Cinch Me, Squeeze Me.

The summer is over and while we all mourn the bad ass laissez-faire attitude that the summer affords us, something about the fall gets us back into a routine. I secretly think that a lot of us actually welcome that routine. In New York, school is in session. But, I don't mean school for kids, I mean activities for adults that draws back all of the grown children from their summer homes in the Hamptons, NOFO, Fire Island, you name it. The US Open (now over), Fashion Week (wrapping up) and the UN Assembly (may never end) are all happening in this fabulous city in September. The Pope is even on his way here. I don't know about you but the Catholic school girl in me feels like I am being called in for penance of my summer sins. Yikes.

Fashion Week is a perfect distraction to make the beginning of fall a joyous occasion. Ironically we are actually looking forward to spring but the enviable fashion geniuses who have the craziest Fashion IQs show up to New York and provide us with endless inspiration from the front rows. I am sure you have shopped more than you normally do this week...who can blame you? Use your Fashion Week hall pass as a brilliant excuse to rack up points on your favorite credit card. Yes, I am the devil.

I would like to share with you today three looks that cinch and squeeze in all of the right places. Being a fitness gal this is a good reminder that just because bikini season is "over" (in my head it is NEVER over), it doesn't mean the diet is over. In fact, this is a perfect time to cleanse and get your body ready for a beautiful season that lies ahead. And who knows if you wake up on an island one day after a night of partying...you just really never know.

Look 1: Cinch Me

Just because it is fall, it doesn't mean I plan on becoming a nun. I will show skin and I will not cover up...just yet. I sing another tune in the frightfully cold winter. I'm obsessed with this look. I found this body suit at Necessary Clothing for less than $40. The Reformation makes a very similar one and is always sold out of it. I actually went to their store first and they didn't have it. I got my hands on something that accomplished the same effect and cheaper. Perfect example of "go with the flow", maybe the universe always has your best interest at heart ;) I bought some high, high waisted jeans from Urban Outfitters. Considering I'm short, I am surprised they didn't reach my boobs. These jeans were $69. I am hooking you up. The accessories as always are like one to two months of rent (just kidding...kind of). But goes to show the right shell with the most perfect garnishes can achieve a splendid look. The bag is Chanel in case you have trouble seeing that jumbo bad boy (in which you may need to make an eye appt) and the booties are Louboutin.

LOOK 2: A little bit of a Squeeze

This look has a downtown cool vibe that can be easily be transitioned from a relaxed to a more polished look. The dress is from Urban Outfitters and it fits very nicely but the fabric is fairly thin. With this particular color, I wore a slip under not to give everyone a free show! I couldn't find it on their website but I bought it in stores earlier this week and it comes in black, coral and grey. It was less than $50. I paired it with a cool flannel shirt also from UO and $49, I tied it around the waist for an effortless vibe. I wore an awesome Rag & Bone hat, my Saint Laurent bad ass sneakers and Saint Laurent bucket bag. You must go to Astoria, Queens to Agnanti Cafe for the delicious frappe yourself. 

To transition this look into something a bit more "formal" or evening "appropriate". I took off the sneakers (just so you know takes like 20 minutes with all of those buckles), ditched the flannel and put on some Louboutin booties (from like 2 years ago but best investment ever). DONE and DONE. Just so you know, this material wrinkles kind of quickly.... Oh and how could I forget....I don't leave home without my J Brand leather jacket in the fall.

Look 3: A lot of a Squeeze

So this comes as zero surprise that I am wearing black on black. This look feels sleek and sexy. This dress pretty much hugs you everywhere and lets the whole world know if you had a big or small lunch (true story). I got this bad boy at H&M while I was in DC back in August. I LOVE going into stores that we have in NY in other cities to see what merchandise they get. Sometimes its different and sometimes you can find a size that you need. This dress was $49 and it has little slits for your thumbs which I die for. I've paired this look with the same accessories in look 2.

Don't expect me to entertain you here, I am drinking my wine.

This is me saying "No FAYE, I will not eat your tasty treats like brownies and chocolate covered strawberries".

This post would not be complete with out a very special thanks to Faye from Agnanti Cafe for letting us use her unique space. I grew up in Astoria and always love coming home. Faye has done something remarkable with this spot, she hosts local artists, singers, vendors for trunk shows, etc. She really does invest in the community she belongs to, such a great example. Oh and the food is pretty good too. 

Despinaki was may set designer and provided some great accessories, creative input and made funny faces for me to laugh. I would also be nowhere with out the genius work of my very scary Romanian photographer Natalia.

Love you guys, be good...the Pope is coming xoxo

P.S. Surprise coming soon, follow me on insta: @KorebyKelly to stay in the know!!!

Monday Mantra

May you be happy, may you be healthy, may you be whole. These are the words that we used in a meditation exercise led by Sage Rountree at Wanderlust yesterday. Wanderlust offers a variety of events around the country. This event was a "mindful triathlon" comprised of a 5K run, a yoga class led by Dharma Mittra and a meditation led by Sage Rountree.  I can not exclude MC Yogi, I kind of want to be his groupie. DJ Drez and him led us in a light hearted and fun yoga practice before Dharma Mittra. Every single person on stage brought forward humor and wisdom, which is a very challenging pairing. It made them so relatable and the information that they shared easily seeped in. Prospect Park, Brooklyn provided the perfect back drop to this colorful and invigorating event. I am working on a short video to share of this event :)

One of the things that stuck with me the most was the exercise that Sage led us through. She broke it down into segments but in a nutshell we had to picture people who are easy to love, ones we are more neutral about, people who are less easy to love and lastly ourselves. In each segment, we pictured their faces and worked on sending them metta, loving kindness and goodwill.  With each face that populated our minds, we said to them "may you be happy, may you be healthy, may you be whole". It was interesting to see how easy it was to do this for those who are easy to love, even the neutral ones were a piece of cake. When it came to those who challenge us, that definitely challenged me. I found however; once I said the words and truly only sent them metta my whole attitude shifted and softened. Admittedly, the hardest person for me to send love to was myself. Self esteem and self love are not equivalent. I have learned that I have a lot of work to do with better loving myself.  I am really good (too good) at loving and forgiving others but I tend to be hard myself and sometimes unforgiving. Yesterday I pledged that would all change moving forward. At this point in my life, I no longer want to hold on to grudges nor do I want to live in conflict with the person I interact with most: ME. The only way I can unlock all of this self love is by living in the present moment and speaking kindly to myself regardless of what my journey brings. Unlocking this self love will improve my relationship with myself, others and yield my exponential potential to shine. I am pledging to follow this mantra not just this week but moving forward. I hope you take it easy on yourself and start by saying "may I be happy, may I be healthy, may I be whole". Speak kindly to YOU as you are listening and every word you utter does make an impact.

Wishing you lots of love and light. 

Kelly xo

OH Dress Me Derek...

I think I have a new fashion boyfriend and his name is Derek Lam. If he showed up at my house today like the Publishing Clearing House people and told me that he would dress me for a year, I would scream like any of those people who won a million dollars on TV. According to wikipedia he lives in Gramercy. I am very close to Gramercy so I see a restraining order in my near future. So, I think you have gotten the picture by now....I am thoroughly OBSESSED with the Derek Lam 10 C + Athleta collaboration. I ran to the store in my flip-flops yesterday and now I have to wear more of my Hello Kitty band-aids (my boyfriend would argue that I thoroughly enjoy this). I recommend you putting on sneakers and running there too because this stuff is hot and therefore likely to sell out as quickly as a SoulCycle class. The reason I like this collection is because 1. It uses my most favorite fabric EVER a whole lot: LEATHER! And 2. It has a certain level of sophistication. Crazy prints are so popular in fitness leggings (and I love them) but Derek takes an alternate route and jazzes up the traditional legging via color blocking. This speaks to his high fashion roots and provides a richer look to each piece. I would be great on Game of Thrones or in the Caveman era because I would be very pleased rocking leather and fur for the rest of my days. The fact that I don't eat meat is a whole other problem that I would have had...but in any event, giving me a leather item is almost as good as diamonds. In the winter, I live in leather leggings. I have a black, burgundy and a navy pair. I have been lusting over a pair of olive ones that I saw at Intermix (my jaw is open as I type this). So I had to buy the pair that my new boyfriend made. They are sick. They are like a mullet...except there are two kinds of parties...one in the front AND the back. The front is supple and soft leather and the back is a compression legging. Check this out: NO swamp ASS. They have an adorable grey waist band that I enjoy and they are $298 which is a whole lot less than any leather leggings I have ever seen. Go get these and LIVE in them. I want Santa to get me the Downtown Leather Jacket. I am sharing that here in case Santa needs help. I also want Santa to know this is the first item on my list and there will be more so keep reading until December :) The leather shorts and joggers are sick too. I guarantee you will exit the store with at least 1 leather item.

