Stylish Strap Sandals

By Ellen Shear

Let’s face it: High heels may not be the ideal shoe for everyday wear, but they can turn an ordinary-looking leg into a smoking hot gam and make men wish they could climb up that thigh with both hands.

Of course, sometimes your toes are just begging for a rest and sometimes the heels you’ve got on have blistering effects all over your feet, but just as you’re about to swear off heels forever, there, in the window, is the perfect shoe to go with your timeless little black dress. Life is good again.

The beauty of spring and summer is that they allow us to give our feet a much needed breather and a glimpse into the sunshiny days with the help of strap sandals. That said, check out some stylish heels that won’t soon go out of style, and won’t make your feet angry at you.

Black Strap Sandal
Boasting a 4.1” heel, and made of black patent leather with gold clasps, these uber-sexy strap sandals are steady and leave you with a lot of breathing room. Versatile and easily matched with any handbag and outfit, you can show them off with a sexy mini-skirt or make a subtle statement by wearing them with long pants.

Wear them with: A sexy asymmetrical dress, or your low-rider jeans and a sexy sheer top.

Ankle Platform Strap Sandal
With its 3.7” heel, this sexy shoe comes in ivory crocodile, brown crocodile, or even a brown and white orchid print fabric, and the studs on the platform only add character to a shoe with some serious attitude.

Wear them with: A high-end pair of jeans or Capri pants.


Silver Heel Strap Sandals
With a 4”, silver-metal heel with an embossed rose, these strap sandals put the sex in sexy and will complement anything you put on, especially if you opt to wear nothing but the shoes. The leather sole and padded lining ensure comfort (as good as comfort can get with heels, that is), and the crinkled woven silk upper definitely makes this shoe perfect for eveningwear.

Wear them with: A silky evening gown and some diamonds (cubic zirconias aren’t so bad, either).

Wooden Strapless Sandals
Although some people cannot bear to wear shoes that have anything remotely resembling flowers on them, others jump right into that springtime feeling and get on board with the bright, lily-like feel of the season. That said, these 4.5” heel, wooden sandals, appropriately garnished with a golden flower are just perfect for that flowing skirt and warm breeze day you’ve been waiting for.

Wear them with: A flowing, knee-length skirt with a Bohemian top.

Pewter Slingbacks
These dark pewter 3.5” slingback heels are perfect for those warm evenings that call for a casual but sexy outfit. Because the heel is not incredibly high, you can spend the evening dancing your heart out in them, thanks in part to their breathability factor.

Wear them with: A one-piece, plunging-neckline, body-hugging dress with a shimmery necklace and earrings.

More shoes to come

If you’re anything like me, high heels are a welcome addition to your closet on a bi-weekly basis. And worry not; shoe manufacturers aren’t planning on terminating the line anytime soon, so look for me in a couple of weeks.

I’ll be back with more amazing shoes soon enough.

Health Q&A

By Emily Bennett

This week’s health concerns include overcoming caffeine addiction, how to do Kegel exercises, and why calcium is essential for women.

If you have a health question, submit it to Emily at info@ladythrills.com.

Caffeine addiction

I have been trying to quit having my morning coffee, and caffeine in general, but ever since I began, I have these awful headaches. Is there any go-between that can help me get off caffeine without creating an addiction to something else?

Jittering Jen

Hi Jen,

Quitting that morning coffee is difficult for many women because of that instant jolt, but caffeine does have some negative effects on the body (for starters, it makes cellulite more noticeable when ingested regularly and causes dehydration).

And because it’s awful to go from that great jolt to a headache every morning, it’s normal that you would want to find a go-between in the meantime. What you can do is:

• Hold out; the headaches will subside in about five days.
• Have a smaller dose of caffeine (green tea has 30 mg of caffeine per cup; coffee has over 100)
• Take aspirin

Before you know it, you will be over caffeine and enjoying your mornings without it.

