Get up, get dressed, and get dancing!

A good outfit and a great song can go a long way... I'd say these pairings fit very nicely together. Start your Monday with a chic look and a carefree dance. It's always the right choice. 

(Click on the bolded text to hear the songs I've paired with each look.) 

You can tell this lady with the classic bag and oxblood stilettos is tough as nails. She might just be made of Titanium... 

{Song: Titanium, David Guetta and Sia}

Give me a pink purse and I will show you how to dance like crazy. I Love It! 

{Song: I Love It, Icona Pop}

Do you own something that makes you feel WOW? It's Time to buy it if you don't.

{Song: It's Time, Imagine Dragon}

Whether you are off to lunch with friends or casual friday at the office this outfit is it. One Way or Another you will look superfly all day long.

{Song: One Way or Another, One Direction}

The perfect black skinny jeans and a tailored blazer are the answer to every woman's Friday night dilemma. Now I just need to Try and find that fabulous black blazer...

{Song: Try, Pink}

I love seeing pictures of women having Little Talks about life, love, fashion, and art. When they are chicly dressed in bright colors and a classic white turtleneck I like it even more.

{Song: Little Talks, Of Monsters and Men} 

Cheetah purse, Valentino rockstud stilettos, and red pants. You know what that means - Troublemaker.

{Song: Troublemaker, Olly Murs}

Everybody likes to try and put fashion into a box. You've heard people say, "No white jeans after Labor Day!" or "Navy and black don't match." I just don't buy it. I say "nobody puts baby in a corner". Wearing this fun lacey black dress in the Daylight? Why not!

{Song: Daylight Maroon 5}

Sunshine, sandals, laid back outfit, and a big smile. So hoping I Feel This Moment later this summer.

{Song: Feel This Moment, Pitbull}

I was way into lace in the late 80s and early 90s. By now we know it is a style statement that has longevity. Lace is here to Stay so add it into your spring wardrobe.

{Song: Stay, Rihanna}

Who remembers those long hot summers - barely dressed - with nothing to do but hit the beach with friends? You may not have endless days to spend at the beach but Don't You Worry Child you can totally pull off this laid-back look at any age. I promise.

{Song: Don't You Worry Child, Swedish House Mafia}

Photos: Tommy Ton, Habitually Chic, Le Catch, and Sincerely Jules

Nesting

With Easter just around the corner I couldn't resist sharing my all-time favorite Easter craft. This sweet, savory, smooth, crunchy little pocket of joy is DELICIOUS and super easy to make. Might it be the perfect activity for this Saturday afternoon? I think so. Aside from being scrumptious they also make for beautiful centerpieces or place card holders. Get cooking. The minis are sure to love them! 

Making Easter nests is a yearly event at the kids' nursery school.

Proud Little "Nester"

Ingredients:

1 11oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 11oz bag of butterscotch chocolate chips

1 bag Cadbury mini-eggs (there will plenty leftover for snacking - it's only Easter once a year!)

3 cans Chow Mein noodles

*makes 12 nests

Preparation:

1) Place both bags of chips in a microwave friendly bowl - set timer for 2 minutes

2) Stir contents - if chips are not completely melted after stirring put back in microwave for 30 seconds

3) Pour melted chocolate over Chow Mein noodles and mix well until all noodles are coated

4) Scoop 1/2 cup of mixture onto a small square of tin foil or waxed paper and let the minis form small nests with a small well in the center

5) Place 3 or 4 eggs in the middle of nest. 

6) Let cool for 5 minutes and peel from paper to put on platter or plate. 

While we are talking about Easter: 

I found and fell in love with these "golden" eggs on the blog Camille Styles. This chick (totally loving the Easter words used casually within the blog text) has got it going on. Especially when it comes to DIY... 

And tell me you aren't dying over these marbleized eggs. They are pretty fantastic too. If only there were 3 more hours in the day. I would totally find time to make them.

