StyleWhipped

Letter From the Editor: Patron of the Arts (at least for one weekend...)

I have always been, and will always be, a huge supporter of the arts. As a former ballet dancer, I think everyone should occassionally go to the ballet, the theater, a museum, a film they wouldn't normally see. However (and perhaps the reason I never would have really "made it" in the dance world), while I need my every-once-in-awhile arts fix, it's not something I need to do or experience every day. And I think that's what trips people up...they think that in order to appreciate the arts, they need to submerge themselves. And that couldn't be farther from the truth. But every so often, you do need a little culture, no matter where you live and no matter what your other interests are. Big sports fan? Go see the new Larry Bird/Magic Johnson show on Broadway. Fashion lover? Go check out the new Prada/Schiaparelli exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Don't want to commit to an entire afternoon of looking at "important" paintings? Find a small gallery that has pieces that somehow appeal to you. 

This past weekend, Stylewhipped got on the arts bandwagon in a big way. On Friday evening, Men's Director Joseph Ungoco and I were so excited to attend the NYC premiere of the multiple-award-winning movie "Going Down in La-La Land," starring our lovely and talented friend Matthew Ludwinsky. We had our picture taken, watched the (really good!) film, listened to the Q & A with the actors...and also went to the super fabulous after-party (see, arts and a vodka sponsor at a nightclub...who said culture isn't fun?!). Following that, Stylewhipped's Sherin Botros invited me to see "The City Club" on Saturday night, an off-Broadway musical at the famed Minetta Lane Theater in NYC's West Village. While it was pretty
clear why the production was off-Broadway, it was still enjoyable to see some very good performances and feel like we supported up-and-coming musical theater talent...and not feel like we just went out to eat and for cocktails (our typical Saturday night in Manhattan...).

It is so important to be what I consider a well-rounded personality...you could drop me in any social setting and I can talk about fashion or have an opinion on art, but also know that both the NY Rangers and the NJ Devils hockey teams both lost important play-off games this weekend. I recently went to see (and LOVED) "Memphis: The Musical" on Broadway...but I also couldn't wait to watch the most recent episode of "The Ultimate Fighter" on TV. Don't pigeon-hole yourself by limiting your exposure to different experiences (and don't use living outside of NYC as an excuse...see a traveling production of a Broadway show, go to a local musuem, see an independent film at any movie theater, etc). Starting that exposure with some form of the arts is easy, surprisingly interesting and so important in a time when funding is being cut and our educational system often doesn't have the money to expose our children to anything besides getting through math class... 

So go get a little culture. I promise it won't hurt. 

~ Alison.

Rebecca Gordon - Four Wheels, Three Staples, Two Friends, One Bright Light

I was lucky enough to spend some time in Utah this past week and had the opportunity to enjoy some of the usual winter activities* available in the mountains.  There were lots of choices of things to do and, as someone who likes to stay busy and active, this was perfect for me.  One of the activities I consciously avoided was snowmobiling.  Most of the other people on my trip were very excited about speeding through the woods and enjoying incredible views of the mountains.  Most of the other people are not me and have not suffered a serious injury while on the snowmobile’s warmer weather cousin, the four-wheeler.

About three years ago, I spent July 4^th weekend at the home of my friends Paul and Jes.**  Their home in the Catskills is on 30+ acres and, at this house, there are lots of choices of things to do (running, archery, gardening, fire building, bocce, pumpkin carving). Going around the property on the four-wheeler has always been a fan-favorite. I never really cared for going on the four-wheeler, but occasionally went along with it. This July 4^th weekend, I went along on a ride with Todd*** because I thought I should try to understand why everyone loves this four-wheeler thing.  Todd and I were driving around the property and were on our way to a side field when we came along a little stream that was a result of the heavy rain that summer.  So Todd had to turn the four-wheeler around in what can be described as a many point turn because there were a few trees preventing us from just turning around.  During one of the turns, the four-wheeler very lightly tapped a small tree. This very light tap loosened a branch from a larger tree resting on the smaller tree (again, lots of rain that summer) and this branch fell right on my head.  Todd then looked back at me and said “are you okay?” To this I said, “I am not okay.”  Now, I know I come off as a bit of a wimp, but I can handle pain and am not one to whine too much if I get a small bump on the head.