What you can do to ensure that you don’t go back to your caffeine addiction is drink something warm in the morning that doesn’t contain a significant amount of caffeine. Hot chocolate, herbal teas and even hot water with lemon will give that warm feeling on cool days without turning you into a jittery mess.

Emily

How much milk women need

Dear Emily,

How much milk should I be drinking? I am 29 years old and weigh 120 pounds, and I drink maybe one cup a day, if that.

Thanks,
Caroline

Hi Caroline,

You need a lot more milk than that per day if you want to maintain healthy, strong bones. One cup of milk has about 300 mg of calcium and women in their late 20s and early 30s need at least three times that to satisfy their needs.

You should be getting about 1,000 mg of calcium each and every day, in the form of milk, yogurt, cheese, soy milk, collard greens, sardines, or supplements.

It’s very important to get an adequate supply of calcium, otherwise, when you’re older, your body will let you down, as your bones will get weaker and there’s a good chance that you’ll develop osteoporosis (a disease that makes bones prone to fracture). Women are 4 times more likely than men to develop this disease.

Emily

Kegel exercises for women

Dear Emily,

Whenever I sneeze, cough or laugh, I pee a little bit. I’m only 25 and this is really starting to worry me. Am I broken?

Trina

Dear Trina,

What you describe is likely cause by weak pelvic floor muscles, and while this is commonly attributed to child birth, it’s possible you were born with this problem and it progressed as you got older.

What you need to do is exercise and strengthen your pelvic floor by performing Kegel exercises (developed by Dr. Arnold Kegel) regularly. This will help you maintain bladder control and might even help enhance your orgasms.

The next time you urinate, try to stop your urine midstream. Even if you are unable to do so completely, you at least know that you’ve located your pelvic floor muscles.

Every day, contract this muscle, hold it for one second, then release. Repeat it 10 times. Do another two sets of this exercise.

Your objective is to work your way to three sets of 20 repetitions. And there’s no excuse not to do this every single day; you can perform these exercises anywhere, any time.

Of course, results will not be immediate; it will take about three weeks before you notice a difference.

Good luck,
Emily

Is eating at night okay?

Emily,

Can you please settle a bet I have with my friend? She is convinced that if you don’t eat after 6 p.m., you will lose weight. I believe a calorie is a calorie is a calorie no matter what time of day it is ingested. Who’s right?

Shauna

Hi Shauna,

You are both right. A calorie is a calorie and whether you dine at 6 at 8 or at 10, what matters is not when you eat, but rather what you eat. But then again, cutting off food at 6 p.m. will inevitably restrict calorie intake, resulting in weight loss.

The reason many people believe that you gain weight when eating past a certain time is because that’s when the “munchies” take effect and people usually reach for ready-made, unhealthy finger foods like chips and chocolate. After all, if any woman ate carrots at 10 p.m., do you really think she’d think she’s going to get fat? Of course not.

A small amount of carrots and a small amount of chocolate may weigh the same going in but the calorie content of each is quite different.

Emily

Lose Fat With Weight Training

By Serena Daniels

Women are always told that cardio exercise is necessary to burn away the fat and strength training is necessary for gaining muscle, but what if I told you that you can lose fat with weight training?

Fat is bulky while muscle is lean, so it’s possible to weigh 120 pounds and have plenty of either. But a woman who has 38% body fat will look much different than a woman who has 19% body fat.

Building muscle throughout your body will make you look leaner and help raise your resting metabolic rate, or RMR, so that your body burns calories (from fat) at a higher rate.

The best way to raise you RMR is by doing consistent weight training exercises for 30 minutes a day, at least three times a week. And don’t bother with two-pound weights; you need to lift weights that are heavy enough to exhaust your muscles.

Cardio can cause muscle loss

Extended periods of cardio exercise can actually lead to muscle loss, so it’s doubly important to weight train on a consistent basis. When you do cardio exercise, some of the weight loss you incur will inevitably come from muscle tissue.

