So, What Do You Do in a Barre Class?
What to expect in a barre fitness class.
Before my first b.barre class at b.you last week, I have to say that I was a little intimidated. I'd heard friends and acquaintances describe barre fitness as "life-changing" and "revolutionary", but I didn't exactly know what went on. There were some noncommittal references to yoga, Pilates, and dance, but never anything concrete. And certainly nothing to silence my fear that I'd fall flat on my face.
It turns out that most of barre class comes down to a series of fluid, controlled movements that seek to lengthen and work arm and leg muscles while maintaining an engaged core and neutral spine. There are, indeed, some positions that you'll recognize from yoga (planks and extended child's pose spring to mind) and Pilates (several variants of the 100s). And, even if you're like me and know nothing about dance, you will recognize positions like plié.
The class will start with some very focused arm exercises, using 2 or 3 pound weights (or, if you're on modifications for back injury, as I am, with no weights at all.) You'll work biceps, triceps, and shoulders. The motions are controlled and smooth, and believe me when I say that you can tell the difference even without the use of weights. You'll then move on to a series of leg exercises -- again, smooth and controlled is the key. You're seeking to engage your glutes while keeping your core strong. Your final exercises will include planks and floor work for your abs. It's a full-body workout; don't be surprised to wake up with sore muscles the next day!
I can already tell that b.you's b.barre classes are an excellent aid in rehabbing my back. After only a few visits, I'm already walking with less pain. The emphasis on core strength is literally just what the (Neurosurgeon) doctor ordered to strengthen my back and help to offset the injury to my discs.
Please join me throughout as I embark on a journey of fitness at b.you. I'll be posting every Monday to let you know how the classes are going, and you can keep up along the way on HerKentucky's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Follow b.you on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well!
I hope to see y'all at b.you soon! They have two convenient locations here in Louisville: one in St. Matthews and one in Springhurst!
{This post is brought to you by b.you Fitness!}
Heart Disease and Me
Know your family history of heart disease!
The women in my family have a history of heart disease.
It sounds innocuous enough when I say it that way. It's a whole lot more real when I say:
"I was three years old when my grandma was babysitting my cousin and me. She was in her fifties. And she had a heart attack. All I remember about that day is that I spilled a gallon of milk. That's long-forgotten, but the day's other events changed the course of my grandmother's health for the remaining 25 years of her life."
My grandma with my cousins and me, around the time she got sick.
"My aunt suffered a heart episode that left her comatose for a week. From the middle-of-the-night phone call alerting us all to the situation until one miraculous day in the ICU at UK Med Center, we had no idea if she'd wake up."
My mom with two of her sisters. 2 of these 3 women have heart conditions.
"My mom has a heart condition that has affected her daily life in small ways, but we always know it's there."
Makes it a little more real, doesn't it?
Heart disease is the number one killer of women in America. Here are some scary-assed statistics from the Go Red for Women foundation:
- Heart disease causes 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute.
- 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
- Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease and the gap between men and women’s survival continues to widen.
- The symptoms of heart disease can be different in women vs. men, and are often misunderstood.
- While 1 in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, 1 in 3 dies of heart disease.
The Bluegrass State is pretty notorious for poor cardiovascular health. According to the CDC,more than 1 out of 4 deaths in Kentucky are due to heart disease.
These are very real, very sobering statistics. This February, please stop to think about all the heart logos you see -- the Valentine's Day ads and the Go Red for Women events. Wear red for yourself and those you love. If you're out looking for last minute Godiva at the mall today, participate in Macy's Go Red Campaign. But most of all, educate yourself. Talk with your doctor about your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Make healthier choices in your diet and exercise. These are all changes you know you should make anyway.
It's not just for you. It's for everyone on your Valentine's Day list.
Product Review: UncommonGoods Custom State Pillow
A customized pillow adds a touch of Kentucky to any home decor!
UncommonGoods recently offered me the opportunity to review one of their Custom State Pillows. This is such a fun process; you can choose your state, your favorite color, and your favorite city (over which a heart will be sewn!)
Of course, I wanted to make the absolute perfect Kentucky pillow. I chose this gorgeous shade of turquoise -- Caribbean Surf -- with a heart over Louisville. I waited not-so-patiently for my order to arrive and was simply thrilled with the results! It's a good size for a throw pillow, an office accent, or to add a touch of home anywhere you'd like the reminder! The felt appliques are stitched in contrast threads for a homespun feel. The quality of the felt is fantastic, and this piece really catches the eye!
