by | Jun 30, 2014 | Fitness, Pets |
Hola Elegant Readers,
It’s a blistering 95 degrees in my neck of the woods. Thank the Lord for central air conditioning.
As I beat the heat by staying inside, I like to get my exercise on in full force.
I like to replicate the moves that I see my little Gio and Vinny do because I can benefit also.
Below are some suggestions that can increase your workout that are dog-inspired and fun.
I learned a few moves from Gio and Vinny (in the picture below).
Gio (0n the left) and Vinny (on the right)
I see them doing the downward dog and this picture I am doing the lift a leg. The leg lift works my hips and glutes and keeps it right and tight. The standing leg is also getting a good workout too.
Lifting leg move
One of my other favorite moves is running up and down the steps for resistance. Gio and Vinny will glide off the steps effortlessly and always get a good run in.
Running up steps
An important move from my doggies that I learn is that stretching is a must after finishing a workout. Stretching lengthens, elongates and helps prevents injury. Not a good idea to stretch on cold muscle.
Stretching my legs
Stretching correctly prepares you for your next workout and that’s why it’s so important. My fur babies are part of the family and it’s nice to know that when I am doing my exercises that some of the moves I get from them. Win Win!
by | Jun 28, 2014 | Inspirations |
Hi Bubbling Readers,
I have been out of town enjoying a much needed vacation and spending time with my family. Great fun and eye opening!
Be on the lookout for posts about my trip, coming soon!
Through Faith Village, I have the opportunity to review books. I am reading right now, The Measure of Success by Carolyn McCulley and Nora Shank.
I often have had questions about feminism and Christianity.
Can you be a Godly woman and be a successful woman? The answer is yes you can.
The authors provide detailed backgrounds of their lives and what they had to go through in their personal and professional lives.
On the back of the book questions are asked.
“Can a woman be feminine, godly, and ambitious?
Should a woman work?
Is work only for women who need the income?
Is there any sanctified ground between the stay-at-home mom and the aspiring executive?”
Some of other questions that come to mind have been:
Is a woman considered less successful if she has a career; but is child free?
Can a woman still be successful and be submissive to her husband?
McCulley and Shank address some of these questions and give detailed history and examples of women lives and how they achieved success from a biblical perspective which is so refreshing to me.
One of my favorite statements in the book is that a woman’s worth is not based on what you do, our purpose is to be a light and shine that light. Value and my worth is in Christ alone and daily putting him first in my life.
So many times we get caught up in our value for having this title, making this sum of money, riding this car, having a home in this trendy area and the list goes on. It is nothing wrong with having these things; however your sense of worth is not because of attaining them.
“Jesus says the day we should live for is when we hear, Well done thy good and faithful servant.”
I found that when I read the book I had to reread chapters sometimes because I wanted to make sure I understood what point was being addressed. Be prepared to underline in your book if you get a hard copy or highlight if you have a tablet.
One example that I reread in the book that stood out to me was the Chapter 7 on Identity.
“When your work is your identity, change can shake that sense of identity.”
Identity and sense of self worth?
The best identity to have is to be a follower of Jesus Christ. I totally agree with the authors that developing and cultivating a personal relationship with my Lord and Savior gives me the ability to manage all the different roles I have from day to day.
The scripture in the book resonates this message:
First Corinthians 4:7
“For who makes you superior? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn’t received it?”
The book makes you think about what really matters and really takes you through self-examination.
The book is planned out in three sections and flows very well.
The Story of Work
The Theology of Work
The Life Cycle of Work
I would recommend this book because if gives an overview of women and feminism from a biblical perspective and speaks to all women no matter what stage of life they are in at any given time.
by | Jun 24, 2014 | Fitness |
Want a cool trick to help your body decide how to use those calories you just ate? Exercising right before and shortly after a big meal can help to activate a protein inside your muscle cells called Glut4. GLUT-4 is a protein that, when increased, tells your body to put calories into muscle tissue, instead of fat cells.