That said, there are a variety of ways to ensure that you manage to make muscle gains with each workout without having to dedicate all your time in the gym to it.

Doing your cardio workout before or after your strength-training exercises is fine, so long as you don’t exhaust yourself to the point where you feel weak. Your objective is to lose fat with weight training.

Watch your diet

Of course, fat loss does not occur through strength training and cardio exercise alone. What you put in your mouth every day also has a serious effect on your body.

That said, eat clean as often as you can (fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and fish) and drink half your body weight in ounces of water every single day.

So you won’t lose fat with weight training alone; you need to ensure that you maintain a healthy, steady diet.

Lose fat with weight training

Do compound exercises

Compound exercises work more than one muscle group at a time. For instance, deadlifts work your lower back, glutes and hamstrings simultaneously. These exercises are ideal for people who don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to exercising or who prefer more of a challenge.

Do superslow repetitions

To complete superslow repetitions, you need to count for the positive and negative parts of an exercise. For example, when lifting a dumbbell for a bicep curl, the lifting toward your shoulder is the positive part of the rep and lowering it back down to the starting position is the negative part.

Count to 10 when you’re lifting the weight up and count to five when you’re lowering it back to the starting position. Complete four to six repetitions of the exercise and aim for three sets. If you’ve been doing weights for a while already, lower the weight you’re doing by about 20% to 30%. It sounds easy, but believe me, this will exhaust your muscles quickly and help you lose fat with weight training.

Superslow reps ensure that you do not use momentum to lift the weights and will improve muscle gains.

Stick to free weights

While machines are great for beginners or women with injuries, free weights are the better option for any woman who wants to use all her muscles when working out, especially her core. This will maximize your ability to lose fat with weight training.

Free weights require that you maintain your balance, tighten your stomach, and firm your muscles. Therefore, if you have the choice between a free weight squat and a Smith machine squat, I recommend opting for the former.

Lose fat with weight training!

When you start weight training, you’ll notice great changes in your body and your clothes will start fitting differently. And I’m pretty certain you’ll be quite pleased with the changes.

Keep in mind, however, that the number on the scale might not change and may even increase. Don’t worry; it just means that you’re making muscle gains.

And a muscular body is sexier than a flabby body any day of the week.

Work it out.

Successful Presentations - 8 Easy Steps

By Amanda Rice

If you’re anything like most women, standing in a room full of people and commanding their attention makes you nervous. And chances are you don’t want anyone to know that you’re that nervous.

But if you have to give a presentation, whining and complaining to try to get out of it isn’t going to cut it, so you need to buckle down and prepare yourself for one of the most successful presentations that your audience has ever seen.

In order to accomplish this feat, you must prepare for the worst and hope for the best. To make sure things don’t go the way of Murphy’s Law, here’s what you have to do.

Successful Presentations Tip #1
Practice out loud
Not only should you be looking over your notes, you actually need to practice your presentation out loud. And if no one wants to hear what you have to say, then you need to tape yourself and play it back to hear the kinds of ticks you may have.

If you say “uh,” “like” or “you know” too often, you may want to work on that. At the same time, if your voice is too low, you may want to raise it so that the people in the back can also hear you.

Successful Presentations Tip #2
Don’t ramble
When it comes to business, more often than not, people say a lot more than is necessary. It is your objective throughout your presentation to avoid digressing from the topic at hand and using filler.

As well, time yourself. Don’t forget that the average adult attention span is 20 minutes, and probably less if you’re presentation is about how bee pollen can improve the climate.

At the very least, make sure that the first 20 minutes of your presentation contains the most important information you divulge, thus ensuring that your audience will walk away remembering it.

Successful Presentations Tip #3
Avoid cheap laughs
Chances are you aren’t familiar with everyone in your audience, which means that you cannot ensure that what you think is funny, will be funny to them. That said, do your best to avoid opening with a joke because if you crash and burn off the bat, there’s no recovering.

