Hawaii Vaca....

Greetings from Hawaii! 

Posts to come starting July 1st!

 Have a great week! 

Follow my Hawaii adventure on Instagram jessmedmunds.

Stretch it Out

Top: Pure Barre / Bra: Splits 59 / Bottoms: Splits 59 / Socks: Pure Barre / Bracelets: Lily & Laura

After a good workout there's nothing I love more than to stretch my muscles out. I consistently see others at the gym skip this amazing moment after they built up a sweat. Today I want to talk about the importance of stretching after a workout. Let's start our discussion with an analogy.....

 Think of your muscle as a spaghetti noodle. When the noodle is uncooked it's stiff and brittle. It can break once tension is placed. When the noodle is warmed and cooked, it's more flexible/elastic. Just like the uncooked noodle, if you stretch before a workout it can lead to injury. After a workout the muscle is warm, and stretching leads to lengthening the muscle.

Now lets talk a little science........YIPEE!
During high intensity exercise your muscle uses anaerobic respiration, meaning without oxygen. The end product of anaerobic respiration is lactic acid. Sound familiar?  Lactic acid then builds up in the bloodstream and muscles. If the muscle isn't stretched out, then it becomes shortened, and the lactic acid/by-products gives the muscle the "pumped up" effect. After stretching out, the lactic acid is loosened and released out of the muscle. This then promotes lean muscle growth.

Whenever stretching the most important thing to remember is to listen to your own body. Don't push yourself to the point where it becomes uncomfortable. I hope that this promotes you to add that extra time to your workout to relax, and enjoy your stretch.

Next time I see you I'll be in Hawaii, so Aloha!

Color Outside the Lines with Splits 59

First Look ~ Top: Splits 59 / Bottoms: Splits 59 / Socks: Pure Barre / Bracelets: Lily & Laura
Second Look ~ Top: Splits 59 / Bra: Splits 59 / Bottoms: Splits 59 / Socks: Pure Barre

It's my pleasure to talk about one of my favorite active brands Splits 59!  I was first introduced to this brand 2 years ago when I started teaching the Pure Barre technique.  I was hooked immediately.  The Raquel pant (by Splits 59) has become the go-to bottoms for many barre instructors, including myself.  What I love so much about them is that they have the perfect amount of stretch, and won't "bag-out" at the end of a sweaty workout.  The rise and waist band are perfect for keeping everything locked and loaded. Did I mention that they make the "seat" look tight, and lifted?! ;)
 Bright colors and patterns are a reflection of my personal style, whether on the street or at the barre. I was so thrilled when I got these spilled paint Raquel pants, which are a part of the Splits 59 "Color Outside the Lines" campaign. Thanks for reading, and enjoy.

Live Life Colorfully

Sweater: Halogen (petite) / Pants: Banana Republic / Necklace: Missing Piece / Bracelets: J.Crew (similar  here) + Baublebar / Sunnies: Kate Spade / Bag: Michael Kors / Shoes: Aldo (old similar here) / Nails: Essies-Turquoise & Caicos / Lips: MAC-Crosswires
I LOVE COLOR! Color is my addiction! I try to use color everyday I get dressed in the morning. I used to be that person who wore tons of black everyday. It goes with everything. Always admiring the cute summer outfits bursting with color, I finally decided to make a change in my wardrobe. NO MORE BLACK! Yes it was hard at first to phase out my favorite color, but I had to lock it down! Whenever the department store temptation was getting to me I would tell myself "stay strong." After three years of being a color advocate it's rare to see me in black. Color is fun. Color is happiness. Color is playful. 
I live life colorfully!

Wild for Handbags

Top: Trouve  / Jacket: Olivia Moon / Jeans: Gap (on sale!) / Sunnies: Kate Spade / Necklace: Nordstrom (similar here) / Arm Candy: Nordstrom, F21, Baublebar, Michael Kors / Bag: Michael Kors / Shoes: Aldo (old similar here) / Lips: YSL-Pink in Devotion / Nails: Essie-Turquoise & Caicos

Is there anything better than the smell of a fresh new bag?! There's something about the feel, smell, and texture of a new purse that gives you an extra kick in your step! I recently got this Michael Kors Hamilton bag. It's so perfect! Just the right size to fit everything that I need in my life: PB socks (you know they are everywhere in my car), PB water bottle, camera, brush, a gazillion hair ties, apples, and my PB binder. If you haven't caught on by now through viewing my previous posts, I love Michael Kors. From accessories to apparel I love everything that Michael Kors has to offer, and plan to be a life long customer!

What is your go to purse that you can't live without? 

Make sure you tune in next week to see a special post featuring one of my favorite brands Splits 59!

Ocean Blues and Red Hues

Top: J.Crew Factory / Skirt: F21 / Sunnies: BP / Necklace: Arden B (no longer available but similar here) / Clutch: Halogen  / Arm Candy: J.Crew, Nordstrom, F21, Charming Charlie / Shoes: Louise et Cie / Lips: YSL-Pink in Devotion mixed with MAC- Morange
I hope you are all enjoying your day. Unfortunately I've come down with a nasty cold, and having a sick day at home :( I'm crossing my fingers that I will be all healthy and well before our road trip to Utah this weekend, for my little sister's (she actually my best friend's sister, but I've basically adopted her as my own) wedding next week! Time to load up on the Dayquil, and Vix vapor rub.....

