Passion. It's what gets you fired up. That thing that inspires you to make a stand, speak out, and push caution to the wind.
Outside of my family and friends, I'm passionate about fitness (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual). I'm passionate about empowering women and protecting children. And I have to admit, I also have a passion for fashion. So, I wanted to share a few of my favorite things that get ME fired up and feeling frisky.
WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN:
You see it on Reality Shows. Whether they're Basketball Wives, Housewives, or Bad Girls, some women can be downright mean and catty! I've been at the receiving end of such behavior. It was at my first job in the entertainment industry as a a production assistant. My boss, an unnamed female producer seemed to despise me from day 1 for no apparent reason. After being cursed at, demeaned, and demoralized by her, I finally spoke up and was removed by my executive producers and placed on another production team. I wasn't used to dealing with other women who wanted to put me down rather than lift me up. In high school on my cheerleading squad and track team, and even on the dance team in college, I never encountered women that were so disparaging. But I knew from that day on, I would never be THAT kind of female boss. When I reached a point in my career where I was calling the shots, I made sure to support the younger women around me and encourage and empower them to work hard and do better.
Another women that promotes that message is Life Coach and Motivational Speaker, Jaclyn Vocell.
Jaclyn is an ex-Division 1 college basketball player and holds a psychology degree from Brown University. A broadcaster, mentor, and noted public speaker, Jaclyn continues to encourage men and women alike to reach for their dreams. And as of this Summer, she's also apart of my family! She recently married my cousin, Taber.
Another one of my favorite females is Kimberly Mynessa Smith of KMS Fashion Consultants. Kimberly's Southern California based company helps women regain their power through looking and feeling FABULOUS! Ms.
Kimberly serves as head stylist and consultant for business men and women, musicians, busy moms and women returning to work after taking off time for baby. Her goal is to encourage women and men to put their best fashion foot forward in the workplace and on the street. Kimberly reminds her clients that looking good equals feeling good. Her positive attitude, upbeat energy and eye for honing in on her client's unique style makes her one of the best in the industry. If you're looking to clean out your closet, update your look, or dress for a special occasion, Kimberly is your woman!
FITNESS FOR LIFE:
I am a huge advocate of fitness! And not just for superficial reasons like being thin or looking good-but for the overall feeling of wellness that comes with taking time to take care of YOU! Some of my favorite ways to get fit don't involve simply sweating away inside a smelly gym. These are a few of my favorite get fit tricks.....
Salsa Dancing-it's not just for your Latin friends. It's a great way to not only get in shape, but also meet some really interesting people, and get your mojo moving. I fell in love with salsa when my older sister Angela started dating a handsome Ecuadorian named, Omar. Angela and her beau would take me salsa dancing with them at different clubs in Philly, New York and New Jersey. Today, my sister and her salsero are married with five kids. Talk about getting your mojo going! They did a spectacular salsa dance at their wedding 9 years ago and have been making sweet salsa together ever since.
If you feel like you've got two left feet, don't give up yet. There's bound to be some patient salsa teachers in your area. Here in L.A., Lisa Feliciano at The Salsa Box Studios is one of my personal favorite. She can take a bumbling non-dancer and turn them into a suave salsero! Visit her website for more details: www.thesalsaboxstudios.com
Once you've got your basic salsa step down, why not try taking it out to the clubs. A few of my favorite spots to shake it are: The Conga Room in downtown Los Angeles, The Warehouse on Friday nights in Marina del Rey, and The Floor Improv night (once a month).
