Victoria Secret model Adriana Lima has welcomed the next generation of VS Angels. The model and her NBA star husband, Marko Jaric, became parents on Sunday, with Lima giving birth to Valentina Lima Jaric. People.com reports that Lima, 28, and Jaric, 31, eloped on Valentine’s Day of this year after meeting 2006.
I am excited to share that Sophie Kinsella is working on a new 'Shopaholic' novel! Kinsella posted the news on her website, not offering any details yet but saying she is excited to get into Becky's world again. I will be sure to post any updates as soon as they come!
SqueezeItIn.com: Life’s a gym. Work it out! No time to exercise? That excuse is gone forever with SqueezeItIn.com - the website that teaches you to “let life be your workout!” Founders Jenny Hein and Brigette Polmar are trying to change the way you think about fitness and challenging you to Squeeze It In with clever and effective exercises you can fit into your daily routine. We’ll be posting regular tips from SqueezeItIn.com, like this one that will have you looking forward to putting away the dishes. From Jenny & Brigette – The SqueezeItIn.com Girls: Let’s face it, gals, we’ve “convenienced” ourselves to death – literally. You barely have to get off the couch or break a sweat to do anything anymore – and as appealing as that sounds, it’s just not healthy. We’re not saying give up the conveniences – really, just try to take my laptop or cell phone – I dare you. But remember, people used to wash clothes on rocks, not the permanent press cycle. And this is precisely why Laura Ingalls never needed a gym membership. This isn’t to say you’re not busy. We know you are! If your life is a gym (and you know it is), then work it out! There are endless ways to squeeze in great exercises throughout your busy (and convenience-filled) day and you can find many of them on SqueezeItIn.com. Now we know it’s a very long trip from the couch to the gym. So why not slip in a few great toning exercises right where you live – in your kitchen? When ABC’s Diane Sawyer (yes, THE Diane Sawyer) saw this exercise she said, “Every dish is an opportunity!” Right you are, Diane! We hope this helps you to see all the wonderful opportunities to “let life be your workout!” No go unload that dishwasher. Great calves are just a load away. Click on the photo above to view a video of this exercise. How to do it: While putting dishes away, rise up onto toes. Hold for a 3-count of SQUEEZE-IT-IN. Come down slowly onto heels. Repeat until all dishes are back in cupboards or for at least 2 sets of 12. Cardio: Every good workout must include cardio. Click here to see examples of our easy, do-anywhere cardio moves. Visit SqueezeItIn.com every week for new exercise videos and nutrition tips. Coming soon: The SqueezeItIn.com Let life be your workout! DVD featuring an exclusive 30-minute workout along with dozens of SqueezeItIn.com moves you can use throughout your busy day. Jenny Hein and Brigette Polmar co-founded SqueezeItIn.com as a wellness solution to help busy people find time to exercise, improve their lives, and “let life be their workout!” Please Note: You should consult your physician before starting this or any exercise program.
Cara Lockwood has had many successes as a writer, though it took the Mesquite, Texas native some time to get there. Lockwood attended Pennsylvania University, majoring in English. During her college career she worked on the school newspaper, and after graduating worked as a newspaper reporter for the next four years. According to Lockwood, her overly excitable editor combined with the insane hours and less than stellar pay had her searching for a new career move, and she chose marketing next. The marketing firm was more laid back than the newspaper, and during her free time Lockwood began writing fiction, which turned into her hit novel I Do (But I Don’t). Cara Lockwood has the following chick lit novels published: I Do (But I Don’t), I Did (But I Wouldn’t Now), Pink Slip Party, and Dixieland Sushi. I Do (But I Don’t) was made into a Lifetime movie, starring Denise Richards and Dean Cain.
The estate of Adam Goldstein (aka DJ AM) has filed an unexpected wrongful death suit. Goldstein was found dead in his New York City apartment on August 28, 2009 at age 36. Toxicology reports found that the DJ was killed by a toxic overdose of prescription drugs and cocaine. So who is the estate suing? The charter company that was responsible for a deadly plane crash in September 2008, where Goldstein and musician Travis Barker were the only two survivors. According to documents shown by TMZ, the statement reads, “The crash ultimately caused Adam Goldstein's death.” Friends say that before this horrific plane crash (responsible for four other deaths) Goldstein was clean and sober for 10 years from the drug addiction he had been battling from his early 20’s. Usmagazine reports that the lawsuit shows that Goldstein was “forced” to abuse prescription drugs to deal with the painful burns and emotional trauma from the accident. The new lawsuit names Clay Lacy Aviation as well as travel service Goodyear Tire, Learjet and the estates of the two pilots who perished in the crash.
