Cindy Crawford has been an idol of mine for as long as I can remember. Except for her unfortunate foray into acting, the woman is perfect. She has beautiful kids,a beautiful husband and a lovely furniture collection at Rooms-To-Go. I am actually writing this post while sitting at a table from her California Cottage Collection. But it’s her first workout video that has had the longest lasting impact on me. I was in eighth grade when my mom brought this home and will never forget the memory of the two of us lugging our kitchen chairs into the family room and exercising with a supermodel for 45-minutes a day. That VHS tape traveled with me to college, to two boyfriends’ houses, and several nanny jobs until it finally and sadly, unravelled. I bought the dvd version a couple years ago and still do one of the three workouts (set to the wonderful musical stylings of Seal), at least once a week. Pull out one of your old exercise videos this week and give it a whirl. Just because it’s old, it doesn’t mean it still won’t kick you butt.
Written by Lea Barlow •
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Name: Ansley Schrimsher
Kids: Cade, 6 Haven, 3
Occupation: Dora Mae Jewelry designer
Hometown: Orlando, FL
H&H Interview with Ansley:
1. What are the top 3 items in your grocery cart?
Avocados, Goat Cheese and Baby Spinach – as long as those ingredients are included, I’m guaranteed to love the salad.
2. What are you reading (honestly)?
The Good and Beautiful God
a Flannery O’Conner short story
Animal Vegetable Miracle
3. What is your guilty pleasure when you get a break from the kids?
Pedicure, a cocktail and chick flick with friends, shopping for nothing in particular (this is dangerous and leads to guilt, but is oh so much fun!) and finally, a night away at the Ritz/JW with my hubby.
4. What would we be surprised to find in your purse?
Little packets of honey from months ago when I was trying the Specific Carbohydrate Diet to help treat my Ulcerative Colitis – it’s the only kind of sugar I could have! (In so many ways, I’m glad it didn’t work for me because it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done!)
5. What is your favorite reality TV show?
The Bachelor/Bachelorette – so hilarious, especially watching it with a big group of girls so we can laugh our heads off – never really has the same appeal when I try to watch it alone!
6. What is your cocktail of choice?
Houston’s homemade lemonade, vodka and cranberry (I forget what they call it) – it’s perfect
This is so random, but PF Chang’s Long Island is soooo yummy
If I mention another one, I risk sounding like an alcoholic!
7. What is the funniest thing your kids have said or done lately?
My 3 -yr-old daughter Haven’s facial expressions have been hilarious lately. She can literally go from a merry grin to a cutting glare to a painfully heartbroken frown with a single crocodile tear…then back to a merry grin in less than a minute! I don’t know where she learns all the drama!
8. What is your favorite quotation?
My Bible verse for the year has been 2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
9. What are you currently working out to on your iPod?
I don’t work out to music, and I actually don’t have an ipod! But my kids love having music on in the house during the day. They’ve pretty much graduated from toddler music (I’m personally sooo excited about this!) and request IYAZ, Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Justin Bieber, Train and Beyonce (single ladies is still Haven’s favorite song!) We often break out in dance randomly throughout the day.
10. What is your secret to staying Hot & Healthy?
It’s easy for me to get preoccupied with my schedule and rush through life. I’ve made some minor changes over the past year that have made a major difference. I’ve started making myself lunch AND sitting down to eat it (as opposed to eating my kids leftovers standing up). I’ve been faithfully writing/praying in a journal. I’ve cut down using my cell phone in the car to engage my kids in conversation. I’ve gotten a babysitter (often my mom or sister) and spent the whole day at home! I’ve taken the time to sit down and play the piano – such therapy for me! Just a few examples of putting relationship/reflection over productivity/accomplishment. This has been big for me!
* Please check out Ansley’s gorgeous jewelry designs at doramaejewelry.com.
Written by Lea Barlow •
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Name: Coastline Chardonnay
Price: $8.99
Description per label: California boasts… Long-winded intro…Our Chardonnay is a full-bodied wine with aromas and flavors of apple and melon layered with vanilla and a hint of oak on the finish.
Review: Last night, while at a wine review at a fellow sommelier’s villa, I apparently made quite a scene that ‘allegedly’ involved several broken glasses and possibly a soiled Persian rug. But before my driver, Chauncy, requested or rather demanded we return to the Chateau, I made a valuable discovery. So, here I sit peering through one foggy eye penning this review on my wine stained Mac for you, my friends.
I would refer to this white from Coastline as the anti-Chardonnay. This is not for the Chardonnay drinker that seeks the taste of heavy oak. The aroma is sweet, the taste robust and the finish smooth with hints of apple and vanilla. The blend boasts more fruits than the label mentions and remains sweet on the backside. All in all, I would rate this cheap champ a solid 8 on the SMS scale (1-10). And for the record, it was Chauncy who urinated in that Ming vase.
Suggested pairings: Clambake, trout a la rusa, and play-dates after 11 am.
Written by Lea Barlow •
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Cindy Crawford has been an idol of mine for as long as I can remember. Except for her unfortunate foray into acting, the woman is perfect. She has beautiful kids,a beautiful husband and a lovely furniture collection at Rooms-To-Go. I am actually writing this post while sitting at a table from her California Cottage Collection. But it’s her first workout video that has had the longest lasting impact on me. I was in eighth grade when my mom brought this home and will never forget the memory of the two of us lugging our kitchen chairs into the family room and exercising with a supermodel for 45-minutes a day. That VHS tape traveled with me to college, to two boyfriends’ houses, and several nanny jobs until it finally and sadly, unravelled. I bought the dvd version a couple years ago and still do one of the three workouts (set to the wonderful musical stylings of Seal), at least once a week. Pull out one of your old exercise videos this week and give it a whirl. Just because it’s old, it doesn’t mean it still won’t kick you butt.