In the following look, I layered a Helmut Lang bra and a grey tee (old staples I will never get rid of). I rocked my new Saint Laurent bad ass sneakers and an A.L.C. hoodie that I plan on living in forever (scored the hoodie on sale at Intermix over the summer and the sneaks at Saks). This is an awesome travel look for cooler weather. I would only wear the sneaks if you have TSA pre-check because they are a real challenge to get on and off. I have my trusty Rimowa carry on and Saint Laurent bucket bag for this look. I borrowed the sunglasses off of Natalie's face and she doesn't know where she got them…sorry. I went the extra mile with a dark lip, just felt so right.

With this look, don't be surprised if you get confused for being a celebrity. Just saying...

The next look is totally different. I bought his green color block set and rocked it with a denim shirt to break it up. Its paired with Chanel sunnies, a trusty KbK tote and a soy latte from Breads Bakery (yum). I hit one of my favorite places in the world: the farmer's market to pick up some fresh veggies for last night's dinner.

Thanks Nat for my awesome pics. If you need pics, she is the bomb and I am not greedy and happy to share: bellaroxdesigns@gmail.com

Hope you enjoy the rest of the week, see you Monday xoxo

Every Yogi Has Her Day

Yesterday I was lucky enough to join 10,000 yogis in Central Park for the Lole White Tour. Practicing with 10,000 yogis who were all wearing white as a symbol of peace reminded me of what feels lost in yoga lately . Don't get hysterical, let me explain....

I have been practicing yoga since I was 16, way before it was cool. I found refuge on my mat. My monkey mind learned to SHUT UP. Even if it was only for a few minutes within an entire one hour practice that was enough for me to be hooked. Coming to my mat at a young and impressionable age, I found the yoga community very welcoming. I didn't feel like I needed to already be "flexible" or "strong". I simply felt that I just needed to be me. Everything that happened on my mat whether it was mental, physical or emotional, made me a better version of myself one class at a time. Lately, when I tell people that I am a yoga teacher, I hear "I'd love to come to a class but I'm not good enough yet" or "I'm not flexible" or "I'll embarrass you". Can I tell you...that really pains me but on the flip side, I kind of understand where this is all coming from. Since we live in a world of social media overload, the saying "Comparison is the thief of joy" (thank you Teddy R.) could not be more true. We see tons of pictures of amazing and talented yogis doing the coolest things but that is not necessarily what yoga is about. What you see is a shape, achieving shapes is not the goal of yoga. The physical practice is actually used to help prepare for mediation, it is all about working on the "Self within" versus the image you see on the exterior. The concept of non-attachment is also a huge pillar in yoga. So, be a yogi starting today and don't attach yourself to the images that you see and be open to discovering that beyond the shapes there lies so much more in yoga. I am a teacher since 2008 and a student for over half my life now. I still can't do every pose and I have a fear of inversions. That doesn't make me a less qualified yogi, it makes me human. It also doesn't mean that I don't enjoy seeing the amazing physical capabilities of some yogis today or that I won't keep trying to nail a handstand. It simply means that I am going to accept the journey. Each one of us is made completely unique, anatomically there will be things I can never achieve and things that will cause me little or no effort. Regardless, I am not attached. The goal is not to focus on that but the person who lies deep within. So don't let what you see hold you back. There are so many beautiful rewards yielded from a yoga practice. Find a teacher and a community that is willing to welcome you exactly where you are in your practice.

It is Thursday and YES it is a fashion post but I really needed to share that with you. I am going to share some great pictures of a very "New York" yogi look: all black. I look very serious in some of these pictures because I am concentrating to share some pretty "shapes" but don't let my resting serious face deceive you. I really don't take it all that serious. Scroll all the way to the end and I'll prove just that.

About this look: In these pictures, I am rocking a version of the Koral Activewear Lustrous Legging which I had purchased a while ago at Saks. I paired it with a staple that I have had for a while now, the Michi Empress bra which I purchased at Bandier. The version I have is still available on Michi's site. Bandier has the Feline bra which is very similar. I added a black fish net muscle top from Blue Life Fit as my finishing touch.

I told you...every yogi has her day :)  Thanks Nat for the action pics and Diane for not telling me dogs pee there. xoxo

Monday Mantra

Today's post is short and to the point. It's Monday yet again. This time, we have reached the end of August and the end of the summer will follow. The desire to change always symbolically aligns with the start of a new week, month or season. Everyone starts their diets on a Monday, gets back into "their routine" come fall, etc. My word of advice is start your diet on a Saturday, get your "routine" going now and stop waiting for specific moments to define your evolutionary course. Seize it NOW and define it YOURSELF. A lot of times, we wait "until" or "when" which makes us rely on external factors to motivate. Motivate YOU. Stop waiting for the perfect moment, it just may never come. Today is perfect and now is perfect because it is tangible and it allows you to be present versus living for an undefined and unreliable moment. This week, I plan on seizing each day for the tremendous gift that it is. I hope you join me. See you Thursday xoxo

The Perfect Print: Black, White, Neons and Graphics...Oh MY.

Today I am going to share another issue of the "Perfect Print" and my focus is on two of my favorite colors in the world coming together like a perfect chocolate and vanilla soft serve swirl: BLACK and WHITE. Black and white prints are absolute perfection.  The kind of pairing that you can do with a black and white legging is endless. Think about all of the toppings on that soft serve swirl that you can choose from: too many! It is pretty much the same exact thing. I chose to pair one look with a bright and bold neon sports bra and I chose to leverage a graphic sports bra for the other look. I love both options, I think the neon provides a little more edge and the graphic sports bra that I chose provides a little more of a monochromatic look since it is also in black and white. In my eyes both of these are stellar choices. 

I am also here to tell you that outdoor recess has not come to an end, in spite of Labor Day being around the corner. With these looks, I will provide some ideas on how you can use your surroundings as your portable gym.

LOOK 1: Black, White and a Whole Lot of Bright

Being a yogi there is no way in the world I am going to let you start a class without a good stretch. Stairs are a great resource for a hamstring stretch letting you find a comfortable height and distance. These HOT pants are human performance engineering (yes that is a mouthful) and I purchased them at my favorite store where I pretty much feel like a kid in a leggings candy store: BANDIER. I just linked you to the pair below as they still have them but there is also a new and darker pair for fall which is also amazing, these you would have to get in-store but I linked you to check them out. I love the sheer paneling on both of these versions.

I decided to use the handle as my bench to do some wide legged push-ups. I like to do at least two sets of 8. I start with a slow set of 8 and then a fast paced set of 8. For an action packed outdoor work out, I would do three sets total switching between push-ups and squats (see below) for a total of 48 push-ups...heck, do an extra 2 and make it 50. Luckily, I had the support of Alala (I mean...what a fun name) in this bright and supportive sports bra. I also bought this at BANDIER, it's available in store. I love the surf like zipper in the back, makes me feel bad ass and so happy to know I don't need help in getting dressed (sometimes I do). Any bright top would look SICK with these pants.

In between those push-ups, squat it out. I think you should do two sets of 8 for each rep. Get your heart rate going by running up and down the stairs before you start this delicious push-up squat combo.