And finally... Funny.

We are.

Spend your time wisely. Make sure that what you do makes you happy. It matters.

The Bottom Line

If this bottom line is the goal? 

This is the guy who is going to get us there. 

Nothing like a 6'6" former NFL Defensive End to get you motivated... Patrick Kerney is in very good shape. He also spent years training with the best of the best. He knows how to help others make muscles. Patrick was kind enough to do a customized "booty" work out just for The Sent. Don't think I didn't plan this to coincide with the onset of bathing suit season. Do it. This summer the other people at the beach will be grateful.

• Do exercises three times a week
• Unless otherwise specified do 3 sets of 10
• Rest for 45 seconds between sets
• Add weighted dumbbells if exercises feel too easy
• During one legged standing exercises keep your weight on your heel so that you load the weight/work on your glute and not your quad

Reverse Lunge

• 3 sets of 10 each leg
• Forward shin stays perpendicular to the ground
• Back leg reaches as far back as possible as you bend the front leg
• The back knee should be barely skimming the ground
• Front thigh remains parallel to the ground, upper body stays perpendicular to the ground
• If possible don't let your foot touch the ground when you return to standing position - it makes the exercise more challenging for the core

(I should have been smiling - I promise I was happy on the inside)

foot remains raised between lunges

Step Up

• Use a stair or any stable box (we used a small speaker in the picture below)
• Keep weight of boxed foot on heel
• Drive up on boxed leg, lifting leg from ground, finishing when raised knee is parallel to ground
• Push hips all the way through to really activate the glute muscles

The Flexed Butt and Perpendicular Knee

Fire Hydrant

• Kneel on all four
• Keep elbows locked
• Keep knee bent at 90 degree angle
• Lift bent knee as high as you can towards "4pm" 
• Return knee to floor

Forward/Reverse Circles

• Kneel on all four
• Keep elbows locked
• Keep knee bent at 90 degree angle
• Bring leg forward towards chest, out to side, and back to starting position
• Repeat reps by moving leg in continual circle
• After three sets, redo in opposite direction

(Tracy Anderson makes her clients do this move) 

(Clients include Gwyneth and Madonna - enough said)

Jane Fonda

• Kneel on all four
• Keep elbows locked
• Pull knee all the way in to chest
• Kick heel back and up as high and as fast as possible
• Knee that is on the ground should leave the ground slightly as you swing other leg up into the air

(Jane Fonda's body still looks awesome - now we know why)

Lateral Box Jump

• Use same box used in Step Up 
• Do 10 reps and be sure to keep your eyes on the box at all times
• Drive off heal and use arms to generate height
• Shift feet on top of the box - stepping up and over box - stepping down on to one leg 
• One jump left and then one jump right count as 1 rep

(It's like that old school "hop over the box" in step class - just harder) 

Bridge

• Do 3/30 second holds
• Place feet flat on the ground and keep hands by your side
• Pull waist up as high as possible and hold pose at highest point
• Weight should be on heels
• To make this move tougher cross arms over chest

(Hello yoga move)

Single Leg Bridge

• Repeat above exercise on one leg
• Make sure to keep both thighs parallel throughout exercise
• Weight stays on lower heel

(Hello harder yoga move)

weight on heel

Lateral Hamstring Reach

• Kneel on all four 
• Keep elbows locked
• Straighten one leg behind you
• Keep toe of straight leg pointed straight down and just off the ground throughout the exercise
• Reach with this leg as far forward as you can without breaking elbows or pointing toe away from the ground 

(This one made me scream in pain)

 

Single Leg Squat

• Keep upper body perpendicular to the ground
• Rest top of back foot on physio ball, chair, or low step
• Keep weight on heel of standing foot
• Keep front shin perpendicular to the ground and bend knee until front thigh is parallel to the ground
• Return to standing position by straightening front leg

(And yes - I fell many times during the filming of these exercises)