Must Have: New Cross-Trainers

 

Happy Spring!

Did you know that you are suppose change out your athletic shoes every 300 to 400 miles?  I was watching a shoe show and heard that information. I bought my last cross-training shoes about a year ago. They are still in pretty good condition; but I needed to get a new pair.  I tried on a several pairs at DSW and narrowed my selection down to two choices. A Reebok FlexFrame and a NIKE cross trainer. When I tried on the NIKEs and it felt unstructured. I would describe this shoe as a good shoe for running or walking.  The Reebok shoe offered more structure support and fit my foot very well. Not to mention the shoe looks pretty rad!

I made my decision and purchased the Reeboks. As soon as I bought the shoes home, I wanted to see how they fit working out with a FIRM video.

Sketcher

Reebok

 My shoes have to be comfortable when I work out with weights or do Zumba.

 The picture below of me doing a lunge with weights. It felt good because my Reeboks made me feel grounded and secure in my move.  Form is everything and when I have a great shoe the move is easy and I get a better workout.

JT working out

JT doing lunge

The Reeboks were great when lifting weights overhead. I could move my toes around in the shoes, the toe bed didn’t feel tight.

JT lifting weights overhead

JT lifting weights overhead

Lastly, I did my side lunge weight lift routine and it was a good feeling because I wasn’t thinking about my feet.

JT doing side lunge and lifting weights

JT doing side lunge and lifting weights

Tips for finding a good athletic show

1. Fit! Fit! Fit! Get the correct size. You don’t want to be in a shoe that is too big or too show. You feet will be hurting for sure. Make sure you can wiggle your toes in your shoes.  If you can’t wiggle your toes they are too tight. Also, a shoe that is too big can cause problems with your feet too.
2. You will walk around in the store to see if the shoe is a good you.  Do some three-knee repeaters, or leg lifts and see how the shoe feels.  I know you make look funny; but your the one working out in them so get what you want.
3. Make sure it’s the right type of shoe. Are you running? Are you walking? Do you dance and do aerobics? Know the right type of shoe for your fitness regime.
4. Design and Color. Get a color that you really like. For me, I don’t like an all white shoe. It needs to be a bright color. But get what you like and want, not just because it happens to be on clearance.

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This post is linked with Visible Monday!

Treat Yourself to 5 Comfortable and High Fashion Shoes

 

Are you on a quest for comfortable yet fashionable shoes? Do you have high standards in both departments? Well look no further because Footcandy has found some of the trendiest and most expressive styles that are also comfortable. Whether you’re standing all day at work, touring a new city by foot or dancing the night away at a professional banquet, these shoes will comfortably get you through all those activities and more. Here is Footcandy’s top 5 most comfortable yet stylish must have shoes for the 2013 spring and summer seasons.

 

1. Giuseppe Zanotti’s “RDS304” Sneaker

 

This fabulous canvas, leather wedged sneaker is one of the most high fashion athletic trends this season. Not only will the rubber sole give you ideal comfort but the insole lining of the sneaker is lightly padded to offer you maximum comfort coverage. So whether you’re running to the grocery store, on campus or touring a new city, this sneaker epitomizes the ideal foot support women desire when walking for miles.

 

rds304

footcandyshoes.com  –  Giuseppe Zanotti  –  “RDS304

 

2. Kate Spade’s “Marilyn” Kitten Heel

 

Slide into these glam and feminine Kate Spade patent leather kitten heels. The crisp cutouts and darling bow adds charm while the low demure heel is essential for overall comfort. This sensational shoe’s open toe-box and gently padded leather insole provides utmost comfort and will, without hesitation, get you through a night of dancing at a wedding. So if you’re looking for a secure yet fashionable heel for a dressy event, look no further because the Kate Spade “Marilyn” is that perfect accessory.

marilyn

Footcandyshoes.com  –  Kate Spade  –  “Mailyn

 

3. Jimmy Choo’s “Demi” Slip on Sneaker

 

The starlight shine that emanates from Jimmy Choo’s textured fabric highlights the athletic silhouette of this timeless sneaker. The easy slip-on feature, rounded toe-box and rubber sole create a cozy and durable walking sneaker. So whether you’re taking a casual stroll around town, running the kids from activity to activity or simply need great traveling shoes, this comfortable sneaker will add a little glam to your step.

 

 

demi

footcandyshoes.com  –  Jimmy Choo  –  Demi

4. Footcandy’s “Cabo” Espadrille Wedge

 

Being comfortable has never looked so good. Footcandy’s cross-band leather espadrille wedge is a must have summer accessory. The extra padded insole provides comfort while the open toe-box allows your foot to be free and, most importantly, comfortably exposed. Besides comfort, the best part is that this style comes in an array of colors! So if you’re looking for a low-heeled wedge that provides maximum support and comfort coverage that you can wear poolside or at a gal’s luncheon, then this is the perfect wedge for you.

 

 

cabo

footcandyshoes.com  –  Footcandy  –  Cabo

 

5. Emma Hope Shoes’ “5105” Casual Sneaker

 

This sophisticated velvet sneaker by Emma Hope Shoes is the ideal everyday sneaker. The rubber sole, rounded toe-box and lace up creates a fit that can be adjusted to any foot shape, but most importantly this timeless design is perfect for any season. So pair these sneakers with jeans for the next sporting event you attend, wear them to the park with your kids or casually wear them to a picnic. No matter which way you wear these sneakers, you will undoubtedly love the support and coziness that this shoe creates for your feet.

