Most Recent Blog Posts

• Vacation time!

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:

    Tomorrow, I’ll be in the Dominican Republic with Dino…lounging on the beach (with my sunscreen!) and reading a good book—and I’m so excited! I haven’t been away in about two years, and I really need this time to sit back, relax, and forget about anything that’s been stressing me out. Since we only booked this vacation about a month ago, I haven’t had much time to get “bikini ready” so I’m going to have to be happy with what I’ve got. However, I feel like I carry myself with a different type of confidence now than I did a year ago. When I think about all that I went through to train for the triathlon, I’m always reminded that I do love the body that I have because it helped me accomplish that goal...getting down on myself wouldn’t be fair. Hey, I am strong and healthy. But other times, when I wasn’t as in shape, I’ve dieted like crazy and worked out like a madwoman to get myself ready to lay poolside in a bikini. But in the past year I’ve been so committed to exercising and eating right on a daily basis that it’s become a lifestyle, so I'm not thinking twice about having to go on a crash diet. Even if I don’t feel as toned as I did while I was training for my triathlon, I’m happy with my body right now—and it’s much easier to be happier with what you have, than to be obsessive about what you don’t. Plus, any vacation that I go is going to reflect what I do in my everyday life—a mixture of fitness and fun! Dino and I plan on going scuba diving (I did this once in Bermuda and I had the time of my life), hiking, and on morning runs on the beach (I'll take lots of pics to show you). So, the next time I sign in I’ll be back from vacation with a sun-kissed glow and lots of fun memories to talk about. When I return, I’ll be ready to buckle down and get focused again at work—December is always a busy time of the year for us at Shape.

     

    This is where I'll be! : )

    

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  • 4 days ago
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• The threat of office snacks...

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:

    On any given day our office kitchen looks like the below photo (ah!)—filled with cookies, chocolates, and cake! I just had to take a picture of it today because this is by far the worst it’s ever been. Even though it’s the office of Shape magazine editors, we still have the same issues as every other work environment—the delicious, but so-not-good for you snacks are endless and kill our diets too (not to mention our moods). Because we ARE Shape magazine however, we do have cabinets full of the newest healthy snacks, organic teas, and protein bars on hand. But even we suffer from the office snack munchies. They're hard to avoid because a sweet treat always seems like it'll be so satisifying—but it never does the trick. So I’ve been bringing a lunchbox full of healthy options for a week now—grapes, applesauce with a sprinkle of cinnamon, yogurt, and cashews—when anyone asks me to tag along to a coworker's birthday celebration in the staff room, I take my yogurt with me (therefore I'm not left empty-handed and craving whatever yummy is in front of me)! And, I’m going on vacation with my boyfriend to the Dominican Republic next week, so I’m trying to stay slim and look and feel my best.

    Avoiding office snacks is doable if you plan ahead and don’t let yourself get so starved that you have to give in. Yes they taste good, but in the end they don’t make you feel any better. I give myself a pat on the back when I went through a day without wandering into the office kitchen....

    

     

     

     

     

     

    Here are a few ways I’ve learned to stay on track:

    • Schedule a meeting/phone call/walk around the block during the time of any office party (don’t forget to let your coworker know happy birthday or congratulations or she’ll think you’re snubbing her!).
    • Planning the party yourself? Get a mix of healthy treats, which you like, and something for everyone else. Make your plate and leave the room after any celebrating is over; this way you won’t hang around and keep grazing.
    • And, if you must...cut off a slice of cupcake or a piece of the cookie and throw the rest away! A little bit of bad is always okay and won’t make you feel left out.
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  • 1 week ago
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• Something new for sleek, smoot

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:

    Since I'm always looking for ways to get healthier hair and have prettier looking locks, I have to tell you about something new I tried. The other night after work I stopped at an event at Concept Salon on the Upper East Side, where I got to test out the new 5-step Keratin conditioning treatment with the Inphenom products (this puts protein and moisture back into your hair and gives it the nutrients it needs to shine). It's perfect for the girls like me who have dry, damaged hair from years of over-processing—it lasts about a month (you can wash your hair with a special conditioner they give you) and costs around $60, instead of a few hundred like what the Brazilian Keratin costs. You also get a very relaxing head massage as the stylist waits a few minutes between the five steps! If you're looking to give your hair a boost, that's quick, easy, and lasts, then this treatment is what you may want to check out. After a month, my hair is still looking and feeling much sleeker than a month ago, and I'm more confident wearing headbands like the ones I’m loving below. Also, check out our Shape Shops in our beauty news section in the Nov 2009 issue (page 60) for some more options. Check out my faves below!