Todd then took a look at my head and almost at the same time his hand pressed right against my head.  Then Todd told me that I was bleeding and he was going to take off his shirt for me to put on my head, so I would have to put my hand where his hand was while he took off his shirt. When we switched hands, I saw that his hand was covered in blood and as I put my hand on my head I could feel the blood spurting out (I know, gross.). So Todd put his very favorite t-shirt on my head, looked right at me to tell me I was going to be okay and we climbed back on the four-wheeler.  Todd told me to keep my head up and to keep his shirt pressed to my head. As we drove back through the field, everything was getting brighter and brighter and almost started going white – which was freaking me out and I said something like “It’s so bright” to Todd. When we pulled up to the house, Paul and Jes thought we were trying to be funny by coming back from the woods with a shirtless Todd. And then they realized I was not getting off the four-wheeler.

Todd, Jes and I climbed into the car and started the 20-mile drive to the nearest emergency room. At this point I was starting to freak out and was more than slightly annoyed that my friends, especially the biggest question-asker ever Jes, were not keeping me talking.  “Can you both keep talking to me? I don’t know why this is the moment you are choosing to be silent.”

By the time we arrived at the hospital, I was feeling slightly better and had realized that the white light was because I was staring straight into the sun as we drove back to the house. I was so focused on holding the t-shirt to my head that I didn’t think to look away from the sun. So I wasn’t passing out, I was just burning my corneas.

Right about now you are probably wondering what happened to the usual Rebecca, the one who tells funny little stories about roommates and cocktails and her gang.  I am back. This story is about to get funny.

Before I could see an actual doctor (although I am not sure I ever did see an actual doctor that day), I had to talk to the intake woman at the front desk, some hospital administrator and at least two nurses.  One might think the first question any of these people asked me after “What happened?” would be “How are you feeling?” or “Have you lost consciousness?” or anything other than what all of those people asked me -  “Are you pregnant?”  I answered it the first time, I answered it the second time even when the person asking me wanted to know how I was sure I was not pregnant (seriously, she said “is it because you have not had sex in a long time? ”).  When the third person, a male nurse covered in tattoos, asked me, I believe I said something like “Why don’t you ask one of the effing other people who asked me the same question? Not one person here has asked me how I am feeling, but everyone seems very interested in my sex-life.” I am not sure if the man had a stutter before meeting me, but I definitely brought it out in him.

And then, finally, I got to see a doctor. This doctor told me I would need two staples in my head and assured me this was better than stitches because stitches would require the shaving of part of my head. He then asked me if I would like some lidocaine in my head to kill the pain of the staples. I asked him which was more painful, the lidocaine or the staples.  “Well, sometimes we have to fish around a little bit with the lidocaine to make sure we get the right spot”.  Not feeling all that confident about the abilities of this particular ER staff, I decided to limit the number of holes being poked in my head and declined the lidocaine. This means I got two staples in my head without painkillers. For those of you who have not had the misfortune of getting staples to the head, you should know the stapler looks a lot like the kind of stapler used to put very thick staples into a wall (or at least that is what it looked like at this place).  And when I say “two staples without painkillers”, I mean three staples without painkillers. After inspecting his work with the two staples, the doctor decided one more would do the trick. 

And this is why I won’t ever go on a four-wheeler, snowmobile,  mechanical bull, motorcycle or  jetski ever again.

~Rebecca

*Well, I ran and went snowshoeing. So I did two activities and only one is really a winter activity.  But I think the story works better if I make it seem like I did more than those two things and work.  Go along with it.

**She sometimes spells it with one ‘s’.  Go along with it.

***Eventually one of my stories will be about something other than a ridiculous situation with Todd. There is just a lot of good material.

Rebecca Gordon: Yoga with a Side of Comedy

Once or twice each year, I decide I am going to take up yoga.  Given all my running and the general hyper-activity of my life, yoga seems like a good idea for my mind and body.  Also, it meets my criteria for exercise* and I hope to one day have amazing arms like my sister-in-law.   When I say “take up yoga”, what I really mean is I am going to spend a few weeks talking about how I am going to take up yoga and then never follow through on my plans.  So except for the brief period in business school where I took a combo spin/yoga class with my friend Katherine, I have made no effort to actually “take up yoga.”  At least until my friend Sarah asked if I wanted to check out a yoga place she found in our neighborhood.  What follows is the true story of what we experienced on Saturday afternoon.

