One shoulder on...One shoulder OFF

Although technically it is still winter, those who love fashion are looking ahead to what is coming for the Spring 2009 season. There will be jeweled clothing, ripped clothing (stockings included!), Grecian-inspired flowing looks and tons of one-shoulder tops and dresses. I love the one-shoulder look and am thrilled that I already have some of this stuff lying around from last season (since it really did not take off then). Pair a cute one-shoulder top with jeans and heels. Or a flowing one-shoulder dress with metallic sandals and you are ready to spring into spring.
Of course, on the fitness side, we want our arms and shoulders to look great when wearing this style. Here's a quick, 15 minute arm and shoulder workout to prep those limbs. Do these exercises 3 times a week in conjunction with a few cardio days (and a healthy diet!) to look fantastic in the new season!

Arm/Shoulder Circuit:
Shoulder Presses
Rear Delt Raises
Dummbell Lateral Raises
Tricep Kickbacks
Bicep Hammer Curls

Using light dummbells or resistance bands, perform 3 sets of 15-20 repetitions of the exercises in circuit fashion. For questions on how to perform the exercises, just ask here!

I will be reporting on more 2009 fashion trends here, along with exercises to help you look and feel your very best in those new clothes..so check back soon.
Peace!
LL

Election Day Run-Around

So today is election day. I am glad. Glad that we will soon have a new President of the United States and ESTATIC that all of this campaign stuff will soon be over! It's always amazing to me that these "United States" are so torn during election times. So, my wish for today is that everyone will get out and exercise their right to vote, no matter who you vote for. We all have our own opinions and should really respect each other's reasons for voting for the candidate of his/her choice. The only thing I can't tolerate is someone who does not vote and then proceeds to complain about the way that things are. If you want to have a voice, I believe that you should VOTE!
I had an unusual experience today that was somewhat trying to my patience and definitely time-consuming. I went to my polling place almost 4 hours ago and am FINALLY finished with the whole process. There were three lines for three different precincts. One line was really, REALLY long and the other two were very, VERY short. I checked with the two short lines and was told that I was not on those lists. So, I proceeded to wait for about an hour and a half in the long line. When I finally got up to the table, I was told that I was not on the list. WHAT?!?! I know that I am registered and know where I vote. Where was my name??? The lady took me into the office and called the Registrar of Voters (because I was NOT leaving without casting my vote). She verified that I was indeed registered. THEN took me over to the very very short line. Turns out, that was where I was supposed to be in the first place, but the lady checking voters in apparantly overlooked my name. I was a little annoyed, but kept my composure. After all, I had the pleasure of talking to some very nice people in line for that hour and a half.
5 minutes later I was done voting and as I grabbed my keys, I noticed that my sunglasses were missing. 20 minutes later after combing the entire place, still no sunglasses. I left so upset, but figured that I would leave my phone number just in case someone found them. 30 minutes later, I received a phone call that someone had turned in my glasses.
SO now I am officially done with my election experience. I learned 3 valuable lessons in this case. The first being that designer sunglasses are great, but definitely a kick in the stomach when lost. The second being that you should ALWAYS know you're precinct number when voting. While I was a little upset with the woman who overlooked my name, it was my own fault for not knowing my number in the first place. The third (and most important) being that there are still some very good people in this world who are honest and helpful.
GO VOTE!
And have a wonderful day!
LL

Coming soon: My shopping and dining experiences in New Orleans this past weekend AND some tips and suggestions for finding that perfect perfume.
PEACE!

Experiments In The Art Of Color

Hey! I hope that everyone is having a fabulous evening! Today, I woke up to yet another GORGEOUS day here in South Louisiana. I don't remember a week where the weather has been so clear, so cool and so beautiful. A nice change from the sweltering heat that we usually experience here. I am actually starting to think that we may have a real winter here this year!
Anywayyyy, I teamed up with my friend and neighbor, Hollie, today for some make-up experimentation. She's as much of a make-up junkie as I am, probably more so! Not only that, but she is extremely talented in playing with color and coming up with a great result! So, we've decided to dedicate a morning each week to trying out different looks. Looking forward to that and reporting the pics and techniques back to you!
I am a MAC fanatic, but also love Bare Minerals and as of today am a Shu-uemura fan too. Between Hollie and I's make-up cases, we could open a small store. The looks featured here were created using a multitude of colors and brushes. I've included the colors, application techniques and brushes used for you to try out too! It's also pretty easy to replicate these looks using other colors with the same techniques, so have fun experimenting!

Laurie's Look:



Shu-uemura "Me Yellow 300" applied on eyelid and bottom inner corner of eye with MAC brush #219
Shu-uemura "Me Brown 850" applied directly in crease above eyelid and also along bottom lashes with MAC brush #217
MAC "Prismique, white" applied directly below eyebrow with MAC brush #217
MAC "Prismique, goldish-green" applied to top half of eyelid with MAC brush #219
MAC "Paradisco Frost" applied above the "Me Brown" and below "Prismique white", blend together with MAC brush #217
MAC "Hepcat Frost" pat gently in corner for shadowning with MAC brush #217
MAC "Paint Pot" black eyeliner applied with MAC brushes, #209 and #210

Hollie's Look:


MAC "Soft Brown Mattique" applied as base for entire eye with MAC brush #2178E
MAC "Post Haste" applied on crease from bottom to halfway around the eye with MAC brush #219. Do not go all the way to inner eye.
MAC "Beauty Marked Velvet" patted on outside corner of eye for tinting with MAC brush #219
MAC "Stars & Rockets" applied over eyelid, then blended over entire eye with MAC brush #217
MAC "Nylon Frost" applied to inner eye for light tinting effect with MAC brush #217
MAC "Blanc Type" applied below eyebrow for highlighting effect with MAC brush #217
MAC "Post Haste" applied below bottom lashes for smoked effect. Apply back up and over the crease to enhance color with MAC brush #219.


I love these looks and can't wait to report more tricks back to you next week. What's your favorite trick that you like to use? Share it here!
Peace,
LL

Fitness, Food, Fashion, Fun

I became very motivated when I decided to publish this blog. Motivated and focused. So focused that I forgot what I was trying to do in the first place and that is to express myself. I've been in many situations before where I've felt as though its tabboo to express yourself, so i decided to create my own. There's so much to write about, yet you can't just "write". You have to "do" too!
So I've decided to dedicate this blog to some things that I know very well. My 4 F's of what can make for a great day! Fitness, food, fashion and fun! What's current in health and fitness? What can I eat that is healthy, quick and tastes good? What are some workouts to balance and strengthen you, both inside and out? What are some good ways to relax? What are the fashion, hair and makeup trends right now?
The list goes on....tonight, I'll stop here. Tomorrow, I'll begin again.
Good night!