No Gym Required: At Home Work-Outs from Love Sweat Fitness

I created Love Sweat Fitness as a community where women can come to be inspired, and inspire one another to live fit, healthy—and most importantly—balanced lives!

As a personal trainer and fitness instructor I am constantly asked what it takes to lose weight and keep it off. The answer is quite simple; eat clean balanced meals and workout consistently. Easier said than done right? Between jobs, families, friends and other obligations, it can seem impossible to make this happen, but I promise you it’s not and it’s 100% worth it.

There is a misconception that in order to be fit you need to spend hours in the gym. It’s just not the case.

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There is a misconception that in order to be fit you need to spend hours in the gym. It’s just not the case. I should know...before starting my fitness career, I lost 45 lbs. without stepping foot inside of a gym. In my experience, women are looking for the same thing: Quick and effective workouts they can easily incorporate into their daily routines, and I am all about creating workouts that will do just that.

Beyond wanting to look great, working out offers amazing benefits for your mental, physical and emotional well-being. You can expect all of the following to be improved from each sweat sesh: mood, creativity, immunity, cognitive function, better sleep, and less stress. I know we could all use some more of all of this!

The most important piece of advice I can share with anyone starting a new workout routine it to listen to your body and don't be afraid of weights! I love mixing up weight training, circuits, intervals and other high-energy exercises to ensure you get the absolute best results in a short amount of time. I wanted to share one of my favorite at-home workouts with you. I also have tons of great workouts you can do ANYTIME on my YouTube channel as well!

What You’ll Need:

·      Towel

·      Water

·      1 Set of Dumbbells

What to do:

·      Complete each exercise moving as quickly as you can

·      Take 2 min break after completing all exercises

·      Repeat set 1-2 more times.

 

Step By Step Exercises

Burpees: 10

• Start standing up with feet hip distance apart
• Hop down and back into a plank
• Hop knees forward and out of your plank
• Exhale and come back to standing
CHALLENGE: Explode into a jump as soon as you return to standing

Butterfly Crunches: 20

• Laying on your back, press soles of the feet together to touch, knees open wide
• Hands rest behind your head, elbows out wide
• Draw the belly button into the spine
• Exhale as you lift the shoulders off of the ground
• Lower back down one inch when you inhale, then repeat
CHALLENGE: Lift and lower your feet in time with your shoulders

Squats With A Shoulder Press: 15

• Start with feet hip distance apart and your weight back in your heels
• Sit back and down, lowering to bring hips in line with knees
• Keep chest lifted and keep knees stacked over heels

• Bring weights to shoulders as you sit into squat
• Push through heels to come to standing and squeeze booty at the top

• Exhale and press weights overhead as you stand

Bicycle Crunches: 30

• Laying on your back, bring knees to a table top position
• Rest hands behind head with elbows open wide
• As you exhale, lift right shoulder off the mat, crossing to meet left knee at center while right leg elongates to hover
• Switch to opposite side (left shoulder to right knee) and repeat

Walking Lunges: 20

• Step right foot out into a lunge
• Knee stacks over ankle on front leg
• Keep pelvis tucked
• Pushing through front heel, step feet together and switch legs

Plank Jacks: 20

• Start in plank position
• Keep hips and booty down in line with heels and crown of the head
• Jump feet apart about two feet
• Exhale and jump feet back together
• Repeat in and out

Katie Dunlop, CPT is a health and fitness expert. After her own 45lb weight-loss transformation, Katie created Love Sweat & Fitness to inspire women to live fit, healthy, and most importantly, balanced lives. She believes you have to love what you’re doing or you won’t keep doing it. Her goal is to provide fun and effective workouts women will love at any fitness level and with little to no equipment needed.

Tomboy KC's Guide to Living It Up In Dallas

Lynsey Eaton traded a life of practicing law in Los Angeles for one of blogging in Dallas, where she's the executive editor of Tomboy KC, a fashion and lifestyle site she co-runs with actress Katie Cassidy. You can catch Lynsey at #CreateCultivateDALLAS, speaking on our panel The Art of the Pitch: How to Present, Sell and Negotiate your Big Idea. In the meantime, we caught up with her and got her to give us some of her favorite places in her adopted city—because we know that if she loves them, we'll love them too (and so will you, obvi.)

"Both my husband and I were working as attorneys full time in Los Angeles and we were looking to make a transition.  Because Katie and I had plans for Tomboy KC and I could work from anywhere, we made the decision to move to any major metropolitan city that had the right job for my husband.  Dallas just happened to be it. When I first moved to Dallas, I wasn’t sure what the culture would be like.  With so much going on, moving from Los Angeles to Dallas didn’t automatically resonate as the right move for someone working on a lifestyle/fashion site.  But over the last two years, so much has changed in Dallas. It is growing in ways I never could have imagined and gaining a lot of national attention from the fashion industry—and for good reason.

Dallas style is evolving. There is still a very classic preppiness and Southern femininity that permeates the City.  That said, there is this strong undercurrent of a cool, self-expressionist vibe that has really started to take hold.  I’m excited about that. The work culture is supportive and Forbes recently put it on its list of “Best Places for Business and Careers.” And aside from having some of the best food in the country (you don’t know BBQ until you’ve stepped foot in Texas), Dallas has some amazing transitional neighborhoods (like Lower Greenville and Bishop Arts) that are really giving the city a new cool culture."—Lynsey

On date nights, hit Gemma.

Best coffee shop: Magnolias Sous Le Pont

Best brunch spot: Henry’s Majestic

Best romantic restaurant: Gemma

Best clothing store: Forty Five Ten

Best neighborhood for strolling around on a Saturday afternoon: Bishop Arts

Best neighborhood for bar hopping on a Saturday night: Lower Greenville

Favorite place to pamper yourself: ESPA

Best place to go for an iconic ‘Texas’ experience: The Rustic

The first place you take an out-of-town visitor: The rooftop at HG SPLY CO

A Berry Bramble at HG SPLY CO

Dress for Success: In the creative world, what does that even mean?

My mom thought I was sartorially unprepared for my entré into the professional world—and her doubts were well-founded. Three weeks after graduating from college in Kansas, I’d managed to land a job as a magazine editor in New York. I celebrated this feat like any reasonable 22-year-old would, and got matching tattoos with my best friend.

I’d kept the tattoo on my left foot carefully hidden, but mom was on high-alert after she found my “To-Do Before New York” list, on which I’d written “get tattoo” because that was just the kind of responsible person that I was. One morning, mom’s suspicions proved true, when I got out of bed and sleepily forgot to put socks on.  She was irate, and I got a strong lecture about living and working in the real world—aka, being an adult—and also a new wardrobe, which was a strange punishment. But the new wardrobe was dressy officewear—black, boot-cut dress pants (this was the early ‘00s), stretch cotton button down shirts, and pointy black kitten heels—all the kind of clothing that I would never buy for my self, and all the kind of stuff that my mom was convinced I’d need in my newfound life as a fledgling career woman. I packed it all into my suitcase, got myself a one-way plane ticket, and once in New York, never wore a single piece of it.

My mom was far from the only parent I knew who tried to equip their offspring’s closet for grown-up cubicle life. My roommate’s dad insisted she get a suit custom-made. “You’ll need it for interviews!” he said, even though she had just spent four years studying sculpture and had no intention of going on interviews, much less any that required a suit. Her dad was involved enough to take her to the tailor, but not involved enough to stick around for the process. With no parental supervision, she designed and had made the suit of her dreams: billowing, wide-legged pants, topped off with a sleeveless button down suit vest that came complete with a detachable hood and had a bright pink lining. The result—though made with care and by no means cheap—was too hideous, even for an art major.