    Sequin Rose Headwrap, $5 from Forever 21 (forever21.com)

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Budding Chiffon headband, $31 from True Birds (truebirds.com)

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

    "Chloe" Links headband, $44 from By Lilla (bylilla.com)

    

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  • 1 week ago
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• Be a Shape model..and win a 5

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:

    Shape’s promoting a really cool contest right now—the Wilhelmina Model Search (www.wilhelminamodelsearch.com), for a 5 year modeling contract and a chance to be in our magazine! For the past year we’ve featured regular models, our readers, on our You...in Shape page (the last page of every issue) to prove that every day women, like you, do look just as good as our cover models (minus the help of a celebrity trainer to kick their butts at the gym). Well, now we’re looking to go beyond our You…In Shape page and give a lucky reader a chance to be a model and go a little further to show off the hot body she’s worked so hard for. This is a really cool promotion and if it’s something you think you qualify for, take the chance, and jump on this opportunity. You’ll also be featured in one of Shape’s fitness features. Who knows, you could win and be a little bit richer (and famous!) too.

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  • 2 weeks ago
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• Big Girl in a Skinny World?

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:

    Last night, I was up late catching up on my magazine reading. I came across an article in a popular fashion mag, and I was sort of annoyed at the message it was sending. “Big Girl in a Skinny World” was on trend—we’ve all felt like our body may not fit the unrealistic parameters that society, and Hollywood, has set for us—but I was bothered that this girl, slight overweight, thought she had to settle with the body that she was given. Being heavy and not fitting into “trendy” clothes was one of the reasons she’d sit at home and cry to herself at night, but no where in this passage did she say she wanted to do anything about this. She exclaimed she tried losing weight once but when “subsisting on nothing but undressed salads” didn’t work for her she gave up. This isn’t the right attitude toward losing weight and getting healthy—it’s not just about fitting into a pair of skinny jeans. It’s about becoming a healthier version of you, and keeping your lovely curves as well—exercising and eating right (and yes, you can have salads with dressing) is the combination that will help you drop pounds and give you a positive outlook toward shaping up every day.

    And I’ve noticed that whenever I tried to lose weight by going on diets and eating nothing but “undressed salads,” I would become more frustrated, give up, and forget about losing those last 10 pounds altogether. But, when I make exercise a regular part of my day (even if it’s 20 minutes of cardio) I always feel better, and want to eat better, and find it easier to say ‘no’ to that bowl of M&M’s on the table. I admire this writer for learning how to find what styles and fashions look best on her body as an overweight fashionista, but she doesn’t have to make peace with the fact that she’ll never fit into a slinky dress. A commitment to working out and eating right will go a long way; and by that time maybe that slinky dress will fit after all.

  • Blog post
  • 2 weeks ago
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• Why you should spend time at a

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:

    I just got back from Spa Magazine’s 13th Annual Fall Media Event, and I feel so refreshed—I got a mini-facial, a hand massage, and a complimentary makeup demonstration! Growing up, I’ve always been a beauty junkie, obsessively buying the newest products and makeup that come out every month, but I never ventured into the spa industry. I think this is because my mom was never a huge fan and downplayed the idea of going to a spa whenever I offered her a gift certificate for her birthday—I think it might have rubbed off on me. (She thought spending so much money for an hour treatment, like a massage or facial would be such a waste. She’s wrong however—sorry Mom!)

    Unfortunately, because I did adopt the same attitude she had about spas, I didn’t have my first facial or massage until I started working at Shape two years ago. Now that I’m realizing that the benefits go way beyond clear, pretty skin and tension-less shoulders, I think going to a spa is worth every penny. (I can’t tell you how much I look forward to getting a facial now—I still don’t do it often, but more than I ever have!) Having a spa treatment done—whether it’s a gift to yourself or a birthday present from your best friend—lets you take the time out for yourself that your body, and mind, needs. You’re forced to sit back, relax, and rejuvenate so that going forward your mind is clearer and your body feels less stressed. It’s the little bit of balance we all may need to jumpstart the next month or get ready for a busy workweek.

