{fitness friday} six pack abs, part 2

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Happy Friday!!  Hope you've all had a great week and are sticking to your fitness routines.    

I'm continuing today with core strength.  Plank is an amazing full body workout that has focus on the core.   Plank and it's variations are something that can be done every day and it only takes 5 minutes. The above workout is a great routine! 

simple sunshine

top - old navy on sale! with code ONSAVE | skirt - forever 21 (similar) | shoes - old navy (similar, splurge, love these)

A little bit of sunshine goes a long way!   I made it to Thursday thanks to a bit of sun I caught on Tuesday.  What a gorgeous day it was.  I took these shots at the nearest park by my office.  This is where I usually go to take my snaps during work hours.  It's really nice to get out of the office and I have a good half hour mostly uninterrupted (I get the occasional curious passerby).   I was lucky to find a mostly shady spot that wasn't overrun by children!   

Tonight is our first Pub Show with my dancers.  You guessed it, we're dancing in a bar.   This year we have a big initiative to be more visible within the community and really promote our classes.  It should be really fun - or, it could be a huge disaster.  Hopefully the latter but I'll let you know 

How is everyone's week?  Any big plans this weekend?

florals & eyelets

dress - gap (on sale! with code TREAT) | hat - bcbgeneration | shoes - forever 21

Hope everyone's week is off to a great start!  I wore this gorgeous dress on Easter Sunday and it was a huge hit.  My grandma even told me I looked like the "new princess" which is the upmost of compliments.    Some thought it was vintage and no one could believe it is made out of sweatshirt material.   I am considering going back for the other colors because I know I will live in this dress.   

I tell ya, Gap is really hitting the mark with their new arrivals.  I've been a bit of a Gap/Old Navy fan-boy, though.  

In other news we are gearing up for our recital in a few weeks and the competitive team is getting ready for heavy competition season and Nationals in Montreal!   I'm so excited to go and hopefully I'll have a little time to see Montreal.  

Anything exciting coming  up for you?  

snakeskin

top - old navy (similar) | pants - old navy | shoes - chinese laundry (similar) | bag - michael kors (similar in the monogram)

Happy, happy Monday!  

Hope everyone had a great Easter weekend.    We, once again, had an incredible weekend weather wise.  YAY! I actually got a little sun burnt, I've never been so stoked for pink skin in my life.   The sun was just glorious.  

Let's chat about my top - I'm always hesitant to style it.  I don't want to look like a cougar or anything ... I always think it's too vavoom, or something.  But, I rather love it with the white boyfriend pants.   

How was your weekend?

weekend inspiration

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Hoping that you're finding inspiration in easy simple looks this weekend!

Here's a week at AT40BF

Styling chucks with a dress for spring/summer

What new denim styles are you trying out this season?

Looking back on a few of my favorites from last year

Cook your abs in the kitchen, but carve them in the gym

Happy weekend! 

{fitness friday} six pack abs

We all know that abs are made in the kitchen (more on that in May).  But, that doesn't mean you shouldn't help them along in the gym.  I try to get in a few ab exercises every time I hit the gym.  Why, you ask? 

Well, your core is an extremely important part of your body to keep strong.  It's "the core" of your body, what helps you sit up, stand up straight, bend and twist.    You don't need to have a six-pack to have a strong core. 

Some other exercises that aid in a strong core are yoga and pilates.  Check out Robin over at The Balanced Life.  She has really great video workouts :)

TGIF! 

springing for skirt weather

The past few days here have been less than ideal weather wise.  After the perfect week of spring/summer it's a huge bummer.   I know it's just temporary and tomorrow it'll be back in the 50-60's again, still this is making me long for all my dresses and skirts.   

Isn't it funny to look back to last season?  Not only do I see trends that are relevant again (ankle straps, mixing prints, etc) but it's so fun to see how different I look.   Blonde, long hair; seems like ages ago.  

Do you ever look back through old blogging photos?  It's definitely interesting and fun to look back and see your own evolution. 

spring denim guide

A fresh season always warrants a fresh crop of denim.  This year I'm gushing over trends like denim pencils and frayed hems.  Throw in the occasional trend that gives you flash backs to your childhood (overalls! acid wash?) and you have a ton of options to choose from.
I love that light wash denim is back, it's such a nice and light spring look and pairs nicely with neutrals, navy, black and white.  

I DIY'd my own frayed hem jeans.  I took an old pair of skinnies that were slightly too short and just cut about an inch off the hem then threw them in the dryer for the fringe.

I keep saying I don't want to go back to overalls, but every time I see an image on Pinterest I can't help but wonder if I can incorporate the trend into my style/closet this season.

