Eye Candy!

Hey lovies, I hope you all had a loving Valentine's Day! How many of you gave into some yummy chocolates? I know I did but now that the holiday is over it's time to get serious! I don't know about all of you but I'm looking to get into some ridiculous shape this year because I want to look smokin' hot in my bikinis! Who's with me? I think we all have the ability to get into our best shape this summer and what's better then to jump start our bikini makeover with some visual inspiration? Today, February 15th is an important day for all of us ladies in "get sexy" mode, we are 100 days from Memorial Day Weekend (the official summer kick off) and the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition hit shelves today! These women are in incredible shape and I can't think of a better way to get motivated then these photographs! Today is the day to set a realistic goal and start working on it. Remember your goal isn't to look like one of these models ( they are photo shopped), your goal is to look your personal best this summer. So if you want to loose 5,10,or 30 pounds get to it! I Hope you'll enjoy these photos just as much as I did, see you at the gym ;)! Check out the rest of the models and their photos here:http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011_swimsuit/models/ 

And That's a Wrap!

Hey lovies, Today is the first day of February and it's time I catch up with you! The month of January has been crazy packed for me with dance filled things and lots of snow! Despite all the snow days and inconveniences this month has been such a great start to the new year. Here is some of what I've been up to!

       My month started out with finally going to see Billy Elliot on Broadway! Thanks to my Pulse family I got tickets to see this spectacular show. I recommend everyone to go see this show before it goes off Broadway. It's filled with laughter , tears, and lots of fabulous dancing. I then spent a weekend in Atlantic City working behind the scenes with The Pulse on Tour. I got to learn the inner workings of a dance convention, meet some great people, and share some memorable moments. I had lunch with Carmit of The Pussycat Dolls and worked retail with Janet Jackson's choreographer Gil Duldulao! I witnessed some incredible dancing and walked away so inspired! At the end of the month I got to work with some great people on a shoot for a new pin-up/boudoir photography business (Check out Bebe Boudoir on FB). I also went to see Avenue Q another great humor filled show. Finally, I attended a workshop with Raymond Lukens of The American Ballet Theatre and learned about what it takes to be a successful ballet teacher. I wrapped up this weekend back in Atlantic City where I relaxed and gambled away. How was your first month of 2011?
     For the month of February I'm working on a new choreography project with Jeff Friedman at Rutgers for a performance in late April ( more info to come). I'm in graduate school full time, working with The Pulse, and dancing more than ever!  I'm coming up with a new fitness regime to help everyone get into that bikini this summer and my website will be launching shortly! January was such a great start and I'm so excited about the rest of the year! Stay inspired and don't loose sight of your goals!

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:

‎"Of all the liars in the world sometimes the worst are our own fears"

Get Sexy in 2011!

Hey lovies! As the year comes to a close its time to reflect on all the wonderful accomplishments we've made and hard times we've gone through. Keep in mind that everything that happened good or bad this year can either be taken with you into the new year or left in the past. The same goes for your fitness and nutrition and in this post I'll give you some pointers on how to set yourself up for success this coming year. So whether your looking to get back on track, starting from scratch, or just maintaining your already fabulous fitness routine then this is for you!
1. Don't set yourself up for failure: If you make a ridiculous New Years resolution or fitness goal like "I'm going to have the body of a Victoria's Secret model in 2 months" then you've already lost. Be realistic with yourself and set a reasonable goal.
2. Try something new: Maybe its time you try that Zumba class you've been hearing about or maybe sign up for a race! Try anything new and you will be motivated to stay on track.
3. Pictures: Images are really motivating! Take a shot of yourself from your body at its worst and best then hang it up somewhere you will see everyday (fridge, treadmill, bedroom). Seeing those images will be a constant reminder for you to stay in shape! (I do it every year!)
4. Get the word diet out of your head!: Too many people say i'm going on a diet for the new year. News flash a diet is temporary and doesn't work. Think of it as a lifestyle change, the word diet is just too negative!
5. Write it down: Buy yourself a journal or join an online fitness community where you can track down your caloric intake and work outs. Seeing what your eating and what your burning is key to weight loss!
6. Make an everyday goal: Make a small goal that you will follow everyday or week and stick with it FOREVER! Heres some ideas: have an apple everyday, only drink coffee once a day, always get veggies on your pizza, have diet soda no more than twice a week. The possibilities are endless and the more simple the goal the easier it is to stick with it. These small changes can and will have a significant impact on your health and figure!
Need more inspiration and tips? Check-out Shape magazines list of the best celebrity slim downs of 2010!
http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/entertainment-and-celebrities/healthy-hollywood/celebrity-before-and-after-healthy-weight-?slide=27692
Have a happy and safe holiday! Take control of your life this year, be strong, and stay positive. Wishing you the best for the new year! x0
PS: Stay tuned for the launch of my website in early 2011!!!

