Home fitness capsule 2020

From left: home fitness kit c/o BX Glow (under $70!) / black workout tee / black leggings /

not pictured: yoga socks / yoga mat / running shoes / beach towel /

Working out from home a lot? Me too! Although gyms in our area are open for outside fitness, I still find myself working out from home about three times per week. I feel like if it is something I can do from home, I would rather stay put than spend time driving to the gym and dealing with disinfecting everything. Right now, it is still safer to workout from home than go out to the gym; no matter how clean it is.

Fortunately, my gym implemented an online class schedule back in March when we all went on lock-down. The schedule is continuing, even though the physical gym has re-opened. This is great news for members who, like me, have found working out from home feels safe and convenient.

The classes I have been taking from home include TurboKick (cardio kicking-boxing), The Drop (an interval training class), and Pilates (which requires equipment.).

Yikes! Equipment! If you belong to a gym like me, chances are, you don’t own home fitness equipment. So I was incredibly thankful when BX Glow sent me this fabulous home fitness kit. It has everything I need for strength training at home, and better yet, everything the online Pilates class from my gym requires for class. Love that!

The BX Glow “Pure Energy Fitness Kit” includes 3 resistance tube bands with interchangeable ankle bands, handles, and a door anchor. The kit also includes two ankle 1 lb. ankle weights, and three resistance loop bands. These are all much-needed items for a complete home workout! Loving it!

My weekly fitness routine incorporates outdoor fitness at my gym, and online classes from my gym. Here is what I am doing to stay fit this summer:

      • Monday: TurboKick online
      • Tuesday: Singles tennis at my gym with my teenage daughter
      • Wednesday: The Drop online
      • Thursday: Lap swimming at my gym
      • Friday: Pilates online (requires equipment-I use my BX Glow kit)
      • Saturday: Hiking with my family
      • Sunday: Outdoor yoga at my gym with my Mom. (We stay six feet from each other. My gym created pods to keep everyone properly social distanced during fitness classes-it’s awesome!)

I’m loving this routine, and have fallen in love with working out outside. I bring my laptop into the backyard so I can take the online classes outside. I also love how my gym has classes, cardio equipment, and weight equipment outside. I think it would be awesome if they continued to keep things outdoors; even after the pandemic ends. It’s really nice to be outside!

For working out at home, the perfect home fitness capsule should include the BX Glow kit, fitness attire, athletic shoes, a yoga mat, a beach towel, and of course, a space in or around your home with enough room to move around.

Shop my home fitness capsule online:

What are some of your favorite home fitness routines?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

Stack on the barrettes

wearing: multiple matching barrettes c/o Beverly Beach by Dorit (under $25)  / bold gold earrings / summer lipstick / black puff sleeve top / gold chain bracelet / gold chain cuff / red and black floral skirt / summer nail polish / black clutch / black slide espadrilles /

OK raise your hand if you are addicted to Real Housewives! Yes, my hand is waaaaay up! If you are a huge fan like me, than you must have noticed Dorit Kemsley’s addiction to the multiple barrette trend. I mean, who could miss all those glittering hair clips at the reunion?! Not me!

Now, if you have been paying attention to hair trends, you may have noticed a huge trend emerging in 2018. This is when fashion insiders starting to stack on sparkling barrettes reminiscent of the 1990’s. You can see my take on the trend at fashion week in February 2019 here. When I stacked barrettes in my hair, I used my vintage barrettes which I had purchased back in ’90’s! As the trend has evolved over the past year, it has moved away from a ’90’s vibe, and taken on a life of its’ own.

The current way the multiple barrette trend is emerging, is the way Dorit has rocked it. You know you can depend on her for rocking trends which haven’t started yet! Since the reunion was filmed back in 2018, the trend has exploded, and Dorit has brought it to us in an affordable way; with a high fashion vibe. Love that!

Beverly Beach by Dorit offers a cute little card with eight matching barrettes on it. They are actually hair clips encrusted in sparkling baubles. They catch the sun, and dazzle the eyes. Love them! Now, when I tried to stack them all together the way Dorit rocks them, I didn’t really like how it looked on my fluffy hair. Maybe I need to sleek it down! Anyway, I decided to split the card and wear four on the right, and four on the left. I like how it turned out.

My barrettes and outfit around the web:

So, have you been watching the current season of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills? What are your thoughts? I’m loving Dorit and Denise; as always. Share in the comments below!

You can find these barrettes by Beverly Beach by Dorit online here.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

*brought to you by Beverly Beach by Dorit, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

San Gregorio State Beach day with the family

san gregorio state beach san mateo coast

What a beautiful week-end! We decided it was time to venture to the coast for the first time since the lock-down. Temperatures were forecasted to hit well over 90 degrees, so the coast sounded like the perfect escape. Well, we did escape from the heat! It was in the 50’s along the coast, and the wind was very strong! My hat blew off several times, and we found ourselves bundled up on the beach instead of soaking in the rays. haha That’s life on Bay Area beaches!

Despite the crazy wind, and the cold air, we tried walking a bit, and also just relaxing on the beach while bundled up. We also enjoyed a little picnic we hiked in with us. It was a fun time with family while relaxing with the sound of the waves.

People were coming onto the beach, and only lasting about a half hour before leaving. The wind was pretty strong, so most families decided to not stick it out. In the era of social distancing, this worked out really well for us since we had a large space between us and the other beach-goers. If you can gut out cold wind, it’s a great way to have the beach to yourself! Instant social distancing! haha

My trusty adidas sweatshirt kept me warm so I could chill on the sand. While my hat kept blowing off head, it did it’s job of keeping the sun off my face. That’s all I can ask, right? I had an easy walk on the beach in espadrille slides, and my flip flops were great for testing the water. This straw tote bag was perfect for carrying my purse essentials as well as a book, hand sanitizer, and Clorox wipes. Loved it!

All in all, it was a fun beach day! If you are looking to head out to the beach, and are unsure of how social distancing will work, San Mateo County has great practices in place to ensure people stay apart. They have signage on all the paths, and the ranger reminds people to stay apart and wear a mask. People were really good at maintaining a distance, and everyone was wearing a mask. Love my fellow Bay Area people!

Tips for going to the beach in the covid era:

  1. Go early and avoid holidays. Try to schedule your beach day when crowds will not be going. Holidays and weekends are the most crowded. If you can snag a day off during the week, do it!
  2. Bring a back-up mask. Just in case your mask gets too sandy, or it gets wet, have a spare mask on hand.
  3. Bring your detox kit! Bring your own hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and hand cleaning wipes. Try to use the bathroom at home before you head out to the beach to avoid needing to use the public restroom.
  4. Respect the space of others. If you arrive when the parking lot is near capacity, the beach might be crowded. Try to make your space away from other people. Just because you want a great view of the water, doesn’t mean you should risk social distancing. Stay at least six feet, if not more, away from other groups on the beach.
  5. Have fun! The beach is an affordable and beautiful way to enjoy the day. Find your space, and stay safe. You will have a blast!

My beach essentials online:

Have you ventured out to the beach since the lockdown? What was your experience?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy