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.
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
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.
Emanuel Ungaro, founder of the fashion house bearing his name, is bashing Lindsay Lohan and her failed clothing collection. According to the Agence French Passe, the 76 year old Ungaro told told an audience at the Estoril film festival in Lisbon, Portugal on Monday that Lohan’s collection “was a disaster.” The 23 year old Lohan was tapped as Artistic Advisor to the house in September and presented co-designed collection with Estrella Archs, house designer, less than a month later. People.com reports that Ungaro is “furious but there isn’t a thing I can do. I have absolutely no link with that house.”
I have always been a little afraid of painting my lips red, afraid I will look more trash than flash. But the beauty trend being set by Gossip Girl bad girl Leighton Meester seems to be able to change my mind with her cherry red lips. Meester tells Usmagazine, “L’Oreal Infallible Plumping Lipgloss in Plumped Red gives me that extra little color and boost when I really want my lips to pop.” Get the look in stores for only $10.
Looking for that perfect new perfume but don’t want to break the bank? Check out the two fragrances from Pamela Anderson- Malibu Blue and Malibu Pink. The perfumes are the first for the mother of two, and she wanted to make them budget friendly. She tells People.com: “I worship drug stores. You have to pull me out of them. My dream is for every woman to be able to go to her favorite drug store and buy an affordable fragrance which will make her feel sexy.” The PETA advocate also assured us that everything is eco-friendly and cruelty free, and a portion of the proceeds will go to an animal charity. Malibu Blue contains notes of wild berries and white florals, and Malibu Pink combines sandalwood, caramel and vanilla bourbon. The fragrances range in price from $39 for a 1.7 ounce to $49 for a 3.4 ounce spray. Look for them in stores near you!