I don't know about you but I am feeling prettttty good.

Look 2: Black, White and SAY SOMETHING Tops:

This look also has a fun black and white bottom but the first one was animal like and sexy. This one is more subdued in the sexy department by the sheer difference in the print. Don't get me wrong a tight pair of pants and a sports bra makes pretty much any woman look sexy but this look has a more playful element to it.

I had to walk to the top of these very long stairs to enjoy this view while I sweated it out (always a perk, something high up normally comes with a view). I took an immediate quad stretch because I needed it and every so often, it is imperative to take a breath and soak it all in.

I focused on my arms in this work out. I used a bench to do some tricep dips while enjoying the view. You've got me mid dip below. Key is to let the elbows and NOT the hips drive the movement here. I also like to do at minimum two sets of 8. Slow for the first set and faster for the second. Up to three sets is KILLING IT.

These pants are from the PRISMSPORT fall collection. Also purchased at Bandier this links to the long version, I bought the Capris because I am short. I love the wide band at the waist. Their pants fit me like a glove and are nice and light weight.

I took a delicious reverse plank stretch and soaked up the sun here. 

Lastly, I bring my bands with me everywhere. I LOVE them better than a set of weights any day. Yes, I look like I am dying because I am KILLING IT. This is from STYLESTALKER lots of other places like LuLu's, Swell and ShopBop carry it. Follow me on insta @KOREbyKelly, I will be posting a quickie arm video so you know what to do with those bands before the weekend. 

Hope you enjoyed my perfect prints. Share yours with me on instagram or facebook @KOREbyKelly xoxo

Monday Mantra

I hope everyone had an amazing weekend and is ready for a kick-ass week ahead! Today I am sharing a quote from one of the OG Girl Bosses: Estée Lauder. I always knew she was a smart business woman but I had no idea what a hustler she was. She found her passion at her uncle's business which is where she learned about beauty products and tapped into her had a knack for sales. She sold them to anyone from her friends to different shops. She launched her own fragrance by the age of 45 way before the feminist movement of the 1960s, I consider her a bad ass trailblazer.  You can imagine my excitement when I learned that she was from Queens, New York. I think I have a new idol. She is not only a representation of the American dream but a true testament to the fact that if you apply yourself, anything is possible. I think that sometimes we ask for a whole lot and we get frustrated when things don't necessarily come to fruition but a little bit of hard work does goes a long way. This applies to anything in life, losing 5 pounds, learning to cook, launching a new business, the list is endless. Do you really think it will just happen if you keep asking for it? If so, kindly mail me your magic genie when you get a chance, I have quite a few items on my list.

This week, I plan on having a little more hustle in my step. I plan on challenging myself to roll up my sleeves a little higher and get to work because old school work really does pay off. Here's hoping you have a week where you work for it and it feels really good. 

xo Kelly

Femme Yet Fierce

Today I am sharing with you a look from none other than Olympia Activewear. Can I tell you that I am OBSESSED. Like so freaking OBSESSED with this brand. Not only do I absolutely love every color, the use of neutrals, the amazing details but it also fits amazing. I am 100% Dominican from the waist down (50% IRL) so I have a hard time finding gym pants that won't turn me into a stripper in one of my classes. It is important not to distract your students with the landscape of your body; you want to inspire, not offend them. I love how this look has an element of class and some serious trompe l'oeil; my boyfriend wanted to be sure I was wearing a top when he saw the results of this shoot. This look is so sexy and surprisingly functional that I would gladly live in it if I had to.

I was doing research on Olympia and kind of praying that she wasn't of Greek descent. See, I grew up in Astoria, Queens and a lot of my very special friends are Greek. I even consider myself partially Greek in many ways. The thing is that Greeks really do think they invented everything so I was waiting for a very special friend to say "of course this brand is Greek, it is the best". That was a total paraphrase and a gross exaggeration; she does not speak that way (you know who you are) but essentially the conversation would have ended with it having to be the ultimate fitness brand in the world if it were Greek. Luckily, Kaili Lickle spared me that conversation and instead she is from Maui, talk about inspiration. And like many other amazing fitness designers today she was a fitness enthusiast who didn't like what was out there so she created what she wanted. Sheesh, I have an endless list of things I wish I could do that with and we just don't have enough time to go through that list today. 

I love that she named the brand Olympia (because I AM partially Greek) as it represents strength and femininity. Isn't that such a beautiful description? A light bulb goes off for me; I think that is the essence of  a woman's character. It is a balance that we work so hard to achieve; being strong yet uninhibited to own our feminine nature. MY GOODNESS, this gives me goosebumps. I feel like that is a concept that so many women struggle with today. How can you be strong, conclusive, firm in the work place or in more intense life situations but still feel empowered by your femininity? And how do you know when to use which: strength or femininity? I guess the goal is that you combine both for a very impressive cocktail but that remains a challenge. I get the sensation that femininity is oppressed more and more these days as we try and keep up with or even compete with men at times. This is quite the concept. For some of you it may sound like "sheesh what does this have to do with clothes or fashion?" but the truth is, clothing plays a pretty substantial role. I was fortunate to work for fashion/beauty companies before working for myself (now I pretty much wear whatever the heck I want, I'm not even wearing pants while I write this) and it was almost imperative to wear feminine clothes or the extreme man repeller cool stuff. I have so many friends who feel inhibited to show their curves in a manner which makes them feel feminine while remaining respectful to a work environment. They are not asking to go to work like they are going to da club but to feel like a woman. Like WTF? It's as if men were told that their shoulders are too sexy so they should wear an extremely loose jacket to work. Would anyone ever say a man looks to masculine in an outfit? I wonder how that would play out? Well now I digress. You get the idea though, it is so important to still be feminine in-spite of the challenges that we have.  Our softness, beauty, grace is so very precious. So I am going to praise Olympia one more time for making women who throw tires around in a Cross Fit class, bike long distances and punch bags like they are going out of style the ability to still feel like a WOMAN <cue Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin>. 

I will be quiet now and move on to some pretty amazing photos. Natalie, Diane and I went on location last week to New Jersey and we all made some beautiful magic together, thanks for sweating your butts off with me (one day it will be a beach in the Caribbean...dream big)

This is the T-Bra Nude, I purchased it directly from Olympia and they sent me a very nice hand written post card and that obviously impressed me (I love stationary and hand written stuff). The pants are moto jet bone and I could have sworn that I meant to order these in a different color. I got them on Free People (once again think I meant to order something else but I love them so it doesn't matter) and they are also on BANDIER and Olympia. I absolutely must have these leggings in all black for fall. MUST. I will rock them with cool sneakers, boots a leather jacket, big sweater...the list is endless. I've got my staples on too, Illesteva sunnies (she recently had a sample sale I couldn't make and I am still sad about it) and Stella Adidas by Stella McCartney sneaks (linked to something similar on Net-A-Porter).

I hope you embrace your femininity and fierceness this weekend xoxo

Monday Mantra

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend and isn't too cranky that it is Monday. That actual concept flows very well into my Monday Mantra, a quote from none other than Queen Oprah: Be thankful for what you have, you'll end up having MORE. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough. Overall, we should be happy and grateful for the moments that we did enjoy over the weekend and accept that it is Monday without all the pouting. Being aware of the many blessings that we already have, in-spite of it being Monday can change one's entire experience all for the better. Changing your perspective and rejoicing in what you DO HAVE (which I am sure is plenty) creates a more positive vibration and welcomes more positive scenarios into one's life. 

