Fitness/Fashion Friday | Beauty and Fashion Tech

Fashion Friday: Jimmy Choo for H&M!

This is sure to be a blockbuster. Can we get in line now? Jimmy Choo is teaming up with H&M. Slated for November 14, 2009, the line will include shoes, bags and women’s clothing.

Footwear will be in the $99 to $129 price bracket with perhaps a few more expensive items. Ballet flats will run in the $59 range. Handbags will run from $59 to $299. The news so far is that markets will be limited and the stores have not yet been announced.

There might be women fighting in the aisles over this one!

Pictured: Singer Anastacia with a Jimmy Choo bag.

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Fitness Friday: Running The Chicago Marathon for Charity

I am running the 2009 Chicago Marathon in October to raise money for PAWS of Chicago. PAWS is a large no-kill animal shelter that also has a spay/neuter clinic and feral cat spay and release program. I have agreed to raise a minimum of $600 for PAWS and certainly would like to raise even more! More about PAWS is available at my donation page.

If you are a reader, blogger or business, you can also learn about how you can help on the Charity Page here on this site. Bloggers and businesses can gain exposure and free ad space by donating!

I you want a more humorous (and more pleading) look at my fundraising efforts, visit my dog Ty’s blog, Puppy on a Roomba for more.

In any event, please consider donating. Thanks!

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Fitness/Fashion Friday: New Metallic FitFlops

I have yet to personally try Fit Flops, so I can’t vouch for how well they actually work, but I do like the idea of them. These Flip Flop sandals are designed to work your leg muscles while you walk in them, hence the “Fit” in FitFlop.

Here is the company’s info on them:

Biomechanically designed with a midsole that extends the amount of time slow twitch muscles – which convert fat to energy – are engaged during each step, wearing FitFlops literally help you tone and trim with every step you take. In addition to obvious beauty benefits, FitFlop has also been heralded as a medical miracle by hundreds of wearers claiming relief from problems ranging from plantar fasciitis and heel spurs to chronic back pain and sciatica (just to name a few).

I may have to actually try a pair at some point just to see if they help my foot pains from running.

Now there are new metallic shades available such as the FitFlop “Electra” Sandal. FitFlops run between $50 and $60 and are available at Macy’s.

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Fitness Friday Book Review: The Nonrunner’s Marathon guide for Women

Awhile back I got this crazy idea of running the Chicago Marathon. I ran a marathon around 18 years ago and said I would never do it again, so I don’t know what got into me other than perhaps a desire to make my butt smaller (and achy in the process).

I signed up for a training class, but I also decided to take a look at a few training guides. In the process, I stumbled upon a wonderful book that is not so much a standard training guide as it is a funny and motivational read. The Nonrunner’s Marathon Guide for Women: Get Off Your Butt and On with Your Training, by Dawn Dais, is for those who really are nonrunners, or perhaps reluctant runners, who are training for their first marathon. In this guide, the author shares her experiences running a marathon with a sarcastic wit that is a joy to read.

The book provides plenty of basic training advice, but it isn’t your standard guide, and it really probably shouldn’t stand alone as your only training guide. Read it instead for the more real world, this is how your body is going to ache but keep going anyway, type of advice. Also read it for some laughs and to know that there is someone else out there who really knows how you feel after you have dragged your butt out of bed at 6am on a Saturday for an 18 mile run. I just recently came across the website for the book, which also provides some information about the book and author.

For an excellent companion guide, that really is a full training program and guide, check out The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer, which is based on a very successful university course for first time marathoners. That one is a more standard guide that won’t leave you laughing, but it will give you plenty of useful information.

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Three Reasons Why You Should Get a Bosu Balance Trainer

After several months of using a Bosu Balance Trainer at the gym and in Pilates and Body Sculpting classes, I am planning to get one for use at home.

BOSU stands for “Both Sides Utilized,” because it can be used with the ball side either up or down. It works primarily as a balance-core stability training device, but can be used as part of a strengthening and cardio program as well. The one I linked to comes with a free pump and instructional booklet and video.

Here are the reasons why I love the Bosu:

It is versatile: The Bosu can be used for strength, stretching, balance, and cardio activities. Both sides can also be used for different exercises and different results.
It is durable: Bosu balls are thick and hold their air! My regular exercise ball, on the other hand, loses air constantly.
It is comfortable: I find the Bosu more comfortable for abdominal work than an exercise ball. It also is a bit easier on the back, yet it helps isolate core muscles in the same, or even better, manner as a standard exercise ball.

The downside to a Bosu over a standard fitness ball is that, at around $120, it is a bit expensive. However, I love using one so much that I find it well worth the price. Because it is durable, it will also last for years.

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Fashion Friday: Finally! Project Runway 6 Will Debut August 15.

Waiting for Project runway Season 6 has been rather frustrating. With the ability to release the already completed season because of legal battles, one had to wonder if it ever would get resolved. But the legal dispute has been resolved and Project Runway has announced that Season 6, shot this time on the west coast, will premier August 15, 2009. Here is more information. Pictured below are Michael Kors, Heidi Klum, and Nina Garcia at the long ago completed fashion week finale.

Project Runway Season 6 Finale Show In NYC

Also, Project Runway has already announced a casting call for season 7. There will be appointments here in Chicago, but you must hurry! Applications are due by April 24, 2009! Click Here for further information!

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Fashion Friday: Going to the Ballgame!

Today’s Fashion Friday post is in honor of the opening week of baseball!

Going to a ballgame doesn’t mean you can’t have some fashion fun. Here are some ways to look great, yet relaxed at the same time:

Wear casual updo. For ideas, check out this list at Total Beauty with seventeen of them that you can do in ten minutes or less.

Wear flats, but not tennis shoes. Ballet flats, flat chunky heel sandals, or dressier flip flops will keep your feet comfy without looking frumpy.

Keep makeup light and girly. You don’t want to be sweating your makeup off. Wear a light tinted moisturizer, waterproof mascara, and a light gloss for a fresh look.

Dress like a fashionable fan. Wear cute clothing or accessories with team colors instead of a full wardrobe of fan gear. Or opt for a crisp white shirt with only one piece of fanwear such as a logo tank top, or a ballcap.

Want to really dress the part of a fan? Look for a team theme handbag, such as this one for the Chicago Cubs. It looks a bit dorky online, but I saw a woman with it at the park who looked fabulous and repeatedly got compliments on the bag.

Must of all be comfortable and enjoy yourself. Ballgames are not for high style, they are for casual and relaxed fun.