I'm feeling wild...

Why am I such a sucker for prints? I just placed a bid on a "vintage" Kate Spade animal print satchel on eBay. Even though I am supposed to be on the quality-over-quantity program (especially with bags because I am a handbag whore), every now and then I see something I just need to have. And it usually involves some sort of print -- either logo or animal.

Today, I'm just going to ponder my animal print fetish; I'm quite fond of animal print, particularly leopard.


My *fabulous* Kenneth Cole "Soft Serve" pony-hair pumps -- I wore it with a retro looking Diane von Furstenberg dress to my friend Jessica's Spring wedding in Orlando. Being that it was such a contrast to my all black dress, it was quite noticeable. I didn't even have to wear an inkling of jewelry!




Here's me and the ladies at Pastis in NYC for my bachelorette party. Note my Sweet Pea doe-colored print top. I was feeling a little Carrie Bradshaw that evening, wearing a black bra w/ that top. Hey, I'm in New York, I figured why not. Actually, I think it was because I forgot to pack something more appropriate to go under the tank.

A few weeks after that, at my bridal shower, I wore a leopard-print blouse with a necktie from H&M (tres retro chic), and dark AG Merlot jeans. I spent more time searching for the perfect black shell to match that blouse than I did on anything else for that event. (I have to dig up the photo...it was so cute, seriously).

Other items of animal nature:
- JC flats in leopard print
- Steven flats in black snakeskin print
- Kenneth Cole "Banana Split" leopard print pony-hair loafers
- Kate Spade giraffe print tote (a score off eBay)
- J. Crew giraffe print cardigan
- Forth & Towne python belt (By the way, I'm really sad about this store closing. They have some great stuff!)

Do I have a problem? Maybe, but these things dress up a plain outfit. Plus there's just something about it that speaks to me.

Let's hope I win that bid!

Note: The Kate Spade Madison satchel in Lizard Faille is no longer in production.

We like the pass/fail...

I've been meaning to blog, but the last couple of days was spent studying feverishly for my real estate continuing education exams. I have to take 12 credits of continuing ed every 2 years to keep my salesperson license up to date. This year is the first year that I took the full 12 credits due to some licensing rule (I thank whoever that was for the break 2 years ago). The Licensing Act of 2000 mandates that each salesperson/broker has to take these credits and pass the exams for each course with 70%. You don't have to go to class, you can do it via self-study.

The problem is, the people who write the material can be vague with concepts, be misinformed, or even flat out wrong on some of the things in the books. Unfortunately, this knowledge does not help me pass the exams, which were written to only test you on the really crappy parts of the study guides.

In all cases, I read and re-read every study book and took simplified notes that made the jumble of stuff that was written make more sense. The only course I knew was going to be a problem was the course on my profession--commercial real estate leases. You'd think being a commercial real estate salesperson was going to come in handy. However, as i took the test, i could already tell which ones I was going to get wrong. It was a feeling, something like when the hair on your arms kind of stands up a bit sort of thing.

I took the test, didn't look back, and gave it to the person at the desk to score. The very next thing I hear is, "Christy, you can send your renewal paperwork in." I went to the counter to get the credit sheets for my files, and started to ask about the ones i got wrong. The guy was very matter of fact, "you got 5 wrong -- you passed." I don't think he was going to show me my scores, cause in his mind, what is the point? If you pass, you pass. Who cares which ones you got wrong? So i thought better of it, took my papers, and got out of there but quick!

Thank god for the pass/fail, cause my license renewal is due in 5 days!

90 Seconds of Undeniable Truth

Earlier this evening, I embarked on what can truly be considered intense self-evaluation encapsulated in two 45-second intervals of hell. I voluntarily made an appointment to find out my body composition (% of lean muscle versus fat). Since my go-to hang out jeans were snug, let's just say I was not expecting the numbers to be in my favor.

The program used at my gym to measure body composition is called BodPod. It is similar to hydrostatic weighing but uses air displacement instead of water. The accuracy of the system is +/- 1-2%, whereas traditional methods like Skin-fold calipers ( the “pinch test”) can vary by 6-8%. You sit still inside a pod (thus the name) for 45-seconds as the computer takes in all the information from the pod. The test is done twice to account for small variables like sudden movements, etc. It's a serious thing to do; you cannot eat, drink, or work out 2 hours before the test. I also had to wear minimal clothing and as form-fitting as possible to ensure the best and most accurate test. I had a swim cap on because airpockets in the hair can change the results. After about 2 minutes of eternity, my test scores came shooting out of the printer in the room.

I am 29% fat.

The trainer administering the test was talking, but I don't think I heard much of it. I was having an out-of-apparently-flabby-body-experience seeing that number on the paper. (I feel it necessary to pause here and remind readers that the percentage of muscle to fat is not the same as the Body Mass Index (BMI) that so many people like to use, but does not account for a variety of factors, such as genetics, ethnicity, and body type.) The truth is, I should have known this was the case. I gained 6 pounds since right before my wedding, when I slowly but surely began to slack off on the exercise. There was too much to do. Then I spent about a month basking in the wedding celebration and subsequent honeymoon. Shortly after that, I took on a series of desk-bound assignments and spent less time at the gym. My life as a student/wedding planner worked well for the body. My life since wrapping up finals...not so much.

