Cycling Fun Day

I've been inspired by the amazing Kallie at Fit and Forty Something. You see Kallie is all about fitness, food and fun. She comes up with invigorating workouts, healthy meals that sound delicious and all the while living life to the fullest.

I try to live by that mantra everyday. And with the warm weather finally here, taking my workouts outside is getting easier. I recently put my gym membership on hold so I can do so. I especially want to do more outdoor bike riding. I love the freedom riding my bike gives me and seeing the pavement pass me by really gets me excited (more so than running, I feel like I'm really going someplace). Believe it or not, New York City is a a fabulous place to ride a bicycle. Over the past couple of years, the city has added hundred of miles of bike lands and paths, making it safer and more enjoyable. It's a great way to explore.

This past Saturday, Michael and I got our bikes out of the basement and finally took our maiden voyage. We went up the east side of the Isle of Manhattan, along the East River, across upper Manhattan and down the gorgeous West Side Greenway along the Hudson River to Battery Park.

Going for my first ride of the season along the Hudson River

It was a tough go for the first half of the ride. I struggled to keep up with Michael and couldn't even make it up a hill (something I usually can do well). But that was because the brake on my back wheel locked. Once I released it, I was able to ride the bike like it was meant to be. What a difference having two wheels spinning at the same time does for your ride.

I wanted to take more pictures of our tour, but I was too busy trying to keep up with Michael on the first half of the ride and wanting to get out of the sun along the second half. It was a great ride despite the crowds of people and I definitely want to go again.

After our ride, of course we were famished. After all, why bike ride if there isn't a meal involved? We headed back up to Harlem via the bus and train to Dinosaur Barbecue.

BBQ anyone?

Most of this ended up in my belly. Yum! But after our epic bike ride, it's well deserved. Don't you think?

So I'm just wondering, do you treat yourself to a big meal after a workout or do you workout the next day after a big meal?

Have a fabulous Monday!

Give Arbonne This Mother's Day

Need a fabulous gift idea for Mother's Day (May 9th)? Of course you do! Surprise her with the gift that keeps on giving. The gift of Arbonne beauty.

Let your mom, grandmother, daughter or special friend know how much she means to you. Why not return the love and give this lady wonder the gift of beauty. (Come on now, she deserves it). Pamper her with soothing and aromatic beauty that will make her shine. After all, what woman wouldn't want to be pampered.

The good news is I know where you can find these fabulous beauty and wellness gift ideas I know she'll love.

Arbonne Aromassentials Awaken Sea Salt Scrub. Awaken her senses and helps her to move about her busy day with a renewed confidence and vitality. The botanical ingredients like essences of lemon and coriander is invigorating. She'll enjoy the blend of sea salt with moisturizing and aromatherapy oils. She will be sure to kick back with the heavenly scents like ylang ylang and chamomile that inspire serenity. Once you scrub away, her skin will feel refreshed, invigorated and she won't believe how soft and youthful her skin feels. The scrub works by gently exfoliating dead surface cells to reveal brighter, healthier-looking skin. It's made with avocados and sweet almond extract. The 16 oz. jar retails for $28.

Arbonne Aromassentials Awaken Sea Salt Scrub

Arbonne Invigorating Body Cleanser and Conditioning Body Moisture. The body cleanser hydrates as it cleanses and the enriched formula brings out a soft, yet vibrant look and feel. The key ingredients include cumber, clover, oat, orange, strawberry cell extracts, shea butter, Vitamin A, E and C, grapefruit peel, galbanum, sandalwood, orange peel, bergamot, lime, ginger, lemon and orange oil. After, she steps out of the shower, she can replenish moisture with the cool, soothing conditioning body moisturizer. This rich body lotion helps provide the moisture skin desires while leaving it feeling velvety soft and smooth. It's enriched with beneficial kiwi, strawberry and pumpkin phytonutrients that richly reward the skin with the attention it desires. Key ingredients include fresh pumpkin cells, moisture fresh complex of cucumber, birch leaf, watercress, clover blossom, St. Johns Wort, coco butter, shea butter, sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, Vitamins A and E, calendula extract and ginseng extract. The cleanser comes in a 10 oz. bottle and retails for $23 and the moisturizer comes in an 8 oz. bottle and retails for $23.

Invigorating Body Cleanser

Conditioning Body Moisture

To purchase any Arbonne beauty or wellness products or if you need more information, you can contact me directly at jennifer.weitzman15.gmail or my website, jenniferweitzman.myarbonne.com. The products can be shipped directly to you or that special woman in your life.

Kicks With Sparkle

One of my favorite childhood shoes just got a glamorous makeover.

Keds, the iconic white canvas sneaker with their classic pebbled rubber sole, were a cool statement back in the day. I started with the PRO-Keds sneaker and then evolved into a Champion during my high school days. I would wear these sneakers with slouchy socks and jeans (You know it was Z Cavaricci) cuffed at the ankle in order to show off my fancy kicks.

