Tag Archives | Fashion

2017 Fitness Adventures: OrangeTheory Fitness

June 23, 2017 in Fitness

Trying out new workout studios is a favorite pastime of mine. What’s even better is finding great new fitness spots near my apartment or office. After discovering Avant-Barre down the street from home, I was excited to try out OrangeTheory Fitness in the Financial District.

Such a super convenient location. Not only nearby if you’re working in the Financial District, but super close to Embarcadero BART as well!

 

Fitness Adventures OrangeTheory San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Food Fitness Lifestyle Blogger Financial District Fidi Workout Studio

The Low Down:

This HIIT workout, somewhat like Barry’s Bootcamp, pits you against both weight training circuits and strenuous cardio bursts on a rowing machine and treadmill for an hour.

Let’s just say – It’s a killer workout!

It was strenuous, but since you’re moving between parts of the gym after each circuit you get brief reprieves that keep you from tapping out.

Also, if you’re like me, this type of atmosphere really brings out your love of competition and pushes you even further than you planned.

Thoughts:

I really enjoyed the space – From the lobby to the gym layout, the studio had a great flow.

What I especially liked about this workout was the shift between different machines and moves. You stay engaged and entertained without getting bored or overly fatigued.

Recommendations:

What’s great about these HIIT-style workouts is how customizable they are. Each individual portion of the workout can be adjusted based on your needs, capabilities, and any injury you may have. Can’t do full range push-ups? Go down to your knees. Not able to do 20lbs? Pick up a 5lbs weight instead. Too sore or tired to sprint on the treadmill? You can jog or speed walk. You never have to go harder or faster or heavier than you’re comfortable with.

And while there’s only one instructor for the class, you can mention to them ahead of time any injuries or concerns you have, and they’ll give you some pointers and keep an eye on you during the class.

Have YOU tried a OrangeTheory class before?

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MCLV Style: Little Black Dress with a Twist

June 21, 2017 in MCLV Style

When someone asks me to describe my person style, I inevitably fall back on the following phrase – Classic with a twist.

A little black dress is a staple in any woman’s wardrobe – It’s perfect for everything from cocktail parties to weddings to nights out on the town.

But it’s so much more than that!

Cocktail Attire Little Black Dress LBD Evening Style San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Food Fitness Lifestyle Blogger Street Style

Black Lace V-Neck Dress – BCBGMAXAZRIA

Chainlink Swing Shoulder Bag – Rebecca Minkoff

Vintage Patent Leather Peep-Toe Booties – Fendi

Layered Necklaces – Anthropologie

Cocktail Attire Little Black Dress LBD Evening Style San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Food Fitness Lifestyle Blogger Street Style

{Photography by J. Villarete Photography}

Cocktail Attire Little Black Dress LBD Evening Style San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Food Fitness Lifestyle Blogger Street Style

The inevitable appropriateness of the classic little black dress in most settings isn’t the only reason my closet is filled with them.

I would actually say that my favorite thing about a great LBD is that it’s the perfect blank slate for creating an outfit.

When you have a high quality dress that you feel great in – You can take it in any direction. Tennis shoes and a pony tail for a more casual daytime spin on the look, or with ski high heels and a red lip for date night.

Or, if you’re in the mood to mix things up, you can try out layered necklaces and ankle booties like I wore here!

What’s YOUR favorite way to style a little black dress?

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One Piece Swimsuit Round-Up

June 19, 2017 in Fashion

It’s always interesting to see what new trends come into existence each season. Sometimes it’s something wholly new, sometimes it’s a reboot of a vintage style.

And while I’m not much for chasing short-term trends, I always appreciate when something extremely wearable becomes all the rage.

Some recent trends I’ve enjoyed the last few season – Tennis shoes, athleisure, flat slides, jumpsuits, mixing high-and low, and the re-emergence of one piece swimsuits.

In an age when showing as much skin as possible seems to be the name of the game, it was a breath of fresh air to see one piece suits come back into vogue last season. Blame it on Baywatch if you want, but I’m thrilled.

But don’t worry – With lace-up details, ruffles, feminine florals, modern cut-outs, and bold, eye-catching prints, there’s a huge variety out there to choose from.

One Piece Swimsuit Resortwear Swimwear San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Food Fitness Lifestyle Blogger Street Style Vacation Shopping

{This stunning striped swimsuit from Dolce & Gabbana is retro-inspired and flattering. Don’t worry though, if you’re not up for spending Dolce & Gabbana-level prices, there are some other options. Anthroplogie has a cut-out variety, Vince Camuto is playing with chevron stripes, Diane Von Furstenberg tackled the halter style, and Michael Kors went for bold red & white.}

One Piece Swimsuit Resortwear Swimwear San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Food Fitness Lifestyle Blogger Street Style Vacation Shopping

{Going for the chic minimalist look for your warm weather adventures this year? Be sure to check out this key hole cut-out maillot from Vitamin A, plunging necklines from Milly, mesh cut-outs from Kenneth Cole, and ruffled one-shouldered silhouettes from ASOS.