Here is the chart that was provided to me:
Body Fat Rating for Men & Women
Risky: >30% / >40%
Excess Fat: 21-30% / 31-40%
Moderately Lean: 13-20% / 23-30%
Lean: 9-12% / 19-22%
Ultra Lean: 5-8% / 15-18%
Risky (low body fat): <5% / <15%
*Applies to adults ages 18 and older. Based on information from the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Council on Exercise, Exercise Physiology [4th Ed] by McArdle, Katch, and Katch, and various scientific and epidemiological studies.

Sure, I'm in the "Moderately Lean" bracket, but on the higher end. I am certain that the 6 lbs. I put on was all fat, thus making my previous percentage 24-25%. In my post-wedding haze, I just set myself back a whole year of workouts.

Even before having a sophisticated piece of equipment telling me I needed to get off my duff, I already started my road back to recovery, if you will. One of my 2007 resolutions is to get on my workouts again, and what a great way to push myself back into the pain & the grind, eh? I've begun my 3-4 workouts per week again, and will start watching even more carefully what I eat.

This experience really demonstrates that to be healthy, the right diet and exercise is not something you can do intermittently, but a lifestyle.

Product Review: Moisture Boosting Body Balm by H20+

Yes, another body lotion review! I realized that I failed to mention one of my favorite accidental discoveries. Normally, I use Vaseline Intensive Care's Skin Renewal lotion or Intensive Rescue lotion, and a selection of pleasing Bath & Body Works products for my skin. But on a day when I am missing things in my gym bag (read: socks, sometimes underwear), I swing into the pro shop and leave with more than what I need. It was on one such occasion that I came into a large tube of H20+'s Raspberry Guava Moisture Boosting Body Balm. I didn't give it much thought until after the work out, post-shower when I was about to slather myself from head to toe with lotion.

This thing was like buttah.

I smoothed a good dollop onto my leg and it just melted into my skin. The scent was really nice and not too over=powering. I could have stood there all day, putting this lotion on! Hours later, my skin was still soft. H2O+ advertises the product as being:
"Natural fruit extracts combine with emollient shea butter and soothing aloe vera for an all-over healthy radiance. Provitamin B and vitamin E nourish for the softest, most supple skin."

Needless to say, my skin was feeling radiant, soft, and supple. It felt that way hours later, unlike some moisturizers I've tried. I squeezed every last drop I could out of that tube. I recently bought the Lemon Lust scented balm -- I'm loving the flavor already, and nothing beats smooth, silky skin in warm weather.

You can buy the entire collection of Body Balms in a variety of flavors for $7.00 per 8 oz. tube. Each flavor also has a matching shower gel.

Happy Birthday, CD!

Product Review: Guava Body Butter by Korres Natural Products

At my recent trip to Sephora, I was given a 1-ounce sample of the Korres Guava Body Butter. Being plagued with dry skin practically all four seasons of the year, I am always interested in a new moisturizing product.

Korres is an Athens-based company focused on making affordable organic skin, hair, and beauty products. The owners George & Lena Korres, started out as a pharmacy and then researched formulating their own products rooted in homeopathic traditions.

I decided to try the Guava body butter before going to bed. The packaging is no fuss, which I like. Upon my initial inspection, the consistency of the body butter was nice and thick. You have to work the product into your skin, and there's an immediate difference. My skin was firm, moisturized, but not greasy. The guava smell was just the right intensity. Sometimes moisturizers can have too much fragrance and be very distracting.

If you are looking for a new moisturizer for your legs, the Guava Body Butter is definitely worth a look. You can find the Korres body butter in Guava, Fig, Quince, and Yogurt (5.7 oz for $19.50).

Decisions, Decisions

It's been awhile since I last posted; I feel like the days are flying by lately. As previously mentioned, I've been temping while looking for a job. For awhile there, I thought I was getting complacent in my search because I was working a long-term assignment with no specific end date, taking interviews here and there and not finding anything very exciting or interesting to do.

I wondered about my level of disdain and came to several conclusions:

1) Though I made a great living in my real estate career, I do not love real estate. I was very lucky to have worked with great people and blessed with great projects. But success does not come easy to everyone who gets into the industry. It is a roller coaster, and you have to decide when you want to get off the ride.

2) I have and will always have a deep interest in the law. My goal growing up was to be a lawyer; a great lawyer, in fact. It took the last couple years for me to learn that life is not something you can nor should you want to plan. If you really love something, you'll find your way back to it.

Which brings me to right now. I'm still interviewing, but mostly away from real estate. After much deliberation, I've decided to take the LSAT and apply for law school! CD is very supportive of my renewed aspiration. So I'm looking for job opportunities that will allow me to pursue my interest in law and enhance my personal life. The ideal job is low-stress, pays decent/well, and where work stays at work. This is something I have never fully experienced in my career so it will be somewhat foreign and take some adjustment. There is a lot of potential out there. I know that real estate will always be there for me if I want to go back to it, but now is not a bad time to see what else I can achieve. Life's too short to not take a leap.