To Zumba or Not to Zumba?

...that is the question.

Frankly y'all, I'm torn.

You see, I recently switched gyms when my contract at my former gym expired. The new fitness center has multiple super-convenient locations, (one of which is VERY close to my office), and am really liking the variety of different classes they offer, especially those for us womenfolk. Tuesday night I went to a "Total Body Explosion" class which focuses on intense cardio dance-type moves, kickboxing and LOTS of squats and lunges. Yes girls, it's as easy-breezy and comfortable as it sounds ; )

Even though I thought I might collapse into a sweaty heap on the floor mid-way through the "explosive" cardio portion of TBE, I didn't die and, better still, even liked it a little. In summary, if my knees ever stop throbbing, I might even go back.

So after conquering the Total Body Explosion, I'm looking to new heights. Enter Zumba.

From what I gather, Zumba is a Brazilian dance based fitness class that incorporates strength training moves into a fast-paced cardio mix. On the infomercials for the DVDs, all the Zumba-ers look like they're having soooo much fun!

According to their website, here's what you can expect from Z:

"The Zumba® program fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program that will blow you away. Our goal is simple: We want you to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked. Zumba® Fanatics achieve long-term benefits while experiencing an absolute blast through calorie-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements meant to engage and captivate for life!"

...Hmmmm.....are y'all captivated yet?

I've heard a gazillion different people talk about how much they lurve Zumba. In fact, one of my old pom squad buddies from college likes it so much, she even teaches it now.

As a former dancer/cheer girl, I really think I could get into it. So what's the hesitation, you ask? Well, for starters, the class is 90 MINUTES LONG. Gracious be...is that even possible?? I can work out for 90 minutes, no problemo. Especially if you include the minutes allotted for water breaks and trips to the bathroom to check my hair ; ) (Just kidding...sort of.)

 But straight up, double-time cardio for 90 minutes....without one single, solitary break....ummmmm.....

So my question to you fantabulous girls:

Have any of you ever tried Zumba? And if so, what did you think? Would you do it again?

Help a sweaty sister out.

Be blessed, lovelies-

Trend Watch Wednesday: Sunny and Seventies

Chloé Fall 2010 Runway Show

Oh my, my, my...yesterday was bananas. Bananas, I tell you. I mean, from the moment I woke up 30 minutes later than I usually do (yikes!), to dropping my Chi iron and breaking it on my tile floor while trying to frantically fix my hair (tear and sad face), to driving right past the turn-off to my office (what the heck, y'all...I've only worked there for 2 and a half years?!)...it was a crazy, spastic day.

Calls and emails flooded my phone and inbox from the moment I sat down at my desk, meeting requests poured in and suddenly my week became cram-packed before I could even drink my lukewarm coffee...oh and Blogger decided it didn't want to save up my lengthy, detailed post for yesterday that I had queued up on Monday afternoon.

It wasn't a smooth sailing morning, that much I can tell you. Here's hoping today is a bit more peaceful. I'm not sure my nerves can handle much more : )

Apparently it is already TWW...for real. Where did the week go? Oh that's right, we got to SKIP Monday...(skipping Mondays makes this girl way happy!)

So I know that fall is usually about rich, dark colors and so on and so forth. But this season, many designers went a completely different direction with the hair and make-up looks for their Fall 2010 runway shows.

Backstage at the Gucci Fall 2010 RTW Show

As we talked about a few weeks ago, big hair is pretty much de rigeur this season. To carry that one step further, lots of design houses like Armani Privé , Gucci and Chloé brought the full, swingy coifs of the 1970s back, (and blonder than ever, I might add.)

Chloé Fall 2010 Runway Show

Ladies, if you've ever considered highlights, NOW is the time to do it. Don't wait until next spring; grab your purse and get to the nearest salon STAT. Although rich brown or fiesty auburn hair is always super, super sexy for autumn, blondes are making the most impact on the fashion front this season. Of course I'm a bit biased, (being of a fair hair variety and all), but I'm loving this trend because it's simply unexpected. I love when life (or the editors at Vogue) throw us fun little curve balls like this.

Want to keep your strands dark? No problem. Instead, try styling your hair with a round brush and big barrel curling iron or hot rollers to create a Farrah-esque mane. The key is to make the style movable and glamorous yet still slightly undone to keep it contemporary. Too-perfect hair is the quickest way to make your style look dated, after all, so simply flip your head over and give it a quick "mess" before heading out the door to avoid looking like a cartoon character.

According to master stylist Oribe, "Hair should almost be swept into the face." Long, face-framing layers or grown-out bangs can be easily manipulated to achieve the peek-a-boo look described by Oribe.

(clockwise from left to right) Cargo Eye Bronzer, NARS Duo Cream Eyeshadow, Buxom Buxom Lip Gloss in Amber, Urban Decay Loose Pigments in Baked

However, if you're not into changing your hair color or cut, (and honestly, that's a huge step so think carefully before making that hair appointment), you could always experiment with the warm, seventies look with your make-up. Think coffee, taupe and amber colored lids with gold-pigmented shimmery lips for a totally Studio 54 worthy look this fall.

Armani Privé Fall 2010 Runway Show

According to make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury who worked on the Chloé Fall 2010 show, this warm, monochromatic palette instantly adds definition to facial structure, (which is the proper way of saying, "It will make your face look skinny.") Bonus!