For our parents’ generation, dress for success meant somber, conservative clothes that made the wearer blend in and look responsible. For our generation, especially those of us who aspired to creative careers, the rules for dressing for success were much more vague and open to interpretation. And in a sense, also much harder to follow.

When I got to New York, I wasn’t rebelling against anything by not donning a button-down and dress pants that my mom had bought me. I would have worn them had they seemed appropriate, but they actually didn't. No one I worked with dressed like that, at all. I worked with beauty and fashion editors, who wore distressed jeans and platform heels, vintage dresses, boutique bags and handmade jewelry. They didn’t dress like they were trying to look responsible, they dressed like they were cool. If that was success, then dressing for it was as hard to grab onto as a chiffon scarf billowing in the breeze of a passing L train. The other adage we always hear is 'dress for the job you want, not the job you have.' That's a good point, but when the job you want seems to involve a Céline bag and a Saint Laurent jacket, that's hard to accomplish on a Forever 21 budget.

Fortunately, I had a savoir: fast fashion. I couldn’t afford what my coworkers were wearing (and in retrospect, I’m pretty sure a lot of them couldn’t afford it either), but I could at least keep up with the trends. Every paycheck, I'd treat myself to a high-street shopping trip, where I'd scrutinize the sale rack at Zara as if it were the new arrivals at Barneys. I still remember one of the best, possibly back-handed, compliments I’ve ever received, from a senior beauty editor I worked with. “I don’t know how you always look so cute,” she said to me one day as we were walking out of the building, “When I know you don’t make any money.”

As my career progressed, my jobs got more ‘creative’ and my outfits followed suit. Since I now had the job I wanted and no longer had to just dress for it, the lines blurred between what I'd wear out on a Saturday night and what I'd wear to work on a Tuesday morning. Was it always appropriate? Probably not. I once showed up to work a holey T-shirt that I’d bought off eBay (I was in a vintage Americana phase), which said ‘Maui High Life’ and was illustrated with weed leafs arranged to look like a beer can logo. “Nice shirt,” my boss said. “Thanks!” I said, “It only cost $4.” Once again, hindsight is 20/20, and he was probably being a bit sarcastic.

It wasn’t until I quit my full-time job to go freelance that I really started to think about how I dressed again.

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It wasn’t until I quit my full-time job to go freelance that I really started to think about how I dressed again. When I was working for a brand or a company, I had that pedigree behind me. I could go to meetings in a weird hat and astrological nail, and know that the business card I threw down on the table was my calling card of professionalism and know-how. But representing myself, I didn’t have that luxury.  Instead, everything about me had to look professional and like I knew what I was doing. When I'd quit my full-time job, I’d initially told myself that things like shopping and manicures were luxuries that would stop when my steady paycheck stopped. Instead I came to see them as, if not actual business expenses, at least justified purchases. I had to dress for the jobs I hoped people would hire me to do. Since I work from home, I still don’t get dressed every day (and I’m actually sitting here in leggings as I type), but you can bet that when I have a meeting, I put on something appropriate, wear a little makeup (to show that I didn’t just roll out of bed), and leave the weed T-shirt at home.

How to dress for your own version of success:

1.     Know what looks good on you. Even if everyone around you looks killer in a trend, skip it if it doesn’t work on you. I love the look of a sophisticated one-piece jumpsuit, but since I’m short, I just look like I’m the janitor who’s come to take out the trash.

2.     If you don’t know what to wear, ask. Every place I’ve ever worked has been non-traditional, and it was always painful to see people show up to interviews in a suit (le sigh, they probably listened to their parents or a well-meaning career counselor). You can always ask the person setting up your interview if there’s a dress code, and they’ll probably give you some hints.

3.     If you’re going to a meeting, think about your potential client. You wouldn’t show up to a meeting with Coke drinking Pepsi, would you? If you’re meeting with a fashion company, you don’t have to wear their brand, but dress on a level that’s on par with their products, and be aware of obvious brand conflicts. People want to know that you can understand their brand and think like they do, and what you wear is just one way you demonstrate this.

4.     It really is all about the investment pieces. I still shop high-street brands like Zara and Topshop for most of my clothes, but have learned to splurge on shoes and bags. A nice bag will make the most casual outfit look more polished. Have your eye on a few investment pieces, and set up sale alerts (ShopStyle is great for this) so that you can snag them as soon as the price drops.

5.     Avoid impulse buys. Give yourself a monetary limit, and if something costs more than that, impose a waiting period where you have to think about it. Usually, practicality will win out, but if you really did fall in love, and can’t stop thinking about those red patent leather pants, then by all means. Eventually, by buying thoughtfully, you’ll end up with a wardrobe as opposed to a closet crammed full of things that don’t go together. That's the kind of closet that induces those "I have nothing to wear!" mornings.

6.     When in doubt, keep it simple. Your outfit doesn’t always have to make a statement, especially when it comes to job interviews or meeting new contacts. Coco Chanel herself is quoted as saying it is always better to be slightly underdressed, and when you leave, you want people to be talking about you, not what you were wearing.

Kate Williams is a freelance writer and editor in Los Angeles. Previously, she was editorial director at Nasty Gal and at Urban Outfitters, and a senior editor at NYLON magazine. Her work is a mix of editorial, ghostwriting, branded content and fiction.

Blawnde Ambition: Annie Lawless's Guide to Healthy Living

We dare you to get to know Annie Lawless and not be inspired to take your health into your own hands—it'd be impossible. After being diagnosed with Celiac's disease at age 12, Annie learned first hand how much what you put in your body affects how you look and feel. Now, she blogs at Blawnde.com (where she's refreshingly honest and doesn't try to be perfect), is a certified health coach and also a co-founder of Suja Juice (which recently sold a stake in the business to Coca-Cola for a whopping $90 million) and co-author of the New York Times Bestselling book The Suja Juice Solution. In spite of all of this, Annie still took time out of her schedule to answer our burning health-and-wellness related questions. Read on, and sign us up.

What is your go-to tip for dealing with anxiety?

BREATHE + MEDITATE. Anxiety has a funny way of creeping up, taking hold of your mind, and running with it. Before you know it, you’ve traveled miles and miles with this thing in control of the direction of your thoughts. Meditating and breathing deeply into those thoughts and releasing them while clearing the mind of all judgment and thinking really helps me reset the station and come back to a neutral place. When I finish meditating, I usually feel so much less attached to the thing I was worried about and sometimes not worried the slightest bit about it anymore because I’ve stepped out and can see things more clearly from a totally different perspective.

What supplements do you take and why?

PRENATAL VITAMINS: It can’t hurt any girl to take a prenatal vitamin! They are packed with higher values of important vitamins and minerals for reproductive health and it’s not a bad idea to nourish our reproductive organs as long as we have them (even if we don’t plan on having kids).

PROBIOTICS: I’ve taken prescription-grade probiotics for years because I had some Celiac’s related damage to my intestinal lining. Apart from removing gluten from my diet, I credit juicing and probiotics as the two most important things in getting my digestive health back in a good place. The digestive system is really the key to overall health and responsible for so many bodily functions. It is responsible for absorbing nutrients, removing toxins, allergens, and microbes, immunity, metabolism, and mood. If you don’t have a healthy balance of good bacteria in your gut, your health will suffer and you will have all kinds of symptoms that may not seem related like skin rashes or depression, but they are.

FISH OIL: Omega-3 fats have soooo many health benefits! They help your body produce hormones that stop inflammation. They also help produce chemicals that keep us in a good mood and regulate sleep. The American diet is too high in pro-inflammatory omega-6 fats found in vegetable oils like peanut, sunflower, soy, and corn and too low in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats found in salmon, flax seeds, omega-3 enriched eggs, and walnuts. A good ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 is 2:1, but most of us have a much much higher omega-6 intake than omega-3 thanks to all of the packaged, processed foods prevalent in our markets, restaurants, and fast food. A fish oil supplement can help bring the ratio to a better place by providing a steady source of omega-3’s.

