lucy #childspose Campaign

Who's ready for Christmas?? I have a few more easy presents to buy and then I'll be finished with my shopping! Between work, holiday parties and gatherings and traveling through the snow storms in MI, I'm ready for Christmas Eve to be here!

To help get you through the holiday and into the New Year, Lucy, the women's active wear brand, started a fun campaign centered around yoga's child's pose. They have produced a short film (directed by the talented Elizabeth Banks!) that features a series of stressful situations that every women can relate to. When faced with these situation, Lucy encourages you to get into the child's pose to relax. Check out the video and animated gifs here!

If I have to go to the mall before Christmas Eve, you may find me in child's pose outside of Sephora! Where would you most likely be found in child's pose? Please share in my comments below, FB and Twitter, using the tag #childspose.

Ellie Malta Capri pants

I heart new workout clothes. It motivates me to go to the gym! My new favorite workout pants are from Ellie.com. The Malta Capri pants, from their Bon Voyage collection, are ridiculously cute and unique. One of the coaches at my gym said, 'they look pants from the future!'

These pants are so different, you're bound to be the only person wearing them at the gym. Hitting mid shin, these grey capris have a fuchsia band across the top and fuchsia straps at the bottom of each leg. There's also the added convenience as hidden inside pocket for a credit card, cash or a key. I was a little worried about how these would wash, but after 3-4 washings they remain just like new.

Early morning Divvy bike ride in Chicago

Early morning run in Chicago

Fall walk in Michigan to check out the changing leaves

 Additional info from Ellie.com for the Malta Capri pants...

• Moisture wicking pre shrunk fabric
• UPF 50+ protection
• Open side detail, contrast waistband 
• Natural waist, hidden pocket inside waistband
• Designed for running, yoga, outdoors 
• Material – Eclon, Supplex contrast

Ellie releases a fashionable new line of workout gear each month. October is themed Lightspeed and is releasing today! 

Use this link to get 20% off your first order - Happy Shopping!

Have you tried Ellie gear out yet? If so, which pieces? What did you think?

Note: This review includes products that I received as samples, provided by the brand company or a PR rep. Please click here for more information regarding my disclaimer.

Outdoor Workouts

A physician's assistant (and friend) once told me that the shape you're in when you're in your 30s has a direct correlation to what you'll be like 'fitness-wise' when you're in your 50s and beyond. I don't know if this a scientific fact, but it makes sense, and is why I prioritize fitness so much in my life. Not only does working out make me feel good, but I want to be able to set good examples for my children some day by living a healthy, active lifestyle. 

I travel a lot with my current job as a sales account manager, and sometimes its hard to find time to fit in a workout. Even worse, sometimes we stay in hotels that don't have gyms or if they do, it's one treadmill. So, I usually have to get scrappy when it comes to fitting work out in, because I believe in NO EXCUSES! I always pack my shoes (adidas Springblades) and a sports bra (adidas Techfit is my new fav), and now that it's getting colder out in the midwest, my new adidas Ultimate long tights and adidas Ultimate short sleeve top.

Sometimes I'll do a circuit in my hotel room, but that can get kind of cramped and limited, so I started taking my circuits outside. I'm not a huge runner (can't just lace up my sneakers and run for 5 miles). So I incorporate run/walk intervals, with other body weight moves, to get my heart racing and a good workout in. For example, here's what I did last week in Chicago:
30 second sprint/30 second walk x 30 rounds (30 minutes)
50 body weight squats (in a park)
50 knee ups on park bench
Stop in a park (or back in hotel room) and jump rope (20 seconds jump/10 second rest x 8)

Not only am I getting a massive amount of cardio in the morning, revving up my metabolism for the rest of the day, but I'm getting to see a new city first hand! 

