The Eyes Have It! Givenchy Mascara

When a very good friend of mine returned from a visit to Kuwait, she was kind enough to bring some gifts back for me. Knowing how much I love makeup, she surprised me with lipstick, liner and other great stuff from Givenchy. I have tried so many mascaras and usually either choose Maybelline (the old faithful pink and green tube) and MAC Pro-lash (which is designed for both lenghening and thickening). After using this new mascara (Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes) in Phenomen'Black, I was nothing short of impressed. The applicator is different than many and it is designed to give your eyes a panoramic effect. Upon looking at product reviews, I saw that many people complained of the smudges on top of the eye lid that the mascara causes. I have noticed that too after a long day..BUT that's because NO OTHER mascara has lengthened my eyelashes to reach above the eyelid. So, I will happily check for smudges and wipe it off as needed. So, THANK YOU, Nawal, for introducing me to a fantastic product. I will definitely be purchasing this again!

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

A true artist...

Today, the fitness, modeling and photography world mourns the loss of 36 year old George Hoffman of Onyx Photography. The Ft. Lauderdale, Fl based photographer was one of the best in the industry. A true artist, George's work served as an inspiration for so many. To view his work, please visit his website at www.onyxphotography.com. Rest in peace George, you and your work will be missed!

I've been spending a ton of time going through cabinets and closets tossing out the things that I don't need. I'm looking at some of this stuff thinking, "what was I thinking?!" I'm sure that most females think the same thing. After all, we are all about looking and feeling our best. So it makes sense that we would purchase things on a whim, wondering how they will work. However, once we realize that we are wasting time and money with things that we don't need, maybe we should STOP and focus on the things that work for us. Why keep on with a quest that has no point? So, here are my 5 favorite products that are tried and true for me:
1. Best skin care line for face: Obagi NuDerm Skin System. Hands down, without a doubt, the best product that I have ever put on my face! Actually several products within one line, the Obagi line does not just sit on top of your skin. It soaks in and forces cell turnover and collagen production. If you can stand your face being red and then peeling for a little while, you may like this line. The entire system costs around $500, but lasts for a very long time. And if you are a skin care junkie like I am, it ends up saving you money in the long run. The best part of it is...IT WORKS!
2. Best skin care product overall: Water. Plain and simple. Our bodies are made up of water. It makes sense that when you are devoid of water, your skin shrivels up. I can see the difference when I drink enough water as opposed to when I don't. I can tell when my clients are not drinking enough water just by looking at the texture of their skin. H2O...a simple solution! All of the moisturizer in the world won't help you if you are dehydrated.
3. Best makeup line: Ahhhh, this one is a TOUGH one for me, a makeup junkie. For color, application, choices and service, I love MAC cosmetics! There are a couple of other lines that I am a fan of, such as Stila, Smashbox and Bare Minerals... but this one is my default choice. When I need something, I head straight to the MAC counter!
4. Best exfoliant: Most of the products that I have tried have left my skin feeling dried out and damaged. I have fallen in love with Bath and Body Works Sugar Scrub. I use it once or twice a week. This stuff leaves my skin feeling fabulous!
5. Favorite Perfume: I have about 10 different kinds for different occasions. Issy Miachi is my favorite for formal occasions. For every day, my absolute favorite is Burberry (the original)...It just perfect! The scent does not overpower and I can't really smell it on me. But that's a hint to a good perfume: If you can smell it hours later on yourself, it is probably not working with your body chemistry.
What are some of your favorites?

Sephora Shopping Spree

Yesterday, I was past due for some down time. So I took a trip to Planet Beach for my favorite spa pampering~a water massage and some color. I walked in at exactly the time that my friend Jamie Blue was there. I call Jamie my little sis from another miss because we are exactly alike. Hence us being there at exactly the same time on a Saturday afternoon. We decided to check out Lafayette's new Sephora store, our first one here. I am a makeup FANATIC. My train case (Kevin Aucoin would be proud) is filled with MAC and Bare Minerals. I have stood outside of a Sephora store and not dared go in when I was not planning on shopping. If its new makeup...I'm buying! Jamie and I ventured into Sephora and proceeded to play with everything in the store. 2 hours and a good amount of makeup purchased, we happily left with stuff that we have never tried before. Jamie picked up Stila eyeshadow in Oasis, Stila kajal eyeliner in amethyst, Stila lipglaze in Starfruit and Stila eyeliner in Rose. I bought Stila lip polish in gleam (LOVE the natural color), Smashbox lipliner in Pro (very close to my favorite MAC lipliner, Subculture), Stila kajal eyeliner in Onyx (a very easy-gliding dark black that doesn't budge), Bare Minerals powder foundation, and Too-faced shadow insurance primer (which is very similiar to the highly popular Urban Decay primer). The store is not huge, but given the small damage that we did in this one, that's probably a good thing! Loving the colors and can't wait to go back once I run out of something.

Resolutions are meant to be resolved...