MAGNESIUM: Magnesium is an amazing nighttime mineral because it has a relaxing and calming effect on the muscles and nervous system. 80% of Americans are deficient so taking a supplement is a great idea.

DIGESTIVE ENZYMES: Poor digestion can throw off healthy gut flora, and enzymes are key substances of the digestive process that help break down our food for proper absorption. Without enough enzymatic power, food can’t be digested correctly and that can cause all sorts of digestive abnormalities. Enzymes are responsible for every chemical reaction in the body, so it’s important to have enough to digest and absorb the nutrients in food that are necessary for life. Supplementing can really help you feel better after meals and digest more easily.

BIOTIN: This one is more for vanity because it’s great for hair, skin, and nails! Biotin is a B vitamin that helps thicken nails and support hair growth. I bleach my hair which is about the worst thing you can do to it, so I’m always super conscious of supporting it any way I can. Even better, biotin plays a key role in nervous system and hormone function, which helps the skin look clear and prevents rashes and acne.

What is your go-to lunch when you’re on the go but still want to eat healthy?

Whole Foods salad bar! I just Google the nearest Whole Foods wherever I am and make a big green salad with romaine or arugula, loads of veggies that I’m feeling that day, a protein like egg, tuna, or chickpeas, and I always steer clear of the bottled dressings and just go for olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Then I run to the produce section and buy an avocado to put on myself because they don’t have it at the salad bar and avocado is my life.

Always play in the game of life—don’t just hang on the sidelines.

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What’s your favorite place to go to recharge for the weekend?

Rancho Valencia Resort in my own city, San Diego! It has the most unbelievable spa and yoga pavilion, and a great bar/restaurant called the Pony Room that becomes such a hot spot at night. Whenever I’m with a group of girls, we can stay on the property completely contained for a couple days with zero need or desire to go anywhere and we feel like we’ve completely disconnected from life on the outside. The perfect girls day is starting with yoga in the morning, brunch by the pool, massages, a light later lunch with rose, a mani/pedi, drinks and dinner at the Pony Room, and late night dessert and coffee in the Hacienda. It is perfection.

Your favorite form of exercise and why?

Yoga, walking, and occasional running! Most often, I wake up and do yoga every day first thing for an hour. I do power, vinyasa flow, yin, and hatha, depending on my mood. I barely consider this a workout because I love it so much and it sets me up for a relaxed, calm, centered mind the rest of the day. On the days I wake up feeling like getting outside, I opt for long walks. I never go inside on a treadmill because it makes me feel like a hamster. I like to be outside and get inspired by nature, the sunrise, the ocean, the trees, or whatever it is that my surroundings provide that day. By the time I’m done, I’ve had a total mood and mind transformation and it feels really awesome. I like to walk for an hour or two and I almost always go to the beach or a hiking trail. Then, there are the random days that happen as often as once or twice a week or as little as once a month, when I wake up craving some miles. When this happens, I don’t have any distance goals or rules in mind whatsoever,  I just run as long as it feels good and stop when I’ve gotten what I need. This can be as little as three miles or as many as eight miles. On these run days I tend to wake up more ansty, restless, and carrying nervous energy. Running really helps me release that and leave it behind so I can enter the day fresh and clean slated.

Your skincare routine or a quick tip that gets you glowing?

I am such a freak about skincare! I ALWAYS stick to a good skincare routine no matter what. I have very dry skin, so the main focus for me is hydration. If I’m wearing makeup, I massage my face with coconut, almond, or olive oil all over to cut through it and help it wash off easily. Then, I wash my face with Eminence Coconut Milk cleanser, which is a creamy nourishing formula that doesn’t strip moisture from my skin and removes all of the makeup. Then I tone with Sanitas Hydrating Toner to exfoliate my skin without irritating or drying it out. Next, I warm a few drops of a beauty oil with my fingers (right now I’m loving the Sunday Riley oils) and press it into my skin, focusing on my cheeks and chin. Finally, I smooth on a super hydrating face cream, and this is the most important step for my skin! I switch it up a lot, but right now I’m using the Fresh Crème Ancienne and it’s amazing!

What has been the most exciting thing for you with Suja?

With our new 12oz Essentials line at a lower price point, we have been able to reach a broader consumer market and expand our distribution from the natural space to conventional retailers like Costco, Target, Vons, Publix, Safeway, Kroger, and Wal-Mart. This is an exciting shift in the availability of organic products at an approachable price point for the mainstream shopper and is a huge step in our mission to democratize organic, non-GMO juice.

What’s in your makeup bag?

Ooohh I love my makeup! I am a full face of makeup kind of girl so I like to “get ready” every single morning. For an everyday look, I always use Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder, Nars Bronzer in Laguna, Nars Blush in Angelika, the Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Eye Palette, Christian Dior Waterproof Eyeliner in Trinidad Black, Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Blackest Black, and Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss in Pout. Those items are my makeup ride or dies.

What’s your mantra or life philosophy?

Always play in the game of life—don’t just hang on the sidelines. If you don’t play, you don’t have the opportunity to win. Even if you lose, you’ll have fun and learn valuable lessons and skills for getting back out there and trying again for a win.

Catch Annie in person at #CreateCultivateDALLAS when she speaks on our panel From Start up to Success Story: Meet the ladies killing the game.

T.G.I.Fall: The perfect seasonal cocktail

The minute Labor Day is over, I can’t wait to start playing with fall flavors. It’s my favorite time of the year to make seasonal cocktails, as apples, pears and figs pair perfectly with booze and get me excited for the holidays ahead. In the spirit of “back to school,” here’s a little lesson. Consider me your teacher of leisure class, and today we’re going to learn a killer recipe that can be your go-to for entertaining this fall. Fancy enough to impress, but easy enough to mix up for any occasion.

Fancy enough to impress, but easy enough to mix up for any occasion.

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Autumn Gimlet

2 oz Gin

.5 oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

.5 oz Brown Sugar Simple Syrup (1:1 ratio sugar + water, diluted)

1 Pear

3 Sage Leaves

Club Soda

Dollop of Butter

In a pan, melt a dollop of butter. Cut pear in half and place each half face down in the pan. As pear starts to brown, add a splash of the brown sugar syrup. Cook pear until it starts to caramelize. Remove from pan and slice each half into quarters.

In a Mason jar or cocktail mixer, muddle 1/4 of the pear, 2 sage leaves and the gin, lime juice and simple syrup.  Add ice, shake vigorously.

In a glass, add ice. (I like the square Tivoli ice trays for a perfect cube.) Strain the cocktail over the new ice in the glass.

Top with a splash of club soda, and for garnish, add a slice of the caramelized pear and a sage leaf.  

Put on your favorite fall sweater, sip, and savor a perfect fall moment!

Cheers,

Rachel Mae

Rachel Mae Furman is a self-proclaimed “Leisure Expert" on a quest to elevate moments, create occasions and curate experiences at any given moment. She has spent the last decade traveling the country scouring the back roads and small towns of America for inspiration, then jet-setting from city to city on the corporate dime, building booze brands in the liquor business. Inspired by her Grandmom Doris to be the perfect little hostess, Rachel is known for whipping out a mason jar Old Fashioned from her purse just when you need it. Her blog Smoke & Honey celebrates the art of leisure, from cocktails to entertaining, style to homemaking. Follow her @rachelmaefurman. 