I also do workouts like these at home. If I know I have late work night coming up, I'll usually wake up early and workout. Here's another example of an outdoor workout I'll do at home and around my city:
30 second sprint/30 second walk x 30 rounds (30 minutes)
Break in between sprinting and do 20 alternating lunges (every 10 rounds)
Run down and up hill in my backyard x 3
Jump rope on back patio (25 seconds on, 10 seconds rest x 8)

Yes, sometimes I get weird looks if I'm on a street and a car drives by, but it really doesn't bother me. There's something very rewarding to me about being awake and working out as the sun is coming up in the morning! 

Now I want to know, what are your favorite outdoor activities?  What do you do to make working out fun?

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adidas Women designs innovative performance products to help women commit to their best self and conquer their fitness goals.   We inspire women to look and feel their best - be pretty, be tough & be confident.

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Disclosure: Compensation was provided by adidas via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of adidas.

Ellie New Summer Splendor Collection

So excited for Ellie's Summer Splendor collection to be released. Check out the video preview! The pink zip up top and pants look so cute! Get 20% off your purchase by using using this referral link.

Check out my previous Ellie reviews, I'm obsessed with all of their collections!

Kettlebell Love

Tomorrow is a big day. I'm taking a full day kettlebell certification class through the International Kettlebell & Fitness Federation (IKFF). It only took 28 years to find a sport I am passionate about. These iron bells have pushed me past what I thought was my limit and have made me a mentally and physically stronger woman!

Here are my essentials for a kick butt kettlebell workout:
 - A kettlebell! Start off light if you're new. I originally started with an 18lb bell, then 2 years later competed with a 12kg (26lbs) bell, and now I'm competing with a 16kg (35lb) bell. Took me 3 years to work up to the 16kg.
 - My Lululemon headband does a great job keeping my hair off of my face, especially during kettlebell swings.
 - Ellie.com is not only quality and functional workout gear, but also super cute. I just ordered the shorts below. And every time I wear my Ellie Peek a Boo top people go crazy over it!
 - Wristbands provide cushion for your wrists. Helps when you clean and jerk the bell!
 - I love my Under Armour shoes for lifting.

Once I have my certification I will be posting more kettlebell workouts here. Stay tuned and please let me know if you've ever used kettlebells before!

Kettlebell workout by lipglossbreak

Ellie Little Black Collection

You know you have it bad when you spend more money on workout clothes then every day clothes. I'm not one of those girls who gets all done up to go to the gym, but I do think that when you are comfortable in the clothes you work out in, and like the way they look on you, you'll have a better workout. Look good = Feel good. And that's why I'm totally obsessed with Ellie...

I love that Ellie gives you the option to join as a monthly subscriber or purchase items separately. The best bang for you buck is joining as a member, and you'll get 2 items each month for $49.95. You can cancel at any time. Click the banner to the right for 20% off your order!

I already did one post about my obsession with Ellie gear, but recently I got to try out a new outfit from their Little Black Collection and I'm in love all over again.

I packed my new top and pants for my trip to New Orleans a few weekends ago. The hubby and I woke up super early our first morning there and went for a jog along the Mississippi River, which is where we took these pictures.

Ellie Black Widow top.

Pictured above is the 'The Black Widow' top, named this because of the strappy back which is spider-like. But don't let this creep you out...this top is contoured, slimming and sleek. It has a built in bra (medium support) and I didn't have to wear another one for my run (but I'm also smaller on top). The back panel is mesh, and there are also breathable panels along the sides. The panels are sheer, but not too sheer that they are see through. The fabric itself is really breathable, made from EllieProText and Power Mesh. I wore this for a jog, but would also wear it to cycling and kettlebell workouts. This top retails at $44.95.

Ellie logo detail on Black Widow top

Ellie Little Black Capris

The pants I wore are the Ellie Little Black Capris. These fit like a glove. They are super comfortable. I would wear these out and about for errands as well. They are made from wicking fabric that keeps you dry, and are preshrunk so you don't have to worry about washing them. They are also water, wind and tear resistant. I wore these for my run but would also wear them to yoga, kettlebells, cycling and the gym for weightlifting. Little Black Capris retail at $44.95.

