Here's what I've got, babe...

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I thought I would share my super sweet {in taste & gesture} Pink Champagne Cupcake Recipe! And by "my", I mean, adapted by Sassy Mama in LA. {You may remember these pink-beauts when they made their appearance in my inaugural blog post} The shamps not only adds a moist-meets-fluff factor from the bubbly, but using pink shamps brings just a tinge of extra of sweetness. This may sound odd...but I can almost TASTE the pink. And do you know what pink tastes like?! Sweet, sugary, angelic romance. Yep, all of that just by biting into these bitty-cakes. Now, I know what you're thinking—why would my manly-man enjoy a mouthful ofpink? Trust me, it does something to make your heart pitter-patter and melt, all at once. BUT, if your man is just u t t e r l y repulsed by eating something pink {Hi, Daddio!}, feel free to dye it black—like his soul. {Just kidding...sort of.} What's e v e n better about adding shamps to cupcakes? The recipe doesn't call for the whole bottle—so, by all means, if the shamps is popped, pour yourself a glass! {Don't mind if I do... Cheers!} Hubs, wifey, fiance, gf, bf, bestie, workplace, girls' night in—whoever or whatever the recipient—pop the shamps {pour yourself a glass}, follow this recipe {sip another glass}, and get your fizzy-cake on {accompanied by that last glass}. Pink Champagne Cupcakes {NC notes in pink!} Makes: 18-24 Cupcakes Total Time: Approximately 30 minutes Ingredients 1 Box of Class White Cake Mix 1 1/4 C + 3T of Pink Champagne 3 Egg Whites 1/3 C Oil Pink Food Coloring {drop to your likeness of pink!} 1 Container of Vanilla Frosting Optional: frilly sprinkle decor for topping Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners {Note: you may not end up using all cupcake slots}. In a large mixing bowl, add the dry cake mix, 1 1/4 C pink champagne, egg whites and oil. This is where you have to make the decision between pink, or black {or any other color that suits your valentine's preference}—once that decision is made, add as many drops of food coloring as you'd like until the batter is coloriffic. Now, at this point it always comes to the "mix with a mixer for 3-minutes on medium" step—yea, yea, mixer, smixer. Unless it's made from scratch, I'm not busting out the mixer. I whip out my trusty whisk or cake spatula and get in my arm workout for the day. Mix until no lumps appear, approximately 2-3 minutes {I suggest switching arms before the starting mixing arm falls off into the batter}. Fill the cupcake liners approximately 2/3 of the way up—do NOT fill to the top or your cupcake will overflow. And that is w a s t e d champagne, people. #partyfoul Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. While you cool your 'cakes on a wire rack, "whip" up the frosting {I use "whip" lightly, as you're really just opening a tub of ready-made icing} by transferring the contents of the container to a small mixing bowl and add in 3T of champagne. Yes, it will bubble, but it will settle as you stir - so gets to mixin'! Once combined, pop in the fridge so it thickens back up a bit while your cupcakes completely cool. Once your cuppy-cakes are cooled, grab the icing, fancify it as you'd like {I used Wilton Tip #106}, and ice each pink fluffy mound. Optional: Top with extra decor {I used a mix of CakeMate Silver & Gold "Glitter", Wilton Pink Sparkling Sugar & Cake Mate Classic Pearls. Go big or go home!} Now you are free to indulge in your pink champagne cupcakes {hey, if you made them for yourself, no one is judging—we're our own first & forever Valentine, right?} or package them up to pass on to your 2015 crush. Mine just so happens to be the same one as in 2014...and 2013...and all the way back to 2002 <3 Happy Valentine's Day, lovers! #recipe

Everyone who knows me, knows I loathe clean hair. *Blech* What am I supposed to do with this squeaky-clean, free-flowing, natural, freshly-washed hair?! Dirty it up! That's what. When you spend a good portion of your week with gritty strands, you get creative with how to style them. One of my go-to's for sprucing up a dirty-'do is by incorporating a headwrap. There are SO many ways to wear a headwrap - these are just a sprinkling of my favs! Things a headwrap are good for: Transitioning from clean, down & bohemian to dirty, gritty and pony. Masking roots! Insta-accessorizing tool. Taming those pesky in-between bangs. Taking your style from boho-babe to sweet princess in the swoop of a bow. Finding a headwrap that can make all five of these things happen, while staying stylish, practical & most importantly - staying PUT - is a task. That's why I'm o b s e s s e d with Simply1Love's headwraps. Hello gorgeous, tribal, diverse, beauty - wrap me up! And what's a headwrap without a hair tie? Simply1Love - at it again. Not to mention: floral halos,turbans {LOVE a good turb}, festive hair ties, Mommy & Me scarves {anything mommy & me is just ah-dorbs}, hair jewels & so much more! I'm a frequent Etsy-shop swooner & daily Instagram stalker. Join me - shop, stalk, swoon - WRAP. Psst...Hair how-to's got me like - more, more, more! I Like Big [Hair] Buns {And I Cannot Lie} Beach-Waved Bob Tutorial #hairtutorial #hairhowto #hairstyle

You or your bestie are engaged—yay! At that very moment you official committed to a good 90 minutes a day of Pinteresting to build up the secret photography/florals/seating arrangements/photobooth boards, and now it's onto—dun, dun, dun—finding the p e r f e c t style to compliment your dress {which also has its own board, obvi}. You find one that you love, but it's only the back, and what if the front is like, totally sleek and plastered to her head? *Gasp* So you type in something that Pinterest may be able to decipher and return results on: "front of bridesmaid hair half updo loose curls." You, along with Pinterest, are lost. You resort to bringing multiple print-outs of pictures to show the stylist and hope that she can piece together the style you've mashed together from similar-ish pictures. Now, don't get me wrong—as a stylist I love an out-of-the-Pinterest 'do that we create together. "Something a little like this, but incorporate this, and maybe have a braid?" I'm all about it. But that's usually reserved for the very laid-back bride or bridesmaid who doesn't really care about the outcome or has specifics about how the front should look. The majority of my updo's-to-be come to me, Pinterest-defeated, saying that they found the style they want but only the back, or only the front - and so, what does the other side look like!? Oh, if I had a penny for every defeated Pinterester. So, this past wedding season I set out on a mission {with my trusty sidekick assistant/photog} to capture every updo from e v e r y angle. Pin away, my dears, pin away. 1. {The Beautiful Mess} 2. {Big Bridal Bun} 3. {Braided Bangs & Messy Updo} 4. {Braided Side Bun} 5. {If Elsa Had an Updo} 6. {The Sleek Center-Part Kardashian Bun} 7. {Classic Romance Updo} 8. {Classy Crossover Bun} 9. {Eva Longoria Inspired Updo} 10. {Flower Crown Girl} 11. {Flower Girl Side Bun} 12. {Grown-up Ballerina Bun} 13. {Intricate Braided & Twisted Bun} 14. {Curly Bun} 15. {Romantic Side Cluster} 16. {Small Chic Side Bun} 17. {Sweet Low Chignon with Tendrils} 18. {Taylor Swift Side Swept Updo} 19. {Twisted & Intertwined Updo} 20. {Vintage Rosettes Updo} Psst...SO much more wedding hair inspo: Bridal Trial Hair: Do's & Dont's The Best of 2015 Wedding Hair #hair #hairstyle #SilverLiningsSalon

It's January, majorly post-Labor Day, and not even close to Memorial Day, but yes, ladies & ladies {gents don't so much care} - I am in WHITE. Not that I e v e r believed in following the fashion rules {my mom used to yell at me for wearing two different socks to school—I started young}, but naysayers will tell you that white after Labor Day is the number one fashion faux pas. But you know what? I will wear my white, mix my patterns, mash-up gold & silver, and by god, I WILL rock my UGGs until the end of time. Fashion faux pas be damned. Who's with me?! Excuse me, sir, do you know where I can find a Starbucks? Pants: American Eagle // Shirt: TJMaxx find, plus my favorite piko style tops from Kiki Larue // Vest: Francesca's // Scarf: Oldie, but similar fav from SheIn // Booties: Old Navy // Necklace: Nordstrom Rack in-store sale find, but similar, and look at this beaut! // Watch: Paris flea market find // Bracelet: The Loft // Earrings: Flea market find, but very similar from Francescas // Sunglasses: Kate Spade {gifted} // Purse: Vintage Coach {gifted} Psst... More fashion inspo that semi-follow the rules ;-) A Love Affair With Fall {And Loft Pants} That 70's Style: Two Ways #shopping #style #fashion #accessories

I know I'm usually on here touting about my love of nutrition, health & fitness, but the truth is... I have a very deceiving love affair with swirly drinks. Yes, swirly drinks. Ya know, the kind that oozes out of a machine that has been so nicely swirling your favorite flavor{s} into frozen concoctions? Yea, that's a swirly drink. I countdown to my very first PIDA of the season {Pain in de ass - for all of you Ocean City Seacrets virgins}, and literally melt at the first sip--the perfect combination of rum runner-meets-pina colada. Swirled, appropriately. But, I don't discriminate against any swirlies - catch me at a Fat Tuesday and I'll mix-and-match any flavor I can get my mouth on. So, leave it to me turn a nutritious-packed Shakeology into a Summer tastebud-pleasing flavor. Adding in bright fruit like pineapple and peaches, mixed with a Strawberry pack of ShakeO, gives this power-shake the flair of swirlies, with a teeny tiny fraction of the calories - and absolutely NO guilt. Though, admittedly, I totally feel guilty sucking this down - it's that deceivingly good! Trust me when I tell you that I have thought more than once about adding a splash {or two} of liquor to this bad boy - but I almost feel like ShakeO packets across the world would shudder. Sans alcohol, the only ingredients you need are: 1 packet Strawberry ShakeO {or 1 scoop} 1/2 cup frozen peaches 1/2 cup frozen pineapples 1 cup fresh spinach 1/2 cup unsweetened original almond milk Ice to your liking Throw it all together in a blender {no rhyme or reason} and blend until smooth. Then sip, melt, and try to refrain from grabbing the rum... #fitness #recipe

Here I go again, shaming Shakeology and turning one of my favorite desserts into a *nutritious* shake! Read it [the ingredients] and weep, ya'll. This ShakeO packs a serious nutrition-punch: oats, banana and spinach? Can you say fiber & protein packed? Oh, you can't? It's because your mouth is too full with this delectable dessert-like shake, isn't it? Knew it. You know the drill - throw all of these ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth: 1 packet Vanilla Shakeology 1/4 cup old fashioned oats 1/2 frozen banana (fresh is fine, if need be, but frozen makes it creamier!) 1 cup raw spinach 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (not cinnamon sugar - this puppy is sweet enough!) 1/2 cup unsweetened original almond milk Ice to your liking/thickness So, here's where the raisins come in... You can either add a teaspoon of raisin extract in place of the vanilla {yea, it's a for real thing - found, where else, Amazon!} or add a tablespoon of actual raisins - which is what I did. The thing is, my blender didn't really...blend them all that well. But I didn't really mind! I got the flavor and the crunch - and I'm totally a crunch girl. Actually, they're more like a "chewy" than a "crunchy" but I can still did a "chew." Anyway, I digress. All you need to know is that it tastes like an oatmeal raisin cookie, and that makes me as happy as a girl eating dessert for dinner {and not gaining an ounce from it}! Are there any dessert flavors that you would like to challenge me to turn into a ShakeO?? Because I am SO up for the dessert challenge. Leave your suggestions, requests and flavors below! Psst... Fancy dessert for dinner, huh? Add these to your arsenal: Chocolate Covered Berries Milkshake-O Creamy Vanilla Strawberry Vanilla Shakeology #health #recipe #fitness

Let's be real, it should really be called "Skin City," as it is one of the most fashionable cities in the US...with the least amount of clothing. From bikinis, to brunch, to bars—there's little left to the imagination. I for one like to keep it a little more "conservative"—well, conservative compared to Vegas standards. A peek here, a peek there, all while leaving a little to the imagination. I'm nothing if not a lady {don't tell my pool-cabana-behaving-self that}... This is what a girl in her element looks like... Scoured the stores for this hat prior to Vegas and finally gave up the day before we left. Two hours into being in Vegas, this hat found its way on to the top of my head. Don't you love when that happens!? Stop looking—it'll find you. When you're "posing" and the hubs makes a funny... Skirt: Marshalls {lucky sifter sale find!} Similar Michael Kors, Similar plain black {a steal!} // Crop top: Forever21 & Another super cute pattern // Sandals: TOMS {style no longer available}, Similar thong style, Similar cross-over style, Similar wedge style{someone get me off this site! TOMS are the b e s t} // Top hat: H&M & Love this two-tone // Bracelet: Kiki La'Rue {no longer available}, Super similar from JCrew & Similar // Ring: Oldie {somewhere in my shopping adventures...}, Similar // Earrings: American Eagle {no longer available}, Similar & Double-sided {SO cool!} // Purse {that you can't really make out, but I promise is cute...}: TJMaxx {oldie}, Similar from TJMaxx & Adorable bucket style from Forever21 While flats & top hats will suffice for the sunny daylight hours, a presto-chango is needed for the evening hours. Especially when there are mini replicas of the Eiffel Tower involved and celebrations to be had. {Peep the cut-out—see, skin city.} Dress: Charlotte Russe & so many more white-hot options, it's not even funny. Some more favs: all lace with tummy cut-out, two-piece crop top & midi skirt, mesh & lace long-sleeves & this floral lace open-back number // Shoes: BCBG {no longer available}, Similar from Nordstrom Rack & Similar from Lord & Taylor // Earrings: Francesca's {no longer available}, Similar & Similar My reason for celebrating, in case you were wondering <3 #fashion #accessories #style #beauty #shopping