My Monday Mantra is a place where I like to share my own individual journey and tools/mantras that I use to get me through pretty common internal struggles. I will continue to bear my soul with you this week but remember, this is a safe place so no judgement :) A few weeks ago, I was having a week where I was feeling very unsettled. I felt like everything I did and yielded just wasn't enough. And when I say "enough" it relates to the ridiculous standards that I have set.  It is so true when they say "we are our own biggest critics" sometimes, we just really need to soften and be kinder to ourselves.  I found myself having an introspective moment trying to understand what was going on. I then randomly started to think of all that I have and have already accomplished on my new path and thought: "wow, I am so ungrateful?" I realized how unfair it had been for me to keep asking for "more" when I have been so neglectful to all that I already possess. So many of us are blessed with so much. When you sit down to acknowledge what you have to be grateful for, you realize it is more than you probably thought. I already started this morning but moving forward, when I wake up, I plan on verbally saying what I am grateful for which normally tends to be as simple as the air that I am breathing on a new day.  Before going to bed, I plan on doing the exact same exercise and it can be anything from enjoying your favorite yoga class, that delicious meal you cooked or a tender smile you exchanged with a stranger. I invite you to join me on this exercise this week and would love to hear from you on whether or not it made you more present, grateful and maybe a little kinder to yourself. 

with gratitude....kelly xoxo

Practicing What I Preach

I justify my beyond healthy appetite for buying luxury bags and shoes to my boyfriend by pouting, whining and then finally reverting to the old tried and true line "I splurge on bags and shoes so I don't need to buy expensive clothes". I am sure you can hear me saying it now and I am even MORE sure that you use the same exact line FOR VERBATIM. Well since this is a safe place and he doesn't read my blog often <sad but true>;  I am going to be brave and just say it: THAT IS A LIE. I'm sure Murphy's Law will kick in and this will be the one post he freaking reads. I am kind of a mix. I sometimes buy some crazy/stupid things and other times I will rock a $20 dress like nobody's business. I'm sure I could take it down a notch; I don't need cashmere socks, Venetian stationary or the amount of lingerie that I own BUT it makes me happy. The problem is that I am simply a taurus to a T. I just really enjoy luxury and it doesn't have to cost a lot, it just has to feel good. I love a white tee made of perfect cotton and I can indulge in a bubble bath for DAYS. In my opinion, you've just gotta live it up! 

So today I am sharing a post focused on me practicing what I preach. I have taken some lovely bags and shoes and paired them with affordable two piece sets from none other than LuLu's. Less expensive pieces paired with great shoes, a classic bag and some major swagger result in total HOTNESS. When you wear anything with total confidence, you will look stunning no matter what it is, what it costs or where it comes from. Work it. 

I am VERY blessed to have a solid group of amazing friends. I went to shoot parts of this post at my friend Diane's house with the intention of raiding her closet and pulling together some of my favorite pieces for this shoot. I think it is so fun to go into someone's closet and match them with some of your own pieces for a different style. I will be doing this in a few future posts. After the pics read till the end for a quick segments on In Her Closet: featuring Diane.

Let the drum roll begin...three looks for you....

Look 1:

I love this grey two piece dress from LuLu's. It can easily be transitioned from day tonight. I would pair the skirt with a silk blouse for a totally different effect. The whole thing was $62 and I made myself look like a Park Avenue lady who lunches with my timeless Celine bag, Chanel cat eye sun glasses and a pair of Moschino denim pumps that I die for. All of the accessories are classic not trendy luxury items that I plan on having in my closet for years to come. Essentially, if I have a daughter, she'll have to wait until I'm dead to rock my stuff.

Look 2:

I love this super classic look that can be rocked at any time of the day. I also like that it is all black making it SUPER chic. This LuLu two piece dress was already was a steal at $44 and now you can rob the bank and get it for $35, YOU ARE WELCOME yet again ;) I made this look edgy by going to town with none other than Valentino. Valentino Rockstud sunglasses and pumps take this look next level. I am not a sunglasses at night person but I feel like I could push the limits a bit in this look. A Gucci bag with a good old tassel completes this masterpiece. 

Look 3:

By now everyone knows I have a white obsession so there is NO way a white-ish outfit wouldn't have made it into the mix. This one is kind of beige and I was really into the wrap around effect of the top. I would even pair this top with the skirt in Look 1 and I would wear this top with high waisted jeans. The fun part of these looks is that you can mix and match the different pieces with other items in your closet. They don't have this exact one any more but linking you to another white one I love. Definitely check out LuLu's, they have some maxi and midi versions of these concepts. I decided to go neutral with the shoes which also helped in elongating my legs. They are in fact red bottoms. The clutch is an amazing Elie Tahari that matches the bottoms of these shoes...BAM. Sunglasses are Gucci and my look is nothing but fierce. hahahaha

Insider tip: I got these LuLu outfits a size bigger than I normally am, I didn't feel there was too much wiggle room and to be super honest the fabric is what you pay for so don't complain to me if your bum feels a bit itchy ;) 

IN HER CLOSET: FEATURING DIANE

I pulled some pieces from Diane's closet for this piece as I love to see what other items people indulge in and how I can give them my own personal flare. BTW, Diane is my sister from another mother....friends since freshman year of high school, we were 14 when we MET and you should have seen some of the horrible things we wore then. I will not comment on that because I will incriminate us.  In any event, I made her share a quick pic of her closet and answer a few key questions that I will ask every time I raid someone's closet. Send me an email if you have some stuff for me to raid :)

Kelly: What are the TOP 3 things that if someone took from your closet you would just die?

Diane: Currently, I am very into functionality and comfort, not to say that next month my focus won't change (Kelly: spoken like a very smart woman) but as for my current can't live withouts:

1. My Chanel Flats

2. My Louis Vuitton Cross-body Bag

3. My Black YSL Clutch

Kelly: I like how she is so possessive and puts "my" in front of everything. I also would have guessed Louboutins if we were on some weird game show where I had to prove how well I know my friend and in this case I would have lost....womp, womp.

Kelly: What do you look for in investment pieces i.e. shoes/bags? Can you give us the scoop on some of things you've bought?

Diane:  I invest in classic, timeless items that can transcend from year to year without going out of style. With investment pieces, I look for the simplicity in a piece. I feel like this is an important investment strategy when looking for shoes and handbags. My most recent purchase was a classic Gucci gold chain cross-body clutch. Originally $1200 and I scooped it up for only $400! This bag is amazing as it can be worn with jeans or a cocktail dress. Very versatile and totally worth the price.

Kelly: Okay so you should all know that Diane is in finance and is the friend who manages her money best. She was on her game since she was about 18. I was working part time jobs to fund my shopping and partying necessities and she was saving for an apartment. Also, she has done cost analysis on buying a Chanel bag i.e. when is it good to buy one, how it will appreciate, etc. I can see a Financial Fashion column for her on KbK in the future. Listen to her advice. 

Kelly: Don't hold back, what is the most ridiculous/surprising purchase you've ever made and why?

Diane: Is it sad that I feel like there were two years of my life where every purchase I made was ridiculous and surprising. LOL. Lately I have been less frivolous and more careful when spending however I am embarrassed to say that there are a FEW pairs of Louboutins that I "just had to have" (at full price ughhh) that just sit in my closet and stare back at me. They have been worn once and since my feet protested (with blisters and cramps) that is where they will remain!

Kelly: For a while, I thought she thought she was Lady Gaga. Enough said.

