Revenge Wears Prada

Last night, at the POV Lounge a top the W Hotel in Downtown Washington, DC, hundreds of women gathered to meet author Lauren Weisberger. With 1200 people confirmed, Brandlink DC invited a handful of 30 guests to meet and mingle with the author beforehand in a room with sweeping views of the District, more specifically, the Washington Monument (which is currently covered in scaffolding, from damages caused during the 2011 earthquake).  “Revenge Wears Prada,” the author’s fifth book, is the sequel to the 2003 #1 New York Times Best Seller, and subsequent movie, “The Devil Wears Prada.”

Stylish Washingtonian woman caught up with friends, while waiting to have their book signed and chat briefly with the author, who was surprised by the venue. “I’m used to signings in book stores… this is great!”

The intimate party wrapped up and Ms. Weisberger went into a larger room to sign books for the larger group, who enjoyed  a fashion presentation from Bloomingdales, a NARS make-up bar and mini-cupcakes from DC’s own Georgetown Cupcakes, while waiting.  Flavors such as chocolate/peanut butter, vanilla, lava chocolate and their most popular, red velvet, were topped with small-scale books, created from sugar.

I left the venue with a signed copy of the book, a fabulous new shade of lip gloss, compliments of NARS and an adorable reusable bag from Bloomies, decorated, of course, in their size dependent phrase “Little Brown Bag.” A vacation is forthcoming and I can’t wait to crack into this new read on the beach!  You know that it’s going to be placed right on top of my carry-on tote.

ICYMI: May 29, 2013

This ICYMI falls on the heels of the long Memorial Day weekend, which has me thinking about summer.  I forget, often, that last year, we were all over the world –  Omaha, London and celebrating Michael’s history making, Olympic success — what a year it’s been.

The summer months evoke images of beach, bathing suits and sun, but every year sneak up so quickly, feeling as if we’ve skipped right over spring, and gone from winter to summer overnight.  Here in the mid-Atlantic that oven means that temperatures dip back into winter for a few days and then jump to 90 degree temperatures, most indicative of Summer.  Ey-yi-yi!

Today’s ICYMI are focused on summer, food and fitness…

You ate it? Negate it! – I rarely think about “how long will this cookie take to burn off ” until I come across an article or infographic that shares with readers the calorie burn details (e.g. it will take 52 minutes to burn off a scoop of vanilla ice cream).  Often, they are frightening and this one is no different. Hopefully, next time, it will make me think twice before indulging in the second cookie!

Hungry Planet: How the World Eats: I am fascinated on how differently people all over the world eat, be it for cultural reasons or simply by choice.  In this piece, families from different parts of the world are shown with their weekly food purchases and approximately what each spends on food every week.

Diet Advice you Can’t Ignore: Whether it’s eating, exercise or breaking a bad habit, little changes made over time add up to big results.  Most often, it’s tough to transition overnight or “go cold turkey,” but this data says that you don’t have to! Shine.com tells us that these small tweaks are just as effective as BIG changes. (And a lot easier to manage!)

Manifesto: Have you seen these incredible shirts? Unique and available only in a short run and for a limited time, Meg Biram created something seriously special in the apparel field.  As the founder, creator and curator of all things fabulous over on MegBiram.com, she brings her creations to you!  Check out the site and pick up a limited run t-shirt (or sweatshirt) to spice up your summer wardrobe.

Photographic Tuesday

This weekend was a quiet one. Relaxing, reading and catching up with friends.  But I often find the day after a holiday weekend to be a challenge when it comes to getting back into the swing of things.  To help ease into the week, here are a few fun photos to start off the day.

Take a sip..

Smile…

Laugh…

Think…

Enjoy!

ICYMI: May 13

In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) are stories, posts and interesting tips and tricks.  I love a good recap and here is Genuine Joy’s version of link love.

Power Foods: Foods can heal or harm and this article tells us about Power Foods, that help to heal the body.  Dr. Neal Barnard, of the Physicians Committee on Responsible Medicine (PCRM), shares the benefits of certain foods and how they can help to decrease our risk of Alzheimer’s.

Hybrid Yoga: There is a new form of yoga gaining traction across the United States called DDP.  The acronym stands for Diamond Dallas Page, the name of the professional wrestler who created the activity that he defines as “traditional yoga postures with rehab stuff and old-school calisthenics.” Push ups are in, while the meditation aspect of yoga is out.  If you find traditional yoga “too slow” or aren’t interested in “Om’ing” with your neighbors, this might be more up your alley.

TV Line-Ups are changing: NBC is canceling a large number of shows from their line-up for the Fall, but Fox is adding a significant amount, including a show that brings M. Night Shyamalan to the small screen.

