Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Equinox Fitness goes ViPR

A week or two ago, I was asked to attend a press event for a new fitness innovation popping up in Equinox gyms. It's basically a new tool and exercise concept that's focused on strengthening your core and working with long strokes of movement, rather than targeting individual muscles. This is the kind of workout you get when doing actual physical activity in the real world, not in a gym with a specific number of reps and a personal trainer named Rick. Check out this video that gives some info on what ViPR does for the body:





The founder, Michol Dalcourt, was at the event today. He created the rubber tube you see in the video that is anything but just a tube. There are endless workouts you can do with it and Equinox has it exclusively. When first looking at it, it looks like a cross from a PVC pipe and a tire with handles, but quickly learned it's much more useful. They have varying weights (mine was 8 pounds, the lightest) and sizes. With that, I can workout right along side a pro football player, be able to do the same things, and get the same workout, just on different levels.


But OK, enough with the sales pitch. Here's my experience. I was nervous. Partially because everyone else invited were seasoned fitness editors who probably run ten miles a day and have forgotten what a bagel tastes like. Partially because I haven't been in a gym in years and showering in public locker rooms is right up there with snake bites and burglaries. But mostly, because I'm one of the most unfit, unstrong (pretend it's a word), and inflexible people you will ever meet. No, I'm not being modest. In sixth grade I got the award in PE class for "Most Sportsmanlike" meaning "Best Loser." In seventh grade my dad wanted me to quit basketball because he thought the embarrassment and ridicule was even worse for me than my incapability to do a free throw. And now, even the thought of running a mile in Golden Gate Park makes me exhausted. So doing a new workout in a room with photographers and fitness gurus freaked me out. But keep reading, it gets better.

Equinox Press Event

The exercise wasn't very hard. In fact, I could do it without any embarrassment whatsoever! A great thing about this new innovation is that it can be as difficult as you want it to be. I'll let you know if I'm sore tomorrow (I'm thinking that is pretty guaranteed). We had a small taste of what the real full throttle experience is like, so I'm sure that doing a full workout with the rubber tube would kick even my bootie into shape.


After the presentation, I had a wonderful smoothie and headed off to the locker rooms where I expected to find what locker rooms normally look like. I guess I've never experienced an Equinox locker room before. It was the Chanel of locker rooms.

I left with a feeling of being tired yet energized, with designer hair product in my locks and still in awe that they have free razors and private showers.


Love,
jenna

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Etsy Find: Pretty Birdie

Some of my favorite posts are the Etsy finds, and this one is no exception. I found Pretty Birdie's shop right away and loved it all. I chose six pieces that I thought were a comprehensive set to show their style. And it's not just cute clothes, they make the pieces from organic and sustainable fabrics with a splash of antique accents here and there. I love it all and I would totally wear all of the pieces with pride.


Etsy 1


Etsy 2


Etsy 3


The owner, Stephanie Teaque, is sure making some great pieces and I can't wait to see what she creates in the future.


Love,
jenna

Scales, Fangs, and Venom... Yes Please!

They say you should face your fears, whether it's heights, commitment, or broccoli. Since I can't really emulate big bodies of water with accessories (besides the obvious blue tones), let's go with my second biggest fear... snakes. I think it started in that scene from Indiana Jones and escalated. Below are a few snake-inspired pieces of jewelry, but a variety of providers (I'm talking Iosselliani to Target). Now all I have to do is conquer the water thing, but I'll save that for another day when I can think of a good excuse not to.


I love Ankasa's latest jewelry, especially this slithering and scale-full necklace that will easily become the center of attention. Look through the other jewelry pieces on the website when you get a chance too; don't worry, this is the only one that bites.
Silver snake necklace
Iosselliani Silver Necklace


Play like Medusa and have snakes coming from everywhere! This snake ring wraps around your fingers... let's just hope it doesn't squeeze too tight.
Snake ring
Sterling Silver Snake Ring


Last in the sequence is a set of earrings I found on Etsy. They aren't quite as obviously snake-ish as the last items, but I can definitely see it.
Snake earrings
Artisan Earring Posts


Snakes definitely aren't new to fashion, but they still give me chills if I see a too-realistic armband and the like.


Love,
jenna

Friday, July 9, 2010

Gloomy Me...

Not in the mood for butterflies and cherries on top today. I'm looking at dark and edgy pieces, with attitude. I'm usually a cheery and colorful person, but for today, we're going dark and dramatic on this post. I love the following pieces. They are for the fashion forward and courageous; today I feel like I could almost pull them off. Check them out (especially the ring) and let me know if you are also feeling like dark colors, ice-cold stones, and a few spikes here and there this evening.


Black ribbon dress
Ankasa Black Ribbon Dress


Black bag
Moselle Bag


Black ring
Dominique Cohen Black Tourmaline Ring


Black/gold boot
Dolce Vita Braxton Bootie


Love,
jenna