The Best Message

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I got a message from one of my challengers this morning:

“I’ve noticed some positive changes since I started P90X3 – definitely more peppy and happy when I walk into work and also feel less stressed and anxious about doing chores at the house. Also getting hungrier. I was a little later than usual this morn cuz granola wasn’t gonna cut it I needed real food – ham, eggs, cheese toast.”

You won’t believe it, but this challenger is my HUSBAND! I have been a coach now for 20 months and while he has been super supportive of me building my business, he has yet to try a program himself. I admit my jaw dropped to the floor last week when he told me he was going to give the program a shot. You see I had tried for what felt like forever, but it just goes to show that you just have to be ready to make that commitment. Even if I was ready for him to try it, he would not have been successful without making the decision himself. He’s now on Day 4 and rocking out each workout with enthusiasm. I can’t wait to see his progress the next 3 months!

In addition, it’s amazing to know that as a coach you not only are able to help people reach their goals, but that you are able to make a difference right in your own household with your own family. His decision to improve his health and fitness will have an impact on our future together. His goal is to ride his bike into his old age…to be able to play with his grandchildren. Now it may seem like that is pretty far off at this point, but really it’s not. Every step you take in life will get you a little bit closer to that goal. And I want to be climbing mountains with him and traveling the world together ’til we are old and gray.

So proud of you babe. Looking forward to growing together, continuing to make positive changes and living a healthy lifestyle for our future and for our children’s future. Keep up the great work Zack!

XO,
Gina

 

Fit Mama Thoughts

Prego Coach Post

Shortly after I became a fitness coach, I discovered I was pregnant. I panicked. Not because of the whole extra child part. For that I was pretty excited, even though we were a tad surprised at the time. But I panicked about just starting a new job where people would rely on me to reach their health & fitness goals, because how could I set a good example while pregnant? I obviously wasn’t going to be showing any “results” photos from my program. I had to switch my program. I would be getting BIGGER…not smaller. What if I couldn’t keep up? Would people want to work with a coach who couldn’t practice everything they preach?

But I decided to give it a shot…give it my all…and see what came out of it. I have been working out as much as I can, eating healthy, and sharing my journey through pregnancy as a fit mama.

And you know what? I now have over 30 challengers in my groups and THREE of them are prego mamas just like me! I never would have dreamed I would be able to help and inspire so many people to reach their goals and stay healthy…especially the pregnant mamas. I am actually so incredibly inspired by THEM and all of my challengers to keep going on a daily basis.

This job has given me an amazing opportunity to not only help others but to better myself in the process 🙂 A year ago, I never would have thought I would be able to stay at home with my son and still accomplish so much in the working world. I am incredibly blessed and thankful, and I can’t wait to see what else is in store!

Hope you all are having a great week!

XO,

Gina

In the Garden

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My guy has been working hard on our garden this year.  I can’t say I have participated much more than a trip to the nursery to pick out some plants (which was really fun by the way!) and a couple days of watering, but I’ve been watching the baby, ok?  In due time when these plants start producing some vegetables…that’s when my work will come into play.  I will be making homemade tomato sauce and pesto, and I will have a happy husband.  Teamwork makes the world go round.

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Top: J. Crew (old) / Dress (worn as a skirt): Free People (old) – shop day dresses / Shoes: Nordstrom Rack / Bag: H&M / Sunnies: YSL / Lip: MAC Up the Amp / Necklace: Gifted / Bracelet: Oja Jules / Watch: Coach

It was a bit of a rough weekend, as I caught a sinus infection and was completely laid up. We had to cancel our anniversary dinner and I missed the 30th Birthday celebration for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law.  On a separate doctor’s note, I spent yesterday morning in the orthopedic office getting a Cortisone shot to try and help my trigger finger.  Womp womp.

Starting to feel better today, and enjoying the amazing weather we have had in the city the past few days.  We are getting excited for our upcoming family mini vacay with our best friends Erin & Rai.  You may remember them from our Maine trip last year.  We have decided to take another adventure with them to the New England region, and this time we are visiting New Hampshire (and we will also have a mini addition to the crew this year!)  We are heading north earlier in the season, so it will be a bit chillier than last year but we are looking forward to a bit of adventure, some breathtaking natural surroundings, and some R&R as well.

Hope you are all enjoying the week so far!

XO,

Gina

Stripes, Polka Dots, and Sparkle

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I donned this get-up on a “business” lunch the other week with my boss and coworkers.  Nico was in tow, which is why the business is in quotes, and it was more of a catch up session on what’s been going on in the past few months as well as a chance for my office to meet my little guy.  I liked this stripe, polka dot, and sparkle mix so much I decided to sport it again while on our trip to Maryland over the holiday.  Pattern mixing can sometimes be tough, but I think it works well when you keep within the same color palette.  How do you all feel about pattern mixing?

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Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Striped Blazer: GAP – now on sale! / Polka Dot Button Up: J. Crew (old) – similar / Sparkly Loafers: Seychelles / Jeans: Motherhood / Watch: Coach (old) – similar / Lip: Lancome Groupie

The holidays are in full force!  We put up our tree last night and decorated the house.  It was so sweet to watch Nico’s eyes and smile grow wide when he saw us putting up all the lights.  He was kicking so hard with joy in his rock-and-play, I thought he might jump out and try to help!  We did get him a super cute sock monkey stocking and a brand new ornament which he helped to put on the tree.  It’s crazy to think how different this Christmas is from last year’s.  I even cried while dancing to Silent Night with my little family.  Ok, enough of the emo stuff.  Nico and I are off to his 3 month doctor’s appointment today.  Hope you all are enjoying the week and the holiday season!

XO,

Gina

Boho Bump

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You may remember this Free People number from last fall when I styled it with a military flair.  These days, flowy dresses are the most comfortable thing to wear, and I love that this dress is so versatile and adaptable from season to season.  I paired it with a sari bag and handmade bracelets from Uncommon Goods as well as a beaded headpiece for a summery bohemian look.  These photos were taken at 36.5 weeks pregnant on my trip to the Hester Street Fair last weekend, and I cannot believe I only have a few more weeks of outfit photos left with this baby bump!

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Photos By: Zack Notes / Edited By: Myself

Dress: Free People (old) – Free People Dress Shop / Headpiece: American Eagle / Flops: Havaianas / Sari Bag: Uncommon Goods / Bracelets: Uncommon Goods and Guilty Jean / Necklace: Guilty Jean / Watch: Coach / Elephant Ring: nOir / Lip: MAC Up the Amp / Nails: Essie Naughty Nautical

Happy Friday Everyone!

XO,

Gina

Fashion for the Fourth

Fashion for the Fourth
1.  Nautical Knot Earrings: J. Crew / 2.  Red Stripe Sperry Top Siders: Nordstrom / 3.  American Flag Sunnies: PacSun / 4.  Tory Burch Kelsey Laser Cut Tote: Neiman Marcus / 5.  Religion Flag Tee: We Like Fashion / 6.  NARS Jungle Red Lipstick: Beauty.com / 7.  Gucci Envelope Clutch: Profile Fashion / 8.  American Flag Shorts: We Like Fashion / 9.  Red Retro Sunnies: Liberty / 10.  Nautical Stripe Bangle: Coach / 11.  Anthony Peto White Panama Hat: Modewalk / 12.  Red and White Stripe Button Dress: New Look / 13.  Red and White Stripe Tote: Modcloth / 14.  Americana Pillow: Calypso St. Barth / 15.  Dolce Vita Striped Sandals: Jildor / 16.  NARS China Blue Eyeshadow: Beauty.com / 17.  Vintage Style Polka Dot Bathing Suit: Unique Vintage / 18.  Red and White Sailor Dress: Attitude Holland / 19.  Navy and White Sweetheart Dress: Forever 21 / 20.  Navy and White Soludos: Shopbop / 21.  Marc Jacobs Red Jean Shorts: Stylebop / 22.  Fossil Watch: Piperlime / 23.  Z Designs Anchor Necklaces: MetroPark / 24. Essie Butler Please: Target
The 4th of July is right around the corner, and I decided to put together this little red, white, and blue inspiration board to put me in the mood!  We are getting extremely excited for our upcoming mini-vacation to the cutest lake-side cottage in Maine.  But first, we have a wedding to celebrate on Maryland’s Eastern Shore!  We are headed down there tonight to celebrate our friends Kurt and Tiffany tomorrow, and we couldn’t be more excited.
Happy Friday, and hope you all have a fabulous weekend!
XO,
Gina
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Big Floppy Hat

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In honor of Kentucky Derby weekend, I packed my big floppy hat and took it with me to Arizona.  I purchased it earlier this spring, and was obviously excited to wear it.  My belly is definitely starting to pop, and I wore this comfy outfit in Phoenix to meet my cousins for dinner.  Would love to see the different ways you wore your big floppy hats that weekend!  Tweet your pics my way to @popcornpandas!  Of course, Preakness hats are more than welcome too. 🙂

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Photos by: Zack Notes / Edited by: Myself

Big Floppy Hat: Francesca’s – similar here and here / Top: Motherhood / Skirt: Motherhood – similar in gray / Sandals: Sam Edelman via Nordstrom Rack / Bag: Coach (old) / Snakeskin Bracelet: Henri Bendel – sold out – shop bangles / Bow Bracelet: Baublebar / Red and Gold Chain Bracelet: Gorjana – sold out – shop bracelets / Watch: Michael Kors / Necklace: Family Heirloom / Sunglasses: LOFT / Toes: Essie Peach Daiquiri / Lip: Lancome Red Haute

Dreary Monday here in NYC.  We had a great weekend seeing family and friends that were in town visiting, and I worked on creating a baby registry for my little guy.  Wow, and I thought a wedding registry was overwhelming!  Boy, was I wrong! It pretty much took me all weekend, but it’s finally complete.  Can’t believe I will be 24 weeks tomorrow!  Time is flying right by.

Hope you all have a great week!  Memorial Day Weekend is on the horizon.

XO,

Gina

Feeling the Holiday Spirit

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Red Cable Knit Sweater: Gap – similar here / Oxford Blouse: Express / Bow Tie: ASOS – similar with studs / Black Skinnies: ZARA / Black Suede Pumps: Cynthia Rowley / Watch: Coach / Bracelet: Bridesmaid Gift / Ring: Forever 21 / Pearl Earrings: Birthday Gift / Lip: MAC Venomous Villains Cruella de Vil Heartless

Photos by: Zack Notes

With the celebration of Chanukah last week, and Christmas only 8 days away, I am really starting to feel the holiday spirit! (if you couldn’t already tell by the red sweater and the bow)  My holiday shopping is almost complete, and this week will be dedicated to wrapping and packing.  I am currently trying to decide which Christmas movie favorite I am going to watch while doing so.  Some contenders on the list are Love Actually and Elf, but I am open to suggestions, so fire away!  Christmas tunes are blasting at the office, and we have our office luncheon scheduled for this Thursday.  What are you doing to celebrate the season?

Happy Monday all!

XO,

Gina

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