I'm definitely feeling the whole seventies vibe for fall, how about you?

Be blessed, lovelies-

Photo credits: Style.com, Maccosmetics.com, New York Daily News, Elle.com

Back Tomorrow, Y'all!

So I wrote a post yesterday to put up this morning and for some unfortunate techy reason, it was not there when I went to publish it while ago. Oh Blogger, why, why do you insist on acting up sometimes??

Anywho, today has been KUH-RAZY thus far, so I'm afraid A Blonde Ambition will have to wait until tomorrow. Just FYI in case you all were worried that I'd fallen off the face of the blogosphere since Friday : )

I'll be back tomorrow all recharged and ready to go!

Oh and P.S.- The Hogs totally OWNED on Saturday against Tennessee Tech. OWNED. Just sayin'... ; )

Be blessed, lovelies-

Happy Holidays

Happy holiday weekend, Blonde Ambitioners! It's time to sit back, relax and enjoy the next three days of Labor Day bliss.

For starters, I know you've all been waiting with bated breath to find out how the hair appointment went. And....it was great : )

It's not dramatically different at all, which is exactly what this creature of habit and stability wanted. I like my hair blonde, poofed to high heavens and long enough to throw in a messy bun for the gym. And the new stylist was an angel...completely profesh and very understanding of my need for strategically placed highlights. In summary, a hair-tastic success.

This weekend should be a good 'un. I'm going to see Cross Canadian Ragweed, a country/alternative/folksy/indie band tonight with some friends. The wardrobe? Denim shorts, a tee shirt and possibly rain boots, as we're told the venue's grounds might be a wee bit wet due to Wednesday and yesterday's monsoons. It should still be fun times though because I'm really craving a night with my girls.

Saturday marks the first day of Razorback football season, which is a huge deal for those of us lucky enough to call Fayetteville/NWA home. Wooo Pig Sooie, indeed!

Although I won't be attending the game Saturday, I will be commemorating the start of the college football season in my own, special way...with retail therapy, of course : ) One of my FAVE local stores, Maude Boutique in Fayetteville, has quite the collection of  super affordable dresses, tops and whatnot, perfect for Razorback football season. I'm stopping by to see my favorite shop girls in the morning and cannot wait! If you live in or around the NWA/Fayetteville area, get your cute self down to Maude this weekend...I'll probably see you there! A few of my faves that I'm likely to be picking up:

Sunday, my sweet guy and I are venturing to Eureka Springs for a day of walking/talking/shopping/eating/meandering/etc. We are also taking the haunted ghost tour of the famed Crescent Hotel that night, which we're both super pumped about : )

Monday, I'll be settling in for an afternoon of Arkansas Naturals baseball. It's one of the last games of the minor league season and I just thought it would be a good way to say "adios" to the summer.

Tuesday...well, let's just not talk about Tuesday right now. How about we just enjoy the next few days of non-laboring. Sound good to y'all?

This weekend, be safe, be sound and most importantly...

Be blessed, lovelies-

Photo credits: The Cherry Blossom Girl, Maude Boutique-Fayetteville, AR

Deep Thoughts Thursday

Happy 9-02-10! (Get it? 90210?...just an observation...)

Every week needs its random post and/or rambling list. Most often, these posts fall during days when I don't have anything deep or profound to talk about, like squirrel sweaters.

...which brings us to Deep Thoughts Thursday. Today, I'd like to share a few things with you that have changed my life this week, or, at the very least, made me stop and go , "Hmmmm..." They are sure to change yours, too.

- I still haven't had a Pumpkin Spice Latte. I know, I know, "How is that possible??!!" Well friends, it's simple: I just haven't had the patience and/or time to sit in the Starbucks drive-thru this week. On the flip side, I've probably saved myself about 7,000 calories.

Hungry yet? Mmmm...

...deep thoughts

-My hair stylist moved to Nashville last month so I've now inherited her former apprentice...a young, possibly a tad inexperienced hair do-er. This makes me nervous because I have an appointment today for a cut and some highlights. We faux semi-natural blondes take our highlights very seriously, y'all. Think positive thoughts this afternoon around 4 p.m. Central Standard Time for me, m'kay?

...deep thoughts

-Now walk with me over to left field for a sec...Mario Batali (the orange Croc-wearing Italian chef from Food Network that kind of looks like he could be a logger or cast member of Ice Road Truckers) has opened himself a grocery store. Behold, Eataly...a new market opening this week in Manhattan's too-cool-for-school Flatiron District. The brand new 42,500 square foot food and wine emporium will be the largest artisanal Italian goods purveyor in the world. Suddenly, I have an intense craving for gnocchi.

...deep thoughts

-I might need these shoes.

Courtesy of Maude Boutique- Fayetteville, AR

...deep thoughts

-Found out yesterday from my momma that one of my fave bands, NeedToBreathe, is going to be in concert in Nashville on November 18! I think a road trip might just be in order.

...deep thoughts

-Project Runway comes on tonight and I don't even care. Am I the only one who is just not feeling PR this season? I'm thinking of taking a PR break for a few months. You know, cleanse my palette and start anew next fall. Crazy talk, I know.

...deep thoughts

You might want to take a few moments to process all of this. I understand, it's heavy stuff : )

Be blessed, lovelies-

Photo credits: Elle.com, Maude Boutique