Curbside Couture

Curbside Couture - Fashion Show To-go

Breaking out a new way of showcasing fashion, Founder of Curbside Couture Leah-Marie Bronson, has brought a whole new meaning to mobile fashion.  It's literally fashion on wheels, (on a big truck) where she brings together local boutiques and features hip, stylish, designs in front of boutiques or a venue that are literally ready-to-wear.  Marin Country Club helped to host this event while attendees shopped off the racks of selected pieces highlighted in the show.  All this while noshing on appetizers and sipping some fun margaritas from local vendors such as Laughing Glass Cocktails.  

Other participants included Sproos Salon / thestylebar who provided the makeup and hair to the models.  Fashion show/model coach and author of Star Walk, Charleston Pierce, also teamed up with Curbside Coutures fashion show production.  Stylist Guru, Justin Van Derren, who collaborated with Curbside Couture was raffled for his stylish expert advice among some of the prizes. The boutiques and vendors even gave special promo offers just for having fun at the event. 

Do Tell Do Tell TV meets up with go-getter, fashion stylist and founder of Curbside Couture, Leah, along with some of her team and went behind the scenes to get a dose of what it's like to put on this unique show. 

Check out the clip from Do Tell Do Tell TV You Tube Channel here:
Follow on Twitter @DoTellDoTellTV 

Thank you to my team Mark Marcelo at IdioVideo for providing creative video skills. 

KEONE & MARIEL MADRID = DANGEROUS DANCE MOVES

WARNING:Dangerous Dance Moves... 

Gotta tell you, I am completely BLOWN away by this dance duo's dangerous-dance-moves. The folks at Urban Dance Camp have trained and produced some talented dancers. One such example is this phenomenal dance routine performed by Keone and Mariel Madrid.  I can't help but watch this and smile and stand up to such clever choreography and brilliant dancing.  Seriously, impressed with their hip-edgy technical moves and interpretation  Brings to life the song and makes for such an entertaining visual to watch.  These two incredible dancers, Keone and Mariel Madrid are bad-ass, "Michael Jackson" bad-ass!
Stop reading this and just watch what I mean: Keone and Mariel Madrid

Additional bad-ass dancing playlist continues from this clip below.
Thank you to Urban Dance Camp YouTube Channel 

Getting On Board - North Bay - Marin County, California

Calling all yoga enthusiast and SUPers (stand-up-paddle-boarders) - There's a new kind of class that will move your body and mind, literally.  

By: Veronica Castro

Get on board with on-the-water-yoga classes, combining yoga mediation stretches with stand-up-paddle board balancing benefits and an amazing workout.  Sounds like an odd pairing but it can be an exhilarating experience.  Paddling above the water gives amazing perspective and yoga kicks your muscles in a whole new way.  The water alone is mediative with its sounds and being able to high plank and asana as you float on water, can make you feel on top of the world.


It does take some practice just like any sport, but give yourself a chance to find your balance on a paddle board and you will see how easy it can be.  Now if you're a beginning Yogi, take a class on land for basic yoga moves.  Ease your way into yoga as it's really intended to help you get-in-tune with your body and mind.


I admit that I had a fear of water for a very long time but stand-up paddle has helped me overcome it.  Never giving up, as I flopped in the water for the first 20 minutes, I was able to find my barrings and enjoy seeing the sea floor from above.

It's really outrageous and if your looking for floating inspiration, the folks at
Marin Magazine has got you covered.  Check out the link which offers a background story on how the craze got started and some great information on where you can find some classes and proper equipment.  Also check out OnBoardSUP to learn more about deepening your practice with classes and teacher training schedules for stand-up-paddle yoga.
Go out, make-a-splash, strike-a-pose and get on board!

Photo Credit: Arlene Barshinger (yoga pose pink top)

Getting On Board - Marin Magazine | North Bay Restaurants, Hotels, Events, Shopping - December 2011 - Marin County, California

Workout Your New Year

Workout your New Year

By:  Veronica Castro

Anytime I hear about working out or I find new workout gear, I get excited. However, I know for most of us, some may cringe at the thought of sweating or finding time to get your butt in gear. I mean really, getting to the gym is half the battle and then figuring out all those gym machines can be a bit overwhelming (Yikes!).  It's that time of year where gyms across the world see a fluctuation of memberships and folks are determined to shed that post holiday weight gain and get ready for bikini season.  Finding time to workout and getting to the gym is a challenge in and of itself, and by the time you arrive you're possibly already pondering what to eat because that dry protein bar just doesn't cut it!  Well either way, if you drag yourself to the gym or find a place at home (without sneaking into the pantry for a cookie) just get outside, move or find a fitness partner.  

It's easy to fall into the same routine which is why we burn out and get bored so easily.  It's important to change it up for better results.  If you find yourself out of ideas like I did a while back, consider investing in a personal fitness trainer to change your workout game.  I have to give credit to a few awesome trainers who have inspired me with "working out" my new workouts.  These inspirational trainers provided me changed insight, challenging me and offering new ways of working out with results. 

