME and if it hadn’t been for my crazy nutty schedule this last week (and stupid LA traffic trying to get back towards my house and Dynamic You), I would have already been back 3 more times.
So, since my Chicago Marathon training plan only calls for 6 miles this Sunday, I’ve signed up for the Dynamic Core: Kettlebells + TRX class after my run to test out those torture straps! Who want’s to join me? First person to commit – I will TREAT you to a class at 11am this Sunday with me! Leave a comment below and let me know if you’re interested.
To enter, leave a comment below on which class you’d most like to try out at Dynamic You.
Winner will be picked on Monday, June 25th.
Also if you’re interested in learning more about Dynamic You, check out their website, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter – they have some great tips on staying healthy, active and fit!
{MF Dre}
If you picked up on my tease or follow me here, you already know that on Saturday we were invited to the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl.
Looks like whats old is still new to Hef and for 34 years, he’s been putting on the legendary 2-day event at the Hollywood Bowl featuring jazz, latin, blues and world fusion music.
“I’ve had a lot of things to be proud of in my life. But nothing more, quite frankly, than the Jazz Festival.”
—Hugh Hefner
interesting. and one might argue poignantly true.
If you haven’t been to the Hollywood Bowl, it’s the largest natural outdoor amphitheater in the US and one of the quintessential things to do in LA during the summer.
Both of us had been to the Hollywood Bowl many times before but never for this event which was an all-afternoon/night event so we weren’t sure what to expect. We packed a picnic, tons of vino, cookies, and blankets and arrived to a crowd that’s energy was palpable.
The crowd was high on the music {and probably other things too}, singing, dancing in the aisles, and lofting signed beach balls in the air.
{good marketing job Mr. You’re learning quickly}
The hills Hollywood bowl was literally alive with the sound of music – I’m lame. I know. You can stop reading now. I get it.
Saturday’s lineup included The Soul Rebels, Global Gumbo All Stars, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Christian McBride Big Band, Sheila E., Boney James and Ozomatli capped the night. Sharon Jones rocked it in her sparkly red and gold mini and then Sheila E. came out and the place absolutely erupted as she sang The Glamorous Life.
{Source}
The Mr. and I had the best time ever.ever. It was my favorite Hollywood Bowl experience to date.
…until we got back to our car in the stupid stacked parking lots at the Hollywood Bowl. We waited over an hour in the car before we could maneuver our way out. I guess the party was so great that it was hard to end – I suppose it is more of a testament to how much fun the show truly was {and that my friends, is my silver lining or frosting as the Mr. calls it}
What is the best concert and the best venue you’ve ever been to? We’re headed to the Gorge in August for Dave Matthews – anyone been? any tips?
{MF Dre}