"Finally!" That's what I said when I looked at the weather forecast and saw every day this week we Houstonians can expect temperatures in the 80s-yay for spring!
Now that the weather is finally in compliance, it's time to shake off the winter "it's so cold I would rather stay in bed than workout" mindset and get back to business before the pool party invitations and vacations arrive.
Hopefully for some of you, that's an easy feat and it simply means setting your alarm clock an hour earlier and going for a run/walk, hitting the gym, or signing up for a new physical activity (I am going to start taking TRX at the Downtown YMCA at lunch time if anyone wants to join me.)
For others the task of getting your muscles moving after they have been "frozen" all winter, is a bit trickier. This is where Styling With Shavonnah can help.
Here are three simple ways to recharge (or reactivate) your workout this spring:
1. Make a pledge to get moving three times this week.
- Go for a walk before or after work.
- Take one yoga class
- Go for a bike ride after dinner
- For the more practical among you, declare this week "Spring Cleaning Week" and get your
family and friends involved in purging your home in three sessions-believe it's a mental AND
physical workout.
2. Go to the gym.
- You pay a monthly membership, but you haven't been in ages-no worries. The gym staff will be thrilled to see a new (ish) face this week. Many gyms start new programs in the spring, so take a peak at your gym's calendar and try one.
3. Find a race or fun run/walk to train for.
- Studies show people are more likely to stay committed to physical pursuits when there is an end goal in mind. Gather up friends/family/colleagues and plan to do a race this summer. You can find one on www.active.com.
Finally, sometimes we need a deeper level of accountability and that's were workout buddies and personal trainers come in. If you need an extra push to get and stay committed to moving your muscles this spring, call in some reinforcements who will hold you accountable to staying active and reaching your goals.
Bathing suit season is just around the corner, it's time to get moving peeps!
Let me know if you have other tips for getting moving or if you are interested in working out with a personal trainer.
Being active (and looking your best in your bathing suit) is very stylish.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Commitment Phobic?
Commitment is a word that seems pretty straightforward to me.
However, lately I have been presented with some examples that make me wonder if, as a
culture, we really know what commitment means. To begin my quest of looking
deeper into commitment I went where I usually start when conducting one of my
mini experiments-the dictionary. Commitment is defined as a vow or pledge or
guarantee to do something. Again, pretty straightforward, right? If commitments seem so straightforward, why is
it that so many people struggle with keeping their commitments? Commitments meet your nemesis, excuses.
Excuse is defined as a release from an obligation or duty. And there you have
it folks. I believe that people struggle with commitment because people know
(for better or for worse) that if the fire gets too hot or the sacrifice gets
too great, they can offer an excuse and get out of the commitment. Note: I am
fully aware that sometimes things happen beyond our control that permits us
from making good on everything that we say. However, I believe that those times
are the exception not the rule. I
believe most people are evenly split when it comes to commitment-either you
mostly follow through on the commitments you make yourself (a goal) and others
or you mostly have excuses for why you did not do what you said you would.
Which side do you fall on-do you mostly follow
through or do you mostly make excuses? Also, let us know if you have tips on how to follow through
on commitments.
We want to hear from you, we’re all ears!Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Bye, Bye 2013, Hello 2014- Styling With Shavonnah is Back!
Happy New Year!!
Does anyone know what is the statue of limitations on saying, "Happy New Year?" I have decided that one week is enough, that said, tomorrow is officially the last day to say, "Happy New Year!", so be sure to get it in as much as possible in the next 24 hours.
OK, back to the real purpose of this post-to update you on what's been happening with us here at Styling With Shavonnah (SWS). If not evident by the lack of posts, 2013 was a wild ride for SWS and as a result, there are many changes afoot for 2014!
Namely, we are expanding our focus to including styling for your mind, body & space. What will this look like in the weeks and months to come? Glad you asked, here's a run down:
1. We're looking to approach "styling" more holistically in 2014. We're moving beyond cool things to wear, to how to style your life, which starts on the inside (mind/body) and ultimately moves to the outside (space). This means you will see more posts related health/fitness, fuel, activities, etc.
2. Guest posts-we want to hear from you! This year we will be working on building community and will be asking all SWS devotees to help do this. You can help by sending post ideas, writing posts and sharing SWS with your networks.
3. We're adding more media...well actually adding media period. Expect to see more mixed media on SWS by way of audio and video clips.
Sounds fun, right?? We thought so too!
As always, send us your feedback, ideas and kudos (shameless, I know).
Stay tuned for the next chapter of SWS-we look forward to your continued support!
Does anyone know what is the statue of limitations on saying, "Happy New Year?" I have decided that one week is enough, that said, tomorrow is officially the last day to say, "Happy New Year!", so be sure to get it in as much as possible in the next 24 hours.
OK, back to the real purpose of this post-to update you on what's been happening with us here at Styling With Shavonnah (SWS). If not evident by the lack of posts, 2013 was a wild ride for SWS and as a result, there are many changes afoot for 2014!
