A Day at the Beach

It is swimsuit time ladies.  I am sure many of you have sunny vacations in your near future and want to look your best.  I just started my swimsuit shopping for a vacation I have at the end of June.  Start looking for your perfect swimsuit which will give you extra motivation to work on your beach body.

There are so many chic, cute styles out right now.  Don’t feel like you have to wear a bikini, several stores are carrying super stylish one-pieces.  Glamour magazine claimed that the sporty suit, retro suit and boho suit are the 3 hottest styles to shop for.  I also saw a nautical trend I was attracted to and loved the sexy, sporty look as well.  Here are my top ten favorite swimsuits for this summer.

1.) Tory Burch Monogrammed Triangle Bikini

2.) Milly Santorini Print Halter Bikini

3.) Jcrew Deck-Stripe Triangle Top and Bikini Bottom

4.) Jcrew Seersucker Halter Top and Bikini Bottom

5.) Chloe Sporty Halter Bikini Swimsuit

6.) Chloe Scoop Back Sporty One-Piece Swimsuit

7.) Tommy Hilfiger Colorblocked One Shoulder One Piece

8.) Vix Bia Logo Tube Black Bikini

9.) Vix Betsey Black Bia Tube Bikini

10.) Vix Odette Long Triangle Detail Bikini

Shopping for swimwear is fun, but even better if you are feeling good about yourself.  It is not too late to get toned for you summer vacation.  Check out this simple, no equipment beach body workout from health.com.  You're guaranteed to have a fabulous day(s) at the beach.

Fit Strawberry Smoothie

I have been drinking a lot of protein smoothies lately.  They are easy, tasty and keep your calories under control.  I get my low-carbohydrate, sugar-free protein smoothie from a local smoothie shop, but wanted to have an easy smoothie recipe on hand to make on my own.

Fit Strawberry Smoothie

• 1 packet or scoop of sugar-free vanilla or strawberry protein powder (I recommend Jay Robb Protein Powder).
• 1 cup of strawberries
• 6 ounces of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 5 ice-cubes

This treat is low-fat, low-sugar and has about 160 calories.  If you want to make this for guests, you can make a few extra servings and put the smoothie in shot glasses.  They look really cute and are fun for guests to enjoy.

Memorial Day Weekend BBQ Party

If you aren’t traveling this weekend, the long weekend and sun most likely have called you to host a BBQ party with family and friends.  Having a BBQ party requires a lot of preparation, but once everything is prepared, you can enjoy the party and spend time with your lovely guests.  The key to being a calm and happy hostess is preparation.  Make sure you have everything ready to go by the time your guests arrive.

I have pulled together some fun, easy ideas that anyone can do.  I have also put a healthy twist on the food and drink menu and added a party activity (don’t worry, it won’t make you sweat).

BBQ PARTY CHECKLIST

• Décor and Dining
• Food and Drink Menu
• BBQ Master (Make sure you have someone that loves to BBQ, is good at it and can take over all of the grilling for you.)
• Activity
• Invitations (It is too late to send out invitations for Memorial Day Weekend, but if this post inspires you to have a BBQ party this summer, you can use the invitations shown at the end of this post to invite your friends and family over.)

DECOR AND DINING INSPIRATION

Check out these fun pictures for décor and dining setup inspiration and ideas.  Have everything already laid out (glasses, plates, napkins, utensils, serving ware, etc.) for your guests to be able to serve themselves.  Using plastic decorative plates is also a good idea.  Don't use paper for the steak and chicken because it will be to hard for your guests to cut their meal.  Also, make sure flowers are a part of your decor to create the perfect ambiance.

FOOD AND DRINK MENU AND IDEAS

FOOD

• Vegetable Chip Party Cones (I like to use Terra Chips)- To create the paper party cones you can find chic templates and instructions here.

• Watermelon on a Stick*

• Corn on the Cob on a Stick*- I recommend Bobby Flay’s recipe from the Food Network.

*Cut watermelon into wedges and cut grilled corn in half then pierce with wooden skewers.  Put a Styrofoam base in a wooden box or metal bucket.  Place the watermelon and corn sticks spaced out as desired in the Styrofoam base.  Then cover with faux grass, moss or paper confetti. 

• Sliders- You can purchase small slider buns at any grocery store.  Use lean ground beef or turkey and reduced fat cheddar or mozzarella cheese.  Place condiments on the side such as sliced Roma tomatoes, slice red onion, avocado, pickles, Dijon and yellow mustard, and light mayonnaise.  These will keep guests satisfied while you finish up the grilled items.  These are also a perfect menu item for kids at the party.

• Caprese Bites- Details on how to make here.