Ellie logo detail on Little Black Capris

Ellie also has two new lines out: Cosmic Love and Coral Crush. These are a few of the items that are on my wishlist:

Space Cadet top and Galaxy shorts

Dynamic Duo Top and To Dye for Capris

Have you tried Ellie gear yet? If so, did you like it? What's on your Ellie wishlist? Don't forgot to click on the banner above for 20% of your order!

Note: This review includes products that I received as samples, provided by the brand company or a PR rep, and affiliate links. Please click here for more information regarding my disclaimer.

Meet Ellie

Oh, great, now I have a new obsession...Ellie. Have you met her yet? Ellie is a new fitness line that is going to give Lululemon a run for their money.

I'm not one to spend a lot of money on workout clothes. We only sweat in them, right? But sometimes, when you know you look good, you feel good, and that can make for a better workout. Probably the same reason I put on lipgloss to go to the gym (#truth). Ellie takes fashion and fitness and feeling good all into consideration when they design their lines. Most of the pieces on the site (mostly the tops) are very unique, which I love. They are nothing like what you will find in popular workout gear lines..  All pieces are mix and match which is convenient for gym clothes. I have a hard enough time piecing together outfits for work, let alone the gym!

You can shop on Ellie.com just as you would any other site, or, you can sign up for a monthly subscription, aka the Fit Fashionista Club. It's $49.95 a month and you get two new pieces each month, your choice. Also included in a membership is free shipping, priority access to the new lines, flash sales and other exclusive events.You'll take a style quiz as soon as you sign up to choose your style preferences and size. From there, they will tailor your shopping experience to the looks they think you'll love.

I received 'My New Obsession Leggings' and 'Peek-a-Boo tank,' both pictured below. They arrived in a super bright pink bubbled envelope, wrapped in tissue. Like I mentioned earlier, the top is super unique which is why I chose it. It looks like a regular tank from the front, but has a mesh, open back. It fits loosely around the hips and kept me cool during my yoga workout. I will also wear this to circuit training, cycling and kettlebell classes.

The pants are super comfortable too. They were a little long on me so I cuffed them at the bottom and they still looked cute. I wore them for yoga but they are also perfect for an early AM run and/or a cycling class.

DDP Yoga poses (warrior and superstar) and our new 'yoga room' aka living room.

Check out Ellie's new line for March, the Little Black Collection, here. Ellie and I are also offering 20% off of your first order...click the banner to the right to redeem! I will definitely be ordering more from Ellie. I could get use to looking fashionable while at the gym!

Note: This review includes products that I received as samples, provided by the brand company or a PR rep. Please click here for more information regarding my disclaimer.

Giveaway Break - Sol Republic Ear Buds

How is everyone's New Year's Resolution going? We're a full month into 2013 and I hope everyone is sticking to 'em! If you're struggling sticking to a fitness NY resolution, check out my tips in my previous post to help stay motivated. 

Need some extra motivation? How about a brand new pair of sweet ear buds? 

photo courtesy of solrepublic.com

***Giveaway***

Enter to win a pair of Sol Republic AMPS Ear Buds! I'm obsessed with these ear buds. There are very few types of ear buds that fit in my tiny ears! They come with different size buds for a custom fit. They also come with a Cleartalk microphone, a control for volume, play/pause, next/previous track, and a right angle connector, to take the stress of your headphone jack. Your music will be bumping with these and sure to fuel your workout!

Fill out the form below to win! For extra entries, you can sign up for my mailing list, post a link to this giveaway on your blog, follow my blog, follow me and retweet on Twitter , follow me on Pinterest, on Instagram, or 'Like' my Facebook page; just make sure to mark your extra entries below. Enter up to once a day!

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The contest will end on Sunday, March 3rd, 2013. I will randomly select one lucky winner and announce them on Lipgloss Break, so keep checking to see if you're a winner - Good Luck!

