Supernatural Botanicals

Julianne Hough’s new DVD workout, Just Dance, is the perfect workout if you love to dance.   Julianne’s DVD features three hip-shaking routines, Work It, Flaunt It, and Pump It.  The routines are fun and flirty…more of a club-style dance.  There’s no hint of a samba or waltz on this DVD.  This DVD provides a serious workout if you keep up with it.  Don’t worry, you can always modify to your level of endurance.  Not to mention, you can learn a few cool moves the next time you are out on the dance floor.

Cincinnati is all a-buzz in anticipation of the dance sensation, Burn The Floor tonight at the Aronoff Center.

Grab a friend and get your tickets here for a night of dance and ultra-sexy entertainment.

“If any of you have seen my shows, you know that I don’t skimp on them and the same is true for the gym. We spend what it takes to make a globally first-class gym. Our plan is to use Mexico as a place to fine-tune our brand and then expand it to other countries and, in the long term, develop a global brand that includes the United States.”  …Madonna on her newly opened Hard Candy gym in Mexico

What’s been rockin’ my abs lately?  Turbo Jam!  Chalene Johnson, founder of Turbo Jam, keeps the tempo up and keeps your muscles tight.  You are guaranteed to hurt, but in a good way, the next day.  Her workouts are fast-paced and high-energy.  Check out this clip of Chalene to feel the energy.  I love the counter clock on her videos.  It lets you know exactly how many minutes you’ve accomplished, and how many more there are to go.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPSzeJXhRmY

The great thing about childhood is that your dreams are huge.  Endless.  I grew up thinking I would would move to NYC immediately after high school and tour with the Rockettes while starting my fashion design career.  To a dance hopeful, Michael Jackson was pure inspiration.  We would rehearse for hours and hours trying to perfect his moves, never quite nailing his smooth-operator dance style…or his moon walk. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7MmEMrCRfc

   Nike is helping people get in touch with their inner shoe designer.  After all, we want to look stylish at all times, including our workouts.  One of my favorite forms of cardio is step aerobics, and for that reason, I adore Nike Shox.  They have built in shocks in the heel, making them perfect for stepping, jumping, dance, running, etc.  They provide maximum cushioning to the heel.  My favorite part about my Shox is that I can design them myself, choosing from color, design, material, embellishments…right down to the color of the shoosh.   Not only is Nike my favorite workout shoe for performance, but they also step up the fun by letting you design them yourself.  Go To NikeID now to design your own kicks!

   Have you ever considered vintage?  I truly appreciate vintage…vintage linens, vintage dresses, vintage magazines, vintage jewelry, etc.  This vintage Vogue magazine reminds me of my senior year in high school.  In 1986, my home economics teacher had scads of vintage magazines around the room, magazines from the 70s.  I would pour over them and fall in love with the fashion and with the notion of being an independent woman with ultra style and class and dancing at Studio 54.  In 1986, I was quite certain that I’d move off to New York the next year to be a fashion designer.  I had no doubt that I’d make it.  I had planned on being a Rockette, you know, as a side career to support myself in New York…at least until my name was synonymous with Gloria Vanderbilt. 

Not only would my home economics teacher let me day dream and share my vision of my oh so successful future, she encouraged it.  Never once did she question if I’d be a successful fashion designer, or even a Rockette, for that matter.  I think she liked seeing a student dream big and she supported it fully.  It was a very special time in life, filled with hope. 

I applaud those who teach kids to dream big.  My teacher inspired me and made me feel I could do anything I wanted to do.  She made me believe in myself, and even let me turn in sketches of dresses for grades.  She taught me the beauty of vintage, taught me to appreciate beautiful old objects such as pressed napkins and gorgeous tablecloths, and made the 1950s housewife seem like someone I aspired to be…that along with the fashion designing career and Rockette gig on the side. 

Discover vintage.  You may just fall in love with vintage style.  I did.