And if you begin to feel them out and they seem like the “happy hour” type, then feel free to crack a joke, but at no one’s expense but your own. Do not poke fun at anyone under any circumstance.

Successful Presentations Tip #4
Get them involved
The easiest way to keep your audience interested, or at least awake, is by getting them involved in the presentation. Ask questions, supply handouts so they can follow your presentation, and break them up in groups and get them involved in a brainstorm session about trapping more bees.

Successful Presentations Tip #5
Switch your pitch
Whenever I think of a monotone voice, I remember the teacher (Ben Stein) from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off saying “Bueller, Bueller,” over and over again. You do not want to sound this way during a presentation. Or ever for that matter.

Speak up, walk around the room, lower your voice, do whatever it takes to keep all eyes and everyone’s attention on you. And don’t read your notes, you want your presentation to come off as natural, not as though you’re a robot on playback.

Successful Presentations Tip #6
Call ahead for equipment
If you’re giving a presentation elsewhere, don’t assume that all the equipment you need will be there. Call them up to make sure they have a spare laptop or slide projector if that’s what you need.

This is where things have the biggest chance of going wrong so a Plan B is always a wise move. And if things just continue to head in the direction of crap, just laugh it off. It is not the end of the world. Work with what you have and wing it.

Successful Presentations Tip #7
Prepare for questions
This is tough to do because it’s possible that you are so focused on one angle of your presentation that when someone inquires about some other point, you are left stumped.

So what do you do?

Well, for starters, show your presentation to a mentor or someone in the know about what it is you’re doing, they may provide a variety of angles for you to think about.

As well, if there is a question you do not know the answer to, own up to it and tell the person that you will find out the answer and get back to them. And then admit that as perfect as you seem. Alas, you are not.

Successful Presentations Tip #8
Look the part
You are standing in front of a room full of people that come from all walks of life. While you may not suit everyone’s tastes, you can make sure that you look presentable.

Make sure your hair is clean, you smell clean (without smelling like you bathed in perfume) and your appearance is neat. Don’t go crazy with makeup or dress too provocative, the last thing you need is to feel like the guy in the corner is picturing you naked. At least not until after you’re done.

Perfect your presentation

It’s not easy to get up in front of a crowd and talk about business, but if you arm yourself with the right information and prepare yourself beforehand, even on your worst day, you will still come out looking like a winner.

And that’s just another step in the direction of success.

Pilates Exercise – Does It Burn Enough Calories?

By Vanita Gautum

In recent years, Pilates exercise has rivaled yoga as one of the best forms of exercise for women, and while no one can argue that point, what is known is that, because the activities involved are slow and controlled, the amount of calories burned might not be enough to consider using this form of exercise alone.

Pilates exercise leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to cardiovascular improvements and weight loss, so before you jump into the “Electric Chair,” find out what Pilates exercise is all about and whether or not it’s a sound class for you.

What is Pilates exercise?


Born in 1880, Josef Huberus Pilates was a German athlete who was a pioneer in the physical therapy industry. After arriving in New York in the 1920s, Josef set up a studio in the same building as a ballet class.

By the ‘40s, Josef had become renowned in dance circles as the man who could teach people how to do a sequence of slow and controlled movements that transform the body and lead to the development of strong, flexible muscles without producing any bulk.

As well as muscle development, Pilates’ exercise helped improve posture and flexibility, and students weren’t required to commit to a high amount of repetitions.

Josef developed over 500 individual exercises that were performed on the floor or on odd-looking machines, and each exercise targeted the ab muscles , back and glutes because Josef believed that a strong core would improve breathing, strength, flexibility, and the body’s alignment.

Heart improvement lacking


While it’s true that Pilates exercises do improve the stabilizer muscles and may even leave you with a six-pack (you must be thin to begin with, however), it’s also true that the series of exercises you’re doing in the class aren’t doing much in the way of improving your cardio health or eliminating fat.

In a recent study conducted by Auburn University Montgomery in Alabama, results proved that the calories burned during a Pilates class equated what one would burn after mild stretching.