Bike Life: Whether to work or for play, it's time to #rideon

Two years ago, preschool teacher Chelsea Petrozzo turned her love of spin class into a business idea, and CitySeat was born. CitySeat makes bright colored and portable bike seat covers that can be used on stationary spin bikes and shareable bicycles, like CitiBike in New York. We caught up with Chelsea to have her tell us why she loves biking, and why you should, too.

A shareable bike can change your life.

I started using CitiBike about two years ago when I was running late to dinner. I had only ever biked in the country so I was a little apprehensive, plus I had heels on and the traffic by my apartment is fairly crazy. I had just started prototyping CitySeat, so I figured now was the time to test the product! After I took my first ride I was hooked. There is never traffic, I get exercise while doing things I would normally be doing, and I get everywhere in the same time or less than it takes me in a cab.  

Riding a bike is a new way to see the city.

I live in the middle of New York City so in a car, the scenery doesn't move so much because of traffic. It can take up to 20 minutes to get 10 city blocks. The subway is not the cleanest and always crowded. The reason I love biking is the freedom you get from being on an open road with no one near you. It's hard to have personal space in New York and riding a bike is about the only time you get that. There are so many bike lanes and the West Side Highway allows you to be outside and explore, something you don't get from alternate transportation. At CitySeat, we also really want to promote lowering our carbon footprint, so the more I can get out on the bike the better.

I love the freedom you get on an open road with no one near you.

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Biking is exercise you can fit in even without going to the gym.

I tend to bike to and from spin class three to four times a week and I try to take a long bike ride every weekend. On an average week, I log about 10 miles on a CitiBike and about 60 miles at SoulCycle. Biking is really the only exercise I enjoy, so I try to get it in when I can.  

Biking is good for you and the environment.

Bicycling significantly reduces transportation emissions and reduces traffic congestion and the need for petroleum. According to Transportation Alternatives, "If 5% of New Yorkers commuting by private car or taxi switched to biking to work, they could save 150 million pounds of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to the amount reduced by planting a forest 1.3 times the size of Manhattan." 

It's so easy to make the switch once you see statistics like this and know you could easily help our earth. It doesn't hurt that you burn a TON of calories, it tones your body, boosts your energy through the output of dopamine in the brain, and it lowers your blood pressure and cholesterol. 

Riding in a city doesn't have to be scary.

I was very afraid at first. I stuck to streets with bike lanes and would walk the extra way to avoid cross streets. One day pretty early on, I left a really invigorating spin class and told myself I was going to do it. I picked up a bike in Union Square and walked it across the big intersection. I still stayed on one street all the way down, and then turned on a street with a bike lane but slowly, I began to take more risks. It's very important to be aware and ride to the side of traffic. Cars are just as scared of you as you are of them so as long as they see you and you make yourself known, you're going to be ok! Once you get the courage the first time, you'll be able to #RideOn. 

Stay safe!

Always, always, always wear a helmet! When I first started riding I was embarrassed to carry a goofy helmet around, but safety comes first. You're not that well protected out there in the open so make sure you're safe. You always need a CitySeat to separate you from the elements and other people who have ridden before you ;). Also, as a biker, know the rules of the road and follow them. Don't try to blow through lights or go the wrong way because it's convenient. The safest and easiest way to ride is by following the rules.

And helmet hair is avoidable.

I carry a comb with me so I can quickly brush through my hair. I also often have some dry shampoo to give myself a little volume. I also keep makeup removing wipes (I love the Simple ones that don't leave any oil behind), to just refresh myself after a ride. One thing I have learned, especially on a CitiBike, is to use a purse that zips on the top so you don't lose anything along the way! 

CitySeat was a no-brainer. It combined something I loved with an obvious need.

About two years ago, I was hooked on SoulCycle and became a spin fanatic. At the same time, CitiBike was coming out in New York. I was on a vacation with my family in Europe sitting at a coffee shop, watching all of these men and women riding bikes to work, dressed beautifully but with plastic bags covering their bike seats. After a few people rode by I thought, I don't get it, is there not something out there for a bike seat cover? I figured if these people were spending time getting ready and worrying about their appearance, why not take it all the way and get a waterproof, comfortable bike seat cover to go with their look?  

We believe everyone should have access to a bike.

When I first started CitySeat, I knew I wanted to give back in some way and wanted to have it correspond to something with children. I'm a preschool teacher so the idea of biking and kids was on the forefront of my mind. My product designers work in Dumbo and constantly passed Recycle-A-Bicycle. We met with Karen Overton who is the director and she really captivated us. Hearing about the growth of Recycle-A-Bicycle over time and all the work they do with educating children about safe biking was really inspiring. RAB have the kids work, crafting the bikes from start to finish to get that opportunity to go on an amazing bike ride all over New York just spoke to me. When we asked what she needed, she said helmets and that was that!    

Chelsea Petrozzo is a native New York preschool teacher by day and entrepreneur by night. Chelsea has always had a passion for fitness and fashion and like many, loves a good tap back during cycling class.

Read Up: The Crossroads of Should & Must, Part 2

Two weeks ago, we started reading Elle Luna's The Crossroads of Should and Must. This book appealed to us because a) it's beautiful, and b) the author's story really resonated.

A little over a year ago, I left my full-time job to become a freelance writer. I'd worked full-time for 12 years at five different jobs, and while I loved what I did, I couldn't ever shake the feeling that I was copping out. What I really wanted to do was write, but every time I'd start to talk about this, everyone wanted to talk me out of it. "But you have such a good job... It is so hard to get paid as a freelancer...there's no money in writing." I'd walk away from these conversations shaken and feeling like I should just be happier with what I had.

However, this resolve would inevitably fade, and I'd again start to feel like I was faking it. I did have an amazing job and I was grateful for that, but I also knew that as long as I was too scared to give full-time writing a go, I wasn't given my job the attention and enthusiasm it deserved either. I had one foot in and one foot out, and it's hard to be passionate about a half-assed life.

Finally, one abandoned cart of groceries at Whole Foods later (I panicked in the check out line—what if quitting my job meant I could no longer afford food?), and a teary conversation with my boss, where I explained it's not you, it's me (and she totally got it), at 34 I became what I'd wanted to be since I was 15: a freelance writer.

I wish I'd had this book then to walk me through it (I probably would have bought the groceries), because Elle's advice is practical yet encouraging. There are lots of inspiring stories and quotes in the book, but she pairs them with straight-talk exercises that make you examine your own truths that might actually be anything but.

Since I knew what my must was, the parts of the book that were most helpful for me were the ones that dealt with should. Exercises in the book helped me identify beliefs that I had that weren't based on experience, just things that I'd been told as a child and never examined—that I should not rock the boat, that I should never expect that things will work out, and that I should always take what I could get.

But for those who don't yet know what their must is, Elle has tons of exercises to help you figure out what it is. This part comes with a warning though: once you identify your must, it is hard to go back and be satisfied, and that your brain will rebel, because choosing must raises real and scary questions.

Now that you know what your must is, and the ideas that are holding you back, the second half of the book deals with all the practicalities of making it happen: money, time, space and vulnerability.

If you're reading along, let us know your thoughts in the comment section below or @ us with #ccreadup. What kinds of 'shoulds' do you have to stop listening to? What's your must?

Kate Williams is a freelance writer and editor in Los Angeles. Previously, she was editorial director at Nasty Gal and at Urban Outfitters, and a senior editor at NYLON magazine. Her work is a mix of editorial, ghostwriting, branded content and fiction.

Link Up: What we're reading, watching & lovin' for Sept 18

Your weekend reading material right here: Lauren Conrad, total boss; the anti-it bag it-bag; an eight-year-old journalist, tech bubbles, an elegant way to schedule Instagram (finally!) and more.

Is this 8-year-old's newspaper better than yours?: Talk about a girlboss.

