Exercise for 8-25-10 Yoga Meltdown Level 1 w/Jillian Michaels

Since I was still a little sore from working out the day before, I did my new Yoga DVD for a more relaxed workout.

Video preview:

 

Details:
Jillian introduces a new yoga workout unlike any other. Combining hard-core yoga power poses with her dynamic training techniques, Jillian will get you real weight-loss results fast. YOGA MELTDOWN includes two complete 30-minute workouts that include a warm-up and cooldown. Begin with the Level 1 workout which focuses on quickly flowing yoga sequences to burn mega calories. Then progress to Level 2 which adds twists and balance poses for an even greater burn.

http://jillianmichaels.shop.sportstoday.com/Product.aspx?pc=JIAM55DVD

My thoughts:
I have never done this workout before so I did the level 1 to see how it was. It was decent. I was able to flow through the workout with hardly looking at the TV since I know a lot of the moves. I didn't sweat hardly at all, but I built a lot of heat and energy which is what yoga should do. I am a little sore from a few poses. As I said, I am already familiar with yoga but Jillian's style and instruction style is different than what I am used to. I'd say she's too intense verbally for a yoga instructor. There is a way to be encouraging and motivational without sounding so pumped. Using a calm but strong voice is all that is needed for yoga.
Other than that I really enjoyed it. I have a ton of realistic LED candles in my living room so I had some of them on to create a more serene environment so I could relax and really focus on the poses. Was a really nice change from my typical ass kicking workouts.
I may try this one a few more times on my light workout days before moving to level 2.

Has anyone ever tried this workout? Do you do yoga?

~BLIX

Orange, Green and Grey/Purple look with Aromaleigh

I wasn't sure if I should put grey or gray in the title as I see many people spell it differently depending on where they live. So I tagged with both so anyone can find it if looking on my bloggy. :-)  I grew up in Europe so I tend to spell some things differently like colour instead of color...and flavour instead of flavor. It's hard for me not to do that. Grey seems to be an English thing where as gray is an American thing...I think. But I have been using them both recently because I started to forget and 2nd guess which one I normally use just from seeing both being used by different people. Hee hee, wait...me no crazy! I guess it doesn't really matter. Which do you use?

Eyes (all applied in this order):
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Detrivore Eye Primer (applied all around the eye, rubbing in gently with ring finger)

AL - seed pearl (applied to inner corner and with MAC 228 by patting/sweeping)
AL - cricket (applied to inner half of upper lid with MAC 239 by patting/sweeping)
AL - tigrilla (applied to outter half of upper lid with MAC 239 by patting/sweeping and applied to inner half of lower lash line with MAC 228 by patting)
AL - moonset (applied to outer V, crease and outer lower lash line using MAC 239 by patting/sweeping)
AL - snow (applied under brow using MAC 217 by patting/blending)
I tried using carbon eyeshadow cream as a liner using MAC 210...it did not work so well. I won't do that again!
NYX jumbo pencil in white (applied to water line with MAC 210)
CoverGirl Volume exact mascara in Very Black (lower lashes)

Ardell #113 lashes (these are my fav!)

Lips: MAC Dazzleglass in Kitty Kouture

Face: Skin MD Shielding lotion

AL Viole' Foundation Powder in 2CL (applied with Jumbo buffer brush)

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder in Translucent Light (applied using AL flocked sponge by patting then blending)

AL rocks! Sonic Rouge in sinisterrouge (applied to cheeks with a small blush brush)

Exercise for 8-25-10 Sharon Mann: Bootcamp

Since there isn't really a guide for the workouts (because you can create your own combos) I'm going to post the same details as I did for the Sharon Mann Kickboxing workout except on the "my thoughts" part.

Details: This fully-interactive DVD is simply sensational. Offering a huge selection of Cardio based workouts including: Step,
Kickboxing, Boot Camp, HILO & more! Choose from
a number of pre-programmed workouts or design your
own using the fully interactive menu.  There are three
different levels of fitness for all exercises. The people on
the left side of your screen are working at a beginners
level, the people on the right are advanced level. Sharon
will be doing the intermediate level in the middle as well as
beginner & advanced. With all the choices offered on this
one disc, you can create over 1000 different workout combinations!  