    Since working at Shape, I’ve been to many spas and have learned a lot about the full-body experience and relaxation you have when you go to one. I’m only a beginner, but now I really want to learn as much as I can about this type of balanced lifestyle. It makes sense, I spend so many hours during the week keeping my body in shape and eating the right foods (well, maybe I can do better in that department)—so why isn’t my skin getting proper care too? Hopefully I can take my healthy attitude toward exercise and nutrition and put it toward living an all-over healthy lifestyle in the years to come. [Check out a pic of one of the venues at the spa event below!]

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Blog post
  • 2 weeks ago
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• Cooking with your boyfriend IS

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:

    When I told you I moved into a new apartment I left out the bit that my boyfriend, Dino, and I moved in together. It’s been a month and it’s going so well—I’m beyond happy! Moving in together was one of the best decisions we could have made so far—and who knows, maybe Shape’s special bridal issue will come in handy one day! 

    So far, we’re having lots of fun being a couple and I’m finding out that one of the most enjoyable things to do together is to cook! (Just a year ago I was afraid of a recipe and now I love cooking all sorts of things.) We’ve designated Sunday nights for food shopping and trying something new to eat. It’s interesting to go to the grocery store with a guy—girls are more likely to purchase an item that’s lower in calories or fat-free, while a guy will pick the most delicious looking bread or yogurts. They don’t get that on everyday items like cheese, bread, or milk, calories can add up quickly (and there’s usually a substitute that’s much healthier)! Food shopping in this city is unbelievably expensive (most things are double, even triple, the price than in other cities, like in my hometown on Long Island or Philadelphia where Dino lived)—so getting two of everything definitely adds up. However, I’m not willing to let my diet slip just because my boyfriend and I are living together and have different preferences. For the most part, I’m lucky because Dino eats healthy too—our Grilled Chicken Mexican casserole and Carrot and Cashew soup we made for dinner this Sunday was a joint decision. [See below for some cooking photos!] But when he wanted a piece of pumpkin pie for dinner, I didn’t give in—instead, I had some yogurt with a bit of light Cool Whip. Although lots of girls say they gain weight when they get into a new relationship (like having seconds and thirds and dining out all the time), eating healthy with your boyfriend is possible and fun!

    If you’re looking for a yummy organic recipe to try, like the Carrot and Cashew soup I made, check out Anna Getty’s Easy, Green Organic cookbook [http://www.purestyleliving.com/about-anna]—I was fortunate enough to snag an editor’s version when I met her a few weeks ago.

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Blog post
  • 3 weeks ago
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• Get inspired

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:

    The fun thing about living, and working, in NYC is all the people you meet on a daily basis—everyone has a story to tell! I could fill a book with all the interesting stories of success I’ve come across. But the best thing about being in the publishing world is that everyone I work with has such a creative side, in the office and in their personal lives. It really inspires me. For example, our health and nutrition editor’s boyfriend (you remember Sharon, my triathlon partner in crime!) has a clothing line, and his cool urban street designs have been worn by Madonna’s backup dancers on tour [check out his website, www.rocksmithtokyo.com]; and Carly, our associate beauty editor, sings country tunes on the side. Then there’s David Baratta, our bookings editor, who’s an amazing photographer and painter when he’s not picking models for our photo shoots.

    Recently, I’ve been in touch with a good friend from high school who has created his own all-natural soap line, VIVO Natural Products, now being sold all across the country in places like Whole Foods (how awesome is that?)! [Check out his website to learn more about how these soaps are made.] I’ve tried them (vivo means “alive” in many languages), and I honestly love the way my skin feels after the shower and the scents are so unique—Lemongrass, Green Tea with Mint, etc. My friend Mike has even been nominated as one of the twenty-five 2009 Finalists in Business Week’s “America’s Best Young Entrepreneurs” list.

    This all gets me thinking how, outside of my job at Shape, I can help make the world a better place, too, just by taking a personal idea and letting it grow. I hope this inspires you to go after any ideas you may have….because you never know what can happen when you put your mind to something.

     

    

     

  • Blog post
  • 3 weeks ago
  • Views: 95
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• I got a promotion!