The Keds of my youth...

Now, the original sneaker brand that revolutionized the industry has teamed up with contemporary fashion house Alice + Olivia for a truly fancy update. Four sparkly Champion-style sneakers --in black, silver, pale pink and safari green - will be available this Spring at neimanmarcus.com and aliceandolivia.com and retails for $88.

...has grown with me thanks to sparkly sequins.

A+ O Founder Stacey Bendet told WWD: "I don't think I removed Keds from my feet as a kid. I can't even count how many pairs I had. We decided to do a collaboration that would bring a little Alice + Olivia fun ot the 2010 Keds Champion."

If you want to tap into your creative side and play fashion designer, you can personalize your own unique pair of Keds. You get to choice from three different Keds styles or go for all three from their Champion collection. Then pick from a whimsical palette of bright colors, prints and patterns. You can even have the option to add your name or message on them. You can also pick the shade of shoelace, the eyelets and inner lining among other section the Check out my new pair. Don't you just love them? I think everyone should own a pair of their own designs, it's only $60.

And my own version.

New York City is known for being a walking city and for its fashion. So when I found out that contemporary fashion house Alice + Olivia is teaming up with the iconic canvas sneak Keds for a sparkling version, my girlie side squealed in pure delight.

What do you think of the new look of Keds? Do you think you would wear a pair of Keds as an alternative to ballet flats? Let me know in the comments.

Razzle Dazzle At Ann Taylor

I stopped shopping Ann Taylor when I no longer looked for corporate suits in the mall. But the specialty store chain has undergone a massive makeover over the past year to become more stylish, beyond chic, sophisticated and more on trend. I recently attended a preview for their fall 2010 collection at the swank ACE hotel and was completely dazzled by the clothing chain's smartly tailored, well-made modern pieces that was infused with romantic sensibilities and old-world charm.

While scoping out the fashion crowd and celebrities like Rachel Blison and Mad Men's Christina Hendricks, my heart skipped a beat when I noticed all the beautiful accessories. The opulent pieces included eye-popping Swarovski crystal necklaces, grosgrain ribbon and rhinestone pendants, beaded cocktail rings, leopard print pumps, vintage-inspired booties.

I particularly loved the way the gorgeous pieces were displayed. The accessories were lovingly placed on books and glass cake trays, two of my favorite things.

All of the accessories will complement Ann Taylor's brilliant fall collection. The look celebrate the one-year style anniversary under the direction of head designer Lisa Axelson. Ann Taylor's fall looks includes sleek pencil skirts, classic jackets and feminine dresses in black, neutrals and leopard prints.

Even this sweet puppy got his paws on some jewels. Doesn't he look fabulous?

As a parting gift, Ann Taylor gave guests their own chunky sparkler. It will add a nice playful element to many looks, especially my LBD's and boyfriend tees.

I'm so happy to see Ann Taylor coming back to life. They have always catered to the hard working woman, but they have been hard at work softening their look and making it more appealing to everyone. What do you think of their new accessories. Any that caught your eye? Let me know in the comments.

It's My Time To Shine

As a beauty junkie and blogger, I have a closet full of beauty products that I have tested and tried. Many of them are fabulous and over the past several months I've shared those with you. Now, I'm so excited to tell you about my most recent beauty find that I know will help you achieve beautiful, younger-looking skin. (Isn't that what we all want?) I discovered Arbonne, a Swiss-formulated line of pure, botanically-based beauty products while at my friend's bridal shower where I met the beautiful Marea who told me about Arbonne.

At the time, I wasn't interested in a career in skin care but Marea's joy and excitement about Arbonne bubbled over to me and I said would give the products a try. Later that week, she gave me a gold bag filled with full-size bottles of Arbonne's new RE9 Advanced system. It was a pretty impressive kit to try. I loved having the full-size bottles to use in my own bathroom. To me, this is a much better way to test out a new beauty product than the small packets department stores and spas hand out.

Arbonne's RE9 Advance anti-aging skin care system

The RE9 Advanced system is Arbonne's anti-aging system that uses advanced breakthrough approach to address skin health. It works by paring targeted topical treatments with an age-defying supplement that accelerates results twice as fast. The system has five quick and easy steps that will have your skin skin feeling and looking youthful and refreshed. The products are rich in antioxidants, botanically-based and do not contain mineral oil or chemical fragrances.

I love the clean design of the bottles and their easy-to use pump. The night I first used Arbonne I loved the way the products layered on my skin and the fresh, orangey scent. It has a creamy texture that glides over your skin. The facial, body and hair products are all vegan-certified and are loaded with the best nature has to offer like herbal and botanical extracts, oils and vitamins. It really made a difference to how I looked and felt. It totally rejuvenated my skin and me as well.

