Wellness Wednesday With Lauren: Summer Fitness Challenge

With infomercials every few minutes showcasing P90X and Insanity, it's no wonder many women feel lost when it comes to working out.  P90X and Insanity are both extremely difficult workouts for experienced gym rats.  For the next eight weeks, I plan to post weekly workouts to give readers some simple ideas on how to get in shape for the summer.  I plan to include "Featured Workout Moves" with photos, which will include at least one upper body exercise, one lower body exercise and one ab exercise.  By the end of the eight weeks, we should have a complete total body workout that you can use during the summer. 

It is important to get at least 4 or 5 days in the gym each week.  My workouts usually last only one hour; I can't stand to be in the gym for any longer.  I usually workout Monday through Thursday, and then once on either Saturday or Sunday.  Don't freak out if you miss a few days one week, just stay focused on getting back on track the next week.

Featured workout moves for this week include:

Shoulders: Sumo High Pulls

                Start                                                             Finish

Chest: Modified Push-Ups

 Start                                               Finish

Outer thigh:  Side Leg Raise with Bands (raise one leg and then switch)

 Start                                         Finish

Hamstrings (back of legs): Hamstring Curl on Yoga Ball

 Start                                   Finish

Abs:  Leg Raises 

 Start                                   Finish

Abs:  Weighted Medicine Ball Oblique Twists

Start                                     Finish

Week One:

Wednesday, April 7: 45 minutes of cardio + 15 minutes of abs 
-15 minutes on a stationary bike, 15 minutes on an elliptical/rowing machine/arc trainer and 15 minutes walking/running.
-3 sets of 15 regular crunches on the floor, 15 leg raises (see above), 15 oblique twists with weighted medicine ball (start with 8 lbs, work up to 12lbs - see above), 15 back extensions (lay on your stomach, hands under your chin, raise your torso up off the ground and back down).

Thursday, April 8: 20 minutes of cardio + 40 minutes of upper and lower body weight lifting
20 minutes on an elliptical/rowing machine/arc trainer
20 minutes of upper body weight lifting, which should include: sumo pulls for shoulders (see above), push-ups for chest (see above), biceps, triceps and upper back. 
20 minutes of lower body weight lifting, which should include: squats or lunges, inner and outer thigh (see above), hamstrings (see above).

Friday, April 9: Rest Day

Saturday, April 10: 30 minutes of cardio + 15 minutes of abs
30 minutes of cardio on your favorite machine or walk/run/hike outside.
3 sets of 15 regular crunches on the floor, 15 leg raises (see above), 15 oblique twists with weighted medicine ball (start with 8 lbs, work up to 12lbs - see above), 15 back extensions (lay on your stomach, hands under your chin, raise your torso up off the ground and back down).


Sunday, April 11: Rest Day

Monday, April 12: 30 minutes of cardio + 20 minutes of upper body weight lifting
30 minutes of cardio on either stationary bike or elliptical/rowing machine/arc trainer
20 minutes of upper body weight lifting, which should include sumo pulls for shoulders (see above), push-ups for chest (see above), biceps, triceps and upper back. 

Tuesday, April 13: 30 minutes of cardio + 20 minutes of lower body weight lifting
30 minutes of cardio, walking or running on the treadmill
20 minutes of lower body weight lifting, which should include: squats or lunges, inner and outer thigh (see above), hamstrings (see above).

Happy B-Day Courtney.....Pineapple Liquor Buttercream Icing...mmm

Today is Courtney's (Makeup Mayhem) B-day!!! She's just a few years over 21, LOL, and still fabulous! I've had so many fun times with her and can't wait to have many more! Hope you get the world today CoCo! I haven't reached my millionaire status yet, so the vaca yacht style in Portofino, Italy, will be a delayed just a few years...cupcakes will do for now. HAHA! Since Courtney doesn't like tequila, Patron cupcakes would be a bad choice. One of her favorite drinks is Malibu Rum and pineapple juice, so I've found a recipe for coconut cupcakes with pineapple liquor buttercream icing. I'm sure she will love these(if I were a good baker)!!! But, for the Raleigh locals, there is a place called The Cupcake Bar that makes and delivers cocktail-inspired cupcakes.  I definitely will be buying her a round very soon!!

Here is the recipe via Bakespace.com

            Ingredients:

• For the cakes: 2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 5 eggs at room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract
• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 8 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut
• For frosting: 1 lb. powdered sugar
• 4 oz. pineapple juice
• 1 Tbls pineapple liquor
• 1/4 cup crushed pineapple
• 3 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and chilled
• yellow food coloring
• maraschino cherries with stems attached
• drinking straws, cut into 1 1/2 inch lengths 
•  
• Directions:
  
  
  
  
  Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  
  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
  
  With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition.
  
  Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.
  
  In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  
  In 3 parts, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined.
  
  Fold in 7 ounces of coconut.
  
  Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Fill each liner just to the top with batter.
  
  Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
  
  Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
  
  Remove to a baking rack and cool completely.
  
  Meanwhile, make the frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on low speed, beat sugar and 1 Tbls. liquor until light and smooth.
  
  In a small saucepan, bring juice to a boil.
  
  Add to the confectioners' sugar and beat on medium speed until fluffy.
  
  Add half butter and beat on medium high speed until light and fluffy. if desired add a few drops of yellow food coloring now.
  
  Fold in pineapple, add remaining butter and beat again on medium high speed until fluffy.
  
  Frost the cupcakes using a large star tip and a piping bag and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.
  
  Top with cerries and straws.

Please Confirm Your VIP Status

With spring upon us, and summer right around the corner, I'm certain we are all anxious to wear our summer clothes. Well, at least I am. When unpacking these items, it's imperative that you double check your lingerie drawer for appropriate under garments. Only your man wants to see the design on your panties, and no one cares to confirm your VIP(visible panty-line) status. Save VIP for bottle service..........

I came across a lingerie line called MySkin, that offers 20 skin matching nude color bras and panties. They are also seamless! This is great since most stores tend to offer 3 basic colors, none of which really match my skin color. The prices are very similar to Victoria Secret's; Bras $48, panties $12. Undergarments are a major investment, and can take your from outfit from faux pas to tres chic!

MySkin Skin Tone Chart

photos: MySkin.com

Happy Easter

Happy Easter! It's such a beautiful day outside to celebrate Christ's resurrection.  While the Easter Bunny isn't the headliner of this day, I'm sure children will enjoy all the Easter egg hunts. Oh, and instead of candy in my Easter basket, I'll take a pair of the purple Banana Louboutins. 

 

PT Lovers

I was talking to one of my besties this AM, and we were discussing placing people in PT statues in relationships. I immediately thought of the Stevie Wonder song, "Part-Time Lovers". While we weren't discussing the topic quite the same, we were on one accord with the fashion: boyfriend blazers, leggings, booties, Stevie's Aviator sunglasses, trench coat, and more items that we are all rocking now. I love how fashion goes around in a circles, but hate that my Mom kept all the fugly stuff that's not hot.....

Happy B-Day Lauren.....Patron Style

Today is Lauren's (Wellness Wednesday) B-Day!!!!! Not telling her age......all you need to know is she's over 21 and fabulous! If I were a baker, I would whip up a batch of Patron Cupcakes. Full of my favorites...sugar, icing, and alcohol!

Margarita Cupcakes inspired by the song “Patron Tequila”
Makes about 10 cupcakes
1 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 stick butter, room temperature
¾ cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
¼ cup + 2 tbsp milk
2 tbsp tequila (you don’t have to use Patron I promise)
1 tbsp orange liqueur (I used Patron Citronge, other options include Triple Sec, Grand Marnier, Contreau..)
zest of one lime + juice of half of it

1. Preheat oven to 325F. Prepare a pan or silicone molds to your liking.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, lime zest, and salt in a bowl.
3. Cream together butter and sugar in another bowl until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and mix until combined. Add half the dry ingredients and wet ingredients (milk, lime juice, tequila, and orange liqueur) into this bowl and combine after each addition. Add zest and the other half of the dry ingredients and mix again.
4. Pour into cupcake pan.
5. Bake in oven for 16-18 minutes or until toothpick inserted in a center cake comes out clean.

Spring Fever

With temperatures reaching over 80 degrees in NC, it's hard not to catch spring fever..... or a sinus infection!!! But I found a couple items every chic chick needs to stay cool ......

Tribal Print Dress

Left: Mango Dress, $89.90; Right: Gucci Print Dress, $4350

Wedges

Left: Oak Suede Wedges, $225; Right: Christian Louboutin Carzaon Wedges, $495


Boyfriend shorts

Left: Forever21 Destroyed Denim Shorts, $19.80; Right: J Brand Cuff Shorts, $158

Hardware Inspired Jewelry

Left: The Limited Statement Bracelet, $29.50; Right: Fenton/Fallen for J.Crew, $95

Trench Coat 

Left: Coffee Shop Trench (Target), $39.99; Right: Burberry Short Trench Coat, $995

Ankle Wrap Sandals

Left: 80%20 Ankle Wrap Sandals, $198; Right: Chloe Ankle Wrap Sandals, $595

Something Floral

Left: J.Crew Floral Skirt, $110; Right: Chanel Purse, priceless