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:

    Hard work does pay off! I’ve been promoted to assistant editor, and even though there’s no one to cover my place yet as editorial assistant (I’ll be doing two jobs for some time, sorry girls!), I’m thrilled to have advanced within Shape! With a promotion comes more responsibility, but having more to do means my boss trusts me to take on bigger projects (and that’s a good feeling). I’ll be busy, but I find that when you have a lot on your plate you are more focused and driven to get the job done, and incidentally do a better job because you are more focused.

    Recently, I’ve thought a lot about my career choice, ever since one of our editors left for another industry (we’ll miss you Kristen!) —I thought: Wait a sec, there are other jobs that I could do?  But when I chose to work in the magazine industry I knew this is simply what I’ve always wanted to do with my life—it wasn’t really just a “job” to me, it was more like a lifestyle or life choice I wanted to have. And even with everything that’s going on in the publishing world today (I hear The New York Times is trimming 100 employees from their newsroom!) I’m determined to stay on this path. Getting a promotion when the economy isn’t so great definitely feels good and I’m glad to be reaching my two-year mark at Shape, and within the industry. I’m more comfortable with my day-to-day workload and very excited to be working on assignments I only hoped for when I was just starting out.

    My mom told me the other day that she thinks my job has made me a more well-rounded person—she’s never seen me excited to cook (after years of begging me to get in the kitchen with her) and taking on a triathlon was something that I would have never guessed was on my horizon; I also quit going to tanning salons when I realized what I was doing to my health (I’ve embraced my fair skin, even if my boyfriend teases me). If working at Shape has made me more aware of what’s going on in my life, then I’m proud to be one of the few that gets to work here and share everything I learn with you!

  • Blog post
  • 4 weeks ago
  • Views: 93
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• Shape is getting married!

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:

    If you haven't heard the news, we're currently working on a bridal issue! This is perfect timing considering the closing of the two wedding magazines that I mentioned last week. Although it's a lot of extra work (we're doing double duty right now, working on our monthly issue as well as this extra one), everyone is so excited to put this project together and have it ready for you by Valentine's Day. Weddings are always a good time, so imagine the scene in our office right now—the fashion department is filled with gorgeous dresses, we're choosing between the most fabulous diamond rings (for you to leave the page open for your guy to see), and meeting with tons of newlyweds and brides-to-be to hear their stories. Plus, our cover model is a personal favorite of mine (but you'll have to wait to find out who she is)!

    Even though prepping for a wedding includes picking a venue, choosing a menu, sending out invitations, and of course finding the right dress, a bride-to-be needs to stay healthy and energized for the big day (and beyond!). I can't even imagine what it'll be like to prepare for a wedding on top of everything else in my everyday life—ah the stress! But with Shape's bridal issue, I love the mission we're creating; not only do we want to help readers get in shape for their big day, but we also want to help you relax and stay healthy.

  • Blog post
  • 4 weeks ago
  • Views: 102
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• Working out at home...or not

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:

    Now that I live in an apartment building that has a gym, ironically I find that I’m actually working out less. Besides the fact that I've been extra busy at work, I'm not doing anything differently in my day-to-day; and I do miss my intense daily workouts (I feel so much better after a little cardio)! Since I'm not carrying around my gym clothes to and from work anymore, I'm less aware of fitting the gym into my schedule. If I bring my gym clothes to work, in my mind, I've already carved out time that day to go to the gym...if not, I wouldn't have bothered to bring my gear with me. Now, unless I have the morning motivation to get my butt moving, after work I'm being careless with my time. I’ve been catching up on TV shows, organizing my closet, and attempting tricky recipes in my much bigger kitchen; and I never seem to make it to the gym after dinner like I’ve promised myself. (How does my boss Valerie, the editor in chief, do it all with two kids, a house, and a three hour commute everyday?! I am seriously inspired by her.)

    I wonder if anyone else has a similar problem? Could working out in your own home actually be less motivating than getting yourself to go the gym? I have to get back on track with my workouts though and if it means getting up early every morning so that I don’t put it off at night, I’m doing it.