The Secret Behind the Rachel: Yikes! THIS was the reason behind Jennifer Aniston’s famous haircut, “the Rachel” shares hair stylist to the stars Chris McMillan

The Newest In Nails: Chalkboard! Yep.  You can paint your nails with chalkboard paint and draw on them with chalk. Read more about the trend here and pick up the nail polish set at Sephora.

Friday Food Flash

I had 5 minutes with Steuart Martens recently to discuss the upcoming BITE OF DC on May 18th. The conversation went by in a flash and true to form, Steuart’s phone was beeping and buzzing the entire time. There’s never a dull moment (or an off moment for that matter) with Steuart. As a native Washingtonian, Martens is known to many as being a competitor on “The Apprentice” with Donald Trump, but to limit the 30-year old to merely being a reality television star is like calling an Oreo a chocolate cookie–it’s barely scratching the surface. In the five minutes and three questions I had with Steuart, here’s a glimpse of what I mean…

Q: I’m hearing a lot about BITE OF DC next weekend. What makes this event unique?

A: BITE is a one-day culinary event, featuring five elite DC chefs/restaurants, preparing five unique dishes, each of which will be paired with a beer/wine recommendation. The inaugural event is being held along the DC waterfront at Yards Park, and will also feature limitless wine and beer, along with live demonstrations and entertainment. We’re doing two sessions (3p-6p and 7p-10p) and between the A-list culinary brands, the beautiful venue, and the reasonable ticket price, I think BITE is unique across the board.

Q: Speaking of ticket price, I see that tickets are only $49 and that seems like such a low price-point for this particular alignment of chefs/restaurants. Was that a strategy from the outset/

A: I don’t know that it was a strategy, but to some degree, I think it is probably a part of our core beliefs as a company. I’ve always said dining should be aspirational, yet attainable. Sure, everyone stares at those classic, black and white, Ralph Lauren ads with the tuxedo, the evening gown, and the vintage Rolls Royce. It’s aspirational, but when you get down to it, it’s neither relatable nor attainable. To some degree, fine dining is the same; the difference being, I want people to see our ‘ad’ and get excited, buy tickets, attend, and then tell their friends about it afterwards. For me, it’s about bridging the gap between aspirational and attainable, and to some degree pricing goes into that calculus.

Q: Let’s talk for a moment about the culinary brands you have at BITE. Who are you most excited about?

A: We have Rogue 24 (RJ Cooper), Jaleo by Jose Andres, Cedar (Aaron McCloud), Windows (Laurent Lhuillier), and Luke’s Lobsters (Luke Holden). Those are brand-name, award winning, restaurants/chefs spread across a variety of culinary demographics, all gathered in one place, on one day, for one purpose…to be part of BITE OF DC. I’m excited about the experiment. To some degree, it’s like tweaking a recipe (no pun intended) in that you add these different ingredients hoping for a particular flavor or result. For BITE, I think the flavors will marinate nicely, and the end result will be fantastic!

Q: Last question–how do we purchase tickets and can people buy them on the day of the event?

A: To purchase tickets, please go here As you mentioned, they are only $49 and sure they can be bought on the day of the event, but we are encouraging people to buy them as soon as possible because our sister event DRINK THE DISTRICT, sells out for all sessions. To secure your spot, get your tickets today!

At that point, Steuart’s phone buzzed again, and he politely asked if he could excuse himself to take a call. No rest for the weary.

And the winner is…

I was blown away and humbled by the number and quality of the responses to the Third Annual 30 for 30.  There are a lot of people out there who stepped outside of their comfort zone, tried a new workout and/or set a routine for themselves over the last 30 days.  Thank you ALL for sharing your journeys and experiences with me!

The winner of the first giveaway is: Tiffany Pham.  Tiffany wrote a fabulous piece about conquering fear, stepping outside of her comfort zone and tackling a bucket list item of “learn to swim.”

Tiffany, congratulations! You embody Genuine Joy and I look forward to your many adventures to come.

Until Tomorrow…

What I Learned: Third Annual 30 for 30

April has come to a close and May is officially here.  Events such as weddings, horse racing (Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes) and graduations are taking over the calendar, which makes me happy that I blocked out the month of April to dedicate to my fitness and health. Health is a journey, not a destination and this year, there were a few lessons I learned.

1) Stay hydrated.  This is especially important as the weather warms up and the humidity soars.  Water is needed by every metabolic and cellular function in your body, and when you are dehydrated — even slightly — your body has to extract fluid from your food and hold onto it, creating a supply reserve, to ensure your cells have enough to work properly.  This energy is used to take water from your foods rather than repair your body.  Dehydration also causes fatigue and mimics feelings of hunger. To make sure you are properly hydrated, divide your weight in pounds in half and drink that number in fluid ounces every day).

2) Schedule workouts.  I have to put workouts on my calender and schedule them one week out.  If I don’t take the time to plan, workouts get pushed to the back burner and work, coffee dates and dinners take priority.