Is Silicon Valley in another tech bubble?: From unicorns to unicorpse...

Mansur Gavriel's first NYFW presentation rolls out more covetable goodies.

The world through rose colored filters: How Lauren Conrad went from MTV reality princess to social style queen.

Mindy Kaling has a perfectly reasonable request.

Ryan Adam's covers Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood" with a full album of 1989 covers on the way.

Meet the Magic Castle's only female magician. Aka, your new favorite badass.

An elegant way to schedule Instagram. #GENIUS

An artist, some muppets, an astronaut and a foodie: Meet the newest Livestreaming stars every brand should know about.

And it even rained in LA.

Show How You #TestTheWater + Win!

We've teamed up with our friends at Simple Skincare and GoLiveHQ to bring you the ultimate business kick-start by reflecting on what has motivated you to getting any new business venture, side hustle or project going!

Start off fall right by entering to win a set of Simple Skincare Micellar cleansing products to put your best face forward, a $350 GoLiveHQ website template, and a tote-ally rad Create & Cultivate tote, notebook, and tee!

HOW TO ENTER:

On Instagram, all you have to do is share a photo showcasing how you are testing the waters with a new venture.  Make sure to tag + follow @createcultivate, @simpleskincare, @goliveHQ, and #TestTheWater, and you're in!
 
On Facebook, tell us in the comments on this post how you are testing the waters with a new venture and tag it #TestTheWater. Make sure to follow us, Simple Skincare, + Go Live HQ, and you're in!

GOOD LUCK!

Giveaway ends 9/22/2015, 11:59PM PST. No purchase necessary. Open to US legal residents who are at least 18 (eighteen) years old at the time of entry. Winner will be contacted by 9/24/2015. Must have a ProPhoto account for Wordpress, a Squarespace account, or Showit account for GoLiveHQ templates to work. Submissions must not contain material that violates or infringes another’s rights, including but not limited to privacy, publicity or intellectual property rights, or that constitutes copyright infringement.  One (1) prize per person.  Prize is nontransferable. No cash alternative or prize substitutions allowed. Prizes may not be sold, bartered, or exchanged by the winners.

Style Guides: The Colorful Content Queen Bri Emery

It's been said that "Good clothes open all doors," and perhaps no one knows this to be true more than the entrepreneur—which is why we're kicking off Style Guides, our new series on women who've merged business and fashion sense to build seriously stylish careers. These icons understand that personal style is a lot more than just what you put on in the morning. Rather, it's how you present yourself, define your brand and stand out in a crowded space. So stop, look and listen.—PRESENTED BY TOPSHOP

Bri Emery is an art director based in Los Angeles, CA and the creative director behind the lifestyle blog and design studio, Design Love Fest (where she hosts regular workshops for creatives). She’s lent her creativity countless brand campaigns and brings her knack for bright colors and composition to life on her popular Instagram feed. 

Instagram: @designlovefest

Wearing: Topshop checkered trousers, Striped Daisy Trim Tee, Neon Floral Jacket

First 3 apps you check in the morning (in order)?

Mail, Instagram, Calenmob

What's next on your to-do list? 

I am planning the designloveFESTIVAL, which is happening on October 24th!

What’s your earliest internet memory?

Lots of AOL chat boxes and my terrible guessshopr29 screenname!

What was a breakthrough moment in your career?

When I quit my full-time job and took a leap of faith that this blogging world would work out for me!

You've been granted a 2-week, all expenses paid vacation: Where do you go?

Greece and Turkey are next on my list! Just Google “natural baths in Turkey”—it’s unreal.

Who would be your dream person to call up for business advice?

Tina Fey

What's the next creative project you'd like to tackle?

I’m starting to get into product collaborations and definitely interested in doing more of them!

What's your go-to look on the job? Off-duty?

My work outfit isn’t that different from my off-duty look! I prefer a pair of black or patterned cropped trousers with a simple striped tee and white Vans.

"Why are we working so hard if we can’t pause for a second and be proud of our efforts!?"

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Any words of advice for fellow creative hustlers?

When you are a hustler, I think it’s easy to forget to enjoy your successes. I know for me, I will finish a big project and immediately start thinking about what’s next. Why are we working so hard if we can’t pause for a second and be proud of our efforts!? We should all do that more often.

Your 3 most-used emojis?

Heart, Crying-laugh, Dancing Girl

Photos by Calvin Lim, @killacalshoots 

Link Up: What we're reading, watching & lovin'

From "Why Live Streaming is the Future of Fashion Week" on Racked.com

Your weekend reading material right here: Everyone goes to fashion week, anti-fashion is still fashion, The Rock saves puppies; and following your head or your heart.

Why Live Streaming Is The Future of Fashion Week: With IMG is streaming 51 shows, this will be the most watched NYFW yet.

Why Americans Dress So Casually: A fashion historian's interesting and academic take on why everyone's in sweatpants.

Amuse: i-D magazine x Vice's new platform. They state that nobody's perfect, but this new site is pretty close. We're obsessed with all of their content.

Choose Your Own Adventure Instagrams: These are our account director Drea's jam right now. She got sucked into one Weiden + Kennedy created for Old Spice, and also recommends Rick and Morty Rickstaverse. Play on your phone to get the full experience.

We're Not Nearly As Busy as We Pretend to Be: Something to think about, and will FOMO soon be replaced by JOMO, the joy of missing out.

The Rock rescues drowning puppies: Cements status as world's favorite person ever.

Are you a head person or a heart person?: How you answer could say a lot about you.

What emotionally intelligent people don't do: Including indulging in indignant passivity and not recognizing indifference.

What Everyone Thinks It's Like To Start a Successful Startup: When do we get bought?

Professional Opinion: Maxie McCoy on When—and How—to Take a Sabbatical

Have you ever had a moment of such intense frustration that your mind wandered to ditching it all, putting your things in storage, moving to a foreign country to just be, and create. You probably shrugged it off as totally illogical. Completely impossible. Crazy. And irresponsible. But what you should really do the next time your mind goes there is go for it. Literally do it. Take the leap.

Around this time last year, a version of this happened to me. I had a dream business I wanted to launch. Everything else seemed like a block to it. A loud whisper told me to go. Instead of pushing it down, I gave it a microphone. And I went—to the other side of the world to Bali—where I created the foundation for my now very real dream. The next time you get the urge, call or screaming whisper to take some significant time away, re-read the answers to these questions, because they're probably the very same questions that are holding you back. 

What if I don't have enough in the bank?

I didn’t either. Truly. When I thought about needing to go away and jumpstart my dream, it was the last thing I had thought about or financially planned for. But then I learned the power of “and” by getting over my own fear. I learned it didn’t have to be one or the other—I could work a bit and still go away to work on my dream. I talked through it with a team that I loved, and had work I was grateful for. It was a win-win for everyone.

If that’s not realistic, then create a plan for what you would need. Having lived in a dream-place like Bali, it’s amazing how much less you need for your day to day. Get out an excel sheet. See what you’re working with. You’ll likely be pleasantly surprised.

Having space will provide clarity beyond anything you can imagine.

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What would I do solo for so long?

Everything. Nothing. Anything. You might surf. Or write. Or better yet create the foundation for your future business. Hire an intern to help you move things along. Finally sit down to create the business plan. Meditate. Stare at the ceiling. Having space will provide clarity beyond anything you can imagine. You’ll get into the groove of uninhibited creativity. And it’ll be momentum that will carry you and your dream work forward.

No matter what you do, you’ll learn what it means to find happiness and comfort from within. You’ll learn to rely on yourself for the comforts you need, instead of your usual external go-tos. And you’ll likely meet a lot of friends along the way, whether you stay close to home or travel to a faraway continent.