This piece would be fantastic for a loved one who's headed off to a dorm room or first apartment in another state, as a dramatic accent in an office bookshelf, or anyplace a little touch of home is needed. In fact, UncommonGoods has an awesome assortment of gifts for just about anyone on your list. They have a great array of personalized gifts for just about any occasion. I love the Hand-Embroidered State Pillows and the New Yorker-style personalized wedding posters! With Valentine's Day coming up, you can find fun, quirky, and unique gifts for her (the anatomical heart pendant cracks me up!) or for him. (They have repurposed UK basketball court cufflinks, y'all!)
Thanks so much to UncommonGoods for the pillow, and for introducing me to their fun line of products!
{A customized pillow was provided for review. Thanks to Uncommon Goods for the lovely product!!}
B.Fit with HerKentucky + B.You!
HerKentucky Writer Heather C. Watson gets fit with Louisville fitness studio b.you!
So, last year, I had some back trouble.
Two discs, conveniently located at either end of my spine, were wreaking major havoc with nerve endings. It wasn't very fun, and it was even less fun to treat. After extensive physical therapy, steroid treatment, and a surgery, the proverbial ball is in my court. I've been treated, I've experienced a lot of relief, and now it's time to work on strengthening my spine. It's going to take a lot of hard work, but that's a small price to pay to reduce the risk of further disc degeneration.
As I was searching for a fitness facility to help me on this journey, I kept hearing great things about b.you Fitness. I reached out to b.you's co-founders, Stephanie Bristow and Rashna Carmicle, to see if their fitness program would be a good fit as I worked to alleviate some of the residual pain from my injuries and sought to prevent further degeneration. I am so, so glad I contacted them, y'all!
Image courtesy b.you.
B.you is unlike any other gym or fitness studio I've ever attended. The classes are a mix of barre, Pilates, yoga, dance, and orthopedic stretching. The more advanced classes even include aerial fitness: you're actually suspended from an aerial silk hammock for the duration of the class!
Image courtesy b.you.
What I was most excited about, though, was the personal attention I received in my consultation with Rashna and Stephanie. I met with their staff Physical Therapist to discuss how my fitness regimen should be modified to accommodate my injuries. Unlike a lot of gyms, where the mentality tends to revolve around "How much can I deadlift?" or "How far can I run?", the emphasis at b.you is on maintaining correct form and ensuring the correct movement.
Please join me this month as I embark on a journey of fitness at b.you. I'll be posting every Monday to let you know how the classes are going, and you can keep up along the way on HerKentucky's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Follow b.you on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well!
I hope to see y'all at b.you soon! They have two convenient locations here in Louisville: one in St. Matthews and one in Springhurst!
{This post is brought to you by b.you Fitness!}
Bennett's Beaufort Bonnet
A gorgeous bonnet benefits a very special girl.
Here at HerKentucky, we just love The Beaufort Bonnet Company. We love the classic, Southern style their clothing and accessories lend to the littlest masters and misses across the Commonwealth. We love their owner, Lexington native Markey Hart Hutchinson, who is as charming and gracious as she can be. But, most of all, we love that TBBC cares.
That's why we urge you, if there's a little girl in your life -- if, like me, you have a niece on the way, or if you have a little daughter or granddaughter or basically any little gal who'd like to look pretty while helping others -- please buy the Limited Edition Bennett's Beaufort Bonnet.
Bennett is one of the faces of TBBC. She's a gorgeous little girl who's been a model for TBBC. Tragically, she's been diagnosed with a rare brain tumor which hasn't responded to aggressive treatments. ALL net proceeds from the sale of Bennett's Beaufort Bonnet will go to Bennett's family.
This is a beautiful bonnet with an even more beautiful cause. Stock up on baby presents today at TBBC!
{All images courtesy The Beaufort Bonnet Company.}
My Beauty Survival Kit
The on-the-go essentials that HerKentucky blogger Heather C. Watson can't live without.
Macy's recently contacted me about their new Beauty Survival Kit. They've teamed with a group of social influencers to talk about breaking your beauty needs down to the essentials. I loved checking out the Beauty Survival Kit; I especially liked the part where a blogger whom I've read for years, Carly of The College Prepster, admitted that part of her "necessity" kit is a tennis ball for her dog. With two big ol' hunting dogs of my own, I can certainly relate.