Pre programmed workouts include:
HILO WORKOUT,   BOOT CAMP WORKOUT,
STEP WORKOUT,   BOXING WORKOUT,  +
Mixed Hilo,  Athletic Step,  HILO Drills,  Step Circuit, Interval Training,  Military Training,  Kickboxing + More!


http://www.sharonmann.com/mall/main.htm

My Thoughts:
I did the Sharon's Picks Bootcamp workout rather than creating my own combo. It's around 30 minutes. There's a lot of jumping rope, walking push-ups, plyometrics (some using the step, ouch!), tricep dips and military drills in this one. I really enjoyed doing it! Although my husband was not happy since his calves were still sore from the Cardio Abs workout. Hee hee. I added my own ab routine at the end (since there isn't one included in this one) and also used my resistance tubing (medium) to work on my biceps, shoulders and back. So with me adding more exercises, my workout ended up being about 50 minutes total. I am a little sore. Muscles feel tight and I feel like I really did something. I love this feeling.

I got a yoga DVD recently and I'm thinking of trying that tonight since my hubby will be rock climbing. He's not a yoga fan...probably because I get onto him about his form, which is usually terrible with yoga. Rather than working on it to get better, I guess he'd rather not hear me nag. Ha ha! I don't mean to nag him but I don't want him to hurt himself by doing something with really bad form. But it is nice to just do yoga and concentrate on myself and not worry about someone else.

~BLIX

Exercise for 8-24-10 Insanity w/Shaun T: Cardio Abs

 My husband and I did this workout together on Monday.

I found this video on youtube. Hope this guy doesn't mind me posting it here! Gives you an example of what's in the workout.

My thoughts:
 Never having done any of the Insanity workouts, I thought Cardio Abs was a good place to start just to get a feel for the series. This series comes with a calender (scheduled workouts) but I just wanted to try the abs! It's a short workout that is supposed to target the abs. Honestly I got hardly anything from this. Because I felt like I really didn't do anything, I looked up reviews on this particular workout. A lot of people have the same thing. While doing the workout I could feel my abs, was sweating and even became winded from some of the plyometric (jumping) exercises,  the next day my abs were not sore at all. However, my hip flexors were very sore. My husband said his hip flexors were a little sore, so were his calves (from jumping), but not his abs at all. I understand my fitness level is somewhere around expert. I'm used to using a lot of resistance and doing some mean things to work my core...but I was really expecting a lot more from this workout. It really felt more like a cardio workout and not abs. I probably won't do this one again but I will go onto doing the other DVD's when I feel up to really starting the series and following the calender. Right now I'm enjoying jumping around with various workout styles (I've really been wanting to get back into yoga!) so it's hard for me to commit to just one style. I'll do it, I know I will. But I can already tell my hubby will hate it. He hates plyometrics. Well, duh. Who LIKES them?! I don't, but they get results so I do them anyway. Hee hee.

Anyone else try the Cardio Abs workout? I wanted to like it so bad but it didn't do it for me. :-(

~BLIX

Red Smokey look with Aromaleigh

This look is from yesterday. I wore it for my friend Emily's Birthday gathering. We had lunch at a nice place and the food and company was great. As you can tell, I took my jewelry off. You can see everything I was originally wearing in the other pics below these.
I love Torment! I love how it has heat to it. *drool*

Eyes (all applied in this order):
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
NYX Jumbo Pencil - Black Bean (applied all around the eye, rubbing in gently with a Q-tip)

AL - Torment (applied all around the eye area on top of Black Bean, with MAC 239 by patting)
Simply Natural's - Flesh (applied under brow using MAC 217 by patting/blending)
Kryolan Aqua color Liner - black (applied wet with water, using MAC 210 on upper lash line and extending out)
Avon Ultra Luxury Eye liner pencil in black (water line)

Cover Girl Volume exact mascara in Very Black (lower lashes)

Ardell lashes #113

Lips: Avon BEYOND COLOR Plumping Lip Color SPF 15 - Beige Shimmer

Face: Skin MD Shielding lotion

AL Viole' Foundation Powder in 2CL (applied with Jumbo buffer brush)

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder in Translucent Light (applied using AL flocked sponge by patting then blending) 

AL Luminesce Divine Mineral Finishing Powder in Angel (applied with Jumbo Flat Top brush)
AL You're a Doll! Gothic Lolita Rouge in Corset (applied to cheeks with a small blush brush)

The rest of the pics are from the Bday lunch.

