Skirt Crush: Chalene Johnson

Infomercial watching fool.  Guilty as charged.  Not one to indulge any of my infomercial impulses; I've actually never purchased anything as seen on TV...until Turbo Fire.  Let me preface this post with the sentiment that I used to H-A-T-E exercise.  More on my fitness journey to come...

Chalene Johnson and her high intensity interval training known as Turbo Fire have changed me from a hater to a hiiter (couldn't resist).  

That's why I'm declaring 

Chalene Johnson my Skirt Crush of the Month.  

Reasons Why I'm Crushing:

1.  She's a freak'n nut.  This woman has some funky moves that she interjects throughout her workouts that remind me not to take myself too seriously.  

2.  She's talks, dances and sometimes dresses like she's a little street.  Residing in sunny Mission Viejo (named the safest city in the US in 2007) this cracks me up.

3.  She has a little rat pack of friends that work out with her in the videos.  Her BFF Monica has been doing fitness with her for 18 years.

4.  Onto the important stuff, she knows fitness.  Her fitness and diet tips are spot on.

5.  The well rounded collection of workouts in Turbo Fire are obviously the brain child of Chalene.

6.  Chalene likes to jam.  I love the way she designed the workouts around the music that she chose.  She inspires me to MOVE.

7.  She's a little drill sergeant.  She challenges me to do more.

8.  She's always positive.

9.  She has designed her own clothing line.  Note, it's not my taste...but I think it's so cool that she's done it and done it her way.

10.  She's a successful business woman as the CEO of Powder Blue Productions. She was one of three finalists for fitness Instructor of the Year, awarded by "IDEA Health & Fitness Association".

To get more of Chalene:

Check out her YouTube channel.  Follow her on Twitter,  Facebook or her blog.

Color Me Happy.

A few photos from our wardrobe color challenge at work.  The general idea was to wear the assigned color each day, as much as you own at the same time without looking like a crayon.  This challenge helped me to look at my closet in regards to color.  I already owned a lot of neutrals, but not much color! I went thrifting and hit up some budget minded stores to fill in with a little color.

Blue

jeans Ditto; ruffled blouse Target; blazer Gap 

Art Production Employees & Mindy

Yellow/Orange

cardigan, tights & belt F21; tee GEAR FOR SPORTS;
scarf Arie; skirt Thrifted; boots DSW 

Yellow and Orange in the hallway

Green

Green Girls

sweater, scarf & tights Target; belt & boots Ditto;
shorts F21, watch Charming Charlie

Pink/Purple

Lovely in Pink & Purple

ruffled blouse Ann Taylor Loft;
blazer Ditto; skirt Gap; boots DSW;
necklace Charming Charlie

Red

Red Hat Ladies in Training

blazer & boots Ditto; dress F21; tights Britches

Wasteland Movie Review

Last night I went to see a documentary called "Wasteland" at the Tivoli Cinemas.  Nominated for an Oscar, this film was as much about the power and resilience of the human spirit as it was about raising awareness for recycling.  Unfortunately, the subtitles weren't placed very strategically throughout parts of the movie, so reading was a little difficult.  Overall, I highly recommend that you see it!

Synopsis (from wastelandmovie.com)

Filmed over nearly three years, WASTE LAND follows renowned artist Vik Muniz as he journeys from his home base in Brooklyn to his native Brazil and the world's largest garbage dump, Jardim Gramacho, located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. There he photographs an eclectic band of “catadores”—self-designated pickers of recyclable materials. Muniz’s initial objective was to “paint” the catadores with garbage. However, his collaboration with these inspiring characters as they recreate photographic images of themselves out of garbage reveals both the dignity and despair of the catadores as they begin to re-imagine their lives. Director Lucy Walker (DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND, BLINDSIGHT and COUNTDOWN TO ZERO) and co-directors João Jardim and Karen Harley have great access to the entire process and, in the end, offer stirring evidence of the transformative power of art and the alchemy of the human spirit.

Speak Now Or...

(Photo Getty Images)

So today for lunch, I went to Chipotle as I am want to do on a Thursday.  I was patiently waiting in line (the place is always busy!) when a skirt cut in front of me to join her friend who had gotten there before said Cutter did.  This peeves me to no end!  Personally, I think it is rude, unthoughtful and selfish to cut in line.  It says to me that, "hey, I see you standing there waiting your turn...but I'm going to put myself ahead of you because my friend managed to make it here before my slow self could".  I stood there, stomach grumbling, heart pounding wondering if I should say something or not.  I did not.  It seems to me that people rarely learn anything when confronted.  They become defensive, cause a scene and end up looking like a fool.  I would rather put my ego aside and eat my antibiotic free chicken salad bowl in peace.

What do you think?  Should you speak up when someone wrongs you unintentionally or not?

Feels Like The First Time

I don't know why I talked myself in and out of writing my first post for so long.  Feels like trying to work up the courage to call a boy.  Gah...It's really not unlike anything you do for the 1st time. A little awkward and vulnerable...insert memory of 1st kiss, 1st perm, 1st driving lesson, etc.

Okay, now what? Well, I wasn't sure so of course...I Googled it.

TJ Philpott of Blogger Talk says you can really do anything you like. This was too open ended for me so I read on. On the other hand, he says...if you really want to be serious and build a list of subscribers...you should be more direct in your approach. "The point here is if you have a definite direction or purpose for your new blog you should treat your first post much like an introduction to a new friend."

TJ's 4 key elements to include in your first blog post.

1) Introduce Yourself

Hello. My name is Mindy.  Curtsey, bow.  I'm a daughter, a sister, a girlfriend, a neighbor and a friend...Oh, and I'm a project manager at a custom sportswear company. I don't have an art degree but I prefer to work in creative environments.

I have a 3 legged dog who has a growing rawhide addiction. I adopted Scout from the Humane Society when I moved to Kansas City after college. She's my go to, my sidekick. If I had a scooter with a sidecar...she'd be in it. 


Photo from Getty Images

2) What is Your Reason for Blogging

I have the memory of a gold fish.  I blame my wreckless abandon to the Dt. Coke addiction of my youth.  I would like to write about my journey into and through womanhood.  I'm currently in my late twenties (a Skirt never shares her age).   I want to document my questions, thoughts, experiences, inspirations and interests along this journey.

3) What you Will be Blogging About

Boys and shoes!  Gag.  Inspirational Women, Fitness & Health, Friendship, Home & Garden, Insecurities, Victories, Failures, Women in the News, etc.

4) Encourage Comments

I need your help. I know virtually nothing about blogging....for goodness sakes, I googled "1st blog post". I'm an eager student...so if you have tips, tricks, etc...please don't hesitate to send them my way. I've changed my comment settings to allow all comments. Please be pleasant and truthful. I will behave myself as well.