  • Blog post
  • 1 month ago
  • Views: 142
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• Saying goodbye to some fellow

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:

    We heard the news that Cookie, Modern Bride, Elegant Bride, and Gourmet (a foodie mag that’s been around since 1940!) are all closing down. When you work at a magazine it’s always sad when you hear about another one that’s folding. When I was in college, and just starting out in my journey to work in magazines, many professors told me not to put all my eggs in one basket so to speak, as print media would merge with the digital age, dramatically changing how everyone reads magazines. And while this is true in many ways (a new online home magazine, Lonnymag.com just launched—and Shape is launching on Kindle at the end of this year too), I have to be honest: I still find magazines so special because of the tangibility factor of them...I love flipping through the pages and clipping out articles…and I think a lot of people agree! This is why I’m proud to be at Shape—our readers use our magazine as a diet and exercise bible; religiously turning to it each month to bring to the gym or use at home when they’re cooking (I always did this too even before I started working here!). Because your health will always be a number priority, Shape will always be here to help—in many different versions.

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  • 1 month ago
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• Blonde baby hair

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:

    My boyfriend’s brother and sister-in-law had their first baby—a boy named Niko—and he’s just the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! All babies are cute, but Niko has the most amazing blonde hair. As crazy as it sounds, I’m really tempted to a take a photo of him to my salon, Butterfly Salon in New York, to match it for highlights. (Although I’ve tried a ton of salons, courtesy of my job, I’ve never wanted to stick with one until I found this place..they know exactly what to do for your hair..I love it.) But I'm wondering if trying to emulate Niko’s color might even be too risky to try—I don’t want my stylist to have to bleach my locks—however I’m sure she’ll get the point and make my hair bright and beautiful like his! (Winter is here, and I did say I wanted to try a darker hue, but I just can’t resist this!) See below for a photo of Niko—isn’t he adorable?
    

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  • 1 month ago
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• A new fitness challenge

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:

    A few weeks ago I went biking in Philly with my boyfriend. We did a 30-mile bike tour of Fairmont Park—considered one of the largest urban parks in the country, which stretches along the Schuylkill River. It was nice to be out of the city for a change, and biking on dirt trails; there's only so much variety you can get living in NYC. During our three-hour ride, we stopped along the way a few times (once to run up the famous “Rocky steps” at the Philadelphia Art Museum!). It was such a beautiful trip and so relaxing…it kind of made me miss the athlete I was just a few months ago.

    Since completing my triathlon, I'll admit, I've been slacking. I still get in around 4 days of exercise a week, and something is always better than nothing, but I haven't been as enthusiastic about getting out of bed to go to the gym or running in Central Park on weekends. I almost feel like I don't have anything to work toward, so it's okay to miss a workout here or there, why not, right? But this bike ride in Philly made me realize how good I feel after I accomplish a new fitness challenge. That's why I signed up for a bike race here in NYC next week, the Bike MS NYC, which raises money for multiple sclerosis. I've signed up for the 30-mile ride through New York City—this should be interesting as they've closed down most major roads for the race to go through--and I even got Emily, one of my best friends and college gym buddy, to do it with me. I'm trying to get my closest friends hooked on endurance sports like I am, so hopefully one of them will join me next summer for the Nautica triathlon again. I'm excited to get back on track with my workouts and after this Bike MS race next weekend, I'm signing up for a half marathon in May!

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

    

  • Blog post
  • 2 months ago
  • Views: 158
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• The Freshman 15

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:

    I just read about casting for a new MTV reality show tentatively called Freshman 15. On the show fifteen students who are still in school will compete to shed the extra weight they’ve put on since they’ve been in college.  I sort of have mixed feelings about this—obviously getting back in shape and learning how to eat right while living on a college campus is important, however, I think the pressures of college can become too much! Students have too much to focus on—classes, exams, internships, job searching, and making new friends—that trying to lose more weight than someone else could bring them to a breaking point. As I mentioned before though, my friends at school were my saving grace to get me back in the gym and in better shape, and if it wasn’t for tagging along with my roommates I could be overweight today. However, some girls can take this too far and turn losing weight into a dangerous contest triggering eating disorders.
    