'Tis the season for overeating

Hey loves! As the holiday season is well under way I decided it was an important time to reconnect with you all. I hope you are all just as excited as I am about the wonderful holidays but I want to make sure you truly enjoy all the fun with zero guilt! The holidays are a fun time to share quality time with loved ones, family, and friends and unfortunately "'tis the season for overeating"! Did you know that during the holidays the average American packs on an extra five pounds! Personally I'm not one to deprive myself during the holiday festivities but just like you I don't want to pack on ANY pounds either. After consulting several different magazines and online sources I put together this list of simple ways to save your waist line without any deprivation. Try one, four, or all of them for a truly happy and skinny holiday season. Have fun x0

1. EAT! Many people starve themselves the entire day until the party in order to "save calories" for the huge dinner. Big mistake, by the time you eat your body is in starvation mode and will over eat. Eat your normal breakfast and lunch which will lead you to eating a normal dinner too.

2. DRINK WATER! Right before you head out consume a glass of water and continue to drink water throughout the night to keep the calorie count down. 

3. IF YOU DON'T LOVE IT, DON'T EAT IT! Don't eat anything just because it's there or because you feel pressure to eat everything presented to you. 

4. CHEW GUM! Chewing on a piece of gum will keep you out of trouble by keeping your  mouth occupied throughout the event.

5. EAT BEFORE YOU GO! Have something fiber filled like an apple before you head out the door, it will moderate your appetite. 

6. STAY AWAY! Don't sit close to the snacks, buffet table, or dessert trays. If you have to walk away from your current engagement to get a bite you'll think twice. 

7. WATCH THE BOOZE! I hope we all know how calorie packed alcohol is and if you over do it your less likely to care about your food choices. 

8. SNUG CLOTHING! If your too busy holding in you tummy to look great in that outfit food will be the last thing on your wondering mind. 

9. BRING A DISH! Find a wonderful healthy holiday recipe, make it, and bring it to the party. The party host will love your contribution and you now have a healthy meal on your plate. 

10. SKIP THE TOPPINGS! Stay away from extra cheese, dressing, nuts, gravy's, or anything else in that family. The meals are delicious without it and they are calorie demons. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS :)

“It's kind of fun to do the impossible.”

Every now and then we all need a little "pick me up", something that ignites a spark within us and inspires us to keep pushing and striving towards our goals. You can find inspiration anywhere, a song, quote, performance, or a book. No matter how old you are or how far along you are in your career its important to get and stay inspired.

     For one of my dance education courses we were assigned to read an article which truly brought about some inspiration and hope. A young eleven year old girl named Amiya who is in love with dance wanted to find a way to teach under privileged children. She thought of a clever idea to teach dance classes out of a bus that would travel around and give free lessons. Amiya told her mother and even made sketches of what she wanted the bus to look like but she knew it was just a dream. Her grandfather was so supportive of Amiya that one day he surprised her with a real life "dance bus". It was an old school bus painted in pink with ballet barres instead of seats. Her grandfather is the bus driver and they travel around to schools in her area where they pick up children for free classes. She can fit up to 12 students at a time and offers 30 minute classes in hip hop, tap, and ballet. She calls her students her "rising stars" and has found this bus to be a great success.  

      I found this story to be completely amazing and moving. What a brilliant young girl she is for coming up with this idea and for offering her time like this. She inspires young kids to dance and inspires the rest of us to keep hope alive and follow our dreams. Anything is possible. Don't ever give up <3

Take a look at the fabulous "dance bus" below. Enjoy :) 

Birthday Baby!

Hey twinkle toes the month of October has been crazy busy and lots of fun. Last weekend I turned 22 and had a night out in NYC and then spent some time gambling in Atlantic City. Thought I'd leave you a few fun photos. x0

3rd Avenue Festival

Yesterday I spent the day performing on the streets of Bay Ridge for its 38th Annual 3rd Avenue Festival. After weeks of intense last minute rehearsals the girls of Beyond Dance and I put on a great show for the Brooklyn community. I have been performing at this event since I was a little girl and it's always one of my favorite performances of the year. Theres nothing like dancing on a stage in the middle of the street. It was a chilly day here in New York but tons of fun. I even got to take a shot at pole dancing in the street! Heres some pics below and a link of the performance put together by some of the senior company girls of Beyond Dance. Enjoy!