Lady Rams Kick-Off Event

Hi Elegant Readers,

The Lady Rams Kickoff Event was a huge success. I was really excited to find out more about the program and meet other Lady Rams members.
The St. Louis Rams organization is encouraging ladies in the community to join the program that focuses on fashion, fitness and football.  In my mind, a great combination.

My outfit was styled with a Ralph Lauren dress, a red fitted shirt jacket and my Guess satchel that I purchased on a Chicago trip. My wedge sandals from Clarks are the best and oh so comfortable.

JT getting ready for the Lady Rams event

JT getting ready for the Lady Rams event

It was so nice to be a part of the event and that I could invite a guest to attend with me. I brought my hubby who also co-writes on the blog with me. The Lady Rams Kick-off event was at the Budweiser Brewhouse restaurant and bar in the t the newly-opened Ballpark Village. Ballpark Village, which only opened this year, provides an incredible atmosphere right next to the Cardinals stadium, in the heart of Downtown.  We parked and checked in and went up the stairs to the event. I was greeted by Rampage, the Rams mascot.  Isn’t he adorable.

JT with Rampage

JT with Rampage

The event was packed and the crowd enjoyed themselves complimentary appetizers and drinks. Great turnout and everyone was pumped.

Lady Rams Kickoff event crowd

Lady Rams Kickoff event crowd

Players introduced themselves to the Lady Rams members. I got to meet Cory Harkey and Cody Davis of the St. Louis Rams.
Very cordial gentlemen and it is awesome that Rams organization does so much for the community.

JT meeting Rams players Corey  Harkey and Cody Davis

JT meeting Rams players Cory Harkey (left) and Cody Davis (right)

My hubby and I throughly enjoyed ourselves and met some great people.

Hubby and JT

Hubby and JT

I got a goody bag and received the Lady Rams V-Neck T shirt. The front and the back of the shirt is in the pictures below.

Lady Rams V-Neck T Front and Back

Lady Rams V-Neck T Front and Back

The shirt was so cute that I had to style it with my newsprint skirt.

Lady Rams V neck T shirt styled with Newsprint skirt

Lady Rams V neck T shirt styled with Newsprint skirt

I also received some awesome Rams blue nail polish, Rams print nail file, and coupons.

The event was a huge success. I am super excited to be a part of the upcoming events. There will be a Lady’s Training Camp in July and a Fashion Show / Girl’s Night Out in September. It’s not too late to join, CLICK HERE for more information.

JT

JT

JTwisdom

The St. Louis Rams has provided me with a complimentary membership for the Lady Rams Program.

Check out the Rams online at
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Getting Fit Like Fido

 

Hola Elegant Readers,

It’s a blistering 95 degrees in my neck of the woods. Thank the Lord for central air conditioning.

As I beat the heat by staying inside, I like to get my exercise on in full force.

I like to replicate the moves that I see my little Gio and Vinny do because I can benefit also.

Below are some suggestions that can increase your workout that are dog-inspired and fun.

Get_Fit_Like_Fido

I learned a few moves from Gio and Vinny (in the picture below).

Gio and Vinny

Gio (0n the left) and Vinny (on the right)

I see them doing the downward dog and this picture I am doing the lift a leg. The leg lift works my hips and glutes and keeps it right and tight. The standing leg is also getting a good workout too.

 

Lifting leg move

Lifting leg move

One of my other favorite moves is running up and down the steps for resistance.  Gio and Vinny will glide off the steps effortlessly and always get a good run in.

Running up steps

Running up steps

An important move from my doggies that I learn is that stretching is a must after finishing a workout. Stretching lengthens, elongates and helps prevents injury.  Not a good idea to stretch on cold muscle.

Stretching my legs

Stretching my legs

Stretching correctly prepares you for your next workout and that’s why it’s so important. My fur babies are part of the family and it’s nice to know that when I am doing my exercises that some of the moves I get from them. Win Win!

JTwisdom signature

Book Review: The Measure of Success

Hi Bubbling Readers,

I have been out of town enjoying a much needed vacation and spending time with my family.   Great fun and eye opening!
Be on the lookout for posts about my trip, coming soon!

The Measure of Success

Through Faith Village, I have the opportunity to review books.  I am reading right now, The Measure of Success by Carolyn McCulley and Nora Shank.

I often have had questions about feminism and Christianity.

Can you be a Godly woman and be a successful woman?  The answer is yes you can.

The authors provide detailed backgrounds of their lives and what they had to go through in their personal and professional lives.

On the back of the book questions are asked.

“Can a woman be feminine, godly, and ambitious?
Should a woman work?
Is work only for women who need the income?
Is there any sanctified ground between the stay-at-home mom and the aspiring executive?”

Some of other questions that come to mind have been:

Is a woman considered less successful if she has a career; but is child free?
Can a woman still be successful and be submissive to her husband?

McCulley and Shank address some of these questions and give detailed history and examples of  women lives and how they achieved success from a biblical perspective which is so refreshing to me.