    When I was in college my first article for the newspaper was actually on this topic. Throughout my research, I discovered one of the clubs at my school had ulterior motives: the girls were secretly comparing dieting tips and starvation strategies in order to lose weight. The leaders of the club (of an all-girls singing group) developed a “mean girls” complex and often ostracized any new girls who didn’t appear to be thin enough. It’s so surprising to hear that stuff like this still goes on even when you’re an adult. However, in college, the pressures of being away from home for the first time and living in a new environment with so many people can cause new insecurities—and it’s easy to equate beauty and success in terms of thinness when you look around a big campus. Although I’m a huge fan of weight-loss shows like The Biggest Loser and Shape’s online Fat-to-Fab program, I’m not sure a show called the Freshman 15 will be a good idea to those people watching it (without the nutritionists and trainers personally on hand). I’ll think positively, and hopefully it sends the right message about eating a balanced diet and working out regularly.

  • Blog post
  • 2 months ago
  • Views: 184
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• ExerciseTV on Demand

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:

    Last Friday night I was babysitting and when the 2-year-old went to bed I started flipping through the channels (something I rarely get time to do). I came across ExerciseTV on Demand, which is just like Movies on Demand, but you can choose from a variety of workouts and fitness trends taught by top celebrity trainers and pros. (Need a butt lift? Want to practice pilates? How about some yoga? And there's even sports training sessions and dance classes to choose from.) But the coolest thing is that these videos are free, available 24 hours a day 7 days a week; they fit into any busy schedule (some are just 10 minutes long and can be easily squeezed into your morning routine before you hit the office)! This is really good news for me since I just cancelled my gym membership (the new apartment I'm moving into has a pool and a gym!) and I won't be able to take classes anymore. Now I can do sessions with my favorite trainers, like Jackie Warner from Bravo's Work Out. Plus, I've got a rewind button in case I need extra help learning a new move.

  • Blog post
  • 2 months ago
  • Views: 115
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• It's Fashion Week again!

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:

    A year ago when I started writing on this blog, one of my first few entries was a report on backstage beauty with my friend Carly (our associate beauty editor)--I was intimidated by all the fashion week hype but it was so much fun being part of it. Now, a year later I got to take my boyfriend, Dino, to his first fashion show! As a finance guy, attending fashion week is not something he'd normally do, but as my guest he got to see what my industry is all about.
    
    We went to the Baby Phat Spring 2010 show at the Roseland Ballroom--this was Kimora Lee Simmon's 11th year showing her styles--so it was guaranteed to get a good crowd. We saw a ton of celebrities (mainly hip-hop stars, Victoria Secret supermodels, and America's Next Top Model judges, like Ms. J--and Kim Kardashian, who by the way is gorgeous, tiny, and in amazing shape!), but the best part of the show was of course the runway and the club music that matched the mood of the night. For the first time ever, in all of my runway-watching experiences, I saw models who looked like everyday girls! Despite what Page Six in The New York Post is saying today, these models weren't stick thin or on the borderline of an eating disorder; these girls had curves in all the right places and toned arms and legs. Even though they're much taller than most of us, with extraordinarily long legs, they had cellulite (just like you and I) and it was the first thing you could see when they strutted their stuff in teeny-tiny bikinis (fashion works in advance..so a Fall fashion show like this one, predicts the fashion for next spring, and so on).
    
    I was happy to see that these girls weren't the "typical" of the modeling world--maybe standards are finally changing. Or maybe we should be thankful for designers like Kimora Lee Simmons who hire models that look like healthy, but really tall, versions of ourselves.
    

     
    
    
    
    
  • Blog post
  • 2 months ago
  • Views: 59
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• My RX For Gorgeous Hair

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:
    I just got back from a really interesting beauty event at J.F. Lazartigue--a company that has trichologists on staff (these are experts that are trained to treat hair problems). To better understand my hair and its condition I got a hair and scalp analysis. The specialist used this photographic microscope to take shots of my hair follicles and see what was going on on my scalp. I now know for a fact that my hair is dry and dehydrated, and needs to be moisturized with a deep conditioner once a week. I could have guessed this even before getting this analysis, but now when I head down the drugstore aisle (or even 'shop' in our beauty closet) I know there are only certain types of shampoos and conditioners I should be using--the others, although they'll clean my hair and may be fun to try, they won't treat it at the same time. My favorite tip, which is important for my type of hair, and maybe for yours too: if it's humid out, don't use a moisturizing conditioner (the heavy, creamy types). Even though this is what my hair needs, the deep conditioners add water, and in the humidity this will only make it frizz out. I use this cool application, the Frizz Report, on our Shape website when I need to know which conditioner I should use that day.
    