Namely, we are expanding our focus to including styling for your mind, body & space. What will this look like in the weeks and months to come? Glad you asked, here's a run down:
1. We're looking to approach "styling" more holistically in 2014. We're moving beyond cool things to wear, to how to style your life, which starts on the inside (mind/body) and ultimately moves to the outside (space). This means you will see more posts related health/fitness, fuel, activities, etc.
2. Guest posts-we want to hear from you! This year we will be working on building community and will be asking all SWS devotees to help do this. You can help by sending post ideas, writing posts and sharing SWS with your networks.
3. We're adding more media...well actually adding media period. Expect to see more mixed media on SWS by way of audio and video clips.
Sounds fun, right?? We thought so too!
As always, send us your feedback, ideas and kudos (shameless, I know).
Stay tuned for the next chapter of SWS-we look forward to your continued support!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Cast Your Vote-Make Sure Your Voice is Heard!
We are just four days away from the 2012 Presidential election. I think it is safe to say that this election is the most contentious one in recent memory. I am sure you, too, have seen the wild comments fly on social media feeds as well as on the news-and it ain't been pretty!
While some of you might have enjoyed the election theatrics (and perhaps been disgusted by some) but I want to make sure that the main thing remains the main thing-in order to be sure your voice is heard, you MUST cast a vote. AND not just for President. Our local government officials are the people who show up at the state capital and in Washington D.C. every session to propose and vote on legislation that creates policy that we all have to live with-much more so than the President.
That said, be informed! If you have not voted yet, please review the League of Women Voters Houston free Voter's Guide before going to the polls-you can even take the guide into the polls with you so you remember your selections.
You can get your copy of the League of Women Voters Houston Voter's Guide in English and/or Spanish by clicking here. Be informed and then cast your vote!
Informed voting, it's always in style.
While some of you might have enjoyed the election theatrics (and perhaps been disgusted by some) but I want to make sure that the main thing remains the main thing-in order to be sure your voice is heard, you MUST cast a vote. AND not just for President. Our local government officials are the people who show up at the state capital and in Washington D.C. every session to propose and vote on legislation that creates policy that we all have to live with-much more so than the President.
That said, be informed! If you have not voted yet, please review the League of Women Voters Houston free Voter's Guide before going to the polls-you can even take the guide into the polls with you so you remember your selections.
You can get your copy of the League of Women Voters Houston Voter's Guide in English and/or Spanish by clicking here. Be informed and then cast your vote!
Informed voting, it's always in style.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Civic Engagement
How civically engaged are you? Last night we saw the two vice presidential candidates face off in their one and only debate. The debate was passionate, charged and informative. Many comments flew around Face book and Twitter regarding the debate and I would bet more will fly in the coming days over the candidates responses.
While I enjoy seeing my fellow American people engaged in dialogue regarding what they hear from candidates, I wonder how many of those people are registered to vote and more importantly, how many will actually show up at the polls to cast a ballot?
Which brings me to voter apathy. If you have ever heard a candidate speak and wondered, "How did this person get elected to office???" (I know I have, many times...) then I want to say one thing to you, people that seem to have no business setting policy and directing legislation get elected because people don't vote. All the person that may have no business in public office has to do is convince enough people (who actually vote, which isn't a lot) to go to the polls and cast a ballot and they win-it's that simple.
So how do we make sure we have correct and just representation in government? I would suggest the first step is to go cast an informed (meaning: actually read and learn about the candidates prior to voting for them) vote and encourage others to do the same.
Being informed and civically engaged is always in style.
Are you civically engaged? If so, how do you encourage others to do the same? If not, why not?
While I enjoy seeing my fellow American people engaged in dialogue regarding what they hear from candidates, I wonder how many of those people are registered to vote and more importantly, how many will actually show up at the polls to cast a ballot?
Which brings me to voter apathy. If you have ever heard a candidate speak and wondered, "How did this person get elected to office???" (I know I have, many times...) then I want to say one thing to you, people that seem to have no business setting policy and directing legislation get elected because people don't vote. All the person that may have no business in public office has to do is convince enough people (who actually vote, which isn't a lot) to go to the polls and cast a ballot and they win-it's that simple.
So how do we make sure we have correct and just representation in government? I would suggest the first step is to go cast an informed (meaning: actually read and learn about the candidates prior to voting for them) vote and encourage others to do the same.
Being informed and civically engaged is always in style.
Are you civically engaged? If so, how do you encourage others to do the same? If not, why not?
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Fall Event Fury-How to Stay Sane & In the Loop
Despite my best efforts to
get ahead of what I call "the fall event fury," every year at this
time I find myself in the same spot-I have more events than I have days/time. I
have come to the conclusion that everyone waits until the exact same time of
year to plan all of their events, and here in Houston the event window seems to
be from September 15th to November 1st.