Diane....we <3 you, thanks for playing with KBK. Please share this post with friends if you enjoyed it. Another reason I love Diane is that her sister Nat is my talented photographer. This is one big happy family xoxo

Always happy to hear from you in the comments section. Check in Mondays for: Monday Mantra and Thursdays for my fashion pieces. Next Thursday are some great new fitness looks. xo

Monday Mantra

My choice in television as a child was a bit strange to say the least. Most kids watched Sesame Street but I could not stand it. I wanted to throw a barbie doll straight to Big Bird's head every time he opened his mouth. His soft spoken voice annoyed me. I couldn't understand why such a big bird couldn't simply sound more assertive when educating me on numbers or colors.  And l was OBSESSED with Barbie so you can only imagine how far this damn bird drove me to complete irritation. This probably gives you some pretty clear insights on what a special child I was :) Good thing I didn't grow up in the age of Teletubbies or The Wiggles, I am sure my anger management issues would have needed professional help at a younger age ;) Instead, I watched The Carol Burnett Show and I wisely pretended I couldn't sleep every time Miami Vice was on so I could sandwich myself in-between my parents and watch it in their room. I would keep my eye lids closed just enough to pretend I was sleeping and open just enough to catch the show. I also had some serious love for Lucille Ball. I Love Lucy made me laugh so hard. I always questioned her choices, I really felt like she just couldn't get through the day without one disaster. She made me cringe at times, I would yell at the TV hoping she could hear me and avoid the next disastrous thing she was about to do. Needless to say, I thought that TV characters lived inside the TV. I was sometimes found searching the back of the TV set to figure out where these miniature people lived. I was not your conventional child. My love for I Love Lucy went beyond her character. Lucy and Riccardo were also a dynamic that I felt pretty comfortable with, they were pretty much a flip of my parents. My dad was Irish American and had plenty of red headed siblings and my mom is OTB from the Dominican Republic so I had zero issues understanding Riccardo's accent and I could translate for other children. Both of my parents were fiery but if I had to pick, dad would have been the more comedic one. 

So where does I Love Lucy fit into my Monday Mantra you ask? Today I am sharing this quote from this amazing talent:

I'd like to share a bit of a twist on what this quote inspires for me. A principal that I have been studying quite a bit through a spiritual healer is the theory that "everything we do is self motivated". Essentially, anything nice (or in some cases not nice, you know who you are) you think you are doing for others, you are actually doing it for yourself. When you hold the door for a stranger at Starbucks, buy a friend a thoughtful souvenir or cook a delicious dinner for your partner, you did all of that because it makes YOU feel good. YES, a great by-product of "that thing you did", also managed to make others feel good too BUT the root of the intention was selfishly driven. The outcome achieved with others is secondary and not primary. I initially had a hard time accepting this concept. I pretty much refused it at first. I couldn't believe that everything that I had done for others was really for me? But when I allowed myself to digest this concept, I was like "WOW". This is extremely liberating. It means I don't have to give a shit when someone doesn't reciprocate or appreciate what I do for them because the only reason I did it in the first place was for me. I used to have crazy expectations of others. I unfairly felt like people needed to jump through hoops and fire to prove their loyalty and I no longer feel that way. Knowing that I am self motivated and that others are self motivated provides me with a completely different perspective. It makes me rely a whole lot less on external factors for happiness and to look inwardly for fulfillment and love. 

As a result, I remind myself every single day that everything I do is in fact for me and for the love I have of myself. I teach fitness, write my blog, take care of my partner, stay close to my family all because that makes ME happy. It makes me realize that the integrity of all my actions and decisions are in fact a reflection of the love and respect that I have for myself. I no longer shift blame when I don't feel good about something, I now accept responsibility that I am the one who chose to do it. If something that you do makes you feel crappy, you should question what was the true intention behind that action and maybe you aren't respecting the integrity of YOU to the highest degree?! I pretty much have made the Brian Adams song from Robin Hood my anthem except when I sing it, I sing "I do it for me" (hahaha I got a good chuckle with that one). I think this strongly relates to self love.  When you "love yourself first" and accept that the root of your actions are for YOU, you can begin to have greater respect and integrity for all that you do. The only one that you need to appease is your SELF which doesn't make you a bad or selfish person but an honest one. It allows you to truly take responsibility for your actions, improve the way that you treat the most important person in your life and the one relationship you will ever get to understand which is YOU.

 I found some good quotes from Buddah who is also a very credible source but when I found this one from none other than Lucille, I had to share it. I sincerely hope you enjoyed it. It not only brought up some nice childhood memories (on how nutty I was) but I also seriously respect a kick ass woman who can be hysterical and eat so many chocolates. Here's hoping that everything you do this week is rooted in self love <3 <3 <3 

Kelly 

Unleash Your Inner Goddess

I have quite the reputation for crying on demand as soon as a woman dressed all in white enters the room for the walk of her life. The sweet emotional tension is palpable. It's as if time has been suspended. All eyes in the room are on her but she only cares about a certain set of eyes; her partner's. Her partner anxiously awaits her at the end of that long and dramatic isle. As many others, I love to look right at her partner, there is nothing like seeing them overcome with emotion by her beauty and the effects that can only be achieved by a woman draped in a white gown. There is a timelessness to this tradition. There is an elegance and beauty that she effortlessly achieves. I have shamelessly cried even when I barely know the woman, all because the emotion simply overcomes me. 

Fast forward to real life, I am not planning a wedding right now, maybe you are already married, hate the idea of marriage or simply have no immediate intention to be married. In any event, I don't think that that the goddess-like look achieved on that one epic day (hopefully/maybe - one?) should be limited to just when you get married. I pretty much like to feel special every day if possible. That's why, I am encouraging you to drape yourself in one of my favorite neutrals: shades of white and embrace your inner goddess. I am sharing with you two looks that completely transformed the way I carried myself and felt while wearing these dresses. I just don't wear fairy princess bandaids, I every so often try to imitate one.

This first look is one that can easily evolve from day to night. I am showcasing a day time look. I can not wait to pack and wear this dress on an upcoming summer vacation that I will eventually take with my honey. I love that it is provocative yet it has boundaries allowing the dress to still be elegant. I wore a pair of gold leather sandals from Capri that I have worn to death and desperately need to replace soon. This dress could be taken up a few notches and easily work with a neutral wedge for one notch up and a nude pump for two notches up. This dress is from the beloved brand Iro and purchased at one of my most favorite stores Intermix. You can grab it on sale now but only if you hurry. Sunglasses are Gucci. 

This second look definitely provides more of a dramatic effect. I also bought this on sale at the Intermix in Miami when I was there with my sister. I had loved this dress since I first saw it earlier in the season. It is by L'Agence, a brand that normally knows how to hug every curve of my body when I have worn some of their more fitted silhouettes. I was further impressed by the brand via this dress. I love its cut and the sensation that it evokes. When I saw that it was on sale (you're welcome) in my size, I immediately knew that I had to make room in my luggage to take this bad boy home. Secretly, it is a dress I would have no problem getting married in if I end up eloping one day.

I wore a foot chain that I have been dying to shoot by Arme De L'Amour. I have good news and bad news. I got a killer deal on this on The Outnet which sadly no longer has it BUT the website still has it.... at full price. This look can be less dressy with a flat sandal; maybe something metallic, embellished or nude. You can also dress it up with a nude pump or I can even see a cobalt blue or red pump bringing in extra flare and breaking up the white.  The girl at Intermix Miami who helped us gave me a great idea. She said I could cut it short and then I went on to suggest maybe even tea length so it is not too dressy and can be worn more often. I like that thought but I am just not ready to give up its amazing length... just yet...

Thanks to Nat for the amazing pictures, I love the creative flow that runs between us. Diane, you are my sister from another mother. Thanks for the accommodations and help while we shot xo

Monday Mantra

So I am thoroughly going through a phase of obsession where all I can think about are the words of Michael A. Singer and I feel them echoing through my very being. If you are not familiar with Michael A. Singer, he is the author of the #1 New York Times best Seller, The Untethered Soul. I thought that The Untethered Soul was rocking my world until I stumbled upon The Surrender Experiment: My Journey Into Life's Perfection. I recently got hooked on adding audiobooks to my repertoire. I tend to pick spiritual books to listen to as I make my way through the hectic city. It gets me mentally and emotionally prepared for any task or commitment that lies ahead. I am still in the process of reading The Untethered Soul. It has honestly taken me forever because it is one of those books that is so profound, it requires constant reflection. I have put The Untethered Soul on pause until I am done with The Surrender Experiment. The idea of being done with that book brings tears to my eyes because it has had such a positive effect on me. I however; find solace in knowing that it is a book that I will most likely go back to over and over for years to come. I put The Untethered Soul on hold because The Surrender Experiment provides insights into the wise man behind The Untethered Soul, a perspective that I did not realize I was craving in order to  further cement its teachings. I found myself asking a lot "who is this man" and "how the heck did he figure this all out"? Now I know that his journey and commitment to surrendering to life's greater purpose is what led him to write and share the immense wisdom found in "The Untethered Soul". The Surrender Experiment has provided me with an overwhelming sense of peace.  I find myself crying emotional tears of joy as I have been so moved my Michael's journey. I find that I am further moved by finally accepting and trusting that life has a bigger plan in store for us. All we need to do is let go and surrender to the opportunities that it presents us, even if our ego is in resistance. As a result, I feel so compelled to finally surrender. I feel like a weight has been lifted off of me knowing that life has a greater plan for me, one that I will not micromanage, resist or question. I look forward to this greater plan and trust that life has nothing but joy and abundance in store for me. I encourage you to surrender to the gifts that life would like you to receive and see where the journey leads you. If you have an open mind and heart, I strongly recommend this book.

