Saint Louis Fashion Week started in full force with The Well Dressed Midwest VIP Blogger Lounge event.
This exclusive opportunity for bloggers to meet with local businesses was a wonderful experience. From gourmet chocolate, to all-natural skin care, to footwear and haircare. I was honored to be invited and given the chance to learn more about these companies and even purchase their products.
Here are some of the companies that were at the event.
Blissoma is an all-natural, plant-based skin care line that produces its products in downtown St. Louis. The prices are very affordable. I purchased a spray deodorant and two moisturizers. I will be writing a review of those products in the near future.
Blissoma
Vogue Footwear shoes are designed in St. Louis. The styles are on trend, affordable and stylish. It was cool to see that they also have a young girls line. Their shoe lines can be purchased at ZAPPOS, DSW, online retailers and at department stores throughout the country.
These ladies from KINK salon were so nice. I asked if they style natural hair and I heard a resounding yes. They shared a leave-in moisturizer spray that smelled great and adds a little sparkle to my hair. It was not being sold at the event; but if I wanted purchase it I could get it at one of the salon.
JT with the Stylists of KINKS Salon
All sorts of vendors that night.
Vendors and bloggers photo by JTwisdom
The Foundrie offers a wide range of handmade products, including jewelry in brass and leather with stamped lettering.
The Foundrie
The event was held at the Scape Restaurant in the Central West End, which provided food for the evening. The gourmet pizzas were delicious.
Gourmet Pizza: Photograph Alive Magazine
To end the night off with a smile, Bubblingwitheleganceandgrace.com won the Zettie’s gift basket of delicious cashew white chocolate and dark chocolate toffee, a Zettie T-shirt and coffee mug. The chocolate is oh-so good and yummy. Can’t wait to get a chance to write about it more.
Zettie’s Gift Basket
The swag bag included a copy of Alive Magazine, brochures, coupons, swimwear chlorine cleaner in a green drawstring bag and a beverage container.
Swag bag
It was a great night but we couldn’t stay late because we had to go to work in the morning.
The Well Dressed Midwest VIP Blogger lounge was a step up and I know that it will continue to be better each time this event is held.
So many people would love to lose body fat. Whether the goal is to burn fat to allow muscles to shine through or you are looking to lose pounds, the key to doing so is cardiovascular exercise. Cardio gets your heart rate up and burns calories unlike any other type of exercise. Although there are many calorie burning exercises out there, you want to do the ones that yield the best results. Here are the top five exercises that burn the most calories.
Cycling
Cycling is a huge calorie burner. It is basically the ultimate cardiovascular workout. Something as simple as an hour bike ride can burn an impressive 850 calories for women and 900 calories for https://bubblingwitheleganceandgrace.com/wp-admin/post-new.phpmen. In order to make the most out of this workout try your best to remain at a maximum intensity.
Aerobics
Aerobics is not only an effective way to tone and tighten the body but it is a huge calorie burner. When you are just starting out learning the moves is a bit challenging but the challenging the better. When you get the hang of it you will not only be working your muscles but burning as much as 700 calories. Do not hesitate, sign up for a class at a nearby gym and see your body transform.
Zumba
If you like to dance and want to burn fat Zumba is perfect. The classes are so fun and are very high energy. After you learn a few moves you will have such a good time that you will forget that you are working out. An hour of Zumba can burn anywhere from 400 to 750 calories.
Zumba
Swimming
Swimming is a wonderful exercise to integrate into your routine. If you have a pool you are set. For those who do not, get a membership at a gym that does. Aside from being able to burn an ample amount of calories, about 840 for men and 720 for women, swimming is truly enjoyable. Another advantage of swimming is that you get to remain cool and sweat free during the duration of your workout.
Jumping Rope
Jumping rope can burn an astounding 750 to 850 calories. This calorie burning exercise is a great option for those with kids. You can spend time playing outside with your children while becoming more fit at the same time. Jumping rope will help you drop the pounds and achieve the body you want.
Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. In Missouri, the air is cool and crisp. I heart fall and winter, two of my favorite seasons.
Gotta give props to my brother in Christ, Lecrae, who is blowing up the charts.
I pre-ordered and downloaded Lacrae’s latest album, Anomaly via I-Tunes. It is has a refreshing sound and is deep with its messages. For the few who does not know, Lecrae is a Christian rap and hip-hop artist who is not ashamed of speaking about his faith in God. The Anomaly album recently debuted at Number One on the Billboard Charts and continues to be a huge seller. Even if you are not a lover of rap and hip-hop, I urge you to take a listen to this album.
the-anomaly-tour
A number of the songs were available to be downloaded from I-Tunes before the official release, so I was able to get a taste of its sound before the full album was released in September.
Song list
Outsiders
Welcome to America
Say I Won’t (feat. Andy Mineo)
Nuthin
Fear
Anomaly
Timepiece
Dirty Water
Wish
Runners
All I Need Is You
Give In (feat. Crystal Nicole)
Good, Bad, Ugly
Broken (feat. Kari Jobe)
Messengers (feat. KING & COUNTRY)
Sharing a Lecrae video below. This is the video from the song, “All I need Is You.” Got a keep it real, being married and putting God as center is cool.
