Monday, February 26, 2018

Spring in my step

Hat: HERE | Earrings: Similar HERE + other colors| Lippie: HERE (purple rain) | OTS gingham top: Similar HERE
Gingham shorts: c/o HERE| Velvet slides: HERE | Beaded bag: Vintage, thrifted


Hey Babes, I've got spring on my mind! I figure if we talk it up enough, it's bound to come sooner rather than later, right? πŸ˜€
Until next time,
Xx

Friday, February 9, 2018

Seeing Stars


Earrings: TJMAXX| Top: Old| Denim c/o HERE (I'm wearing a size 12)| Boots: Old, similar HERE| Handbag: Kate Spade

Just when I thought that I'd picked out my final pair of distressed denim jeans, this starry constellation came into my life 😁 Something about the design of them just spoke to me, and before I knew it - there they were in my wardrobe... along with all of my other 999,999 pairs of distressed jeansπŸ˜‚ Yes, distressed denim is having a moment.However, would it be rude if I said that I'll be glad when that moment has finally subsided? 😡
In the meantime, I decided to seize the moment, styling this  embellished pair with a cold shoulder top, and gold booties.  It's a perfect fit for weekend wear, running errands, or even date night.
Note: This jeans have a pretty good amount of stretch, you may want to size down.
Until next time Loves,
Xx

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Stripes Every Which Way

Earrings: HERE| Top: OLD, another option HERE| Jumpsuit: HERE + other options HERE & HERE| White shoes: HERE

What's better than a black & white color combo with stripes? I'm totally stumped...
In my head, this is as good as it gets πŸ‘€πŸ˜‰πŸ˜€

Until next time,
Xx



Thursday, February 1, 2018

Meet the Boss | The BodyBoss Fitness Guide


This blog post is sponsored by BodyBoss. All opinions are my own.
Get 15% off until 4/30/2018- applicable for all guides - use code "BBJOI"
Today's post features my review of the BodyBoss' Ultimate Body Fitness Guide, which provides a high intensity 12-week workout program PLUS a 4-week pre-training program. When a team member reached out to me to see if I would be interested in trying this unique program and providing a personal review here on my blog, I readily agreed. Why? Well, timing is everything! Coincidently, I had recently been mulling over how to incorporate a moderate exercise program into my already busy life schedule. This objective aligns with my Operation 40 initiative launched a year or two ago…😁 When I learned that this program boasts solid results in as little as 24 active minutes, 3 days a week, it sounded like just what I wanted!
BodyBoss offers three core benefits to its members:
  1. Rapidly burn fat – “The BodyBoss method switches your body into hyper drive to supercharge fat loss and kick-start your metabolism.”
  2. Re-invent your shape – “BodyBoss high intensity workouts have the unique ability to burn fat fast while preserving your precious lean muscle mass”
  3. Save time and money – “The BodyBoss method is perfect for busy women who want convenience as well as results…All you need is 24 active minutes and your A-game.”
YES! With my new handy guide I can work out anytime, anywhere, and with minimal equipment!
Sounds good right?! I think so too! In fact, I was siked when my 196-page paper guide arrived in the mail. Excitedly, I eagerly flipped from page to page, learning about the #BossEffect, high intensity interval training (HIIT), the afterburn effect, and how the unique exercise combinations work.
However, when I got to the portion of the book that breaks down and illustrates the exercise cycles I began to feel intimidated! Why? Because I’m old! LOL! BodyBoss combines bodyweight resistance exercises, plyometrics (jump training), cardio, and unilateral exercises. I could feel the burn and my body hadn’t even started moving yet 😳
Nonetheless, I took motivation directly from my guide
“What comes easy, won’t last. What lasts, won’t come easy.” 
The great thing about BodyBoss, you can obtain serious results within the privacy of your own home.
To optimize my results, I opted to start with the 4-week pre-training program. Actually, BodyBoss provides a helpful checklist to help determine whether or not you need to do the pre-training program - prior to engaging in the high intensity workout cycles. Since I answered yes to four of the questions listed, it was recommended that I proceed with the pre-training program. πŸ˜‰
In my opinion, the pre-training program prepares you for success! I did it, it felt amazing! Stretching really helped me not to experience excessive soreness. Even on days when I am short on time, I make time to stretch before and after each workout. 
Tip: If you’d like to speed up your progress, try working out twice a day and incorporate weekends.

Here are a few highlights of my experience using BodyBoss thus far along with some helpful pointers:
  • Review exercises ahead of time to make sure that you properly understand each movement. Several times I realized after the fact that I was doing an exercise incorrectly.
  • Pay close attention: Some circuits are designed to be done once, others twice, and others three times!
  • Always allot enough time to complete each session (this is something I still struggle with, especially in the mornings on a three-circuit cycle)
  • Setting an alarm to indicate stop and start time(s) is very helpful
  • Keep COLD water on hand
  • Utilize an upbeat music playlist that makes you want to move your body
  • Some exercises can be challenging to execute. For the movements that my body wasn’t/isn’t ready to do yet, I simply modify them to what is doable for me personally. 
  • Workout times vary from about 30 minutes to 60 minutes total. Keep in mind that when you’re first starting out, it may take a bit longer to acclimate yourself with each exercise, especially the ones that require complex motion/rhythm.
  • Don’t stress if your timing is off, or if it takes you longer to do exercises that what is listed in the fitness guide! Simply do your best and keep going!
  • For exercises that are tough to follow, reference the glossary located towards the end of the book - which details how each exercise should be done. Additionally, you can find helpful gifs and videos online.
  • To optimize workout results, equipment is recommended. I used 3.3 LB dumbbells, a stepping box, a jump rope, and an exercise mat
  • Hold on to something when you need to!
  • In the beginning, I used a timer on my phone to track seconds for my warm ups and cools downs 
  • Shuffling the pages of the fitness guide can be cumbersome, try using adhesive bookmarks to locate your place readily
  • My cat (Cotton Candy) is one fun workout buddy, she has made me laugh during several workouts with her crazy facial expressions, blank stares, humorous antics, random jumps over my limp body, sneak attacks, and occasionally jogging in place with me

Fast forward: I am currently more than 6 weeks into the program and I feel incredible!!! 
Note: I didn’t weigh or measure myself because I’m not newbie to the fitness train. I didn’t want to be deterred by any gap in measurable results. 
However, I felt mighty good when I slipped into a pair of pants that haven’t fit properly in two years…..

Over to you, are you interested in becoming a Boss Babe
Don't forget snag 15% off all guides through 4/30/2018- with code "BBJOI"!

Until next time Babes,
Xx