Will people think I’m crazy?

Totally possible. I’m sure many people thought I was. But the right people got it. And that’s what matters. Largely, people who are openly judgemental are simply experiencing something within themselves as they watch you go after something awesome.

And regardless of who judges, and who raises an eyebrow, I can promise you this: When you return, everyone will want to talk to you. You’ll be the business launch that has a very fun story. And you’ll have an experience so important to the development of your soul and your work in this world that what 'they' think is rockingly irrelevant.

Everyone needs some space. Space to breathe. To dance. And most importantly to dream. There’s no better place to jumpstart your future than on a sabbatical.

Maxie McCoy is the energy designer of Maxie, where she shares soul wisdom on the digital video series #maxie and her weekly writings. Maxie offers soul sessions, workshops, one-on-one coaching, and words of wisdom you really shouldn't miss. If you want your spiritual and emotional IQ shooting to the stars, follow along at maxiemccoy.com. 

Style Guides: The Minimalist Modernist Jayne Min

It's been said that "Good clothes open all doors," and perhaps no one knows this to be true more than the entrepreneur—which is why we're kicking off Style Guides, our new series on women who've merged business and fashion sense to build seriously stylish careers. These icons understand that personal style is a lot more than just what you put on in the morning. Rather, it's how you present yourself, define your brand and stand out in a crowded space. So stop, look and listen.—PRESENTED BY TOPSHOP

Our obvious first choice to profile was Jayne Min. After starting her career in streetwear, Jayne captured a loyal following through her blog, Stop It Right Now, where she showed off her monochrome color palette, a knack for pairing high-end labels with skate sneakers, and a fluid androgyny that was the epitome of tomboy chic.  Now, she works on both sides of the camera creative directing, styling, designing, and then some for brands such as Stella McCartney, Moda Operandi, Calvin Klein and Marni. We caught up with Jayne, gave her a few pieces from Topshop, and she gave us a piece of her mind.

Instagram: @STOPITRIGHTNOW

Wearing: Topshop white cropped trousers & funnel neck top

What are the first 3 apps you check in the morning (in order)? 

Mail, Calendar, Notifications 

What's next on your to-do list?

Volunteering at shelters!

What’s your earliest internet memory?

AOL chat rooms

What was a breakthrough moment in your career?

In my design career, finally designing at my teenhood dream skate company (Emerica). In my internet career, being featured in Vogue for the first time in the September issue 2012.

You've been granted a 2-week, all expenses paid vacation: Where do you go?

I would either do a Europe tour of London, Berlin, Antwerp, Copenhagen; an Asia tour of Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong; or go with my dad to climb Kilimanjaro again.

Who would be your dream person to call up for business advice and why?

Not specifically for business but for general career and family balance advice, probably Phoebe Philo. Obviously she's widely loved for her designs, but I admire and respect her as a working family woman. It's aspirational.

"I admit I've pushed it a few times wearing bathrobes around the office."

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What's your go-to look on the job? Off-duty?

Comfort is everything, on and off duty. I've been fortunate to have had a career that didn't require me to have a separate work closet. Being a designer in the skate apparel industry, I was always free to wear whatever I wanted. I admit I've pushed it a few times wearing bathrobes around the office. AC in the workplace is a serious issue. You'll rarely ever catch me in a skirt.

Any words of advice for fellow creative hustlers? 

Have respect for your profession and take the time to learn the craft and learn from and respect your predecessors. And never think you're above anything.

3 most-used emojis?

Heart, Devil, Poop

Photos by Calvin Lim, @killacalshoots 

T.G.I.F: Strategic Double Booking with Smoke & Honey

The New Happy Hour via Chalkboard Mag (Photos by Tyler Thomas)

Turning Networking into a Social Affair

by Rachel Mae Furman

All we need as busy entrepreneurs are a few more hours in the day. Is that too much to ask? Well, apparently yes, so we need to be more clever with our time.

It’s time to start strategically double booking to kill a few meetings and social obligations with one stone. Now, I’m not talking about important meetings that require your undivided attention. Contracts and budgets require a special one-on-one focus. But those meetups you just haven’t been able to get around to—that friend who wants to collaborate, an old colleague that started a new business, that younger friend who wanted advice... Pretty soon you’ve got every lunch and happy hour booked two months out at the expense of your precious downtime.

"strategically double-book to kill a few meetings & social obligations with one stone"

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Spending all of your extra time meeting up can make good social interaction start to feel like obligation or a chore, which sucks all the fun out of the experience. It’s time to start multi-tasking and turning meetups into strategic social occasions. Instead of running all over town, I like to combine two or three meetups into a productive happy hour at home. But there is an art to getting everyone on-board and staying on-task. Here are a few tips on how to execute a fun and productive multi-meeting:

1. Keep it Simple

Throwing a party takes planning and energy. Just having 4-6 ladies over for crudité and networking isn’t as overwhelming. Have a purpose and a few treats and keep it at that.

2. Curate Your Crew

When combining meetings, you want everyone to feel like they got more out of the experience, rather than less of your attention. Keep the group small, and make sure everyone is from a similar industry or could benefit from being introduced.

 

3. Build Anticipation

An invitation always makes a get together feel more special. Make a simple invite on Paperless Post to set the tone for a special and productive day.

 

4. Set the Intention

Be clear in the wording of your invitation that this is a productive meet-up to bring together a few of your favorite ladies to network or talk about a specific topic over a glass of wine or a cocktail.

 

5. Stay On Task

Start the Happy Hour with an agenda. Introduce everyone, say why you brought everyone here, and mention some specifics that you’d like to discuss.

 

6. Keep the Timing Tight

Chatting can often last for hours. Be clear upfront about timing—a start time and end time—so that your invites will be remembered as productive and efficient rather than all-day affairs.

 

7) Make Easy Treats

Since this is a meeting with colleagues, you need something that wows but is easily executed, so focus can stay on the topics at hand. See the recipe below for an easy and healthy happy hour hack…

 

Fresh Pressed Juice Cocktails

It's easy to make fresh cocktails for a happy hour or a meeting; the key is a little preparation. The cocktail doesn't have to be complicated if the presentation can provide the "wow" factor. For a healthy cocktail option, I use an easy template of Spirit + Juice + Bubbles. Just mix your favorite Pressed Juicery flavor with 1 ounce of your spirit of choice and top with an artisanal soda. I like rum and ginger beer with Apple Ginger Lemon Cayenne juice, gin & tonic with Strawberry Lime juice, and vodka and club soda with Beet Apple Ginger juice.

Before the gathering, I pour all three ingredients into mini glass bottles with a funnel, capped off right away to hold in the carbonation, then kept refrigerated until guests arrive. When the party starts, the guests can simply pour their pre- made cocktails over ice, so it leaves the hostess—you!—free to mingle.

The Drink Template

1oz Spirit (Vodka, Gin, Tequila, Rum)

2-3oz Juice (Favorite Pressed Juicery flavor)

1oz Bubbles (Artisanal Soda)

With an agenda and a cocktail in hand, you can now mingle about the room freely. You may just bang out three collaborations by the end of the evening, catch up with some colleagues and feel on top of your social life. Who says you can’t do it all?

Cheers,

Rachel Mae

For more on the pursuit of leisure visist www.smokeandhoney.com

Create & Cultivate's Good Hair Day with Paul Mitchell

Photo by #createcultivateCHI attendee @wayfaringrachel

There was great hair a-plenty bouncing around #createcultivateCHI. From perfectly tousled waves (as Instagrammed above by @wayfaringrachel) to heat-wave friendly braids, and we followed the trail right back to our very own Beauty Lounge where Paul Mitchell was serving up some really, really good hair days. Along with envy-inducing hair, our attendees left with a bevy of Paul Mitchell products (one of our favorites is their Extra Body hairspray) to keep up the look at home. The Paul Mitchell crew also did hair for some of our panelists, so be sure to check out Rachel Parcell’s flowing locks and Nadia Aboulhosn’s high-pony for even more inspiration!