One of my favorite statements in the book is that a woman’s worth is not based on what you do, our purpose is to be a light and shine that light. Value and my worth is in Christ alone and daily putting him first in my life.

So many times we get caught up in our value for having this title, making this sum of money, riding this car, having a home in this trendy area and the list goes on.  It is nothing wrong with having these things; however your sense of worth is not because of attaining them.

“Jesus says the day we should live for is when we hear, Well done thy good and faithful servant.”

I found that when I read the book I had to reread chapters sometimes because I wanted to make sure I understood what point was being addressed. Be prepared to underline in your book if you get a hard copy or highlight if you have a tablet.

One example that I reread in the book that stood out to me was the Chapter 7 on Identity.

“When your work is your identity, change can shake that sense of identity.”

Identity and sense of self worth?

The best identity to have is to be a follower of Jesus Christ.   I totally agree with the authors that developing and cultivating a personal relationship with my Lord and Savior gives me the ability to manage all the different roles I have from day to day.

The scripture in the book resonates this message:

First Corinthians 4:7
“For who makes you superior? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn’t received it?”

The book makes you think about what really matters  and really takes you through self-examination.

The book is planned out in three sections and flows very well.

The Story of Work

The Theology of Work

The Life Cycle of Work

I would recommend this book because if gives an overview of women and feminism from a biblical perspective and speaks to all women no matter what stage of life they are in at any given time.

JTwisdom signature

A Cool Trick to Redirect Calories to Muscles Instead of Fat

Want a cool trick to help your body decide how to use those calories you just ate? Exercising right before and shortly after a big meal can help to activate a protein inside your muscle cells called Glut4. GLUT-4 is a protein that, when increased, tells your body to put calories into muscle tissue, instead of fat cells.

Photo courtesy of Michael Volkin

Here is how you activate your glut-4

Step 1: Do 60 -120 seconds of exercise right before eating (i.e. squats, lunges, push-ups, etc.)

Step 2: Eat a meal

Step 3: 90 minutes after your first bite, do another 60-120 seconds of exercise

Doing this will allow more calories to flow toward your muscle cells than fat cells.

This article was authored by Michael Volkin, inventor of the all new Weight Loss Stack 52, the most fun and unique way to lose weight. 

*promotional content*

Sammy Dress Review: Charming Chiffon Party Dress

Hello Elegant Readers,

I was recently asked by sammydress.com to select an item from its online store; to style it and write a review. The site has so many wonderful items that would make a great addition to any diva’s closet. I selected the Charming Ruffle Solid Color Beam Waist Chiffon Party Dress For Women for $14.76 because the teal color drew me in and I liked the design. The pleats in the dress did not look boxy to the point of making my hips look full, the lines were clean and elongating.

At first, I was a little hesitant about the sizing because the dress was “one-size-fits-all.” I did not know if the fit would be extremely large and way too big ;or extremely small and very fitted. Never the less, that did not stop me from selecting this dress.

I styled the dress three different ways:

For my first style session, I wanted to see how the dress looked on my figure without any jacket or cardigan and it is very attractive.  I added a belt,  my jewelry are honor pearls , gold hoops, studio barse leather bracelet, watch and bracelets, my handbag is by Maxx and my shoes are by Greta. My fragrance I am wearing is Heavenly Angel by Victoria Secret. This dress reminds me of a dress I made for my senior assembly graduation for high school.

JT styling Sammy Dress

JT styling a Sammy Dress

The teal green Sammy dress has an elasticized waist and is pleated. I added a belt to the dress to give a more definition. I added my pink and white pearl necklace that recently my hubby had re-strung and gray  peep toe heels.

Charming Ruffle Solid Color Beam Waist Chiffon Party Dress For Women

Charming Ruffle Solid Color Beam Waist Chiffon Party Dress  For Women

This dress is perfect for work, church, or a movie night with my hubby. The fabric in the dress is soft and is not scratchy. The dress is chic and it i also very comfortable.

The second way I styled the dress is with a  striped blouse that makes the dress looks like a two piece outfit: a skirt and top combo.  I really like how professional this outfit looks. Perfect for work if you need to be more dressed up.

Sammy Dress styled with Top and belt

Sammy Dress styled with Top and belt

The third look speaks of ladylike charm, this Broucle jacket works. The ruffles in the collar of the jacket accentuates the dress in very elegant way.

JTwisdom

JTwisdom

The pink and teal compliments each other very well and my two-tone pumps add contrast.

JT in Sammy dress with Boucle jacket

JT in Sammy dress with Boucle jacket

Overall, I give this dress a thumbs up because it is a real pleasure to wear. I can be style so many different ways.  With a few minor accessory changes, cardigans, sweaters, blazers, boots or flats the dress is season-less.

Thank you Sammydress.com for gifting me the dress.  I enjoyed styling it. The review is solely my honest opinion.

JTwisdom