Ooooohhhh Lululemon

Ohhhhh Lululemon, you make me mad.  Not because your fabric pills or shrinks or shows my butt in a downward dog.  Not because your “we made too much” stuff is FINAL SALE.  Not because you’ve ever given me a sizing issue, customer service issue, or any other issue.  No, Lululemon, you make me mad because I really like your clothes.  And that is sooooooo predictable.

It is in my nature to take an internal stand against a brand that everybody else is wearing.  Do I think Tory Burch makes a super cute bag and flip flops?  You bet.  Do I buy them?  No.  It is my little way of rebelling against my suburban mom status.  You can’t lure me, Tory, you temptress.  Sure, you appeal to my inner preppy.  Sure, that bag looks super functional.  I am immune to your charms, Tory, you are simply too cliche.  

However, if Lulu comes up with a well cut wrap that dares to be even softer and edgier than the one I bought last month, I’m suddenly clicking and before I know it I’m at the “your order is processing” screen with a sweat mustache.  

When I first heard of Lululemon, it seemed like some sort of criminal scheme to get women to pay 64 dollars for a tank and 112 dollars for workout pants.  Why would I want to workout in the financial equivalent of a prom dress?  Then my sister told me that her Lulu sweatshirt was the best, warmest, quality item in her collection.  She had me at sweatshirt.  I stopped by the store downtown. You know what?  It was the best sweatshirt I have ever owned.  And so began my love affair with sweatshirt-material wraps.

It kind of reminds me of that Friends episode when everyone was mocking Pottery Barn furniture because it was so “catalog”.  Phoebe was secretly buying up all the Pottery Barn furniture and when all the other Friends found out, they were jealous and wanted it.  I am buying Lululemon stuff and hoping nobody will notice.  But it’s so well made!  I mean, it really is………… 

Damn you Lululemon!!!

Keely

UPDATE:  Since I first posted this blog, Tory Burch released her Tory Sports line.  You can imagine how this has tested my resolve.  To date, I have not purchased an item from the line, but it feels like a lie not to mention that I have come very, very close.  

Judgment Season

Remember when Grey's Anatomy first showed up on TV?  Remember when the dialog seemed so fresh it was like excerpts from our minds?  Who wasn't in love with the fact that Meredith made bad sexual choices while intoxicated but her character got to be more than just those bad choices? It was the first time in pop culture I remember hearing the phrase…

"Don't judge me."  

I forget why, probably something McDreamy related, but Meredith was pleading with Christina, "Don't judge me!" and I was thinking, "Yes!  Yes!   'Don't judge me'!  Genius! I don't want to be judged either, Meredith and Christina!  I love this show!”

I don't watch that show anymore.  Now, I don't have to because we all say that phrase all the time.  Anything from having another piece of cake to another martini to spending $35 on lipstick and we're asking whomever's around not to judge us.  

I recognize we use the phrase, in part, to be humorous.  I also think it's an interesting commentary on what's really going on in our minds.  It's part of our cultural awareness we're not supposed to judge one another, but I think everyone would agree that we still do.  All the time.  Otherwise, we wouldn't request not to be judged so often.  Why is it so hard not to judge when we know how much it blows to be judged?

Side note:  For the sake of this conversation, I am speaking of the garden variety judgments we place on one another everyday:  She drinks too much, she eats too much, she injects herself with too much, she's not breastfeeding, she's breastfeeding in public, her kids are maniacs, she works too much, what does she do all day, why does she love that guy, and so on.  I am not speaking of horrible criminals.  I still judge them and I don’t have a lot of ideas on how to not.

Did you ever see the 60 Minutes that featured studies being done on babies to get to the bottom of whether humans are inherently good, inherently evil, or clean slates?  Two psychologists from Yale, Karen Wynn and Paul Bloom, conducted the studies and their findings are super interesting.  Leslie Stahl is also ageless.  Here’s the video:

One aspect of the story I found particularly relevant to judgement is that babies, according to Paul Bloom, Yale psychologist, are “predisposed to break the world up into different human groups, based on the most subtle and seemingly irrelevant cues.”  In this case, the “seemingly irrelevant cues” were whether or not the baby chose Cheerios or graham crackers as a snack.  The study found that babies were okay with “punishing” stuffed animals that didn’t like the same snack as they did.  Bottom line, there is significant evidence that, even as babies, there is “bias to favor the self”, even if it’s something as meaningless as which snack we like.  Kind of like judging someone because they wear too much eye makeup or gave their child a sucker.  

Seems like a mean trick, doesn't it?  We are hardwired to judge, yet we are told not to judge!

Don't panic yet.  Thankfully, the study also found that the older the children got, the more willing they were to share with others and actually have less for themselves.  The hopeful conclusion is that teaching compassion, generosity and non-judgement affects the way that children and, ultimately, adults behave.  It means that while we may have an instant reaction to judge someone for getting huge breast implants and wearing that shirt, we can talk ourselves out of it.  