Let's flashback a bit, shall we? Childhood—I played soccer, softball, volleyball and basketball year-round, with a passion...and with as little running as possible. The name of my game was defense, aka, hang back and let the opponent come to me. Teenage years—I failed my ROTC physical training test because I couldn't run the course fast enough {or finish at all...}. I quit almost all sports that required a timed-run as part of the tryout. And I sure as heck was not running for "fun." {I also didn't understand this relation of "running" and "fun"—whose idea of "fun" was that?!} Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman {your first taste of my Britney-obsession—don't even try to knock it}—"Fun Runs", aka, 5K's, were becoming all the rage. I joined my first ever gym and stepped onto my first treadmill. The longest I could run at a 5mph+ speed was maybe—M A Y B E—three minutes. Three minutes, ya'll! The thought of running nonstop for 10 minutes or *gasp* 3.2 miles was laughable. I laugh in the face of 5K's! {insert evil laugh} Catch up to today and I am a {self-proclaimed} bonafide runner. I have completed a countless number of those daunting 5K's, crossed the finish-line of my first half-marathon two years ago, knock out at least nine miles on the weekly, and I'm currently training for a 10-miler (that's 15K!) in April. And I did it all while nonstop running. That's over 2 1/2 hours of straight running—if you're counting. So, from a barely three minute jog, to a 13+ mile trot, I am proof that anyone, at any size, any age {yes, any age}, and with any level of determination can build their stamina and L O V E for running. It's actually—dare I say—FUN!! Now that you know you CAN run, let's add in the r e a l fun part! Running on a straight & narrow road, or especially on the never-ending tread, can be total boresville—even with the jammiest of jams {like Brit-Brit}. My go-to running technique not only keeps me super distracted, but also constantly confuses my body & muscles to keep my cardio routines super-fresh! And my surefire way not to tire of the same ol' HIITs over and over again? I compete with myself! "How far did I run last time with 'HIIT-tastic'? Oh, is that so? Well, I see your three miles and I raise you .2 miles! What now!?" {You do all have pep-talks with yourself before a workout, right?!} My love of HIITs {High Intensity Interval Training} has manifested over time, and while I have countless HIITs pinned, I have started to create my own to mix it up even more and evolve with my level of running! From beginner to speedy-Gonzalez, I'll sporadically be bringing you HIITs to add to your routine. Let's get HIIT-tastic, ya'll! #fitness #health

If you're on the east coast right now, you are getting slammed with dreary, rain-soaking, want-to-stay-in-bed-all-day weather {Thanks, Joaquin}. But I have a reason for you to get out of bed—even if it's just for 10 minutes to throw together this warm, comforting, Crockpot Balsamic Chicken. And by "throw together," I really do mean, throw together - with any canned, jarred or frozen ingredients you have on hand. You know the saying "everything but the kitchen sink?" That totally applies here. The base of this recipe is chicken breast and a balsamic glaze that is too die for. Everything else is free game. Feeling Italian? Go for tomatoes, onions, garlic & fresh hearty herbs like basil. Feeling Greek? Go for olives, peppers, red onions & oregano. In this case, I was feeling, "ooooh, look, this might go good!" I raided the pantry, the fridge and the freezer for this flavor-packed hearty meal that was ready in 10 minutes...plus 4 hours of simmer time. Balsamic "Pantry" Chicken in the Crockpot Servings: 4-6 Total time: 10 minutes, plus 4 hours Ingredients 4-6 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts {thawed, if frozen} 1 medium onion, sliced thinly 1 can tomato, okra, corn mix {juices included} 1 can artichoke hearts {I poured out most of the juice and reserved a tiny bit for extra flavor} 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 4 cloves of fresh garlic {or, if you're lazy like me...2 Tbsp of jarred chopped garlic} 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 tsp each: oregano, basil and rosemary 1/2 tsp thyme 1 pinch red pepper flakes {or a couple pinches - we like spice!