jillian michaels ripped in 30

How can you not want to purchase a workout dvd that makes that promise?

I recently purchased Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 dvd after reading a few great reviews on Amazon.

All you need for the workout is a set of handweights and a mat if you have a hard floor.

I also suggest a towel for wiping up the massive amounts of sweat that will be pouring off of you.

First off, let me say that I was a so-so fan of Jillian prior to this video.

I sorta-kinda liked her on the Biggest Loser (back in my much heavier days, when I would watch said show while eating a pint of chocolate chip ice cream) and so-so liked her on her own show...even if it was short lived.

I freaking love her on this workout video.

L-O-V-E.

She has the right combo of humor, intensity, and overall amazingness that's able to carry you through each 24 minute workout.

The concept is really simple, she implies circuit training in a 3-2-1 method.

3 minutes of strength, followed by 2 minutes of cardio, and ending with 1 minute of ab work.

There are 3 circuits total, along with a warm up and cool down.

There are also 4 different workouts based on four different weeks...week 1, week 2, week 3, and week 4.

Each new week is meant to be harder, as well as different than the last.

She does this so it keeps everything new and fresh so you don't get bored.

I consider myself (at this point in the game) in decent shape....I tend to run (on average) anywhere from 25 to 35 miles a week.

While performing week 1's workout I thought that I was gonna pass out.

Seriously.

I had run for just 3 miles that day, but WOW this was intense.

If you're watching it for the first time, I do suggest that you either watch it all the way through, or use the dvd remote to pause the workout.

Each workout is only 24 minutes total, so she tends to go through each exercise pretty quickly.

Within the first few minutes of the workout, I started to sweat.

By the halfway point it was a full-on pour.

At the end, my shirt was soaked through.

I am not joking.

Jillian suggests that you only do her tape 5-6 days a week and take at least one day off.

Due to the fact that I run and I'm training for my second half marathon (philly bound this time!) I just used her tape three days a week and used the same week for about three weeks.

Does that make sense?

I'm glad I did because now I'm now on to week 2 and I can only say that it's waaaaaaaay more difficult that week 1.

Like night and day different.

After doing her week 1 workout for a bit longer, I really really noticed a difference all over.

My legs and arms are really improving and I'm seeing a lot more definition in my abs.

Woo-hoo!!

Remember though, I'm also running 5-6 days a week and doing the tape about 3-4 depending on my mood.

While I don't think that just doing the tape will make you completely "ripped in 30" I do think you'll get an amazing workout that will get you moving and burning some calories.

If you really want to see some improvement, I think it might help to add a little more cardio somewhere in your day.

For example, do the tape in the morning and then later on that day do about 30 minutes of cardio besides.

The 30 doesn't have to be insane, even walking will help.

Just get moving.

Combine the two along with a great eating plan (Jillian even provided a free download for one with her dvd!) and you'll be well on your way to losing some major weight!!

Find it at amazon.com.

tarte lipsurgence natural lip lusters

Just for the record, any makeup product that comes in chubby pencil form will win my heart over in a hot second.

These cute/adorable/chubby little sticks from Tarte are the bee's knees of fabulousness.

Inside each stick are ingredients that hydrate and smooth your lips.

Boy do they moisturize.

Plus they're made without all of those synthetics, parabens, and the other not-good-for-you standbys.

If any of the above doesn't grab you, there's always the colors.

Six gorgeously sheer shades to choose from.

One that's in my bag right now is the shade to the right...glisten.

A sweet little sheer peach that's just perfect for right now and beyond.

Get some.

Find more info at tartecosmetics.com.


disclosure: samples were provided by pr

it's a 10 miracle leave-in product

I am deeply, deeply in love with this product.

This has to rank up there as my favorite leave-in thus far.

Why?

Well, it makes my short hair look amazing.

All I do is spray it on after towel drying my hair, then brush it and finger-comb it into place.

While I know that I can use a blow dryer, I generally let it air dry.

The result?

Soft hair that keeps its shape, minus the slight frizzies I generally get this time of year.

I can even get away with not having to use my Aveda Control Paste after, if I so choose.

Worth it's weight in gold in my book.

Find yours at your local salon and beauty supplier.





disclosure: a sample was provided

so loving this go-to neutral from essie...

I have to admit, I did not see Ginnifer's movie Something Borrowed.

I get very few "girly movie" picks and I used mine for Bridesmaids.

The only reason I actually got away with that is because of the hilarious trailers that were everywhere on the net.

Otherwise that movie would have been a no-go with the hubs.

He avoids rom-coms and comedy-dramas (a dramedy?) like the plague.

Sad, but true.

What I love about the above pic of Ginnifer Goodwin at the premiere of her movie...besides her cut, her dress and makeup...is her nails.

Natural color with the perfect nail length.

Love. 

Her polish pick?

Essie polish in Better Together from their aptly titled Wedding Collection.

Described as a neutral sandy shade, I think that it's just great for summer.

Don't you agree?

john frieda and harry josh live webcast

Ever wish you had a hair expert on speed dial?

Well, here's the next best thing...

John Frieda International Creative Consultant Harry Josh will be hosting a live 30-minute interactive webcast today at 6pm est...and you're invited!!

During the Damage Control: Live Webcast, Harry will reveal how to practice safe styling with the John Frieda Full Repair Collection by not only reversing the look and feel of overworked hair, but also shielding hair from the effects of overstyling.

All you have to do is simply sign up for the webcast via the Facebook link below or through the John Frieda website, and submit a question that you would like to see Harry answer during the webcast. By doing this, you will automatically receive one full-size product from the collection!

Additionally, Harry will provide a special code during the webcast that participants can use to enter to win the grand prize – a trip to New York and a haircut/style with Harry!

So...what's stopping you?

Click here to take you to the John Frieda Facebook page and get yourself signed up!

bobbi brown spf 15 tinted moisturizer

I'm such a sucker for a great tinted moisturizer.

I've tried a lot over the years and this new one from Bobbi Brown is my current obsession.

Once I heard that Bobbi was releasing a new tinted moisturizer, I swung by my local counter at Nordies and checked out the hoopla.

The BB artist swatched me and informed me that I would need a slightly darker shade than I've been using...who knew?

He also suggested the oil free version because it would hold up in the heat and last longer.

Ok...works for me.

Picking out the Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free in light to medium, he used his fingers and a foundation brush to smooth it on all over.

Is it just me, or is it the BEST feeling having your makeup applied by someone else?

Once he finished, I glanced in the mirror and loved the result.

My skin, but better.

He threw on a little Sheer Color Cheek Tint in Sheer Raspberry and did a sweet little stain trick with her Rich Lip Color in Guava.

Loved them all and bought them all.

Done!

Find out more at your local Bobbi Brown counter, or try bobbibrowncosmetics.com.

disclosure: i bought everything listed here myself.  

lovingeco

Lately I've been trying to get into a more cleaner living lifestyle.

While I'm not going to go full-on vegan anytime soon, I am starting to introduce more vegetarian meals and eco-friendly products into our home.

The only downfall to this is the fact that organic can often mean expensive.

Enter LovingEco.

Launching June 6th, LovingEco is a members-only, social commerce platform, that offers unsurpassed and innovative eco-friendly products at exclusive price points (up to 70% off retail), without compromising style.

Starting tomorrow, with Clean Living, the site will be working with many brands in the beauty universe including: Clary Sage Organics, Goddess of Skin, Golden Earth and LaLicious.

Through a series of limited-time and brand-specific sale events, subscribing consumers will be given the opportunity to access and shop for eco-friendly, fair trade and natural products at a discount including: fashion, accessories, beauty and kids items.

 Each sale features the best eco-friendly brands, which are hand-selected and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

 Additionally, 3% of net proceeds from each purchase is donated to the current tastemaker charity to help support a social or environmental cause.

So it's a win-win for everybody.

Here's a screen shot to pique your interest:

I know I'll be checking it out...how about you?

tarte amazonian clay 12-hour blush

When I tested this blush, my first thought was my mom would love this.

Let me explain a little.

A few years back, my mother went through one of the most awful health scares ever.