After the first 24 hours of using Arbonne, my skin felt like lighter and as smooth as a rose petal. By the third day of trying the products, my skin looked like it was glowing from within and I didn't feel as if I needed makeup. This beauty system is the closest thing I can get to properly feeding my skin the nutrients it deserves. Anyone who knows me would agree that I care passionately about skin care. And turning 40 earlier this year only made a good skin care system important as ever. Aging concerns are as real as ever and I know that how I take care of my skin today will effect how my skin will look in my 50s, 60s, 70s and so on.

For these reasons and so many more, I am so excited to tell you I have joined the Arbonne team. Instead of writing about all the other beauty products, I'm going to write about Arbonne. I believe it's a perfect fit for me as the products combine personal care and wellness, striving to enhance the skin, body and mind. These are topics both dear to me. I'm so excited about these products and I would love to have you try them.

I believe Arbonne is a gift to be shared. If you would like a free 3-day packet of samples, you can email me at jennifer.weitzman15@gmail or if you are in the NYC area, I would love to have you try it at home. You can always visit my website jenniferweitzman.myarbonne.com when you are ready to shop.

Let's Be Foxy

Last night Michael and I enjoyed a bottle of Foxes Island Pinot Noir 2005 and cupcakes made by our fabulous friend Lisa. It sure makes me happy to discover a good red wine. But this one is particularly lovely. It's velvety smooth with a firm finish. It's decadently rich with dark fruits, earthy mushrooms, game meat, spice and balsamic flavors.. The ruby-colored wine (13.8% alcohol) is a good medium red wine that opens slowly, making the taste better with each welcoming sip.

Red wine and cupcakes, a few of my favorite things.

Foxes Island Pinot Noir 2005

Michael and I first discovered Foxes Island while having dinner in Auckland's marina on the last night of our honeymoon. We were browsing the menu when a busboy stopped by and suggested a bottle of Foxes Island. Sure, why not? We're an easy sell when it comes to wine. We're sure glad we did. The bottle was about $95 New Zealand dollars, which was about $45.

Foxes Island is in New Zealand's Marlborough region, located on the South Island. The area has quickly risen to worldwide fame for its amazing and distinctive wines. We have tried many other wines from the area and have enjoyed each of them.

Auckland, New Zealand

I highly recommend Foxes Island. Enjoy a bottle tonight, this weekend, whenever. You'll love it's charm and sip it slowly allowing the wine to reveal itself.

Wishing I Was in Berlin

I was supposed to writing you from Berlin and Budapest. I was heading there to check out all the fabulous sites, art galleries and museums, cafes and restaurants for a travel story I was going to write. But some volcanic activity from Eyjafjallajokull left me grounded.

I drowned my sorrows with a bottle of wine and of course, french fries at The Harrison. Of course, I also ate a delicious dinner, but happiness for me is always found at the bottom of a basket. The fries at The Harrison are, by far, the best fries I've ever had. They are deep fried with duck fat. The only thing better would be a second order.

Today, I'm going to continue my non-European vacation with a mental health day. My mind, body and soul are simply someplace else and I want to get away. I may not be sipping a beer or enjoying a wiener schnitzel, but I can certainly enjoy an impromptu vacation New York City style where I don't have to spend a dime and still take a much needed mental vacation.

Soaking up the sun in Fiji 2009. Today, I can just look at this picture and be taken away for a moment.

I always believed in trying to find a few minutes a day by yourself to de-stress which is so important to your overall well-being. It's even better if you can play hookie for a day and do something you truly love. It's amazing how much better I feel after taking some luxurious moments to myself.

Here are some ways to escape:

Exercise. For me, there is no better escape than exercise. It makes me feel I'm in control of my life and I can accomplish anything. Even if you're working, taking a walk during lunchtime is crucial for your mental health. That pile of work will get done when you get back. If you're able to, take a walk along a wooden trail, along the beach or to any peaceful place like a park or garden for even more relaxation.

Make it an at-home spa day. No need to spend lots of money on a professional facial. You can still get all the relaxing benefits and refreshed skin with many of your favorite beauty products. My friend Kristin recently enjoyed a little pampering with a DIY spa and said her skin felt and looked refreshed.

Read a book in bed. Close your door to the world and escape under your covers with a good book. Nothing is cozier, more comfortable or more peaceful than your own bed. And a good book (like the one I'm reading now The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory) can take you away from your own world.

Try something you've never done before. Whether it's trying a new recipe or pick up a craft like knitting, learning something new always gives me a new lease on life.

Daydreaming and people watching. Focusing on something else other than yourself can take you away from your world. Grab a cup of coffee, sit at cafe with a glass of vino and just watch and listen to the world around you. You never know what can turn up.

Meet someone for lunch. Spending time with someone on a sunny day, remembering fun times and planning ahead , can lift your spirits and refocus your energies.

Well, bon voyage for now. I'll be back tomorrow. But, I'm just wondering, how do you escape from it all? What do you do to relax and give yourself a boost? Let me know in the comments.