Spend vs. Splurge

Left Image: Top: ASOS / Pants: Joe's / Bag: HM / Necklace: BaubleBar / Shoes: DV
Right Image: Top: DVF / Pants: Joe's / Bag: Rebecca Minkoff / Necklace: J.Crew / Shoes: Stewart Weitzman


Can you guess which one is the more expensive outfit?

Happy Wednesday!

Say Yes to Alter the Dress

Top: BP / Skirt: Arden B (similar here) / Necklace: J.Crew (last seen here and similar here) / Sunnies: Kate Spade / Shoes: Aldo / Lips: MAC-Crosswires

For the past couple years I've gotten into altering my clothes. A nip tuck here, a shorten there, you name it I've had it done to my clothes. This skirt actually used to be a dress. I've had this skirt/dress for about 8 years. I loved it as a dress! It was perfect during the summer time because it's cotton, and airy. When I got married, I could no longer use it as a dress. I was devastated that I couldn't wear one of my favorite dresses. It sat in my closet, because I wouldn't part ways with it. The dress begged to be taken out for a night on the town. One day I came up with an idea. I decided that I would make it into a skirt! Once it came back from the tailor, I fell in love once again! Now I feel like I have a brand new piece to add to my wardrobe. Do you have an item that you love, but no longer wear? Get creative, and see if you can turn it into something new and fresh.

Here is an old picture of what the dress originally looked like. 

Hello Mrs Fancy Pants...

Top: J.Crew Factory (on sale!) / Pants: Crew Cuts (old similar here) / Necklace: J.Crew (similar here) / Shoes: Just Fab / Sunnies: Kate Spade / Lips: MAC-Lady Danger

Workout Blowout

Top: Lululemon (old) / Hair Tie: Emi Jay / Hair Dryer: Chi Rocket / Lips: Sugar-Coral / Note: my hair in this image was washed the day prior. I ran and took pure barre that morning I took these pictures

If you are like me I love to workout, and hate to wash my hair! Here is a typical day of my life. I first wake up early in the morning to go running, and from there I go to Pure Barre to teach class. After teaching I will take class. 

After class I need to make myself presentable to go work at Nordstrom. I do this routine six times a week. Can you imagine how horrible my hair looks after all that sweating? I'll be the first to admit it I'm a sweater. With how active and busy I am there is no possible way for me to wash my hair everyday. To cut back on my hair washing days and still be able to have my hair down/styled, I have developed this method. 

Blow dry out the sweat. I know it sounds weird, but it works! 

I first take an Emi Jay hair tie, and bun my hair. I love the Emi Jay ties because they don't cause as much damage to your hair, and get ready for the best part......

it doesn't leave that hair tie crease in your hair!!! I always put my hair in a bun when I workout for 2 reasons: I hate my hair flicking against my back, and it makes your ends not sweaty. With the ends not being sweaty, you are able to save the clean hair later to be styled. After my workout I take my favorite Chi Rocket hair dryer, and blow out the sweat. I primarily sweat around my hair line, so I really focus on drying that area first. After my hair is no longer damp, I style my hair from there!

Next time you go to the gym pack your hair dryer, and try blowing out the sweat! No one will ever know when they see you with that beautiful styled main. 

A Date Night For My Future Dentist

Top: ASTR (last seen here) / Skirt: Madewell / Sunnies: Kate Spade / Necklace: BP / Bracelets: J.Crew + F21 / Shoes: Michael Kors / Lips: MAC-Crosswires

Here's some exciting news! Todd finished his dental board exam yesterday! Hip-hip-hooray!!!
Finally Todd can relax, and just focus on our trip to Hawaii in two weeks. He worked so hard this year. He put his blood, sweat, and tears into doing well, and he knocked it out of the ball park. Even though Todd isn't a father yet (unless you count dogs :)  ), he has continually proven himself to be an amazing one by his work ethic. They really should invent a "spouse" day in the calendar year to celebrate amazing men like him!

In celebration of his success, we decided to go on a date to a mushroom bar called Betty Nosh. Num-num-num! If you are ever in the Glendale area you need to go! Keeping the date casual and fun, I decided to wear my fun crochet ASTR top with my Madewell skirt. Maybe it's a fashion crime to wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row, but I'm seriously obsessed with these MK berkley heels .

Recently have lived in skirts, and dresses this season. I used to be a jean fanatic, but living in such hot temperatures has made me swap out my go-to J Brands for anything that's breezy.  It makes me sad to see the dust piling up on my denim :(

What is your go-to summer piece?!

Michael Kors Obsessed

Dress: Michael Kors / Sunnies: BP / Necklaces: Missing Piece + Natasha Couture / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: Nordstrom + J.Crew / Bag: Aldo (old) / Shoes: Michael Kors /  Nails: OPI-Tainly Look Marvelous / Lips: YSL-Pink in Devotion

Little obsessed with Michael Kors today right?! Have a lovely Wednesday!

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