The Floor is BY FAR, my favorite monthly dance event in L.A. It's produced by two beautiful and talented dancers-Sascha Escandon and Carolina Cerisola (who you may recognize from Justin Timberlake's video "Senorita"). It's a night where musicians, dancers, and lovers of dance come together to move, groove, and Imrovise. The energy in the room is electric! If you're in Los Angeles, you've gotta check it out. http://thefloorproductions.com/
Yoga is another way that I like to keep my body, mind, and spirit healthy. I've been to dozens of studios throughout Los Angeles, and by far, Dale Murphy is my favorite instructor. He teaches Vinyasa yoga and incorporates breathing, meditation and poses into his practice. His class attracts equal parts male and female students ranging in age from 18-80 years old! He assists his students in customizing the poses to suit their individual level of experience. Each time I go to his class, I leave feeling grounded, stronger, and so much happier. Practicing with Dale has really changed my life. Visit his website for classes both in-studio and on the beach. www.fostercalmyoga.com
When I want something a little more interactive then a downward dog, I'll head to Marina del Rey for some kayaking. It's a relatively cheap activity to get your body moving. AND, you get to enjoy gliding through the sailboats in the marina while watching the seals sunning themselves on the dock. Not only that, there are tons of fantastic restaurants, so you can enjoy a healthy meal or a cocktail and watch the sunset, once you've gotten your kayak on of course! Visit their website for rental info: http://boats4rent.com/marina-del-rey/
GIVING BACK:
Just lost your job? Split from your significant other? Put on a few extra pounds or just feeling depressed? The best way to forget about your own troubles is to give your time to others who really need it. When I was laid off from my writing/producing job in 2009, a friend asked me if I'd like to spend my free Friday volunteering with him for Meals on Wheels. I said yes. Because-let's be honest. I'd look like a complete selffish bi-atch if I didn't. So we drove to Santa Monica's Meals on Wheels office, loaded our car with food and the copies of the daily newspaper and started delivering. The look on the faces of the elderly people we met was more than enough for me to do it again. They were so excited to have just a few minutes chatting with someone. Most of them live alone, or can't get to the grocery store, so Meals on Wheels provides them with fresh, healthy food. I talked to one older gentleman about the Phillies. Another elderly woman loved my earrings and we spoke about her jewelry collection. Each oen of them shared a tidbit of wisdom with me, and at the end of the day, I felt like the lucky one. If you're looking for a place to volunteer a few hours a month, or around the Holidays, visit: http://www.mowaa.org/
Another organization that I'm very passionate about is Face Forward. Because of my experience with Domestic Violence, I feel a connection to women and children who've been exposed to or abused at the hands of a spouse or significant other. And Face Forward is a fantastic organzation that provides physical and emotional reconstruction for women and children who have been victimized by domestic or gang related violence. If you'd like to get involved or contribute to Face Forward visit their website: http://facela.net/
Outside of my family and friends, I'm passionate about fitness (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual). I'm passionate about empowering women and protecting children. And I have to admit, I also have a passion for fashion. So, I wanted to share a few of my favorite things that get ME fired up and feeling frisky.
WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN:
You see it on Reality Shows. Whether they're Basketball Wives, Housewives, or Bad Girls, some women can be downright mean and catty! I've been at the receiving end of such behavior. It was at my first job in the entertainment industry as a a production assistant. My boss, an unnamed female producer seemed to despise me from day 1 for no apparent reason. After being cursed at, demeaned, and demoralized by her, I finally spoke up and was removed by my executive producers and placed on another production team. I wasn't used to dealing with other women who wanted to put me down rather than lift me up. In high school on my cheerleading squad and track team, and even on the dance team in college, I never encountered women that were so disparaging. But I knew from that day on, I would never be THAT kind of female boss. When I reached a point in my career where I was calling the shots, I made sure to support the younger women around me and encourage and empower them to work hard and do better.
Another women that promotes that message is Life Coach and Motivational Speaker, Jaclyn Vocell.
Jaclyn is an ex-Division 1 college basketball player and holds a psychology degree from Brown University. A broadcaster, mentor, and noted public speaker, Jaclyn continues to encourage men and women alike to reach for their dreams. And as of this Summer, she's also apart of my family! She recently married my cousin, Taber.
Another one of my favorite females is Kimberly Mynessa Smith of KMS Fashion Consultants. Kimberly's Southern California based company helps women regain their power through looking and feeling FABULOUS! Ms.
Kimberly serves as head stylist and consultant for business men and women, musicians, busy moms and women returning to work after taking off time for baby. Her goal is to encourage women and men to put their best fashion foot forward in the workplace and on the street. Kimberly reminds her clients that looking good equals feeling good. Her positive attitude, upbeat energy and eye for honing in on her client's unique style makes her one of the best in the industry. If you're looking to clean out your closet, update your look, or dress for a special occasion, Kimberly is your woman!