She was in the hospital for about two weeks and after her recovery from the intense surgery, I went up to her room to see her.

The first thing she said to me after saying hello was Jennifer, you need more blush.

I am totally serious.

The women was recovering from a major operation to treat a disease and her first comment involved the fact that I did not have enough makeup on my face.

It sounds kind of nuts, but that is why I love her.

She's crazy, but the most wonderful kind of crazy there is and I wouldn't have it any other way.

She's also fully recovered and is doing very well...just in case you were thinking this post was heading in a different direction altogether.

To say that my mom is a little blush obsessed would be an understatement.

She would love this product as much as I do.

Tarte's Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush is a fabulous new addition to my makeup bag.

Made with all good-for-you ingredients, it also lasts much longer than other powder blushers that I've tried.

Delivers a gorgeous burst of color and blends in without making my cheeks look all powdery.

Essential.

It comes in 8 shades and here are my three faves:

Dollface

An adorable light pink that works amazingly well for my light/medium skin tone.

Makes for a great pop of color!

Tipsy

I have this in the Cheek Gel Stain too and I love them both.

Gives you that peachy-coral glow that's great with a (faux) tan...or not!

     Blissful

A delicious warm peach that's got that itty-bitty hint of pink that I love.

If you're after a peachy blush and you have a lighter complexion, try this.

Find these and the other 5 shades at your local Sephora, sephora.com, or tartecosmetics.com.

disclosure: samples were provided

david kirsh

Still working on losing the weight over here.

I'm at the point where I'm down to my last ten pounds, but if it happens it happens.

Especially because those last ten are ALWAYS the hardest.

That brings us to my quickie interview with David Kirsh.

He is the one that celebs like Heidi Klum turn to when they need to look their best.

Heidi Klum.

Need I say more?

The personal trainer extraordinaire, allowed me the honor to pick his brain for some fitness tips.

And pick I did.

Definitely something to peruse being that swimsuit season is pretty much here.

Read on:

1. Sometimes, no matter how much we workout, we can never seem to get rid of that "mommy pooch". Do you have any tips to get our stomachs looking more toned?


Be sure to focus on your belly feeling the burn. You’ll know when you’ve got it right – you’ll feel your muscles engage. Try moves you can find the David Kirsch Arms & Abs Book, such as Planks, Lying Obliques and Double Crunches. Nutritionally, you want to be sure you are eating quality calories, with things like good carbs (lentils, beans, quinoa, brown rice, etc), vegetables and good meats (meat, chicken, fish). You also want to avoid the ABCs of nutrition – no alcohol, bread, starchy carbs & coffee, dairy, extra sweets and fruits & most fasts.

2. As mommies, we're always on the move...so much so that we might forget to eat breakfast in the morning. What's a quick and easy breakfast for a mommy on the go?


Try the David Kirsch KIRSCHBAR – the new protein bar is the perfect on-the-go meal replacement bar. It is 100% natural, gluten-free, has 20 grams of the highest quality protein and 6 grams of fiber. It is also low in fat, cholesterol, sodium and sugar.

3. While we'd love to head to the gym and put in an hour (or hour plus) workout, it isn't always possible. Can you give us some exercises that can target the whole body in 30 minutes.


I created 30 minute bootcamps for just this reason. The David Kirsch 7-Day Prescription DVD is a set of seven different DVDs that packs an hour’s worth of exercise into an intensive 30-minute session to target pesky trouble spots. If you don’t have 30 minutes all at one time, try doing some of the David Kirsch 10 minute Express workouts®, three times throughout the course of the day. Another great tip – workout with your kids; children love to jump, skip and race so think jump squats, sumo lunges, jumping jacks and walking lunges. The Ultimate New York Diet book as other exercise suggestions that you can do with your kids at any age.


For more info on any of the above, or to purchase the products mentioned, head over to davidkirschwellness.com!


disclosure: before starting any new exercise plan, please be sure to consult with your doctor first. the opinions given are those of david kirsh and may or may not reflect my own.  i will also not be responsible for any injury that may occur from following his advice. just getting that out there.