Everything started off normal enough – the instructor introduced herself to us, people laid out their yoga mats and I started worrying that I was about to humiliate myself in a room full of strangers.  This is where normal ended. Before class officially started, a woman shared a story about how she recently stood in a coffee shop vestibule with Alec Baldwin while they both played on their cell phones. The instructor commented that it was “romantic”. Now I like Alec Baldwin more than the next person, but nothing about standing in a vestibule while not talking to or looking at Alec Baldwin (or any person) sounds romantic and I am not leaving out any part of the story. The whole story was: “Last week I stood in a coffee shop vestibule with Alec Baldwin while we both played on our cell phones.”  And the instructor found this romantic and the storyteller agreed. 

Class started and I was glad the weird chatter was over.  But it turns out the yoga instructor fancies herself a bit of a comedian and the weird chatter continued.  Early on in the class she suggested we try to become Facebook friends with Alec Baldwin’s girlfriend and a few minutes later she told us to either focus on our form or think about Alec Baldwin.  When we had the left leg twisted around the right and were trying to squat while holding our arms above our heads, she told us to pretend we were holding a croissant in our butts – and then she laughed and told us we would get it later. I still don’t get it and I am not sure I want to. 

And the commentary was not the end of the weirdness.  Take the playlist. For a yoga class, our instructor selected Pearl Jam, Train, Simon & Garfunkel, and Swell Season.  What about “she lies and says she still loves him” or “you have broken me all the way down” says inner-peace?  Also, are yoga classes supposed to have playlists?

Now consider the sneak attack massages the instructor gave out at the end of class.  As Drops of Jupiter faded, the lights went out and I was feeling relieved class was almost over. I closed my eyes and started looking forward to being able to laugh about this whole experience with Sarah on the way home.  Suddenly and without warning, my shoulders were being massaged and not gently.  Had this class been relaxing, the massage would have ruined it. Were I a normal person who enjoyed massages, this still would have made me feel uncomfortable (Just ask Sarah. She is normal and was equally uncomfortable.). I am not one to enjoy a massage by a stranger.  My feeling is that if you want to get that close at least buy me a drink first.  At a minimum please give me a warning or ask for my permission before putting your hands on me in the dark. Just a useful tip if the opportunity presents itself to any of you.

Lastly, let’s discuss the instructors closing words before she turned the lights on.  “Think happy thoughts and nice things about yourself because everyone out in the world is judging you.”  Really? Everyone out in the world is judging me? This never occurred to me. I always thought everyone was thinking about themselves or the presidential election or what to make for dinner.  Turns out the world is busy critiquing my choice to run and then do yoga three hours later without showering or changing my clothes. My mistake.

And after all that, I think I might go back next week.  My arms already look better.

~Rebecca

 

*Criteria for exercise:  1. No serious equipment or clothing required. 2. Can be done almost anywhere.

Be a Sport

I am a fitness addict who runs six days a week. But you will never (ever) catch me wearing a pair a sneakers outside the gym. My day-to-day aesthetic is glam, bejeweled and permanently in 5" heels (or lately, even higher!). But yesterday, something funny happened. I went to buy new running sneakers, and actually found ones that I thought were...well, cute! From my I've-run-in-their-sneakers-for-5-years Saucony, they are black (natch) with a Tiffany-blue stripe detail (love the reference to something so totally NOT sporty!), and actually adorable enough to wear in public if I had to (please note the "if I had to"...). Called the Grid Shadow Genesis, these are so incredibly lightweight, it's as if you aren't wearing anything. They also have an exceptionally stylized profile and even a bit of shiny patent-leather-like vinyl detailing. Super comfy AND super cute? I'll take two! (Actually I did...my husband got them in the white...here's a link to the men's version: Men's Grid Shadow Genesis)

While I'm on the "sporty" subject, I'm thinking that if you're going to wear cute black sneakers out in the world, you need to make sure your accessories are both minimal and equally sporty (really, this is all just an excuse to buy some cute new things...). My oversized rose gold watch would honestly look a little silly alongside sneakers, but this one, the Marc by Marc Jacobs "Jorie" black aluminum watch would be absolutely perfect. It's neon green and purple dial fixtures are a nod to the '80's and all it's sportswear glory. And the black casing and band look tough-sporty, so it's still edgy enough to wear later in the evening with leather leggings and platforms (c'mon, you knew I had to work "leather leggings" and "platforms" somewhere into this post!).

Now make me proud and go workout. Just look fab while doing it!

