Meet the Magnolias

Let's get those gams in shape! I have a workout that I have to share with you. I have tested it out myself and let's just say I have definitely felt the burn.  I know some ladies are scared of anything not called cardio, but have no fear, this is a no-weights-needed workout. It can literally be done anywhere!  I found this workout on a really awesome blog called The Blonde Ponytail . It is part of a GNC sponsored workout series. Lucky for us, the moves are demonstrated via video, because I do not know about you, but sometimes when I read the directions for a new move, I end up confused and feel like I am attempting yoga instead of my intended workout.  Once you get these moves down pat at home, you will will feel confident to even break them out in the gym. I recommend practicing in front of a mirror to make sure your form is correct.  So without further adieu…. Now this video is obviously not the whole workout. This video is only three minutes long, b

A few years ago, I started watching the Real Housewives of Orange County on Bravo . Immediately, Gretchen Rossi became my favorite of the O.C. housewives! (Now I'm a housewife-a-holic, and I watch nearly every variation of the show.) I was lucky enough to get to have Gretchen answer some questions for Meet the Magnolias, and I'm pretty much overjoyed! Hope y'all enjoy finding out Gretchen's favorite things! 1. Who is your favorite artist/musician/band?  Shoot I cannot pick just one! I love so many! I have such a passion for music. I love everything from Country to Pop! Some of my all time favorites are U2, Sarah Mclachlan, and Jewel, and more recently I have been in love with Katy Perry’s music!   2. Where is your favorite place to visit?  Well it’s a toss-up between Paris and Tahiti! Two of my most favorite places in the world that I just love to visit! 3. What is your favorite food?  I am a steak and potatoes girl!  4. What is your favorite color?   But of cours

It's summer so love is in the air! At least that is what I have been told.  I routinely receive phone calls from my friends fretting over what to wear on a first date or any date for that matter. So, being the one and only single Magnolia, I have learned a few tricks thanks to my serial dating tendencies.  Guys do not keep up with the latest trends. In fact, they usually do not even understand half the trends. So, when it comes to picking out a date night outfit, it is better to pick flattering over trendy.  Here are a few of my suggestions: sheinside.com $24 Mango.com $36 I love collaboration for a few reasons. To start with its comfortable. When you are nervous about a date, the last thing you need to have to worry about is your outfit.  Also, I live by the rule: If your jeans are form fitting, the top should be loose. Every outfit should have a balance to keep it as flattering as possible. This outfit is simple, classy, and functional. If skinny je

If I love a combination of things, it's a reality show on Bravo about single folks in Texas. I love the South and pretty people looking for love, so obviously I watched Most Eligible Dallas. The entire cast was GORGEOUS (take my word for it if you didn't watch), but one fiesty little blonde lady became one of my favorites! Meet Neill Skylar .  (Picture from Neill's Twitter!) This sweet lady took time out of her busy day to talk to me for Favorites with My Favorites! (She seriously is too sweet for words!) The format of this particular Favorites will be a little different, as it was a phone conversation rather than a question list! (Picture from  http://blog.nataliepittsphotography.com/ ) Neill likes a number of musicians including The Black Keys, Lana Del Ray, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Jack White - with the White Stripes or otherwise. (Also, Neill is a singer and song-writer. I'm super excited to hear some of the songs she just helped write in

I must tell you, if you haven't already noticed, that I'm a teenybopper at heart. I love the same music and shows that pre-teens do. Can't help it. They keep me young... I typically decide if I like a song or album based on the decision that I either would have made my Barbies dance to it or choreographed a dance at a slumber party to it! All of that to say, I rushed out (on my lunch hour) the day the new Justin Bieber album hit shelves. I couldn't wait to get my hands on Believe . For good reason! My ears/heart/mind must have known that my lofty expectations would be met! (Picture from justjared.com) I can confess that I noticed JB growing older on his Christmas album, but his adult voice is met with a maturity on this album that hasn't been on previous albums. HOLY COW. My obsession at the moment is track 5 - Take You . (There was a track on My World 2.0 that I always said had some Rico Suave writer behind it. This one blows that one away!) I'm

A little background information for you: In 2006, I went to a Passion conference in Nashville with a small group from my church. I didn't even know what Passion was when I signed up, but once I went and experienced it, I was so grateful for the opportunity to attend. I then went in 2007 to Atlanta and to a regional event in Dallas in 2008. Once of my favorite things about the conference was the music. That leads me here, to Favorites with My Favorites, with one of my role models and favorite ladies ever.  Christy Nockels is so many things to me: A voice beyond anything my words can describe, a lady with a humility and peace I admire, and a joyful heart for Jesus. She is a wife and a mom. She is a successful singer and songwriter. She tours with Passion and is a voice of true change for our generation. (Also, she has AMAZING hair.) Christy was nice enough to answer my questions about favorites, so here are her answers! 1. Who is your favorite artist/musician/band

I have to admit, I like rock music to keep my workouts/runs energized. Music is key to my workouts and really keeps me motivated, but lately I feel like the same songs keeps popping up on my iTunes shuffle. The same songs every workout make a long run very "blah", so this is what I did to help break up the monotony: 1. I scanned through my iTunes picking songs I knew I had not listened to in a long time. This is not hard since most people have huge iTunes list thanks to all the amazing ways to download music. Now do not get caught up in reminiscing with sappy love songs or country songs (unless by some unlikely chance that’s what pumps you up). Once I found a few that seemed to never pop up on shuffle, I put those songs in a separate playlist and synced the playlist to my iTunes.   2. My second suggestion is take a trip down memory lane.  I was on iTunes and I thought of an old song by Destiny's Child that I thought would be a great addition to my runni

I'm not sure how I first came across Katie Rodger's work, but I think it was featured on another blog or linked on Twitter. However it happened, I'm in love with PAPERFASHION ! Katie is talented beyond words, and her work is easily recognizable. Read on to find out some of Katie's favorite things! (Pictures from Paperfashion.net) 1. Who is your favorite artist/musician/band?  Right now, Lana Del Rey.  2. Where is your favorite place to visit? I find something great about almost every place I go... but Mexico City was the most unique and inspiring place to me so far!  3. What is your favorite food?  I could NEVER chose a favorite food. I am one of those live to eat types of people!  4. What is your favorite color?  Well I'm not doing very well... I can hardly ever pick favorites with anything. Color... I'm an artist, and I love them all.  5. What is your favorite movie?  I really love the imagination in Finding Neverland and Moonrise Kingdo