• Grilled Chicken and Steak- Use skinless, boneless chicken breasts and I recommend filet mignon for the steak.  To season the chicken and steak use a dash of olive oil, salt and pepper.  If you really want to impress your guests I found this amazing seasoning from the famous restaurant in Napa, ad hoc, at William and Sonoma.  You can order it here and it is guaranteed to make the BBQ master the hit of the party, if you are ok with that:).

DESSERT

• Real Fruit Popsicles- These make an excellent light and refreshing dessert.  I would just buy some at the store and pass them out to the little and big kids.  For the adults you can get fancy and dip the popsicles in champagne.  Yum!

DRINKS

• Beer**
• White and Red Wine
• Light Lemonade**
• Izzesque (Low calorie Izze)- You can order Izzesque on Amazon.

**Use mason jars and cute, colorful straws for a special touch.  You can even put adhesive chalkboard labels on the jars and provide chalk for your guests to write their names on their jar(s).

ACTIVITY

Bocce ball is the perfect outdoor activity that can be played almost anywhere.  It is a very social, casual game that is easy to play and everyone has a great time even kids.

 INVITATIONS

You can order and customize these invitations and other bbq paperie on etsy.

You can order and customize these invitations and other bbq paperie on etsy or AP Designs.
 

This is a more rustic, classy BBQ invitation if you would rather go in that direction.  You can order this invitation from minted.com who I have used before and love their designs and service. 

If you need some inspiration to go with this card partydress.net has some over the top, fabulous bbq party ideas.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Resources:

Celebrations.com

Glamour.com

Hwtm.com

Thepartydress.net

Frilly Milly Events

Southernliving.com

Stylemepretty.com

Hot New Workout Trend

Summer will be here before you know it.  If you are dreading getting in your swimsuit or want to tone up specific areas of your body, I have the workout just for you.  This hot new workout trend is called The Trainer.

The Trainer is a suspension system that uses the force of gravity combined with your body weight to create a challenging workout for any body type or fitness level.  The Trainer system consists of a durable, soft webbed band that can be used anywhere.  It's designed to provide a thorough, challenging workout, outdoors and in tight quarters.  I love the fact that you can get an intense, full body workout anywhere using a band with this system!

All you have to do is hang The Trainer from a post, swing set or tree branch, grab the handles and get ready to move your body.  Moves can be as simple as bicep curls or more advanced such as an upside down pushup (that sounds interesting).  You can also use The Trainer for core workouts and stretching.  You can order The Trainer package here which includes:

• Travel Storage Bag
• Instructional DVD
• In-door/out-door Setup Accessories

There are no excuses with this workout.  You can do it anywhere with little equipment.  Get started today so you can feel great in your swimsuit just in time for summer.  You are guaranteed amazing results.

Summer Skinny Sangria

Picture from here

I am excited to make this tomorrow for mother's day.  The weather is gorgeous in Seattle so this will be an excellent addition to our mother's day bbq.  I decided to use white wine and zero calorie ingredients to make this a super summer skinny drink.  Have fun!

Summer Skinny Sangria

Picture from here

Ingredients

½ lb of fresh raspberries (You can use any fruit of choice to add to the sangria.  The peaches and grapes in the pic above looks fun.)

1 grapefruit

1 bottle of Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio or wine of choice

club soda- add as much as you want to your taste

1 can Zevia diet soda- I am using the grapefruit citrus flavor

Ice

Directions

Wash and slice the grapefruit into circular slices, leave skin on.  Put all of the ingredients into a pitcher, stir and Voilà!

42 Days Until Summer 2012!

Summer is approaching fast, but you still have exactly 6 weeks to get your abs bikini ready. Follow this 6 week flat belly program provided by fitness magazine.  Do each exercise as described 3-4 days a week skipping a day in between each ab workout for the next six weeks to see amazing results just in time for summer.

Mom & Toddler Yoga

I always try to find fun, active activities in the Seattle area for my son and I and came across Parent and Preschooler Yoga at 8 Limbs Yoga Studio in West Seattle.  Here are the details:

Series: Fridays, 11:15am – 12:15pm

Schedule: May 18 – June 15, 2012 (no class June 1)

Description: You've hardly been to yoga since you had your baby, and your “baby” is now a walking, talking dynamo! In this class we'll occupy our kids' bodies and minds with yoga stories and games while we work your body and mind in a way that won't exhaust you. A great way to bond, play, and open your child's mind to the awesome practice of yoga. Bring your mat, your humor, and your preschooler, ages 2 – 5.

Studio: West Seattle

Address:

4546 1/2 California Ave SW  Seattle, WA 98116

Cost: $65 for 4-week series for one adult and one child, $85 for one adult and two children.

Event Registration: To register please call 8 Limbs West Seattle at 206.933.9642.