    What was so interesting is that the specialist talked to me about the importance of nutrition when it comes to your hair. If you're not getting enough nutrients, like iron, your hair can look limp, lack luster, and may even thin out. (She was able to see this by observing the width of the end of the hair follicle, which is the root under your head.)  I'm definitely re-inspired to eat a healthy diet and take my multivitamins!
    
    This was one of the most intriguing events I've been to since I started working at Shape. When it comes to looking great, I've always concentrated on exfoliating, cleansing, and hydrating my skin-and seeing a dermatologist--but I never thought that my hair may need the same thing too.  I'm hoping that these products by J.F. Lazartigue, and the tips I learned during my consultation, will help my hair look, feel, and be healthier.  
    
    
    
  • Blog post
  • 3 months ago
  • Views: 58
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• Finding balance your last year

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:
    Two years ago, I had just graduated college. During my four years in college my healthy habits varied. Some semesters, believe it or not, I didn't work out at all! But after seeing my closest friends go to the gym everyday--why did I stay in my room while they were working out?--I decided to just go with them. I started getting on a much better routine--interning for a magazine during the day, classes at night (college in the city does have it's advantages!) and working out when I got back to my dorm. My college fitness center stayed open until midnight, which I'm so grateful for. Before this, I would go to class, lounge around, and go out partying with my friends much too late for my own good; not to mention all the late night disco-fries and Buffalo wings we'd mindlessly munch on. But getting myself back into shape turned out to be super important for me because I may not have had the motivation after I graduated college to get in the gym. My editor in chief mentioned in her blog yesterday that exercise and eating right go hand-in-hand, and maybe if I hadn't introduced exercising into my daily routine, then I'd still be eating junk food more often than I should--and would probably be overweight and have less energy to do everything I'm doing today.
    
    I bring this up now because when I moved into the city, exercising again was the first thing to go off my list of things to do. Just like college, moving out and onto my own in Manhattan was another new step in my life. It seems like every time I go through a big life change like this, I get easily distracted by everything else to do, and I don't take care of my own body. So it was one year ago this month when I vowed to stop this bad trend by signing up for a triathlon. With this new goal in mind, I made sure that no matter how stressful my day in the office was, I would go to the gym (only one block away, so I had no excuse!). And now a year later, not only am I in the best shape of my life, but I know that no matter what's on my plate I can carve time out of my day to work out. Not only has working out helped me look better, but I feel so much better too; I let any frustrations out during that hour in the gym so I'm refreshed and ready to go at work the next day. I really do thank my job at Shape for helping me realize how important it is to live a healthier lifestyle.
    
    As this is the last week that my interns are here, I've given them some of the life lessons I've learned--from being one of them. I hope they take everything we taught them here at Shape back to school. Life after college is confusing and hectic, and a huge adjustment, but if you can do one thing to keep a positive mindset about the future, hopefully working out will keep you on the right track. It teaches you about commitment, dedication, and prioritizing; all things that are important in your professional life too. Exercising this past year has put balance back into my life--and all it took was taking one hour (or less) out of my day to get on a routine.
    
    
    
  • Blog post
  • 3 months ago
  • Views: 73
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• Planning a much-needed vacatio

  • From: JennaAutuori
  • Description:
    After working so hard to train for my triathlon, I'm feeling the need for a break...to an exotic isle or fabulous getaway. I'm in an I-deserve-it mood--and that's something we preach a lot at Shape: treat yourself. Working at Shape helps to fuel my vacation desires: throughout the day I always receive press releases about checking out resorts on tropical islands or visiting new lodges in mountainous regions--so these amazing vacations are always forefront on my mind. While the idea of surfing in the Caribbean is alluring, I know Dino has his heart set on Colorado. I took my first trip there (Vail) for work and one of the great things about my job is that hiking during the day, spa treatments every afternoon, and yummy (healthy) dinners at night are part of my job! Colorado was never a state on the list of places I had ever wanted to visit, but I when I got there and spent some time getting to know what the people were like (everyone's so fit and athletic), I realized how cool a place it is. Colorado in June and July is hot and gorgeous and the mountains at the Lodge at Vail offer as many outdoor activities as you can do in the wintertime--who knew? I'm not sure where I'll be going this winter; see some of my choices below.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  • Blog post
  • 3 months ago
  • Views: 38
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