How do we talk ourselves out of it?  Here’s my take:

If I'm sitting in my living room reading Ekart Tolle with a candle burning, I am totally down with not judging.  We are all God's children and he loves us all equally.  Yes!  We are all souls on our own journey, learning and finding what we need in this life to grow.  Namaste! Fast forward to the airport, shoved together with the rest of humanity, and I'm immediately wondering how all that crap could possibly be true. God loves everyone equally?  Equally?  I mean, look at that guy over there!  Just look at him!  If I agree not to judge my friends, can I still judge that guy over there?  Look at him!

When I feel myself wanting to judge that guy at the airport, I let that be my gut reaction because I can't help it.  My guess is neither can you.  But then I talk myself off the ledge. Take a breath.  He could be having a crappy day.  I don’t know what he went through that morning, much less in his life.  I don't know what his personal fears are and the ways he holds himself back.  I remind myself that I am not perfect, just look at the irresponsible amount of lipstick I own.  Who cares what that guy has chosen to do with his freedom to make decisions for himself about his life.  I remind myself that it sucks to be judged, wish him well and move on.

Humans are not supposed to agree on everything.  Humans were created with different skills, hobbies, interests, points of view, backgrounds, etc.  We need everybody.  I can't tell you how grateful I am that someone else decided they like science.  If cancer research were left to me we'd be in big trouble.  We need everybody (excluding horrible criminals, as I mentioned above) and the world is richer in every way when we have different points of view working together.

Practicing non-judgment also works for the judging you do to yourself.  You know, for not being good enough, pretty enough, organized enough etc.  Hopefully, you will practice non-judgment this holiday season and beyond when you feel it creeping up.  We’re already living gently, so I predict success!

One last thing.  After being wowed by JLo's performance at the American Music Awards, I have decided to wear a replica of her bodysuit on a daily basis.   Don’t judge me.  

Do you think my kids can hold me like that?  Hope so.  

Keely

Tracy Anderson Review

In the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty, we learn that Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, had a great fall, and “all the Kings horses and all the Kings men” couldn’t put Humpty together again.  What a bummer!!  ALL of the Kings men, and…nothing?  Doesn’t seem right. 

After having four kids in four years I was convinced it would take "all the kings horses and all the kings men" to put me back together again, possibly with the same grim result as Humpty.  After all, our physiques were similar, with the addition of my pronounced bat wings.  All it took was a tiny, magical genius with an extensive DVD collection:  Tracy Anderson.  

Tracy Anderson is the creator of the Tracy Anderson Method or “TAM”, a workout that aims to balance and strengthen the body by targeting the accessory muscles.  The method consists of two parts:  Dance Cardio and Mat work (arms, legs abs).  She has many versions of the product with varying price points.  From a single DVD to a series of DVD’s that change every 10 days to the Streaming Workout that changes every week, there is something for everyone.  The workout always has the same components, but the moves themselves change to keep your muscles guessing thus avoiding a plateau.  She advocates balance and connection to your body more than just how it looks.  Check out the selection on her website, tracyanderson.com.

Tracy Anderson is often referred to as a “celebrity trainer” because she has helped shape the bodies of a lot of very pretty, famous people from coast to coast.  Google her and you’ll get the idea.   

While it can be an inspiration that Tracy Anderson is responsible for the bods of so many famous people, I have spent enough digital time with her to know that she is most interested in helping the "Every Woman" connect to her body.  I am most certainly in the "Every Woman" category.  I don’t need to tone up for a photo shoot, I just want to feel confident in my jeans (leggings).

I cannot exaggerate or overstate the impact her workout had on my body, my mind and my spirit.  Tracy’s method just plain WORKS.  I saw changes in my body right away and, over time, began to trust that this woman knew what she was doing.  I credit her alone with getting my belly button back to it’s original spot and removing cellulite (I swear) from my legs.  Tracy is a master at getting rid of the back-fat muffin top and has gotten me to a place where I am willing to wave in a tank top.  I have a pelvic floor again.  She has a reputation as the “Organic Plastic Surgeon”, and I would concur.

SEVEN years later and I am as committed now as I was in the beginning.  The funniest part about my consistency is that, like many women, I wouldn't consider myself someone who LOVES to workout.  But I do love fitting into my jeans and being able to wear a bathing suit on short notice.  Of all the workouts I've tried, Tracy keeps me the most interested because it changes every week.  As a woman who pays attention to the soulful side of things, I like that Tracy talks much, much more about balance and connection than she does about a fit physique, yet you still get the fit physique.  You also get the ability to eat more than a carrot for dinner.  Somebody call the King, there's hope for Humpty yet!

Note to pregnant women or women planning on getting pregnant:  Tracy has a set of DVDs she calls the Pregnancy Project.  Sadly, she did this after I had my four kids.  Hearing about it almost enticed me into having another child.  My husband thought it was a tad irrational.  I'm still not sure.  Check it out!

Tracy Anderson Method is the workout for you IF:

1. You like home workouts.  For me, a home workout is essential to working out consistently.  I can’t have a commute or bad weather or any external excuse to bail because I will take them!  I often do this workout with my children milling about asking for things.  If you’re the type that needs to leave the house and you don’t live in NY or LA, TAM may not work for you.
2. You’re ready to do the work.  Tracy recommends you do this workout 4-6 times per week.  You’ve got to want it.  You’ve got to be ready to move from the mindset “I hope I have time to workout tomorrow” to looking at your day and figuring out when you’re going to get it done.  You can do this.  Nap time.  While you watch Scream Queens.  If you’re up to date on any show, you have time to do the work.  I started TAM when I had a 4, 3, 2 and 0 year-old with no nanny.  You can do this. 
3. You like to dance.  The dance cardio can be a bitch to follow, and I even grew up dancing and learning combinations.  Once you get it, though, you’ll be dangerous on the dance floor! You don’t have to be a GREAT dancer, but you do have to at least like it.
4. You think bootcamps are boring.  Don’t get me wrong, TAM is HARD.  But it’s not squats and burpies boring/hard.  Tracy aims to engage your mind as well as your muscles, so half the time you are in strange positions swinging and lifting and pulsing and you have no idea which muscles you’re using.   I like that I don't have to wonder if I "got" my quads or triceps or whatever.  All you know is that you’re sweating like crazy and would like it to stop.  She got your quads.
5. You're down with not being cued.  Tracy doesn't talk during the workouts.  She wants you connecting to the music and your body with no interruptions.  You have to be comfortable with a follow-the-leader approach.  With her streaming workout there is a breakdown of the leg moves so you can make sure you have proper form.

All of Tracy Anderson's videos will do the trick, but the streaming is the most satisfying of all the options.  The music is AWESOME, the moves are the latest and greatest, and you get the feel of being in a real class.  There is a beginner level and a regular level.  The downside is the price.  Because I know that I am committed to the Tracy Anderson Method, the price winds up being something like $3 a workout.  If the price is too steep, start with the Metamorphosis or the Continuity Series and see if you like it first.

Keely

Smokey Eye Lips

The holiday season is upon us.  Nothing says “Christmas party” like abundant drinks and a room full of women with a smokey eye.  What’s not to love about a smokey eye?  The 2 hours it takes to remove it is worth it for such a sexy face.

As the experts and our mirrors tell us, a smokey eye calls for a pale or nude lip as to not alarm onlookers.  Unless you’re going to an 80’s-prom-themed Christmas party or are 21 and living in New York, social norms dictate you must choose to play up your eyes OR your lips.  Pale lips can be tricky because there are so many colors and brands from which to choose and it’s easy to accidentally pick a color that washes you out. 

I have an affection for a pale lip that dates back to Revlon’s Silvercity Pink in high school.  It may or may not be an exaggeration that I currently have 35 lipsticks in the nude/pink range.  With that long tradition of light pinks and nudes, I have taken the liberty of currating the following shades for YOUR smokey eye season!

Laura Mercier 60's Pink.  This is a pale pink with just enough color not to wash you out.  I have a number of friends with varying skin tones that have tried this on and like it.  Perfect for a cat eye/thick liner look.

Buxom Big and Sexy Bold Gel Lipstick in Naturally Daring:  Another pale pink with just enough pigment.  I've been into matte finishes lately and I like this one because it feels good on the lips.  Like the Laura Mercier 60's Pink, it's a good choice for a Brigette Bardot thick liner, sweet lip look.

Giorgio Armani Rouge d'Armani Lipstick #100:  I make no secret of my love for Armani makeup.  I love this lipstick formulation in general because of the way it feels on the lips and the sophistication of the colors.  #100 is a more beige nude without being too brown or too pink.  A really good one for your gray/black smokey eye.

Hourglass Femme Nude Lip Stylo:  Hourglass has five different nude colors that cover all the skin tones.  I like the feel of this on my lips and I like the selection of nudes.  I am fair and the "pale pink nude" is the color that works for me, but head to Sephora and check out the others to see which one is a good match for you.

Wildcard just for fun:  

Nars Killer Shine in Redemption.  Nars collaborated with fashion photographer Steven Klein for some limited edition holiday colors.  Redemption is a metallic beige, maybe a little pink but mostly bronzy-beige.  I love how metallic it looks-sort of like a gloss but it's a lipstick.  The finish is sophisticated and fun at the same time.  Great one if you're interested in putting a "look" together.  Try it out!

Happy Holidays!!

Keely

Public Service Announcement:  Tom Ford's Lips and Boys 2015 are available online at Neiman Marcus on Black Friday.  I am fiendishly wringing my hands in anticipation!  They are smaller versions of his lipstick in 50 different colors.  Thrilling, really.