} S&P to taste Instructions Spray crockpot with Pam (or greaser of choice) & set crockpot to High. Drizzle in olive oil, then lay in chicken breasts {flat} and sprinkle with S&P. Top with sliced onions, pantry/freezer findings, sprinkle on garlic and remaining seasonings. {Basically, throw the rest of the ingredients BUT the balsamic vinegar in the pot.} Drizzle everything with balsamic vinegar. Set and forget for four hours! Depending on the flavors you went with, you can serve over rice, quinoa, pasta, orzo, or eat by it's lonesome! The above version touts less than 200 calories per cup, before the "base" {in my case I served over quinoa & drizzled with a Tbsp of balsamic glaze}. Rainy days may be dreary, but at least they're delicious! Psst...More delicious comfort food: Deemed the "Best Chili on Earth" #recipe #hostessinspo #health

Is it just me, or have even pumpkins stepped up their fashion game?! The best thing about pumpkins is that they're no longer a Halloween-thang—they're a Fall-round decor game changer. Porches, coffee tables, mantles - you name it, they're adorning it. And seeing as how Fall is my favorite season, I'm certainly not going to complain about endless options for decorating all season long. Another thing I'm not complaining about? Loft pants. Jeans, cords, flares, skinnies, joggers, capris, leggings—I. Am. Obsessed. I have professed this on my Instagram multiple times. It's borderline sales pitch, but I assure you that I do not work for, nor am I affiliated with The Loft - other than the mass amounts of money I spend on their soft, stretchy, bum-covering pants. Ya see, when you have a born & bred badunk, and then you "juice" it up with some PiYo, finding pants to comfortably cover said badunk without that awful back gap is near impossible. I now own 7 pairs of pants, all different styles & fabrics from The Loft and not one gaps, droops, overly stretches throughout the day, or loses it's color or softness after each wash. They are worth every penny—especially when they offer sales-on-top-of-sales, and therefore less pennies ;-) Side Loft note: I know what you're thinking... "Isn't that a store for...my mom?" Au contraire. The Loft has majorly stepped up it's trendy game and is now one of my favorite places to peruse {and buy} this Fall. Trend meets comfort A N D quality?! The Forever21 teen in me cringes, while the now 30-year-old in me says, "Give me all the comfort & quality." So, don't fear, just Loft. Pants: The Loft {I'm wearing Modern Straight, but they also have these in Modern Book Cut & Modern Skinny!} // Shirt: H&M {Oldie, but similiar & similar with flair} // Scarf: The Loft {What?! I couldn't pass it up! Also: similar & and tribally; and how cute is this animal print?!} // Booties: Old Navy // Purse: Nordstrom Rack {No longer available, but similar & similar} // Bracelet: The Loft {no longer available, but super similar} Even Paris the pup got to take in some Fall festivities, and I think it's safe to say that she had a blast...and even met a friend! If you're local to the DMV and looking for an A M A Z E pumpkin patch, check out Councell Farms on the Eastern Shore. Fashion pumpkins galore! {Feel free to save, pin or print for great backgrounds, fall prints & more!} Psst...some more Fall & Winter inspo! That 70's Fall Style: Two Ways Flippy Floppy Hat #fashion #shopping #accessories #style

I am no stranger to fitness programs - I have tried almost all of the trendy routines under the sun.Body Revolution, P90x (and P90x3!), 30-Day Shred, Biggest Loser, HIIT's, cross-training, and pretty much anything by Jillian Michaels. You name it, I've done it, and occasionally still revisit my favs. So when you ask me to start a new program with a new instructor that I've never virtually met before, I'm weary, judgement and skeptical...I'm a fitness snob. Nonetheless, my incredible BeachBody coach gave me all the convincing I needed and I started my journey with Chalene and her long and lean limbs. I started BeachBody's PiYo when I was fresh off the heels of training for, and running, a 10-miler. Suffice it to say I wasn't in "bad" shape—I felt strong and energetic. But I was b o r e d. BORED, I tell ya! I was tired of hitting the tread and felt a little bulky from all of the cross strength training that came along with a 10-week running program. I needed something f r e s h, and something that would get me long and lean—something that would make me Summer-ready! Enter, PiYo. This is my full, raw, no-holds-bar review of every single aspect