FlyWheel Indoor Cycling

My husband and I had to be in NYC a few weeks ago for work, so we flew out early to spend the weekend there. We opted into staying near our old stomping grounds, the Upper West Side. I highly recommend our hotel, you can read my review here.

I like to plan out my workout times in advance when I travel, so I can plan other stuff around it. The hotel only had a small workout room, and I couldn’t get a weekend Equinox pass, so I finally decided to splurge on a legit NYC cycling class.

My first choice was SoulCycle. I checked Friday afternoon and all of the early morning sessions for Saturday and Sunday were booked! I then checked FlyWheel, which I read about in a BlissTree article on my way to NYC. I logged onto FlyWheelSports.com and while creating my profile to sign up for a class, I realized that the first class is free = yes!

I arrived a few minutes early to the Upper West Side studio, just so I could get settled in. The check in process was easy, all I had to do was log into one of the computers and click a button. My cycling shoes were already pulled for me and put in a cubbyhole that corresponded with my bike number. Shoes, lockers, waters and towels are all included in a class price ($32/class, but again, first class is free).

A FlyWheel rep helped me adjust my bike once the studio was ready. At every bike there are weighted bars and a digital resistance/RPM reader. I’m use to just guessing what my resistance is at, but these bikes tell you your exact resistance or ‘torque.’

Instructor comes in, lights go off, and there is a dim spotlight on the instructor. She starts the music, David Guetta, and I knew I was going to like this class. The whole time I felt like I was at a club, and the instructor was the DJ. She was so energetic and into the music, I loved it.

Every couple of songs the instructor would change the screens in the front of the class to show our ‘scores.’ When signing up for the class online, you can ‘opt in’ to this feature, and see how you are doing compared to others in the class. While signing up, I thought ‘why not.’ And I’m glad I did, because it really pushes you to go farther! After class, you can check your performance online, finding how far you rode, approximate calories burned, etc.

The class was made up of sprints, hills and one song dedicated to an arm work with the weighted bars. According to my heart rate monitor, in a normal cycling class, I average 300 calories burned. After this class, I was at 480. AWESOME way to start a Sunday!

I wish I would have taken more pictures of the class, but I didn't want to be a total tourist :) When visiting a city that has FlyWheel locations, I will definitely take another class. It was an amazing workout. 45 minute and done for the day! 

Stay Motivated in the New Year

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a fun and healthy holiday.

New Year Resolutions have been set and I'm sure like previous years, one of the top trending resolutions is to get in shape. One of the main challenges with this goal is staying motivated. It's easy to buy a gym membership, but staying motivated and actually using that membership is a whole other challenge. Here are some of my tips and strategies to staying motivated and dedicated to working out....

Pump Up the Volume
Music is very important. A solid playlist and up beat music can really affect your mood and workout. I use to struggle with ear buds that fit my small ears, but finally found a set that stay in while I bounce around with my workouts (Sol Republic Amp In-Ear Headphones, below). And you don't need a fancy iPod to get you through a workout. Download the Pandora app to your phone (it's free!) to get rocking tunes to get you through a workout. This is also a great way to discover new songs.

Set Milestone Goals
Whether it's the first 5lbs lost or mastering a pull up (this is one of my goals!), set goals and 'rewards' along the way. I like to treat myself to pedicures or a massage when I meet one of my goals. It also helps to stick to these goals when you write them down. Get a cute notebook (I like the mini Moleskin, below) that you can carry with you in your purse or workout bag so you can jot down your progress.

Fit Fashionista
Treat yourself to some new workout clothes! Since this is such a popular time for people to get active, Marshall's and TJMaxx has a TON of gym gear on display. Name brand pieces at great prices. Invest in coordinating tops, bottoms, sports bras and headbands. If you feel good going to the gym, you'll have an even better workout. 

What's your New Year's Resolution? Please share how you plan on sticking to your goals!

