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Wedding Season Wearables

Whitney Middleton — Sat, 01 May 2010 02:16:42 +0000

I knew it was time to address this topic when wedding photos started popping up in my Facebook newsfeed again. The further we get into our 20′s, the more wedding invitations find their way into our mailboxes. That means, of course, the more outfits you must carefully prepare! And eternal love, blah blah blah.

I’ve seen some wildly inappropriate selections at the 9 weddings I’ve been to in recent years. I’ve also seen some great choices. I’m going to give a few tips on what works and what doesn’t – not that you need it…but someone you know might.

Consult the invitation

I just got an invite for a wedding this summer and “black tie” was written in very small font on the very bottom of the card. It goes to show you should pay attention and read very carefully. Another detail to observe is the style of the invitation. Is it very formal in design or is it quite simple? What are the main colors? You can often derive the tone of the wedding (fancy or laid back) as well as color schemes from these cues. Use this to structure your attire. We don’t want to show up looking like bridesmaids, now do we?

Tone it down a bit

I’m not suggesting you look boring. I’m merely reminding you that there will be older generations and religious figures involved. Give yourself a serious once over and make sure you aren’t showing too much. Try and avoid overly bright colors and/or anything you would wear to a club. This includes extreme shoes as well.

Take your mom shopping

Unless your mom is more Dina Lohan than Charlotte York, bring her along to pick out a dress. Chances are she’ll gravitate more towards a classic style and will have been to enough weddings to know what will fit in.

I said DRESS

It’s the simplest way to get fancy enough. Base the style of dress on what you learned above.

Do I really need to spell this out?

Unfortunately, yes. I’ve seen multiple women show up wearing white. Once I even saw a LONG, WHITE DRESS. I’m not going to say this again – only the bride gets to wear a white dress. The End.

Where do I go?

I’ve found some really excellent dresses at The Limited for small prices. Try your luck at H&M but proceed with caution -quality can be an issue sometimes. Any department store dress section will offer a wide variety in many price points as well.

The moral of the story is, the bride and groom are looking the best they ever have in their lives. Shouldn’t you honor them by putting some effort into your look? Be appropriate, and really think about your styling. Cheers!

photo is property of Whitney Middleton

Tips from a Chicago Trainer – Fab Abs!

Whitney Middleton — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:19:52 +0000

Hopefully you’re all sticking to your health goals in 2010. If your workout routine needs a boost, however, I’ve got some great tips courtesy of Core Fitness Chicago trainer Nicole Krakora. She’s giving you the 4-1-1 on how to get rockin’ abs – in ways you may not have expected.

Have you spent countless hours doing crunches and ab machines but haven’t seen much results. Try these suggestions for 6 weeks. What have you have to lose besides your gut?

Front Squats

Rest the bar on your shoulders and keep your elbows high and tight. Tighten your abs and make sure to go to the full depth of the squat. Use a 4 0 1 0 tempo (4 seconds down 1 second up, no pauses top or bottom) for 5 sets of 10 reps.

Chins

When doing chins make sure your legs hang straight down or slightly forward. Brace your abs. Make sure to bring the collarbones to the bar. If you cannot do full range chins work on holding yourself at the top, middle, and bottom of the movement. You may also stand on a high box or step to boost yourself up. Use a 4 0 1 0 tempo.

Dead Lifts

Start in a neutral position holding a weighted bar. Knees should be soft, not locked. Bend at the waist keeping your back flat and the bar close to your body. Bend to where the bar is at about shin level and return to neutral. You want to stabilize through your hips and use your hamstrings and glutes to pull you back to neutral. Do 5 sets of 10 reps. Use a 4 0 1 0 tempo.

For more information or to schedule your own session, email Nicole at nicole@corefitnesschicago.com

All photos taken by Whitney Middleton

Shuffle into 2010!

Whitney Middleton — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:43:50 +0000

Have you signed up for the Shamrock Shuffle?

The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is an 8k race (just under 5 miles) through the heart of downtown Chicago. 36,000 people sign up and sell it out each year. It’s a fun tradition and a great way to keep active during these cold winter months.

“I can’t run 5 miles!” you say, giving me the crazy eye. Not true. If you follow a specific running program for 8 weeks until the race, you certainly can! The Shuffle was my very first race, so thus, I have proof. The best program out there is Hal Higdon’s 8k Novice training. You can find it here for free. Hal also offers an intermediate program for more experienced runners that want to improve their time.