of PiYo - broken down by each workout! Hopefully it will help you decide whether PiYo is a good fit for you...or not...but I'm going to give a pre-review round-up of my detailed review below and say yes, it's t o t a l l y a good fit for you, and you, and you. Align: The Fundamentals {43 minutes} So, like I said, I am a former P90x & P90x3'er, and I've also done my fair share of yoga in the past, so this "workout" was a bit...::grits teeth::...pointless, for me. Chalene basically walks you through the different moves, the terminology, and the layout of the program. This is NOT considered a workout, in my book. I watched 15 minutes and then said, "Okay, I got it," and moved on to the next day's workout. Do yourself a favor and watch this the Sunday before you start. If you feel like you're BeachBody {BB} & yoga savvy, you'll know in the first 10 minutes whether it's worth it to watch or not. If you've never done a BB program or a measly downward dog, this is probably beneficial for you to watch. But I'm more of a hands-on kind of learner - I'd rather do the dog than hear about it. Define: Lower Body {20 minutes} Truth be told, this was a little easy for me, too. Remember, I had just come off a rigorous 10-week running program where we did a LOT of lower body work. At the end of this video I felt like, that's it?! Now what do I do to get my sweat on? Which brings me to... Define: Upper Body {19 minutes} Same song and dance as above - which is to say: a lot of song, not a lot of dance. After doing each of these twice I made the executive decision to start pairing them on the same day. You get a great stretchy yoga-heavy workout for under 40 minutes. I would either pair them together and do a run on the second day, or pair each with a short run or circuit workout pin. I do NOT think they're pointless, I just think they're better served together or paired with another workout. This, again, coming from someone who was used to working out up to an hour a day. So, 19 minutes? I laugh in the face of 19 minutes! This became one of my favorite AM workouts when I needed to wake-up, but not throw up. And then I would do a second workout after or in the PM. Sweat {37 minutes} NOW we're talking!! Sweat is very, VERY, aptly named. You know how you sweat so much, and so quietly, that it's just dripping off the ball of your nose? Times that by ten. The sweat will be rollingoff your nose. The best part of Sweat is, even though you're buns are burning, your legs are quivering, your arms are buckling and your abs are screaming, you don't feel like you're killing yourself. Chalene takes you riiiighttt to the edge, and then BANG - you're moving on. Switching it up and having that fluid motion is likely, I think, why you're glistening like a pig in oil. This is one of my absolute favorite PiYo workouts!! Core {30 minutes} Anything core is always my favorite - I love a good ab-crushing workout! This one is no different. It is core at its finest - encompassing some of my favorite and well-known core moves {like the bicycle}...and newly hated core moves {PiYo pike, anyone?}. But when I say "hate," what I mean is, love to hate {hate to love? Either way.}. This is 30 nonstop waist-cinching minutes, but they FLY and you're left feeling tight and taut. P.S. The last move is a funky little side-plank meets bend backwards in half and kick forward move that you have to live to understand - but it's a new fav! Buns {28 minutes} Of STEEL, ya'll, steel. Not to be graphic, but I think my buns are my most, um, enhanced, aspect from this workout? Yea, enhanced. This bun-burner will leave you feeling like you can barely sit down - in the best way possible. I think the first day after I did this workout for the first time I actually contemplated crawling to the bathroom, and then somehow figuring out how to hover over the toilet. You know the feeling - this will certainly give it to you. Chalene again takes you right to the edge when you think your gluteus medius {that's your bum-cheek-bone} might very well pop right out of your skin, and though mine now looks like it might at any second, I thank Chalene from the bottom of my bum for my new Kardashian-esque bootay. {The hubs thanks her, too.} Strength Intervals {21 minutes} This is the perfect quickie to pair with a quick run or Upper or Lower PiYo! It flies! But don't let that fool you - it will still kick your bum and leave you in pain and dripping sweat. I almost always pair this with a 2 miler, or even sneak it in on my "off day." Keep in mind that you can do anything for 20 minutes and you'll crank this sucker out in a cinch. {Just kidding, don't hate me when you're in pain after 20 minutes... Mind over matter!!