Are you trying anything new with your denim this season?

freyed hem | pencil skirt | classic skinny | the boyfriend short 1 & 2 | the favorite boyfriend | the risky overall 

summer like

hat - american eagle (similar) | cardigan - old navy (similar) | dress - h&m (similar, love this) | bag - the swim outlet c/o | converse

For the past few days here it's been feeling so much like summer.  More summer than spring that we all joke Rochester skips spring all the time.   The rain has been so on and off I wasn't sure if I'd have any outfits to share with you but I was lucky that the sun came out Friday when I sported this look.  I scored a full casual week at work so wearing a dress on a Friday with my new favorite sneaks was a no brainer.    I have literally been living in these puppies! 

I will also be sporting this adorable tote everywhere!  The Swim Outlet is gearing up for summer with their new lines of suits and accessories.  When they asked me to pick a suit or beach item I immediately gravitated towards this tote.  The perfect summer bag for the beach, park, day trip, you name it!   I love the summery colors in the tribal design.  

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend! 

weekend inspiration

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The token look for me in spring is easy and loose fitting layers.   

These are my favorite looks from Pinterest this week 

A week at AT40BF:

Testing out light wash jeans

Inspiration to wear spring dresses for work and play

A workout you can do anywhere during the week

Enjoy your weekend, friends!

{fitness friday} the anywhere workout

I love finding new workouts that I can either do with the kids at dance as conditioning, or while I'm away from home, on my lunch break you name it.    This is a great cardio and body weight strength training workout that is quick, easy and that you can do anywhere. 

Will you be fitting this into your schedule this week?  Hopefully the weather is improving for you too, this would be a perfect outdoor workout to kick off spring!

Happy Friday!

spring dresses - 2 styles, 2 ways to wear

I don't know about you, but as soon as the sun comes out and the snow melts I'm all about dresses.  I love dressing them up for work and dressing them down for the weekends.  Dresses are such an easy style.   

For work I love a simple sheath, nothing is better and it transitions very well to afterwork activities.   Keep your accessories simple for the office and use your shoes as your pop piece. 

An easy blue and white striped dress with a fun little flair is perfect for weekend activities or errands. Throw on your favorite kicks and a bold bag and you're ready to tackle that to do list!

look 1

blazer | dress | shoes 

look 2

dress | jacket | sneaks | bag

Linking up with Shanna today 

here comes the sun

top, jeans & shoes (similar shoes) - old navy | bag - target (similar)

Another busy weekend over - happy Monday!! This weekend I had planned a lock in event for the dance school.  We had the kids make up their own parts to a big figure choreography, I held a Frozen sing-a-long and we did crafts!  A great way to spend a gloomy Saturday afternoon. 

These snaps were shot Sunday.  We actually had a beautiful 55 degree sunny day and even though I hate direct sunlight in outfit photos it is hard to complain when the weather is too perfect for words.  

How was your weekend? 

weekend inspiration

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Spring has finally sprung!  Oh thank you to whoever decided we were so worthy!  With the temps finally in bare leg, toes out range I'm going crazy for all my spring dresses and shoes.  I'm loving anything bright colored, floral and easy.  That's what spring is about, right?  Fresh easy stylings with patterns, colors, whatever your little heart so desires.  

Last Saturday (before the *hopefully* last snow storm) I swapped my closet.  Yeah, I know not exactly the ideal day but it worked out in my favor afterwards :) 

Now whenever I peer into my closet I am greeted by my bright and bold sun dresses verses the furs and winter blazers.   I am so stoked to mix my favorite pieces with the new trends of this season! 

Have a great weekend, friends! 

Spotlight Link Up - Florals

anorak - target | tee - gap | pants - target, last season (similar) (love these!)| shoes - sole society, last season (similar) | bag - target (similar)

 How is everyone's week going?   I'm so happy to be co-hosting the Spotlight Linkup with Elle and Jacqueline today!!   If you aren't familiar with their blogs, go check them out!  They are very stylin' ladies - I mean, Elle and I styled the same pattern and look at that dress Jacqueline is sporting.  So chic!
The responses are still pouring in from my post on Monday about pulling back a bit.  I'm already feeling much less stress and anxiety about this blog.  A lot of you wondered how I'm actually doing all of this in the first place!
Well, my secret is taking my outfit photos during my lunch break at work.   It actually helps break up my day, keeps me away from the mall 5 minutes down the road, and is bit of creative thinking.
I'm still working out the details of when I'll post, how often, etc; but, I'm trying to keep it stress free.  Awareness is everything and so far I'm feeling much better.  Thank you ALL!  I love you guys! 

Shop more Florals below! 

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