One Piece Swimsuit Resortwear Swimwear San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Food Fitness Lifestyle Blogger Street Style Vacation Shopping

{If a feminine, bohomenian style is more of interest, these sweet prints and hippie-inspired pieces will be just the thing. Trina Turk is showing florals and cut-outs, Billabong has plunging lace-covered necklines, Michael Kors is all about strapless bandeaus, and Shoshana is showing all-over prints and delicate silhouettes.}

What’s YOUR favorite comfortable, easy-to-wear trend this season?

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Classic Summer Style

June 16, 2017 in Fashion

What I love about fashion is that while there are always new and exciting trends to look forward to each season, there’s also always going to be a classic style to fall back on.

In the words of Yves Saint Laurent – “Fashions fade, but style is eternal.”

So, while it’s fun to play dress up and stick a toe in the trend pool, having a closet filled with wardrobe staples and classic pieces that you’ll wear for years, is how you create your lasting personal style.

Here are a few of my favorite classic Summer styles, pieces, and accessories.

Classic Summer Style Spring Fashion Trends Stripes Fringe Poncho Cape Overalls Pinafore Wearable Technology Prints Mixing & Matching San Francisco Fashion Food Fitness Beauty Lifestyle Blogger Street Style Shopping Online Fashion

{If I had to choose the most enduring Summer fashion staple it would probably be stripes. Chic, flattering, and nautical-inspired, stripes just never go out of style.}

Classic Summer Style San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Food Fitness Lifestyle Blogger Street Stle Green Skater Skirt Graphic Tee Summer Fashion San Francisco Fashion Blogger

{Bold colors and eye-catching prints will always be a staple. Paired together or worn apart, those are styles that you can safely stock up on.}

Classic Summer Style Checkered Dress Black & White Summer Fashion San Francisco Fashion Blogger Street Style

{Retro-style sunglasses are a staple. From cat eyes silhouettes to round frames, these Jackie O inspired sunnies are the perfect way to protect your skin and punctuate your look.}

Classic Summer Style Summer Dresses Polka Dots San Francisco Fashion Blogger Street Style

{An oversized clutch is a great classic piece to have on hand. You can go for a timeless neutral or black style, or try something more flirty like a pastel shade.}

Classic Summer Style Little White Dress Winter White Spring Style Trendy Mondays San Francisco Fashion Blogger Street Style

{A timeless little white dress will always be in style. While the current trends may dictate the cut, fabric, and even embellishments, a classic white dress that suits and flatters your figure is definitely something to hold on to!}

What’s YOUR Summer style?

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Eat This Not That | Breakfast Edition

June 14, 2017 in Food

After sharing my top five favorite healthy food swaps in the first edition of Eat This Not That, I’m back to share a special list of breakfast-related suggestions.

Have a favorite go-to breakfast that you want to amp up? Not sure if you’re making the best choice for your body first thing in the morning? I’m here for you!

Eat This Not That Vegan Vegetarian Gluten-Free Paleo San Francisco Bay Area Fashion Food Fitness Lifestyle Blogger Breakfast Recipes

 

Eat This Not That Tips – Healthy Breakfast Swaps

  1. Eat your {high fiber} cereal with no/low-sugar Greek yogurt instead of milk. It’ll keep you full longer and offers a serious dose of healthy fats.
  2. Do you have a granola habit? You could be giving yourself too much sugar first thing in the am. Try swapping your granola for oatmeal made with whole oats. Add berries and chia seeds for bonus points! {Need some ideas to spice up your oatmeal? I’ve got you covered – Heart Breakfast Oatmeal & Coconut Chia Overnight Oats}
  3. If you’re a bread lover and usually reach for a bagel to break your fast – Either trade it in for two slices of Ezekiel bread or try hollowing out your bagel. Yep, you read that right. You can scoop the bready centers out of the bagel and fill with sliced hardboiled eggs and avocado for a delicious, healthy, filling breakfast.
  4. Are you regularly having an orange, apple, or pineapple juice in the morning? You can swap it out for a whole piece of fruit, which I talked about in the first Eat This Not That post. OR you can whip up a water bottle or pitcher filled with infused water. Add chunks of fruit, mint, ginger, or whatever you’re craving to your mixture for a tasty, hydrating start to the day.
  5. Would you consider yourself a sugar junkie? Are you not fully awake or ready to tackle the day until you have a pastry or sugar-filled coffee drink in the morning? You can cut waaaay back on the sugar and make yourself a tasty banana-based pancake instead. Banana, protein power, and either eggs or egg whites. Don’t eat eggs? Swap them out for a flax or chia seed egg as a binding agent. Et voila.

Do YOU have a favorite breakfast? How would you make it healthier?

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