} DRENCH {48 minutes} Remember how Sweat actually leaves you sweaty? Times that by, oh, I don't know - 30? And you have yourself DRENCH. It is in capital letters for a very good reason. There is no other way to explain Drench, other than that you will literally be left dripping, oozing, drowning in sweat. You clothes will be drenched, your floor will be drenched, and if your dog gets too close, they too will be drenched. This is one of my absolute favorite PiYo workouts, because although it is the longest at a whopping 48 minutes, you feel like you can take on the world afterward! Well, after a good shower, some gorging on a delicious ShakeO, and maybe a nap. This workout takes bits and pieces from every single workout - all of your favorite moves in a nonstop fat-blasting workout. Then you round out the whole thing with 13 minutes of "flow" at the very end. Flow is like yoga on speed - and I swear that's where you elevate from sweaty to drenched. There's a good reason why this workout doesn't make an appearance until week four! Sculpt {26 minutes} Sculpt is a lot like Strength Intervals in the way that it's quick, painful & done before you know it. This is like a mini Drench in fast forward - hitting each area very quickly before moving on to the next. Despite its condensed version, you still get a major workout. The one thing that sets this workout apart from the rest is a chair. Yes, a chair. Your biceps, triceps and glutes will be screaming and pissed at that chair by the end of this one!! Bonus: Hardcore on the Floor {33 minutes} After a few weeks you get the option to swap out Core for Hardcore on the Floor, but truth be told, I was so obsessed with Core that I couldn't imagine substituting it! I didn't try Hardcore until after my 60-day program was over...and boy was I regretful. Hardcore is almost a tiny notch harder than Core and you literally never. ever. ever. get off the floor! After a few weeks of Core I would suggest swapping this out every other time. Don't forgo Core altogether because they both have their strengths {and by strength I mean pain}, but do incorporate Hardcore every now and then! So, there you have it - my honest rundown of PiYo. Did I convince you to sign-up, or did I scare you off?! I hope it's not the latter... If you need any more inspiration that YOU can do this, how about the fact that my BB coach {Gina Notes of Popcorn and Pandas} was actually doing the program the same time as me...while seven months pregnant!! If that doesn't make you get off your bum and start planking, I don't know what will. Thoughts on PiYo?? Please share below!! And feel free to ask me anything else about this strength & toning workout program with my new fitness-BFF, Chalene ;-) Psst! You may also like: 10 Health Hacks: How I Changed My Body, My Life #fitness #health #workout

A fitness frenemy: someone who you dread seeing, despise while in their "presence," andoccasionally cuss at - yet whole-heartedly credit for your strength, stamina & health. Take Jillian Michaels for example - she was one of my first workout DVD purchases, and I stalk her social accounts for any mention of a new DVD. Then, I spend a few times a week cussing Jillian to hell and wishing I had never "met" her. But I'm hooked, and I'll never give her up, no matter how much I hate her when I'm on my 18th burpee, and I'm contemplating throwing the kettlebell at our very nice TV. But Jill {we're close like that} isn't my only Fitness Frenemy—I have an arsenal of personal trainers yelling at me in my living room. Weight Watchers taught me how to eat, my running-coach-BFF taught me how to run {and how to hate Shaun T}, and Jillian, Bob, Jackie, Chalene, Tony, Jeanette & SO many more taught me how to get strong, long & lean. I'm not selfish—I'll share my trainers, and I'll even let them spend time in your living room {given that you purchase them on Amazon, atTarget, or through my go-to BeachBody coach...}. Running While I still follow Hal Higdon's schedules when training for a distance run - I like to keep things fresh, fast & exciting when hitting the tread on a regular basis. Enter my absolute favorite running workout - HIIT's, aka, high intensity interval training. Here are a few of my go-to HIITs that keep my mind occupied and my feet flying. HIIT-tastic {A gradual 2-minute increase} Anything and everything by pbfingers {My favs are the 30 Minute Treadmill Workout, and the 30 Minute Intense Incline Treadmill Workout} "Yellow Notepad 4 Mile HIIT" {As I dreadfully fondly refer to it as. I've made it through this to the Tonce, but I've attempted it many times!