If you’re still doubting that you can run 5 miles, just adhere to the “slow and steady” principles of running. Take it easy, build your miles slowly, do plenty of stretching, and watch your confidence soar. Just don’t think you can roll out of bed and run the race, beginners. Stick with the training!

2010 Shamrock Shuffle

March 21, 2010

9:00am – Grant Park, Chicago, IL

My Choice is Buy Choice

Whitney Middleton — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:52:39 +0000

Looking for some great gift options or even just an affordable shopping fix? Buy Choice consignment shop is the way to go!

Buy Choice has gently used items for sale including all types of women’s clothing and shoes, and brand new accessories too. I saw an amazing dress, perfect for New Years, and a gorgeous winter white leather jacket for sale last time I stopped by. Katji, one of the owners, has a great eye for choosing versatile and stylish items.

Pictured is a bib necklace I bought for $24 and a Chanel-esque pin for $5.

Now through January 1, Buy Choice is having a Buy 2 Items, Get 1 Free sale on all merchandise! You can’t beat that.

Buy Choice – 3860 N Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL

773-296-4525

‘Tis the Season for Love

Whitney Middleton — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:50:48 +0000

The holidays can be a stressful time for couples when it comes to gift giving. The pressure to find that perfect, inspiring gift your significant other can become overwhelming. Take a few steps back and breathe! This is the season for sharing memories with loved ones. Isn’t that worth a lot more than a $100 trinket? Here are some suggestions for gifts you can enjoy together without all the anxiety!

A Steak Dinner
There’s nothing better than a delicious meal in a romantic setting to wish yourselves a happy holiday. Downtown Chicago is stocked with excellent steakhouses that have intimate atmospheres perfect for holiday dining together. Go all out on an indulgent meal and split the tab. You’ll probably spend about $100 -$120 each. Try Ruth’s Chris or The Capital Grille.

Take in a Show
Musical theater, anyone? Grab a pair of tickets and throw on your fancy clothes for a night out at the theater. See Jersey Boys before it’s gone in January! Balcony tickets are still available for around $60 a piece.

Out on the Town
Plan a date with Chicago! Be a tourist and visit the most famous holiday spots in Chicago together. Grab a bag of Garrett’s Chicago Mix popcorn and look at the holiday windows at Macy’s. Take a horse and buggy ride around downtown and head to the Christkindlmarket for a German pretzel and buy each other a handmade ornament. Take a picture under the Christmas tree in Daley Plaza and stop by Pippen’s Tavern to have a nightcap. Your total spend could range from about $50-$75 each.

There are plenty of outings to choose from in our wonderful city. The main goal is to be together and enjoy a special memory for years to come. If you try any of these alternatives or have a great suggestion of your own, leave us a comment!

New Looks for 100% off

Whitney Middleton — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:43:10 +0000

Where do you find this exceptional deal? Your closet, of course! If you’ve got the “closet full of clothes, nothing to wear” feeling, don’t jump to spend on something new before you’ve really tried to make something work from what you have. Want to know how?

Follow these 5 steps:

Get into the right mindset. Anytime I read fashion magazines or watch a TV show with great styling, I feel inspired to refresh my looks. It gives me ideas for wearing items I already have in new ways. What makes you inspired to shop? Harness that feeling and apply it to going through your current wardrobe.

Put everything you have in plain view. Even if it means dumping out your dresser drawers, get everything you have out in front of you. It makes it easier to visualize new outfits.

Think outside your comfort zone. Do you always wear your gray suit with a blue, black, or white top? Pick a bright pumpkin orange instead. Do you trend towards silver jewelry? Throw on a few delicate gold necklaces with your dress this time. Picking the opposite of what you normally wear can help an old item feel new.

Try everything on. Treat your new looks just like when you go into a fitting room and twirl around to see every angle of an outfit before purchasing. Try on each look as you put it together to make sure it’s worth investing in. “Purchase” the outfits you like by setting them aside. Put away anything you don’t feel comfortable in.

Maybe do just a little shopping… If you have a few stand-by looks that always seem to work for you, think about what little tweek you could make to change them a bit. Buy a pair of royal blue tights to go with a basic black dress you love to wear. I know I said DON’T shop, but if you really think a $10 purchase could save you from spending $100s, then I say go for it. It’s amazing how something as small as new earrings or a headband can make a look feel fresh.

If you try the 5 steps, let me know how it went!