Of course, it isn’t all bad. The more advanced Pilates students managed to burn nearly 500 calories (based on a 165-pound person), while the beginners burned only 276 calories.

The point is that doing Pilates exercise every day of the week may work wonders for your core muscles, but it won’t benefit your heart very much. For that, you will need to perform cardiovascular exercise for at least 3 hours a week.

Cardio Pilates

Believe it or not, Pilates trainers have picked up on the fact that their classes do not offer the heart-pumping challenges that traditional cardiovascular exercise do. They have therefore begun to offer Cardio Pilates, or Cardiolates, exercises.

In the midst of strengthening your core, trainers will get you up and moving to elevate your heart rate, thus resulting in the best of the worlds. Of course, dedicated Pilates trainers may not enjoy these classes as much, especially if they’ve become accustomed to the serene, controlled traditional classes.

But if you want to kill two birds with one stone, Cardio Pilates may be the best alternative to help you get your heart rate up, increase your core strength and save time.

Keep up your Pilates exercise


None of this information is meant to discourage you from doing Pilates exercise; it is a great workout after all, and goes far beyond your everyday ab crunches. But if you aren’t crazy about the idea of Cardiolates, you will definitely need to supplement your Pilates workouts with other types of exercise.

For instance, if you do Pilates exercise twice a week, opt to add 30-minute sessions of cardio 6 times a week to your workout repertoire. As well, throw some strength training into the mix to build muscle all over your body.

Working out should involve an elevated heart rate, and although Pilates exercise is effective in strengthening the core, it does not help to improve cardio fitness the way traditional cardio machines and exercises do.

So get out there, try just about everything and stick to what you enjoy.

Fall 2007 Jackets

By August Gertz

Fall is my favorite season because that’s when all the deep colors come alive and you get to wear some of the sexiest clothing and footwear designers create. And if you, like most women, don’t have a model-perfect body, fall is the fashion season where you feel most comfortable in your own skin.

2007’s fall finds are unbelievable and, like every year, this season’s styles do not disappoint. So if you want to cover up before you head out this fall, here are the most stylish jackets available for your wearing pleasure.

Note: All coats can be found at BlueFly.com.

Short Black Trenchcoat With Belt
This Michael Kors lightweight, cotton blend black trench is great for those chilly weekend nights when you’re heading out to party with friends.

This coat has slip-buckle belting and is machine washable. I know – it’s amazing that any coat, let alone this incredibly stylish one, would be machine washable. And if that weren’t enough, this 26” long coat can be worn to both casual and formal events.

Wear it with: Dark-blue denim or a more formal pants suit.

Light Khaki Cedar Point Trenchcoat
Donna Karan impresses once again with her take on easy, lightweight coats that have super sex appeal. This DKNY item is made of a cotton blend with full sateen lining.

A five-button front with all over stitch detailing makes the khaki coat look incredibly classy. And although the belt with a plastic buckle is removable, I recommend keeping it on for that added touch.

Wear it with: A knee-length skirt with calf-hugging high-heeled boots.

Stretch Cotton Belted Trench
Although gray isn’t usually on the top of my list of colors to wear, this gray trench is the exception. With its bright accent and original cut, you can bet that the compliments will pour in when you sport this coat.

Stretch jersey knit with a split front and a single-button closure, Fashionista (that’s the name of the jacket) ensures an impression because the coat never closes completely.

Although it needs to be dry cleaned, you can bet that this 35” long coat will be the talk of your wardrobe this fall.

Wear it with: A button-down body-hugging shirt and low-waist jeans.

Brown Lambskin Shearling Coat
For those of you who enjoy nothing more than the soft feel of fur and lambskin, this beautiful lambskin shearling coat will keep you feeling toasty and sexy all at the same time.

With a wide notch collar and easy three-button closure, this creation by Vakko will make evenings out that much richer. The disadvantage to owning such a coat, however, is that it will need to be dry cleaned by a specialist familiar with the materials, but life is too short to pass on such an item.