FITNESS FOR LIFE:
I am a huge advocate of fitness! And not just for superficial reasons like being thin or looking good-but for the overall feeling of wellness that comes with taking time to take care of YOU! Some of my favorite ways to get fit don't involve simply sweating away inside a smelly gym. These are a few of my favorite get fit tricks.....
Salsa Dancing-it's not just for your Latin friends. It's a great way to not only get in shape, but also meet some really interesting people, and get your mojo moving. I fell in love with salsa when my older sister Angela started dating a handsome Ecuadorian named, Omar. Angela and her beau would take me salsa dancing with them at different clubs in Philly, New York and New Jersey. Today, my sister and her salsero are married with five kids. Talk about getting your mojo going! They did a spectacular salsa dance at their wedding 9 years ago and have been making sweet salsa together ever since.
If you feel like you've got two left feet, don't give up yet. There's bound to be some patient salsa teachers in your area. Here in L.A., Lisa Feliciano at The Salsa Box Studios is one of my personal favorite. She can take a bumbling non-dancer and turn them into a suave salsero! Visit her website for more details: www.thesalsaboxstudios.com
Once you've got your basic salsa step down, why not try taking it out to the clubs. A few of my favorite spots to shake it are: The Conga Room in downtown Los Angeles, The Warehouse on Friday nights in Marina del Rey, and The Floor Improv night (once a month).
The Floor is BY FAR, my favorite monthly dance event in L.A. It's produced by two beautiful and talented dancers-Sascha Escandon and Carolina Cerisola (who you may recognize from Justin Timberlake's video "Senorita"). It's a night where musicians, dancers, and lovers of dance come together to move, groove, and Imrovise. The energy in the room is electric! If you're in Los Angeles, you've gotta check it out. http://thefloorproductions.com/
Yoga is another way that I like to keep my body, mind, and spirit healthy. I've been to dozens of studios throughout Los Angeles, and by far, Dale Murphy is my favorite instructor. He teaches Vinyasa yoga and incorporates breathing, meditation and poses into his practice. His class attracts equal parts male and female students ranging in age from 18-80 years old! He assists his students in customizing the poses to suit their individual level of experience. Each time I go to his class, I leave feeling grounded, stronger, and so much happier. Practicing with Dale has really changed my life. Visit his website for classes both in-studio and on the beach. www.fostercalmyoga.com
When I want something a little more interactive then a downward dog, I'll head to Marina del Rey for some kayaking. It's a relatively cheap activity to get your body moving. AND, you get to enjoy gliding through the sailboats in the marina while watching the seals sunning themselves on the dock. Not only that, there are tons of fantastic restaurants, so you can enjoy a healthy meal or a cocktail and watch the sunset, once you've gotten your kayak on of course! Visit their website for rental info: http://boats4rent.com/marina-del-rey/
GIVING BACK:
Just lost your job? Split from your significant other? Put on a few extra pounds or just feeling depressed? The best way to forget about your own troubles is to give your time to others who really need it. When I was laid off from my writing/producing job in 2009, a friend asked me if I'd like to spend my free Friday volunteering with him for Meals on Wheels. I said yes. Because-let's be honest. I'd look like a complete selffish bi-atch if I didn't. So we drove to Santa Monica's Meals on Wheels office, loaded our car with food and the copies of the daily newspaper and started delivering. The look on the faces of the elderly people we met was more than enough for me to do it again. They were so excited to have just a few minutes chatting with someone. Most of them live alone, or can't get to the grocery store, so Meals on Wheels provides them with fresh, healthy food. I talked to one older gentleman about the Phillies. Another elderly woman loved my earrings and we spoke about her jewelry collection. Each oen of them shared a tidbit of wisdom with me, and at the end of the day, I felt like the lucky one. If you're looking for a place to volunteer a few hours a month, or around the Holidays, visit: http://www.mowaa.org/
Another organization that I'm very passionate about is Face Forward. Because of my experience with Domestic Violence, I feel a connection to women and children who've been exposed to or abused at the hands of a spouse or significant other. And Face Forward is a fantastic organzation that provides physical and emotional reconstruction for women and children who have been victimized by domestic or gang related violence. If you'd like to get involved or contribute to Face Forward visit their website: http://facela.net/
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