Fall Fashion Trends

I always love a classic style – dark jeans, crisp white shirt, leather belt and flats.  What can I say, I feel like a Ralph Lauren model in this classic American look.  However, I am a New Yorker and as such, I like to take on a few trends every season and have some fashion fun.  Here are a few of my favorite fall trends.

Peplum

 This is by far my favorite trend.  After years of trying to decrease the size of my hips with clothing, I happily embrace a trend that fashionable accentuates the female curve on purpose!   I’ve seen it on business suits, cocktail dresses, skirts and tops.   Without a doubt a little peplum will make you feel like a lady.  Ted Baker designed this wool jacket which also comes in black.

Brocade

Chanel your inner Juliet and go for a regal look this fall with Brocade.  I was sold when I saw Jessica Biel on the cover of InStyle Magazine wearing this Ralph Lauren jacket.  If that’s too much for you, try this trend with a clutch, like this one found on etsy.com.

Leather

Maybe it began with The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo or we’ve been consumed by Fifty Shades of Grey, whatever the inspiration, leather is all over the place.  Black leather is very popular, but I love the blue leather pants and overall feminine take on the trend by Tory Burch.

Oxblood

This deep, sultry and rich burgundy hue is everywhere – clothes, shoes, lips and even nails.  Check out Essie’s “Decadent Diva” shade.

Military

Military runs deeps in my family and I love to express my roots with some lapels and brass buttons.  This trend has been around for the past few years, but it’s not going anywhere.   Try this laid back approach from Forever 21.

Collar Necklace

The collar necklace is the quickest way to update an old shirt or dress.   My favorite aspect about the bold neckline is the attention it will draw to your lovely face and beautiful smile:)   The one below from J Crew is on my wish list!

Pilates Style Magazine

Check out my Pilates Mat workout in the July/August issue of “Pilates Style” magazine.  On stands until the end of the month!

Pilates Style Magazine

Beauty Product Review: Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel

Last weekend, Charlie and I flew out to California for an amazing weekend celebrating my brother’s wedding to his beautiful bride, Victoria.  The week before I spent some time primping myself with various beauty treatments, ie mani-pedi, haircut, etc.  After spending many days at the beach throughout July, I had some very distinct tan lines that would not look so great with my strapless bridesmaid dress.  Enter Clarins Instant Tanning Gel.  
 
It was so easy to use. After exfoliating and drying my skin, I literally just slapped it on without being very careful and it came out perfect.  So much so, that wedding guests complimented me on my tan.  The tan lasted about a week and looked very natural.  No weird streaks or orange tint.  So, if you haven’t made it to the beach as much as you would have liked this summer-fake without the bake with Clairins:)

Oatmeal that tastes like Apple Pie! Yum!

I admit the day after Thanksgiving, I usually eat apple pie for breakfast.  But this week, I created a bowl of healthy, fiber rich, steel cut oatmeal that tastes like apple pie!  It keeps me satisfied and energized all morning.  You must give it a try!  Here it is:

1/2 Cup Steel Cut Oats

1 Apple Diced

1 Tb. All-Natural Almond Butter

1 Tb. Buckwheat Honey

1 Tb. Ground Flaxseed

1/2 Low-Fat 2% Milk

Sprinkle of Cinnamon

Dash of Sea Salt

Directions:  Microwave the oats with 1 cup water for 2.5 minutes.  While the oatmeal is cooking, dice the apple into small chucks.  Once the oatmeal is cooked, stir in the almond butter until it softens and blends with the oatmeal.  Mix everything in and delight in this yummy breakfast.  

 

Benefits of Juicing

Beets, carrots, spinach, apples and ginger-yum!  Charlie and I made our first homemade juice yesterday and are hooked!  I love fresh juices and am so excited to drink one everyday before I hit the gym or the reformer.  Today’s combo will be banana, strawberry and carrot and Saturday morning is grapefruit, ginger and honey.  Some health benefits that I’ve experienced from juicing include:

*Increased energy

*Clearer Skin

*Aids Digestion

*Mood Lifter

*Improved Immunity

t

 

Finding Time to Workout When There is No Time

It’s been a while since I’ve posted and it’s for good reason.  I’ve recently taken on the position of Director of Pilates for a growing studio, The Yoga Room, in Queens, NY with two locations in Long Island City and Astoria (www.the-yoga-room.com).  For the first time since I started teaching Pilates, it’s been a challenge to find time to jump on the reformer myself!  While my body is crying out for some short spine and long box series, it’s been a great lesson as an instructor.  For years, I’ve encouraged my busy clients and friends to make time to exercise, but now I truly understand the challenge I know this will only make me a better teacher.  I’m taking my own medicine that I dish out! So here are some tips that I’ve been living myself for the past few weeks:

• Something is better than nothing. If you don’t have an hour, 15 minutes is great!
• Do something active on the weekend in the sun-bike, hike, walk, swim.
• No time to drive/walk to the studio or gym? Go for a walk/run in the neighborhood.
• After dinner is done, do some arm weights, planks and side leg series while watching your fav tv show.
• Instead of taking a coffee break, take a walking break at work.
• Take the stairs, not the escalator wherever you are.

A few days ago, Charlie and I returned back to NYC after an amazing and relaxing vacation in Costa Rica. I absolutely love the country, the people and recommend it anyone for a relaxing, but also adventurous vacation. We spend 8 days lounging on the beach, horseback riding, kyacking, enjoying each other company with our biggest concern being where we would eat for dinner. Needless to say, it was a nice break from our busy lives in NYC.

One of my favorite things about being on vacation, especially in a slow paced place like Central America, was not having to live by a schedule or set plan for the day. We woke early as the sun shone through the blinds and most nights went to bed before 11pm. We ate when we were hungry, not when our schedules dictated it. We decided that day if we would lounge on the beach and read or if we would take a tour of a coffee plantation (btw-very interesting!).

While our lives with responsibility require schedules of course, it made me question how I could bring a little bit of this way of living to my daily life back in NY. I realized that when it comes to my health, I can listen daily to what my body needs. I don’t need to schedule every workout, every healthy meal perfectly. I’m learning to listen to my body more about it’s natural cycles and needs.

Even in choosing my workout for the day, I try to listen to what my body needs. Today, instead of forcing an hour of boring cardio, my spine needs to be lengthened. So, I choose some mat Pilates and a bit of upper body arm weights. It feels good and balanced.

Where can you listen to your body more? Maybe Monday is your yoga day, but you have tons of energy and feel like going for a run. Maybe you are exhausted and just need a nap? Learning to listen to our bodies is another avenue towards being at peace with it.

Upper Body Workout-Classical Pilates Rowing Series

Workout with Tamara Newell to tone and strengthen your upper body with the Classical Pilates Rowing Series. This workout can be done with or without light weights.

Have you tried Kombucha?

If you haven’t you should.  But I’ll warn you, it’s a different taste.  I absolutely love it and my husband, who first hated it, is now hooked.  So much so, that I started brewing my own at home.  Those $5 bottles, a few times a week, got to be pricey so I did some research, ordered my own “Kombucha starter” and as I type it’s brewing in my kitchen.  

For those who have no idea what I’m talking about, Kombucha is a fermented tea that can offer a wide host of health benefits.  Some of them include:

*Improved Digestion

*Detoxing the Liver

*High in Anti-Oxidants

*Weightloss

While people who drink Kombucha, including myself, report feeling well balanced and energized, there is a lack of scientific research to a support several health claims.  So you’ll have to make your own educated decision on whether or not you should add the drink to your health regime.  If you would like to brew it yourself, below is the recipe.

1. Add 1-1.5 gallons of boiling water and 10 tea bags, allow tea to steep and cool to room temp.

2. Stir in 1.5 cups of sugar.

3. Add 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar.  You only need to do this for the first batch.

4. Pour contents of your Kombucha starter into the cooled tea and stir.

5. Cover container with a paper towel and secure with a rubber band. 

6. Let set for 7-10 days in a 68-75 degree temp.  Do not place in direct sunlight.

*Do not let any metals other than stainless steal come into contact with your mix.  

That’s it! Mine will be ready in a few days and I’ll let you know how it turns out:)

Work Your Hips, Tush and Thighs!

Yes, I have been totally MIA!  But it’s been worth the wait, because I have a complete lower body workout for you!  The Pilates Side Leg Series (with some extra tush work) can be done in about 10 minutes.  Grab your mat and check out the video!  Peace Joy Pilates Side Leg Series