Macy's Beauty Survival Kit
Another thing I can relate to is this Huffington Post statistic that Macy's provided: the average American woman has about 30 minutes to get ready in the morning. I don't know about y'all, but there are days when I'm running between meetings and obligations where 30 minutes sound like an outright luxury. That's why I've tried to pare my own beauty routine down to products that I know will work well for me.
Here are the things I can't live without in my own bag. Most of them, indeed, came from Macy's in Oxmoor Center.
Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses. Love them; never go anywhere without them. They just make me look so much cooler than I actually am...
Benadryl: Crazy dog lady alert! My big Labrador retriever, Max, has severe food and seasonal allergies. I always have dog-safe allergy medicine on board, in case he needs immediate relief.
Notebooks: I wear a lot of hats -- freelancer, blogger, charity board member, crazy dog lady (see above!), fiancee, etc. -- and I am constantly taking notes, jotting down ideas, and, sometimes, writing a chapter or two while I'm waiting in a restaurant or coffee shop. I keep small notebooks handy at all times.
Estee Lauder Lip Conditioner: Oh my goodness; this product is a game-changer for chapped, weathered lips. It goes on like a creamy lipstick, with none of the waxiness of lip balm.
Estee Lauder Lash Primer Plus: There are plenty lash primers out there, but this one gives you lashes that are "just right." Your lashes look long and thick, but never clumped or "fake."
Estee Lauder Modern Muse: In case you can't tell, I'm really on an Estee Lauder kick these days. I always thought of the brand as something my grandmother wears, but their recent products have maintained that classic sophistication while adding a polished edge. There's no reminder of my granny's old favorite Youth Dew in this fragrance -- it's a powdery floral with a crisp note. I just love it.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Liquid Makeup: Y'all, this foundation. It doesn't come off until I wash it off. And, yet, it doesn't clog my pores. It's pretty much magic.
Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette: These colors are just perfect. They're perfect for my coloring, and they're perfect for my wardrobe. They work for professional settings or for nights out. They're just wonderful!
Nars Blush in Orgasm: This is the only blush I wear. It's just the best shade ever.
Let us know what's in your Beauty Survival Kit by snapping a photo and hash tagging it #mybeautysurvivalkit on Twitter and Instagram!
Nothing Compares to the Old Dawahares.
Remembering the quintessential Kentucky department store.
Last week, my beau and I were browsing around the men's suits section of a local mall-based chain store. Later that week, we went in one of those UK and U of L-themed fan stores. Both times, I left with the same sigh of resignation:
"None of this can compare to the old Dawahares."
As any long-time Kentuckian can tell you, Dawahares was the Kentucky-based department store. Founded in 1907 in the tiny Eastern Kentucky coal camp town of Neon by Syrian immigrant S.F. Dawahare, the company expanded to over 30 stores in its heyday, and was in business for over 105 years. Unfortunately, the family-owned retailer filed for bankruptcy and was forced to close its remaining outlets in order to liquidate assets.
Over the century that Dawahares was in business, the small, mid-price outlets simply were Kentucky's hometown stores. Dawahares was known for outfitting the entire family. The extensive selection of men's suits and sports jackets were the place to shop for holidays and celebrations, with a selection to please everyone from UK coaches to countless grandpas to young men purchasing their first suits. The store felt like family for many of us in small town Kentucky -- we often went in to say hello to the salespeople as much as to actually shop. And, as our friend Allison (the PinkLouLou!), reminds us, the folks at Dawahares often went out of their way to help friends and neighbors.
And then, there was the UK gear. Oh my goodness, the UK gear.
Dawahares had a special knack for stocking Kentucky Wildcats apparel that was over-the-top, yet not-quite tacky. They always had the most delightful UK sweaters that worked equally well for the grandmas who attended basketball games and their granddaughters, who wore the blue-and-white sequins and appliques with just a hint of irony.
I thought it would be fun to pick out a few pieces of UK gear that have a Dawahares vibe -- things that I think they'd carry if they were still in business today.
I can't get enough of this '47 Brand cardigan sweater. Like my very favorite pieces from Dawahares, this would work equally well for you, your mom, or your grandma. It would be so fun to style it with leggings and wellies, or as an alternative to a coat.
And how about this Dooney & Bourke UK-print Shopper Tote? This would be so much fun for game day!
The golf shirts, cowgirl boots, house shoes and, of course, sweaters, in the galleries below keep the Dawahares vibe alive. Something tells me I'll be buying more than a few of these!
Do you have fond memories of Dawahares?