Stay Motivated in the New Year by lipglossbreak

UnderArmour Shoes and Crop Pants / Sol Republic Amps HD In-Ear Headphones / Girls Gone Sporty "Sweat Sexy" Fitness Tank from ViewSport / Moleskin notebook

Sponsored Post: pvBody Sample Boxes

Different companies are popping up everywhere with sampling programs, and they are really quite genius. Beauty, cooking and accessory sample boxes are a fun way to try out new brands and products. And now adding to the list, workout clothes!

pvBody takes the guess work out of trying to find fun, new workout clothes, at a reasonable price. All members take a style quiz so the pvBody team can select the best gear for you to try out. Along with providing your sizes, you’ll specify what kind of workouts you enjoy, style and color preferences, etc. The pvBody team will select a workout top and bottom set for you that matches your needs and style.

I took the style quiz last month and indicated that I’m more of a cardio/weights and gym girl, and the outfit I received was perfect for my next kettlebell and cycling class!

I received an electric blue top from Eloy and black leggings from Nux (both pictured to the right). I couldn’t be happier with both pieces. The blue top is great for any type of workout, from yoga to a high intensity cardio class. It contains a built in bra that is comfortable and secure. For lower impact workouts, you can totally get away without wearing a sports bra with this top.

The leggings are super comfortable as well. These are great for any type of workout as well, from yoga to running to cycling. They fit comfortably right above my hips and are great for the cold weather we're getting in Michigan. I always hate wearing sweatpants over gym shorts. These are also great as every day leggings. Or if you're planning on running errands after the gym, you can throw on a sweater and a pair of boots and look stylish right from your workout.

As a special intro offer, pvBody is offering you a $15 Lululemon gift card with sign up, plus 25% off your first month subscription! Use this link to get this special offer!

Easy peasy lemon squeezy: pvBody is easy. Take the quiz, sign up and boom, an awesome package arrives at your door each month with a hand picked outfit for you!

Every outfit is styled just for you by a pvBody expert. Each month you receive an outfit worth $150, but you pay just $49.95. You’re getting great, quality pieces for a fraction of the retail cost thanks to the relationships pvBody has built.

pvBody is not just another clothing company, but a lifestyle brand. Their blog is a great place to check out tips and tricks for healthy, delicious meals and at home workouts.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of pv.body. The opinions and text are all mine.

SXE Fitness debuts The Sammi Sweetheart Collection

If you’ve ever watched an episode of MTV’s Jersey Shore, you’ll know who Sammi ‘Sweetheart’ Giancola is. She’s the sweet one of the bunch, and the girlfriend to Ronnie (my 2^nd favorite gorilla juice head!). I was intrigued when I found out that Sammi was teaming up with SXE Fitness to create a line of fitness wear, and that intrigue turned to excitement when I got an invite to attend the debut of the line during New York Fashion Week!

I know that Sammi played soccer in college so it didn't surprise me that she went the fitness line route. The line she designed is sporty, chic and very girly. The line includes all the gym bag necessities, including sports bras, jackets, pants, capris and tops. I liked the different cuts and styles of the sports bras, she had a ton of variation. The pants had pops of colors on the pockets that were super cute. I also have my eye on a camo print jacket. 

The line is engineered with Supplex technology to help you feel dry, make you look slimmer and hide flaws. The line also contains SXE's special Booty-Lift technology in the pants for added support. It also doesn't wrinkle or shrink. 

One can tell from her onscreen time on the Jersey Shore that Sammi always like to look good, even at the gym. She was motivated by one simple question when creating this line: "Why not feel good and look good while working out?" Her goal: "design a fitness-wear line that spoke to how women want to feel when working out: stylish, sexy, comfortable and confident." I'm guilty of putting on lipgloss at the gym, so I can relate! Sammi finished her show by walking the runway herself. Nice work Sammi! 