What is your resolution for the new year? Enlighten me, I would love to hear from you! Usually my resolution for a new year is to make no resolution. This year is different. My resolution is to complete the existing, open-ended projects that I have set out to do and to simply relax and enjoy life. The quote below speaks for me today!

Motivational quote of the day:
"Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow."
Doug Firebaugh

SO TRUE, isn't it!
Good night!
LL

New Year's Resolutions...

Judging from the amount of people that I witnessed in the gym today, I am guessing that the majority of you have made some sort of fitness resolution. My cardio class was PACKED this morning...so it was motivating to teach this class today! We should all resolve to achieve our goals this year, no matter what they are. I see it every year- people motivated and ready to take on the world in January. By May, they are simply burnt out. By the following January, they are making the SAME resolutions that failed them in years past. Why?!?! That is why I am urging you to resolve to change your mindset. To keep realistic goals in reach, go SLOWLY! And PLAN! So, your first step of that planning process is to grocery shop, as I discussed with you earlier. It doesn't have to take a long time, but I promise you will feel better once you do!
Here are some grocery shopping tips and hints:
1. Make a list. What do you want to eat and have time to prepare during the week?
2. Don't grocery shop when you are hungry. You will be more likely to pick up things that you normally crave but are trying to stay away from.
3. Shop around the parameter of the store. If you notice, meat, fish, veggies, fruit, dairy and most non-processed foods are located AROUND the grocery store. Once you start to venture down the aisles, you will notice that most highly processed, unhealthy foods are located here.
4. Find a healthy alternative to your favorite cheat meals and splurges.

Coming soon-grocery shopping from A-Z...sample grocery lists and meal plans.

Happy New Year!

New Year’s Wishes
We have reached this time of year again..The one that marks the day when everyone reflects on what has been and what is to come. It is a sense of renewed motivations, new hopes and better understandings. I am thankful to ring in a new year with old friends that I am thankful to still have in my life, family and new friends that have become like family to me. My sincere wish is for everyone to start a new day of a new year of a new period of life with a renewed appreciation of anything previously taken for granted. May you start 2009 with thankfulness, graciousness, love, understanding, and hope.
If you are like most people, your new year’s resolution has something to do with your level of fitness. But fitness is not just actions…it is a state of mind. A lot needs to be considered to ensure that your resolution will be one that is resolved and not one that is discarded after a few months and a few frustrations. Like anything worth achieving, expect to have conflicts along the way. Otherwise, it would be easy and we would never struggle with it to begin with.
I hope that this group can serve you in some way through the year. I hope to be able to inspire you along your journey. But after all, it is your journey and you must have a plan. My first bit of advice is to assess your life. Look at your schedule: how much time do you have (and are willling) to prepare meals, work out and still enjoy your life. Your goals should reflect that if you are to succeed! So, today, if you are looking to improve your fitness both inside and out, make a commitment to what you KNOW you can do…once you have accomplished that, then move forward. Plan your meals, go to the grocery store, get moving with workouts and have dedication and willpower. Remember too, that the cliché “you are what you eat” is actually true. True fitness is a combination of meal planning, healthy eating, working out and rest/recovery…and 100% mental. Close your eyes and see things as you want for them to be…then move forward!! Keep in mind that it takes time. Have patience and be realistic.
I’ll be back real soon with more. Please feel free to send any questions pertaining to health and fitness my way and I will help you as best that I can!
In good health,
Laurie Leigh Daly
(Certified Fitness Trainer, Specialist in Performance Nutrition, Lifestyle Wellness Coach, Pilates Instructor, Group Training Instructor/Choreographer/Co-ordinator)
COPYRIGHT 2009 LLExpressOnline.com/LLExpress.blogspot.com

3 weeks!?!?

Wow, I can't believe it has already been 3 weeks since I last posted here. It has been a very busy 3 weeks with lots of things to report, but its going to take a little while to get it all in order. So, I will go out of order to start with :) Each week I visit Planet Beach tanning salon in Lafayette where I have an unlimited membership to tanning, water massage beds, facials, mystic tans and hydration steam capsules. I really enjoy having this, since it helps me to relax during a busy week. While I very rarely use the tanning beds (I want to save my skin!!!), I do use the other services a couple of times a week each. The salon recently introduced a nutrition line. I'm all about this, so I decided to check out their "Detoxify" product. The product works as a total body cleanse, both inside and out, to keep organs and skin at their very best. Beginning tomorrow morning, I will take the capsules for 14 days. The product works in conjunction with NO processed foods, no "white" sugars and flours, no caffeine (OH NO..no coffee, diet Dr. Peppers :(, no alcohol and no red meat. Basically nothing but water, lean meat and fresh fruits and vegetables. I love to challenge myself and this will be no exception. So, I will report back to you soon for updates on the 2 week journey.
I hope that you had a happy and safe Thanksgiving and are now ready for the holiday season. Did you shop today?? I don't dare to brave "Black Friday"...shopping comes later!
Peace :)

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!