Eugene Sablan of FitnessMoves in the Bay Area, has worked with many clients and has a wealth of knowledge transforming bodies.  Eugene, aka "Gene", has a genuine supportive approach to bringing fitness into your life. I really enjoyed his personal training style, his friendly personality and his family-like demeanor made me feel motivated to commit to the workouts.  He brings together the community by offering unique bootcamps and random hiking trips for added encouragement.  Combining his keep-it-fun philosophy and expertise with engaging all muscles, he mixes in using the kettle ball, jump rope, balance ball and yoga-inspired moves.  Sablan taught me to focus on strengthening my core tricking my muscles and keeping me on my toes.  Inspired to find my inner She-ra, I kept moving and learning new ways to train my body and achieve my goal of fitting into those trendy skinny jeans. 

I also had the opportunity to train with Moji Oluwa of Moji Oluwa Fitness in Los Angeles, California.  A pro-body builder, weightlifter and personal training coach with several accolades and awards.  He can probably bench-press double or triple my body weight, but don't be intimidated by his He-Man-like physique. Behind all that muscle, Moji is one of the sweetest, big-hearted trainers and a joy to train with. Admittedly, I told Moji I was afraid to lift weights for fear of turning into a beef-cake.  But he kindly assured me that I would not beef-up, rather tone-up my tall frame without heavy weights. Believe it or not, he has achieved his bursting body of muscles all-natural.  He promotes educating the natural way with bodybuilding and living healthy with a recommended long-term clean nutrition regimen. He offered me personal meal plans to compliment my fitness goals. During one of my sessions with Moji, I was surprised we used little to no weight at all and mostly my own body weight, longer reps, and proper technique.  Just the small amount of tweaks with each move, I was able progress gradually and challenge my muscles without hurting myself. 

As a self-professed workout junkie and health-nut, I've become eager with my fitness efforts and have found yoga pants to be my new best friend. I feel motivated adding fitness-fashion collections as my everyday wardrobe.  I stumbled upon a clever shopping site from the folks over at  http://www.joyus.com offering some new clothing gear that improves your workout. Enter W8Fit Workout Gear: a new workout approach adding weight into your workout routine "literally".  Small weights are strategically placed into the pockets of these specially-designed workout pants and sports bras. Sort of an odd concept, but hey, you can potentially increase calorie burn wearing these pieces during a brisk walk on a break or a casual hike. 
Watch the video by clicking the link here: W8Fit Workout Gear 

Now if you are just entertaining the idea for starting a workout regimen, have no fear. Take each day to work it out into your schedule even if its a few minutes a day or every other day.  Start with just simple stretching and don't over-do-it. Small steps will make it easier so you won't burn out.  It's easy to get side tracked and lack motivation which is why I encourage partnerships or investing in a personal trainer who can offer you basic tips for proper movement and nutrition.  Self-educate yourself, surf the web as there is a wealth of resources there and even youtube video demonstrations that I have used.  Read magazines and tear out step-by-step routines and save them in a binder and leave it out so you can see it. I've created a few of them myself and have used them with a trainer.  I'm a believer of one-day-at-a-time and simple approaches to "light the fire".  Maybe pulling on a brand new supported sport bra or jumping into a comfortable pair of new training pants will spark motivation. 
Either way, work it out! Happy New Year! 





  

SAC FASHION WEEK

Calling All Fashion Designers: 

In an effort to stay hip, stylish and inspired by emerging fashion designers, I make it a point to stay connected to my friends over at Sacramento Fashion week.  Founder/Executive Producer Duane Ram, has teamed up with a dedicated and unique group of talented individuals, including Creative Director Will Rodriguez who have contributed to producing a yearly fashion event since 2006.  Mr. Ram has been able to successfully launch and create the show each year by staying connected to his hard working fashion team who help bring SAC Fashion Week to life through mixers, workshops and other networking events. 




The event has garnered some fashionable attention, with nominations for Best Fashion Show Producer and Creative Director of the year. 
There was also a visit from model Naima Mora of America's Next Top Model, who made an appearance as a guest speaker giving some of her sought after advice.

Ram's goal is to create fashion shows unlike any other.  More importantly, he wants to give a voice to budding designers that have potential to kick the fashion industry into new, stylish inspiration.

Interested in attending the show or becoming a featured designer for an upcoming show?  
The show is open to all emerging designers who meet the requirements.  

Apply to be a designer - Approved designers will be required to feature a 10 – 15 piece collection in one season – S/S or F/W Collection. 

For full submission details please visit the website or follow this link below:

http://sacfashionweek.com/sacfw-2014-designer-submissions

If you're interested in becoming a sponsor, or just want to have fun attending the next big show, be sure to visit their website for a full list of upcoming galas and events.

Check out SAC Fashion Week at http://sacfashionweek.com.

Step up With Enrique Iglesias

Digging an interview with singer Enrique Iglesias.  He blushes at the idea of dancing and needs extra space to shake it up or some liquid motivation to "show me some moves".

Special Thanks for clip to:  Latin Eyes TV Media 

Girls Who Code

Girls Who Code     

Always impressed by my intelligent female friends, I found this article on Huffington Post that discusses an organization set out to continuing intelligent growth of young girls minds around the world.  Although a girl likes to be a girl, they also have intellects that go beyond a home economics class.  "Girls who code" an initiative designed to attract interest in technical fields, teaching girls to code and pursue their own tech endeavors.   
In an effort to close the gender gap in tech and engineering, young ladies are encouraged and empowered to continue their computer science studies.  A movement dedicated to creating a vessel to fuel a girls imagination and offer a real hands on experience in the tech world.

Click the link below for the full story.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/23/girls-who-code_n_2005659.html