Sammi & Ronnie from The Jersey Shore cast

Photos from Krupp NYC

Under Armour #WhatsBeautiful

I had the amazing opportunity to check out Under Armour’s latest women’s line with several other beauty, health and fitness bloggers. We met at the Exhale Spa at the Gansavoort Hotel and got dressed into our new gear. In order to accurately test out our new UA gear, we all attended a Core Fusion Boot Camp class taught by one of Exhale’s instructors. It was intense. Nonstop weights and body weight moves with cardio, and an abs and glute-focused finish. We were all dripping sweat afterwards. 

Here's a rundown of the gear I got to test out:

UA StrappLux Tank

This tank is super supportive. It has a built in mesh bra with removable cups. The spaghetti straps are very comfortable and I love the crisscross straps in the back. It’s super lightweight and the Signature Moisture Transport System wicks sweat to keep you dry. This is a good tank for low to mid-impact support, for example, a studio type class or yoga. 

UA StudioLux Tight Capri

These are my new favorite workout pants. They are super flattering, breathable, and keep you feeling tucked in, in all the right places! The Signature StudioLux fabric is super soft and contains wick to keep you dry. The pair I was able to try contained a higher waistband so I didn’t have to worry about them sliding down, bunching or bulging. They also contain a small pocket on the side to hold money or a key. Mine are a solid black with a small UA logo, but I saw some on display that had colored waistbands. Those are definitely on my wish list.

UA Seamless Essential Sports Bra

On the red carpet in my new UA gear!

I like this bra for both workouts and for lounging. It’s seamless and super comfortable. I’m usually a 32B in bra size and the small fit me perfectly. This is the one I wore during our bootcamp class and I felt very secure.

Armour Bra

This bra is hardcore. It comes in actual bra sizes, so you get an exact, comfortable fit. UA worked with an authority on biomechanics of the female body on this bra, so you know it's legit! It has a sizable clasp in the back for extra support. 

Grippy socks

These are so soft! They are short so they don’t stick out from your shoe too much, and have little grippies on the bottom. The ArmourGrip sock technology prevented us from slipping on the floor during our boot camp class. They contain ArmourBlock, which helps prevent growth of odor-causing bacteria (key for gym socks!).

UA Spine RPM Running Shoe

LOVE these shoes. I got a pair in hot pink and I’m in love. They are really comfortable and super light. Here's the science behind them: UA took a dual density foam chassis and carved out the bulk to create an ultra-light, ultra-responsive shoe that mimics the human spine. That’s a bit over my head, but I can tell you, they feel great during training!

UA Shatter Tote

I love a good gym bag, but this may also become my new work travel bag as well. It’s large and has a ton of compartments. Compartments = organization! It has two short handles that fit over your shoulder or a longer one that you can adjust to carry across your body. Other awesome things about this bag…

-       Lined, heat-safe pocket stores styling tools without risking damage to your gear

-       Removable shoe bag stores your shoes to separate them from your gear. Guess I don’t need to use plastic grocery bags anymore!

-       Soft, lined internal iPod/cell phone/valuables pocket

-       Pull front pocket for extra organization

-       Exterior straps hold your fitness matt

All of us Glamours Bloggers after Boot Camp (excuse the sweat!)

In addition to this awesome new line, Under Armour has launched their 'What's Beautiful' (#whatsbeautiful) community and contest. The first step in entering is to state your goal. Then, there is a whole community of strong women who will encourage you along the way to meeting it. Under Armour will also be monitoring the boards and will be rewarding prizes along the way. It's very inspirational! Thanks for the great opportunity Under Armour!

Under Armour Women set out to redefine the female athlete by creating What's Beautiful, a program that encourages women to share their fitness journeys and receive motivation, free gear, and support from Under Armour along the way.

The Under Armour What'sBeautiful community is growing by the minute and the women in the challenge are seriously bringing it. Check them out! Set your own goal. Crush it. And the 10 women with the most epic journeys will win a trip to Florida to the Under Armour Women's Camp Sweat where you will train with the best.

*Photos courtesy of Glam.com

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Under Armour via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Under Armour.