Granted, I get that the weather is magical in the fall in Houston, but do we really have to pile 45 events in a six week period? I have surveyed friends that live all over the nation and they seem to face the same dilemma. Don't believe me, browse the Facebook events page of some of your friends and you will quickly see, I speak the truth my friends.
I personally think November or even early December when everyone is in a festive mood, make great times to have events. Unfortunately, I am not the ruler of the nation's social calendar so we all have to just accept the realities of the infamous "fall event fury" and move on.
We are all about solutions here SWS and below are a few suggestions that I think will help you maintain your sanity while keeping your schedule this fall, well for the next 6 weeks...
1. Use one master calendar-record all events in one place and set reminders when possible. How many times have you missed or almost missed something because it was on your cell phone calendar, but not in your Outlook or your written calendar?
2. Don't double book or over commit- some people/organizations plan further in advance than others. That said, the chances that you will be invited to two (or maybe even 3 or 4) events on the same day are high. As tempting and it may be, do not over commit your time. As much as I like to plan, I have learned (the hard way) that things pop up, meetings run late, tires go flat, kids get sick, etc. The more things you have on your calendar on a given night the more "I'm so sorry, but I can't make it..." emails and text messages you have to send and the more guilt you may feel about having to decline at the last minute. I know you think the party will not go on if you are not there, but it will, I promise :-)
3. Be realistic with your time- you cannot get from Fall Creek to downtown Houston in 15 minutes without speeding (I have timed it multiple times at different times of the day). Be sure to build in the appropriate travel time to and from your engagements and decide, before you arrive, how long you plan to stay, especially if you are going to more than one event in an evening. This prevents you from arriving to one event late and not being able to enjoy yourself because you are stressed and thinking about the next event you have to attend.
Do you have any tried and true tips that help keep your social calendar in line? Please share them in the comments section below!
Being on time and fresh (not frazzled) for your events this fall is very stylish!
Granted, I get that the weather is magical in the fall in Houston, but do we really have to pile 45 events in a six week period? I have surveyed friends that live all over the nation and they seem to face the same dilemma. Don't believe me, browse the Facebook events page of some of your friends and you will quickly see, I speak the truth my friends.
I personally think November or even early December when everyone is in a festive mood, make great times to have events. Unfortunately, I am not the ruler of the nation's social calendar so we all have to just accept the realities of the infamous "fall event fury" and move on.
We are all about solutions here SWS and below are a few suggestions that I think will help you maintain your sanity while keeping your schedule this fall, well for the next 6 weeks...
1. Use one master calendar-record all events in one place and set reminders when possible. How many times have you missed or almost missed something because it was on your cell phone calendar, but not in your Outlook or your written calendar?
2. Don't double book or over commit- some people/organizations plan further in advance than others. That said, the chances that you will be invited to two (or maybe even 3 or 4) events on the same day are high. As tempting and it may be, do not over commit your time. As much as I like to plan, I have learned (the hard way) that things pop up, meetings run late, tires go flat, kids get sick, etc. The more things you have on your calendar on a given night the more "I'm so sorry, but I can't make it..." emails and text messages you have to send and the more guilt you may feel about having to decline at the last minute. I know you think the party will not go on if you are not there, but it will, I promise :-)
3. Be realistic with your time- you cannot get from Fall Creek to downtown Houston in 15 minutes without speeding (I have timed it multiple times at different times of the day). Be sure to build in the appropriate travel time to and from your engagements and decide, before you arrive, how long you plan to stay, especially if you are going to more than one event in an evening. This prevents you from arriving to one event late and not being able to enjoy yourself because you are stressed and thinking about the next event you have to attend.
Do you have any tried and true tips that help keep your social calendar in line? Please share them in the comments section below!
Being on time and fresh (not frazzled) for your events this fall is very stylish!
Friday, September 7, 2012
What You Should Be Reading for Fall
But never fear my stylish reading friends, I have some great news for you! SWS has found an excellent book that is both rich in quality writing and brow raising scenes (I'm talking strip clubs, cops and murder, yeah, like that!).
For those of you reading this from Houston, TX you probably remember all too well the fear that gripped the city in the late 1990s due to the murders that were committed by the "Railroad Killer" aka Rafael Resendez-Ramirez.
In his debut novel, Devils Walk Through Galveston, Joseph M. Schreiber conjures up memories of the "Railroad Killer" and captures the mystery of the unassuming killers-the devils that walk among us-and the how things go down with the police work gets mixed with politics. It's a fast moving story with lots of twists, turns, and brow raising prose and scenes.
Devils Walk Through Galveston is available on Amazon.com in paper back or Kindle format.
Go check it out and be sure to tell your friends and book clubbers who are ready for something a little "meatier" to read after taking it easy this summer.
Already reading Devils Walk Through Galveston? Let us know how you like it.
Got other fall reading suggestions? Send them our way.
Reading, it's what's in style (again :-)).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)