Emily, Dimitri, Helen, Ryan (me and Jason in the back)

Dimitri

Helen and Ryan

Emily holding the Birthday candle from her Grapefruit sorbet

Dimitri watching what Helen in doing with his phone

Jason

me and Jason

Dimitri attempting to hide from the camera with a napkin. Did not work!

Emily eating the fruit from her strawberry basil cocktail

Close up of the cocktail. Looks yummy!

~BLIX

Green Soft look using Aromaleigh + Glitter Liner

This is from Saturday. My hubby had a company picnic so I wore this soft look instead of going all dramatic. Afterward we went to a friend's Birthday party. I wasn't able to take pics until I got home so these were taken at least 8 hours after I applied it.

Eyes (all applied in this order):
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Detrivore Eye Primer (applied all around the eye, rubbing in gently with ring finger)

AL - may lily (applied to inner V and inner 2/3 of upper lid/crease with MAC 239 by patting/sweeping)
AL - greenbrier (applied to outer V and lower lash line using MAC 239 by patting/sweeping)
Simply Natural's - Flesh (applied under brow using MAC 217 by patting/blending)
Kryolan Aqua color Liner - black (applied wet with water, using MAC 210 on upper lash line and extending out)
NYX Candy Glitter Liner - Hot Green (applied to lower lash line)

CoverGirl Volume exact mascara in Very Black

Lips: Avon BEYOND COLOR Plumping Lip Color SPF 15 - Beige Shimmer

Face: Skin MD Shielding lotion

AL Viole' Foundation Powder in 2CL (applied with Jumbo buffer brush)

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder in Translucent Light (applied using AL flocked sponge by patting then blending) 

AL Luminesce Divine Mineral Finishing Powder in Angel (applied with Jumbo Flat Top brush)
AL You're a Doll! Gothic Lolita Rouge in Corset (applied to cheeks with a small blush brush)

Golden Green look with 88 Shimmer Palette

 So I have not posted in a few days. I did mention that my inlaws were coming for a visit so I would be busy and not able to post or read your blogs. The folks are gone now but the few days they were here was really nice. I know some people hate their inlaws but mine are some of the most wonderful people ever. I could not ask for better inlaws! :-)

I did this look the day they arrived. I wore the green as requested by PonPon. I toned down this look as I didn't want to look like a drag queen since they haven't seen me in over 3 years. Hee hee. 

I used these from the palette:
7c
3c
2b
4b
2a
6j

Eyes (all applied in this order):
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
NYX Jumbo Pencil - Horse Raddish (applied all around the eye, rubbing in gently with ring finger)

88 shimmer - 7c (applied to outer V, crease and outer 1/3 of lid using MAC 239 by patting)

88 shimmer - 3c (applied to middle of upper lid with MAC 239 by patting/sweeping)

88 shimmer - 4b (applied to lower lash line with MAC 228 by patting/sweeping)

88 shimmer - 2b (applied to inner V with MAC 228 by patting/sweeping)

88 shimmer - 2a (applied under brow with MAC 217 by patting/sweeping)
88 shimmer -  6j (applied to upper lash line using MAC 210)
Cover Girl Volume Exact Mascara in Black

Lips: Milani 3D Glitzy Glamour Gloss - Designer Label

Face: Skin MD Shielding lotion

AL Viole' Foundation Powder in 2CL (applied with Jumbo buffer brush) 

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder in Translucent Light (applied using AL flocked sponge by patting then blending) 

AL You're a Doll! Metamorphosis Finishing Powder (applied with Jumbo Flat Top brush)

AL You're a Doll! Gothic Lolita Rouge in Dolly (applied to cheeks with a small blush brush)

I have a couple more looks to post. I also need to make time to read your bloggies. :-)

Exercise for 8-17-10 Kick, Punch & Crunch (kickboxing) with Cathe

The past few days have been quite busy for me and will continue to be, so I won't be posting as much this week. I probably won't have to time to workout let alone do post-worthy makeup looks. My parents-in-law are visiting this week (they should be here this afternoon) so I don't want to take time away from them by working out all the time or doing makeup looks. As soon as they leave, I will get back on track with kicking my butt and making myself look prettay.