Thanks to skincare from Simple, technology from Nu Face, Venice Collection manis from OPI, makeup by The Glam App, and of course, Paul Mitchell on hair, we hope everyone left feeling confident inside and out, Instagram-ready, and primed to take on the world!

Tag your best beauty moments with #createcultivateCHI and #paulmitchellus so we can follow along! 

What to Wear & Where: Topshop x Create + Cultivate

We teamed up with @topshop to pick a few of our favorite looks for work, play, and #createcultivate! We've been posting them all week and here's a roundup of all the looks (and where to get 'em).

See them all on Instagram @createcultivate and get ready to shop the Topshop pop-up at #createcultivateCHI on Aug 15th!

 

[clockwise from top left]

At the Office 

White Trousers, Ribbed Funnel Neck Top, Fringe Boots

At the Conference

 Graphic Striped Top, A-line Bouclé Skirt, Strappy Pointed Flats

T.G.I.F. 

Ribbed Funnel Neck Top, Fluro Mini, Satin Sneakers (on sale!)

The Interview 

Belted Utility Dress, Metallic Platform Pumps

Professional Opinion: Maxie McCoy on Cultivating Inspiration

Creator and Director of Local Levo Maxie McCoy knows a thing or two about getting out of your own way to make a path toward your dreams. We can all learn a thing or two from Maxie's soul searching (and to that point, she'll be mentoring at #createcultivateCHI!), which is why we asked her to share her advice and adventures in just going for it. First read about her life (and career) changing trip to Bali, then read below for how she continued making room for inspiration once she returned home. —JM

Maxie McCoy on Cultivating Inspiration

(when you're feeling anything but inspired)

Who doesn’t love being struck by inspiration? You feel more creative. More excited. And filled with more energy when you’re find a little #inspo. Your business needs it. Your projects benefit from it. Your teams and your audience reap the outcomes of your inspiration.

But how can you benefit from inspiration when you’re feeling anything but inspired? For starters, by actively participating and by doing whatever it is you need to create space for the inspiration you so badly want.

Earlier this year, surrounded by the most beautiful energy in Bali, inspiration hit me everywhere. Living there was the greatest leap I had ever taken. My days were open to possibilities, my writing was flowing. I had so many ideas they couldn’t be contained. It was like living in a constant state of creativity. But within months of being back, my days filled with meetings. My nights filled with should and could-haves, and my weekends with wedding season functions. Suddenly my inspiration well felt dry. The ideas I had seemed lame. The motivation to create lagged. I was oh so uninspired.

Was it because I wasn’t in Bali?

Then at a moment of acute frustration, while I was questioning to a friend why I felt so different, so uninspired to work on the things I had been building for so long, she said the one word that clicked it all together: space.

Space is required to summon your inspiration. Space is necessary—physically and emotionally—to keep your ideas fresh and your energy clean. And it doesn’t have to come in the form of extreme measures. More often than not, the space for inspiration happens in the tiny moments and quick decisions throughout our everyday lives. Think about the following:

• How many afternoon or evenings do you keep for yourself? Not for partners. Or family. Or friends. Or work. But for you?
• How often do you let yourself do nothing?
• Do you choose nature and wide open skies to feel the possibility of space?
• Do you turn off your phone to read?
• How many times do you let your mind wander toward what you want, instead of what you should?

These are a few minor changes that can you make to start seeing a major creativity-boost. If you want to feel inspired, find a way to create space for inspiration. It can only happen when you take responsibility to creating the opportunity for it. Let yourself be inspired—it just might change your life.

Maxie McCoy is the energy designer of Maxie, where she shares soul wisdom on the digital video series #maxie and her weekly writings. If you want your spiritual and emotional IQ shooting to the stars, Maxie is the place to be.

Let Maxie be your guide to unlocking your brilliance by following along at maxiemccoy.com. Maxie offers soul sessions, workshops, one-on-one coaching, and words of wisdom you really shouldn't miss. And get tickets to #createcultivateCHI to land a seat a our Mentor Power Hour with Maxie. 

T.G.I.F: Making Room for Leisure

We know sometimes it can be all hustle and no flow. Rachel Mae Furman is Create & Cultivate's resident Leisure Expert, founder of Smoke & Honey, and our go-to girl for tips on cocktails, parties, and the art of entertaining. She'll regularly be serving up the best ways to mix and little business with pleasure.

Making Room for Leisure

by Rachel Mae Furman

Like many in the world of Marketing, Events, & PR, I’ve spent the last decade or so building and strategizing brands. My strategy has always been to think of each brand as a personality. What would it wear? What music would it listen to? Where would it hang out after work? From there I can see the entire lifestyle, demographic, and market, and a clear vision begins to take shape. It’s like the brand and I were dating, exploring the city and figuring out our scene together. 

We all combine work and pleasure, and these days our “work lives” can overlap almost entirely with our “social lives," forming one big blur of activity. And that’s okay, if we are willing to make pleasure our business as much as we let work into our personal lives. 

"be willing to make pleasure your business as much as you let work into your personal life"

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Here’s what I mean. In my days of building brands, there was a standard formula we would follow. First, we’d build a "Brand Plan" assessing and defining the brand values and essence. Then, we’d decide on a strategy for the direction we wanted to go in that year. Do we continue to hit the same market? Branch out to a new one? Infiltrate a new scene whilst not alienating the current one?

Next, we’d create programming that aligned with those goals, plot an execution plan, figure out the logistics, and then work on “selling it in” and getting everyone on board. 

So that got me thinking: why don't we make “Brand Plans” for our social lives? Let’s be honest, how many times have we sacrificed our personal to-do lists because we were too busy doing our work to-do list? We have made a habit of tossing our pleasure aside for work, and our personal lives suffer because of it. In my opinion, this is not a healthy lifestyle choice.

Now, what I’m suggesting is not that we make our social lives a chore, or forgo work altogether, but a suggestion that we think ahead and plan ahead, making it a priority to kill it at leisure as much as we kill it at business. At the end of the day, we'd probably end up getting better work done as a result of a little more "me" time. 

And I think that starts with a Personal Brand Plan, or a “Leisure Strategy,” if you will. Here’s a guide to help you start:

 

What are your Personal Leisure Values this year? 

Career goals aside, what are you into? What are you all about? Are you geeking-out on? A new hobby? Loving the home-body life? Feeling super social? In creative-introverted-hibernation mode? Live music? Nature? Check in with how you're feeling and what's most important to you. It's easy to lose track of.  

What is your Leisure Strategy?

Based on the values above, what do you want to do more of? If you’ve been hibernating lately, is this a year of getting out more? If you’ve been a social butterfly, would you like to spend more time relaxing? If you’ve just redecorated your home, do you want to have people over more?

What is your Leisure Programming? 

Okay, so you know what direction you want to go in. Now what are some tangible ideas to make that happen? If you want to entertain more, how about a weekly brunch at your place, and a seasonal BBQ in your yard? If you need more R&R, why not commit to a monthly “staycation” or book a day at the spa? A few outdoor music festivals? Trivia Nights at your local bar? 

What’s the Leisure Execution Plan?

Now that you know what you want to do: put it in writing. Put it on the calendar. Make the To-Do list. You know you would meticulously plan if it was for a client, so why not do it for your personal life? If you can put some recurring leisure time on the calendar, or invite some friends in on it to hold you accountable, you're far more likely to stick to it.

Sell it in. 