Baby, It's HAUTE Outside

Well in case you had any doubts, it is officially summer.  Once the news starts saying that elderly people babies and pets need to stay in doors, you know you are screwed. In NY the summer can be as rude as some people (DISCLAIMER: I am a born and bred NY'er and I think most natives are lovely, it is the non natives that I question sometimes---this place can break a nice person from rural America). Summer in NY reminds you that the sun is king and you are a mere pion in its presence. We complain it's hot but we'll complain even more once it's cold again.  With that said, HAIL the sun, HAIL the summer and let's get dressed to soak it up while it lasts. 

I am sharing with you a few quick and inexpensive looks that I worship as much as the sun!

Look 1: Easy Lounge Look

I used these American Eagle Pants (links to a similar pair) to cover up while reading a book.  A Victoria's Secret basic black triangle bikini top kept things monochromatic. I added a straw hat and long shark tooth necklace as some fun accessories. You have to pick your own book.

Look 2: I belong on a yacht

I saw the Pearl Oyster wear this bathing suit on insta and I fell in love. I just rocked it in Miami last weekend. I did learn that it DOES NOT provide full coverage. My sister had to wait for me with a towel when I got out of the water. The suit is from ASOS, maybe go for the black version if you like to swim? It actually comes in a few colors including red and teal. Very cute paired with shorts, I am really digging the pairs with pom-poms on the bottom these days. I rocked my Illesteva sunnies with this look and an over sized hat for extra dramatic flare. BAM.

Look 3: Sexy can be easy

I'm a big fan of cheap summer finds because you don't need to invest a ton to look cute in the summer. Invest your money in keeping your body fit and healthy instead. I picked up this super cute romper at Forever 21. I bought it in black but I think its even WAY cuter in white which they did not have in store when I purchased mine!!!! Shoes have been previously featured on my blog and are from Urban Outfitters. Sunnies also from Forever 21, they are a cheap knock off of the Christian Dior So Real Sunglasses. I think these were approximately 2% of the cost of the CD ones. Trust me, I like to invest in some sunnies but the very trendy ones come and go really quickly. The bag is vintage Fendi and was unconsciously on loan from Despina.

Look 4: Relaxed yet Polished:

Bought this look from my Forever 21 shopping spree which has been the gift that just keeps on giving. Not all of the same pieces are available so this is more of an inspiration look. Found some similar effect shorts you can check at the link. I paired trusty Converse sneakers, a wardrobe staple in my opinion especially if you went to NYU.

Monday Mantra

Hi and Happy Monday! Yes...most people say "Happy Friday" but I think "Happy Monday' sets the right attitude for the week :) Anyway, what's the alternative "Sucky Monday"? 

So what's this Monday Mantra thing you ask....? I do something on instagram (which you should be following me on if you aren't already @KOREbyKelly) called "Monday Mantra" and it is a mantra that I select for myself to use as my guidance for the week. I decided to share it on insta in case it offers anyone inspiration, comfort or something to simply think about. I have been on a spiritual path/self improvement journey for a while. I must admit that I took the wrong path, got lost on the path, jumped off the path and then set the path on fire. After all of that, me and "the path" or better yet "my path" have made amends (meaning, I no longer set things on fire).  I feel that since I began to trust "the journey of life" I now see that the road ahead builds itself. It is almost as if every time I take another step, new bricks appear for me to walk on. It's as if the path and I are walking in tandem. I must however admit that there are many times that I think the path needs to build itself a little quicker. I don't want it taking lunch breaks, going on vacation or having a work life balance. I want it to build the damn road quickly. That my friends is my daily struggle. I struggle with finding patience and trusting that the path will manifest itself and be what I need when I need it.

I just spent a weekend in Miami with my sister. We rejuvenated our minds, bodies and sisterly bonds. It was also spa week so we indulged in a treatment at the Privai Spa at the Royal Palm. They did this awesome thing where you had to read and check off three affirmations when you arrive. You essentially had to sign off and agree to rejuvenate and relax (umm yes please). At the end, they had us pick an affirmation card and mine could have not been more perfect for ME! It is the extra nudge that I need to trust life and to trust everything that it has in store for me. The universe is letting me know....life has my back and that could not be a better mantra for this week.

Here is hoping you don't set the path on fire this week xoxo

Bohemian Beauty

So first I am going to start by saying that it took me 3X as long to write this post. It has nothing to do with the topic and everything to do with the fact that I have an infected hang nail on my right hand (I am in fact a righty so this has been extra fun). Sounds gross and guess what, it is. Another thing that is 3X greater is the size of my once very cute finger in comparison to its counterpart on my left hand. I know that some of you may roll your eyes as you read this but it has had me put things into perspective this week! It makes me think about how you can make something SO small rule your entire world and ONLY YOU have the power to give it that much importance. Granted, I literally can't do certain things right now like get into downward dog and as you know, that is an occupational disruption for me. I also bring equipment to every class that I teach, try lugging stuff with a swollen hand.  In sheer size and in comparison to some of life's problems, I must admit that this one is itty bitty.  I decided to give the left finger to my right finger and move on with my life. Plus there have been a few advantages 1. I get to be my usual messy self without my boyfriend complaining 2. I am getting through more Hello Kitty bandaids than I ever would...she is just shockingly cuter in each bandaid you open and lastly, I have my middle finger raised so it spares me the effort. I get to be unassumingly rude all the time! I wanted to share this with you in case you had a hang nail, pebble or person in your side this week irritating you. Think about how it's is probably tiny in the grand scheme of things (like Pluto, I actually find its downgrade so disappointing) or there are probably some bright sides that can be derived if you just look close enough.

Now that you have seen the inside my soul today, let's move to the outside of me and what I wear (not as smooth of a transition as I had hoped). Today I am sharing with you how I have channeled my inner Bohemian Beauty. This look is very much inspired by none other than the queen of Bohemian cool; Rachel Zoe. What is cool about this look is exactly that, it is COOL. You can wear a maxi on a sweltering day, it avoids clothes sticking to you and it provides some sweet ventilation. I wore this one on the 4th of July because I knew that I was going to be a bit excessive which is another benefit of a maxi; the power to conceal things. You could legitimately hide something under there and no one would know. It is also crazy easy to pack so a travel must for me. I bought this maxi from another recent obsession LuLu's. I love the price, $38 and the deep sleeveless sides. I have a thing with lingerie and I'm into this dress' sexy peek-a-boo nature that reveals just enough. You can wear anything from your favorite bra, a lacy bandeau to a bikini top with this. I wore a staple black Victoria's Secret triangle top that I keep on hand.

For accessories, I wanted to go feminine and flirty. I layered on a body chain to still show that I had a figure and that I was not lost in the maxi dress. I bought this one from a cute boutique in Sag Harbor but found it for you, it's by gorjana. I wore a pair of Greek inspired gold sandals and a gigantic beach bag that I bought at Club Monaco a few years ago that is 0% practical so I recommend a smaller size.  My absolute favorite detail is a Missoni head band that I have had for a while. When I first bought it, I cut the tag poorly and the whole thing began to deconstruct and I had to get it repaired. I am strongly cautioning for you to be careful when you remove the tag or this headband will cost you even more than it should. I used it to tame my NEW luscious blond locks. I love this after a day at the beach when your hair is unruly. This is also a very easy and effective post workout look. My Chanel sunglasses have the perfect white accent to tie it all together.