3) I have a hard time trying new “things” and in this case, workouts.  I’ve said for months (possibly years) that I’m going to take a Zumba class.  Guess what? This year’s 30 for 30 came and went, with nary a Zumba class in sight.  Or a barre class.  Or paddleboarding.  You get the point.  I stick to what I know: running, biking, swimming, yoga, strength work.  Exercise should be fun, and the above workouts are, but I often “forget” that hiking, hip hop class or kayaking count towards my daily activity.

4) Fitness is more than a number on a scale.  While I didn’t lose the 5 pounds I had hoped (I lost 3), I did notice that clothes fit better, which ultimately means a more toned body. I felt better from day to day, there was a smile on my face and a bounce in my step.  Working out until it breaks me or severely limiting my calories won’t provide any of those effects.

Thank you, dear reader and 30 for 30 warriors, for joining me on this leg of the journey.  But, as I said, this path continues and we continue to walk it together.  I LOVED reading all of your experiences and am grateful for all of the wonderful (and constructive) feedback.  Tomorrow, I will announce the winner of the Giveaway, which includes a Springy Danielle Nicole handbag and items (including nutrition bars!) from Vega.

Keep plugging along; update me on your progress and remember to enjoy the journey…

Until tomorrow (or next year for the challenge)…

Day 30- Final Day

Tomorrow is May 1, meaning that today marks the last day in Genuine Joy’s third annual 30 for 30. Time flies when you’re having fun!

Today is a gym workout before I get on a plane to fly across the country and have my running shoes packed for a run tomorrow before my meeting. You know what’s interesting/odd? Of all the hotels I searched, in the entire city, there were only a handful that had a gym available in their hotel.  I feel like they are in every hotel here on the East Coast, even if only an elliptical machine and a TV mounted to the wall.  However, I really enjoy running in a new city, because it’s a great way to explore while working out and any way to muti-task works well for me!

In the next few days, I’ll summarize what I learned, results and my experience.  Even as a seasoned athlete and lifelong fitness advocate, there are times when I experience an “ah ha” moment, and continue to learn, grow and evolve, which is a great thing in life.  We are always learning!

I want to hear from you.  I want to hear your experience.  What have you learned? Are you happy this month is over or have you picked up some tools along the way, which help you to continue on this path? Do you plan your workouts out on your calendar? Did you try something new (sadly, I did not during this year’s 30 for 30… but, that doesn’t mean I can’t next month!)

For those who didn’t join this year, no worries.  Tomorrow is a new day and you can begin your own challenge whenever you see fit (pun intended). Fitness isn’t a destination, it’s a journey.  So take the first step and start your own journey.

Until tomorrow…

Day 29: The TV Workout

We make time for what is important, but there are some days that fly by in the blink of an eye and by the time I get home all I want to do is put on comfy clothes and decompress.  On those days, when the time has flown and the couch is calling your name, there are a few exercises you can do to ensure you get your heart pumping, aptly titled the TV Workout!

On those days when the gym sounds unappealing, it’s raining outside and the thought of twisting yourself into a yoga pretzel is daunting, the TV workout can be completed while enjoying your favorite sitcom or reality TV show.  Win win!

Now… what was your excuse for not working out today?

Until tomorrow…

Healthy Chocolate Mousse

Sounds like an oxymoron, but I promise you, it’s creamy, delicious and yes… even healthy! And, just in time for the weekend.  Happy Friday everyone!

The ingredients also sounds a little, um, abnormal for dessert, and trust me when I tell you that I had the same reaction to the odd list.  But once I got over the foods not usually seen in desserts and just tried it, I really enjoyed it and have made it a few times now. The secret ingredient is… ready? Avocado!  It sounds odd and the combination of the green with the chocolate-brown sounds a bit strange, but mark my words, if you like chocolate mousse, you will LOVE this recipe!

Cacao or cocoa power

Avocado

The avocado provides good fat and sets up a creamy consistency.  The mild flavor of the avocado is masked by the other ingredients.  All you will taste is the delicious chocolate!

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados
• 3 tablespoons agave or honey
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used raw cacao powder)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Small pinch of salt
• 3 tablespoons almond, soy or regular milk
• 1 cup washed raspberries or strawberries (optional)
• 1 tablespoon of almond or peanut butter (optional)

Directions:

1. Cut the avocados in half and remove the pit.  Scoop out the green flesh and put into a blender or food processor.
2. Add the remaining ingredients (other than the berries) and combine. I recommend adding a tablespoon of sweetener at a time, as you can always add more but can’t take it out if it’s too sweet for your liking.
3. Scoop into a bowl and chill until you are ready to serve. You can eat it immediately (or taste a spoonful or two) but it thickens as it sits in the refrigerator, which gives it a thick, mousse-like texture.
4. Top with berries before eating or drudge strawberries through the mousse and enjoy!