Time to get everyone on board and excited about your plans. Make a fun Paperless Post invite, tell friends to Save the Date, and build some anticipation. Or if your plan is less social and more “you time,” announce it on a social network, get excited about it yourself. Whatever the plan, get the word out and it will start feeling real. You might even encourage someone else to do the same.

My whole point is that you need to plan for leisure in order to invite more of it into your life. It's the entire thesis behind my lifestyle business Smoke & Honey, and it's treating me well. Make it a priority, not something to get around to if you can muster up an energy left after tending to work. We all know that your business will flow better if you’re happy, and your work will be on point if your leisure is on point. So, what’s your plan?

Rachel Mae Furman is a self-proclaimed “Leisure Expert" on a quest to elevate moments, create occasions and curate experiences at any given moment. She has spent the last decade traveling the country scouring the back roads and small towns of America for inspiration, then jet-setting from city to city on the corporate dime, building booze brands in the liquor business. Inspired by her Grandmom Doris to be the perfect little hostess, Rachel is known for whipping out a mason jar Old Fashioned from her purse just when you need it. Her blog Smoke & Honey celebrates the art of leisure, from cocktails to entertaining, style to homemaking. Follow her @rachelmaefurman. 

Happy Hour: The Traveling Round of Cocktails

We know sometimes it can be all hustle and no flow. Rachel Mae Furman is  Create & Cultivate's resident Leisure Expert, and our go-to girl for tips on cocktails, parties, and the art of entertaining. She'll regularly be serving up the best ways to mix and little business with pleasure. It's always Happy Hour somewhere, so we'll drink to that. —JM

The Traveling Round of Cocktails
by Rachel Mae Furman
 

Summer is upon us and that usually means lots of potlucks, BBQs, picnics and backyard parties. To which, of course, you should never show up empty handed. And while everyone else shows up with the standard bottle of rosé, why not show your host that you appreciate all of his or her efforts with a little something special? 

Since I appreciate a good cocktail wherever I may be, I like to bring the bar with me. But I’m not talking tools, shakers, and mixers, or jello shots. I mean a good round of craft cocktails that's portable and ready to go. Here’s all you’ll need for a Traveling Round of Cocktails:

Ditch the standard bottle of rosé for your next hostess gift and try this instead

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1) Choose Your Recipe

Anything from a citrus cocktail like a Vodka Lemonade to a stirred cocktail like an Old Fashioned or Negroni. Liquor.com or the Epicurious app are both great place to start for inspiration. It's best to skip a recipe that requires soda for this one, as bubbles don’t travel well (that said, you could always add a splash when you get there)!

2) Choose Your Vessel 

Mason Jars are the way to go. You can pre-make each cocktail, screw on the lid for travel, add some ice when you get there and give it a good shake. It’s like your own individual cocktail shaker!

3) Choose Your Package

Invoke some serious wow factor when you show up to a party with a vintage mini suitcase and pop it open to reveal your round of drinks. Any decorative box or storage basket could do—once you’re thinking cocktails, take a peruse around Michael’s Crafts or Target and soon every box will start looking like a potential bar!

4) Keep It Cute

For extra credit, I cut a piece of cardboard the shape of my suitcase lid and spray-painted it with chalkboard paint to write my drink recipes on. You can also find cute mini-chalkboards online or at a craft store. Also consider custom print mason jar labels with your logo or an image for the occasion, and/or line the inside with a pretty kitchen towel in a coordinating color. While everyone else shows up with the ninth bottle of rosé for the evening, revel in your hostess magic as you offer them a cocktail from your suitcase!

Added Value: Here's my go-to recipe for a Peach Negroni

 

Negroni Pesca (“Peach Negroni”)

1oz Gin (I like Art in the Age SAGE Gin for this one)

1oz Suze Liqueur

1oz Lillet Rosé

3 Dashes Peach Bitters

Stir all ingredients together with ice, garnish with a grapefruit peel, and enjoy!

Rachel Mae Furman is a self-proclaimed “Leisure Expert" on a quest to elevate moments, create occasions and curate experiences at any given moment. She has spent the last decade traveling the country scouring the back roads and small towns of America for inspiration, then jet-setting from city to city on the corporate dime, building booze brands in the liquor business. Inspired by her Grandmom Doris to be the perfect little hostess, Rachel is known for whipping out a mason jar Old Fashioned from her purse just when you need it. Her blog Smoke & Honey celebrates the art of leisure, from cocktails to entertaining, style to homemaking. Follow her @rachelmaefurman. 

Celadon & Celery's Desktop Floral Faves to Hit Refresh

Photography by EDGE Studios/Sean Kilgore-Han

Whether you're in a cubicle, corner office, or a sunny loft space with an open floor plan, bringing in some choice plant-life is the ultimate in functional decorating. Some well-placed greenery can not only brighten up a space with a little color, but they can also purify the air around you—and a little extra O2 goes a long way in creating a more relaxing, peaceful workspace. We know that spending time in nature is linked to reduced stress levels, so we've asked Bess Wyrick, founder of Celadon & Celery, and the mastermind behind many of Create & Cultivate's floral arrangements, to round up a few beautiful houseplants that are easy to care for (green thumb or not), and effective at increasing oxygen and clearing out toxins for a little breathing room.

1. Magnolias

(above, center) Fresh magnolias are total stunners in a vase (or even an empty coke bottle) at your desk. They'll brown and wilt quickly if not kept in water, and will only last a couple days, but since they're in season, you can easily pick one on a lunchtime walk (they're especially easy to find blooming around trees in Los Angeles) and impress everyone in the office with a fancier bloom. 

 

2. Philodendron

The heart-shaped philodendron is a popular plant choice for indoor areas, as they're easy to care for (they're just fine in low-medium light), smell divine, and make you feel like a queen. Like the English Ivy, they are particularly good at absorbing airborne toxins and formaldehyde. Pick them up at your local nursery or get a starter plant for under $5 on Amazon.

"Cubicle or open floorplan—a little extra O2 can go a long way."

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3. Cacti + Succulents 

(above, left) Desert plant-life is having a major moment. You'd be hard-pressed to scroll through any California-girls Instagram feed without spotting some cacti—they're even Create + Cultivate's unofficial mascot (here's proof). These low-maintenance plants are a powerful toxin eliminator and air purifier, and they're one of the easiest plants to grow, as they thrive even in dim lighting and cooler climates, and as you know, they won't require too much water. You can get 20 gorgeous succulents in 2" pots for under $25 and pass them around the office. Everyone will love you.

 

4. Ruby Ball Cactus

(above, right) We hate to play favorites, but we love the Gymnocalycium Cultivar—sometimes called Ruby Ball cactus or Moon cactus—it's actually two cacti in one. A pure red cactus seedling lacks the ability to produce chlorophyll and will die unless it is grafted onto a green one. The green feeds its mutant-mate sugar molecules produced from water and carbon dioxide. Once established, the two parts grow together so you can't even see the seam. These cacti typically live only a few years and do not grow appreciably, making them ideal for small spaces, and apartment dwellers.

For a breath of fresh air and some truly epic floral-porn, follow Bess and Celadon & Celery on Instagram @celadoncelery. 

 Not your average flower child, bicoastal designer-slash-stylist-slash-floral goddess Bess Wyrick is a force to be reckoned with. Founder of Celadon & Celery, a NYC and LA-based event and floral design company, she’s a style guru with an affinity for peony tattoos and rich life stories that run deep. An adopted child from a family of eight siblings, Wyrick straddles the earthy and the ethereal, exploring the continents (she’s frolicked through flower fields on every single one) and spending mornings with her fiancé and feline friends in the serenity of her new Culver City studio. Follow Bess @celadoncelery.