Wear it with: Your sexiest little black dress and the highest heels you own.

Leather Zipper Jacket
If you’re not one to wear long coats and prefer to show off that curvy bottom of yours, then you’ll fall in love with this chocolate zipper jacket made of soft nappa leather.

This sleek coat boasts a zip front with a standing collar, four front angled pockets and two flap pockets, and measures in at about 23” from hem to collar.

A great jacket for every day, this leather number can easily take you from day to night.

Wear it with: Flat front pants that add some punch to your backside, or the obvious choice – denim.

Rib Trim Asymmetric Jacket
This ultra-feminine jacket in wheat sports extra-long sleeves and an extra-long collar that can double as a turtleneck when zipped to the top.

With rib knit sides, sleeve insets and cuffs, this jackets measures in at 20.5” from collar to hem and provides comfort and a sleek look that’s ideal for fall.

Strategically placed fitted front pockets allow you to forgo the gloves and use them for warmth instead. And the same goes for a scarf; you can zip the coat up to the top and beat the wind easily.

Wear it with: A fitted skirt or good old dark denim.

Fall jackets abound

It’s time to give your old school coats the heave ho and get in on the latest fashion offerings by the designers we love. And with a few fall accessories, looking sexy in the fall will be a cinch.

Until next time, keep it simple.

Best Cardio Workout Machines

By Lori Ryan

When it comes to cardio workout machines, you have a host to choose from. But which cardio workout machines are best for you? Well, that’s what we’re here to figure out.

All cardio workout machines come with their own list of pros and cons, and then it’s up to you to decide which one best suits your needs and physical aspirations.

But before you choose one and stick to it for life, you need to keep in mind that the body adapts to exercise very quickly, so it’s best to choose several machines and switch things up constantly so as to keep your fat-burning furnace on high.

Cardio Workout Machine #1
Elliptical
Pros
Very low impact and therefore easy on the joints.
Great for women who are currently in physical therapy.
Works the upper and lower body simultaneously increasing calorie expenditure.

Cons
If intensity is not increased, you will not get an adequate cardio workout.
It’s easy to go through the motions without much resistance.

Cardio Workout Machine #2
Treadmill
Pros
Teaches you how to pace yourself.
Walking is low-impact on the joints.
There are a variety of programs available that will challenge you with every improvement you make.

Cons
Running is high-impact and tough on the joints.
Too much walking on a treadmill can cause shin splints.
Some women find treadmill walking very monotonous.

Cardio Workout Machine #3
Recumbent bike
Pros
Very low impact on the joints.
Great for women who suffer from back pain and aches.
Very comfortable.

Cons
Because you are not moving your arms, you aren’t burning calories at your maximum capacity.
It’s more difficult to elevate your heart rate because you’re in a seated position.
If you don’t increase resistance consistently, you won’t burn very many calories.

Cardio Workout Machine #4
Upright bike
Pros
Very low-impact on the joints.
Helps to keep your back straight while exercising.
High-calorie burner.

Cons
May cause butt pain if you’re seated for a long period of time.
Not much arm movement involved.

Cardio Workout Machine #5
Stairclimber
Pros
Burns a lot of calories (when done properly).
Tones the legs and glutes.

Cons
High-impact on the joints.
If you hold on to the armrests, you won’t be utilizing the machine the way it’s intended.

Cardio Workout Machine #6
Rowing machine
Pros
An awesome total body workout.
Tightens core, and improves upper and lower back muscles.
Low-impact on the joints.

Cons
Not suitable for any woman with hip problems.
Risk of overstretching back and shoulder muscles if exercise is not performed correctly.

Cardio workout machine options

Now that you know what to expect from each cardio workout machine, you can make an informed decision when using one at the gym or purchasing one for home use.

But above and beyond all else, proper form and focus on your goals are the most important part of any cardio exercise.