} Bess Be Fit - 30 minute HIIT {A back and forth killer that f l i e s!} Yoga "You're almost always a beginner in yoga." Skinnygirl® Bethenny Frankel said it best—you are always evolving with yoga, always learning, always getting a workout. No matter how many times you do the same yoga routine, it can still leave you with a penguin waddle the next day. The key to yoga is to engage, BREATHE, and never give up. I will crow, I will wheel, and dammit, I willheadstand one day. Bob Harper: Yoga for the Warrior {Yes, it's an hour. But I promise you it will become your favorite hour of the entire week.} Jeanette Jenkins: The Hollywood Trainer's Power Yoga {Disclaimer: I have never done the full DVD in one sitting, because, ain't nobody got time for that. And also, I like to be able to walk. But, I will pair the 40 minute power yoga with the vinyasa or abs and call it one hell of a workout!} Yoga Inferno with Jillian Michaels {This is the second in Jillian's yoga series and steps it up a notch!} PiYo with Chalene Johnson {This is the Donny & Marie of workouts - it's a little bit pilates, and a little bit yoga. Confused? Don't be—check out my full review and breakdown {and love} of PiYo on the blog!} Cardio Although I'd love to complete every BeachBody program in full, I'm pretty sure it's impossible. But, it's not impossible to at least get a taste of every program, thanks to BeachBody On Demand! {Again, I swear I'm not a coach or rep, even though I sound like a programmed BB robot. I'm just that big of a devotee!} That's where I find some of my favorite go-to non-running cardio workouts. {Psst - it's FREE for a 30-day trial & then a tiny fee per quarter afterwards. W A Y worth it for the variety of programs offered.} Turbo Fire: Fire 45 with Chalene Johnson {Kickbox meets dance meets Chalene? One of the most f u n workouts I've ever done! Pretty much all Turbo Fire workouts...} P90x3 MMX with Tony Horton {Hella good & fast kickboxing workout. *SPRAWL!*} Insanity: Pure Cardio with Shaun T {ONLY if you're actually insane - which, apparently I am.} And some non-BeachBody workouts: Kickbox Fastfix with Jillian Michaels {These are quick 20-minute workouts that each target a different area of the body. I like to pair up two of the workouts, or for a full-body blast I do all three for an hour total!} Kettlebell Cardio Shred with Bob Harper {Think bootcamp with Bob...with a kettlebell. Sweat, burn, cuss.} Strength You know how instuctors always say, "you won't bulk up by lifting weights"? Pssshhh. I was such a nay-sayer of this—I did not want manly arms. But, like I've done with the rest of my fitness journey - I put my arms into the hands of my fitness besties {fitnesties?}. And guess what!? My arms {legs, abs, bum} are longer, leaner & more toned than eva. And, how did I never realize how much you S W E A T and burn while lifting? #convert BeachBabe3: Beach Bombshell with the Tone It Up girls {Who doesn't love Kat & Karena?!} Hammer & Chisel: Total Body Chisel {Also available on BeachBody On Demand!} Kettlebell: Sculpted Body with Bob Harper {Again with the kettles, again with the pain & sweat that feels oh so good} And, some of my favorite strength workouts come from Pins on my workout board! Workout Sets Nothing says dedication like committing to a 30, 60 or 90 day program. My advice? Partner up with a fitness friend & hold each other accountable with check-ins! Yes, even I, the at-home-workout-devotee, get tired of working out alone. But when you have a check-in buddy you feel like you're doing {bitching, sweating, agonizing in pain through} the workout with someone. Body Revolution by Jillian Michaels {This is one of my favorite, hardest & most evolving Jillian workouts yet. Week 1 & 2 are a little easy for the Advanced, so I jumped in at weeks 5 & 6. But, weeks 11 & 12, yeaaaa, I may or may not have done those workouts once, before resorting back to weeks 9 & 10. They're that tough!} P90x3 with Tony Horton {Look, who has an hour+ a day to workout? Maybe once a month? Maybe. Good thing Tony figured out you can get it done in 30 minutes. And get it done he does. Yogax3 and Pilatesx3 are two of my fav yoga-esque workouts!} While I wait for the next BeachBody program release, I'll be dabbling more in Hammer & Chisel, Turbo Fire & Cize!. Heck, maybe I'll even fully commit to taking one of them on for 30, 60 or 90 days in the New Year. While also stalking for the next Jillian Michaels program that she drops. Always evolve, always keep pushing, and never, ever give up. Psst...Need more fitness inspo? How about: 10 Health Hacks: How I Changed my Body, My Life My Fitness Journey: A Beginner's Guide to Workout DVDs #fitness #health #workout