5105

footcandyshoes.com  –  Emma Hope Shoes  –  “5105

 

To purchase these high quality comfortable styles, or find more on your own, be sure to visit footcandyshoes.com

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Coordinating Jewelry and Outfits

 

White and blue diamonds

White and blue diamonds

 

If you are an avid fashion enthusiast, you may already know that jewelry can enhance or complicate your whole image. Many love the ways that jewelry helps them lift up and enhance their attire, but aren’t sure how to mix and match it with their favorite wardrobe pieces. We recommend to not follow standard rules because we all have different personalities and taste when pairing jewelry with clothing.

Let’s review the basics first. Whenever you are wearing an elegant piece of clothing, it is possible to take it to the next level by wearing the right piece of jewelry. To better illustrate this, imagine that you are wearing an elegant evening or night dress that is strapless. With this choice, you can select many different pieces of jewelry to complement it. For example, you could easily wear choker to make your image inspire romance and passion. Another great option would be wearing a large diamond necklace to display beautifully on your upper collarbone. Diamond necklaces are perfect for special occasions where you want to look sophisticated and elegant. The jewelry you choose will become a signature part of your overall look, especially if you wear those pieces more often. Check out www.selluseddiamonds.com for more information on the origin of diamonds.

Remember that certain pieces of jewelry, such as diamond necklaces, can overpower your whole look if you choose to add any extra layers to your attire. Never over accessorize. If the top or dress you are wearing is already flashy, and you’re using it as a statement piece, then there’s no need for any sophisticated accessories. Sometimes a simple, but elegant diamond necklace will do more for you than adding any extra layers of unnecessary accessories.

Tennis Bracelet

Tennis Bracelet

For casual events, it’s okay to wear over the top jewelry.  It’s all in how you style your outfit. If you’re itching to wear that beautiful diamond necklace, by all means wear it to that casual family reunion. Do not save it up for a formal event wear your jewelry and you will stand out from the crowd immediately. Remember that there are no rules for an appropriate time and place. If your personality type wants to wear unique and flashy pieces of jewelry then I say go for it. If you feel that your overall image needs an extra edge, consider wearing unique pieces of jewelry that will enhance instead of detract. We guarantee that you’ll leave a great impression on your next formal or casual event!

Gotta Love Healthy Comfort Food!

JT's hubby

JT’s hubby

 

My hubby and I have really been focusing on eating healthy; and we really enjoy what we cook. We have incorporated fresh vegetables and fruit into our regime and we have so much more energy.It is springtime and even though there may be some warm days, it can be downright cold. We are looking at recipes for soups,  low-carb casserole  dishes, chili and chili con carne.

Comfort food is often associated with high calories and meals that will pack on the pounds; but that is just not entirely true.  When I was a little girl, my mother would cook greens. I remember a combination of mustard, turnips and collard greens with ham shanks for seasoning and flavor. She would use a variety of other seasonings, like the ones from Schwartz, to top it off. My mother and I would also bake cornbread in a cast iron skillet to go with the greens.  That was comfort food at its best. Some may not consider the greens healthy because of the ham shanks. The ham shank was and is used for seasoning, but we never ate it. Well maybe my daddy would eat a piece of the ham shank with his greens.

Comfort food can be full of flavor and still low in fat. It may take a little time to look for different dishes on nutritional guidelines; but in the end it will be worth it.  One of the keys for my hubby and I is to eat tons of vegetables each day. The more vegetables on our plate the better, portion control is a key. Sometimes I have realized that I can have to much of a good thing. When eating those vegetables, meat or fish  there’s no need to load up on butter and oils for flavor instead we add different seasonings and fresh herbs for flavor.

It takes discipline and the benefits are so good.

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Is It Really About My Hair?

Getting ready for church this morning and I realized my hair is still wet from my twist out. What is a girl to do? I washed my hair last night, detangled, conditioned and had six twists on each side of my head. Ready to be styled in the morning. Well, I had let my hair air-dry last night; but my hair is quite thick. This morning my hair was not dripping wet; but it was damp.

Again I say, What am I to do?

Thoughts in my head of wearing a cap, but it is way too warm for that today.  Maybe I could wear it up and no one would never know that I didn’t get the soft lustrous curls that I wanted.

What did I do?

I untwisted my hair added some Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk and styled it to the best of my ability. As you can see in the photo below, this is naturally me.

JTwisdom's natural curls.

JTwisdom’s natural curls.

I am not fond of hair shrinkage; but I said to myself, “This is who I am, so people can take it or leave it.” A few years back, I would of never had worn my hair in this style. It was always straightened either with a pressing comb or by a relaxer. Almost four years ago, I decided to go relaxer free. I had to learn how to style my hair and find out through trail and error what products work best for my texture.

JTwisdom's natural curls

JTwisdom’s natural curls

Here I am, hair shrinkage and all.  My hubby  was constantly saying that he thought it was cute; but all I could  think about was how short it looked.

But you know what, I went to church and got received several compliments.

My hubby said, “Is it better hearing it also from someone else?”

I said, “No.” But his comment made me think that I have to be fine with myself.

God’s word says that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

God made me and He gave me curly hair and I have to love me some me. If I do not love myself; how can I show love to anyone else.

JTwisdom

JTwisdom

I find that the times when I don’t think I look my best are the days that I get the most compliments. Here I am talking about the shrinkage in my hair and a lady today said to me that she would have to pay to get hair like mine, meaning she would have to buy  a curly wig. Go figure?

But the tidbit of advice to remember: Compliments are great; but if there are no compliments, you have to feel that self love inside that you know that you are beautiful.

Outfit in Review

Cardigan Macys
Silk Blouse  J Crew
Tights Macys
Wedges Vince Camuto
Necklace – Nolan Miller
Bangle – Bronzo Italia
Gem silver cuff – gift
Fragrance – Fabulous by Isaac Mizrahi

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JTwisdom