This is the workout I did yesterday. Kick, Punch and Crunch

Kick, Punch & Crunch This workout is 68 minutes long. It starts with a warm up of 7 minutes and gradually moves into a faster paced warm up which I refer to as intermediate intensity (since it really starts to pick up the intensity toward the end of it). After the 13 minute mark, you will really kick it up to high intensity levels for another 20 to 25 minutes. During this time you will be doing kickbox conditioning drills which are put in an interval style format of pushing hard, recovering briefly and pushing hard again. This segment is mostly high impact, however, there are also some high intensity low impact drills included (the last drill, one of the hardest, is HIGH intensity, LOW impact, at its best,....Hammer Punch with a drop lunge into a Knee Smash....24 per side, yikes). After this segment, you are good and fried, however, the show must go on You/we will then do three punching and kicking combinations. Each one consists of a punching combination (ex: double jab high, double jab low, a triple jab/cross/jab and then a cross punch with hesitation), followed by a kicking combination (ex: knee chamber, into roundhouse kick, into drop squat back, into jump roundhouse kick forward). This segment also keeps the heart rate up because each combination features jump kicks. Now we move on to ab work on the stability ball. We will do crunches, wood chops with weight (optional), and pikes with knee rolls. Finally, its time to enjoy a nice relaxing stretch with a soothing Asian melody. By the way, the other parts of the soundtrack are all instrumental with a strong downbeat to suit the mood of the movement. I brought the ever so motivating song "I WANNA ROCK" into this workout and you will hear it on your first punck/kick combination. Get ready to SWEAT!!!!! 

 

Kick, Punch & Crunch Format: Warm- up 7 min., Intermediate intensity drills 7 ½ min., High intensity drills 18 min., Combo #1 8 min., Combo #2 7 min., Combo #3 6 min., Stability ball abs 7 min., Stretch 5 ½ min., Total = 68 min


Video preview:

My thoughts:

I love this workout! I'm not a huge fan of cardio but I love this DVD so much. It's fun and full of energy. I've done this one so much that it's not a huge challenge like it used to be. I used to dread doing it as it usually burned me out and I felt like I would need to sleep for 2 days to recover. Now it's a normal workout for me and I can do it all the way though without feeling like I'm going to die. Afterward I'm left feeling energized and pumped. I'm not even sore from it today but it's still an awesome workout for me. The abs part with the ball is fairly evil though (as you can see from the video). But I love kicking my own ass...or abs. Hee hee. 

Check her stuff out if you are interested! http://shop.cathe.com/ 

Cathe just came out with some new DVD's but I'm not sure if I will order them just yet. Thanks to a post by  Betty Ray, I just got Insanity with Shaun T. So I wanted to try that for a while before getting more stuff I won't be able to use for some time. I just watched some of it yesterday and it looks fun and promising. Oh yeah, it looks insane too...weee!

~BLIX

Gold look + Red lips with Morgana Minerals

Yesterday was my good friend Angela's Birthday party. I wanted to do an easy look as I didn't have much time. My inlaws are coming to visit this week so we've been reorganizing/cleaning to make room for them but I did not want to miss Angela's Birthday. We don't have a spare room so we had to move some stuff for a place for the air mattress. What fun! Not. Regardless, I'm looking forward to their visit with us. :-)
Anyway, here's the look. I made the jewelry and the hair flower is from http://hairflowers.net/
Oh yeah, my left lashes were coming up in the inner corner. Luckily I noticed before we left as I was able to fix it before the party. :-D  But you can see it in the pics. Hee hee!

