What to Wear to the Gym: Workout Clothes Perfect for Warm Weather

With Memorial Day weekend approaching, the unofficial kickoff of Summer is upon us.  If you're a gym lover, it's time to cool off your workout wardrobe with lighter fabrics that will encourage you to keep going rather than suffocate you in the heat.

Nordstrom Activewear
Nordstrom is holding it's Half-Yearly sale and has a number of quality pieces that are perfect for warm weather.  Nodstrom also offers maternity and plus-size women's activewear.

Nike Elastika Dry-FIT Tank - $22.49 right now!

I love tank tops featuring the exposed built-in bra you're seeing everywhere.  These are incredibly comfortable and perfect for yoga, pilates, barre classes, cycling or skating.  This Nike Elastika Dry-FIT Tank is on sale for $22.49 and will last a while.  It also comes in black/yellow and heather grey/peach (only $20.10!) color combinations.  

Asics Pure Capris on sale for $33.75

These Asics Pure Capris are a good workout pant to wear to pair with these tops.

Zella Strappy Racerback Tank

This Zella Strappy Racerback Tank isn't on sale but it's a great top for barre classes, pilates, yoga or walking.   In addition to gorgeous pink, it comes in blue, coral and purple.

The top is perfect to pair with Zella's Live In Slim Fit Capri Leggings in universal black.

Target Activewear
Target has a fabulous selection of exercise gear from C9 by Champion that's quite stylish.

C9 by Champion Fit and Flare Tank Top

This C9 by Champion Fit and Flare tank comes in a range of colors and also sports that on-trend built-in bra.

C9 by Champion Open Back Layering Top only $19.99!

I adore this C9 by Champion Open Back Layering Top.  It comes in gorgeous Spring/Summer colors, as well.

C9 by Champion Woven Running Shorts

Shorts are a perfect option for Spring and Target has a great selection of them.  These woven running shorts are stylish and also come in black and blue.

Accessories
Don't forget some of the accessories: shoes, ponytail holders or socks.

Full Toe Ankle Socks

Toe socks are good if you're a barre or pilates fan.

For more "what to wear to the gym" inspiration, please check out my Pinterest board.

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10 Supposedly Healthy Foods That Can Sabotage Your Diet

Did you have a juice-packed smoothie for breakfast, followed by a cheese and crouton-laden salad, a granola bar for a snack and a plate full of sushi with rice for dinner?  Pretty healthy, right?  Not so fast. 

If you're not careful, some so-called healthy foods can do serious diet damage.  Fox News features "10 That Can Destroy Your Diet".

They're gluten-free but still a treat, not a diet staple.

1. Gluten-free foods - to eliminate gluten, food manufacturers add fat, sugar and starch.  This "free" food isn't so calorie-free.
2. Coconut oil  - while it's having an oil-pulling moment, coconut oil is still a fat.  Don't go overboard with it. 
3. Yogurt - I think yogurt is overrated, especially those sugary yogurts packed with high fructose corn syrup and syrupy fruit.  Get some Greek plain yogurt and add your own fruit. 
4. Sushi - I LOVE sushi but that rice is a diet saboteur.  Ask for light rice with your sushi or simply eliminate most of it.  You won't miss it.  Your plate will be a mess, but you'll save calories. 
5. Smoothies - if you pack your smoothies with juice and "boosts" it can be a calorie bomb.  Make a green smoothie with low-calorie almond milk.  You'll love it.  Here are some other recipes. 
6. Dried Fruit - sure it's fruit but it's a calorie-dense, sugar-packed snack.  Tread lightly with this diet disaster.
7. Salad - are you getting fat eating salads?  If you're topping your salad with cheese, nuts, croutons, fried won tons, dried fruit and creamy dressing, you're not doing yourself any favors.  Use simple balsamic vinegar on your salad in place of dressing.  Learn more about slender salads here. 
8. Wraps - I love wrap sandwiches but those wraps are essentially big tortillas with lots of calories.  Try La Tortilla Factory Low Carb Tortillas.  They'll save you a few calories.  
9. Granola - while granola is made of healthy ingredients, the calories in those ingredients add up: nuts, seeds, oats, dried fruit.  These are all calorie-dense foods.  A serving is usually a 1/4 cup.  How many of us really eat 1/4 cup?  I eat handfuls.  That's like 600 calories. 
10. Corn - corn on the cob is a summer staple but it's a starchy carb.  Enjoy one ear of corn with no butter.  Add other fresh veggies like cucumber and jicama with maybe some hummus and salsa to your summer BBQ.  You'll love it, promise.

Purses You Can Carry At The Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial

If you have ever browsed this blog, you know I'm all about gameday style and helping you navigate the wonky world of sporting events.  The purse policy police aren't making it any easier.

Diane von Furstenberg Micro Mini Metallic Crossbody 

The PGA Tour has a new purse policy.  It's limiting.  Here is what you need to know.  Here are some handbag suggestions I offered for the HP Byron Nelson Championship.  Each of those bags will work for this week's Crowne Plaze Invitational at Colonial, although some of them you might have to squeeze to fit within the 6"x6" size restrictions.

Here are additional bags that are perfect for a PGA tournament:

For help with "What to wear to the game" or golf tournament, check out my "What to Wear to the Game" board on Pinterest. 

Why Gucci's Swing Leather Tote Is An Instant Classic

Press play to watch my unboxing video.

Can we talk about Gucci's Swing Leather Tote? I love it. Gucci has created the perfect bag for working women, students or über-moms who need to haul diapers, snacks, wipes and sippy cups yet still want to look stylish.