The album has a true message that is more than the music. Throughout the entire album, Lecrae is open about his life and faith. His music, some would say, is Christian gone mainstream. However, I believe that his messages appeals to Christians and non-Christians. He does it without compromising his faith in God. I do not believe that Lecrae has gone mainstream. Instead, I believe that mainstream music has finally come to Lecrae. His music, through all of his albums that he has released so far, has consistently shared the same message about his strong faith in what God has done for him in his life.
Lacrae is currently out on the road in support of the Anomaly album. The dates and location are listed below:
October 9 Paramount Theatre | Denver, CO
October 10 Abravanel Hall | Salt Lake City, UT
October 12 Hollywood Palladium | Los Angeles, CA
October 15 The Warfield | San Francisco, CA
October 17 Crystal Ballroom | Portland, OR
October 18 Revolution Concert House & Event Center | Boise, ID
October 19 ShoWare Center | Seattle, WA
October 23 The Riverside | Milwaukee, WI
October 24 Skyway Theatre | Minneapolis, WI
October 25 Independence Events Center | Independence, MO
October 26 Aragon Entertainment Center | Chicago, IL
October 30 The DeltaPlex | Grand Rapids, MI
October 31 Murat Theatre at Old National Centre | Indianapolis, IN
November 1 The Louisville Palace | Louisville, KY
November 2 The Fillmore Silver Spring | Washington, D.C.
November 6 The Fillmore Detroit | Detroit, MI
November 8 Wellmont Theater | Montclair, NJ
November 9 Tower Theater | Philadelphia, PA
November 13 Times-Union Center Moran Theater | Jacksonville, FL
November 14 The Fillmore Miami Beach | Miami, FL
November 19 Mobile Civic Center Theater | Mobile, AL
November 20 Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Center | Greensboro, NC
November 21 The Tabernacle | Atlanta, GA
Show Me State peeps, Lacrae is coming to the Independence Events Center in Independence, MO on October 25th. Get your tickets because I know it will be an awesome show.
I first saw Lecrae at WinterJam in January 2014. My husband wrote a post about that concert here. The Summer Shed Tour happened in May and my post about that concert is here. Both concerts were awesome and fun.
Lecrae performing at The Summer Shed Tour photos by JTwisdom
Do you have the Anomaly album? Leave me a comment and let me know what you think about it?
Did you seen Lecrae at WinterJam, or at the Summer Shed Tour, or have you witnessed his show during this current Anomaly tour? Leave a comment and let me know what you think about the message he gives to the concert-goers.
Thank you for all who took the time to vote for my team and I. We appreciate you and thank you so much! Whether you follow the blog or just happen to catch us on Google because you saw us in the search thank you for stopping by.
JT at the Midwest Fashion Conference
Winning this award makes us feel so good because we work hard to put out a quality product. This is what we do and we enjoy it. Before starting this blog, I asked the Lord to give me direction and He has taken this blog further than I ever imagined.
My team and I have said that if one person gets something out of the blog, then it’s all worth it.
People’s Choice: Blogger To Watch Award
The award came with a slfba (St. Louis Fashion Blogger Award) necklace. This was unexpected so that was a nice touch.
#stfba necklace
So what did this award mean to Bubbling With Elegance And Grace? Continue to write quality articles and continue to think outside the box.
The late nights, pushing to the limits, not accepting mediocre content, learning, growing and never settling.
It’s not hard to find hundreds of search results for workout tips when searching the internet. That’s why I was on a mission to find quick and easy workout tips that actually work, proven by scientific studies. Below are my findings:
Talk to Yourself
Talk to Yourself- While most people get bothered, and slightly scared, by others who talk to themselves while working out, the results of a recent study might get you mumbling too. In a study published in the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise Journal, researchers found that physical exhaustion, or the desire to stop working out, is largely psychological. The study recommends consistent and orderly self-talk in order to produce desired effects. By using statement such as “I am strong,” or “I can do two more reps,” you may find yourself pumping out an extra rep or running longer than ever before.
Milk Mustache
Grow a Milk Moustache- Chocolate milk, that is. While some athletes turn to a protein shake for post-workout, chocolate milk may be just as good of an option. Chocolate milk is a good post workout drink because it is a great blend of carbohydrates and proteins, all mixed into one. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition discovered that muscles protein synthesis is greater when milk-based proteins are consumed post workout, versus soy-based proteins.
Hit the Coffee Shop
Hit the coffee shop- This may be no different than usual for you coffee-lovers out there, but studies show there is a perk to having coffee or caffeine before a workout. Not only can caffeine help you burn a greater number of calories during your workout, it can also delay depletion of muscle glycogen, according to an article by the American College of Sports Medicine.
Activate Your Glut 4
Activate your Glut-4- Doing 60 seconds of exercise right before eating and 60 seconds of exercise about 90 minutes after eating will activate your Glucose Transporter 4. Doing this will allow more calories to flow toward muscle cells than fat cells. Also known as glut-4, this naturally-occurring protein in your body can do amazing things with the excess sugar and calories in your body.
The most effective workout tips are those that work for you. Every person’s physical make-up is different, but most important everyone’s motivation for exercising is different. Some of the above tips may help you tremendously, and others not at all. Give them a try!
This article was authored by Michael Volkin, inventor of Strength Stack 52 bodyweight exercise cards and the all new Weight Loss Stack 52, the most fun and unique way to lose weight.
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