~ Alison

Fitness Special: New York Personal Training

You may not know this, but I am not only the "fashion police." I am also the "exercise police"! I spent 15 years studying ballet, and now work out six days a week. I think that exercise has the power to eradicate stress, lift our spirits, get rid of colds, and...well, it makes us look better in our clothes! (see, now I'm back to being the fashion police...) So, because I wanted to share a fantastic get-into-shape option with you, this week I sat down with Michael Shaw, celebrity personal trainer and owner of the exclusive, one-on-one training studio New York Personal Training (NYPT).  

NYPT is in the heart of Chelsea, and you don't pay any dues...you simply pay your personal trainer (there are 7 at the studio, all of whom are some of the best in NYC) and can workout 7 days a week at all hours of the day. Each "candidate" is given a fitness assessment to determine their personal needs & goals, and is then matched with their ideal trainer who develops a personalized program for them. A select few work with Michael, and the studio counts celebrities like Olivia Thirlby, James Earl Jones, Jim Cramer, Paul Bettany, Paul Rudd, Jennifer Connelly and Regina Spector amongst its clients. Now (and this is important...) if you want a chance to have your personal consultation with Michael, he is extending a special offer to StyleWhipped's readers...just mention this article and he's all yours for your consultation! (contact info is at the end of the article)

Now I know what your next question is...do these amazing, exclusive personal trainers cost $9,000 an hour?! Absolutely NOT. If you workout with any of the 7 trainers, it will run you $90-110/hr. If you want to workout with Michael, it will cost anywhere from $200-250/hr. I have personally trained with two of the facility's trainers, and I have to tell you they are worth way more than the top of the $90-110/hr range! To top it all off, this is one of the few spots in the city that offers another option...Michael has designed a program called "LeanMAXX" that combines a half-hour of high-intensity interval training with a trainer, and a half-hour of cardio on your own. This allows you to pay $55-70 per 1/2 hour with any of the trainers, and $125-150 per 1/2 hour with Michael.

Another question that always comes into everyone's head is that they want to get into shape with a trainer, but then they want to continue working out on their own. And it's awkward to quit working with someone, right? Well, not at NYPT, actually. Michael has also developed another program called the "Spring/Summer Shape-up" and it offers two options...one is a 6-week combination of training and nutritional guidance (perfect if you're trying to get ready for vacation or a Spring wedding), and the other is the same thing for 12 weeks (perfect if you're trying to get in shape for Summer!). This gives you a finite amount of time and monetary investment in your health, and while most people do continue longer than the 6 or 12 weeks, you never get stuck in that "I want to quit the gym" situation (c'mon, we've all seen the Friends episode...).

When I chatted with Michael this week, I asked him to shed some light on a few key questions that I always get from my styling clients while we're shopping for clothes...here's what he had to say:

Alison Stewart: Say you only have 30 minutes to do your cardio and you want to get the most for your time. What do you suggest?

Michael Shaw: That's a great question! I would definitely say to use either the bike or the elliptical machine, with both set at interval training. You will engage your upper and lower body, and the resistance these machines offer is more effective than setting a high incline on a treadmill.

AS: This year, there are lots of styles in fashion that add bulk to our frames...ruffles, tiers, origami folds...what can we do to make us appear longer and leaner so we can look good in these trends?

MS: The next thing people notice after someone's face is their neck and shoulders, so that's what I would work on first to emphasize in those looks. Try doing a circuit workout with three exercises per body part. The first set, do heavy weight and less reps. The second set, do light weight and more reps. The third set, do medium weight and medium reps. Don't rest in-between sets, and always do all three sets.

AS: That's a great idea, especially because Spring and Summer also bring strapless tops and dresses! Ok, last one. Everyone (men and women) are always asking about how they can better develop their calves (men don't want to have their calves to look small in comparison to their quads, and women want to look good in heels!). Can you help?

MS: This is a tough question because our calves are the most difficult muscles to workout. They are the most dense muscles in our bodies, so it's hard to create change in them. But my biggest suggestion would be to use "plyometric" exercises, which for this would basically be doing a squat that goes into a leapfrog jump, so you are extending your stretch all the way through your toes. Alternate this move with standard calf raises, and you'll work every inch possible in those muscles.

AS: I've done that move (with one of your trainers!), and I have to say, not only does it get results, but it is an incredible cardio workout at the same time! Thanks so much for all of this info, and I have a feeling you'll be seeing a lot of Stylewhipped readers in the studio soon!

MS: Thank you...and I look forward to it!

Ok, readers, want to check out NYPT? Head over to 12 West 21st Street between 5th & 6th Avenues, or call 212.673.1866!

~ Alison