Eyes (all applied in this order):
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Detrivore Eye Primer (applied all around the eye, rubbing in gently with ring finger)

Morgana - Emily (applied to lid and crease with MAC 239 by patting/sweeping)

SMH - Divine (applied under brow with MAC 217 by patting/sweeping)

SMH - Unzipped (matte black that I applied to upper lash line and outer half of lower lash line, then softened with MAC 217 by blending)
AVON Ultra Color eye liner pencil in black (water line)

Cover Girl Volume exact mascara in Very Black (lower lashes)

Ardell 118 lashes

Lips: NYX Lip Liner Pencil in Deep Red

Morgana Vegan Lipstick in Very Cherry

Face: Skin MD Shielding lotion

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder in Translucent Light (applied using AL flocked sponge by patting then blending)

AL You're a Doll! Gothic Lolita Rouge in Rococo (applied to cheeks with a small blush brush)

Check out Morgana Minerals!

Teal, Purple & Black look with Morgana Minerals + Club pics

Last night we went dancing and I did a look that I had in my head for a few days. I sort of had a 20's steampunk look going on. :-)  I love my flapper wig! We hung out with good friends, met new people and overall had a good time. Although I got a little too drunky! Those blasted chocolate martinis taste too good! That and I didn't eat very well. If I know I will be drinking, I have to eat a lot of food before hand or I get ill. Which my dumbass didn't do. So I didn't feel very well...but I'm fine now. XD
Anyway, here's the look and the pics!

Eyes (all applied in this order):
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Detrivore Eye Primer (applied all around the eye, rubbing in gently with ring finger)

Morgana - Lady of the Lake (applied to middle crease with MAC 239 by patting/sweeping)

Morgana - Axe to Grind (applied to outer crease and V with MAC 239 by patting/sweeping)

Morgana - Beowulf (applied just below the crease with MAC 239 by patting/sweeping side to side) 

Morgana - Glitter Ghoul (applied to lash line blending up with MAC 239 by patting/sweeping) 

Morgana - Lady Godiva (applied to lower lash line with MAC 228 by patting/sweeping)

Morgana - Lady of the Lake (applied to inner 1/3 of lower lash line with MAC 228 by patting/sweeping)

Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxie (applied to inner V)

TKB - Aqua Sparks (applied to inner V with MAC 228 by patting/pressing it on)

Coastal Scents - Sparkle Teal (applied under brow with MAC 217 by patting/sweeping)
Kryolan Aqua color Liner - black (applied wet with water, using MAC 210 on upper lash line and extending out)
NYX Jumbo Pencil in white (applied to water line with MAC 210)

CoverGirl Volume exact mascara in Very Black

Ardell 111 lashes

Lips: Morgana Vegan Lipstick in Sugarplum Rum

Milani 3D Glitzy Glamour Gloss in Movie Star

Face: Skin MD Shielding lotion

AL Viole' Foundation Powder in 2CL (applied with Jumbo buffer brush)

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder in Translucent Light (applied using AL flocked sponge by patting then blending) 

AL You're a Doll! Metamorphosis Finishing Powder (applied with Jumbo Flat Top brush)
AL You're a Doll! Gothic Lolita Rouge in Corset (applied to cheeks with a small blush brush)


Morgana Minerals is having a 25% off sale this weekend!
Check out Morgana Minerals!

Now onto the rest of the pics. I took my lipstick off and just had lipgloss on to wear in the club so I could smooch my honey bunny!

Lovely Emerald

Tyler and Jason

moi trying to be cute but not for long...

yep...typical!

Jason and me

my hair taking over Jason

AJ on the far right with his two buddies I don't know

sweet Jen

How in the world was I in mid blink?! I took the pic myself!

me and Jen

picking her nose...

scratching her butt...

ooh!

hee hee

Liz

Tyler & Emerald

Tyler, Emerald and Liz

AJ, Tyler, Emerald and Liz

Naughty girls...

still naughty

I wonder what Tyler was looking at?

group pic!

Hmm...Tyler must be pooping his pants!

Jen's friend. I would not be able to dance in those shoes!

Winding down...

What?

hee hee!

Emerald has a good smile!

ooh la la

trying to look sweet

we're dorks!

That's all for now! Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Again, Morgana Minerals is having a 25% off sale this weekend!
Check out Morgana Minerals!

~BLIX