Photo courtesy of Michael Volkin
Here is how you activate your glut-4
Step 1: Do 60 -120 seconds of exercise right before eating (i.e. squats, lunges, push-ups, etc.)
Step 2: Eat a meal
Step 3: 90 minutes after your first bite, do another 60-120 seconds of exercise
Doing this will allow more calories to flow toward your muscle cells than fat cells.
This article was authored by Michael Volkin, inventor of the all new Weight Loss Stack 52, the most fun and unique way to lose weight.
*promotional content*
by | Jun 3, 2014 | Fashion |
Hello Elegant Readers,
I was recently asked by sammydress.com to select an item from its online store; to style it and write a review. The site has so many wonderful items that would make a great addition to any diva’s closet. I selected the Charming Ruffle Solid Color Beam Waist Chiffon Party Dress For Women for $14.76 because the teal color drew me in and I liked the design. The pleats in the dress did not look boxy to the point of making my hips look full, the lines were clean and elongating.
At first, I was a little hesitant about the sizing because the dress was “one-size-fits-all.” I did not know if the fit would be extremely large and way too big ;or extremely small and very fitted. Never the less, that did not stop me from selecting this dress.
I styled the dress three different ways:
For my first style session, I wanted to see how the dress looked on my figure without any jacket or cardigan and it is very attractive. I added a belt, my jewelry are honor pearls , gold hoops, studio barse leather bracelet, watch and bracelets, my handbag is by Maxx and my shoes are by Greta. My fragrance I am wearing is Heavenly Angel by Victoria Secret. This dress reminds me of a dress I made for my senior assembly graduation for high school.
JT styling a Sammy Dress
The teal green Sammy dress has an elasticized waist and is pleated. I added a belt to the dress to give a more definition. I added my pink and white pearl necklace that recently my hubby had re-strung and gray peep toe heels.
Charming Ruffle Solid Color Beam Waist Chiffon Party Dress For Women
This dress is perfect for work, church, or a movie night with my hubby. The fabric in the dress is soft and is not scratchy. The dress is chic and it i also very comfortable.
The second way I styled the dress is with a striped blouse that makes the dress looks like a two piece outfit: a skirt and top combo. I really like how professional this outfit looks. Perfect for work if you need to be more dressed up.
Sammy Dress styled with Top and belt
The third look speaks of ladylike charm, this Broucle jacket works. The ruffles in the collar of the jacket accentuates the dress in very elegant way.
JTwisdom
The pink and teal compliments each other very well and my two-tone pumps add contrast.
JT in Sammy dress with Boucle jacket
Overall, I give this dress a thumbs up because it is a real pleasure to wear. I can be style so many different ways. With a few minor accessory changes, cardigans, sweaters, blazers, boots or flats the dress is season-less.
Thank you Sammydress.com for gifting me the dress. I enjoyed styling it. The review is solely my honest opinion.
by | May 27, 2014 | Fashion |
Hi Elegant Readers,
If you are in the Philadelphia area or will be visiting the summer or fall, you will need to check out the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Your trip to the City of Brotherly Love would not be complete without a trip to see the wonderful new exhibition that examines the styles of fashion designer Patrick Kelly. The exhibition, titled Patrick Kelly:Runway of Love, opened April 27, and runs through November 30.
Patrick Kelly
Excerpt from Philadelphia Museum of Art press release.
“Fashion is celebrated this spring at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the retrospective Patrick Kelly: Runway of Love, which explores the meteoric rise and remarkable achievements of a 1980s legend whose clothing was worn by women of every age, from actress Bette Davis, late in her life, to singer Vanessa Williams, then in her twenties.This is the first exhibition to showcase the full scope of Kelly’s head-to-toe runway ensembles, and will include selections from the artist’s significant holdings of black memorabilia, videos of his exuberant fashion shows, and works by renowned photographers Horst P. Horst, Pierre et Gilles, and Oliviero Toscani.”
Patrick Kelly
Photograph of Patrick Kelly by Oliviero Toscani.