Hope you enjoyed this looks as much as Nattalie and I did. It was crazy hot when we shot these but all for the love of KbK! Comment on anything you'd like to see soon. I have some more cute and affordable summer looks coming your way. 

Drag your ass to a class soon so we can target everything that you can see inside that deep sleeve ;) xoxo

Kelly 

Don't Break the Piggy Bank: Forever 21 Shopping Spree

Grab your imagination and follow me on a virtual shopping trip. No need to grab your wallet, I'll be doing all of the spending. It may inspire you to spend BUT this time you won't be mad at me. No need to dip into your 401K, we are going to the eternally trendy and wallet friendly Forever 21 for some fabulous looks. I will admit that sometimes I can spend stupid money on stupid things. I would like to caveat that I spend more on pieces that I can really transition out of the gym i.e. a Michi boudoir like sports bra, Norma Kamali statement silver shorts and Theory white pants that can easily be dressed up or down (you get the point). However; I do think that if you are hitting the gym hard and frequently, you definitely need pieces that you are willing to dispose of over time...I mean how long do you want to keep a pair of pants that have a sweaty crotch every time after you wear them (gosh I hope this is exclusive to your gym clothes...ewww)?!  Also, I don't know about you but I don't have a washer and dryer in my NYC apartment so laundry adds up. Having options is key so turning to friends like Forever 21 can allow us to flip the European model that I prefer to employ for other areas of my wardrobe: quality over quantity INTO quantity over quality.

So....let's go....

I decided to sport a Forever 21 sports bra and pants that I bought two weeks ago and inspired this post, I was impressed by how affordable (and sexy) these items were. I layered on an old Alexander Wang tee and tied an adorable knot to the side ;) I paired Urban Outfitters sandals that are so easy to slip in and out of when I am teaching. I bought them in store, they have them in black and white and will run you less than $40. Don't tell anyone but I took my pair off the mannequin because I didn't see my size.

I am looking fierce in my resting bitch face as I get ready to brave USQ which truly overwhelms me every day. SPORTS BRA: $14.90 PANTS ARE IN STORE AND LESS THAN $25

Now that we have successfully made it across the street and the madness of USQ and Whole Foods (I am not going to even address that scandal) let the fun begin...

BTW, I am in my 30s and I do not think that I am too old for Forever 21 because in my head, I am legitimately Forever in my 20s...Okay, I think I see some good stuff....

They didn't have my size in this TOP: $10.90 :( but it's so funny! I may or may have not ordered it online while writing this post

I bought the TOP for less than $10  The PANTS didn't look cute on my figure but super cute and less than $20

I am digging all of the mantras on their clothes....

This one is in stores

Time to try some selections on so I can see what comes home with me...major caveat is that these rooms are a mess because there is no where to hang stuff.

I am totally taking both of these because I just love black and white: TOP $17.90 and BOTTOM $19.90 

I am sharing my true me after 2 avo toasts :) Getting this SPORTS BRA: $14.90 PANTS: $22.90

I'm done and not excited to wait on a crazy line but I do...

Don't I look pleased with my purchases? I have my WTRMLN WTR in tote so I can hydrate after the marvel and madness of Forever 21.

Thanks Nat for holding my crap at the dressing rooms and capturing these great pics . Next week will be summer looks for under $100 :) 

Come see me at class soon! Click on the SCHEDULE tab, will have WTRMLN WATER in class next week for you to try xo

KORE by Kelly Goes in the Kitchen with Katie

There might be more "Ks" in this post than a Kardashian story in Us Weekly. Katie actually warned me that the Kardashians may take legal action against this post. I guess we better lawyer-up. Come to think of it, maybe we can recruit Kylie and Khloe for our efforts and start a spin-off with a new "K" clan. I have a decently sized booty but if I can get it just a scosche bigger, it just might work...

 So who is this Katie? She has already been referenced twice in two sentences!?! Simply put, she's awesome. Katie is a nutritionist which means she has studied food way beyond looking at it and putting it into her mouth. She earned her Masters of Science in Clinical Nutrition from NYU which is far above the degree that I earned from MyFitnessPal (those of you know my obsession with the app understand this point). So...I'll bring attention to the obvious situation here. One would think that I have a bias since her names is Katie Fitzgerald and she went to NYU (we are practically twinning at this point). BUT NO, it is not a bias! In spite of her excellent choice in schools, her winning initials, etc. she really knows her stuff and knows how to deliver that information even better. She has a very approachable style when it comes to nutrition. Achieving a healthier lifestyle can seem unattainable and information on food can be hard to understand but Katie does a great job at making a healthy lifestyle seem so... simple. I like to think that I am a "healthy" eater but the truth is that I take a page from "Why French Women Don't Get Fat" and I pretty much subscribe to a life of moderation and balance but there is so much more beyond that and I've had the luxury of learning that from Katie.  I feel confident that I kick major butt in my classes and help my students torch calories but the adage saying of "abs are made in the kitchen" is beyond true. Well it's actually partially true because it forgot to mention a lot of other body parts like your ass. Exercise will only go so far. Simply put, your body should move more and your mouth a little less :p 

We teamed up to offer a Fitness Class and Nutrition Talk at Refinery29 to some of it's awesome employees last night. Today we are sharing some of those practical and eye opening tips that she covered. Side note, I was on stimulation overload wanting to own every outfit that everyone was wearing. I am going to do some major online shopping in hopes of scoring similar looks of what inspired me. Back to food....I really have a short attention span when I write. Katie focused on some easy to follow information that can make a huge difference over time. I plan on following these three tips STAT and so should you!

What is the perfect post-work out snack?

Buddy-up your macronutrients (fat, protein, carb, etc.) Pair carbohydrates with protein or fat to replenish your muscles and restore blood glucose.  Here are some great pairings for a delicious and replenishing post-work out snack:

C: ½ apple + F/P: 1 Tablespoon nut butter

C: 1 cup baby carrots + F/P hummus

C: ½ cup fresh or frozen berries + F/P: ½ cup 1% greek yogurt

C: ¼ cup dried fruit + F/P ¼ cup raw cashews, almonds, pistachios, or walnuts

C: 1 cup diced tomatoes, cucumbers -+ F: small pack of marinated olives

Raise the bar:  

Energy bars are a yummy and convenient way to ward off hunger.  Some examples of bars with 10g of sugar or less such as:

Health Warrior Chia bars:  all flavors have 5g sugar

KIND: Madagascar vanilla almond, apple cinnamon and pecan, almond coconut, cashew and ginger spice

Mediterra: olive and walnut, sun-dried tomato and basil,

Smoothies are a great idea post workout because since they are predigested they delivery replenishing energy in the fastest way possible

Choose whole fruit and vegetables juices with a ratio of 2 vegetable ingredients to 1 fruit ingredient.  

Whole fruit/veg green juices and smoothies contain all the fiber of the plant so it will keep you feeling more satisfied and will keep your blood sugar more even

How to be savvy when being social i.e. how to order better at entertaining events and which cocktails this summer will not compromise your swimsuit season body?

Before:  Do not skip a meal to make-up for boozy calories.  Have a light meal such as salad with lean grilled chicken or steak, Mediterranean tapas, chicken satay, shrimp cocktail, ceviche, or vegetable crudité.  It is important to stick with light options while imbibing because the metabolism of alcohol takes priority over carbohydrates, fats, and protein meaning those calories are more prone to be stored rather than burned off.  

During:  Aim to drink water or a mocktails in between each alcoholic beverage.  Choose something to savor like light beer or glass of wine opposed to other drinks that go down all too easy.  Shots are reserved for spring breakers only.