This instant classic rivals the Louis Vuitton Neverfull as the new carryall du jour because it is chic, elegant and functional. Watch my original unboxing video as well as my "How's It Holding Up?" updated version to find out why I love it so much.

The Swing Leather collection has been popular for Gucci. The Italian house has updated the bag and added a small name tag to the original design of it. The Swing Leather collection also features wallets, wristlets, crossbody/WOC bags and children's totes.

The tote comes in two sizes: medium and small.

Gucci Medium Swing Leather Tote 

Gucci Medium Swing Leather Tote in taupe leather with soft pink interior

The medium version (the one I have) comes in a variety color options and measures 13.4"W x 12"H x 7"D with an 8.6" strap drop, similar in size to the Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM (or medium size).  It features two interior pockets which can hold a cell phone, pens, notebook, etc.  It also has an interior zipper pocket which Gucci says can "fit an iPad." It does. Sold.

Gucci Small Swing Leather Tote

Gucci Small Swing Leather Tote in rose beige leather with light blue interior

The small version also features a variety of color options while measuring 10.6"W x 9.5"H x 6.3"D with an 8" strap drop, similar in size to the smaller Louis Vuitton Neverfull. This roomy bag can also hold a lot.

UPDATE: As of 5/8/15, Fashionphile has two Gucci Swing Leather Totes on sale red and pink. If you want one, hurry! These go quickly.

The Takeaway 
At $1000 for the small and $1350 for the medium, these bags are investment pieces. I believe they are a better value than the Louis Vuitton Neverfull for two reasons: the generous interior pockets and the beautiful, supple leather construction. (Tweet this). The Neverfull is simply monogrammed canvas and starts at $1180 for the smallest version.

If you do invest in one of these, I feel it's a wise one.  They are timeless classics you can carry for years.  If you do tire of them, you can always consign or resell them and get a portion of your money back.  My Louis Vuitton Neverfull practically paid for itself.

Shop The Gucci Swing Leather Collection

Diet And Fitness News You Need To Know

"Fountain of Youth" photoprint by Charles Gilhousen 

Exercise is the fountain of youth.  There's science to back it up.

Image via Instagram.com/MarioTestino

The Met Gala may have come and gone but Vogue offers timeless advice for getting in shape for a formal gala.  Seriously.

More proof why the Mediterranean Diet is rock star.  

5 things to cut out of your diet today: artificial sweetener, instant rice, canned meat refined, white flour foods and dangerous vitamin supplements.  I gave up fake sweetener about four years ago and haven't looked back.  Game changer.

How about the Korean Diet?  Soy Bean Paste, anyone?

And finally, this might frustrate you: when natural foods aren't....natural.  Really?  Really.

Things College Grads Must Invest In To Get Hired In 2014

A good resumé isn't enough anymore.  To get noticed and hired in this competitive job market you need to take an aggressive and creative approach to marketing yourself.  Yes, that's basically what you're doing: marketing yourself to potential employers.

Image via Tulane Public Relations

I tell aspiring broadcast journalists this all the time: have a paper resumé, a digital portfolio, a strong social media network and a YouTube channel with examples of your work.  You wouldn't believe how many interns I have met who want to go into TV and yet their college professors don't tell them they need a demo reel.  I digress.

There is a great article on Forbes that explains 8 Things Today's College Students Must Invest In To Get Hired and the advice is outstanding.

Here's a quick summary: 
A Professional Headshot - you need this for your LinkedIn profile.  Delete all the drunk photos of you at the game.  Take it a step further and take the photo on the day you got your hair done.

A Stellar LinkedIn Profile - It shows up in Google results and recruiters are scanning this network to see how you tell your professional narrative.

A 3D Brand Bio - something that tells the story of your work, your life and your world.

Professional Clothing - so important.  Professional accessories are great gifts for college grads.  These don't have to be expensive, they just need to be quality pieces that makes a phenomenal first impression.

Recommendations - these go a long way in proving you're a strong candidate.

Good Stationery - you need these for thank you notes.  This was another gift suggestion I had for the recent grad.

A Video Bio - if you can produce a compelling video that engages a recruiter, think about the impression you'll make.  Again, it's no longer solely about the resumé.  You need to take it a step further.

A Career Coach - these are helpful.  There is no one formula for success but it's good to talk to someone who can offer objective advice on all aspects of your career from your presentation and appearance to your resumé and actual body of work.

Check out my internship survival guide for detailed information that you can apply not only to your internship but also to marketing yourself for that first job, as well.

Details on the 2014 Taste of the NFL: The Ultimate Tailgate Pary

Gourmet food, football and raising money for a good cause are three of my favorite things.  So why don't you join me at the 10th annual Taste of the NFL: The Ultimate Tailgate Party THIS Sunday night at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine.

Tracy Kornet, former Cowboy Preston Pearson and me at the 2012 party

The event has raised more than $1.34 million dollars to help hungry North Texas children during its run.

As always, there is a tempting array of delicious food and signature cocktails designed by DFW's best chefs and bartenders.  There will also be some phenomenal silent and live auction items you can bid on to help support NTFB.

There will be a great mix of former Cowboys players, as well as a few current faces you'll recognize.  Abacus executive chef and proprietor Kent Rathbun is the culinary all-star who helps make this event a touchdown year after year.  I'll be emceeing along with JACK-FM's JT.

For more information on Sunday's party and ticket information, click here.