Patrick Kelly was a couture designer who loved bold colors and prints with over the top embellishments.
“I want my clothes to make you smile,” said Patrick Kelly.
I really like the behind the scenes teaser on the exhibit seen in this video. The exhibitions assistant at the Philadelphia Museum of Art gives an overview of how each look is put together. The ensembles are matched exactly as if they were being styled for the runway.
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/87093836″[/vimeo]
Doesn’t this dress, with a coordinating hat, bring a ear-to-ear smile to your face? The colors of the rainbow is shown throughout this dress. However, it is not too overpowering. It makes a bold statement.
Patrick Kelly Design Woman’s Ensemble: Dress, Hat, and Shoes, Fall/Winter 1987. Designed by Patrick Kelly, American (active Paris), c. 1954 1990. Dress and Hat: Wool and spandex knit. Shoes: Black suede, cotton embroidery, plastic. Promised gift of Bjorn Guil Amelan and Bill T. Jones.
I included the video below because I wanted to show that his fashion shows were fun and filled with excitement. He celebrated women in all different shapes and a variety of ethnicities were showcased on his runway.
Patrick Kelly’s designs are bold and the models are actually smiling and playful.
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/93382955″[/vimeo]
The Patrick Kelly ensemble below is so ahead of its time. This design could be worn right now, and noone would know that it was a design from the 1980s. Patrick Kelly’s designs are timeless.
Patrick Kelly Image Woman’s Top and Skirt, Spring/Summer 1985. Patrick Kelly, American (active Paris), c. 1954 1990. Cotton and acrylic knit. Promised gift of Bjorn Guil Amelan and Bill T. Jones.
This metamorphosis of the Eiffel Tour is very cool, but oh so different. The symmetry elongates the body and makes a woman look tall and statuesque.
Patrick Kelly Woman’s Ensemble: Dress, Hat, and Shoes, Fall/Winter 1989. Patrick Kelly, American (active Paris), c. 1954 1990. Dress: Wool and spandex knit, plastic. Hat: Wire, nylon velvet. Shoes: Leather. Promised gift of Bjorn Guil Amelan and Bill T. Jones.
Excerpt from the Phliadelphia Museum of Art website.
“Patrick Kelly was born and raised in Mississippi by his mother and his grandmother, who helped foster his love of fashion by bringing him fashion magazines. He moved to Paris in late 1979, and in 1988 became the first American and the first black designer to be voted into the prestigious Chambre Syndicale du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode, the French fashion industry association and standards organization. Kelly’s brilliant vision and career were cut short by AIDS, to which he succumbed on January 1, 1990.”
There is a companion exhibit called, Gerlan Jeans ♥ Patrick Kelly
Marcel Gerlan is truly inspired by Patrick Kelly, her designs are evident because they are just as bold, vibrant and individualistic.
Below is a video of Marcel Gerlan discussing how Patrick Kelly has inspired her designs through the years.
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/92112099″ [/vimeo]
The boldness of the color palette and the accessorizing of the bows on the Gerlan dress exudes inspiration.
“Take a Bow” Dress. Fall/Winter 2009 Cotton knit. Peace & Love, Inc. Collection. Designed by Gerlan Jeans, New York, 2009–present. On loan from Gerlan Jeans.
Bow Braid. Fall/Winter 2009. Human hair. Peace & Love, Inc. Collection. Designed by Chuckie Amos. American, 1969. On loan from Gerlan Jeans.
The Gerlan dress/tunic below reminds me of a Patrick Kelly design. He loved hearts and the bold red jumps right out at you.
Patrick Kelly’s vigor for life and love of color, bold prints and patterns continually is an evident inspiration for Gerlan’s designs.
“Hit by Hearts” Dress and Sweater Scarf. Fall/Winter 2009. Merino wool knit. Peace & Love, Inc. Collection. Designed by Gerlan Jeans, New York, 2009–present. On loan from Gerlan Jeans.
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