After:  If you had a light meal before or with your cocktails you will be far less likely to snag a greasy slice on the way home.  Before bed drink plenty of water and take an anti-inflammatory to ward off a hang-over.   Eating plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and green tea the next day will provide you with antioxidants to mitigate some of the alcohol related free radicals.  Sorry, a fried egg and cheese is not a good source of vitamins and minerals.

Sobering truth about cocktails: 

Diet mixers with sugar free sweeteners can amplify intoxication by almost double.  When your mouth tastes sweetness, it sends a signal to your brain to metabolize sugar, however, in the absence of calories the rate of metabolism increases and the effects of alcohol are stronger. 

Since the body can’t use alcohol for fuel, energy from any kind of alcoholic beverage is an empty calorie. The differences in calories between servings of wine, beer, and liquor vary only slightly (about 100-120 calories per serving)

Timing:  Enjoy no more than 2 servings of alcohol within an hour.  Studies show that cognition and reactions times are impaired significantly even the day after a night of binge drinking. 

How to make better choices at lunchtime

Don’t play the waiting game:  Stock your bag or desk with a few snacks like an apple, individual packs of nuts, and energy bars to grab when you can’t get away to prevent from overeating at meals or attacking the bread basket.

All salads are not created equal:  

Come on, those bacon bits and blue cheese crumbles aren’t fooling anyone.  Opt for a colorfularray of fresh fruits and vegetables and apply lean proteins like you would a garnish.

Have a plan and know before you go:  Use online menus to find the healthiest options before you order to avoid being tempted by more indulgent items.  

Gotta have it?  You’ve made smart choices all week, you’ve been keeping to your workout schedule, and you simply can’t say no to the item that’s been calling your name.  Go for it!  Pair your treat with a cup of clear broth or vegetable based soup or a side salad before you dig in and split it with a friend.

Personally, I loved all of it. She really captured my <3 and my stomach on her  "Gotta have it" piece. At the end of the day, we are only human.

For more information on Katie and her services, check out her website: http://www.compleatnutrition.org, her email is: katie@compleatnutrition.org  

If you are interested in a 1-2 fitness and nutrition punch AKA KFX2 whether it's for personal or corporate initiatives shoot me and Katie an email: Kelly@KOREbyKelly & Katie's is above.

Keeping it White Haute

Summer is officially here. For me, that means a NYC summer; which is very different than most places. Imagine entering a bathroom that is all hot and steamy from someone else’s shower and you have on a turtle neck, leather pants and a fur coat that can't come off. Essentially, that is how it feels living in NYC for about three months a year (every year). Plus there is an added bonus of all the extra cray-crays coming out to play. Something fuels the air with a citywide invitation for the obscenely crazy to come out and play.

I’d like to caveat that I am not complaining. I am merely stating factual information. I wouldn’t dare complain about  the weather after the Game of Thrones, Beyond the Wall like winter we had. I truly started to feel like a wildling myself. For those of you who don’t watch the show, why don’t you watch it? I am not going to even try and explain what I just said as you should be watching GOT so stop reading my post and watch it now if you haven’t yet.

Moving on to the heart of this post, the thing that fuels me all year long: the love of dressing for each incredible season in NYC. There is this excitement in buying boots and a new coat once it feels slightly chilly in September and there is an even greater desire to shed all of the layers once the heat is laid right on us. With that said, because it is sizzling, finding something cute and tolerable to wear is an art. It requires very special skills to wear as little as possible while not looking completely skanky. I wish I could wear my bathing suit and call it a day but because this is real life, it doesn’t go that way. I also wish it was mandatory to have an adult sprinklers in the park. It is really unfair that  1. you can not go into the park and get on the swings unless you have a child with you and 2. that kids get to cool off when its hot during the summer, what about us?

One advantage in my line of work is that short and sports bras are in fact acceptable attire for work. However; even if I weren’t dressing to teach a class, I would stick to one of my best buddies: the color white. Wearing light colors in the summer immediately helps you cool off. Try and stick to light colors and even lighter fabrics in order to remain cool all summer long. When selecting clothing and fabrics make sure that if you sweat through it, no one can see through it ;)

So I am sharing with you today another white look. I love this look because even though it is sporty, it has a very chic element to it. These Theory+ white pants are a home run in my book (lucky you, they have options on sale: insert sarcastic jealousy). I could wear them with endless options.  With a bikini top at the end of a beach day, with more WHITE like a cotton/breathable tee. I also love the idea of crop tops with these pants. I am curvy so certain pants don’t always flatter me unless I can show off my waist which is what I did once I ditched a layer. I threw on my good friend's (and bad ass KOREbyKelly client) T by Alexander Wang vintage shirt  (it's vintage based on how long she told me she has had it and it's still amazing). I like the blue and white stripes, it offers a nice nautical look. I then used the same Oak sports bra that I featured last week. I like that it has some extra coverage on the top with the mesh layer so I didn't feel over exposed when showing off my midriff. 

Last details are my awesome Adidas by Stella McCartney black sneakers. I love the black and white shoe laces (black and white is one of my other new obsessions lately). And if you're lucky enough to have one, do not leave home without your KbK tote bag!!!! Boyfriend's Ray-Bans were borrowed once again ;)

PS Kicked off my Kardio + Strength class on Wednesday and it was AWESOME. You have to check that out. STAT! 

Thanks bella Nat for the pics, love the red baby xo

Make it Shine

Reflecting on my choice of pants these days, I think it's fair to say that I am having a party with my pants (note the careful choice of words, I said WITH not IN). The shorts that I am showcasing today evoke one thought for me: DISCO BALL. These pants look like a legit party. I can not wait to teach a class in them. I literally think I might be compelled to dance around the room. And I double dare you to buy them and not have fun while wearing them. If you can't have fun in them, in the words of IceCube "check yo self". I featured Norma Kamali last week and guess what, I am featuring her again because I truly love her stuff. She is a bad ass. According to my most trusted source (wikipedia) she popularized the shoulder pads in the 80's. I don't know how I feel about that specifically (although I do have some cool blazers with them) but kudos to someone who was able to make that  concept popular. I mean….let's think about it. Shoulder pads make people look kind of weird, like there is some sort of disproportion with their neck and shoulders. She managed to get people to try them and massive fashion houses adopted them which means she essentially put them on the map. That's freaking good. She is also famous for a "sleeping coat bag" that concept is ridiculous and genius all in one. I think that her attorney should look into collecting royalties from the the snuggie. Lastly, I will stop obsessing and share two more facts from her wiki bio: she made the iconic Farrah Fawcett Charlie's Angel red bathing suit: BAM and she is also half Lebanese and Spanish. I love mixty ladies (being one myself). I think its clear that I am girl crushing on Kamali and now I will give it a rest as I have successfully proved my case as to why she is so awesome.

Back to talking about this look, the shorts are lined so not as sweaty as they look. I got them from NET-A-PORTER but they went FAST. There is an XS still on her site  and I feel like if you wear a Small those can work. I wish I got the XS, happy to trade if someone wants to. I paired it with this cool OAK sports bra, I love the mesh over the plain white bra. I bought it on my other obsession these days: The Outnet they have some cool basic tees left from OAK. I layered it with a top that I bought at Old Navy for $14 and although that is a great price I am still pissed that it is now on sale for $10 - a sale is a sale. I'm rocking a new pair of Adidas by Stella McCartney. I freaking love her sneakers. They are light. I hate nothing more than a heavy sneaker. I needed some black sneakers because as I mentioned in the first sentence of this post, I have gone a bit bananas with my pants these days so I needed some more muted sneakers. I got mine on sale and they are gone but this is a slightly different version you can pre-order from Barney's. Finishing details are my boyfriend's Ray-Ban's, MZ Wallace bag that goes all around town with me and my KOREbyKelly mat WOOT WOOT.

Come see my in class soon, you can sign up HERE and maybe you'll get lucky enough to find me in my disco ball shorts!!!

Thanks Nat for taking beautiful photos and getting me to do things that make me uncomfortable like leisurely stopping traffic xo