Shape Magazine released a list of 20 simple stress reducers that I think everyone should take a look at. I started using multiple suggestions throughout the day, and saw of these very simple things could make my day go better. Here are my top 5 favorites: 1. Prep for tomorrow. Nothing is worse than being unorganized, especially in the morning rushing around trying to make it to work on time. Before I go to bed, I make sure I have prepared my lunch for tomorrow and have everything in the containers ready to grab on my way out. I also always lay my clothes out for the morning. Days that I forget, I find myself wasting precious meetings staring inside my closet trying to figure out what matches with my sleepy brain trying to function. 2. Arm Yourself with Snacks. This is always a must for me. I have snacks with me no matter what I’m doing: working, going to a friends house, even going out. I hate being hungry! Shape.com reports that more women often binge eat on ‘bad’ foods because they have tried to deprive themselves from. Forcing yourself not to eat a little bit of chocolate can actually do worse for you, causing to eat worse and too much later on. Carry a few small snacks with you, one of my favorites is string cheese or baked chips, and munch away when you feel hungry. 3. Wash your hands. When you are feeling stressed, research has shown your immune system is also depressed, making you more susceptible to viruses. Hand washing is the best way to keep away the germs, as well as using hand sanitizers and other germ killers. 4. Exercise. I think this is my number one go to move when I am feeling stressed. I especially love doing yoga because it is a great relaxer but at the same time I can feel myself getting a workout. Shape.com reports that research has shown people that spent 30 or more minutes on a treadmill had lower anxiety levels. 5. Once a Day, Get Away. If your having a hectic day (or even if your not!) it can always be refreshing to slip away and be able to relax. I work five days a week at a hospital, and have moments where I know I need to get away from desk. Just 10 minutes of being by myself, and doing something calming such as reading a book or listening to my iPod can really refresh me. Head to Shape.com for all the other great stress relieving tricks! Direct link: http://www.shape.com/health/stress_and_relaxation/20_simple_stress_reducers/p/page/7
Cindy Crawford and husband Rande Gerber have falling victims to an extortion plot. This situation centers on the couples’ 8 year old daughter, Kaia, and a photo taken of the girl when she was seven. The photo shows Kaia “bound to a chair and gagged” in revealing clothing. TMZ reports that this was apparently a part of a “cops and robbers game” that the nanny would play with the children. (Crawford and Gerber state they have had no idea about this “game.”) The photo was then stolen from a former nanny by an acquaintance named Edis Kayalar. Kayalar threatened to sell the photo unless he received money. A rep for the couple released this statement to Usmagazine: “A criminal complaint was filed today in federal court in Los Angeles by the U.S. Attorney's office and the FBI stating that Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford have been the victims of an on-going extortion scheme. This crime has been committed by Edis Kayalar, an acquaintance of a former nanny employed by the family. Mr. Kayalar threatened to sell an image taken of the couple's then-seven-year-old daughter. There was no previous awareness by Mr. Gerber and Ms. Crawford of the existence of the photograph when they were contacted by Mr. Kayalar. The photo was taken by the former nanny as part of a purported game without the knowledge of the parents. The couple reported the extortion threat to the police and the FBI began a criminal investigation in the matter. Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford intend to pursue any and all available legal action against anyone who aids the perpetrator in the distribution or sale of the photograph of their daughter.”
Alisa Kwitney was destined to be a writer. She is the daughter of science fiction writer Robert Scheckley and journalist Ziva Kwitney. Kwitney attended Wesleyan University and found a mentor is sci-fi/fantasy author Kit Reed. After graduating, she left Manhattan for Miami, working as a newspaper reporter. She returned to New York later to attend Columbia’s MFA program in fiction. After the program ended, Kwitney applied for an assistant editor position at Silhouette and DC Comics, where she began working for Karen Berger. She went on to become a full editor at Vertigo, a mature/dark fantasy imprint of the DC Comics. Seven years later, she left to begin writing full time. Alisa Kwitney writes many different genres, including chick lit, comics, young adult, science fiction and fantasy-paranormal. She publishes science fiction and fantasy-paranormal books under the name Alisa Sheckley. Other genres are published under Alisa Kwitney. Her published chick lit novels are: The Dominant Blonde, Does She or Doesn’t She, On the Couch,, and Sex as a Second Language. Alisa Kwitney currently lives in the Hudson River Valley with her husband, son and daughter. Official Website: http://www.alisakwitney.com/
I recently stumbled across a new workout routine that makes me work, makes me sweat, but overall I actually enjoy. It was none other than belly dancing! I rented a DV D from my library, called Belly Dancing and Beautiful Abs. I thought this could be a unique way to get a workout in, and I sure was right. The particular DVD I did had three segments to it, all incorporating traditional belly dancing moves, along with cardio and yoga. The dancing was a bit difficult at first, because I was not used to moving my body that way, but I eventually got the hang of it and had a great time moving like a real (albeit beginner) belly dancer. Many of the moves concentrated on the core, but there was also a lot of cardio, with the jumping and shaking. My legs were burning afterwards, my stomach felt sore, even my arms were tingling. I never felt too challenged, like I couldn’t complete the moves, but was challenged enough that I was sweating and red in the face when I completed the 42 minute DVD. I recommend belly dancing for anyone who is looking for new and different ways to get a total body workout.
